The Jing Jin Ferris Wheel through my camera lens!

Last night, some friends and I made a trip out to Jin Jiang Action Park just a few subway stops south of downtown Shanghai in honor of my birthday. Over the course of four hours, we rode to the top of the world, we loop-d-looped backwards and forwards, we tilted and whirled, we were horified in a house, we were shot up into the air, we bumped in cars, we weaved in and out, and we rode the rapids. It was a good time had by all and was the best birthday party I’ve had all year!!!

Nik and I at the top of the Ferris Wheel

Andy at the top

Dominic at the top

Hilary and Eric on the best ride in the park

Four of us preparing to be shot into the air*

And the best part about amusement parks at night....the lights!*

As the night came to a close, we all made a pact to visit the new Shanghai amusement park that is slated to open soon. It will supposedly blow this one out of the water, but we’ll just have to wait and see!

This is me, the 28 year old. I can't decide if I look my age???*

This final photo was taken by Nik yesterday, and it will be the one I look at when I say to myself, “what did I look like when I turned 28?” I often think I still look the same as I did when I was 16, but I know better. I am not the athlete I once was and my body is full of evidence, but my face has changed as well. My cheek bones are more pronounced and my jaw line is sharper. The corner of my eyes are starting to wrinkle and the Sinz circles are here to stay. Freckles are found on my forehead and shoulders in the summertime where soft brown used to dominate. My hair is curlier is slowly being peppered with soft white strands. I love all of these little changes. I love that I look like I’m 28, whatever that means! I love that I am almost 30, but think it’s appropriate to act like I’m 5 every once in a while.

Thank you to everyone for all of the birthday wishes!!! And especially to Andy and Dominic who sang “Happy Birthday to you” no fewer than 50 times yesterday in celebration of everything from missing our subway stop to riding the first roller coaster to taking my first bite of the mango smoothie!!!

* Photos taken by Nik who took way more photos than me and wrote a much better description of my days that he made amazing…which can be found here.

Jin Jiang Amusement Park Ferris Wheel

My wish this year is that my friends and I will be twirling around on this big guy somewhere close to sunset tomorrow evening. Let’s hope it comes true!!

We were two of few at the end of the line

Today Nik and I went on a mini adventure to the northern end of Line 1, Shanghai Metro’s major north-south subway line. We often talk about spending days randomly exploring via public transportation, but this was our first time to actually follow through in Shanghai. (Here’s when we randomly rode in Hong Kong) After the train emerged from under the city at the Circus World stop, we saw tons of mid-rise residential complexes, a few super highways, dozens of shopping malls and three or four shipping yards. The views weren’t spectacular, and everything was extremely mundane….but now we know! Regardless, it was a fun afternoon of riding in air conditioned comfort while people watching sweat-free.

Line 1, this way.

The packed train as we approached the People's Square Station

The empty train as we neared the Fujin Road Station

China Shipping

Super highway with mid-rise apartment buildings in the background

Saturday's sunset was the prettiest one yet.

Nik has also posted some photos. End of the Line: Fujin Rd (my favorite is the man washing something in the nasty canal)