Boat Trip to Lamma Island

Because of a record month, work decided to take us for a dinner at Lamma Island. We all left the office and arrived at Queen's Pier at 6.30pm. The weather was fantastic. The sky was clear and it wasn't muggy. We could even see the stars and the moon very clearly! We arrived at Lamma Island around 8pm and dined at Rainbow Restaurant. The seafood was very nice - we had salt & pepper squid, salt and pepper prawns, one steamed fish, one deep fried fish with sweet and sour sauce, butter lobster, lemon chicken, veges, fried rice... all very yummy =)

Counting down till JUNE!!

Yay!! Got good news from 2 of my bestest friends! They are coming to HK for a visit in JUNE!!
One's coming back permanently and another for a 2 week trip!
And mum's coming over in July!! The countdown is starting NOW!! and I know that time will go by incredibly quick, especially with this to look forward to !!!

Chicky, can't wait to see you!! Really looking forward to catching up again!!! =)

HK is ok - Sydney is better !

I've decided that i'm going to give this a serious go. I'm no longer going to sit here whinging and complaining about how much I don't like HK. Even though I feel like i'm hating it day by day. If you ask me, I can give you a long long list of all the negatives. Sometimes I just sit here, thinking how much I don't like this and how i don't like that, and then try to make myself feel better by thinking of the positive things of HK. I've decided (and i've been told) i'm going to stop thinking about what i don't like all together and make the most of HK. I said i'm going to give myself at least 1 year in HK. If I keep going the way I am, I don't think i can last another 10 months. I've promised myself that when people ask me "do you like HK?", i'm no longer going to answer "no", because then they ask why and then I start listing my complaints.. haha =). I'm just going to answer " Ok la.. BUT Sydney is better " hehee and leave it at that.
Hopefully this will work ** fingers crossed **!!

女人本性

I went to watch my cousin film her new film today -女人本性. The scene was filmed at an office in Exchange Square II, Central. It stars 2 main actress, Gigi Leung and Fiona Sit. It was a great experience watching her film, eating and chatting with the camera crew, costume and background crew. I watched everyone go silent when the camera man shouted "ACTION". New takes and many laughs when another take needs to be taken again because Gigi forgot her lines. I got to see all the "kei lair fair" sit in the hallway, with layers of clothes over them just sitting there waiting for their turn. I was lucky cos I got to watch the filming, seeing my cousin tell the people what to do. I saw them move from one conference room scene to another office scene. They took down the lights and everything so quickly. When I looked at my cousin and the way she worked, I admired her. I never knew how powerful she can be. Everyone listened to every word she said. When she mentioned that this scene was taking longer than expected, everyone just moved extra fast. And because of my powerful cousin, I got to take the following pics ~ hhehee =)
More pics are viewable on my space! Hope this movie turns out great !!

I can't remember the name of the lady below, but she just looks really really familiar! hehe

The topic of ex's

I'm curious why some people can't let go of certain things that have happened in the past. I, myself, have experienced hurt in relationships, but i've learnt that in time, your heart heals. Each relationship has it's own value, a lesson learnt and a spot in my heart. But I believe that in time, your heart heals, especially when you have entered a new relationship. This is when the door to your heart opens for your new "someone". I believe that when you enter a new relationship, you have put down the past and are ready to start something new and fresh with your new somebody. I have friends who are in a relationships and can get really upset when they talk about their ex's. Their emotions fluctuate alot when they talk about their ex's. They talk about how happy they were, what he/she use to do, what they miss and the list continues. Does that mean that they are not over their ex? Is it fair on their current partner? I don't really understand. What does it mean when an ex is getting married in August, but totally refuses to hear about you or meet you because you are a "sensitive topic"? When I heard he was getting married, I was very happy for him. I said to my friend that he must be very happy and in love his current girlfriend but my friend said "No, not really. There are still somethings he can't put down." I can't seem to understand this concept. How can someone marry someone if you can't put down the past? But he obviously can.

I always feel that it's fate that two people can be together. Whether it works out is another matter but the friendship and bond will always be there. I feel lucky to be able to stay friends with that someone who I got to know really well. Who I could share my happy and sad times. It's ashame to have them out of your life but I guess thats not often the case.

Easter holiday

I was starting to feel abit sad, reading Dida's blog. Seeing BBQ photo's very similar to ones that we have previous taken with one person missing. me.
Having a friend here from Sydney brings me warmth and happiness of being in HK. Endless shopping, eating, chatting and lots of laughs. Latest updates on our mutual friends. Having a 5 day in a row holiday just tops it up. Today, apart from having a yummy vietnamese lunch and shopping, we went and did a 85 minute body and foot massage. This is the most relaxing 85 minutes i've had since i've been in HK!!!

stupid taxi drivers

I can't express how much I hate taxi drivers. I'm suprised that with a small place like HK, i'd expect taxi drivers to know where they are going and be able TO DRIVE IN THEIR LANE!!!
Tonight, the first time, i felt scared to be in a taxi. This stupid taxi driver was looking anywhere BUT straight when he was driving. He looked left and right out the window, he looked at the meter, he looked at the air conditioner controls - he was sliding into the right lane! I had to tell him to look forward cos he was going in the other lane. When he drove, the white lane was in between the 2 wheels of the car. I'm serious. He must be blind or have seriously bad night vision. How I wish I could of kicked him off and drove home myself ! Before I got on the cab (realising now that SOME cabs take you to HK Island and others don't) I asked him whether he goes to Quarry Bay. He said "yes" very confidently before I jumped in the cab. I gathered that if he knew how to get to the place I was at - some enclosed bar place in TST, he would know how to get to Quarry Bay. But he didn't. He lied. And since I didn't know the way back, it didn't make things any easier. Thank goodness he got lost and somehow landed on the other side of my street so as soon as I saw my street, i asked if he could stop and let me off. (and of cos, my good memory! hehhee )

The lesson learnt - maybe i should keep a map of my street in my wallet so that I can show the damn taxi drivers next time !!!

** My sincere apologies to those who have family members/friends that are taxi drivers - no offence, but seriously, this one was BAD!!!!

back into routine !!

I've been here in HK for close to 2 months now. In another 3 days, it'll be exactly 2 months. The humidity and the temperature here has reminded me that a hot & humid summer will be coming very very soon. I can already feel the humidity. I could see little drops of gel like water around the unit. My sheets are moist. The air feels sticky. Thank goodness for my little dehumidifier - which was given to me by a very kind collegue. Not to mention my lovely landlord who's going to replace my exisiting 2 air conditioners brand new!! ( I only called her on Friday to tell her it was too noisy and it caused me sleepless nights AND it didn't seem to be working very well AND it was blowing some funny air out....the noise bit was true, it's really really noisy and it DID cause me 1 sleepless night.... the working & the air blowing bit, i did exaggerate a little) hehe.. =) Anyways, I'll be getting my new (and hopefully quiet) air conditioners this Wednesday!!

I've realised my need for exercising in the last week or so. I've been doing yoga at home but with the weight that i've gained and the mega unhealthy eating habits i've adopted, it doesn't seem enough, so today i went to get a hoola hoop!!

I feel so happy that i'm finally back into my hoola hooping routine =) Please let me introduce you to.....

Great Satisfaction

Getting praises from my boss to tell me that i'm great, he thinks i'm doing really well, he thinks we're going to do well together in a team gives me great satisfactions. He told me I do wonderful work and the clients love me. The tears i've shedded the last couple of days and the thoughts of coming back to Sydney gets washed away from my head. The fustrations that i've had from not being able to read, the feeling of hoplessness, emptiness, i leave behind. All the hard work, i feel has been paid off, just by comments - good comments made from my boss. Makes me very happy!! hehee =)

My dream that I had a couple of nights ago - me being a pink ding dong, taking out the door from my magic pouch, after work in HK, i can go home to Sydney. Wake up in Sydney, take my door out and I'll be at work in HK. How i wish that magic door existed ! =)

homesick

I've been feeling very homesick and emotional the last couple of days.
I'm really missing home. I really feel like going home. I feel like packing my bags and getting on the next flight back to Sydney, but I know I can't give up that easily.
I miss having someone nag at me all the time, telling me to bring an umbrella when it's raining, bring a jacket when it's cold, not to come home too late.....
I miss the random chats and arguments with my brother.
I miss bugging him and asking him all sorts of silly questions.
I miss being able to pick up the phone and ring up my bestest friends at any time and doing our "guess whats?"
I miss all our yumcha, badminton & dinner & dessert gatherings.
I miss the fresh fruits and veges.
I miss the famous Belgium Beer Cafe Blue Cheese mussels & their yummy fries & mayo (Thanks Becs for reminding me!! ).
I miss getting into my car and driving where I want to go.
I miss the view of the Harbour Bridge every time I drive home from the city.
I miss the peacefulness of home and the beautiful fresh lavender smell everytime I walk to my front door.
I miss my house.
I miss my bathroom.
I miss my room and all the things in my room.
I miss the clean fresh crisp air.
I miss the beautiful glowing sunshine.
I miss seeing big thick trees & beautiful green grass.
I miss the fresh green grass smell after our gardener cuts our grass.
I miss my ex latest addiction back home - banana bread =)
I miss those yummy cupcakes & banana pizza's.
I miss Sydney yumcha - it's not often you get lady's pushing trolleys with varieties of dim sims, calling "char siw bau".... hehe.. you have to tick what you want on paper here, and then they bring it over.
I miss hearing the intro to Seven Nightly news at 6pm and then Today Tonight... man.. this is sad.. i'm missing everything about home.

I got a fantastic offer offer today - if i come back to Syd permanently, i'm officially the Godmother of K & D's precious baby girl !! I'm considering this offer very very carefully (as she no longer needs to be born on my birthday for me to be Godmother!! ) =P

my new wallpaper

i miss ~

A new experience

I'm having a totally new experience here in HK. Learning to be independent, coping with household problems, meeting new friends, starting everything from scratch.

I never used to understand why people in HK work extrememly late hours. My cousin in marketing works till 2am. My friend also in marketing works till 12.30ish. Another girlfriend works till 9pm and another friend in IT works till 1am. I never understood why people will work till so late. I always use to question, ss there really that much work? or are they just sitting around having 2-3 hr lunches, a 2-3 hour dinner, hence they end up staying till odd hours? Today, I can say that I understand. I've been having endless meetings, training sessions and even eating lunch at my desk, i still feel i dont have enough hours in a day. No more emailing like msn. No more chatting on the phone like i used to.

I leave work at 7 on the dot - i've told myself i won't stay past 7. But leaving at 7 on the dot this past week and the last couple of days has made me feel really really bad. On the way home, i mentally think about what my "To Do" list will be like tomorrow. I think about what I haven't done today that was critical. I think what needs to be attended to tomorrow. It's none stop thinking about work. I really have that much work that I can stay till past midnight for the next couple of weeks and work will still not be finished. There is really that much work to do. And tonight, the first time in my life so far, i've taken work home to do. I feel that in my previous jobs, i've been very lucky. I've had it too cruisy. Now, i'm feeling the stress. I can feel how my best friends feel when they work late hours. I never use to understand. Now I do. But needless to say, i'm enjoying the pressure. I'm enjoying the challenge. However, i'm really really looking forward to the weekend tooo !! hehe =)

H & M

There were stacks of ppl in here!! The queue to get into the shop was in 3 sections outside the shop on the street. The line up to pay was SOOOOOooo LONG!! You practically walk the way the crowd pushes you to walk.

going cheap

I received my first month's electricity bill today and guess how much it cost ? $35 honkie dollars! Can you believe it ? I'm quite suprised how cheap living in HK can be. It cost me less than $6 honkie on the mtr one way to work. Thats like $1 aussie. So return.. only 2 bucks!! How great is that !

From memory, the M2 bus from my house to North Sydney return costed me $12.50 aussie return AND driving from my house to Chatswood around $40 per week in petrol cost.

My lunches now consist of $10 honkie won-ton and or fish ball noodles. Occasionally i have a $5 pineapple bun with butter inside.. yummmo.... I also have $22 honkie beef brisket noodles and $25 bbq pork rice. I've had $45 sandwiches from nice cafe's that come as set meal with a drink & soup! What a bargain hey ? hehe =)

I've been told a $45 lunch is expensive.. but to me, its already cheap cheap cheap esp when it comes with a yummy iced lemon tea or a nice strong iced milk tea and soup!!

Now I wonder what my water bill will come to ?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Congratulations to my dearest dearest best friend, who found out she is having a BABY GIRL today !! =) I'm so happy for you chicky, cos I know "she" is what you wanted !!!
Now we can both start stocking up in pink clothes, shoes and really pretty dresses!!!

I just hope she'll come out on my special day, then i can "officially" be K-ma !! heheheheee

Hope to see you in April & if not, i'll definitely be back in August !! YAY !!

..little pitches to jump over...

I've come across 2 little pitches in the last week and today.

1. No matter who you say you are, and who you say you are friends with, no matter how friends I am with my friend, and how friends you are with my friend, there's no way i'm going to chat with you until I've met you. I know from past stories i've heard from friends of friends that this is just something that you just SHOULD NOT DO. Now.. I can say, from my own past experience, it's best not to do it, i definitely do not recommend it, unless, you have actually met the person.

2. This is totally different story altogether!! hehee - Last night I had a flooding in my bathroom. Now, this is the first time I've experienced flooding in the bathroom.. at 1.30am in the morning. So here I was, mopping the floor, wiping the drips, water was flowing in from the outside, and no - it wasn't rain. It was only in the morning when i found out from the security guard that level 6's water pipe burst !!! Man.. i never knew these things happen in HK, but according to my friends in Syd and my work collegues, it happens quite frequently. I'm so tired today from the lack of sleep. 3 coffee's i've had to keep me away and keep my brain functioning =)
Now i'm half ready to go home now - to see what my bathroom looks like!
** Thank goodness I had a bathmat to soak up the water.. otherwise it be flowing out into the bedroom and water + electric cords + power on - does not go!!

Blossom

the flower has died... but i'm confident that it will blossom again soon...

It's March already!

Time has gone by so quickly since I departed Sydney. It's already been one month since i've been in Hong Kong and I haven't even realised it. It seems like it was yesterday when I had my farewell party, and when I got onto my flight to come to HK.

Work has been great. People here at my work are great. I'm constantly learning new things and are challenged by little things that I don't know. Everyone is very helpful here and really friendly.

In this month:
1. I realised alot more about myself that I didn't know.
2. I realised that I am alot more independant than I thought I was.
3. I learn't not to trust people and their words - easily broken promises..
4. I realised how clumbsy and how forgettable I am !!
5. Hurt myself - hehe..most of you probably already know how, but for those who don't, too bad!
6. Moved into a new place on my own & loving it !
7. Learning how to listen to the fast pace that people speak here - ( it's like "bilibala bilibala" and i'm like.. errr.. can you repeat that.. just abit more slower ? ) I still haven't mastered that skill yet, however, give me another couple of months, i'll do another report !!
8. I realised to eat cheap & good, i MUST learn to read chinese. I can't keep going into little shops asking for an english menu, or ask the waiters to read the menu to me... i will learn and try to remember...

Causeway Bay Dessert House

Do they look nice? The first one is a so called carrot cake. It was grossssss!! All it tasted like was mashed flour.. hence, we told the waitress that it was really bad so in exchange, she gave us this strawberry custard with flakey pastry. The custard, let me tell you, it taste like rubber and by using a fork, you can lift up the slice of custard play doh off... so all i ate were the strawberries & the flakey pastry. I dont know how the middle one tasted.. but the ice cream was nice. The waffle was too thick.... banana was nice =) Coffee was BAD!!! and can u believe it.. there was actually a line up outside the Cafe!

So.. if your planning to have these sorts of desserts in HK - Dida - please have ur share in Syd first cos u won't find anything as good here in HK !!!

Lucky dinner & Lucky Apples !!!

I've been quite busy the last couple of days. Had a work annual spring dinner on the 1st March. I've never heard of spring dinner's before. Apparently, if you miss out on the spring dinner, you'll have bad luck the whole year. Apparently, if the company doesn't organise a spring dinner, the company will do bad the whole year. How supersticious is that ? And the funny thing is - our pommy director is a great believer. He's also a great believer of feng shui. I really wouldn't expect that from him. If someone didn't turn up to the dinner, and the company did bad, i think you'd be fired the next yr.. haha.. i think thats how serious he is about the whole thing. And thats why he had a really long and yummy menu.. hehehe =)

I went to City Super yesterday and saw these funky apples! At first i thought that they were for praying.. but they are edible!! haha.. i've never seen apples with writing on them. Apparently they put these labels on them while they grow so when they are big, it will show up on the apple !! hehe.. how cool is that ? These are all good words with lucky meanings.. i think! I only know one says "fart" meaning rich... but i dont know about the other words! hehehee =)