dinner at home

Wenxi & Wenjun were staying at home by themselves studying for exams. Lorraine is in Malaysia for management retreat & Jerry is forever busy. Poor boys! Wenbang must still be in the military camp.

Dined with Porpor, Van & Andrew at home. Lots of food: steamed clams with garlic + vermicelli, bortsche, choy sum, rocket, steamed turbot. Ice-cream as dessert.

I bought a pr of black walking shoes for Porpor & a suit of pyjamas. She likes both.

Min will go to Bluewater - 2nd largest shopping centre in Europe. Just hope that she can buy a blanket and/or a coat.

Min is able to socialize cheerfully. Teachers' comments are favourable.

il Bel Paese

Thursday - lunch at Zen with Tam & Agnes. Cioppino with B at Dan Ryan.

Friday - buffet at Marriott coffee shop. Met Chui Ip.

Dinner at Harbour International Rest at Wanchai next to YMCA. Jane + Kam + Ella. Chatted until 10 pm.

This morning went to il Bel Paese. Bought olive oil & vinegar w/ a wooden stand, some rucola (rocket) & capers & white truffle pate & a cheese loaf. Then went to Sogo shoes department.

yachting

Van surprised me by telling me in the morning that a yacht had been booked today. We arrived Star Ferry No. 9 pier at 11 am. A's Mom, sis, uncle, auntie & their daughter for the pleasure trip. We anchored at Repulse Bay. His Mom is a good cook & she likes Italian food so much. Olive oil, vinegar, ham, raw beef, rock salad, prawn salad, honey dew melon, avocado + nachos, fruits, tomatoes.......... champagne & fruit juices & sparkling water ........

Then, stopped at Lamma Island, we took a walk for a while. Then we had drinks & clams in white sauce in The Bay Bistro at Mot Tat Bay. Many Europeans were there having coffee. Their kids were very sportive and confident in rowing the rubber boats & swimming around very free. Chinese parents would usually either forbid them or keep yelling. Different mode of rearing.

A balanced life is like this. And tomorrow I have to go back to work.

Min has eaten 1/4 of the mooncake & she said yummy.

mid-autumn festival

Yesterday should be the 30th anniversary, but it only lasted about 7 years. The 7 years after that was but a fake & a torture.

Only the 2 girls are real & lovable.

Arthur brought us to the Police HQ in Arsenal House. Very impressive.

Lunch with Judy & Joanna at a Jap rest near PP3 in Wanchai.

Langham Place is such a place for young people. The man-made sky at the top of the building was so pretty.

Van got promoted for one grade & have 10% increase of salary. I am so glad. Gungung Porpor, too.

problem solving

Actual problems & feelings are to be handled.

I like French desserts. Suddenly, I remember pancakes with orange & ice-cream. Crepe?

Dined at home with Van on Monday. Delicious soup. Van can cook some good taste soup.

Talked to Min over Skype from 2-4 am. She sent a photo, too at her corridor with Rosa on Rosa's birthday, with a big R holding in her hands. After all, there is fun, hard work, nice guys, indifferent guys or unkind guys. Like every community. Just normal. She has made a chicken & peach bake. She tasted it and did not like it. I think she would throw it away.

Culture shock or cultural shock is a must that she has to go through. I remember Pam's daughter, about early 40s, wearing a low cut tee showing quite a portion of her breasts. She also hugged & kissed us good-bye when she drove us back to the Star & Eagle Hotel. My parents would probably be scared to death if I entertained their friends in the like fashion.

Dress Casual Day - I have doanted $200 for a sticker. At 10 am, I will visit Police HQ with Arthur + others.

As Min sounds analytical & she likes the pillow w/cases & bed-sheets that Pam bought her, I feel more relieved. She is not so much fond of the blanket.

Sunday - pingpong

Woke up at 5 am & talked to Min over Skype. She cried & said she missed us so much.

Went to Watson's at United Centre. Cour Carre at APM. Pingpong at Mongkok. Tea with Paus at New Century Plaza. Impressed with the French mussels cooked in white wine * garlics/herbs.

Went to Stella & Chrysal. Bought the curry powder from Singapore for Kevin from Park'N Shop. He woud bring curry chicken to his office for a party.

Dinner at KT. Talked to Min & Lorraine. Marga bought a bottle of red wine.

Suppl card - not affected. Credit transferred to the new one.

Pam should buy a blanket & a pillow etc for Min this afternoon. See if Alison can help me. Kwong was really kind to me. He is very understanding.

Min was homesick, but she sounded much better when I talked to her at dinner time at KT. She might go to London next week.

zwilling nail & cutical scissors

Bought the above to replace some rusted items.

Worked in the morning. Lunch at CWB near Times Square - Jap suhi set. I liked the toro sushi so much. I bought some fish bars for each of us from Kong Zhai Kee.

Went to Christina's place to play mj. Won $760.- Tea with cheese cake made by Chris.

Dinner was sumptuous.

I will go to Watson's tomorrow to trace sth.

Had not heard from Min the whole day.

summer palace with Ju

Ju is as pretty & intelligent as well. Had a chat over work & children. C Chu was nearby with a few people. (Thursday)

A meeting from 4 to 6:40 pm. Quite worried about the medical check.

Friday - I went to UCH by myself. Same doctor as last year. He counselled me to be optimistic. Almost a clean bill for my conditions. Then blood-taking.

Dined at home alone. Talked to Min over Skype. She sounds sweet. Pam promised to buy a blanket & a pillow for her & send them over on Monday in the afternoon. From Maidstone.

Will work in the morning today. Lunch with A, Van & Paus. Then mj at Christina's home until after dinner.

Lippo with Chu

Lippo with Chu, Judy, Elena & Ah Chuen.

Can't get an appointment for massage. So busy.

Dined at home by myself. Van has friends. Poor Mom.

Will work this Saturday. Lunch with A, Van & Marga etc.

Then mj at Christina's place. Long time no play.

packed lunch

Both Agnes & I brought packed lunch boxes. Some lotus root cakes shared.

We intended to celebrate Patrick's birthday but could not contact him.

Siu Chu had dinner with us in Watami, Central, near Queen's Theatre. DBS promotion 50% discount. A very popular Japanese casual restaurant with chain shops all over the place. Agnes said my ostrich handbag is pretty.

Bought cleansing oil & washing liquid from Fancl House.

IDD Lorraine last night as I have 500 min free every month.

Marga is now in Japan with Pau. Boyboy likes his new job.

Min was in the library. She seems happily settled down.

Sunday pingpong

Pedicure in the morning. Pingpong with Marga 1-3 pm. We had plain congee & dough & vermicellie rolls with dried shrimps. Went to a boutique after that. Flora & Ah Yee are just like friends.

Dinner at Porpor's home.

Gungung has come home. He is a survivor.

Jeffrey's 10th birthday on 22/9.

Patrick's birthday on 23/9. See if we can celebrate before or after. They will go to Hokkaido.

Marga will fly to Nagoya & Osaka with Pau tomorrow morning.

Min talked to Grandpa & Grandma. She is now going to Maidstone with Mrs Presland & 4 others from the Orchard House.

jetlag not yet over

Friday - lunch at IC mess with Vanso, Melody & Elaine.
Dineer - a new place - Kamboat, Agnes hoted, with YM & Patrick.
A break after a busy day. Both Tam & Patrick will go to Hokkaido with their wives. James, Agnes & Tam had go to live in the Venetians with their respective companies. I am much tempted.

Sat - went to APM to buy a suit from Cour Carre for Min. She fell and had her knees injured, causing a big hole in her trousers. A drove Van & me to Sai Kung - Hebe one o one. Western style, previously it was Portuguese. Walked along the pier and went home. They played tennis.

Seems jetlag not yet all over. A bit tired.

Communicated with Wenxi by MSN & Min with Skype, SMS & IDD. She
is progressing quite well. She went to Ashford last weekend & would go to Maidstone this week. She had registered with the Kent Police. Mrs James the Matron drove her there & paid on her behalf. She had watched rugby which she described as a violent game. Real exposure. Within a week, she has experienced so many new people & events. She has met a Taiwanese guy who speaks Mandarin. She was glad to have received the air parcel I sent to her on Monday.

Zen again

A table of 13. Hosted by Hoi. Very cheerful company.

We need such to tune our tension at work.

Bought the Kwanpen black ostrich handbag at last after so much consideration.

I lighted 3 candles at Notre Dame for all those I love dearly. I also prayed at St. Paul's Cathedral.

Health & peace of mind are the best gifts we may have.

Min is seemingly quite engaged & not wanting my attention.

kwanpen

I have seen some Kwanpen handbags with discount. 40% off ranging from 2,000 + to 4,100. I am thinking of the one in the middle. Black is safe & generally matching. Ostrich leather. Bright yellow & red will be a bit particular.

Lunch at Zen.

Driven hard by workload & meetings. Piles of reports in the tray. Lots of decisions made & preparation to answer Qs.

Min seems to be settling down well. Touch wood. Keeping fingers crossed that she would get good results, discipline & social skills. In short: happiness.

Juliet tel & we will have lunch next week.

Van bought Porpor a box of mooncake.

Tired.

still jetlag

Lunch at Man Ho with Judy.

Twinky will marry Ivan.

Bought a Royal Doulton bouquet for Jo.

Cioppino at Dan Ryan after work, & apple pie.

Dinner at home.

Talked to Christina.

Lorraine is working late. Marga visited her colleague.

Min seems to be settling down quite well. IDD her at 5 pm this morning.

beautiful Monday

I made efforts to get up early. Tried hard to kick away jetlag. Good to start the day by receiving a chrystal clock from Yiu in Canada. He refused to disclose how he could have arranged it to be sent on my desk upon my return.

I wonder how I should deal with it when the battery runs out.

Bought some shortbread & choco for the folks.

Roger treated us with lunch. 4 tables of staff. Back to work really.

I wore the "Black Gold Lady" top just bought yesterday, with black pants. Felt good in it.

Mr Dorey wrote to me that Min has a positive & committed start & seems enjoying the school life there. I am glad.

It would be nice to take one month off every year. I will try to aim at that.

Lorraine

We had dinner a APM on Thursday evening. I had chicken congee at home for Friday lunch. We went to Xiao Nan Guo in TST East for dinner. Kevin got 1 suit + 3 shirts tailor made in Granville Road.

Sat - went to Dr Tong for wax to be sent to Min. Lunch at Good Luck at Empire Centre. Shopping with Lorraine at Pacific Place & Sogo. She bought a wallet made of ostrich skin - cognac colour. She also bought me a Cole Hann coin purse - brown leather - very cute with zipper. We had dinner at my home with Porpor & A & Van. She also bought 2 tees from North Point Mrs Chan. Talked to Ella on phone.

Will go to work on Monday. Talked to Agnes, Judy, KH, Ken & Roger. Roger will treat staff in Asiania Rest in Wanchai on Monday for 4 tables. I am on the list. So they told me not to have appointment with others.

I am not very sure whether I can pick up the work smoothly.

Glad to have received Min's sms. Seems to be settling down quite well. Hope to receive emails from her next week when her laptop would be available & set up.

The Orchard House.

Met Pamela Stevens & family, Alison Donelan, Mr Dorey & Anne Presland. Mr Briggs is so handsome & wam. Chris is honest & helpful.

too much to be remembered

It has been a wonderful journey. Much gone thru & much to be remembered.

I love both cities.

Just pray for Min's settling down & my health.

Kevin will go to a new job on Monday. Lorraine has come back for the long weekend on Wednesday. We had dinner together on Thursday.

Van will send some stuff to Min.