Last night I woke 6 times! (23:58, 02:08, 03:04, 04:28, 05:00, 06:00) How weird I remember all these 6 time slots eh! I guess I was more worried than I thought. I was just *not* looking forward to today for some reasons. Maybe I don't really feel that I've had my summer holiday break. So I didn't really feel recharged or anything, plus my tummy's getting bigger and bigger, so I guess that doesn't help :)
I got back to school today at 7:34 (sign in time is by 7:55) so I am nice and early. Felt kinda energetic this morning, at least I can walk fast (unlike yesterday I was crawling), listening to my music, met some of my students, I put up my 'happy face' seeing them and soon enough I got into the 'first day school mode'. Turned out the class teacher period in the morning wasn't too bad. My partner was very nervous obviously. He's very good at talking (lecturing), some of the students were falling asleep but still he kept on going... :/ though he's a very nice person. Kept reminding the students how important it is to be careful around me because I am pregnant and how everybody should help each other and be caring. All these are very nice ideas but you have to see the look on these students' face *sigh* just wish they can appreciate it...
Around 11am, we went to the Hall, met some of my ex-students. They all said how much they missed me already and that my tummy's getting bigger heh (yes suppose to be lol). According to the schedule, the function in the hall should finish at 11:30 but it didn't finish until 12pm! When we went back to the classroom, a janitor found me and said 3 of my ex-students were waiting at the gate to see me, so I had to leave my partner in the classroom and went down to get them in. I was told that I have to accompany them until they leave school. So I skipped the last part of the homeroom period...
When the students left at 12:30, right after we were called to have this class teacher meeting in the conference room. They really don't have any time concept! It should be lunch time!!! I was starving already *sigh* they said it'll be a quick one. So much for being *quick*, we didn't get to leave until 1:30. I was thoroughly expired!!!! I need to eat or else I'll faint!!!
We quickly grabbed our lunch next door at the canteen and came back for yet more meeting. Jeff talked to me about how 'messy' it was when I was gone and it happened that he didn't give out the Folders which students are supposed to sign it and return tomorrow...He's so nervous, kept asking me if he needs to tell anybody about this, I said no, just distribute them tomorrow. I really wanna tell this man to just 'chill' !!
He looks way mature than me, so he can't be 'new' to teaching...ah well...I guess a nervous and sincere teacher better than irresponsible one :) so I think I am still lucky to pair up with him. Even though he said earlier 'wish you are the CT and I am the ACT' lol.
Tomorrow I'll have 2 lessons, still pondering on what to do with them. Hope they'll behave in my class. it's 4:44pm now, we can leave now, I guess I'll do more searching from home...
More updates later!
Monday, 31 August 2009
Sunday, 30 August 2009
Last day in before work begins
Today we mainly stayed in. Got up at 6am, put babyplus on for Xiaobao. Blended pineapple and grape juice (nice!) and then after babyplus finished, we headed down to yum-cha. Only ate 3 dim-sums this time. Back home listened to YBCR CD *happy xiaobao*, then I dozed off while the CD's playing! After that I went to lie down for abit, thought it'll be 30-min rest. But didn't get up until 1:30!
Got up, made myself some rice noodles with green peas and eggplants. Hubby still asleep til nearly 4pm. Went to wake him up (or else he won't wanna sleep tonight!) and made him some meat balls and wontons, he liked it:)
While he's eating, I was preparing tonight's dinner, we are gonna have green peas fried with sausages and color peppers fried with eggs. Gonna go out in a bit to get some eggs. Last time we bought some condiment holders, I took them out, cleaned out a place to put it near the sink, should be more convenient now. I like the new cooker, it's fast, it's convenient, making cooking so much easier!
Was thinking of making red beans with lotus seeds yesterday but didn't get round to making it :/ Also thinking how am I going to prepare my lunch box to take it to school when school starts. This year our lunch time will be at 1pm, I'll be hungry and starving before then! Especially I have non-stop 5 lessons on Monday, will need to *swallow* my lunch and nibble something during recess, or else before lunchtime, I would have passed out already! Need some more pondering on that ...
mmmm dragon fruit and pineapple drink....
Got up, made myself some rice noodles with green peas and eggplants. Hubby still asleep til nearly 4pm. Went to wake him up (or else he won't wanna sleep tonight!) and made him some meat balls and wontons, he liked it:)
While he's eating, I was preparing tonight's dinner, we are gonna have green peas fried with sausages and color peppers fried with eggs. Gonna go out in a bit to get some eggs. Last time we bought some condiment holders, I took them out, cleaned out a place to put it near the sink, should be more convenient now. I like the new cooker, it's fast, it's convenient, making cooking so much easier!
Was thinking of making red beans with lotus seeds yesterday but didn't get round to making it :/ Also thinking how am I going to prepare my lunch box to take it to school when school starts. This year our lunch time will be at 1pm, I'll be hungry and starving before then! Especially I have non-stop 5 lessons on Monday, will need to *swallow* my lunch and nibble something during recess, or else before lunchtime, I would have passed out already! Need some more pondering on that ...
mmmm dragon fruit and pineapple drink....
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Two days of being zombie-like
I was so frustrated that the post I was typing yesterday (the whole day) was all wiped out because this morning my PC at school was giving me grief and before I remember, IT technician has already rebooted my machine, so everything's gone....*sigh*...
These few days were quite hectic and tiring for me. First there were too many meetings in school, which involves a lot of sitting down. Yesterday's meetings were ridiculous, it starts from 9:30 and didn't finish until 6pm!!! They tried to incorporate 'games' during the meetings hopefully to make it more lively and interactive, however no matter how good 'games' are, after awhile, you'll get bored and lost interest and most importantly energy. I sat down for too long yesterday (and I was wearing jeans) that I felt my entire guts were mingled in one lump and that when I stood up, I wanna bend myself backwards just to untangle my all internal organs! :-/ My feet were horribly swollen too, however there was no where for me to put my feet up, so at 4:30, I couldn't stand it anymore, and decided to head back down to the staff room and took a rest.
I rested til 5pm and still the previous meeting hasn't finished. We were supposed to have the class teacher meeting from 4-5pm!!! I thought I won't wait any longer, so decided to head home and told my colleague that I won't join the next meeting. Thank god I have a partner this year to handle the class teacher affair. Got back home around 6pm, got a text from colleague that they finished at 6pm! Jesus Christ!
Didn't rest/sleep well last night, woke this morning at 5am and couldn't wanna get up at 7am, I got up as if I haven't slept at all!! :/ today we still have to go back to school for the drama workshop from 9-4pm! :( Yes, today is Saturday here......
I wasn't feeling exactly fresh nor energetic this morning. The morning session of the workshop was OKish, but I was hungry at 11am. We finished at 12pm and headed to lunch, by then I was crawling myself cos I was starving already and I didn't have much strength, I just want food, any food will do .... we crawled to the canteen next door and I ordered a fried rice...
After food, I felt a *bit* better but somehow my energy still hasn't come back. I thought 'ok, I'll have something cold to wake myself, I'll have an ice-cream cone!' So I did. We started our afternoon session of the workshop at 1pm sharp. There were some games that I couldn't join in because they involves running around and bumping into people, so I was sitting aside and watched them play. I put my feet up on a chair and my head felt soooooo heavy and my back was hurting too....after 1.5 hours of that, we had a 10-min break, I thought 'I have to have some coffee' or else I'll go flat like a dead battery. I haven't had coffee for a long time cos I don't want to take caffeine if I can avoid it. But today I couldn't because otherwise I don't know how I can come home from school! So I made myself a cup of coffee (with lots of water, hopefully it won't be too strong - it's those instant coffee powder). I slowly drank it... didn't really do much though I finished it. After that, my mouth went sour...sighs...
I asked my colleague if he drives today and asking him if he minds driving me to TaiWai station, he's nice enough to offer to drive me home. Thank him for that.
We finished the workshop at 4pm. While others asking me if I am leaving, I told them that Eric's driving, if anyone wanna tag along, 2 more girls joined us. Since Eric's going to Tseung Kwan O to fill his car, so he asked if it's ok to drop me off at Prince Edward (it's fine cos it's only 2 stops away from home). Me and another girl left together and once again I had to drag my tired body onto the train again...
Climbing up the stairs was extremely tiring today *_* but I got home finally at around 5pm... I had to lie down and rest, so I put on babyplus for Xiaobao while I rest. You might guess I'll fall asleep right away, but I didn't. I just closed my eyes and still awake actually...I guess that's the ultimately 'exhausted' stage where I couldn't even sleep....Xiaobao sensed how tired I am and he's been moving around too, sometimes so much that as if my tummy's having an earthquake!
Got up and hubby made us some wantons, ate it and tummy didn't feel too well (lower left side tummy's feeling weird) so we went to lie down and woke up again at 9:30, tummy's OK now as I typed this.... I think I'll put Xiaobao's YBCR CD for him, he hasn't had his dose yesterday...:( sorry Xiaobao.... he likes his songs...
Tomorrow will be the last day of this summer holiday...school starts on Tuesday but of course we all have to go back in on Monday which will be another full day for all of us...God bless me....
These few days were quite hectic and tiring for me. First there were too many meetings in school, which involves a lot of sitting down. Yesterday's meetings were ridiculous, it starts from 9:30 and didn't finish until 6pm!!! They tried to incorporate 'games' during the meetings hopefully to make it more lively and interactive, however no matter how good 'games' are, after awhile, you'll get bored and lost interest and most importantly energy. I sat down for too long yesterday (and I was wearing jeans) that I felt my entire guts were mingled in one lump and that when I stood up, I wanna bend myself backwards just to untangle my all internal organs! :-/ My feet were horribly swollen too, however there was no where for me to put my feet up, so at 4:30, I couldn't stand it anymore, and decided to head back down to the staff room and took a rest.
I rested til 5pm and still the previous meeting hasn't finished. We were supposed to have the class teacher meeting from 4-5pm!!! I thought I won't wait any longer, so decided to head home and told my colleague that I won't join the next meeting. Thank god I have a partner this year to handle the class teacher affair. Got back home around 6pm, got a text from colleague that they finished at 6pm! Jesus Christ!
Didn't rest/sleep well last night, woke this morning at 5am and couldn't wanna get up at 7am, I got up as if I haven't slept at all!! :/ today we still have to go back to school for the drama workshop from 9-4pm! :( Yes, today is Saturday here......
I wasn't feeling exactly fresh nor energetic this morning. The morning session of the workshop was OKish, but I was hungry at 11am. We finished at 12pm and headed to lunch, by then I was crawling myself cos I was starving already and I didn't have much strength, I just want food, any food will do .... we crawled to the canteen next door and I ordered a fried rice...
After food, I felt a *bit* better but somehow my energy still hasn't come back. I thought 'ok, I'll have something cold to wake myself, I'll have an ice-cream cone!' So I did. We started our afternoon session of the workshop at 1pm sharp. There were some games that I couldn't join in because they involves running around and bumping into people, so I was sitting aside and watched them play. I put my feet up on a chair and my head felt soooooo heavy and my back was hurting too....after 1.5 hours of that, we had a 10-min break, I thought 'I have to have some coffee' or else I'll go flat like a dead battery. I haven't had coffee for a long time cos I don't want to take caffeine if I can avoid it. But today I couldn't because otherwise I don't know how I can come home from school! So I made myself a cup of coffee (with lots of water, hopefully it won't be too strong - it's those instant coffee powder). I slowly drank it... didn't really do much though I finished it. After that, my mouth went sour...sighs...
I asked my colleague if he drives today and asking him if he minds driving me to TaiWai station, he's nice enough to offer to drive me home. Thank him for that.
We finished the workshop at 4pm. While others asking me if I am leaving, I told them that Eric's driving, if anyone wanna tag along, 2 more girls joined us. Since Eric's going to Tseung Kwan O to fill his car, so he asked if it's ok to drop me off at Prince Edward (it's fine cos it's only 2 stops away from home). Me and another girl left together and once again I had to drag my tired body onto the train again...
Climbing up the stairs was extremely tiring today *_* but I got home finally at around 5pm... I had to lie down and rest, so I put on babyplus for Xiaobao while I rest. You might guess I'll fall asleep right away, but I didn't. I just closed my eyes and still awake actually...I guess that's the ultimately 'exhausted' stage where I couldn't even sleep....Xiaobao sensed how tired I am and he's been moving around too, sometimes so much that as if my tummy's having an earthquake!
Got up and hubby made us some wantons, ate it and tummy didn't feel too well (lower left side tummy's feeling weird) so we went to lie down and woke up again at 9:30, tummy's OK now as I typed this.... I think I'll put Xiaobao's YBCR CD for him, he hasn't had his dose yesterday...:( sorry Xiaobao.... he likes his songs...
Tomorrow will be the last day of this summer holiday...school starts on Tuesday but of course we all have to go back in on Monday which will be another full day for all of us...God bless me....
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Luncheon with Alex
(Yesterday I fell asleep half way through typing, shall continue today!)
Today I met with up Alex, my ex-secondary classmate for lunch. He's working in Laos, an island near Bangkok. He's staying in HK for about 2 weeks, leaving this weekend. We had lunch at the Green Place with his sister. Basically just touching base and sighing how 'old' we are now, we've been friends for about 15 years now since secondary school! Alex is going to get married next year and will probably move back to HK then. Unfortunately his father passed away last year. I remember the last time I saw him he was really thin. He had diabetes and heart attack. Passed away on a taxi :( Though his family is doing fine, his mother is still working, sister will be studying in ChuHai (another campus of HKBU) majoring in Teaching English As Second Language. At least she'll be able to come home every weekend. So they are all moving on nicely.
After lunch, they walked me back home, then I met up with hubby to do some shopping in Wellcome and then have his haircut. He needs to look presentable for a meeting with the British Council people sometime this (or next) week. More updates later!
Today I called the TownGas people, we are going to have gas!! Instant hot water for shower and no need to wait for the boiler to boil and all that hassle. This is their promotional month, so we get 30% off the boiler and special price for a cooker. They'll come up and install the equipment this Friday between 10-11am.
This morning in school was OK, I had one meeting for the Life-Planning Team. Then I did some more tidying at my table and I got my desktop copies for the textbooks and stuff. Afternoon we went to Yeh Lam Kwok for lunch (9 of us in total!) After lunch, I headed home, met up with hubby and we went to grab the HK version of 'cream tea' in the UK :) it's a pineapple bun with a slice of butter in the middle and a cup of (milk) tea. I have been in HK for all these years and I haven't had this tea ever :) so I thought I'll try that today. We found a local 'tea restaurant' that does it. We enjoyed it but next time I'll just buy it in the bakery shop :) (half price!). By the way, pineapple bun has nothing to do with pineapple, it doesn't taste like pineapple either. But I guess it's the crisp on the top looks like pineapple's skin, that's why. I think Momsie and Paula will love this bun :)
Last night I made asparagus and sausage salad, hubby liked it and was asking for it for tonight. Though after lunch today we found this Green River restaurant that Louis mentioned before, so we'll go try that tonight. I'll make the asparagus salad with sausage for hubby so that he can have it for lunch tomorrow.
Today I met with up Alex, my ex-secondary classmate for lunch. He's working in Laos, an island near Bangkok. He's staying in HK for about 2 weeks, leaving this weekend. We had lunch at the Green Place with his sister. Basically just touching base and sighing how 'old' we are now, we've been friends for about 15 years now since secondary school! Alex is going to get married next year and will probably move back to HK then. Unfortunately his father passed away last year. I remember the last time I saw him he was really thin. He had diabetes and heart attack. Passed away on a taxi :( Though his family is doing fine, his mother is still working, sister will be studying in ChuHai (another campus of HKBU) majoring in Teaching English As Second Language. At least she'll be able to come home every weekend. So they are all moving on nicely.
After lunch, they walked me back home, then I met up with hubby to do some shopping in Wellcome and then have his haircut. He needs to look presentable for a meeting with the British Council people sometime this (or next) week. More updates later!
Today I called the TownGas people, we are going to have gas!! Instant hot water for shower and no need to wait for the boiler to boil and all that hassle. This is their promotional month, so we get 30% off the boiler and special price for a cooker. They'll come up and install the equipment this Friday between 10-11am.
This morning in school was OK, I had one meeting for the Life-Planning Team. Then I did some more tidying at my table and I got my desktop copies for the textbooks and stuff. Afternoon we went to Yeh Lam Kwok for lunch (9 of us in total!) After lunch, I headed home, met up with hubby and we went to grab the HK version of 'cream tea' in the UK :) it's a pineapple bun with a slice of butter in the middle and a cup of (milk) tea. I have been in HK for all these years and I haven't had this tea ever :) so I thought I'll try that today. We found a local 'tea restaurant' that does it. We enjoyed it but next time I'll just buy it in the bakery shop :) (half price!). By the way, pineapple bun has nothing to do with pineapple, it doesn't taste like pineapple either. But I guess it's the crisp on the top looks like pineapple's skin, that's why. I think Momsie and Paula will love this bun :)
Last night I made asparagus and sausage salad, hubby liked it and was asking for it for tonight. Though after lunch today we found this Green River restaurant that Louis mentioned before, so we'll go try that tonight. I'll make the asparagus salad with sausage for hubby so that he can have it for lunch tomorrow.
Monday, 24 August 2009
The perfect position
Just got back from St. Paul. Here's the update for you guys :)
After I got back from Kwong Wah, mattress has already arrived and hubby put it in bed. I then put the brand new bed sheet over it. Took me longer than I thought to do it cos of the awkward position I was in and the mattress was heavy...But eventually we've got the bed sorted and tonight we're gonna have a good night 'supportive' sleep for once!
Time flies it was already 4:30 after we finished sorting the bed. We took a taxi to St.Paul since hubby isn't feeling his best today. We got to St.Paul at 5:30, registered and found out that I was 14 on the list. So we figure we could go out, grab dinner and then head back. We met up with Nick and Mercy and walked over to Cafe Tornado for dinner. Hubby had his favourite salmon set, me, Nick and Mercy has the vegetarian version mushroom pasta. Was nice! We left Tornado at around 8:15. Got back to the hospital and I was the second one to go in. Good timing! Quickly went to do the urine test and everything was fine as usual.
Met Dr. Fong and introduced Nick and Mercy. This time we recorded the ultrasound session. Dr. Fong even gave a longer than usual explanation for our visitors sake:) very nice of him. Haven't checked the video yet, Hubby will do that later :) According to Dr. Fong, Xiaobao's head is now facing down and his face is facing inside me. This is the 'perfect position' for delivery! Good Xiaobao :) I asked if the baby will be able to move back up again. He said not likely enough room cos he's growing bigger and bigger heh. It means all the time the 'round hard thing' that sticks out my tummy I used to think it's Xiaobao's head is actually his bum bum lol. Now I can surely pat away! Xiaobao was very active while we were having dinner. However during the ultrasound, since he's facing downward and his face facing me, it's difficult to see his face this time. We had to use some more imagination. But we saw he's clenching his fist :) and we saw his eyes, his ears and oh his 'pin pin' ;) (Guess what that is lol)
After the consultation, I waited for my vitamin pills and my sick leave for tomorrow (good...a day in to rest! :) we were on our way home. Nick and Mercy went to take a bus home whereas me and hubby took the MTR home.
Here we are, arriving at 10:15 pm :)
My next appointment with St. Paul will be in 4 weeks time. Next month, I'll have 3 different appointments on three different days in two different hospitals :)
After I got back from Kwong Wah, mattress has already arrived and hubby put it in bed. I then put the brand new bed sheet over it. Took me longer than I thought to do it cos of the awkward position I was in and the mattress was heavy...But eventually we've got the bed sorted and tonight we're gonna have a good night 'supportive' sleep for once!
Time flies it was already 4:30 after we finished sorting the bed. We took a taxi to St.Paul since hubby isn't feeling his best today. We got to St.Paul at 5:30, registered and found out that I was 14 on the list. So we figure we could go out, grab dinner and then head back. We met up with Nick and Mercy and walked over to Cafe Tornado for dinner. Hubby had his favourite salmon set, me, Nick and Mercy has the vegetarian version mushroom pasta. Was nice! We left Tornado at around 8:15. Got back to the hospital and I was the second one to go in. Good timing! Quickly went to do the urine test and everything was fine as usual.
Met Dr. Fong and introduced Nick and Mercy. This time we recorded the ultrasound session. Dr. Fong even gave a longer than usual explanation for our visitors sake:) very nice of him. Haven't checked the video yet, Hubby will do that later :) According to Dr. Fong, Xiaobao's head is now facing down and his face is facing inside me. This is the 'perfect position' for delivery! Good Xiaobao :) I asked if the baby will be able to move back up again. He said not likely enough room cos he's growing bigger and bigger heh. It means all the time the 'round hard thing' that sticks out my tummy I used to think it's Xiaobao's head is actually his bum bum lol. Now I can surely pat away! Xiaobao was very active while we were having dinner. However during the ultrasound, since he's facing downward and his face facing me, it's difficult to see his face this time. We had to use some more imagination. But we saw he's clenching his fist :) and we saw his eyes, his ears and oh his 'pin pin' ;) (Guess what that is lol)
After the consultation, I waited for my vitamin pills and my sick leave for tomorrow (good...a day in to rest! :) we were on our way home. Nick and Mercy went to take a bus home whereas me and hubby took the MTR home.
Here we are, arriving at 10:15 pm :)
My next appointment with St. Paul will be in 4 weeks time. Next month, I'll have 3 different appointments on three different days in two different hospitals :)
Routine checkup
The checkup today in Kwong Wah was again pretty useless. I arrived at the hospital smack on time, waited for about 20 minutes, my name was called to do the urine test. I was fine. Then waited for another 10 minutes to measure my blood pressure and weight. This time I weigh 87.6kg (193 pounds), still far from ideal but it's less than what I had before in St. Paul (201 pounds) last month! Though we'll see tonight, maybe the scale in St.Paul doesn't like me or something...
After another hour, a nurse walked my way and said 'you are next, come in this room' - it's the ultrasound room. I was excited for awhile thinking I'll see xiaobao this time! Great! Much to my disappointment, once I got in, it was just routine (boring) session with them listening to xiaobao's heart beat and that's that. The doctor asked me (which I can recite now) 'any blood, discomfort, abnormal discharge?' I said no to all of those. Then she instructed me to hop on the bed. Found xiaobao's heartbeat (of course) then pressed my tummy here and there for awhile. Saying 'you are on the large size, be careful of your weight and size OK?' Yes I know that before I come here, mom told me everyday. And I am watching what I eat and how much I eat... Down the bed I went, sat down and the nurse told me to wait for my next appointment slip and that if I have any more questions to ask doctor. I then asked if it's normal to have my feet swollen up so early as compare to other pregnant women. Doctor said 'it's probably the baby's sitting on your bladder that's why you don't pass the fluid out as normal' - see the word 'probably'? Anything they know are 'exact'? 'probably not' lol
Then I asked if I can massage or press my feet where it's swollen. Doctor mumbled for a bit and not exactly giving me any answers whatsoever. Wasn't impressed at all...Lastly the nurse asked again 'anymore questions to ask doctor?' - I thought to myself even if I do, not that she can answer me...I shall ask Dr. Fong tonight! So off I left and pronounced another day wasted in these public hospital. (Good job I don't have to pay)
I'll have my next glucose test on the 3rd September and then another routine checkup on the 23rd same month.
Now we should get ready to go to St.Paul now for some REAL consultation! Oh let me get my camera!
Stay tuned for more updates!
After another hour, a nurse walked my way and said 'you are next, come in this room' - it's the ultrasound room. I was excited for awhile thinking I'll see xiaobao this time! Great! Much to my disappointment, once I got in, it was just routine (boring) session with them listening to xiaobao's heart beat and that's that. The doctor asked me (which I can recite now) 'any blood, discomfort, abnormal discharge?' I said no to all of those. Then she instructed me to hop on the bed. Found xiaobao's heartbeat (of course) then pressed my tummy here and there for awhile. Saying 'you are on the large size, be careful of your weight and size OK?' Yes I know that before I come here, mom told me everyday. And I am watching what I eat and how much I eat... Down the bed I went, sat down and the nurse told me to wait for my next appointment slip and that if I have any more questions to ask doctor. I then asked if it's normal to have my feet swollen up so early as compare to other pregnant women. Doctor said 'it's probably the baby's sitting on your bladder that's why you don't pass the fluid out as normal' - see the word 'probably'? Anything they know are 'exact'? 'probably not' lol
Then I asked if I can massage or press my feet where it's swollen. Doctor mumbled for a bit and not exactly giving me any answers whatsoever. Wasn't impressed at all...Lastly the nurse asked again 'anymore questions to ask doctor?' - I thought to myself even if I do, not that she can answer me...I shall ask Dr. Fong tonight! So off I left and pronounced another day wasted in these public hospital. (Good job I don't have to pay)
I'll have my next glucose test on the 3rd September and then another routine checkup on the 23rd same month.
Now we should get ready to go to St.Paul now for some REAL consultation! Oh let me get my camera!
Stay tuned for more updates!
Sunday, 23 August 2009
YBCR day 1
Me and xiaobao started listening to Your Baby Can Read (YBCR)starter video. Xiaobao seems like to like it whenever these two songs come up. One is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and The Incy Wincy Spider. I was lying down as we listen to the DVD, xiaobao moving around in all sorts of direction :)
I am just wondering how I can do that when school starts. Suppose to listen to it first thing when I wake up and then after meal in the afternoon. Before I sleep, I will listen to the phonics CD for 30-45 minutes. Will do that tonight - see how it goes :) more updates tomorrow on that.
Xiaobao will listen to this starter video for about one month and see how he goes. Then the other DVDs for either a month or two months. Depends on how xiaobao does. If he can recall everything then, we can move along. People said if I start listening to them now, when xiaobao's born, he'll be familiar to the song and feel comfortable and safe. It will probably calm him down too :)
I am looking forward to tomorrow's checkup at St. Paul, I can't wait to see xiaobao again! This time I'll charge my camera and see if we can record the process. Last time xiaobao yawned three times and at the same time rubbing his face during the ultrasound, he looked so cute!! :)
So far, I can 'communicate' to xiaobao upon demand. If I rub or pat, he'll response and move around :) Sometimes he'll stick up real high and turn really hard. I think that's either his bum or his head :) Earlier we were walking around in the Dragon Center looking for a small blender. Xiaobao got excited and stick up real high that I couldn't breathe comfortably and making me wanting to go to the loo. After we bought it, he's fine :P will blend some fruit juice later...
We have oranges and grapes. Wonder what it tastes like... :) mmm
I am just wondering how I can do that when school starts. Suppose to listen to it first thing when I wake up and then after meal in the afternoon. Before I sleep, I will listen to the phonics CD for 30-45 minutes. Will do that tonight - see how it goes :) more updates tomorrow on that.
Xiaobao will listen to this starter video for about one month and see how he goes. Then the other DVDs for either a month or two months. Depends on how xiaobao does. If he can recall everything then, we can move along. People said if I start listening to them now, when xiaobao's born, he'll be familiar to the song and feel comfortable and safe. It will probably calm him down too :)
I am looking forward to tomorrow's checkup at St. Paul, I can't wait to see xiaobao again! This time I'll charge my camera and see if we can record the process. Last time xiaobao yawned three times and at the same time rubbing his face during the ultrasound, he looked so cute!! :)
So far, I can 'communicate' to xiaobao upon demand. If I rub or pat, he'll response and move around :) Sometimes he'll stick up real high and turn really hard. I think that's either his bum or his head :) Earlier we were walking around in the Dragon Center looking for a small blender. Xiaobao got excited and stick up real high that I couldn't breathe comfortably and making me wanting to go to the loo. After we bought it, he's fine :P will blend some fruit juice later...
We have oranges and grapes. Wonder what it tastes like... :) mmm
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Seminar and exhibition day
The baby signs seminar this afternoon was OK. Thought it'll last for 2 hours but actually it only lasted for 30 minutes. We've learned 20 baby signs. Here's a video I found on youtube that has some baby signs that we've learned today like 'eat','daddy','mommy', 'milk', 'more', 'finish', etc.
After that it's Q & A session, most of the parents' left. Though Tony, the other saleman we met in Shatin when we bought the set came and chatted with me, first I really thought he's just being nice and chatted with me, until he took out a grey folder did I know he's trying to make another sale by talking me into buying yet another bulk. Saying they can still give me the discount before, instead of paying for the full cost, only pay the difference which will be another $30,000! Basically he's trying to up sale me stuff! We had to think of an 'excuse' to leave. They didn't look happy - ah well it is their job to do that I suppose.
After the seminar, we went to Wanchai Convention and Exhibition Center to join Nick and Mercy at the UK Education Exhibition. Hon grabbed his beloved Chai Tea Latte and wandered to the center. We walked around for awhile and surprised to find that Liverpool University wasn't there. I found Manchester and Sheffield University though...
Then we headed over to the other side of the Convention Center to check out the Computer and communication exhibition. We have to get tickets for this one. After a long walk to the far end of the center we finally got in. It's *jam packed* with people, so walking around in there means having people breathing down your neck! I have to protect xiaobao at the same time followed hubby and also looked at stuff. He wants to buy a laptop to do his editing work. At last we found this ASUS laptop for around $5000, free upgrade to 4GB of ram. After we bought it, it's already past 6pm. So we headed for dinner. I had noodle and hubby had steak. Got home at around 8:30pm...
Listened to phonics CD and xiaobao seems to like it. Now babyplus' on. Hubby is watching Entrapment. I think I'll just relax and rest til I fall asleep...
After that it's Q & A session, most of the parents' left. Though Tony, the other saleman we met in Shatin when we bought the set came and chatted with me, first I really thought he's just being nice and chatted with me, until he took out a grey folder did I know he's trying to make another sale by talking me into buying yet another bulk. Saying they can still give me the discount before, instead of paying for the full cost, only pay the difference which will be another $30,000! Basically he's trying to up sale me stuff! We had to think of an 'excuse' to leave. They didn't look happy - ah well it is their job to do that I suppose.
After the seminar, we went to Wanchai Convention and Exhibition Center to join Nick and Mercy at the UK Education Exhibition. Hon grabbed his beloved Chai Tea Latte and wandered to the center. We walked around for awhile and surprised to find that Liverpool University wasn't there. I found Manchester and Sheffield University though...
Then we headed over to the other side of the Convention Center to check out the Computer and communication exhibition. We have to get tickets for this one. After a long walk to the far end of the center we finally got in. It's *jam packed* with people, so walking around in there means having people breathing down your neck! I have to protect xiaobao at the same time followed hubby and also looked at stuff. He wants to buy a laptop to do his editing work. At last we found this ASUS laptop for around $5000, free upgrade to 4GB of ram. After we bought it, it's already past 6pm. So we headed for dinner. I had noodle and hubby had steak. Got home at around 8:30pm...
Listened to phonics CD and xiaobao seems to like it. Now babyplus' on. Hubby is watching Entrapment. I think I'll just relax and rest til I fall asleep...
Friday, 21 August 2009
A night out at Nick's
Turned out we spent a lovely evening at Nick's last night when Kit visited. She went through all the products with us and explained how they are used and where we should put it. Nick and Mercy love the Dinoops Magic pen which will read out the text and making all sorts of sound as you point it to the story book. We were all fascinating at how it works. Just buying the pen itself will be $1380 :/ (about 108 pounds!!) best not drop this pen! If Xiaobao decides to throw it to the floor, then that's that lol.
Kit suggested that I best start listening to the CDs and songs and DVDs, some CDs like the phonics ones, it works subconsciously; so even though I fall asleep, it'll still work...so Xiaobao will have babyplus AND the CDs to boost his brain :) anything to make our baby smart!
After the explanation, Kit left and I gave mom a quick call. Then we all head down to the 'new place' Nick suggested. That was already 10pm. Wonder if they'll still serve us. Turned out they did! It's a very nice Chinese restaurant, I looked at the menu, average price ranges from $70-$80, Nick said 'Let's just go this time' - so we went in. We saw this grand decor and everything , feels like we were eating in a hotel! The manager was very nice, talking to us and explaining and recommending dishes to us. He tried his best to accommodate us, making dishes (vegetarian) just for us. We ended up having 3 vegetarian dish (one is a kind of green vegetable, we call it the King's vegetable, next one is lily flower petal with asparagus, and also tofu), we also have a fish (for me, thanks Nick!), soup, rice noodle and fried rice (half portion each) and then the manager (named Paulus) gave us a fruit bowl on the house. Very nice of him indeed. We had papaya, dragon fruit and watermelon. All very nice!
After the food, we all left with a full stomach back to base. We took a lot of pictures with me standing up, sitting down, lying down, my tummy, my swollen feet. Everybody was in camera for at least 30 times lol. Eventually my body decided to tell me it's going to fall asleep, so I dozed off for a bit on the sofa. When Hubby next woke me up, we were ready to leave...Took a taxi home and it was already 1:30...Totally exhausted and went straight to bed til this morning...
This afternoon we will be going to Carnarvon Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, their learning center to attend a seminar on baby sign language. Stay tune with more updates :)
Kit suggested that I best start listening to the CDs and songs and DVDs, some CDs like the phonics ones, it works subconsciously; so even though I fall asleep, it'll still work...so Xiaobao will have babyplus AND the CDs to boost his brain :) anything to make our baby smart!
After the explanation, Kit left and I gave mom a quick call. Then we all head down to the 'new place' Nick suggested. That was already 10pm. Wonder if they'll still serve us. Turned out they did! It's a very nice Chinese restaurant, I looked at the menu, average price ranges from $70-$80, Nick said 'Let's just go this time' - so we went in. We saw this grand decor and everything , feels like we were eating in a hotel! The manager was very nice, talking to us and explaining and recommending dishes to us. He tried his best to accommodate us, making dishes (vegetarian) just for us. We ended up having 3 vegetarian dish (one is a kind of green vegetable, we call it the King's vegetable, next one is lily flower petal with asparagus, and also tofu), we also have a fish (for me, thanks Nick!), soup, rice noodle and fried rice (half portion each) and then the manager (named Paulus) gave us a fruit bowl on the house. Very nice of him indeed. We had papaya, dragon fruit and watermelon. All very nice!
After the food, we all left with a full stomach back to base. We took a lot of pictures with me standing up, sitting down, lying down, my tummy, my swollen feet. Everybody was in camera for at least 30 times lol. Eventually my body decided to tell me it's going to fall asleep, so I dozed off for a bit on the sofa. When Hubby next woke me up, we were ready to leave...Took a taxi home and it was already 1:30...Totally exhausted and went straight to bed til this morning...
This afternoon we will be going to Carnarvon Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, their learning center to attend a seminar on baby sign language. Stay tune with more updates :)
Thursday, 20 August 2009
SS Staff meeting --> aching
After the throw-up session few months ago, this morning it comes back again :/ I have no idea why. I didn't eat anything unusal last night. Just that I woke up feeling hungry which is not unusual. Threw up during brushing teeth, got up at 7 but didn't leave the bathroom until 7:30! Had 3 french bread today, drank my milk and had my remaining few grapes. (Need to buy some more fruit today after work).
Since I have my new desk now, I thought it'll only make sense if I start going to my new staff room office instead of the old one. However yesterday I still didn't have a computer set up on my desk, I figured I will bring my laptop back in today and hon's dongle. Now writing this sitting at my new seat. I have a window view, not too bad I guess (though I think it'll make me wanna go home even more looking outside lol)
Thanks to Eric, my colleague, he found my other huge box somewhere and my other stuff were all in there. Yesterday I thought I lost all my mugs (include my Sarah mug ^_^!) amongst other things. But Eric found it for me! Thank you Eric. The fact that I am getting bigger and bigger by the day, I need a lot of help around school. Like yesterday during the staff meeting, we were all having lot of group games and stuff, moving chairs, picking up things. When I tried to go and get my chair, my colleagues all said to me 'go away Sarah, we'll get it for you, go go go!' This morning I had to plug in my power cord for the mac but the socket is right underneath my desk which means I have to crawl under it. Bonnie helped me instead (even though she's wearing high heels) And of course any physical labor moving bulky heavy stuff, there's always Eric. I am very thankful to all of them!
Today I didn't put my girdle on since I am wearing a rather tight sweat pants. Xiaobao's moving (well sticking out real high) quite a lot last night and this morning on my way to school. I can feel his head sticking out nearly beneath my chest! A bit of rub rub and pat pat, he then decided to move somewhere else. I think it's his way of playing with me? :) At other times after dinner, I will feel some smaller sized hard bits, I think it's his hands or feet, I will slightly press it and it'll sink down heh. Very funny :) Just that when he decided to stick his head out and up my guts when I am sleeping, it'll wake me up or make difficult breathing. And oh turning in bed from lying on my back to my side involves me holding my tummy first before I attempt to move. Otherwise it'll sort of pull my back or half of my body will feel tingly. All these joys! Moreover, few days ago, I started seeing some purple lines along the side of my tummy :/ I think my belly has finally decided to add some patterns for me. So I applied some moisturizer on it few days ago. Last night after shower, I saw my right side of the belly 'ah the color's lighten a lot', I thought 'yay, the moisturizer is working!' Until I saw the middle of my lower belly, there are new ones coming, *sigh* lol I don't know if the moisturizer will actually make a difference. Lot of people said on online forum that some of pregnant women started using cream from Day 1 but still after delivery, their tummy is still like a purple cauliflower. Of course some women said 'oh it's very useful, my tummy's perfect!' I guess only one way to find out!
*Meeting time* *gone at 9:28*
It's 11:39 now, feeling hungry so headed out and just ate 2 oranges. Going back to the meeting. It's 3 hours long! And that is if it doesn't overrun, otherwise we can't leave at 12:3o :(
*gone again*
Guess where am I now! HOME!!! The meeting didn't finish until 1pm. I was absolutely aching everywhere and starving! Xiaobao wasn't happy either, he started from moving (to show his discomfort to not moving at all cos I was hungry) We left right after meeting to Tai Wai to grab food cos I can't wait anymore! After food, xiaobao's happy again and started sticking his head up again, so all was fine... I had beef with salad and extra dish of green vegetable :)
Today my bag's a bit heavy, so hubby meet me in MTR and at the same time he grabbed his lunch and we went shopping in Wellcome getting some more washing powder (ran out).
Don't know if we'll be going to Nick's tonight because Kit (the woman from the reading program) contacted me today asking if it's OK to have the family visit tonight at 8:30. She's fully booked this weekends, the earliest will be next week and school'll start getting busy so...
Waiting for Nick to get back (they were on the ferry going home) to us, more updates...
Since I have my new desk now, I thought it'll only make sense if I start going to my new staff room office instead of the old one. However yesterday I still didn't have a computer set up on my desk, I figured I will bring my laptop back in today and hon's dongle. Now writing this sitting at my new seat. I have a window view, not too bad I guess (though I think it'll make me wanna go home even more looking outside lol)
Thanks to Eric, my colleague, he found my other huge box somewhere and my other stuff were all in there. Yesterday I thought I lost all my mugs (include my Sarah mug ^_^!) amongst other things. But Eric found it for me! Thank you Eric. The fact that I am getting bigger and bigger by the day, I need a lot of help around school. Like yesterday during the staff meeting, we were all having lot of group games and stuff, moving chairs, picking up things. When I tried to go and get my chair, my colleagues all said to me 'go away Sarah, we'll get it for you, go go go!' This morning I had to plug in my power cord for the mac but the socket is right underneath my desk which means I have to crawl under it. Bonnie helped me instead (even though she's wearing high heels) And of course any physical labor moving bulky heavy stuff, there's always Eric. I am very thankful to all of them!
Today I didn't put my girdle on since I am wearing a rather tight sweat pants. Xiaobao's moving (well sticking out real high) quite a lot last night and this morning on my way to school. I can feel his head sticking out nearly beneath my chest! A bit of rub rub and pat pat, he then decided to move somewhere else. I think it's his way of playing with me? :) At other times after dinner, I will feel some smaller sized hard bits, I think it's his hands or feet, I will slightly press it and it'll sink down heh. Very funny :) Just that when he decided to stick his head out and up my guts when I am sleeping, it'll wake me up or make difficult breathing. And oh turning in bed from lying on my back to my side involves me holding my tummy first before I attempt to move. Otherwise it'll sort of pull my back or half of my body will feel tingly. All these joys! Moreover, few days ago, I started seeing some purple lines along the side of my tummy :/ I think my belly has finally decided to add some patterns for me. So I applied some moisturizer on it few days ago. Last night after shower, I saw my right side of the belly 'ah the color's lighten a lot', I thought 'yay, the moisturizer is working!' Until I saw the middle of my lower belly, there are new ones coming, *sigh* lol I don't know if the moisturizer will actually make a difference. Lot of people said on online forum that some of pregnant women started using cream from Day 1 but still after delivery, their tummy is still like a purple cauliflower. Of course some women said 'oh it's very useful, my tummy's perfect!' I guess only one way to find out!
*Meeting time* *gone at 9:28*
It's 11:39 now, feeling hungry so headed out and just ate 2 oranges. Going back to the meeting. It's 3 hours long! And that is if it doesn't overrun, otherwise we can't leave at 12:3o :(
*gone again*
Guess where am I now! HOME!!! The meeting didn't finish until 1pm. I was absolutely aching everywhere and starving! Xiaobao wasn't happy either, he started from moving (to show his discomfort to not moving at all cos I was hungry) We left right after meeting to Tai Wai to grab food cos I can't wait anymore! After food, xiaobao's happy again and started sticking his head up again, so all was fine... I had beef with salad and extra dish of green vegetable :)
Today my bag's a bit heavy, so hubby meet me in MTR and at the same time he grabbed his lunch and we went shopping in Wellcome getting some more washing powder (ran out).
Don't know if we'll be going to Nick's tonight because Kit (the woman from the reading program) contacted me today asking if it's OK to have the family visit tonight at 8:30. She's fully booked this weekends, the earliest will be next week and school'll start getting busy so...
Waiting for Nick to get back (they were on the ferry going home) to us, more updates...
First staff meeting
Today afternoon we had our first staff meeting (both primary and secondary staff) in the school Hall which lasted for 2 hours hosted by Dr. Wil Chan. It was boring because there were a lot of activities. But since it's all group games and I am rather on the difficult side to kneel, squat, jump, crawl, etc. so basically I was standing aside and looking at my group mates. Before the meeting finished, we had some refreshment which are some mini tarts of different styles. I had a fruit tart, wasn't too bad.
I left around 4:15 with the other English team. Got home around 5pm, put babyplus on wasn't feeling hungry but hubby hasn't eaten anything the whole day so we wanna go and grab food after babyplus' finished. I rested in bed whilst waiting trying not to fall asleep. Though later hubby had a bit of headache so he applied some 4head and hopefully it'll kick in and we can then go for dinner.
Dinner at the Green place near home, hubby has his usual fried instant noodles with pork and I had green peas with pork. We also ordered a separate dish of ChoySum, I need my daily greens intakes :) to make sure I have a smooth 'loo business' lol. Apart from that, we also had chilly wantons (HongYouChaoShou) as starter to munch on whilst waiting for our mains to arrive. Hubby also had his Swiss coffee that he likes and his TsingTao to go with his meal.
After meal, we wandered home, was hoping to get some fruits but no luck, shall munch on the remaining grapes and hopefully find something else tomorrow! Having various fruits every meal is different cos I can't buy too many fruits in case I can't finish them and hence wasted but then just eating one kind of fruit is not enough, at least 3 different kinds... Yes I can get those fruit salad like those in starbucks, but they are expensive....
Today I have sort of started moving my stuff across to my new desk which is 'technically' bigger than others. Since my desk is by the wall, so I can move all the slide table along the wall whilst others have to put theirs under their table which means they can only use half of the table surface. I like my new desk. Tomorrow I shall continue moving stuff across and start getting my desk copy of the textbook and do some planning!
It's half 10 now, shall get ready for bed. More updates tomorrow! Stay tune!
I left around 4:15 with the other English team. Got home around 5pm, put babyplus on wasn't feeling hungry but hubby hasn't eaten anything the whole day so we wanna go and grab food after babyplus' finished. I rested in bed whilst waiting trying not to fall asleep. Though later hubby had a bit of headache so he applied some 4head and hopefully it'll kick in and we can then go for dinner.
Dinner at the Green place near home, hubby has his usual fried instant noodles with pork and I had green peas with pork. We also ordered a separate dish of ChoySum, I need my daily greens intakes :) to make sure I have a smooth 'loo business' lol. Apart from that, we also had chilly wantons (HongYouChaoShou) as starter to munch on whilst waiting for our mains to arrive. Hubby also had his Swiss coffee that he likes and his TsingTao to go with his meal.
After meal, we wandered home, was hoping to get some fruits but no luck, shall munch on the remaining grapes and hopefully find something else tomorrow! Having various fruits every meal is different cos I can't buy too many fruits in case I can't finish them and hence wasted but then just eating one kind of fruit is not enough, at least 3 different kinds... Yes I can get those fruit salad like those in starbucks, but they are expensive....
Today I have sort of started moving my stuff across to my new desk which is 'technically' bigger than others. Since my desk is by the wall, so I can move all the slide table along the wall whilst others have to put theirs under their table which means they can only use half of the table surface. I like my new desk. Tomorrow I shall continue moving stuff across and start getting my desk copy of the textbook and do some planning!
It's half 10 now, shall get ready for bed. More updates tomorrow! Stay tune!
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
The story for two mugs
Hubby mentioned in his writing that he forgot to take that two mugs for Nick. Actually we have got a lot of mugs from 7-11 since we like to buy drinks there so we've got a lot of stickers to redeem mugs. I asked Nick if he likes some, he said two. So I took out two mugs and put them in a plastic bag together with hubby's umbrella on the piano. Somewhere it's easily seen and that he can just take it as he heads out.
I reminded him in the morning before I head out....when I asked him again through text when he's on his way if he's got the mugs. He texted back saying 'ummmm' Now knowing my husband, he sometimes like to 'tease' me, letting me think something otherwise. And the fact that he thinks I always think 'negative' about things, so I thought 'OK this time, I'll stay positive and assume he's just playing with me. I texted him back 'OK so you've got it then :P' - However the one time I stayed positive, he replied back to me 'I forgot' - sigh....... that's my husband :)
He said he can't see them on the piano since they are in the plastic bag. I thought putting them in the plastic bag for him will make it easier and faster for him to just pick it up and go. But guess not. Next time, I shall put a string and tie it to his head like how they tie a carrot on donkey's head, that way he'll definitely see! But I guess til then, it'll be 'I don't have my glasses on' or 'I didn't have my contacts on' lol :P
Anyway no big deal, we'll just have to give it to Nick next time we visit him, which should be soon since the staff will want to visit us to go through all the reading program materials that we got delivered today. Still waiting for her to call me....
More updates later!
I reminded him in the morning before I head out....when I asked him again through text when he's on his way if he's got the mugs. He texted back saying 'ummmm' Now knowing my husband, he sometimes like to 'tease' me, letting me think something otherwise. And the fact that he thinks I always think 'negative' about things, so I thought 'OK this time, I'll stay positive and assume he's just playing with me. I texted him back 'OK so you've got it then :P' - However the one time I stayed positive, he replied back to me 'I forgot' - sigh....... that's my husband :)
He said he can't see them on the piano since they are in the plastic bag. I thought putting them in the plastic bag for him will make it easier and faster for him to just pick it up and go. But guess not. Next time, I shall put a string and tie it to his head like how they tie a carrot on donkey's head, that way he'll definitely see! But I guess til then, it'll be 'I don't have my glasses on' or 'I didn't have my contacts on' lol :P
Anyway no big deal, we'll just have to give it to Nick next time we visit him, which should be soon since the staff will want to visit us to go through all the reading program materials that we got delivered today. Still waiting for her to call me....
More updates later!
What a beautiful day (hot)
After a much needed sleep last night (at 12am) I didn't want to get up this morning after babyplus' finished. However today is the day my office in the new staff room finished decorating and my stuff will be moved there for me, so I want to make sure I come back here and unpack. I wouldn't have any idea how busy it'll become after this week, so best get it out of the way :)
Yesterday was fruitful I'd say in Whampoa, we got the bed we want! :) Before heading out to Hung Hom to meet up with Nick for lunch, I was already feeling peckish, then hungry, then peckish for 2 hours :P thank god I still have one small french bread, a pack of soda biscuits and one coconut candy in my bag. Looking at the watch I have 2 hours to wait, I best not eat all of them in one go (lol). First I started attacking the bun, munch 10 times slower than I use to eat, drink a glass of water. OK that last me for about 15 minutes, then tummy decided to make noise yet again. I went to the toilet for a little break and walked around the campus (went up to the rooftop garden) for walkies. I had my coconut candy in my pocket and started sucking on it whist walking on the grass. Yesterday wasn't too hot outside, so that's OK. I gave a quick call to mom who's on her way to Auchan (remember the Tesco-like supermarket in HangZhou?:) to do some shopping. Though we have to finish cos mom's phone battery was rather low....
After that I went back down to the staff room, instead of taking the lift, I took the stairs. I need to as much exercise as I can think of. In HangZhou I get to walk up to mountain everyday, now that I am back in Hong Kong, I have significantly lot less exercise than I'd hope for. And Hubby is not always available to go out walkies like mom because he has way too many things need doing. So I best not disturb him (which will only prolong his working hour late at night) when I can do simple exercise myself.
Back in the staff room, hungry again lol. And that was 12pm, one more hour to go!!! I thought I *have to* start on my biscuits now. Again I made sure I munch each of them really slow. Tasting every single bits of it (even though it's not much, it's soda biscuits for god sake lol) but it's food nonetheless and I needed that then :) down with yet another mug of water (my big tigger mug). Shortly after I finished the biscuit, the clock on my computer said '1pm' yay time to head out! Hopefully I'll get to Whampoa, Hung Hom and have food in front of me before this hunger feeling decided to come back again!
As mentioned in hubby's writing, we've told Nick that I wanna have lunch first before looking for beds, we were still distracted as we walked into Jusco. In the end after spending about 30 minutes in the bed section, finally we managed to head out and find food place! (that was 2:15)We ended up eating in Xihu Supreme. A restaurant that does 4 different cuisines: Shanghai, Sichuan, Hangzhou and Beijing. Of course nothing exactly like our Hangzhou cuisines when it's made locally in HK, but it'll do plus I was hungry! :) We had to wait for our table but thank god we didn't have to wait too long. We were seated at 2:44 and quickly ordered which was my job since it's all Chinese :) waiting at the table for food to arrive as 'painful' especially when everybody else around us were eating (lol). I decided to hit the loo for a break.
As I went out, my hope's come true, food's on the table! EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Xiaobao was definitely very happy and kicking around when I smelled food and started eating hehehe :) I think even he thought 'finally woman!' (lol)
Again I shouldn't be eating very fast no matter how hungry I am, since I won't know how full I am if I eat too quickly and I don't wanna know after I finished eating and found that I'd eaten too much. The feeling of full and bloatedness and xiaobao moving in a full stomach will literally makes me sick amongst other things (like holding a 'heavy tummy'). So I took my time, chew very thoroughly every food I have. Still I think I ate too much because I wasn't hungry when we were in Shengwan in that Indian restaurant - Masala Modern Indian Cuisine. Took me awhile to find this pic on google. So make sure you click into it and have a look!
I only managed to eat two vegetable samosas and a glass of mango lassi. It's a very common and popular drink in India. It's mango blended with yogurt. Very nice especially when you are feeling hot :) I even ate some of the ice cubes in my glass afterwards.
*updates* Xiaobao's reading program have just been delivered! Yay!!!! The English version story books will be among them and daddy can start reading it to xiaobao and see how he likes it. Though building bond with xiaobao takes time. Right now he responds to me better than to daddy simply because he's with me all the time :P but I remain hopeful that we still have 2 more months to go for xiaobao to get familiarize with daddy's voice :) when xiaobao gets to 30 weeks old, we can even hear his heartbeat right from my tummy - how cool is that! :) Indeed xiaobao just moved as I typed here in agreement ;)
Yesterday was fruitful I'd say in Whampoa, we got the bed we want! :) Before heading out to Hung Hom to meet up with Nick for lunch, I was already feeling peckish, then hungry, then peckish for 2 hours :P thank god I still have one small french bread, a pack of soda biscuits and one coconut candy in my bag. Looking at the watch I have 2 hours to wait, I best not eat all of them in one go (lol). First I started attacking the bun, munch 10 times slower than I use to eat, drink a glass of water. OK that last me for about 15 minutes, then tummy decided to make noise yet again. I went to the toilet for a little break and walked around the campus (went up to the rooftop garden) for walkies. I had my coconut candy in my pocket and started sucking on it whist walking on the grass. Yesterday wasn't too hot outside, so that's OK. I gave a quick call to mom who's on her way to Auchan (remember the Tesco-like supermarket in HangZhou?:) to do some shopping. Though we have to finish cos mom's phone battery was rather low....
After that I went back down to the staff room, instead of taking the lift, I took the stairs. I need to as much exercise as I can think of. In HangZhou I get to walk up to mountain everyday, now that I am back in Hong Kong, I have significantly lot less exercise than I'd hope for. And Hubby is not always available to go out walkies like mom because he has way too many things need doing. So I best not disturb him (which will only prolong his working hour late at night) when I can do simple exercise myself.
Back in the staff room, hungry again lol. And that was 12pm, one more hour to go!!! I thought I *have to* start on my biscuits now. Again I made sure I munch each of them really slow. Tasting every single bits of it (even though it's not much, it's soda biscuits for god sake lol) but it's food nonetheless and I needed that then :) down with yet another mug of water (my big tigger mug). Shortly after I finished the biscuit, the clock on my computer said '1pm' yay time to head out! Hopefully I'll get to Whampoa, Hung Hom and have food in front of me before this hunger feeling decided to come back again!
As mentioned in hubby's writing, we've told Nick that I wanna have lunch first before looking for beds, we were still distracted as we walked into Jusco. In the end after spending about 30 minutes in the bed section, finally we managed to head out and find food place! (that was 2:15)We ended up eating in Xihu Supreme. A restaurant that does 4 different cuisines: Shanghai, Sichuan, Hangzhou and Beijing. Of course nothing exactly like our Hangzhou cuisines when it's made locally in HK, but it'll do plus I was hungry! :) We had to wait for our table but thank god we didn't have to wait too long. We were seated at 2:44 and quickly ordered which was my job since it's all Chinese :) waiting at the table for food to arrive as 'painful' especially when everybody else around us were eating (lol). I decided to hit the loo for a break.
As I went out, my hope's come true, food's on the table! EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Xiaobao was definitely very happy and kicking around when I smelled food and started eating hehehe :) I think even he thought 'finally woman!' (lol)
Again I shouldn't be eating very fast no matter how hungry I am, since I won't know how full I am if I eat too quickly and I don't wanna know after I finished eating and found that I'd eaten too much. The feeling of full and bloatedness and xiaobao moving in a full stomach will literally makes me sick amongst other things (like holding a 'heavy tummy'). So I took my time, chew very thoroughly every food I have. Still I think I ate too much because I wasn't hungry when we were in Shengwan in that Indian restaurant - Masala Modern Indian Cuisine. Took me awhile to find this pic on google. So make sure you click into it and have a look!
I only managed to eat two vegetable samosas and a glass of mango lassi. It's a very common and popular drink in India. It's mango blended with yogurt. Very nice especially when you are feeling hot :) I even ate some of the ice cubes in my glass afterwards.
*updates* Xiaobao's reading program have just been delivered! Yay!!!! The English version story books will be among them and daddy can start reading it to xiaobao and see how he likes it. Though building bond with xiaobao takes time. Right now he responds to me better than to daddy simply because he's with me all the time :P but I remain hopeful that we still have 2 more months to go for xiaobao to get familiarize with daddy's voice :) when xiaobao gets to 30 weeks old, we can even hear his heartbeat right from my tummy - how cool is that! :) Indeed xiaobao just moved as I typed here in agreement ;)
Trip to Whampoa, Hung Hom
As Sarah has retired after a very long day, it falls to me, her humble assistant to fill in our avid readers of the events that have transpired today. I can't say how Sarah's day went as I'm sure she'd like to update everyone with that tomorrow. I shall instead tell you about my day, which sadly is still far from over...
I spent the morning trying to get ICE (the application I'm working on) to retrieve useful results. It has great potential but alas it doesn't work yet. It's one of those things - one I crack it, everything will fall in to line. Until then though, I have very little to show for many hours of work. Such is the life of a programmer. I also had to spare some time to reply to some of the forum posts for my university course as they have strict participation requirements. Last but not least I had to finish composing a short biography for the IET election papers. All this by 12:50 because I absolutely had to make it out the door by 1:05pm to go bed shopping.
At 1:20pm I was finally underway after I was waylaid by a Skype conversation from my editor at Apress. The content was important, it was just unfortunate it came through when it did. Still I wasn't too late arriving at Hung Hom station and everyone seemed in good spirits despite the fact I had not brought the two mugs. If you'd like to know why two mugs were an essential yet missing part of the bed expedition, you will need to tune in to Sarah's next post...
We took a taxi to the shopping area as there are no MTR stations nearby and nobody seemed to know how to get there on foot. At under £1.50 it wasn't exactly expensive for four people and it did provide much needed air conditioning. We had originally planned to eat first but were instead distracted by the bed section. The first place we went to was where Nick had purchased a custom made mattress a couple of months back. He was very pleased with the mattress and this was the main reason we were visiting this particular shop.
We tried their best - and it seemed only - mattress on display and it was indeed very comfortable. It has a zip down the side and it lets you take out the mattress (which is in three square pieces) and flip them over if needed. One side is softer than the other so you can 'dynamically' (that's for the programmers amongst us) change your bed. Now this sounds like a great feature but realistically, how often are we likely to remodel our mattress? And it wasn't cheap...
After deciding that was too expensive and moving on (want to take a stab at which one we ended up buying?) we checked out a few other mattresses. We found a nice cheap one which was easily spotted due to it having the texture and feel of a plank of wood. A few mattresses later and quite clearly the more you pay the less brick-like the mattress becomes. We all decided that this would be a good time to stop for food.
There were a couple of different restaurants that we looked at but they were either very busy or very expensive. In the end we found one that specialized in HangZhou cuisine and so we decided to eat there. Sarah and I had dim sum and Nick and Mercy had a bowl of noodles in soup. It turned out to be very reasonably priced and we were all quite full. The food wasn't mind blowing but it was tasty and did the trick.
Next we went a few doors down to Starbucks. I really like the Chai Tea Latte and I wanted to get some fresh juice for Sarah to drink. They had some nice looking fruit salads as well so I added that to the list. Nick went for a latte. We found some comfortable seats and apart from a young mother looking around to see if she'd left her phone there, it was pretty quiet. Now completely full we resumed our quest for the perfect bed.
We tried a different section of the shop. It seems to be one big shop but full of lots of individual sections inside. None of the staff help people in the other sections so in fairness it's a lot like Woolworth - or at least how they used to be. We tried some of the mattresses and one was quite nice and it came with a "mattress topper" which is something the other mattress needed. However this topper was in fact nothing more than a cover for the mattress.
In the end we went back to the first place and asked more about the mattress. They had one that was just an inch thinner but was nearly a third cheaper than the other mattress. This meant that we could get the memory foam topper that we wanted and they'd even throw in two orthopedic pillows. We were able to keep within our budget which was nice. The mattress is currently scheduled to arrive on Monday. They didn't exactly confirm which Monday - and if they did they certainly neglected to mention the year. Still, we remain hopefully that by this time next week we'll be getting a much better sleep.
After doing the honors and signing my name on the relevant part of the payment slip, I decided to leave the form filling to Sarah as I couldn't understand what they were on about anyway and paid a visit to the Aeon shop. Aeon isn't a bank as such but they offer payment cards in Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Union Pay (Chinese debit card). Now they are avoided by most mainstream people but as I was having a bad experience with HSBC I figured I might look at what was on offer. This turned out to be a mistake because these cards have all sorts of features. For example if you buy $100 worth of goods on your birthday and that birthday happens to be during a full moon and Jupiter and mars are in alignment there is a possible chance you might get something for free. Or they will charge double - they weren't really too clear on that last point. The application process was even more confusing so I gave up. HSBC has its issues for sure but at least it's not that bad...
Nick and Mercy decided to head home and Sarah and I proceeded to Sheung Wan as I had to deliver the signed form to the IET. We tried the new West Rail Link which took us from Hung Hom to East Tsim Sha Tsui. We walked through the underpass (air conditioning++) and go on the Tsuen Wan line towards Central. At Central (this is on HK island) we switched to the Island line and got off at Sheung Wan. With my excellent and legendary sense of direction, I confidently steered us out the wrong exit and in the opposite direction from the one we wanted. Sarah soon had this sorted out and we quickly arrived at our destination. I was expecting to shove the letter under the door but instead the office was still teaming with life - at about 6:30pm. Still, at least they got the form so all was well.
After a quick rest we headed over to a local Indian restaurant that we like. The food there is really good and although we weren't too hungry we figured we'd be able to manage something. Well, we didn't get very far and I'm sure the waiter thought we didn't like the food - and we really did - but we just couldn't eat any more. Their mango lassis are to die for though... In the end we ended up eating 4 vegetable samosas and I had a bowl of soup. We barely managed that and ended up waddling back to the MTR station.
The trip home was uneventful with a brief stop at the 7-11 to stock up on caffeine products so that I could get some more work done - none of which I've started because I've been writing this - and then home. We watched the second half of a Top Gear episode and Sarah received a text about a parent seminar this Sunday. I was looking forward to that until she told me it would be in Chinese not English. Still, I have to do my duty as it were and this was when she told me it would involve participation. Now don't get me wrong but I'm pretty sure the average sane person does not enjoy talking to a melon whilst pretending it's a baby in front of 150 strangers. Am I still going? Well I think I will. Sarah will benefit more directly than I will but I can pick up a lot and what I don't get Sarah can always translate for me afterwards.
A quick shower later and Sarah is happily asleep. I am sat in the other part of the room (don't ask) and I'm working. Sort of. At least I will be working when this is posted which will be in the next few minutes or so. I have plenty to be doing, so hopefully I will see my pillow before I see the daylight...
I spent the morning trying to get ICE (the application I'm working on) to retrieve useful results. It has great potential but alas it doesn't work yet. It's one of those things - one I crack it, everything will fall in to line. Until then though, I have very little to show for many hours of work. Such is the life of a programmer. I also had to spare some time to reply to some of the forum posts for my university course as they have strict participation requirements. Last but not least I had to finish composing a short biography for the IET election papers. All this by 12:50 because I absolutely had to make it out the door by 1:05pm to go bed shopping.
At 1:20pm I was finally underway after I was waylaid by a Skype conversation from my editor at Apress. The content was important, it was just unfortunate it came through when it did. Still I wasn't too late arriving at Hung Hom station and everyone seemed in good spirits despite the fact I had not brought the two mugs. If you'd like to know why two mugs were an essential yet missing part of the bed expedition, you will need to tune in to Sarah's next post...
We took a taxi to the shopping area as there are no MTR stations nearby and nobody seemed to know how to get there on foot. At under £1.50 it wasn't exactly expensive for four people and it did provide much needed air conditioning. We had originally planned to eat first but were instead distracted by the bed section. The first place we went to was where Nick had purchased a custom made mattress a couple of months back. He was very pleased with the mattress and this was the main reason we were visiting this particular shop.
We tried their best - and it seemed only - mattress on display and it was indeed very comfortable. It has a zip down the side and it lets you take out the mattress (which is in three square pieces) and flip them over if needed. One side is softer than the other so you can 'dynamically' (that's for the programmers amongst us) change your bed. Now this sounds like a great feature but realistically, how often are we likely to remodel our mattress? And it wasn't cheap...
After deciding that was too expensive and moving on (want to take a stab at which one we ended up buying?) we checked out a few other mattresses. We found a nice cheap one which was easily spotted due to it having the texture and feel of a plank of wood. A few mattresses later and quite clearly the more you pay the less brick-like the mattress becomes. We all decided that this would be a good time to stop for food.
There were a couple of different restaurants that we looked at but they were either very busy or very expensive. In the end we found one that specialized in HangZhou cuisine and so we decided to eat there. Sarah and I had dim sum and Nick and Mercy had a bowl of noodles in soup. It turned out to be very reasonably priced and we were all quite full. The food wasn't mind blowing but it was tasty and did the trick.
Next we went a few doors down to Starbucks. I really like the Chai Tea Latte and I wanted to get some fresh juice for Sarah to drink. They had some nice looking fruit salads as well so I added that to the list. Nick went for a latte. We found some comfortable seats and apart from a young mother looking around to see if she'd left her phone there, it was pretty quiet. Now completely full we resumed our quest for the perfect bed.
We tried a different section of the shop. It seems to be one big shop but full of lots of individual sections inside. None of the staff help people in the other sections so in fairness it's a lot like Woolworth - or at least how they used to be. We tried some of the mattresses and one was quite nice and it came with a "mattress topper" which is something the other mattress needed. However this topper was in fact nothing more than a cover for the mattress.
In the end we went back to the first place and asked more about the mattress. They had one that was just an inch thinner but was nearly a third cheaper than the other mattress. This meant that we could get the memory foam topper that we wanted and they'd even throw in two orthopedic pillows. We were able to keep within our budget which was nice. The mattress is currently scheduled to arrive on Monday. They didn't exactly confirm which Monday - and if they did they certainly neglected to mention the year. Still, we remain hopefully that by this time next week we'll be getting a much better sleep.
After doing the honors and signing my name on the relevant part of the payment slip, I decided to leave the form filling to Sarah as I couldn't understand what they were on about anyway and paid a visit to the Aeon shop. Aeon isn't a bank as such but they offer payment cards in Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Union Pay (Chinese debit card). Now they are avoided by most mainstream people but as I was having a bad experience with HSBC I figured I might look at what was on offer. This turned out to be a mistake because these cards have all sorts of features. For example if you buy $100 worth of goods on your birthday and that birthday happens to be during a full moon and Jupiter and mars are in alignment there is a possible chance you might get something for free. Or they will charge double - they weren't really too clear on that last point. The application process was even more confusing so I gave up. HSBC has its issues for sure but at least it's not that bad...
Nick and Mercy decided to head home and Sarah and I proceeded to Sheung Wan as I had to deliver the signed form to the IET. We tried the new West Rail Link which took us from Hung Hom to East Tsim Sha Tsui. We walked through the underpass (air conditioning++) and go on the Tsuen Wan line towards Central. At Central (this is on HK island) we switched to the Island line and got off at Sheung Wan. With my excellent and legendary sense of direction, I confidently steered us out the wrong exit and in the opposite direction from the one we wanted. Sarah soon had this sorted out and we quickly arrived at our destination. I was expecting to shove the letter under the door but instead the office was still teaming with life - at about 6:30pm. Still, at least they got the form so all was well.
After a quick rest we headed over to a local Indian restaurant that we like. The food there is really good and although we weren't too hungry we figured we'd be able to manage something. Well, we didn't get very far and I'm sure the waiter thought we didn't like the food - and we really did - but we just couldn't eat any more. Their mango lassis are to die for though... In the end we ended up eating 4 vegetable samosas and I had a bowl of soup. We barely managed that and ended up waddling back to the MTR station.
The trip home was uneventful with a brief stop at the 7-11 to stock up on caffeine products so that I could get some more work done - none of which I've started because I've been writing this - and then home. We watched the second half of a Top Gear episode and Sarah received a text about a parent seminar this Sunday. I was looking forward to that until she told me it would be in Chinese not English. Still, I have to do my duty as it were and this was when she told me it would involve participation. Now don't get me wrong but I'm pretty sure the average sane person does not enjoy talking to a melon whilst pretending it's a baby in front of 150 strangers. Am I still going? Well I think I will. Sarah will benefit more directly than I will but I can pick up a lot and what I don't get Sarah can always translate for me afterwards.
A quick shower later and Sarah is happily asleep. I am sat in the other part of the room (don't ask) and I'm working. Sort of. At least I will be working when this is posted which will be in the next few minutes or so. I have plenty to be doing, so hopefully I will see my pillow before I see the daylight...
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Dr. Robert Titzer's Reading program
For some reason I know I have to be back at work for 9am today, last night I especially set two alarms to wake me up in case I fell back to sleep during babyplus. I set the first alarm at 7am (to put babyplus on) and then get up at 8am (babyplus finished) and then 9am at school. It all made sense to me last night (somehow), this morning everything's according to 'schedule'. Only when I started brushing my teeth I thought 'oh! I need to LEAVE now to make it to work for 9am!!!' - what was I thinking! It all makes 'perfect' sense last night *somehow* - sigh. Instead I arrived at school 14 minutes late....:-/ won't repeat that tomorrow!
Just finished dinner. Lettuce, chicken, soup, red bean drink :) full now...was talking to xiaobao earlier before dinner. We tried to record it but the movement didn't really show on the screen. But I can clearly see my tummy moved. Ah well maybe later when he has bigger movement :)
Last sunday we invested another prenatal - 3 year-old baby education system (Reading program). This learning system was researched by a guy called Dr. Robert Titzer whose daughter Aleka can read at the age of 9 months old! Here's the video to prove it. We were amazed at her ability and we want our xiaobao to be able to read and love reading at a young age, so we bought this system. Even though it cost my monthly salary but I hope it'll be worth it but again like babyplus, only one way to find out. If it doesn't - ah well. But if it does....it'll be useful for xiaobao for the rest of his life. So we figure we'll go for it.
The staff who introduce/explains this product to us suggested that it's best to 'talk' to xiaobao everyday after dinner. When we are most relaxed and so will xiaobao. It'll help build the relationship between xiaobao and mommy/daddy. I think xiaobao now recognizes my voice. We just need more daddy input :) This Thursday we'll get delivered the rest of the learning system and the English story books, so that daddy can read to xiaobao after dinner. The one we managed to carry back last Sunday was stories written in Chinese, so daddy can't participate yet. Guess xiaobao will read it to daddy later himself ;)
We just played the CD of SingWithMe for album one. Well what can we say....the music sounds cool but the lyrics (lol) maybe that's how infants like it :). I noticed a lot of repetition and it comes with videos to watch. Though we haven't figured out how to make it work on our macs, we'll wait for daddy to figure it out :). The CD comes with both English and Mandarin voices. So xiaobao will be at least bilingual if not trilingual ;) Of course like his mommy, few weeks in Hangzhou will mean picking up Hangzhou dialect - fantastic :)
The VCD has images, texts, songs, and hands on activity to go with each song. That's exactly how our brain works, through experience-dependent activities. At least I can testify that in terms of educational theories :)
Just finished dinner. Lettuce, chicken, soup, red bean drink :) full now...was talking to xiaobao earlier before dinner. We tried to record it but the movement didn't really show on the screen. But I can clearly see my tummy moved. Ah well maybe later when he has bigger movement :)
Last sunday we invested another prenatal - 3 year-old baby education system (Reading program). This learning system was researched by a guy called Dr. Robert Titzer whose daughter Aleka can read at the age of 9 months old! Here's the video to prove it. We were amazed at her ability and we want our xiaobao to be able to read and love reading at a young age, so we bought this system. Even though it cost my monthly salary but I hope it'll be worth it but again like babyplus, only one way to find out. If it doesn't - ah well. But if it does....it'll be useful for xiaobao for the rest of his life. So we figure we'll go for it.
The staff who introduce/explains this product to us suggested that it's best to 'talk' to xiaobao everyday after dinner. When we are most relaxed and so will xiaobao. It'll help build the relationship between xiaobao and mommy/daddy. I think xiaobao now recognizes my voice. We just need more daddy input :) This Thursday we'll get delivered the rest of the learning system and the English story books, so that daddy can read to xiaobao after dinner. The one we managed to carry back last Sunday was stories written in Chinese, so daddy can't participate yet. Guess xiaobao will read it to daddy later himself ;)
We just played the CD of SingWithMe for album one. Well what can we say....the music sounds cool but the lyrics (lol) maybe that's how infants like it :). I noticed a lot of repetition and it comes with videos to watch. Though we haven't figured out how to make it work on our macs, we'll wait for daddy to figure it out :). The CD comes with both English and Mandarin voices. So xiaobao will be at least bilingual if not trilingual ;) Of course like his mommy, few weeks in Hangzhou will mean picking up Hangzhou dialect - fantastic :)
The VCD has images, texts, songs, and hands on activity to go with each song. That's exactly how our brain works, through experience-dependent activities. At least I can testify that in terms of educational theories :)
Monday, 17 August 2009
Last day before work starts tomorrow!
This morning I was doing my uni assignment and submitted on time :D - was planning to get up after babyplus finished at 8am, but didn't wake up until 10! I am glad that I finished my essay on time *phew* Xiaobao doesn't like me sitting down for too long, it makes me sitting down doing my essay very difficult. I had to get up couple of times to relax my feet and most importantly my bum since it hurts like hell when I try to mobilize myself :-/ it's not muscle pain or stiff that causes the pain, it's more like something inside, the sensory bit which is like electric shocks of some sorts ...
Headed out for tea in the afternoon around 3pm, not really feeling hungry after breakfast which is 2 french bread, a small bowl of green grapes and a box of milk.
Yesterday we went to IKEA in Shatin to check out some mattress, didn't buy anything. Gonna head out now again to the one in Causeway Bay. See if we can find something we like. Instead of getting rid of the bed, which will be a big hassle and expensive, we've decided to just get a new supportive mattress instead.
Dinner with Louis at 7pm, shall have enough time...
Headed out for tea in the afternoon around 3pm, not really feeling hungry after breakfast which is 2 french bread, a small bowl of green grapes and a box of milk.
Yesterday we went to IKEA in Shatin to check out some mattress, didn't buy anything. Gonna head out now again to the one in Causeway Bay. See if we can find something we like. Instead of getting rid of the bed, which will be a big hassle and expensive, we've decided to just get a new supportive mattress instead.
Dinner with Louis at 7pm, shall have enough time...
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Welcome home!! :D
Yesterday my cousin drove me, mom and aunt to the airport. My plane was delayed for 2 hours!! When I checked-in, the lady said my plane's delayed for 50 minutes. Though the board said 16:00, I went in at about 3:15. Apparently I was the second late to go through the customs :-O (good thing is no queue though :) Once I got it, I waited for another 30 minutes. Starting boarding at 4pm.
I thought the plane will leave at the latest 4:30 after everybody's settled down. I sat next to an Indian man who's transiting through Hong Kong. He's on the relatively big side. Well not that I am small now so anyone next to me that's not exactly thin will be on the 'big side' lol. Though he put both of his arms on the arm rest. So I had to squeeze my arms or crossed in my front of my chest. Wasn't comfortable at all. Though I have a lot more leg room this time, I sat at the emergency exit first row :) Not before long, I dozed off waiting...when I next woke. I saw people serving drinks :-/ then I looked at the time, it was 5pm!!! I thought 'that's not good, looks like we aren't going to leave anytime soon...poor hubby will be waiting at the other end bored to the hell and back! >_<' I hoped that he'll check online before he set off to the airport. But the thought of dragonair not updating their website didnt cross my mind, indeed hubby didn't know my plane's delayed until he got to the airport at 5pm. Poor hubby!
After waiting for a period of a lifetime, the plane started moving at last! That was 5:35pm. Estimated arrival time is 7:33 >_< ! I forgot how we got through that 2 hours but we did somehow and landed at 7:20 actually! This time I had to take a train to the terminal to claim my luggage. By the time I got to the conveyor belt, there wasn't any bags coming out yet. So I head to the restroom to finish some needed business. Came out still no bag. I gave mom a call. She was worried sick since she thought I should land at around 6pm (had my plane leaves at 4pm!) but it was already 8pm! She relaxed when she got my call. Mom told me that hubby's already called her at 5pm in the airport. Mom told him that my plane will be delayed, might arrive at 6pm. However it turns out to be 8pm >_< ah well.... at least I arrived in one piece I guess!
Once I got my bag, I quickly head out to the closest exit. There I saw Hon standing there at the corner on phone. Finally home :)
We decided to head out to Tsing Yi (it's on our way home anyway) for quick dinner. Left at around 10pm
Last night we didn't get to sleep until 2am! This morning we got up at 10am
I thought the plane will leave at the latest 4:30 after everybody's settled down. I sat next to an Indian man who's transiting through Hong Kong. He's on the relatively big side. Well not that I am small now so anyone next to me that's not exactly thin will be on the 'big side' lol. Though he put both of his arms on the arm rest. So I had to squeeze my arms or crossed in my front of my chest. Wasn't comfortable at all. Though I have a lot more leg room this time, I sat at the emergency exit first row :) Not before long, I dozed off waiting...when I next woke. I saw people serving drinks :-/ then I looked at the time, it was 5pm!!! I thought 'that's not good, looks like we aren't going to leave anytime soon...poor hubby will be waiting at the other end bored to the hell and back! >_<' I hoped that he'll check online before he set off to the airport. But the thought of dragonair not updating their website didnt cross my mind, indeed hubby didn't know my plane's delayed until he got to the airport at 5pm. Poor hubby!
After waiting for a period of a lifetime, the plane started moving at last! That was 5:35pm. Estimated arrival time is 7:33 >_< ! I forgot how we got through that 2 hours but we did somehow and landed at 7:20 actually! This time I had to take a train to the terminal to claim my luggage. By the time I got to the conveyor belt, there wasn't any bags coming out yet. So I head to the restroom to finish some needed business. Came out still no bag. I gave mom a call. She was worried sick since she thought I should land at around 6pm (had my plane leaves at 4pm!) but it was already 8pm! She relaxed when she got my call. Mom told me that hubby's already called her at 5pm in the airport. Mom told him that my plane will be delayed, might arrive at 6pm. However it turns out to be 8pm >_< ah well.... at least I arrived in one piece I guess!
Once I got my bag, I quickly head out to the closest exit. There I saw Hon standing there at the corner on phone. Finally home :)
We decided to head out to Tsing Yi (it's on our way home anyway) for quick dinner. Left at around 10pm
Last night we didn't get to sleep until 2am! This morning we got up at 10am
Friday, 14 August 2009
Last day in China
Today I'll be flying back to Hong Kong, done most of the packing, just some final last minute small things to be put in the bag and I am ready to go.
Last night dinner at youngest aunt was nice. We had Peking duck :) yummy. Not much chance of eating that in Hong Kong (without having to pay a fortune anyway). I shall miss all the vegetables here and mom's fish. I don't think I can cook the way she does. If I smell any fish, I can't eat it :(
I already started missing mom. Not the food she cooked, but missing her annoying reminders at times, missing her attention on me, missing her silly remarks (Iuse to think anyway until we are apart) about things, missing her telling me to watch out on the road ( again and again, even though I heard her the first time), missing her holding onto me walking on the road even thogh it's perfectly flat and smooth, missing her turning round and check if my shoulders, tummy and feet are well covered, missing her moaning about things I did wrong. All these one can't buy with money. And usually when you are living with them, you might find it annoying and silly and irritating at times. However when you are apart. These 'annoying things' become so valuable, something to miss the most. Well of course I'll miss mom's food as well, but the most I'lll miss is not having to worry about my meal. One will never realize that and take it for granted at the time, it only gets manified when they are gone.
I have to say my mom is 100 times stronger a woman than I am and ever will be ( I hope I'll be as strong as she is when I get to her age). She'll say things that people might get annoyed at and yet if it's out of good intention and that she believes it's good, she'll still say it putting herself at risk of people not liking her. Nowadays not many people out there will do. Most of them tend to choose the easy way out and trying to please everyone. But is it real 'please'? Or is it just 'can't be bothered' attitude. I think if I were her, I would have collasped long time ago. I admire her strong will, I admire her simple mind, I admire her unconditional love to serve.
Last night, mom had yet another leg cramp, she screams so loud it must have hurt a lot. I sat up instantly and rubbed her leg using all my strength. This morning it still hurt, I had leg cramp before, it usually takes about 2 days at least to recover...Mom walks and stands a lot during the day, guess that didn't help. We thought it's because she's lack of calcicum, however she's taken 2 bottles of calcium tablets. But doesn't seem to work. Maybe it could be these two weeks, me being here and she's walking and standing around even more...
Looking at myself in the mirror, already tearing up writing this, is it a good trait or a sign of weakness? I just know I couldn't help. I tired to tell myself to be strong and smile but it proves to be very difficult. I am sure xiaobao feels it too, he didn't move since, sitting quietly in there listening...
I'll try to get youngest aunt to go with us to the airport, so that mom won't have to go back by herself....
Let's not end this entry with teary thoughts. I know hubby will be happily waiting for me and xiaobao's return on the other side. We both miss him a lot! Muah! And let's say xiaobao's first trip outside HK has been successful and enjoyable! :) Next time he'll see it for himself! :D
I think I'll sleep well tonight ...
Last night dinner at youngest aunt was nice. We had Peking duck :) yummy. Not much chance of eating that in Hong Kong (without having to pay a fortune anyway). I shall miss all the vegetables here and mom's fish. I don't think I can cook the way she does. If I smell any fish, I can't eat it :(
I already started missing mom. Not the food she cooked, but missing her annoying reminders at times, missing her attention on me, missing her silly remarks (Iuse to think anyway until we are apart) about things, missing her telling me to watch out on the road ( again and again, even though I heard her the first time), missing her holding onto me walking on the road even thogh it's perfectly flat and smooth, missing her turning round and check if my shoulders, tummy and feet are well covered, missing her moaning about things I did wrong. All these one can't buy with money. And usually when you are living with them, you might find it annoying and silly and irritating at times. However when you are apart. These 'annoying things' become so valuable, something to miss the most. Well of course I'll miss mom's food as well, but the most I'lll miss is not having to worry about my meal. One will never realize that and take it for granted at the time, it only gets manified when they are gone.
I have to say my mom is 100 times stronger a woman than I am and ever will be ( I hope I'll be as strong as she is when I get to her age). She'll say things that people might get annoyed at and yet if it's out of good intention and that she believes it's good, she'll still say it putting herself at risk of people not liking her. Nowadays not many people out there will do. Most of them tend to choose the easy way out and trying to please everyone. But is it real 'please'? Or is it just 'can't be bothered' attitude. I think if I were her, I would have collasped long time ago. I admire her strong will, I admire her simple mind, I admire her unconditional love to serve.
Last night, mom had yet another leg cramp, she screams so loud it must have hurt a lot. I sat up instantly and rubbed her leg using all my strength. This morning it still hurt, I had leg cramp before, it usually takes about 2 days at least to recover...Mom walks and stands a lot during the day, guess that didn't help. We thought it's because she's lack of calcicum, however she's taken 2 bottles of calcium tablets. But doesn't seem to work. Maybe it could be these two weeks, me being here and she's walking and standing around even more...
Looking at myself in the mirror, already tearing up writing this, is it a good trait or a sign of weakness? I just know I couldn't help. I tired to tell myself to be strong and smile but it proves to be very difficult. I am sure xiaobao feels it too, he didn't move since, sitting quietly in there listening...
I'll try to get youngest aunt to go with us to the airport, so that mom won't have to go back by herself....
Let's not end this entry with teary thoughts. I know hubby will be happily waiting for me and xiaobao's return on the other side. We both miss him a lot! Muah! And let's say xiaobao's first trip outside HK has been successful and enjoyable! :) Next time he'll see it for himself! :D
I think I'll sleep well tonight ...
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Fourteenth day in China
Time flies, me and xiaobao have already spent 2 weeks here at home. This is xiaobao's first trip outside HK. Think he gets a bit excited last night, he was moving and sticking high up in my tummy most of the time, making me difficult to rest nor sleep. I tried patting him, rubbing him, still no use. I guess I must have felt asleep at some point. Though woke up a lot of times feeling back aches. Tried lying on my sides but very soon my body got numbed *sigh*.
This morning babyplus ran out of battery in the last 10 minutes or so, so I got up and changed the battery and we are doing it again now.
Breakfast is wantons today, might be my last bowl of wantons (I could ask for that again tomorrow!:) Later we'll be going to another supermarket nearby, this time no need to take bus, it's within walking distance, about 10 minutes or so. See if we can find anything there to take it back to HK.
After lunch, we'll head over to youngest aunt's place. Tonight will be having dinner at hers. Last night I told her to come and visit mom after I fly out tomorrow. Mom will take me to the airport and thus having to come back alone. I really wouldn't want her to be alone the first day I am away. So I asked aunt to come and check on her, sort of to occupy her mind if nothing else. Aunt agreed.
More updates later.
This morning babyplus ran out of battery in the last 10 minutes or so, so I got up and changed the battery and we are doing it again now.
Breakfast is wantons today, might be my last bowl of wantons (I could ask for that again tomorrow!:) Later we'll be going to another supermarket nearby, this time no need to take bus, it's within walking distance, about 10 minutes or so. See if we can find anything there to take it back to HK.
After lunch, we'll head over to youngest aunt's place. Tonight will be having dinner at hers. Last night I told her to come and visit mom after I fly out tomorrow. Mom will take me to the airport and thus having to come back alone. I really wouldn't want her to be alone the first day I am away. So I asked aunt to come and check on her, sort of to occupy her mind if nothing else. Aunt agreed.
More updates later.
Thirteenth day in China
This morning mom made banana smoothies for me, very nice and healthy! I am thinking of getting a tiny blender just like mom's, it doesn't occupy much space and yet it does wonder. Mom only use it to blend fruits, so it's nice.
The air is all foggy (or probably it's dirty) today, it rained a bit around 10ish, so we didn't go to the mountain. After lunch, we went to a local supermarket called Auchan. It's Chinese and western invested supermarket just like Wal Mart or Tesco (we actually have Tesco here lol). There's another shop there called Hola (House of Living Art), it actually looks like Ikea in Shatin! It sells all sorts of western imported goods. We bought a broom there, very light, for collecting dust on the floor at home. Mom's using it right now so I thought I'll take one with me this time!
Oh I also see B&Q there :) as well. Auchan is a *huge* supermarket, whatever you think of, they sell it there. Food, clothes, shoes, electronics, phones, etc. Just like Tesco in the UK :) Even the trollies there are as big as those in the UK hehe...We wonder around, mom bought 2 packs of freshly cut pork, some Chinese pickles (for youngest aunt), ready-made duck in package (again for aunt), some noodles (for aunt again lol), then I found some QianRen - it's made of wet tofu sheets, will go nicely with the pork! Granny used to make it whenever I visit her during summer. Veryyyyy niceeeeee :)
Then we wandered to the bakery session, oh my god it'll be hubby's heaven heh. Mom bought 2 bags of freshly baked bread, one's hard (for her to dip in milk, she likes it that way in the morning lol), one pack is soft, maybe I'll have some tomorrow for breakfast :)
We spent about 2 hours in the supermarket then we had to head back before rush hour otherwise we might not grab seats on our way back. I need to sit down cos it's about an hour long journey! Mom's carrying 2 huge bags of stuff, I tried to help her by carrying the broom, but when the bus arrives, she took my broom and told me to take my time, she rushed and squeezed into the queue and got on the bus and trying to grab me a seat first! Those people rushed in, I was nearly the last one to get on. Once I was on, the bus started moving, I was carrying my umbrella, trying to grab onto the any pole on the bus, thank god this kind woman offered her seat to me, I thanked her. I tried to find mom after I sat down, she saw me have seat already so she can sit down :) The bus journey back was a bit hot maybe the air-con wasn't on on full power. I dozed off a couple of times...
When I sort of woke up, it's 2 stops away from home already. After we got off the bus, my lower left tummy felt this stitching pain, kinda link to my back as well. I had to walk very slow and pressed that area down, it felt a bit better that way but still not perfect. We had to stop on the road once before I can carry on. I thought it's because I needed to pee thats why...After I got home, I rushed to the loo, it felt a bit better but still not completely. So I went to half lie down on the sofa. Rested for about an hour before I could get online.
The air is all foggy (or probably it's dirty) today, it rained a bit around 10ish, so we didn't go to the mountain. After lunch, we went to a local supermarket called Auchan. It's Chinese and western invested supermarket just like Wal Mart or Tesco (we actually have Tesco here lol). There's another shop there called Hola (House of Living Art), it actually looks like Ikea in Shatin! It sells all sorts of western imported goods. We bought a broom there, very light, for collecting dust on the floor at home. Mom's using it right now so I thought I'll take one with me this time!
Oh I also see B&Q there :) as well. Auchan is a *huge* supermarket, whatever you think of, they sell it there. Food, clothes, shoes, electronics, phones, etc. Just like Tesco in the UK :) Even the trollies there are as big as those in the UK hehe...We wonder around, mom bought 2 packs of freshly cut pork, some Chinese pickles (for youngest aunt), ready-made duck in package (again for aunt), some noodles (for aunt again lol), then I found some QianRen - it's made of wet tofu sheets, will go nicely with the pork! Granny used to make it whenever I visit her during summer. Veryyyyy niceeeeee :)
Then we wandered to the bakery session, oh my god it'll be hubby's heaven heh. Mom bought 2 bags of freshly baked bread, one's hard (for her to dip in milk, she likes it that way in the morning lol), one pack is soft, maybe I'll have some tomorrow for breakfast :)
We spent about 2 hours in the supermarket then we had to head back before rush hour otherwise we might not grab seats on our way back. I need to sit down cos it's about an hour long journey! Mom's carrying 2 huge bags of stuff, I tried to help her by carrying the broom, but when the bus arrives, she took my broom and told me to take my time, she rushed and squeezed into the queue and got on the bus and trying to grab me a seat first! Those people rushed in, I was nearly the last one to get on. Once I was on, the bus started moving, I was carrying my umbrella, trying to grab onto the any pole on the bus, thank god this kind woman offered her seat to me, I thanked her. I tried to find mom after I sat down, she saw me have seat already so she can sit down :) The bus journey back was a bit hot maybe the air-con wasn't on on full power. I dozed off a couple of times...
When I sort of woke up, it's 2 stops away from home already. After we got off the bus, my lower left tummy felt this stitching pain, kinda link to my back as well. I had to walk very slow and pressed that area down, it felt a bit better that way but still not perfect. We had to stop on the road once before I can carry on. I thought it's because I needed to pee thats why...After I got home, I rushed to the loo, it felt a bit better but still not completely. So I went to half lie down on the sofa. Rested for about an hour before I could get online.
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
JingCi Temple
Today afternoon me and mom went to pay my grandparents a visit in JingCi Temple. We set off after lunch and walked there. I am wearing mom's trainers, the soles are very thin so walking on the ground feels like walking on bare feet. So mom suggested we don't climb the mountain, instead we walked through a 819m long tunnel which is flat and smooth surface. Took us about 10 minutes to finish it, not too bad eh :)
After the tunnel, we kept on walking for another 15 minutes, we saw the temple's yellow wall. Mom has her yearly temple pass so only I have to get ticket. First we went to grands place, mom brought 3 dishes for grands, we lay out on the counter and we light 2 candles and 12 incenses. Since we're not supposed to use fire in that place, so we put it outside while we stay in. I spoke to grands that this time I brought their great grandson to see them. And I explain why hubby isn't with me this time and that he wants to be there but couldn't. I am sure they'll understand. Next time when I see them, we'll take xiaobao with us...
Before we left, I got a bit emotional, it seems all granny's images and the hospital scenes flashed back in my head, I couldn't help...after we said goodbye, we head out and found a place to sit down and rest our feet, we ate our pears.
Then we went to GuanYin Temple and burn a few incense there. The entire temple isn't really big, we walked around for bit and we headed out. I suddenly fancy some mung bean soup (cold ones), so me and mom went looking for it, however we couldn't find it. So we decided to head home. Mom asked me if I wanna take a bus home if I am tired. But I said we can walk back the way we came. Guess I over-estimated myself, the way back seems sooooooooo long. I felt like I was dragging myself and my heavy feet. At last we got to the head of the tunnel, I asked mom what time it was, so that we can count how long it'll take us to finish it. Eventually it took us 10 minutes to get to the other end. Not too bad eh considering we were very tired already. In the tunnel, I just kept looking ahead and my feet seem to carry me through, I just kept on walking non-stop. After we got out, mom said 'how come you walk so fast, I nearly couldn't catch up!' - but after we were out of the tunnel, my heavy feet came back to me, I couldn't walk as fast no more... I was once dragging my heavy body and feet and finished the rest of the route home. We came out of the tunnel at 3:37 pm, got home at 4pm. That 5 storeys of stairs....oh my god, was tiring! But I didn't stop half way through, I just kept telling myself 'home's there, there...there...' Was such a relieve arriving home, I quickly got changed and went to find watermelon in the fridge. Niceeeeee cold melon....soon cool me down!
Finally I got to rest my poor feet on the sofa, ahhhhhhh....... mom went to prepare us dinner. I am sure she's very tired today, we shall go to bed earlier tonight!
After the tunnel, we kept on walking for another 15 minutes, we saw the temple's yellow wall. Mom has her yearly temple pass so only I have to get ticket. First we went to grands place, mom brought 3 dishes for grands, we lay out on the counter and we light 2 candles and 12 incenses. Since we're not supposed to use fire in that place, so we put it outside while we stay in. I spoke to grands that this time I brought their great grandson to see them. And I explain why hubby isn't with me this time and that he wants to be there but couldn't. I am sure they'll understand. Next time when I see them, we'll take xiaobao with us...
Before we left, I got a bit emotional, it seems all granny's images and the hospital scenes flashed back in my head, I couldn't help...after we said goodbye, we head out and found a place to sit down and rest our feet, we ate our pears.
Then we went to GuanYin Temple and burn a few incense there. The entire temple isn't really big, we walked around for bit and we headed out. I suddenly fancy some mung bean soup (cold ones), so me and mom went looking for it, however we couldn't find it. So we decided to head home. Mom asked me if I wanna take a bus home if I am tired. But I said we can walk back the way we came. Guess I over-estimated myself, the way back seems sooooooooo long. I felt like I was dragging myself and my heavy feet. At last we got to the head of the tunnel, I asked mom what time it was, so that we can count how long it'll take us to finish it. Eventually it took us 10 minutes to get to the other end. Not too bad eh considering we were very tired already. In the tunnel, I just kept looking ahead and my feet seem to carry me through, I just kept on walking non-stop. After we got out, mom said 'how come you walk so fast, I nearly couldn't catch up!' - but after we were out of the tunnel, my heavy feet came back to me, I couldn't walk as fast no more... I was once dragging my heavy body and feet and finished the rest of the route home. We came out of the tunnel at 3:37 pm, got home at 4pm. That 5 storeys of stairs....oh my god, was tiring! But I didn't stop half way through, I just kept telling myself 'home's there, there...there...' Was such a relieve arriving home, I quickly got changed and went to find watermelon in the fridge. Niceeeeee cold melon....soon cool me down!
Finally I got to rest my poor feet on the sofa, ahhhhhhh....... mom went to prepare us dinner. I am sure she's very tired today, we shall go to bed earlier tonight!
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Twelfth day in China
I have wantons and GuoTie as breakfast today. Later we'll go and pay our respect to my grandparents in the mountain. We won't take bus this time, we''ll climb the mountain from our end and down the other, apparently it's just there according to mom. Last time hubby was there was well, we waited for eldest aunt at the foot of the mountain and went together...it does ring a bell somehow...
Mom just got back from the market and she's preparing food to be brought to the mountain to see my grands. We'll have three dishes. It's our tradition to bring food that our ancestors like to eat, place it all in front of them and burn a cigarette alongside (if they smoke) and after it finished burning, we can collect all the food and eat it. The concept is that we let them enjoy the food first and when we eat it. The food will be blessed. Of course incense and candles will also be burnt at the same time. Hopefully there won't be too many people. Last time the insense burning made my eyes all watery and stingy.
Every year when I come back I have to go see my grands, it's like a habit or something, or else I wouldn't feel right. This time I have brought them their great grandson! I am sure they will be very happy to see him... Next time when we come again, xiaobao will be seeing them for himself! Only wish I have more pictures of grand to show him. I know granny will love him to bits!
Mom just got back from the market and she's preparing food to be brought to the mountain to see my grands. We'll have three dishes. It's our tradition to bring food that our ancestors like to eat, place it all in front of them and burn a cigarette alongside (if they smoke) and after it finished burning, we can collect all the food and eat it. The concept is that we let them enjoy the food first and when we eat it. The food will be blessed. Of course incense and candles will also be burnt at the same time. Hopefully there won't be too many people. Last time the insense burning made my eyes all watery and stingy.
Every year when I come back I have to go see my grands, it's like a habit or something, or else I wouldn't feel right. This time I have brought them their great grandson! I am sure they will be very happy to see him... Next time when we come again, xiaobao will be seeing them for himself! Only wish I have more pictures of grand to show him. I know granny will love him to bits!
Eleventh day in China
We didn't go out today not that it's raining but I didn't feel well. My seaband was on this morning. For some reasons I felt very thirsty and I've been drinking a lot of water however it still didn't do. My tummy was already full of water, made making difficult and uncomfortable cos tummy's wobbling. Walking around feels like seasick. No matter how I sit, stand, lie, just wouldn't do the trick. Only if I sat on the edge of the sofa and lean forward as if I am half bending down on the floor. I don't know why that position felt a bit better *shrug*
Cousin sister and her family will be coming to visit me after their dinner. It's 6:44pm now but still haven't heard from them...they'll call when they get near because they haven't come up here before...
Mom's back started to hurt since last night because of her fall on the street yesterday. Today she's walking around patting her back :( I tried rubbing and kneeding it with her standing up. But whenever I use some strength, my tummy harden up towards my lower right hand side *sigh*. But I didn't tell mom, otherwise she'll make it a big deal and wouldn't let me rub.
Today xiaobao moved a *lot* too. During babyplus session was even more so. My tummy was like a boat in a rough sea.... *_*
Tonight mom cooked the fish in a different way, I nearly ate the whole fish myself! This has never happened before.. I think my taste does change now, I don't use to like fish....Need to find a way to be able to cook fish and different sort of vegetable when I get back in HK. Here everyday I have more than 4 kinds of different vegetables. It is said that pregnant women shouldn't eat a lot but then they should have lot of different nutrient. One way to do that will be to eat a little of everything....
Easier said than done...
Cousin sister and her family will be coming to visit me after their dinner. It's 6:44pm now but still haven't heard from them...they'll call when they get near because they haven't come up here before...
Mom's back started to hurt since last night because of her fall on the street yesterday. Today she's walking around patting her back :( I tried rubbing and kneeding it with her standing up. But whenever I use some strength, my tummy harden up towards my lower right hand side *sigh*. But I didn't tell mom, otherwise she'll make it a big deal and wouldn't let me rub.
Today xiaobao moved a *lot* too. During babyplus session was even more so. My tummy was like a boat in a rough sea.... *_*
Tonight mom cooked the fish in a different way, I nearly ate the whole fish myself! This has never happened before.. I think my taste does change now, I don't use to like fish....Need to find a way to be able to cook fish and different sort of vegetable when I get back in HK. Here everyday I have more than 4 kinds of different vegetables. It is said that pregnant women shouldn't eat a lot but then they should have lot of different nutrient. One way to do that will be to eat a little of everything....
Easier said than done...
Monday, 10 August 2009
Tenth day in China
This morning youngest aunt gave mom a call when she's out in the market. She said she is going to meet us at the bus station to go second uncle's place together. However mom hasn't come back at 9am and I haven't had breakfast yet. Mom got back after 10 minutes and we quickly got changed and head out, gonna grab something on our way there.
This morning my feet ain't working too well. My right foot was giving me the hassle, it feels as if I have been walking for a long time, was sore and tight, etc. Walking like a penguin literally! >_<
Youngest aunt rode her bicycle and caught up with us, she went and bought me some breakfast. But then I found shops that sells wantons, so we stayed for awhile for me to have a bowl of hot wantons *heh* and some Chinese dumplings. I miss those flavor, can't get it elsewhere. I remember it since I use to have it when I was a child here :) was nice!
After that, we head over to the bus teminal and took the no. 8 bus. Took about an hour to get to the other terminal (uncle's place), so we were sitting down all the way there which was nice. On the bus it was noisy, aunt was talking to everybody lol. It's like as if she knows everyone on the bus lol. That's Chinese and especially my family *chuckles*
We got to uncle's at around 12pm. Uncle was cooking when we got in the door. All my uncles in my family cook and they cook well! Uncle knows I can't eat too salty nor oily. Today's dish was very nice:) I ate most of the fish head. I don't use to like fish. But everytime my uncle cooks fish, I can eat it, cos it doesn't have that fishy taste :) very nice!
After that, me and Michael was in front of the computer looking at pictures and watching movies heh. Then second aunt arrived at around 2pm. They started chatting and sipping tea. As you can imagine very noisy lol. To be honest, they never talk quiet. If you get to see them, it's like as if it requires a lot of energy to talk and chat among that group lol. They talk loud, laugh loud. Looks very happy. I think that's what matter lol. My eldest uncle wasn't there. Had he been there, oh my god, it'll be even louder *lol*
We left at 4pm as we walked to the bus teminal, I smell a lot of familiar food :) first I saw mantou (no stuffing) - the real northern mantou, we all bought 4 each, mom and aunt, gonna have that for dinner instead of rice :). Westerners spread butter in bread, we put savory stuff in, like Chinese pickles, etc. It's nice! :)
Then after we bought the mantou, I smell stinky tofu lol. $3 for 5 stinky tofu. The shop makes the tofu themselves, so it's cleaner we thought. The shop fried it on demand, so it's freshly made. After mom got the tofu, she turned round and slipped off the steps! Either she didn't see there's an extra step or that the step was slippery. The shopkeeper ran out and apologized, saying there are a lot of road works around their area lately. I asked mom if she's ok, she kept saying 'I am alright, it's ok ok, it's fine really', but I saw her pants (bum area) was dirty and muddy, guess that's where she landed on.... >_<
Got home at around 6pm, mom's preparing dinner now... oh I found another melon that I like in the market today, it's called GuangJin Gua - GuangJin=gold, so it's yellow in colour :) Can only find it in HangZhou :) Will have it after dinner!
More updates later!
This morning my feet ain't working too well. My right foot was giving me the hassle, it feels as if I have been walking for a long time, was sore and tight, etc. Walking like a penguin literally! >_<
Youngest aunt rode her bicycle and caught up with us, she went and bought me some breakfast. But then I found shops that sells wantons, so we stayed for awhile for me to have a bowl of hot wantons *heh* and some Chinese dumplings. I miss those flavor, can't get it elsewhere. I remember it since I use to have it when I was a child here :) was nice!
After that, we head over to the bus teminal and took the no. 8 bus. Took about an hour to get to the other terminal (uncle's place), so we were sitting down all the way there which was nice. On the bus it was noisy, aunt was talking to everybody lol. It's like as if she knows everyone on the bus lol. That's Chinese and especially my family *chuckles*
We got to uncle's at around 12pm. Uncle was cooking when we got in the door. All my uncles in my family cook and they cook well! Uncle knows I can't eat too salty nor oily. Today's dish was very nice:) I ate most of the fish head. I don't use to like fish. But everytime my uncle cooks fish, I can eat it, cos it doesn't have that fishy taste :) very nice!
After that, me and Michael was in front of the computer looking at pictures and watching movies heh. Then second aunt arrived at around 2pm. They started chatting and sipping tea. As you can imagine very noisy lol. To be honest, they never talk quiet. If you get to see them, it's like as if it requires a lot of energy to talk and chat among that group lol. They talk loud, laugh loud. Looks very happy. I think that's what matter lol. My eldest uncle wasn't there. Had he been there, oh my god, it'll be even louder *lol*
We left at 4pm as we walked to the bus teminal, I smell a lot of familiar food :) first I saw mantou (no stuffing) - the real northern mantou, we all bought 4 each, mom and aunt, gonna have that for dinner instead of rice :). Westerners spread butter in bread, we put savory stuff in, like Chinese pickles, etc. It's nice! :)
Then after we bought the mantou, I smell stinky tofu lol. $3 for 5 stinky tofu. The shop makes the tofu themselves, so it's cleaner we thought. The shop fried it on demand, so it's freshly made. After mom got the tofu, she turned round and slipped off the steps! Either she didn't see there's an extra step or that the step was slippery. The shopkeeper ran out and apologized, saying there are a lot of road works around their area lately. I asked mom if she's ok, she kept saying 'I am alright, it's ok ok, it's fine really', but I saw her pants (bum area) was dirty and muddy, guess that's where she landed on.... >_<
Got home at around 6pm, mom's preparing dinner now... oh I found another melon that I like in the market today, it's called GuangJin Gua - GuangJin=gold, so it's yellow in colour :) Can only find it in HangZhou :) Will have it after dinner!
More updates later!
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Nineth day in China
Time's going really fast, it's already been a week since I am here now! Since last night a typhoon is close to us, don't think today's weather is good. Hopefully we can go out before it decides to chuck its way down.
Breakfast today is rice dumpling and carrot milk. The rice dumpling is made of rice of course, but it's not the normal rice that we have for our meal, it's a type of sticky rice, it's very chewy and soft. Outside is wrapped with lotus leave and then tied it up with string. We steam it before we eat it. So the rice will be all hot and sticky and hold the stuff (meat) in place. Of course there are other types of rice dumpling, it depends on what stuffing you put in it really.
Yesterday was so lucky, the entire time we were out, it didn't rain. Once we got home (at the gate) it starts training! We went to GuanYin temple first then head down the other mountain route and got home that way. Was nearly 2pm when we reached home. Then we had noodles for lunch and watched some TV. Been following this TV series. Really touching...
Mom's out to the market, the sky is still gloomy... more updates later about today's activities.
Breakfast today is rice dumpling and carrot milk. The rice dumpling is made of rice of course, but it's not the normal rice that we have for our meal, it's a type of sticky rice, it's very chewy and soft. Outside is wrapped with lotus leave and then tied it up with string. We steam it before we eat it. So the rice will be all hot and sticky and hold the stuff (meat) in place. Of course there are other types of rice dumpling, it depends on what stuffing you put in it really.
Yesterday was so lucky, the entire time we were out, it didn't rain. Once we got home (at the gate) it starts training! We went to GuanYin temple first then head down the other mountain route and got home that way. Was nearly 2pm when we reached home. Then we had noodles for lunch and watched some TV. Been following this TV series. Really touching...
Mom's out to the market, the sky is still gloomy... more updates later about today's activities.
Friday, 7 August 2009
Eighth day in China
Breakfast today is CongYouBing and milk :) CongYouBing is a sort of pancake in the western sense. But it's savory, made of 'cong' (spring onion) and some Chinese pickles, so it tastes a bit hot :) very nice! It's pan-fried, hence the word 'you' (oil) but mom watched them cook it so she can tell them NOT to put too much oil in it :) Chinese tend to like strong taste as compare to the west. Oil, salts, seasoning is the core, of course we do discover a lot of food that westerners never even think about eating heh. Anyway I should eat less oil and less salt, it wouldn't help my swelling if I take too much salt. But compare to other relatives of ours here, mom's cooking is considered 'plain' whereas their cooking, oh my god, I can see the oil floating on the dish :-/ eeeeewwww.....
It's raining outside today, I shall have my breakfast and wait for it to stop, so that me and mom can go back to that GuanYin temple and pay our respect with incense and candles. Poor hubby has flu, will ask GuanYin to look after him! Pray that he'll recover faster before I return....one more week to go...
More updates later!
It's raining outside today, I shall have my breakfast and wait for it to stop, so that me and mom can go back to that GuanYin temple and pay our respect with incense and candles. Poor hubby has flu, will ask GuanYin to look after him! Pray that he'll recover faster before I return....one more week to go...
More updates later!
Seventh day in China
I had wanton for breakfast today again! :) and two Chinese dumplings, one vegetable, one with meat. OKish taste, guess I won't ask for it again heh:)
Today we went mountain walking again, took some pics, will email you guys later :). It's actually very breezy up the mountain, so was nice sitting and resting in temple while eating our fruits. Though I still ended up with lots of mozzie bites on my left arm. Yes ONLY my left arm! *sigh* :)
On our way down, we took another route to the market and went home from there. We walked pass GuanYin temple. Me and mom kneel down and pay our respect, telling her our wish. I wish xiaobao healthy and that I'll have a smooth delivery. Mom wishes a lively and cute xiaobao, and that my swelling improve. Also wish Peter all the success on his study and his career. After that I had to stand up cos I couldn't feel my feet anymore. Mom helped me up. When we walked down the mountain, surprisingly my feet were so much more flexible and not painful anymore! Isn't it strange! Or is it magic? I don't know. I just know me and mom both walked very fast. And that my feet didn't feel stiff anymore. Tomorrow we'll go back there again, I think we'll go there everyday, it has a temple there to rest as well if we wish. And the steps up there isn't long and hard but very wide. Mom will take incense and candles up as well! So that we can do it properly.
We have chicken today :) mom steams the drumsticks and wings, the rest are in the soup which she cooks for a few hours, the soup must taste nice! :) Dinner's ready soon here. So I'll add more updates later!
Watch out for my pics :)
Today we went mountain walking again, took some pics, will email you guys later :). It's actually very breezy up the mountain, so was nice sitting and resting in temple while eating our fruits. Though I still ended up with lots of mozzie bites on my left arm. Yes ONLY my left arm! *sigh* :)
On our way down, we took another route to the market and went home from there. We walked pass GuanYin temple. Me and mom kneel down and pay our respect, telling her our wish. I wish xiaobao healthy and that I'll have a smooth delivery. Mom wishes a lively and cute xiaobao, and that my swelling improve. Also wish Peter all the success on his study and his career. After that I had to stand up cos I couldn't feel my feet anymore. Mom helped me up. When we walked down the mountain, surprisingly my feet were so much more flexible and not painful anymore! Isn't it strange! Or is it magic? I don't know. I just know me and mom both walked very fast. And that my feet didn't feel stiff anymore. Tomorrow we'll go back there again, I think we'll go there everyday, it has a temple there to rest as well if we wish. And the steps up there isn't long and hard but very wide. Mom will take incense and candles up as well! So that we can do it properly.
We have chicken today :) mom steams the drumsticks and wings, the rest are in the soup which she cooks for a few hours, the soup must taste nice! :) Dinner's ready soon here. So I'll add more updates later!
Watch out for my pics :)
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Sixth day in China
Today breakfast is one mini france bread, one local Chinese dumpling (we call it ManTou) with stuffing inside, usually meat or veg or both, see what mom gets me in the market :) and a freshly made carrot milk.
Won't be going mountain walking today with mom because she's been invited to go to karaoke with her rambler friends and my three aunts are all going, they were looking forward to it for a long time now. Mom first didn't wanna go because I am here, but then I told her to go, I don't want to interfere her social circle here just cos I am here. However she's concerned that I will be alone stuck in the flat. I said I'll play the Wii instead, so I'll be fine. This morning she told me she'll go to the market buy some more grapes and asparagus (yeah we have it everyday:) and prepare me lunch. Tonight she'll take me out to dinner :) So looks like she is going! Great!
There are about 10 people going to this karaoke, it's a place where you can eat all you want and sing all you want for just $10 (lol) cos youngest aunt has VIP card or something. Mom said others are usually there for the food, they can eat non-stop lol. Though last night youngest aunt texted mom saying 'you have to go, cos others said only you sing well, if you don't go, the atmosphere isn't good enough' - mom's very happy seeing that ;) so I guess that's why she's going today heh. Well I think she deserves some time off as well!
I don't wanna go because I know it'll be too loud for me, espcially the songs they are going to sing, I know I shouldn't go lol. All the food there and I can't eat a lot, so it'll be torture seeing others eating like there's no tomorrow. I best stay home and play Wii with xiaobao :) If I fell asleep later in the afternoon, I think I'll put on my face mask (most I'll get to lie down for 20 minutes) then I have to get up and wash my face, so that should wake me up nicely :)
I know how I tend to gain weight. Different from other people who'll lose weight by not eating carbohydrate. But with me, eating meat and not moving are my biggest enemies, I bound to gain. This is my life, can't be jealous of others :) Anyhow hopefully hubby will be online later, so he'll keep me company, if not, I'll have the Wii.
More updates later.
Won't be going mountain walking today with mom because she's been invited to go to karaoke with her rambler friends and my three aunts are all going, they were looking forward to it for a long time now. Mom first didn't wanna go because I am here, but then I told her to go, I don't want to interfere her social circle here just cos I am here. However she's concerned that I will be alone stuck in the flat. I said I'll play the Wii instead, so I'll be fine. This morning she told me she'll go to the market buy some more grapes and asparagus (yeah we have it everyday:) and prepare me lunch. Tonight she'll take me out to dinner :) So looks like she is going! Great!
There are about 10 people going to this karaoke, it's a place where you can eat all you want and sing all you want for just $10 (lol) cos youngest aunt has VIP card or something. Mom said others are usually there for the food, they can eat non-stop lol. Though last night youngest aunt texted mom saying 'you have to go, cos others said only you sing well, if you don't go, the atmosphere isn't good enough' - mom's very happy seeing that ;) so I guess that's why she's going today heh. Well I think she deserves some time off as well!
I don't wanna go because I know it'll be too loud for me, espcially the songs they are going to sing, I know I shouldn't go lol. All the food there and I can't eat a lot, so it'll be torture seeing others eating like there's no tomorrow. I best stay home and play Wii with xiaobao :) If I fell asleep later in the afternoon, I think I'll put on my face mask (most I'll get to lie down for 20 minutes) then I have to get up and wash my face, so that should wake me up nicely :)
I know how I tend to gain weight. Different from other people who'll lose weight by not eating carbohydrate. But with me, eating meat and not moving are my biggest enemies, I bound to gain. This is my life, can't be jealous of others :) Anyhow hopefully hubby will be online later, so he'll keep me company, if not, I'll have the Wii.
More updates later.
Fifth day in China
Today me and mom went to the Export Trade Center to shop for clothes. Took about an hour coach journey there. Don't like sitting down on bus, xiaobao wasn't comfortable. I managed to find 2 items of clothing and before we left, we bought another new suitcase. I can finally leave the two old ones here. This one is made of leather (I know it won't be real leather cos it'll cost over thousand dollars had it been real, but it feels real. I don't really mind, it's something to put clothes in and check-in suitcase will be thrown around anyway, so as long as it's sturdy and robust I am fine!) After bargaining, we got it for $135, good deal I think.
We head back home at around 2:15. Good job that we brought along with us some apples and small buns and one sweet potato, so by the time we got back home, I wasn't hungry. Then mom cooked us noodles with asparagus. I finished very quick, mom thought I must be hungry. But I wasn't, I think I just eat quick...a habit well trained when I was young...
After noodles, I had to lift up my feet high to rest, it's very much swollen and it hurts touching it even. As I sat on the sofa (together with the heat) I tend to doze off...lie down for about 2 hours. I shouldn't really sleep that much, I am making myself fat. For a pregnant woman sleep for about 8 hours at night should be enough, otherwise the rest will be just making myself fatter and fatter....must resist >_< it's better here cos mom'll make sure that I get up but when I get back to Hong Kong....*sigh* too small a place, it's either sofa or bed..... or go out...
My toe nail is growing and it starts to hurt, so after shower I was trying to clip my toe nail. But I couldnd't reach :( ....this starting to worry me, I still have 3 more months to go, how am I going to clip my toe nails later? Tonight mom cliped it for me, what about in HK? I am sure not sure if hubby can do that....he might be afraid that he'll hurt me and that he won't go deep enough which requires some pushing. He doesn't like to push.... :-/ I don't know ..... it'll be a headache if I had to go out and get someone else to clip my toe nail for me in some sort of pedicure place. Those people will just clip on the outside, my toes are weird, especially my big toe, it goes kinda way deep down on both side, need the sharp bit of the scissor goes down and clip it. Or else it'll stick into my flesh, hence it'll hurt when I walk..... :( :(
Dinner tonight is fish soup, boil asparagus, winter melon with bamboo shoots. Tomorrow mom will buy duck to make soup with.
That's it for today, more tomorrow.
We head back home at around 2:15. Good job that we brought along with us some apples and small buns and one sweet potato, so by the time we got back home, I wasn't hungry. Then mom cooked us noodles with asparagus. I finished very quick, mom thought I must be hungry. But I wasn't, I think I just eat quick...a habit well trained when I was young...
After noodles, I had to lift up my feet high to rest, it's very much swollen and it hurts touching it even. As I sat on the sofa (together with the heat) I tend to doze off...lie down for about 2 hours. I shouldn't really sleep that much, I am making myself fat. For a pregnant woman sleep for about 8 hours at night should be enough, otherwise the rest will be just making myself fatter and fatter....must resist >_< it's better here cos mom'll make sure that I get up but when I get back to Hong Kong....*sigh* too small a place, it's either sofa or bed..... or go out...
My toe nail is growing and it starts to hurt, so after shower I was trying to clip my toe nail. But I couldnd't reach :( ....this starting to worry me, I still have 3 more months to go, how am I going to clip my toe nails later? Tonight mom cliped it for me, what about in HK? I am sure not sure if hubby can do that....he might be afraid that he'll hurt me and that he won't go deep enough which requires some pushing. He doesn't like to push.... :-/ I don't know ..... it'll be a headache if I had to go out and get someone else to clip my toe nail for me in some sort of pedicure place. Those people will just clip on the outside, my toes are weird, especially my big toe, it goes kinda way deep down on both side, need the sharp bit of the scissor goes down and clip it. Or else it'll stick into my flesh, hence it'll hurt when I walk..... :( :(
Dinner tonight is fish soup, boil asparagus, winter melon with bamboo shoots. Tomorrow mom will buy duck to make soup with.
That's it for today, more tomorrow.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Xiaobao kicks for excitement
Was in my shower talking to xiaobao. I told him what happened today, and that if he feels comfortable in hot shower. He seems to like it. I then asked if xiaobao misses daddy. He kicked in response to say yes :) I told him I miss daddy too. Xiaobao moved again ^_^
Daddy will have a nice surprise for us when we return, xiaobao again kicked in response to mean excitement :)
hehehehe
Daddy will have a nice surprise for us when we return, xiaobao again kicked in response to mean excitement :)
hehehehe
ManTou Hill
The ManTou mountain we climbed today, omg, is very long and has many steps. But me and mom made it to the top at last. Took us an hour to walk up there. Took some pictures on mom's phone so that you can see how many steps there are. I used my umbrella as walking stick (that helps a lot actually), a paper fan on my left hand and a facial towel...today is pretty hot actually, not much breeze as we go up...
If hubby's here, he won't like walking up those mountain. It'll be way too hot and too many mozzies for his liking, but then I need the exercise. I guess it's a good thing that he didn't come back this time, he'll be bored shitless, most of the time no internet cos we're out on the mountain and it'll be too hot for him. And he doesn't like mozzie bites. Not much bites today though....
I like drinking water, the more I drink, the more I sweat. completely soak my dry facial towel today. As we walked down the mountain, bumbed into this woman with her daughter, she said to me 'this is a boy right?' I smiled. She then said to mom 'she looks like she's having a boy anyway', I was right 5 times predicting my colleagues at work! I thought to myself 'why don't you set up a counter and start a small business' lol. Stood on the street talking about pregnancy and her friends and relatives for about 10 minutes. It's funny how strangers can talk to each other like this lol. Guess you can say they are friendly. Mom said 'in HK, they'll be the gossipy bunch', indeed! lol
Afternoon had a snooze, guess I was tired. but the heat doesn't help either, making people tired and sleepy :) had 2 hours sleep on the sofa. Not really sleep though cos I know mom moving around the flat.
Dinner's ready soon, a TV episode's finale will be on at 7:30 tonight, so gonna watch that. Yeah mom got me hooked to that....But at least I know I'll sleep well tonight!
If hubby's here, he won't like walking up those mountain. It'll be way too hot and too many mozzies for his liking, but then I need the exercise. I guess it's a good thing that he didn't come back this time, he'll be bored shitless, most of the time no internet cos we're out on the mountain and it'll be too hot for him. And he doesn't like mozzie bites. Not much bites today though....
I like drinking water, the more I drink, the more I sweat. completely soak my dry facial towel today. As we walked down the mountain, bumbed into this woman with her daughter, she said to me 'this is a boy right?' I smiled. She then said to mom 'she looks like she's having a boy anyway', I was right 5 times predicting my colleagues at work! I thought to myself 'why don't you set up a counter and start a small business' lol. Stood on the street talking about pregnancy and her friends and relatives for about 10 minutes. It's funny how strangers can talk to each other like this lol. Guess you can say they are friendly. Mom said 'in HK, they'll be the gossipy bunch', indeed! lol
Afternoon had a snooze, guess I was tired. but the heat doesn't help either, making people tired and sleepy :) had 2 hours sleep on the sofa. Not really sleep though cos I know mom moving around the flat.
Dinner's ready soon, a TV episode's finale will be on at 7:30 tonight, so gonna watch that. Yeah mom got me hooked to that....But at least I know I'll sleep well tonight!
Monday, 3 August 2009
Fourth day in China
Last night the dinner was OK, the Wii session was funny though, they all suck at balance lol. Anyway that's not new.
I just got up finished breakfast: 3 mini france bread and a bowl of freshly made soya milk. Thought I want more but then I am not hungry now, so I best not going around looking for more food lol. Shall bring more fruits with us when we go out today. I don't know where we'll be going today for walkies yet..... Today is a bit hotter than yesterday. The cicadas are very noisy out there!
Last night my feet was actually painful to twist round, my soles are very sore...so had to lie down earlier than usual. Was in bed by 9:30. Back's killing me too. Even sore lying down :( the joy of being pregnant and the pain of being a mom-to-be!
I see my belly is getting sharper and sharper heh. A boy indeed :) yesterday mom asked 'will Pete let you eat whatever you like in HK?' I said 'no, sometimes I want more for breakfast, he won't let me have more food than I've already eaten'. Mom said 'ah that's good then, if he lets you eat whatever you want and however much you want, that's not good. You'll suffer later by gaining too much weight.' Sadly though it's true, I might enjoy eating at that moment, but I know soon I stand up and walk away, tummy will be falling down and feels like the skin's stretching so bad that it's gonna tear apart. So now whenever I wanna eat more, I'll remind myself that feeling >_< no more for bao!
Yesterday youngest aunt asked whether it's a boy or girl. I said it's a boy. She goes 'westerners like boys right!' I said 'actually hubby prefers girls', mom said 'yeah me too', aunt asked me 'what about you?' mom was trying to answer for me but then I said 'I think boys cool, not that it matters either way though', but since they know now that hubby prefers girls. I am waiting for mom to ask me this question: 'now that you have a boy, will he likes him less?' - I know I know it's silly, but that's the way mom's wired lol, she is and will ask that in the future if not now *sigh*. Conclusion was we don't really have a choice over baby's sex. So either way we'll love him/her because it's our own flesh and blood.
Oh yeah Chinese culture said child is made of their parents' flesh and blood. That's why they are so closely linked and that the kid will forever owe their parents for their lives :)
Alright, today hasn't really started yet, so no more to tell, will update more later when we get back :) until then, sit tight and have a good day!!
I just got up finished breakfast: 3 mini france bread and a bowl of freshly made soya milk. Thought I want more but then I am not hungry now, so I best not going around looking for more food lol. Shall bring more fruits with us when we go out today. I don't know where we'll be going today for walkies yet..... Today is a bit hotter than yesterday. The cicadas are very noisy out there!
Last night my feet was actually painful to twist round, my soles are very sore...so had to lie down earlier than usual. Was in bed by 9:30. Back's killing me too. Even sore lying down :( the joy of being pregnant and the pain of being a mom-to-be!
I see my belly is getting sharper and sharper heh. A boy indeed :) yesterday mom asked 'will Pete let you eat whatever you like in HK?' I said 'no, sometimes I want more for breakfast, he won't let me have more food than I've already eaten'. Mom said 'ah that's good then, if he lets you eat whatever you want and however much you want, that's not good. You'll suffer later by gaining too much weight.' Sadly though it's true, I might enjoy eating at that moment, but I know soon I stand up and walk away, tummy will be falling down and feels like the skin's stretching so bad that it's gonna tear apart. So now whenever I wanna eat more, I'll remind myself that feeling >_< no more for bao!
Yesterday youngest aunt asked whether it's a boy or girl. I said it's a boy. She goes 'westerners like boys right!' I said 'actually hubby prefers girls', mom said 'yeah me too', aunt asked me 'what about you?' mom was trying to answer for me but then I said 'I think boys cool, not that it matters either way though', but since they know now that hubby prefers girls. I am waiting for mom to ask me this question: 'now that you have a boy, will he likes him less?' - I know I know it's silly, but that's the way mom's wired lol, she is and will ask that in the future if not now *sigh*. Conclusion was we don't really have a choice over baby's sex. So either way we'll love him/her because it's our own flesh and blood.
Oh yeah Chinese culture said child is made of their parents' flesh and blood. That's why they are so closely linked and that the kid will forever owe their parents for their lives :)
Alright, today hasn't really started yet, so no more to tell, will update more later when we get back :) until then, sit tight and have a good day!!
Third day in China
This morning eldest aunt came up with mom while I was having my breakfast - wanton, yummy! Aunt's hair is very very short! So short that it looks like a man lol. But my eldest aunt like it her way, she doesn't care what others care as long as she feels cool and good about it. Mom said she was shocked when she saw her return with this new hairdo lol. Yup, that's my eldest aunt no doubt hahaha...
Went out for mountain walking today with mom yet to another hill. Today there wasn't any steps. The road was flat with a bit of steep road. Not too bad. Just that we forget my facial towel so I had to leave my sweat on my face until it drops. Now that I am pregnant, I seem to have sweat easier and cool down easier as well! Once we got up the mountain, lots of mozzies and since it's steep mountain so we didn't get to the steps bit. There are lot of farm houses around the mountain bit, a man was washing vegetables outside his house. Saw me and mom walking down, he said 'come and rest for awhile', brought two chairs out for us, nice friendly people :) The family is from AnHui province, doing small business here in Hangzhou with 2 children. Me and mom sat for awhile and mom chatted with the man. Mom can chat with just about any stranger lol.
Suddenly came 3 dogs :-/ I was wearing flip flops, had I wore my trainers, I wouldn't mind them. But short sleeves and flip flops doesnt give me the same security feeling heh :) mom was fanning me around, so the dogs stay away from me. But I still have to keep tracking them, it makes me feel better if I know where they are going. Suddenly this bigish dog came from behind my back *where I couldn't see>_<* it startled me, I jumped! Mom said 'poor xiaobao jumped as well'. I bet he didn't like that. *rubs rubs* After the dog left, we decided to set off and said goodbye to the man. We walked the way back to the city and had lunch. I fancied noodles today so we went to this food place near home. Was gonna go to a shop with air-con. But their noodles were sold out! So we ended up at this place with only fans. But once I sat down and wipe away my sweat. I didn't actually feel hot anymore. Me and mom had a bowl of noodles each. It's freshly made noodles not instant noodles like those in HK. So it tastes nice. Just that it has lot of oil. Already told them to put *little bit* of bit. Still it's shiny lol. Ah well :) The bill was $7.5 - I only wish it's that cheap in HK, I'll be laughing my head off! heh Went home wanting watermelon. But couldn't eat (too full) after we got home. Sat down on the floor for awhile watching TV. Mom doze off next to me. I moved myself to the sofa. Oh my god, getting up from the floor was difficult! >_<
Woke up after 30 minutes or so, mom prepared me watermelon. Ate all 6 pieces lol. Then youngest aunt arrived :), uncle and cousin and his girlfriend will come here for dinner tonight. Maybe a bit of Wii? :)
Will post more updates later!
Went out for mountain walking today with mom yet to another hill. Today there wasn't any steps. The road was flat with a bit of steep road. Not too bad. Just that we forget my facial towel so I had to leave my sweat on my face until it drops. Now that I am pregnant, I seem to have sweat easier and cool down easier as well! Once we got up the mountain, lots of mozzies and since it's steep mountain so we didn't get to the steps bit. There are lot of farm houses around the mountain bit, a man was washing vegetables outside his house. Saw me and mom walking down, he said 'come and rest for awhile', brought two chairs out for us, nice friendly people :) The family is from AnHui province, doing small business here in Hangzhou with 2 children. Me and mom sat for awhile and mom chatted with the man. Mom can chat with just about any stranger lol.
Suddenly came 3 dogs :-/ I was wearing flip flops, had I wore my trainers, I wouldn't mind them. But short sleeves and flip flops doesnt give me the same security feeling heh :) mom was fanning me around, so the dogs stay away from me. But I still have to keep tracking them, it makes me feel better if I know where they are going. Suddenly this bigish dog came from behind my back *where I couldn't see>_<* it startled me, I jumped! Mom said 'poor xiaobao jumped as well'. I bet he didn't like that. *rubs rubs* After the dog left, we decided to set off and said goodbye to the man. We walked the way back to the city and had lunch. I fancied noodles today so we went to this food place near home. Was gonna go to a shop with air-con. But their noodles were sold out! So we ended up at this place with only fans. But once I sat down and wipe away my sweat. I didn't actually feel hot anymore. Me and mom had a bowl of noodles each. It's freshly made noodles not instant noodles like those in HK. So it tastes nice. Just that it has lot of oil. Already told them to put *little bit* of bit. Still it's shiny lol. Ah well :) The bill was $7.5 - I only wish it's that cheap in HK, I'll be laughing my head off! heh Went home wanting watermelon. But couldn't eat (too full) after we got home. Sat down on the floor for awhile watching TV. Mom doze off next to me. I moved myself to the sofa. Oh my god, getting up from the floor was difficult! >_<
Woke up after 30 minutes or so, mom prepared me watermelon. Ate all 6 pieces lol. Then youngest aunt arrived :), uncle and cousin and his girlfriend will come here for dinner tonight. Maybe a bit of Wii? :)
Will post more updates later!
Saturday, 1 August 2009
Second day in China
Mountain walking today
Mom took me to this 'flat mountain' for walkie. Fresher air and exercise for me. She said there aren't many steps. But turns out there are steps. But the steps aren't too high, so just like stepping on wii board. Apparently I walked faster than mom, she kept telling me to walk slower lol. But I just wanna go to the top faster. Walking was fine by me. Just that mom kept telling me to be careful and that I watch my steps lol.. I was only carrying the umbrella which at times I used it like a stick to support my walk. Mom was carrying her waist bag and another carryon bag, we brought 2 apples, 2 pears, 2 small sweet potatoes and 2 bottles of water, etc. lol I said I'll carry some, mom won't let me :) we ended up only eating the apples, the rest came home as usual lol. Though I drank all the water :)
Eldest aunt called while we were on the mountain. Looks like we'll be going to countryside village and stay there for awhile. I said I can go for about 1 night 2 days, mom asked how about 2 nights 3 days. I said I have to go online (well I have to check my uni) but I guess I can do Monday to Wednesday, at least it's the least active period of time for uni discussion! And hubby can always call when we are up in the mountain ;)
Walking down the mountain was quick, was drizzling a bit too but since we were under thick canopy trees, no umbrella was needed even! In no time, we were back on the road. Approaching eldest uncle's house, so we decided to go in for a bit until we feel hungry. Had a red bean icicle and that cool me down nicely :) they were all watching TV - magic shows lol
Cousin will join us for the wii night too! :) we'll have 3 guests tonight.
More updates later!
Mom took me to this 'flat mountain' for walkie. Fresher air and exercise for me. She said there aren't many steps. But turns out there are steps. But the steps aren't too high, so just like stepping on wii board. Apparently I walked faster than mom, she kept telling me to walk slower lol. But I just wanna go to the top faster. Walking was fine by me. Just that mom kept telling me to be careful and that I watch my steps lol.. I was only carrying the umbrella which at times I used it like a stick to support my walk. Mom was carrying her waist bag and another carryon bag, we brought 2 apples, 2 pears, 2 small sweet potatoes and 2 bottles of water, etc. lol I said I'll carry some, mom won't let me :) we ended up only eating the apples, the rest came home as usual lol. Though I drank all the water :)
Eldest aunt called while we were on the mountain. Looks like we'll be going to countryside village and stay there for awhile. I said I can go for about 1 night 2 days, mom asked how about 2 nights 3 days. I said I have to go online (well I have to check my uni) but I guess I can do Monday to Wednesday, at least it's the least active period of time for uni discussion! And hubby can always call when we are up in the mountain ;)
Walking down the mountain was quick, was drizzling a bit too but since we were under thick canopy trees, no umbrella was needed even! In no time, we were back on the road. Approaching eldest uncle's house, so we decided to go in for a bit until we feel hungry. Had a red bean icicle and that cool me down nicely :) they were all watching TV - magic shows lol
Cousin will join us for the wii night too! :) we'll have 3 guests tonight.
More updates later!
First day in China
Hello from Hangzhou!!!!
The plane journey wasn't too painful, 2 hours gone by pretty quick. I had a personal attendent on the flight. After I sat down for awhile, this lady (Allen) came to me and ask if the seat belt's too tight for me. She can change a new one for me. But it's just fine, and Allen helped me put my bag up the overhead locker. Very friendly and nice.
Very soon it's lunch time. That was about 1:30 I think. The plane delayed for more than half an hour! We didn't kick off until 1:22 !!! Bloody mainlanders wouldn't follow instructions like 'sit down', 'fasten your seat belt', the air-hostesses have to tell them 'please sit down now...' the thing is even the air-hostess themselves have sat down and fastened their seat belts! *sigh* Same things happen after landing. Told them that don't stand up until the plane's completely stopped. But nooooooooooo, their ass must be itching, have to stand up! *sigh*
After got off the plane, I had to rush to the loo (again in queues), yeah forgot I was in 6 billion pupulation country now lol. After loo, I was the only one left! Didn't know it takes me that long lol. So I had to quickly find a pen and fill in the landing quarantine card and head to the customs. Passing through the customs was quick and easy. Then got to the luggages collection point. OMG, the people! All crowded at the entrance of those bags! I found myself a trolley, taking my time....slowly wheel it to a nearby spot and wait....first I saw my green bag coming out. I pointed at it (lol) somehow don't know how to speak Chinese/Mandarin/Hangzhou dialect, I just pointed at my bag. Then this man took it off for me and I smiled lol. Thank god the bag wasn't too heavy for me to lift it up onto the trolley.
Took a bit longer time for the black bag to come out, eventually I saw it and again no one to help me to take it down the conveyor belt. grrrrrr (no people on duty!!) I bet I can ask someone if it was in HK airport!! Then I had to go through yet another bag checking point before head out to the arrival hall. I already saw mom in a distant. And she saw me too waving hysterically heh.
When I walked out, mom said 'your husband have already called twice', well at least she's not telling me how big or fat I am, so that's a good thing! heh.
We have to bought coach tickets to get back to HangZhou city center. The bus journey was very quick this time. Think it's about 20 mins and we arrived!. Found a taxi and got home at around 5ish. Mom was dragging that two luggages herself. She wouldn't let me help :)
Unpacked everything using my supersonic speed. Couldn't hook the wii up cos the cable holes are behind the TV which is too heavy for me and mom and since mom won't let me lift anything. So tonight cousin Michael is coming up after work to help, he likes games ;) and I can also give him the ipod :) he'll like it! He was 'wow-ing' when he saw mom's ipod saying 'wow, it's Apple!!' lol. More updates later :)
Went to bed at around 10:30. Feet were *very* swollen. Mom couldn't believe her eyes and kept saying 'poor you, my feet were never swollen when I had you" - well lucky you! lol Set alarm for 7am this morning so that xiaobao can have his lesson. Wasn't too hot last night, air-con was alright. Mom turned round many times to cover my shoulders and feet with duvet. :)
Finally got up at 8am and had breakfast and chat with hubby and sorted out puTTy so that I have youtube.com to use! sheesh!
Will head to the mountain later!
The plane journey wasn't too painful, 2 hours gone by pretty quick. I had a personal attendent on the flight. After I sat down for awhile, this lady (Allen) came to me and ask if the seat belt's too tight for me. She can change a new one for me. But it's just fine, and Allen helped me put my bag up the overhead locker. Very friendly and nice.
Very soon it's lunch time. That was about 1:30 I think. The plane delayed for more than half an hour! We didn't kick off until 1:22 !!! Bloody mainlanders wouldn't follow instructions like 'sit down', 'fasten your seat belt', the air-hostesses have to tell them 'please sit down now...' the thing is even the air-hostess themselves have sat down and fastened their seat belts! *sigh* Same things happen after landing. Told them that don't stand up until the plane's completely stopped. But nooooooooooo, their ass must be itching, have to stand up! *sigh*
After got off the plane, I had to rush to the loo (again in queues), yeah forgot I was in 6 billion pupulation country now lol. After loo, I was the only one left! Didn't know it takes me that long lol. So I had to quickly find a pen and fill in the landing quarantine card and head to the customs. Passing through the customs was quick and easy. Then got to the luggages collection point. OMG, the people! All crowded at the entrance of those bags! I found myself a trolley, taking my time....slowly wheel it to a nearby spot and wait....first I saw my green bag coming out. I pointed at it (lol) somehow don't know how to speak Chinese/Mandarin/Hangzhou dialect, I just pointed at my bag. Then this man took it off for me and I smiled lol. Thank god the bag wasn't too heavy for me to lift it up onto the trolley.
Took a bit longer time for the black bag to come out, eventually I saw it and again no one to help me to take it down the conveyor belt. grrrrrr (no people on duty!!) I bet I can ask someone if it was in HK airport!! Then I had to go through yet another bag checking point before head out to the arrival hall. I already saw mom in a distant. And she saw me too waving hysterically heh.
When I walked out, mom said 'your husband have already called twice', well at least she's not telling me how big or fat I am, so that's a good thing! heh.
We have to bought coach tickets to get back to HangZhou city center. The bus journey was very quick this time. Think it's about 20 mins and we arrived!. Found a taxi and got home at around 5ish. Mom was dragging that two luggages herself. She wouldn't let me help :)
Unpacked everything using my supersonic speed. Couldn't hook the wii up cos the cable holes are behind the TV which is too heavy for me and mom and since mom won't let me lift anything. So tonight cousin Michael is coming up after work to help, he likes games ;) and I can also give him the ipod :) he'll like it! He was 'wow-ing' when he saw mom's ipod saying 'wow, it's Apple!!' lol. More updates later :)
Went to bed at around 10:30. Feet were *very* swollen. Mom couldn't believe her eyes and kept saying 'poor you, my feet were never swollen when I had you" - well lucky you! lol Set alarm for 7am this morning so that xiaobao can have his lesson. Wasn't too hot last night, air-con was alright. Mom turned round many times to cover my shoulders and feet with duvet. :)
Finally got up at 8am and had breakfast and chat with hubby and sorted out puTTy so that I have youtube.com to use! sheesh!
Will head to the mountain later!
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