We have a saying here in Shanghai, some days are Shang-highs and some days are Shang-lows. Most of the Shang-low days are due to some event that should be simple, but is difficult because we are in Shanghai. It is usually something you wouldn’t experience in America and it can be frustrating. I used to get annoyed when I walked to the ATM to get cash and the cash machine was empty. It doesn’t bother me anymore because it happens so often. Of course, it is ALWAYS when I really need money the machine is empty.
Friday is bake sale day at school. I volunteered for both classes – check the box for the year! I had planned rice krispies treats with the Fruity Pebbles to make them more colorful. I had two bags of marshmallows and one box of Fruity Pebbles. I just needed to find one more box of Fruity Pebbles and I did – surprisingly. I did paid 56rmb ($9) for my one box. After being in Shanghai this long, I know to plan ahead because you can’t always find what you are looking for. I have been looking for corn starch for a couple weeks now – all my stores seem to be out of this item.
Thursday morning I started baking early as I had things on the “to do list”. I melted the butter and the marshmallows to notice my mixture was a glue, globby mess. I grabbed the marshmallow bags out of the trash – expired!! Expired marshmallows do make a difference. I threw the mixture in the rubbish, grabbed the dog and walked over to our Yanlord store. “Mei you” – a common Mandarin expression used which means “no have” pronounced mayo. I called Mr. Nie to run over over to City Shop – “Mei you”. I text Jennifer on the 19th floor – she texts me back “mei you”. Time for plan B. I made 100 cookies with the last of my supplies of good chocolate chips. It was 2:30pm by the time I finished baking, bagging and cleaning.
Life is an adventure and sometimes just finding the right supplies can be an adventure. Well, I have the expensive Fruity Pebbles for the next time I see marshmallows in the stores. It will make a couple girls happy when I make them.