Welcome to Astronomer in Shanghai! Thank you for following my blog and for your interest in my life and adventures in Shanghai! As covid-19 continues to plague the US, and you are (hopefully) wearing masks when you go outside, avoiding large gatherings, and social distancing, I hope that you are all staying safe and healthy and that my blog highlights what the world can look like after a recovery from covid-19 begins. Once things improve, I hope you enjoy small gatherings with friends and family. I’m sure you’ll find these interactions meaningful and enjoyable. In Shanghai, life has returned mostly to normal.
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Life in Shanghai
I hope that this latest post continues to find all of you safe and healthy. Before I get started on this post, if you haven’t seen my previous post about my amazing trip to Harbin (https://astronomerinshanghai.com/uncategorized/astronomer-in-harbin-adventures-in-a-winter-wonderland/), please check it out! It was a fantastic experience and I really hope you all enjoy seeing the highlights from the Snow and Ice festivals!
I need to begin this post by discussing the absolutely terrifying act of domestic terrorism that took place in the US last week. When I went to bed on Wednesday night (Wednesday morning US time), I was filled with a sense of hope. Rev. Raphael Warnock and John Ossoff had just been elected to the senate from Georgia. The image of a Black man and a Jewish man serving as Senators from a traditionally conservative state brought me hope that with Democrats controlling the Senate things appeared to be moving in the right direction. However, when I woke up on Thursday morning (around 5pm EST), I was met with messages of fear from my brother and parents. While I went to bed feeling hope, I awoke feeling a deep shame at being American. While I wasn’t able to watch the domestic terrorism that unfolded (this was not a protest and should not be called a protest under any circumstances) live, I spent the next 5-6 hours doom scrolling, alternating between different CNN, Washington Post, NPR, and New York times articles, essentially consuming my entire day.
While I know that many of you read my blog to learn about and see my experiences, I need to share my thoughts on what happened. First, as I noted, this was not a protest. This was and act of domestic terrorism led by white supremacists and racists, spurred on by the deceitful actions of the worst and most selfish President in US history. That we have people unwilling to accept a fair election strikes me with a lot of fear that going forward, the losing side will not be willing to accept their loss. Second, the contrast between the actions taken by police on Wednesday, who were allowing armed attackers to illegally enter the capital, taking selfies with them, and ushering them towards the members of congress when compared to the riot gear and weaponry dispensed towards the peaceful Black Lives Matter protestors over the summer only further illuminates how racist and corrupt the police system is in the US. In the summer we had non-violent protestors beaten and shot with rubber bullets. This past week, we had violent domestic terrorists being allowed to freely leave the capital. It is clear that because these protestors were white, they were treated better by the police. That alone is not okay and is unacceptable. It is therefore up to everyone to demand police reform. Demand that police be held accountable for there actions (which sadly is not often the case and was not the case for the officer who shot Jacob Blake in the back). Demand that people are treated equally and that those laws are enforced. The last point that I’d like to make is that it’s a sad day for Democracy in the US. Every member of the Republican party who has supported Trump and his antics over the last four years needs to resign. Moreover, those who refused to condone his lies about the election need to be held accountable for their crimes against democracy. It was their cowardice and refusal to accept the results of a just and fair election and denounce Trump’s lies that led to the actions on Wednesday. Moreover, the cabinet members who chose to resign instead of enact the 25th amendment are cowards and should receive no credit for finally having a backbone. That Senators like Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz still chose to attempt to discredit the election in order to appeal to Trump’s racist base only illuminates how polarized and divided America is. This was a sad week for America. Hopefully, Congress will impeach Trump so he’s never able to run for higher office again. However, Trump is clearly a symptom and not the root cause of the racism that is pervasive in America today. America has a long way to go and a lot of work to be done. It’s up to all of us to continue that work to help make the world a better, fair, just, and anti-racist place.
I hope that you all take the time to consider what I’ve written. While I realize not everyone will agree with my political view, I hope that you all recognize that things have to change. If they remain the same, America will not be great, it will only be racist and divided.
Even as all the political chaos is swirling in the US, covid-19 remains a severe, and underappreciated problem in the US. I remain increasingly concerned about your safety and health. Particularly those of you in Saratoga County, which now has one of the highest covid-19 rates in New York State. It pains me to see the fear on my family and friends faces when I talk with them. The US has over 22.2 million cases and 372 thousand deaths. This is not acceptable and these numbers land squarely at the feet of the Trump administration. So, please, regardless of what policies are enacted, wear masks and gloves, wash your hands, and don’t travel. In China, things have changed a bit. There has been an outbreak in Hebei (even further north than Harbin). There are a few hundred cases there (so still small numbers by US standards), but that city has been locked down to prevent spread. In Shanghai, there are 106 active covid-19 cases. The recovery rate for Shanghai is at 92.8%. So, if strict policies are enacted about quarantining and travel, it is possible to halt the spread of the virus.
In terms of Astronomy, this was a very productive week! I received positive feedback from my first reviewer (of 2) for my Dark Energy Survey paper on the evolution of the Stellar Mass – Halo Mass relation. So, I spent some time making some of the minor clarification revisions. I’m very excited to publish these results, so hopefully the rest of the process will go well. I also spent the rest of my time working on my Luminosity Function analysis using the simulated mock data. I finally figured out how to make mock observations and have begun analyzing the Luminosity Function in the mock.
Surprisingly, the weather was very cold this week (at least by Shanghai standards). This was the first time while I’ve lived in Shanghai where the temperature did not reach above O Celsius. This past week, was the coldest week in Shanghai in decades. That same cold wave also hit Beijing. While I know the weather in Shanghai isn’t cold for me (based on living in Saratoga, Providence, or Ann Arbor or after my recent trip to Harbin), in Shanghai, this is incredibly cold. The main reason it’s so cold is that in the Southern parts of China, the government does not require buildings to have insulation and heating (they have air condition heating). So, often times, even when it’s not that cold outside, it is cold or chilly inside. However, despite the cold weather, I still bundled up and went for two runs this week! Even with the cold weather, I managed to take some photos of some cool things around Shanghai!
Although I intentionally wanted to have a productive week, I still made some time for some fun activities. On Sunday morning, I was invited to a brunch at my friends Heather and Shimi’s. I had a lovely time chatting with everyone about the political turmoil in the US and of course Astronomy, while enjoying some delicious food.
The highlight of my week was on Sunday afternoon when I made Asian Pear jam with my friend Hannah Maia! As my Mom knows, Pear jam (or Pearserves as she cleverly calls it) is one of my absolute favorite flavors of jam! So, when Hannah Maia suggested making it, I was very excited!
As you can see, we had a really fun time spending the afternoon making the jam! More importantly, it has a really wonderful flavor! I look forward to enjoying it in the coming weeks! Plus, we’re planning to make more to give as Chinese New Year gifts!
One last highlight of the week, was that I got to see/play with some of my friends pets this week! You see Daniel’s kitten, Osiris; Kate and Ilan’s super friendly and fluffy dog, Pina; and Anton’s cat, Solo!
Jewish Life in Shanghai
On Friday, Moishe House hosted their first Shabbat of 2021. I hadn’t been in the physical Moishe House in a while (due to a combination of work, traveling, and some of their events being elsewhere), so it was really nice to join together for the Shabbat blessings and then spend Shabbat with some of my friends (and their pets) and enjoy some delicious Mediterranean style cuisine (I made oatmeal raisin cookies for desert)! While unsurprisingly, there was a lot of talk about the political situation in the US, it was really interesting to chat with other ex-pats about the situation in the US and hear there thoughts and opinions on it as well.
Overall, this was a quieter week, which after my adventure in Harbin was much needed. Next week, the first half will be all work, but then from Thursday – Saturday, I’ll be going to Xi’an with Heather and Shimi to see the Terracotta Warriors! So, make sure to check in next week!
I hope that you enjoyed hearing about my week and my jam making. If there’s anything you would like to know about my life in Shanghai or my trip to Harbin, please let me know!
In peace,
Jesse
Hi Jesse,
Thank you for your comments on the attempted coup in the Capitol on Wednesday. Watching the news coverage was rather surreal. I was comforted that he 3pm, CNN was referring to them as terrorists, not protestors. However, I do agree that this shows a stark divide between how police respond to white protestors vs people of color. I truly don’t understand how nobody was arrested and how they were basically allowed to freely storm the Capitol.
In terms of your week, I’m glad to hear your paper was well received! Do you need to resubmit to DES, or can you go ahead and submit to ApJ? I’m also glad the mock catalog work is going well. It sounds like it’s pretty cold there for running. I’ve taken to wearing an old fleece from Bompa under my running sweatshirt when I run with Dad since it is so cold. Do you have heat in your apartment? I really liked the street art and statues you included this week. It sounds like you had some nice social times with Heather and Shimi, making jam, and going to Moishe house! We’re these Asian pears like the ones you can get here in the states? I remember them being a bit firmer than normal pears. Does the jam taste similar? It looks delicious.
I’m glad you have a fun week ahead! I hope you have a great time in Xi’an! Have a productive week, too! Stay safe and healthy!
Love,
Emmet
Hi Emmet! I’m glad to hear that CNN started referring to the attackers as terrorists, it’s good to see that the media recognized this. I did see (from Shaun King) that some people have been arrested, so hopefully more will be in the coming days.
Thanks for the congratulations! I still have one more reviewer. After making the edits, I think the reviewers can look at the paper again. Then the paper goes to collaboration wide review (2 weeks where anyone in DES can read the paper), then submission to ApJ. It was still in the 20s-30s, so I was running in the Asics jacket and tights. I have air conditioning and floor heating in my apartment, so I’m able to stay warm. Plus being surrounded on all sides helps. The Asian pears were similar to what I’ve had at home (though a little bit softer). I’m looking forward to enjoying the Pearserves!
Thanks! I’m excited to see the Terracotta Warriors! I hope that you also have a productive and nice week!
Great news on getting a positive response from the first reviewer of your paper, so let me lead with that. Totally agree with your points about the insurrection but self serving people like Stefanik and Cruz don’t need to be influenced by the conman Trump. They have their own agenda. And the police need to be held accountable. They treated these rioters as friends. I also heard that Clarence Thomas’ wife paid for 70 buses to ferry the insurrectionists. (I have not heard confirming news about that… ).
Certainly, if the rioters were simply protestors but were people of color the events would have unfolded very differently and THAT is what is so sickening. We need to hold so many people to account – including those in the so-called GOP who were silent for 4 years of Trump’s lying lies.
Stay safe.
Hi Bernard! Thanks! I forgot to mention Stefanik. It really disgusts me that someone so immoral represents an area so close to home. I completely agree with all of your points. Hopefully with the change in government we’ll be able to hold all of those responsible for this atrocity accountable.
I hope that you have a safe and healthy week.
Dear Jesse,
First off, I am delighted by the positive response to your DES paper, and I hope the second reviewer is as positive as the first. I recall that then anyone in the collaboration can make a suggestion, and then you can send it to the journal. So it is a process, but you are well underway now. Keep us posted with the further process.
I am so happy to learn that you and Hannah Maia made pearserves. It is interesting to see the jam made with Asian pears. It looks delicious. The color is darker of course due to the type of pear you used. How would you compare the taste? Texture? I am excited that you plan to make jams as Chinese New Year’s gifts, too. Perhaps you could get some blank round labels for the tops of the jams to label them? I might be able to put together a template to send to you that says Pear Jam, so let me know if that is something you would like me to do.
Like you, I am ashamed to be an American. Emmet and I watched the insurrectionists in disbelief. White privilege means you can storm the Capitol and not get gassed or shot at, yes? January 6th was a sad day in America and to be an American. With the political unrest and rising COVID cases, I am truly glad you are in Shanghai. I share your political beliefs and distress. But we must still take comfort in the two Senate seats in Georgia and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris soon taking office with a slight majority now in the Senate with Harris’s vote! Let’s hope for better things in politics and the pandemic.
I am keeping very close to home due to the rising cases. Luckily I can take a lot of dance classes online and am also doing weights with Emmet! I made a second loaf of sourdough bread with different flours and caraway seeds. I hope to make marmalade soon! I have been sending jam to friends at a distance, and I went to the post office at 8:00 AM when it was empty! I am finishing up some academic projects and planning my classes. And yesterday I had Zooms with many former students, now in their 30s, all married and doing well. It was very nice indeed.
I must tell you that thanks to you and Emmet, I got some of the science questions right last night when we watched Jeopardy. And I love seeing Osiris, Pina, and Solo! Excited about your upcoming trip to Xi’an.
Miss you so much! Love always, Mom
Hi Mom! Thanks! I also hope I continue to get more positive feedback. After the first referee’s sign off on the paper, there is then a collaboration wide review (2 weeks where anyone can read the paper). Hopefully the process will continue to go smoothly.
I’m glad that you liked the look of pearserves! The taste reminds me of Pear jam. I think the pears were juicier than normal pears, so our jam was a little runny. We probably should have added a bit more pectin. But the taste is great! That’s a great suggestion for labels. I’ll ask Hannah Maia if she wants to do that!
I’m glad that you share many of my thoughts about what happened in D.C.. Hopefully the arrival of the Democratic control of the government will help hold these people accountable and restore some semblance of normalcy.
I’m glad that you are still staying safe and smart. That’s so nice of you that you’re able to send jam to people. I’m sure that will bring a smile to a lot of people’s faces. That’s really nice that you got to reconnect with your students.
I’m glad you’re doing better on Jeopardy! I knew you’ld love seeing Pina, Osiris, and Solo! I hope that you have a safe and healthy week!
Hi Jesse,
Congrats on the paper. You’re having such a productive and wonderful experience in Shanghai. We saw an exhibit of the Terra Cotta Warriors a few years ago. When it toured the US. That was impressive, but I’m sure what you see will be that much more fabulous.
As (almost) Washingtonians, we have been devastated by the recent terrorist attack on the Capitol . In fact, Keren and I had gone for a walk along the western facade of the Capitol a couple of weeks ago; it was so beautiful and serene. But this was an assault on both the building, the government, and on our democracy. Although I agree with you about the racism of the police response, and I am not defending them, there’s another important dimension to consider. There was an intentional underestimation of the danger posed by this insurrection, and a delay in the response by National Guard, because the Trump administration was intentionally unresponsive.
It’s easy to point fingers at the front line participants in this – both at the police and at the terrorists. But perhaps more importantly, we need to dig deeper and hold accountable those who orchestrated, financed and sanctioned this and other such terrorist actions.
Now we’re preparing for the Inauguration. There are a few viewing stands up by Capitol and
White House. Because of Covid,
this was to be a very spare celebration. Now there’s danger of more terror. It’ll be a nerve-racking, bittersweet event.
Stay well. Love, Judy
Hi Aunt Judy! Thanks! I’m also very excited to see the Terra Cotta Warriors. I also saw an exhibit in the US, but I’m excited to see the site as well!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on the attack in D.C. I’m sure it must have been more terrifying since you live so close and had recently visited the Capital. You’re points on holding those accountable who helped to orchestrate and finance the actions is really important and one I shouldn’t have overlooked. It was reprehensible that Trump refused to call in the National Guard. Hopefully those who helped orchestrate it will also be forced to pay for their actions.
I’m also anxiously awaiting the inauguration. Hopefully that will go off smoothly as well. I completely agree that with covid-19 and the recent events it won’t feel quite as celebratory.
I hope that you and Uncle Keren continue to stay safe and healthy!
Hey Jesse,
It’s good to hear you survived the cold! Strange that there’s no insulation there – does it feel super hot in the summer then too?
Great news about the favorable review and progress on the luminosity function! I hope you have another productive week and that it’s not too cold!
Thanks Ryan! Yeah, it’s bizarre that there’s no insulation. When I hang out with ex-pats, we complain about it a lot. In the summer, the air condition works really well, so that helps a lot.
Thanks! I’m happy to have some research progress as well. I hope you also have a safe, healthy, and productive week!