It was a rainy weekend in Hong Kong. We welcomed the rain because it took away the first heat wave of the season. Rob and I made a trip back to our Hong Kong tailor this weekend. The tailor is making a summer suit for me. I decided to spice up my life and have him make a more "style conscious" suit, since he made a traditional navy suit for me last time. The new suit is copied from a white linen designer suit I saw a picture of. If you come visit me, you can have anything you want made! The tailor even feeds you beer and free Indian food, talk about a perk.

It's a good thing it rained this weekend, because it provided an easy excuse for me to curl up and read Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for 3/4s of the weekend. Have any of you all read it? Feeling like one of the last people on earth to read this mystery thriller, but it's a great page-turner! Perfect for summer reading! Bad for getting a full 8 hours of sleep.

Ok, obviously life is getting a little bit more boring here on this side of the globe--weather, books, and clothes are the blog topics of late.   I know things are spunky in the Western world. Word of Strauss-Kahn reached the East quickly and is currently dominating the headlines. But do please send updates on what is going on with you guys!

~Lizard

twas a blustery day in Hong Kong. I could even wear pants!

It has become wickedly hot in Hong Kong. The air is entirely wet, and it feels about 100 degrees if you leave your home or office. I dream of going on hikes this weekend, but I don't know if I can stomach it. I'm trying to cut down on the air conditioning to try to train my body to acclimate. Heat has never bothered me too much in the past, but if future days are anything like the past two days, life will take some getting used to.

When I'm not at work the best way to pass my time is by reading. This activity complements another activity, which involves lying very still beside the swimming pool. I find myself happy lounging indoors or out, reading a book. I finished Cutting for Stone on Tuesday, which was yet another holiday in Hong Kong--this time Buddha's birthday. I lay outside by the pool for 3 hours on a cloudy, muggy day and still managed to get ravaged by the sun! Clearly, fair skin is better suited for the indoors or a high SPF in this climate. Fortunately, however, I am still able to slip on my tennis shoes and go for runs on the treadmill--conveniently located IN doors!

Stream of Consciousness

So much has happened this week. It's just one of those weeks you look back upon and think about all that happened and say, wow, why is this week different, what happened. As I reflect, my reflection comes in list form:

Starting from a week ago:
Royal-wedding-inspired playlist. I am obsessed with playing Elton John--specifically "Your Song." This has led me to other oldies...and right now "Sunshine Superman" by Donovan is playing--great for a sunny days. Also, I am very much enjoying the video for the Avett Brothers "November Blue." If you say you don't love a love song, I think you're lying.


Taking, or more precisely, re-taking my Bloomberg Excel formula/programming exam, which includes troubleshooting...which leads me to think, "just shoot me."
Two of my friends in Hong Kong are having babies, and I recently found out that both will be boys!
My other 2 friends in Hong Kong  are leaving to go back to the US to get married this week.

I bought Rob fish for his birthday. We went to the Goldfish Market in Mong Kok and bought clown fish and named them Sai (after Sai Kung) and Kiki (my dad used to call me that sometimes, so of course I like the name). Clown fish are saltwater fish, however, so this makes them very hard to keep alive in a synthetically saltwater environment. Unfortunately Kiki and Sai had to go for a swim in the John this week. I hope they are enjoying fish heaven. In the meantime, I am working on creating a less hostile fish environment in my apartment so that Kiki2 and Sai2 won't ever have to know The John.


Rob had several job offers this week, which were followed by more job possibilities. Each day is an adventure as I watch possibilities unfold.

Nat--we love you and are praying for you!

Last, but not least, tomorrow is MOTHER'S DAY. All of you moms have worked so hard. I can't even imagine how you did it. So, tomorrow is a big day for all of you Mommies out there. Mommy, I'd like to thank you for everything you've done for me.

Ok, I think that's about it. Have a great weekend!

May Day, May Day

Hello Friends and loved ones,

This past weekend has been an interesting one in Hong Kong. First, Great Britain graced us with a Royal marriage. Every girly girl's fantasy became a reality. Not only did Prince William get married, but he married a  "common" girl from the outlying village. This event was a fairytale in living color.

Obviously, I did not attend the wedding, but for the British in Hong Kong who felt snubbed by their lack of wedding invitation, the Mandarin Oriental saved the day. The hotel transformed its ballroom into Westminster Abbey, complete with nave, aisles, proper seating arrangements, trees and proper placement of Kate and Wills via projection screen. All attendees dined on fine food while partaking in the momentous occasion. I did not go, but I was fortunate enough to attend the tongue-in-cheek 'official' after party, where I realized that the Mandarin event was actually quite popular among British ex-pats in Hong Kong. The Brits know how to kick up their heels and enjoy a drink, so the celebration was quite fun.

In more serious news, you all in the US probably heard as you were going to sleep that Osama bin Laden has been killed, and US troops have his body. This comes nearly 10 years after the events on 9/11, for which his organization was responsible. I was awake at Noon in Hong Kong to witness US President Obama deliver the announcement, to which the English speaking news anchor summarized as "That was Osama bin Laden, speaking to the world about the death of...Osama bin Laden." Grimace. Gaffe.

In more local news, today is May Day in Hong Kong. I have heard numerous interpretations of what this holiday is, the most benign being that May Day is a version of Labor Day. Some call May 1 International Workers' Day, which alludes to ties with Socialist movements in Australia. Whatever your take on this day may be, Hong Kong still celebrates this holiday and gives e'rybody a day off of work! Three weeks in a row that I will have a four-day work week. Next Tuesday is Buddha's birthday. Easter, May Day, Buddha's birthday. Hooray for Holidays!

Out to (a normal) Dinner in Hong Kong

This blog has advertised several dining joints serving off-the-beaten-track local food, but I want to let you know that my advertising does not fairly represent the dining scene in Hong Kong. Many restaurants are cosmopolitan,  sophisticated or trendy, while others are regular, easy-going digs. It's not hard to find a good spot where people can go to dinner and eat simple BBQ and beer. I decided to post pictures from a dinner I had with friends at a Restaurant that reminds me of a place you might even find in Richmond, VA. Bourbon is its name, and I feel right at home there. It specializes in serving, you name it, Bourbon! and other Southern-inspired foods. Here are a few pictures:

Happy Easter!

The cameraman must have caught the Easter Bunny at a frightening angle, but at least the little girl  is happy.

For other photos similar to this one, please check out this site. Pretty entertaining.

Homecoming in July

Super excited because I just sealed the deal on a trip home in JULY!

.... and I land in Charlottesville on July 1. Yee!

I will be in Virginia that whole week (July 4-8) to see friends and family, so please drop me a line if you would like to coordinate plans.

More Sai Kung

...continued from last post

Squilla Mantis

After having lunch at Chuen Kee Seafood, we walked around the town a bit

The town is made up of tons of little alleys with tiny shops lining them

Veggie market. I always check out the veggie market--not sure why

Old lady carting garbage away. 

The children were mesmerized by this big grouper. 

Had to get another picture with Big Fish.

SQUEELIES!

Dun dun DUN....BIG CRABS.

Rob made me stick my hand out in front of the crab "for scale" for this photo. It was really scary.

We thought a little 'mobile softee' might cool my crab claw nerves off a bit. Upon tasting our softees, Rob and I realized this frozen treat is no more than frozen Whipped Cream. Hmm?

Looks kind of like the Westside Highway in NYC

Traditional fishing boat. Loved this. The bumpers were old tires, which were so old that the rubber was droopy like it had developed wrinkles in its skin.

Tons of poodles lined the boardwalk, and Rob was quite pleased to finally find another breed of pup.

Fishermen line the boardwalk to sell fish to anyone who buys it. Tourists can even buy seafood to take to a nearby restaurant to have prepared for them :). Better bring your negotiating skills to these fishermen!