Well.. after moving in to new apt for less than 1 wk on 12 Dec, we started to receive guests in our humble house. So much guests that I think our security guards must think we are operating illegal "B&B" hee hee We are like testing the max capacity of our small gross 516-apt. U read on..
Guest 1: Jimmy, pat's sec sch mate, came on 18th Dec and spent 1 night with us. A great guy with lots of humour. We ended up bringing to hike in Shek O and have seafood lunch in Shek O village. (And I met Pat's ex-boss there.. somewhat so different from what i imagine him to be, he's so papa bear!)
Guest 2: ZW, Agnes and little Aidan stayed over 5 nights and spend Xmas with us. Little Aidan is so cute, he just loves to explore our apt for new gadgets and buttons to press. ZW and Agnes also brought us to hv gd food too (tot we were the host! haha)
Guest 3: Pat's family, and when I say Family = Mum, Sis, Bro-in-law and 2 nephews! It's crazy, every avail space is used for sleeping mattresses and luggages! Good thing that my logistic planning is still ok, the sleeping arrangement is still comfortable. Only discomfort is 1 avail toilet, and bathing time takes 3hrs at least ;P
Pat's nephews are so adorable, when i jokingly told them nt to poo cos i need to bathe next, they really control and wait for me to finish my bath!
Guest 4: Our group 3 guest left for TPE (a short trip) before returning to HK soon, to stay till mid Jan. R has to leave first since he needs to work, but his 'space' is to be taken up by Pat's Dad and younger sis. (now tell me when does 1 out = 2 in?) Which mean... we will have 6 adult n 2 kids!!! OMG! I really hv no idea if it will works but everyone is so confident it would be ok, let me keep my fingers crossed =)
hmm... i almost forget, we did host a mini house-warming for 12 guests prior to Jimmy's arrival. Well well, must give a gd pat on our backs! Such great ending and beginning of the new yr by warming our new hse.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Moi back...
After almost 2 mths of absence, I am back! To say that it's a busy period is an UNDERstatement, let's go through the list man:
1. FInd a new place to move.. intensive 1 mth
For record, Pat viewed at least 30 units while I shld hv viewed half of that no (since he screened and selected those promising ones). Then there's the bargaining time of rental amt lah, what's in and what's out. It's too bad that our first choice's landlord is nt willing to reduce the rental amt but we are still happy with our second choice- which reminds us a little of our precious baby in Sg.
2. Waiting to sign tenancy agreement and collect keys- 2wks of heart attack
IT is a heart attack experience renting in HK, be it gd times or bad. When we first arrived in HK 1 yr ago, it's was gd time for the landlord. Tenants like us have to carry cheque book with us all the time and immed place deposit once we think the place is ok. No time to go back/think abt it or nego for better terms. We or our friends had experiences going to meet the agent to hand the cheq n sign temp agreement only to discover that we lost out by min to someone who is willing to pay $1k more and pay deposit immed.
Now, it's gd time for tenants as the property mkt soften. We hv the luxury to select and bargain, but the HK landlord is smart too. While on one hand they agree the amt, the online adv continues to be advertised with the hope of getting a better paying tenants. My experience is the adv keeps on refreshing daily till 2 days before we collect keys! One friend's experience is that she was already in the apt, inspecting and ready to pay the deposit $26K, the landlord decided to try his luck and lied that he has another offer at $29K and be nice and give my friend "first priority". My friend pissed and back out her offer, today that apt is still unrented and now asking $23K only! Serve him right!
3. Hols in Jap and Sg - 2wks
Oh.. this is GREAT! Onsen all the way in hokkaido. Did i ever mention that Hokkaido is my dream place since i was a little gal, like 7? I think it was heavily influenced by this super old Jap drama 阿信, i only remembered the cold cold winter that poor 阿信 had to go through during her childhood. Well.. Simply love to see the snow in my eyes which we were so lucky to have 2 days of heavy snow.
This trip is also gd as it was my first leisure trip with my brother. I hope we will have another one soon.
Sg trip? well.. i was working that wk so it wasn't exactly leisure, just a diff place to work that's all. But it sure is gd to see all my sg cols and be able to catch up with family and friends, esp we are not going to be back during xmas nor CNY.
4. Moving house.. -on-going now
Dec is fully planned and packed. We returned fr hols end Nov and will shift mid Dec. Our new place will rec'd 1st guest on 18 Dec, Abuzi and family on 21 Dec and Pat's extended family on 27 Dec!! So this mean the move must be on time, smooth. Gd thing that the new place come full furnished, only need to purchase TV. Oh.. MIC TV is so cheap! 32" is only HKD3380 or just under S$700. Our current TV is also MIC which has served us well for 1yr.. so we see no harm buying 1. Anyway China is world's factory, even if we pay $K more for a branded TV, it just mean more QC only. Since nt knowing how long we will be in HK, no pt spending so much money.
And of cos, qtr-end is coming. In such time n such economy, one has to work hard, be smart and hope to have some dose of luck to keep rice bowl. So.. get to packing/work!
1. FInd a new place to move.. intensive 1 mth
For record, Pat viewed at least 30 units while I shld hv viewed half of that no (since he screened and selected those promising ones). Then there's the bargaining time of rental amt lah, what's in and what's out. It's too bad that our first choice's landlord is nt willing to reduce the rental amt but we are still happy with our second choice- which reminds us a little of our precious baby in Sg.
2. Waiting to sign tenancy agreement and collect keys- 2wks of heart attack
IT is a heart attack experience renting in HK, be it gd times or bad. When we first arrived in HK 1 yr ago, it's was gd time for the landlord. Tenants like us have to carry cheque book with us all the time and immed place deposit once we think the place is ok. No time to go back/think abt it or nego for better terms. We or our friends had experiences going to meet the agent to hand the cheq n sign temp agreement only to discover that we lost out by min to someone who is willing to pay $1k more and pay deposit immed.
Now, it's gd time for tenants as the property mkt soften. We hv the luxury to select and bargain, but the HK landlord is smart too. While on one hand they agree the amt, the online adv continues to be advertised with the hope of getting a better paying tenants. My experience is the adv keeps on refreshing daily till 2 days before we collect keys! One friend's experience is that she was already in the apt, inspecting and ready to pay the deposit $26K, the landlord decided to try his luck and lied that he has another offer at $29K and be nice and give my friend "first priority". My friend pissed and back out her offer, today that apt is still unrented and now asking $23K only! Serve him right!
3. Hols in Jap and Sg - 2wks
Oh.. this is GREAT! Onsen all the way in hokkaido. Did i ever mention that Hokkaido is my dream place since i was a little gal, like 7? I think it was heavily influenced by this super old Jap drama 阿信, i only remembered the cold cold winter that poor 阿信 had to go through during her childhood. Well.. Simply love to see the snow in my eyes which we were so lucky to have 2 days of heavy snow.
This trip is also gd as it was my first leisure trip with my brother. I hope we will have another one soon.
Sg trip? well.. i was working that wk so it wasn't exactly leisure, just a diff place to work that's all. But it sure is gd to see all my sg cols and be able to catch up with family and friends, esp we are not going to be back during xmas nor CNY.
4. Moving house.. -on-going now
Dec is fully planned and packed. We returned fr hols end Nov and will shift mid Dec. Our new place will rec'd 1st guest on 18 Dec, Abuzi and family on 21 Dec and Pat's extended family on 27 Dec!! So this mean the move must be on time, smooth. Gd thing that the new place come full furnished, only need to purchase TV. Oh.. MIC TV is so cheap! 32" is only HKD3380 or just under S$700. Our current TV is also MIC which has served us well for 1yr.. so we see no harm buying 1. Anyway China is world's factory, even if we pay $K more for a branded TV, it just mean more QC only. Since nt knowing how long we will be in HK, no pt spending so much money.
And of cos, qtr-end is coming. In such time n such economy, one has to work hard, be smart and hope to have some dose of luck to keep rice bowl. So.. get to packing/work!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
there's something about prawns in HK
Ok.. this sound very trivial or crazy. I'm sure u guys eat de-shelled
prawns right? Generally, we would de-shelled and remove the veins (or
i like to call intestines :p) by cutting slightly on the outer rim of
the prawns and then pull them out. FYI, i find prawns with those stuff
tasty bad.. For some, the cut is also to let the cooked prawns look
like flowers, nicely presented on the plates.. something like this..
But hor.. HK prawns' intestines are inner side (aka where the 'legs' are). I cooked prawns twice and it is the same for both times. Weird right? Does prawns' intestines' location differ from region? Anyway my prawns don't look nice after they r cooked unless i want to double cut aka inner n outer rims. :p
ps: there's something weird about my posting via email.. not working leh. my post after the pic disappear...
prawns right? Generally, we would de-shelled and remove the veins (or
i like to call intestines :p) by cutting slightly on the outer rim of
the prawns and then pull them out. FYI, i find prawns with those stuff
tasty bad.. For some, the cut is also to let the cooked prawns look
like flowers, nicely presented on the plates.. something like this..
But hor.. HK prawns' intestines are inner side (aka where the 'legs' are). I cooked prawns twice and it is the same for both times. Weird right? Does prawns' intestines' location differ from region? Anyway my prawns don't look nice after they r cooked unless i want to double cut aka inner n outer rims. :p
ps: there's something weird about my posting via email.. not working leh. my post after the pic disappear...
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
words and advices...
I think people need to talk, the only difference is the frequency. It can be more for chatter-box like me or simply golden mouth's rare opening for some. And when people talk, they need audience, at least to listen, and hopefully the conversation can be two-way.
Now, who u speak to depends greatly on what feedback/things u want to hear. Like if u want some religious advices, u speak to pastors or your christian friends, if u need parental advice, u speak to mums/dads (so i try not to give too much advice on kids' stuff since i was only a nanny's helper for few yrs), if u need BGR advices, u speak to your closest friends. What u seek is their expertise and hopefully some biased opinions that make u feel better (come on.. who would ask for a lecture??)
So when someone, who is facing a marriage crisis, actually speak about her problems to another guy who was, at that time, going through a separation himself. Well, logically, he is a gd person cos noone else is facing the same issue as her. On the other hand, I can't help but feel she's just looking for affirmation to also go for separate herself and some other reasons, which i now know, she was actually kinda developing feelings for this guy. It could just be a trigger cos the r/ship is not working and distraction do happen most frequently during such periods.
Now, fast forward couple of yrs.. this gal, she stays on in her marriage and life is gd, couple is happy. She recently got to know some new and nice cols and she's asked by one of them, guy who is quite cute and attractive to her, why she married and if she know that the hubby is the one for her.. Her reply is "i don't know".
Paused.. Is she being honest and just speak her mind? Or is she looking for some affirmation decision to her r/ship again? Is that cute guy another trigger point? Or the gal just love seeking for excitement and will never be satisfied with her life partner, no matter who? What message is that cute guy sending if he just smiles and continue to be nice and bubbly to her? Same same? and.. what advise should i give to the gal and the hubby?
Now, who u speak to depends greatly on what feedback/things u want to hear. Like if u want some religious advices, u speak to pastors or your christian friends, if u need parental advice, u speak to mums/dads (so i try not to give too much advice on kids' stuff since i was only a nanny's helper for few yrs), if u need BGR advices, u speak to your closest friends. What u seek is their expertise and hopefully some biased opinions that make u feel better (come on.. who would ask for a lecture??)
So when someone, who is facing a marriage crisis, actually speak about her problems to another guy who was, at that time, going through a separation himself. Well, logically, he is a gd person cos noone else is facing the same issue as her. On the other hand, I can't help but feel she's just looking for affirmation to also go for separate herself and some other reasons, which i now know, she was actually kinda developing feelings for this guy. It could just be a trigger cos the r/ship is not working and distraction do happen most frequently during such periods.
Now, fast forward couple of yrs.. this gal, she stays on in her marriage and life is gd, couple is happy. She recently got to know some new and nice cols and she's asked by one of them, guy who is quite cute and attractive to her, why she married and if she know that the hubby is the one for her.. Her reply is "i don't know".
Paused.. Is she being honest and just speak her mind? Or is she looking for some affirmation decision to her r/ship again? Is that cute guy another trigger point? Or the gal just love seeking for excitement and will never be satisfied with her life partner, no matter who? What message is that cute guy sending if he just smiles and continue to be nice and bubbly to her? Same same? and.. what advise should i give to the gal and the hubby?
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Hiking in HK- Wanchai
While trying to escape all the terrible mkt turmoils, typhoons (real n
reel life), we have discovered that very near our place there's a
nature walk and jogging trail- Wanchai Park and Wanchai Gap (or called
半山）.
Another slope.. likely to lead to some rich pple's house up the hill.
and when we reach Wanchai Gap.. ok this is THE SLOPE. it's really steep that i am leaning back while walking down.. like a preggie woman. I am super amazed by this angmo who is jogging up instead. I observe that he's running on his toes, maybe that helps nt to lose balance n fall?
Here's pic, which u cant really tell the steepness of the slope. Do notice that Pat look kinda short right? This is optical illusion cos I am taking pic fr a higher ground so he looks shorty (for once).
reel life), we have discovered that very near our place there's a
nature walk and jogging trail- Wanchai Park and Wanchai Gap (or called
半山）.
Now the interesting thing about HK is that even though u are within
city, u can never imagine that the nature is literally just a stone's
throw away.
The entrance to the start of the hike is actually Hopewell Centre 17th
Floor. Imagine taking the lift in your sport gear, wondering what if
our friend sabo us and give wrong info :p
Well, strange enough, once we reach 17th floor of that building, we
seem to be in another part of HK island. We track around to find the
correct path aka looking for that steep slope. Instead, what we found
was this gay, 100% confirmed n stamped, with his tiny tight denim
shorts which show 2" of his ass-crack and 1/4 of his fleshy butts. Pat
say i shld be excited about seeing this, it's like guys seeing gals in
bikini in the middle of city.. Hallow! i hv better taste than this. No
photo to share w u guys tot as he's bringing his big dog for a walk, I
m concerned if he knows i take pic of him, erm his butts actually, he
would set the dog at me.. Seriously, I am v v terrified of dogs!
So we follow him and found the slope, or so we thought. It's a gd 10
min upslope which left me panting. I am a level ground runner.. slope
is never my forte.
Photo is v deceiving, it's actually quite sloppy. Our aim is to reach
Lovers' rock then turn back and return by Wanchai Gap.
Anyway, we finally reach the jogging trail and wow.. there's such gd view on top.
Views along the joging trail..
Another slope.. likely to lead to some rich pple's house up the hill.
and when we reach Wanchai Gap.. ok this is THE SLOPE. it's really steep that i am leaning back while walking down.. like a preggie woman. I am super amazed by this angmo who is jogging up instead. I observe that he's running on his toes, maybe that helps nt to lose balance n fall?
Here's pic, which u cant really tell the steepness of the slope. Do notice that Pat look kinda short right? This is optical illusion cos I am taking pic fr a higher ground so he looks shorty (for once).
We agree that HK is really an interesting city, u never know what u might find around the corner, or at 17th Flr ;)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
美丽笨女人
当整个世界因为太疲倦而睡去
我彷佛听到有人为爱欢呼 为爱哭泣
早已经听你说过千万次要放弃
从此不再为他而美丽 不要鲜花
不想再受委屈 OK
所以你背起行囊逃 逃 逃到远方
开始要试着独立 试着重新更爱自己
有一天清晨醒来发觉不能呼吸
于是又乖乖回到他怀里 这次你下决心
牺牲自己 OK
这一个美丽的 美丽的笨女人 Oh…
她的故事发生在每个角落里
她让我相信了自己的爱情
不能和她一样 软弱无力
不能迷迷糊糊 勉强自己
(爱不是死心蹋地 就有结局 哎 呀呀呀…)
每一个美丽的 美丽的笨女人 Oh…
都需要向天祈求 感情出现奇迹
未来的日子需要多少的谎言
用来欺骗自己 麻醉自己
需要多少同情 多少勇气
我彷佛听到有人为爱欢呼 为爱哭泣
早已经听你说过千万次要放弃
从此不再为他而美丽 不要鲜花
不想再受委屈 OK
所以你背起行囊逃 逃 逃到远方
开始要试着独立 试着重新更爱自己
有一天清晨醒来发觉不能呼吸
于是又乖乖回到他怀里 这次你下决心
牺牲自己 OK
这一个美丽的 美丽的笨女人 Oh…
她的故事发生在每个角落里
她让我相信了自己的爱情
不能和她一样 软弱无力
不能迷迷糊糊 勉强自己
(爱不是死心蹋地 就有结局 哎 呀呀呀…)
每一个美丽的 美丽的笨女人 Oh…
都需要向天祈求 感情出现奇迹
未来的日子需要多少的谎言
用来欺骗自己 麻醉自己
需要多少同情 多少勇气
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Partner search is reflective of ur shopping habits
Ok.. A very funny analysis. Basically there's a few type of shoppers.
1. Shoppers who hunt for best deals
These are people who spend lots of time, comparing prices, quality,
search online for reviews etc because they want to make sure they are
getting the best deals. They don't mind side-track just to check
irrelevant stuff cos who knows- there might just be some fantastic
deals in that shop!
2. Shoppers who buy based on needs
One who know what he/she wants and just goes to the shop and get the
specific item. No waste time on window shopping.
3. Shoppers who buy based on wants
Ok, these peoples are the envy of most, cos they have the ability and
criteria to buy whatever they want. So long it catches their eyes, in
goes the shopping bag.
Now, let's try n match these shoppers into searching for their life
time partner, erm.. in this world we are living, life time is
inappropriate, maybe a potential spouse (which can or can't be life
time)..
Type 1 guys, well, basically should get the best deals, most of time,
cos once they make the purchase/selection, they are convinced that it
would be the best choice. Generally, these people would be happy most
of time, qn is "What is best might not be suitable for them". They can
hide their heads in the ground (just like ostrich) and be happy. But
once the soil is shaken, their world crash and they would wonder
what's the point of searching so hard when the end is as unpredictable
as the weather. Percentage of own happiness*: 50% (100% if they manage
or have the luxury to hide their head)
Type 2 is luckier as they know what they want n likely their choice
would be really long term, if nt life time. The tricky part is when
the selection is just to fulfill a current/urgent need. Then
subsequently, they get to know of a better choice? Now, these guys,
being so rational, would be miserable for a while (since they believe
in nt wasting time), trying to weight pro n cons of upgrading/
switching or staying on with the current choice. Then wala, choice
made and life goes on till they get to know a better upgrade.
Basically, their life is a continuous fulfillment, just a matter of
who does the fulfillment. Percentage of own happiness: 80% (allow some
deviation due to downtime- aka pondering on choices)
Type 3... hmmm what can i say. On appearance, they must be the
happiest cos every single day they are always with the ONE they fancy
at the moment. While beneath skin-deep, I am not too sure if they are
as happy as appearance sake. But at least, they do not depend on fate
and grab whatever they like. Percentage of own happiness: 100% (for
living life to fullness)
ok ok.. i know i'm talking craps here. How can it be as simple as
shopping.
* own happiness: self happiness, doesn't include their SO or families
or friends
Monday, September 8, 2008
Best of Hong Kong- Soups
Cantonese love food and they are well-known for their soup and i get
to pick up recipes here n there so that I will cook nice soups at home
too. Qn: why cook when u can hv it out. Just a personal preference and
taste that I like clear soup, HKer's taste buds tend to be more salty
and oily.
to pick up recipes here n there so that I will cook nice soups at home
too. Qn: why cook when u can hv it out. Just a personal preference and
taste that I like clear soup, HKer's taste buds tend to be more salty
and oily.
Of course, another reason of cooking soup at home is my magic thermo
pot. This is heaven-sent! U can cook 老火汤 for up to 10hrs without
electricity or gas. I always hesitate using slow cooker due to the
electricity consumption and also worry abt shortcircuit (especially my
current apt is 19yrs old!) Furthermore, the soup i cook in Sg was not
as tasty due to the hrs i spend~ 45min-1hr max; and Pat's mum can cook
fantastic soup, so i rather don't compete with her. (private joke, i
would ask pat to grade mine on scale of 妈妈汤). So soup is never a
must whenever i cook in Sg.
Now in HK.. Leaving all the ingredients cooking slowly throughout day,
the taste really get into the soup, i don't even add salt nowadays and
the taste is getting higher on 妈妈汤 scale. I would just need to
stir-fry 1 or 2 more dish then wala.. we have a gd dinner.
Hk soups are not just tasty, they also have 'medical' benefit, and
there are soups recommended to drink in each season. Though pat is
pretty unadventurous in food and he dislike 陈皮 (which is supposed
to be gd for throat) so there's limited type of soups i can try. 1
recommendation is to use Monkeyhead mushroom, which is gd for spleen
and organs. It can be cooked with maize, carrot and lean pork, with
dried scallops n 蜜饯 (candied dates) for extra taste. Another
combination is with red and green carrots. Simple and It taste clear
and gd. ;)
Friday, September 5, 2008
bonus come early...or late? heck.. my Preciousssss iPhone!
Well... this is my second staff benefit rec'd, which normally only
happen at year end, so it comes early in Sep but on the other hand
iPhone was launched last Jun (gd that Asia launched later, we hv 3G vs
2G last yr ;p) and HK launched iPhone 7-11. This mean my baby is late
by 1+yr! anyway it is better late than never. Almost miss this phone
if i hv to leave Apple due to move to HK.
Ok.. here's a pic of my baby bonus..
puzzloop
happen at year end, so it comes early in Sep but on the other hand
iPhone was launched last Jun (gd that Asia launched later, we hv 3G vs
2G last yr ;p) and HK launched iPhone 7-11. This mean my baby is late
by 1+yr! anyway it is better late than never. Almost miss this phone
if i hv to leave Apple due to move to HK.
Ok.. here's a pic of my baby bonus..
Frankly, I'm nt a tech-babe, phone is a phone n never really
interested in those PSP. But iPhone is really cool. It is a bit weird
me tap tap here n there but within 1 day and i get the hang of it and
surfing internet on iPhone is exactly like Safari on my mac. Simply
love it!
(so pat.. no, this phone is mine *keke*)
interested in those PSP. But iPhone is really cool. It is a bit weird
me tap tap here n there but within 1 day and i get the hang of it and
surfing internet on iPhone is exactly like Safari on my mac. Simply
love it!
(so pat.. no, this phone is mine *keke*)
I even add Face application so that I log on Facebook easily.
and my 2 fav games at the moment
puzzloop
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