i luv me

Me is strong, diligent, forgiving & optimistic ..... Therefore, I luv me.

Lunch at Lippo with James, Peggy, Ken & YM.

Gungung is transferred to Haven of Hope, Tseung Kwan O. Talked to him on phone.

2 girls want to learn tennis.

I am busy yet OK la.

Chicken korma. Delicious but too watery. Should let it evaporate longer and add yoghurt.

stormy & rainy Sunday

I could still get a morning of sunshine between 10 - 11:15 am. Another enjoyable walk in the big park. By myself. Solitude. Went to Chee Kei in Telford and ate wonton/shui jiao noodles in soup w/soy radish and yeemai water - barley drink. Brought home pork liver congee for Min. Noodles not so good as that in Mak Man Kee or Mak Ngan Kee.

Met Martha. She lives in Blk 14. She told me about Tsui Ka-po's family.


Met Ng Wo-keung outside McDonald's. Chatted for a few minutes.

Had a facial in Flora's by Ah Yee.

Bought 2 prs of pants for walk & leisure from Columbia - one creamy white & one brown. Marga, Kevin & I went to buy bags of food in Taste, Festival Walk. Nobody likes Rice with Mango ice-cream from Gelato. Then, dined at Porpor's home. Gungung feels boring in hospital. No visitors today.

Van was out the whole day.

King worked & things went smoothly.

Karin came to watch DVD with Min & made her a cheese cake.

sweaty in the sun & breeze

I love brisk walks in the big big playground with shades of trees and green grass around & small flowers - red, pink & yellow. Few people. Fresh air. Some doing mowing. Some sweeping the ground without dipping up the dried leaves and sands. She just swept them back to the soiled areas. In tee and shorts from Columbia - my favourite brand. Want to buy one more pair as all the jeans are thick for walks. Not light and & airy.

Min's blog is real fantastic & enriched. Mine is just a piece of e-paper. No music, no video, no nothiing. She is a genius. I love genius.

Ingrid Bergman and The Six Happiness Inn.

Visited Gungung in UCH. Lots of grumbling. Bought him a cheese & ham sandwich. Marga, Kevin & Porpor had dinner at my home.

Busy Friday

Lunch box with Pauline. Piles of order and always urgent keep rolling down.

Marga came to my office and we had dinner at Zen. Prawn salad, roast pork, abalone mushroom + sea cucumber + goose webs. Desserts: double-boiled egg white & milk, custard tarts, sweet dumplings & bean puddings.

I worked today & yesterday, both of which are holidays. Over flowing vacation leave.

I will walk in Sai Tso Wan Playground tomorrow morning. Long time no walk due to rainy weather.

it is entertainment

Pirates of the Caribbean 3 is real entertainment. Min likes Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley. I like J Depp & Yolando Bloom.

Everybody needs a few tricks to survive. Storms and enemies are daily events. Love may turn sour or even hatred. Love while you can. No surprise if you are chased & attacked. Equip yourself & prepare for fights or runs for life.

Tao Jie is right. Chinese woman stars go to bed with white men or Jap in Hollywood films as a matter of course. White actresses will not even kiss Chinese men actors. Keira kisses several whites, but she bit Chow Yun-fat. Could that be a good cause for a war between China & US?

Went back to office to work from 10:15 am to 2:45 pm. Completed the notes for Big Boss. Found 2 typos while taking rice. Will amend early tomorrow morning. I took leave but have to go back both morning and afternoon. Gus went back, too.

Bought a black wind-breaker with pale-blue stripes as details. Went to Zen with Min after movie. Forgot about Hou's lesson.

James said I am analogue. Don't know what he means.

Buddha's Festival

Today is Buddha' s Festival. All religions lead people to be kind and to look for a spiritual peace and comfort, endurance towards pains and sufferings.

It is very strange to talk to Kwongloi. I can't imagine he knows so much about me despite we have been quite apart for so many years.

I must pull myself together & stop indulging in the who likes me & who don't etc. Very silly. Easier said than done though.

Feeling better since yesterday - I mean the headache, stomach ache ....

Arthur Li said in the hearing that he likes childen certainly but not so sure about adults. I would have laughed if I were there. A good laugh.

A young fireman died in a fire. God has planned for each of us. No need to worry and no use to worry. Just live for love & happiness. Time never waits.

challenges

I never grow up. I am always the irritable & easily agitated person. Not calm, not detached, not cool.
Excited, affected by words, too over-reactive and sensitive.
These are the challenges I face but little progress is achieved.

Regular lunch at Wanchai with Edmund & SK .... retirees.

I care how people look at me, talk about me and think of me. Not mature.

Booked 2 tickets for Pirates of the Caribbean 3. I like Johnny Depp, Yolando Bloom. Keira Knightly & Chow Yun-fat ...... Must see.

Will go back to work tomorrow morning. I am hard working.

Sang Kee Restaurant Wanchai

Min joined me at Wanchai MTR station. We went to enroll in Alliance France. She will study French from mid June to kid July - 5 days a week - 2-4 pm.

She also wants to learn playing tennies with Van. See if the Club has it.

Dinner at Sang Kee - previous Chui Wu in Hennessy Road. We had "nai mang" congee and 1/2 baked/salted chicken. Delicious. A pity that I was not feeling well.

yellow croakers

Told Nita to buy yellow croakers from the market. She bought 2 @ $18.00. Not cheap. Deep fried. But not that dry & crispy as those sold at restaurants.

Bought 2 rice boxes from Great - one with ham & one with roast chick. One box of vege. Shared with James.

I saw Justina last Friday but did not talk to her. Too occupied.

Spiderman 3

Harry & Eddie are more handsome than Peter. I like Harry especially. So cute. I don't want him to die. Many say the same on internet.

Kristen Dunst acted Queen Mary. Gwen is just so so.

AMC at PP at terrific. I like it despite it is expensive.

Bought Min some skin products & powder. Bought Marga an Armani lipstick.

Dined at KT. Pa won some money.

Bought a HP hard disc from Broadway as Van's is dying.

I find that Chi Kee wonton has operated in Telford. I will go later.

tennis

A & Paus played tennis in the Club downstairs.
Then lunch at Telford Imperial Kitchen.
Shopped around for some time with Marga.
Went to Taliana to have pedicure & shampoo + set.
Bao Fu Ling for Porpor.
Dined at home with Min.
Thunderstorm - I bought a blue Giordano umbrella from Central MTR. I bought a cardigan from Michel Renee and a tee from Judy House, Central.

If Wenxi reads this, he will think my life is so easy. I work hard to earn this, dear Lewis.

I will see "The Spiderman 3" in AMC, Pacific Place, at 3 pm tomorrow with Min. She can appreciate Wang Ka-wai. I can't.

Friday night farewell Martin

Dinner at 18th Brook Cantonese Cuisine. Martin retires.
3 tables. Juliet, Kingman and KM came.

Lost $140 in mj with YM, Agnes & Patrick.

Lunch with Maggie, Joanne & Germaine to farewell Chau Kang for retirement also.

King has come back.

good news

A few colleagues will benefit from increase of salary. New recruits will receive higher entry point.

Scaling down the service of hotline.

Dan Ryan with J & K. Papaya salad w/prawns, spaghetti Bolognese and beef steak sandiwch.

Busy but as a whole OK.

Dinner with 2 girls. Putonghua later.

Kwongloi is very knowledgeable about books/movies. Glad to email him. Taught Kevin about fleet at Cathay.

farewell chau keng

A good-tempered fat colleague.
Lunch at Lippo.
Roger had his birthday yesterday.
Agnes is a bit worried about her exam papers.
Min is out.
Too much Parma ham. Could not eat much at one time.

Marga came to PP. I shared with her a Triple O original hamburger, oj & french fries. I bought 3 pcs of macarons - coconut, black currant & citreon. We bought Jap organic sweet potatoes.

Package to Sing is too expensive. We would not go at holidays. Perhaps, later, when Min is in UK. She came back for dinner. She wants to learn French.

Josephine's daughter came back, disliking UK. Children!

a heavy lunch

Glad that YM has resumed working, well.
Allen was crazy to have ordered such a heavy lunch while the whole world is pro light healthy food.
Talked to Iris by emails. Good that I can communicate with her. Once, I found her a terrible character. Nasty & unreasonable.
J says he does not understand I can wine & dine with people who have not been kind to me as if nothing had ever taken place.
I don't, either. Perhaps, there is one piece lacking in my brain to recall the bitterness. I quite remember but do not feel too bad. Everything fades.
I choose to retain the better time of my life.
Bought 3 small bottles of bird's nest home.
I can't complain. Can I?

blue Monday

Pa has returned home.
Lunch at Jiang Shan Xiao with J & P.
Quite shocked when I learnt that B has suffered for such a long time. Life is so deceptive.
Dined with Min. She is lovely.
No trace of Van yet.
Chu e a photo of Burma - very terrifying. I was scared.
Where is my Listener. Could not even spare 3 minutes.

precious moments

Pa still in Haven of Hope.
We 12 at Xiao Nan Guo, TST East. Then ToysRus for Jeff - a car park with many cars. Then Croco kids - a tee + pants from Marga - beige & white, very smart. Marga bought a white K-gold necklace from Chow Tai Fook.
Dinner at KT. Porpor was so keen to cook for us.
Van bought me a card + Godiva orange sticks, Italian ham, olives, brie with herbs and earl grey tea-bags.
I received some carnations and forget-me-not.
I carried the new leSportsac, very refreshing.
Min can eat better today.

Thankful. :)

Saturday - rest, relax & re-charge

Must take a good rest. Meditation & slow walks. Going to supermarket. Reading leisure books.

Went to Dr Tong. Informed about QEH - Dr Lui. Hope everything goes fine.

Lunch at Shanghai Garden, Hutchison House, with Min. Took a bowl of noodles with tomatoes & beef slices in soup. Very un-Shanghai.

School Cert results will be released on 8th August.

Now go to Stella/Chrystal. Both girls will dine out.

Quite lonely. Invited Porpor to come to dinner as Mike + family would dine out. Gungung will be discharged on Monday.

Thanksgiving ceremonies some distance away.

Treasure chicken

Lunch with Jackie at Jiang Shan Xiao. Expensive. Cold chicken meat rolls with wine sauce + scallops & angular luffa in soup. Dessert - soft pudding with osmanthus flowers.

B & E brought me to Electric Road to have dinner in a restaurant operated by Ah Yat's assistant. The chicken was stewed with abalone & mushroom. Yummy yummy! Goose's webs & dried fish maw. Stir fried bitter gourd with garlic & fried beef cubes. Dessert was almond cream with eggwhite.

Min has finished her last subject of written exam. Quite relieved. Sent her to the exam centre this morning.

Will bring her to Dr Tong tomorrow morning to fix the braces & replace the mislaid rubber band.

The Registrar of Bethany is very caring & responsive.

Van has not come home yet.

Too busy to respond to off-shore message.

Will bring DVD "84 Charing Cross Road" for Florence on Monday.

amusing film - 84 Charing Cross Road

We went to QEH. Dr Lui was persuaded to take her for surgery. Min will come back on 15th December & have 4 wisdom teeth pulled out on 18th December. I am consulting the Registrar of Bethany for whether she can leave immediately after exam instead of waiting for the end of term. Checking the last day for exam.

Not easy to be a mother, harder to be a good mother.

We will celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday in Xiao Nan Guo, TST East.

See if James can submit a satisfactory report.

Triple O again

Lunch - hambugher, chicken fillet & french fries. I bought a big leSportsac bag during lunch time. However, I changed my mind and returned it for 2 smaller ones - both shoulder bags. One with stamps pattern & one with floral pattern.

Min is confident with today's exam on Bible. Ch Lit on Friday.

Gungung is transferred from United Christian Hospital to Haven of Hope. I talked to him on phone. He is very understanding by asking me not to visit him. He knows I am busy & tired. I love him very much.

I will take one day off tomorrow & bring Min to QEH to meet the orthodentists in the afternoon.

A came to dinner.

Daddy-Long-Legs

It is my cup of tea - just like Daddy-Long-Legs - an orphan writing letters to her benefactor and building a bond of love.

I have started reading 84 Charing Cross Road. Very amusing, lively & sentimental.

Glad that Wenxi read my blog and found that about Jeffrey's hamster very funny. In fact, it was not fun. It involved how much I should step in to teach the son of my brother & sis-in-law, how I protected my mother from handling something she was scared of and how I maintained reasons with a boy of 10. Of course, it ended by my buying him a toy - was it a bribe?

Lunch at ICAC canteen with Tsinghua pals. HK Li could not turn up at the last minute cos he was stuck in an overrun meeting and then his small son got an injury on the forehead. Casualty needed 2 hrs to attend to him. So, with his money & his wife, they sent the boy to private hospital. How could I retire if I intend to keep up the present standard of livelihood?

Min is very tired. 2 more subjects to go - Religious Studies tomorrow & Ch Lit on Friday. Then oral exams in June.

Marga seems better today.

projection

Chinese C = 3 English C = 3
Maths E = 1 Ch. Lit D = 2
Ch. Hist D = 2 Art D = 2
Econ C = 3 R.S. C = 3

See if it is accurate.
I have had breakfast & lunch - very contented. Dinner at home with 2 girls.
Porpor & Jeffrey had come with herb jellies for us.
I got the book "84 Charing Cross Road" from Commercial Press - $128.00.
Van is doing all the planning for the trip to bring Min to study.

Tai Wing Wah - rice with lard

We went there for lunch. So only dim sums were plenty. Some dishes were not available. We urged the captain several times before he brought out a bottle of lard from the kitchen. We bought the soy sauce & some noodles for home-cooking. Then we went to eat the famous grass-jelly dessert which was a big bowl with mixed fruits & carnation milk.

Min was delighted to eat the plain rice with lard + soy sauce. She heard about it for years & fancied taking it.

Porpor likes the pyjamas I bought her as present for Mother's Day. She is always contented with even little things. That is the source of happiness, I think.

Jeffrey bought a hamster without adults' consent. I was so worried about the germs that it will bring along. We spent the whole evening to persuade him to send it away. He cried. At last, I gave him money to buy a toy bowling set from ToyRus. Maria will bring it to her friend upstairs.

Gungung has been admitted into United Christian Hospital. Old age & sickness are there awaiting everybody.

Xiao Nan Ngo again

Accompanied Min to exam, then went back to office to read some emails. Workaholic? Not exactly. But I am grateful for the livelihood resulted by my employment. Lorraine is right. We work hard & gain pride & satisfaction. The steady income keeps me warm & fed. The attainment brings me dignity.

Joined Marga & Pau for lunch at Xiao Nan Guo, TST East, again.

Pau went to work. We shopped around in Wing On, the old Department Store. It is nice to see her become better. I bought 2 tops - made in Italy. I can't help it. Buying is gratifying.

Min seems to be doing well in the HKCEE. Challenges are to be met during our whole lifetime.

What happens to Tony Blair? He lost & will make big monies by writing and giving talks, I believe.

Le Gouter

I bought a box of macarons from Le Gouter, a box of olives, cold cut ham & cured ham - just to compensate my exhausted body.

Lunch at Shanghai Garden for a table of 12, co-hosted with YM. He is not feeling well. He is over-working, too.

Roger is angry these 2 days.

I want to sleep now. What will I receive as present(s) for Mother's Day?

I have bought the DVD. Will see it tomorrow. Too tired today.

Will accompany Min to exam tomorrow.

From Pioneer Centre to Gasgoine Rd

I was working under tension. I must find more ways to relieve myself.

Danny seems to like me as a team member. He proposed to put me on the list for another board. A bit flattered. A bit heavy. One after the other.

Lunch at Central. A class of somebody.

Meeting in the afternoon smooth.

Met CY & his friend. Perhaps that was his boy friend. Saw them in Festival Walk before.

Bought a Gerry Weber t-shirt & a pink knit. Can't resist the temptation of buying.

Lorraine tel twice without finding me.

The book 84 Charing Cross Road will come next week. DVD available in HMV, Central.

Triple O hamburger

J treated me with a juicy hamburger which he likes so much. After work in the food court, with orange juice, french fries & beef gravy. Like a pub. It is good to have some snacks and drinks and blah blah blah before one goes home.

Louisa will be posted in Beijing. We will bid her farewell on 8th in ICAC canteen. A table of 10. We are a happy bunch.

Chau Kang will retire end of this month. We will buy him a lunch at Zen on 18th.

Getting used to retirement. Years ago, migration. Sometimes, even separation by death.

Lunch at Kikuzen with Van. Wanchai is too far away as I had a meeting at 2 pm though it was postponed to 2:15 pm at last.

Marga seems a bit better today.

Porpor went to Ah Tuen for treatment.

The grey jacket from Su K suits me. The skirt goes to Agnes.

84 Charing Cross Road

Kwongloi recommended the captioned title - either book or movie is fine. A true story of the author Helene Hanff - a New Yorker. Her letters with Frank Doel, owner of a bookstore at 84 Charing Cross Road, London. After 20 years of correspondence, she went there to visit the shop. Frank had died and the bookstore was closed. Anne Bancroft & Anthony Hopkins. Lots to be found online about this story.

I will look for the book.

Spent the whole morning with Marga. Helped her to complete some reports and had lunch with her at Ye Shanghai. Trying my best to cure her. Little yellow croakers again + yunnan ham.

Bought Min a bowl of fish balls noodles in soup + 2 xiao loong bao.

Will have tea for relaxation.

I know this minute will pass away. So, I must treasure it.

I bought from Deli Viet a bowl of beef pho in soup + a pomelo salad for Min.

Ordered the book from Commercial Press. Available next week.

Bistro at Great

By myself. Starts to enjoy lunch by myself. Took a set of Jap bentos box - pork chop with rice, soba, shrimp, crab roe salad & fruits + a bowl of soup. I bought a lemon tart, a strawberry tart & an apple tart. Real yummy!

A bar of white Godiva chocolate, too. Chocolates bring along happiness. Happiness is falling in love head over heels.

Dinner at home with 2 girls.

A's Mom bought Van a costume jewellery pendant. She enjoys the relation very much. A decent family.

Min works hard.

I am sleepy now.

little yellow croakers

Lunch at Harbour City - Crystal Jade - with Marga & Kevin. Assisted her to work on reports in the whole afternoon at her home. Listened to her grievances. So I know more how she got defeated. She is in need of support more than any other time. Being the elder sis, I must do my best to shore her up.

To hell with the acting appointment. Her well-being is most most important. But she is really too silly. Perhaps, she has been very lucky in the past. I have met very nasty people before. I said if it was the first time you experience such pressure, it is cos you are on your way up. Someone around is always jealous & ill-willed. That is the never changing rule of the game. Some handle it in a smart way. Some don't.

I have had little yellow croakers both at lunch and at dinner at Xiao Nan Guo in TST Centre. We all like it.

Albert Au's concert from 8 pm to 10:45 pm. Collective memory. Lee Hacken was the guest. $300,000.00 go to the Cancer Fund. Charity + entertainment. Very good. Many folk songs of my generation. Some are timeless pieces.

Hazel, Chi Lin & Nan Lian

On Friday, I heard a talk from Hazel. A pretty name. An intelligent face & a lovely voice.

Sat. - Min had her 2nd day of Ch exam at St. Catharine's. Porpor, Gungung, Michael, Jason & I went to the Fire Services Recreation Club for tea.

Saturday, I had my hair permed. then Marks & Spencer at Plaza Hollywood. Then a walk with Tsinghua pals at Chi Lin Nunnery & Nan Lian Garden. Imitation of Tang Dynasty architecture. Enjoyed looking at the trees, flowers & Buddhas.

Vegetarian food - $250.00 each. Then I went to Marga's place to join the BBQ. Porpor & Michael's family & A with my 2 girls. Nita, too.

I bought 3 tees. Wore one with pink & white horizontal stripes. Life could not have been sweeter.

a walk to Wanchai during lunch time

By myself. A walk to Landale Street & took a big bowl of "ho fan" with fish balls & fresh slices of beef - $35.00. Then, I bought some food from il Bel Paese. A famous Italian fine food shop. Half loaf of rye bread with dried fruits; 2 bottles of sugar-free blueberry jam; a choco bar of latte & a sugar-free choco bar. Expensive. A's family likes to buy from here. They like Parma ham & vinegar in barrels for bread & salad. I went up to the cockloft and saw an old foreigner sitting by a small table looking out into the street. He must be the owner. He seemed to be enjoying the leisure. I then walked back thru PP3 MTR subway & back to the office.

Achieved several goals during these 10 days. Feeling good. Work keeps coming but you are relieved when assignments are done one by one.

I love the world and I love myself very much! Our group of 4 buying mark 6 tickets has won $320.00. I really want to celebrate by a lunch together. See if the other 3 will agree.

Putonghua lesson at night. Hou never forgives those who bullied her & tortured so many, destroyed so many .......

Min will sit for HKCEE tomorrow in KT at 8:30 am. Must get up early.

L16 in HK Park

Lunch with Cat, Dan, Jo, Sal & Wong. A team of expertise. We will farewell Wong very soon.

Jo showed us her Agnes b tiny tote bag, leather wallet & a card holder - very pleased with what she has bought. That is women.

Bought cakes from Starbucks after work for Min - 3 lemon lamingtons, one choc, one lemon tart & one mandarin cheese cake. All tasty. So lamington is named after a popular Governor in Queensland in the 19th century. How can a man be associated with such a tiny piece of soft cake? Perhaps his wife. King taught me about this kind of cake. Knows eveything in life, with ease and laughters - by laughing at others.

Porpor came with Jason and brought us chuenpei drinks. Van dined out with A.

Strange enough, I always share same views with Dan in work.

Feel better

Heavy workload is no longer a concern when I find that I feel alright again. It is good that I can work - not a light task. Recently, I have read books on how our subconscious can play magic to our body and our environment. That is equivalent to prayers, as far as I can make out. Our will power, our fervent wish leads to what we want.

Grace told me about the pains & sufferings of her elder brother who suffered from celebral cancer and is receiving chemo treatment before transplant of bone marrow or sth.

Nothing to say but note his misfortune.

I can only thank the Almighty for what He grants me. The present is a present.

Lunch at Shiki with Irene. She is a comfort & support to me thruout these years.

Min likes music and she has got good taste. Van is diligent.

Looking forward to visiting the Nan Lian Garden this weekend with Tsinghua pals. It is just next to Chi Lin Nunnery in Diamond Hill. We will have a vegetarian meal after tour in the evening. Then I will join Marga's BBQ at her home. I have bought her a book "How to master anxieties."

I promise myself to be strong, happy & loving. I will be dutiful to my parents, my daughters & my assignments.

stomach ache

Belly pain, scary. Worried of relapse. A nightmare I never want to repeat.

Felt better in late morning.

Lunch at Summer Palace with B & Lee. B bought for me a frying pan - Tefal red. Judy IDD around 6 pm, too busy to talk to her for long.

Bought a pair of rouge Rockport walking shoes. Gave away the black ecco which scratched my heels. Dinner at home with Van.

A bought Porpor Chinese mushroom & conpoy.

Min went out today.

Sunday schedule

Breakfast - a cup of coffee + a Jap sweet potato - expensive cos it was organic food.

One hour walk in Sai Tso Wan Playground. Many children were playing baseball with parents watching. Some jogged. I like jogging loners. They are usually determined people who can enjoy quietude. Exercise & thoughts together.

Lunch was from restaurant downstairs. Home delivery. Bitter gourd & garoupa slices + rice + soup. Van took choy sum with ginger. Min only took oatmeal. Poor little baby who cannot eat. Very painful teeth & gum. She has to wait for a few days for adjustment. She is grateful to have Dr Tong helping her.

I want one more Agnes b bag. A beige one. Shopaholic?

Kevin asked his Mom to consult psychi. I support. I said I would like to go, too. I hope it can work to assist her by keeping her company.

Watched a VCD of a local movie. Silly & idle. But that is not bad for my Sunday schedule. No need to be serious & striving for excellence all the time. We have to be sloppy & lazy sometimes. Say, in a Sunday afternoon! Dozy, leisurely, doing nothing. Talking nonsense & reading gossipy magazines and wearing no make-up.

Dinner at Porpor's home. Everybody was happy. Min remained at home.

an expensive lunch

The "counter" consisted of a variety of delicious food. The main course was good - I took sirloin beef, Meg took lamb rack. But I really like the dessert most - pear cake with ice cream. I brought the choco sticks and almond sticks back to the office. I saw PC Lam & his "girl friend" - I suppose.

There were 3 tables in 18 Brooks. One table of retirees. Time flies. They leave one after the other. David brought along his wife, as usual. I told him about KK Leung.

Min went to Philip to fix her teeth & cleaning last evening. This morning, she went to Dr Tong to finish the wiring on the lower jaw. We went to Peking Restaurant for lunch. She shopped in leSportsac. She is very fond of the gift bags. She would have chosen the pattern if she had been there.

Van went out with A to meet his friends.

Mom likes the vaccum cup and the lotion/cream.

birthday dinner party

YM, Patrick & I treated Agnes with a dinner at Xiao Nan Guo at Man Yee Building, Central. She will take 10 days' leave for exam. I will become alone in the office. Getting used to her company.

Hou returned from Japan with a box of glutinous dumplings with choco filling for Min.

Will go to lunch at Brasserie on the 8th in Conrad Hotel and 18 Brooks for dinner to farewell Steven.

KK Leung is still in hospital. Quite uncomfortable to hear about his light stroke.

Checked the meaning of "prosciutto" from internet. I bought a pack of 15 months from Great.

Marga quitted the acting appointment. I support her. After all, health is most important. Too much pressure bends us.

Application for Kevin succeeded.

Busy all over

Spent the whole morning in YMT dental clinic with Min yesterday. Went back for a meeting in the afternoon. Dinner with Agnes at Zen. Bought her a bottle of Crabtree & Evelyn lavender hand therapy as birthday present.

Bought a skirt made in India from French Connection for Van. White backing with charcoal flowers at the lower part.

Lunch at Lippo today. Meetings since 9 am. Another one at 3 pm. Denise is very friendly.

Bought food from Great - Prosciutto di Parma ham, cheese with herbs and salmon roes.

Van dines out & Min is sleeping.

8 m raised for charity

33,000 people walked & raised $8 m for Community Chest. Very good crowd control planned & done. The weather was misty or the air pollution was too bad.

Today, we had farewell lunch for Steven at Shanghai Garden. I have a new army green Agnes b shoulder bag made of light & water-proof materials with 2 outer pockets. Michelle has a set from leSportSac. Dark blue with animals pattern.

I will bring her to YMT dental clinic tomorrow morning and go back for a meeting in the afternoon.

HK Shenzhen Western Corridor

Last evening, Min & I saw the film "Spider Lilies" - a Taiwan movie with a theme on Lesbians. Taiwanese Mandarin is very different from that of Peking. It is a flower, with fatal arrangement that leaves never meet flowers. They do not grow at the same time, like lovers being separated by death.

Today, we had tea in a Mei Foo restaurant, then took western rail to Siu Hong station, then free bus to fetch us to the Corridor & walked for 2 hours.

It is a blessing that we can walk, we have spare money for donation and we have companions of simillar interest.

min to orthodontic

Lunch at Zen with Tam & Agnes. Always good food & good company to keep me alive.

Min has the lower braces fixed. Paid the initial and the rest by instalments of 15 months. Just hope everything goes smoothly. Will go to YMT on Tuesday. Bought a cap for golf player with UV. Good for outdoor exercises to screen off sunrays - protects both eyes & skin.

Dinner at Dan Ryan again, with Min this time. Linguine with clams & white sauce.

Then movie at AMC Pacific Place. $70.00 per ticket. 10% off for HSBC credit card. "Because I said so" by Diane Keaton etc. What a charming woman even at old age. Life experience, strength of character, confidence, desire for love and sense of humour make a woman attractive at all ages.

Will go to Mei Foo for morning tea on Sunday.

More & more tasks assigned. Means I am important & capable or that we are treated like donkeys? No choice. Can't afford a quality education for Min without work. Only if she can make it well, everything is worth the while. After all, work keeps me young, energetic and socialized. As I have a great chance to live up to 80+, I need to work instead to staying idle at home for another ...........years.

BTW, I pity Lau Tak-wah for his having been disturbed by a crazy woman fan.

lippo again

Lunch with Sharon, Lilian, Helen, YM & Agnes. We pre-celebrated Agnes' birthday on 14th. It is good to have festivals & cheerful occasions. Life will be meaningless if we do not have friends & mutual support.

Meeting for 3 hrs in the afternoon.

Dinner with Van at Dan Ryan - potato skins, Caesar sald & cioppino. So delicious.

We went to Ah Kam & Ah Tuen.

Min was sleeping when I returned.

Will meet Kevin on Sunday. Will join the Community Chest Charity Walk at Western Corridor on Sunday.

boss is back

Usual lunch at Jaffe Road. Edmund came, not SK. He seems interested to work.

Dinner at home with Min.

Guava is good.

After Easter

Lunch with J & P at the Banquet - PP3.

Quiet as many are still on holiday.

Porpor & Jeffrey went to see Mr Bean at apm Palace.

Dinner with Min & Van dined out. I am happy to see the 2 girls grow up. Yet I have to bear with children not always beside me.

Agnes will have her birthday on 14th. We will celebrate in the evening of 19th. Still thinking what to be bought as gift.

Marga told me that Porpor was admitted into casualty last night as she had tummy pain and was diagnosed to be inflamed intestines.

Hurray! I' ve made it.

I have seen "Meet the Robinsons" with Jeff at apm Palace. Walt Disney 3D movie. US optimistic, amazing, imaginative story for an orphan boy to become a great inventor. From alone & deserted to be having a big big loving family.

Always hope. Go ahead. Don't cry for whatever is unfortunate. The future is always a happy tomorrow. Never give up.

Then, we had lunch at Lei Garden with Porpor. So I went to different places during the 5 day vacation. Gungung & Mike liked the fried noodles. It is not too difficult to please those around us if we try, with a heart.

Min is having tuition on Econ. Wish her all the success in the Exam.

May & Jason have returned from Shanghai.

I had tea in Jusco,. Taikoo, with Ella. I bought some radish, cabbage & cheese from Japan. I bought some cream cakes for Min.

Easter Sunday

I went to St Teresa's Church to attend mass by myself. Then, I joined the Paus for Jap lunch in Nikko Hotel. Bought a box of udon for Min. Van has gone to A's home.

We will go to Porpor's place for dinner.

Glad to email with Yiu. He knows quite a lot about me. We first met each other 0n 1.2.1978. Now, some have retired. Only YY & I remain. So far away, yet can just talk quite freely. He is as warm and as friendly as ever. If he had not left, he should be either P or C.

Van & A cooked at home. They took lamb racks & canned soup.

Gungung is worried about Mike. I will bring Jeff to see "Meet the Robinsons" tomorrow at 10:10 am.

The Waterfront

We played badminton for 2 hrs in the Clubhouse. 5 of us. Then HK Old Rest in Miramar Shopping Mall. Then I went to Liola & bought a navy blue jacket with orange threads.

If I go to a new place everyday, that quite amounts to a short trip.

Nina Kung had such a huge estate. Can't imagine what it actually worths.

Mickey came today for tuition.

Flora & Ah Yee are just like friends.

Only Min & Nita & me for dinner.

a quiet Easter

I have a very quiet Easter holiday. HK is quiet, too. Many have left for trips.

Van has gone out to BBQ. Min is still sleeping. I went to Fong. She is not talkative. The shopping mall downstairs is not active until at least 1 pm.

I should do more reading. Tomorrow, I will go to the residence club of A's sister in TST to play badminton. A is very warm and friendly to our family. Sago tea with J in Taiwanese cafe downstairs. So comfortable.

Michael brought us to TszWanShan to have chiu chow food in a restaurant. Yummy yummy & inexpensive. Round table, stools & not high-class. But good price & good food. Porpor, Gungung, Michael, Jeff, Marga, Min & me. Invaluable gathering. Just nice to be together. The harmony in our family is unquestionable.

Nita took one day off. Dolly's husband & son are here for 2 weeks.

nina the wealthy

In the top list of wealth, yet I never find her enviable. Husband kidnapped twice & died a horrible death. No children. Her security was always under threats. Never seen her elegantly dressed, only looked good when she was young & wearing Chinese cheung-sham in Shanghai. For the rest of time, just queer, like an aged woman with mental problems. Who says she wasn't? The last 10 years was engaged in lawsuits with father-in-law. Almost charged with fraud or forging documents. Surrounded by advantage seekers of all sorts. Appearance not attractive. Seldom seen to do charity.

Marga still lingers on the state of no confidence and anxieties.

I start to read "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" - a book Helen sent to me when I was sick. See if I can help Marga a bit.

Will not see King until 16th. What a long, long time!

Edmund, SK & KW Tam came back to tea yesterday. In a few years' time, I would be doing the same, if God permits me to live long. Still no news from William. Will have lunch with SK & Mike Chiu after Easter.

Will go to see "Mr Bean" at Palace apm this afternoon.

Dinner at Kowloon City with Marga + Kevin, had Jap food and Hop Shing dessert at Lung Kong Road.

queer happenings

No news is good news. A woman walked in the Lion Rock with 2 friends. She slipped & fell from height & died. A container vehicle crashed a taxi, both taxi driver & passenger not killed. A man riding bicycle was killed by a van next to it. A robber had a fight with people he robbed. He brought along a gun and a knife. Eventually the knife cut his leg and caused his death by too much bleeding.

Lunch - noodles bar. Always comfortable to be with my good companion.

Min's orthodontic plan is upset cos she is going to UK. Have to seek alternative.

Fong is annoyed with my being late for 1/2 hour. I did not mean it. Just caught by a sequence of events. I guess she will not continue with the shop. Otherwise, she should behave better towards a customer.

Ah Yee also saw The Pursuit of Happyness. She liked it.

Bette King is always composed & gentle. I am not surprised if she has suitors.

Penthouse at Hotel Miramar

I brought roast fish for Min. She could take it. The boiled potato was not eaten.

The wedding banquet was so so except that we spent one hour listening to Pak Chai & his wife boasting. His elder son earns more than $100,000.00 per month, flying to all famous cities. His daughter-in-law got 6A in School Cert. - St. Mary's. His younger son is the boss of a trading company. He is often with "big" clients and his entertainment fees each month amount more than a couple of ten thousand dollars. His friends are the racing memebrs who own horses & they appear in the Jockey Club for what what cups/events.

Wise they are as the rest of my family refused to go. Only poor me & Michael spared our precious time to accompany our parents. Jeffrey did not know what they were talking about.

EQ - what modern people highly regard and I have sub-standard EQ. That is why I suffer. Some just keep quiet & detached on whatever happens - clever & self-protective. Some bite back until blood comes out - aggressive & feeling swell. I am neither. I get caught.

Anyway, just be myself. No need to copy anyone. No use to behave like any others. Be myself and now I am really sleepy.

Tomorrow, I will bring Min to YMT for orthodontic treatment to have her lower row of teeth to wear braces.

Wenxi is nice to me & he is my little darling. I treasure what I am & what I have, say, Wenxi's sweet emails. I love myself & all those who love me as I am and as they are. Good enough to be me & them. God has made us in differnt colours, shapes & characters. Why bother to compare or imitate?

April Fools' Day

Today is April Fools' Day. So we will make fun of each other.

Last evening, we had a happy gathering in Marga's home. The walk was real refreshing. Kevin told me about the Outward Bound Camp. Very challenging. He is terrific at finishing that. A test and strengthening exercise.

Marga seemed to be in much better mood. Dinner at her place and Pau was off duty. Beef steaks, gooseliver paste, lobster bisque, French fries, button mushrooms, fried cabbage, red & white wines followed by sesame ice-cream and sweet potatoes dessert. Andrew was shown some photos of Van, Kevin & Min when they were small.

Kevin played guitar & sang. Michelle sang also. His bedroom is made bigger by merging 2 small ones. Very comfortable and cabinets for shoes in the corridor.

May has brought Jason to Shanghai for holiday. How cute - children nowadays are so well provided. Porpor said Jason tel & asked Michael to fetch him home by a car.

Pa was not feeling well yesterday. He is better today after medication and using the respiratory appliance.

Bethany is a caring institute. The Registrar replied my email very promtly giving an email address of the Matron in their place. They will recommend local orthodontics and the Matron will accompany Min when she receives treatment. I am relieved. Can't make her fly back every month.

Ella came over to KaiTin & we had tea in KFC inside Jusco Supermarket. Old friends are indispensable. I depend on people, people around me. I am not at all strong. I am but an emotional woman who laughs or cries easily.

exercise is doing good

Lunch at the Peak - Tien Yi Ch. Rest. with Van, Andrew, Kevin & Marga. From 12:30 pm to 2 pm

Walk to cover the Pinewood Battery, then to Pokfulam Reservoir. From 2-4:30 pm.

Home to have a hot bath. Dinner at Marga's home. Hope she will be away from the bad moods cos of too tight work schedules. Min will go with us.

Tomorrow dinner at Hotel Miramar.

Bethany will arrange for matron to accompany Min for orthodontics and recommend a local one.

Go to the Peak tomorrow

Lunch - Jap food with Jackie & Pauline at Wanchai.

Min has pain cos of the braces. Will arrange for orthodontics in UK to look after her.

Will have a walk tomorrow after lunch at the Peak.

Hope that Marga can overcome. I have talked to Kevin.

Congee for dinner. Home is the best place in the world.

Lucy emailed me. She is more sensible in writing. She has awareness of her own situation. I will keep on writing to her and would be pleased if I can assist her in some way.

braces

I went to Taliana to have haircut, shampoo & pedicure in the morning. David has been doing the job for over 30 years.

I brought Min to the dentist for braces - upper is finished. The dentist is not pleased that I have not told her earlier about my plan to send her to UK in September. Monday afternoon to complete the lower.

It is a tremendous task to bring up a child to be well educated & healthy.

I have to work until 60 with not much choice. Must maintain very good physical condition.

Kevin has reported duty & started training in Mongkok Branch, Ch. Bank.

dinner to celebrate Suen's b/day on 31/3

Meeting at 9:30 am until 12:40 pm, then another "tiny" meeting until 12:55pm, then another one from 2:45 pm to 4 pm, then another until 6:45 pm.

In between replies to tel calls & emails - urgent ones.

Regular lunch at Wanchai. SK & Edmund come back. KW Tam too.

Dinner with Chu & Kam & Suen. Suen will be 60 on 31/3. Memory has muscle pain, could not join.

Ming Kee - first time to patronize. Not cheap: $460 for 4.

Imperial Kitchen

Kingsui with daughter Mary, Helen, Christina & Ber. We had half price dinner to be paid by HSBC credit card.

All from Bishop Hall Jubilee Sec. School. Mary will go to U of York in Sept.

They are very loving & supportive people.

Ceremonies for long service & retirees.

How come Ma got such a light penalty? She will come again.

Dora said I have become slimmer. Flora becomes more settled. Roger gave me a grapefruit. I am lucky to have unfailing encouragement for so many years and years to come. I hope Marga is getting better.

Monday - quite calm

Lunch - Jap food. Home dinner. Van is out & Min is sleeping.

The mad & fierce woman only got a fine of $500.00. Paid within 2 months' time. What a nonsense!

Min received her supple card. Hope she will learn to manage her finance well.

The weather is warm. I do not know whether Ag will be re-posted.

The Pursuit of Happyness

Will Smith & his son Jaden Christopher Smith. A Cantonese- like film except that it has a happy ending and the spirit to fight & to pursue is great. Never give up. The boy reminds me of little Michael Jackson, so cute & innocent. Now MJ is looking queer. US people always have dreams & insist that they will come true. Lovely guys. Better than the bitter Chinese tragedies.

We had Thai food in King & I at APM - curry crabs, Vietnamese beef noodles, satay chicken & avocado rolls.

Will meet Kevin at KT this evening.

Ber will join us for dinner on Tuesday at Imperial Kitchen, Lee Gardens. Nice to have companions reunion. We were once girls of teens wearing school uniforms.

CE election is finished. Donald Tsang has won as expected. First of its kind. Marvellous game!

retirers' life

Talked to KK Leung about retirers' life. It seems people will group with their friends of similar interests. So it is a natural development. Gatherings from time to time. Chat & tea. He has a brother-in-law who died 1 week after heart attack. Early seventies. Another sister-in-law suffers from colon cancer.

N told me about his accounts clerk resigned after her operation on cancer in the brain. His aunt is 90+, living alone, no maid. But she can survive well. His mother also 90+. Quite deaf & dumb. No mobility.

Marga should do more exercises.

Today is the Election. Emily Lau demonstrated & said it is a shame on Donald Tsang. A small circle election.

Time flies, it is one week since we celebrated the birthday of Porpor & Van.

Kevin will return home today after his outward bound camping. Seems exciting & challenging.

health

Health is always my primary concern. Quite a no. of problems, though not serious at the moment.

Old age & sickness are just time threats.

Morning in Quarry Bay and lunch with Betty at Yat Tung Heen.

Will go to Philip this evening.

Undergrads are very outstanding. Their competition is so keen.

Philip told me to hand all the issues about teeth to the dentists, those about health to the doctors, to let the boarding school in UK take care of Min's education. He said as long as I have done my best, leave it to my seniors and colleagues to comment. Worries & anxieties will just be harmful. Philip is a fervent Christian. He is forever mild, positve, skilled and supportive. He is always listening without provoking, comforting without avoiding me. He is lovely. He knows I have problems, tension and pains. He shares & understands. He affirms & stays calm.

A is very good

A is really very courteous & considerate. We had dim sum at Tang Court, Langham Hotel, TST.

Then, I had a walk with Min at Harbour City. I bought her a set of clipper/scissors etc from Victorinox for her use in the boarding school.

We 4 played badminton in the Club. Long time no play. Last time was with Cheung & Tiffany etc.

This evening, we will dine at Yaumatei to celebrate the birthday of Porpor & Van.

Tomorrow is another day. Min will sit for Art in HKCEE.

Saturday - chill

No work. Went to Parknshop to buy sesame garoupa, dried kindeys, sun & moon & dried fins. Will have a quick soup of tomatoes, potatoes & minced beef.

We will walk on 15th April, arranged by Chu.

Family will celebrate the birthday of Porpor & Van tomorrow evening in Yau Ma Tei - a restaurant Gungung often patronizes.

Van is mature that she has counselled Kevin on the matter of career path. Just hope that he can take it.

Stella pursuaded me to do sth to renew my facial skin. I resist.

Relax for the weekend

The whole morning spent in waiting yesterday. Returned in the afternoon. Could not attend course in Quarry Bay. What a pity!

Wore the 4-leaf clover today - it is from Min for my birthday. She is a lovely darling.

Lunch at Victoria City with Tsinghua guys. Very happy gathering. Each just $100.00. It is Elaine, Vanessa, Alice, Deneb, Melody, Louisa, HK & Nat & me.

So far, my part is finished. Relax for the weekend. Will meet A on Sunday.

Can accompany Min to HKCEE for Art on Monday in the morning. Relieved. At one point of time, I thought I could not make it.

Many tuitions recently for Min on Maths & Econ.

Thank God for everything! kevin will sign contract on 26th & Wenbang has successfully finished his 9-weeks training. Porpor is the happiest woman in the world.

xiao nan guo

Lunch at Cheung Kee quite expensive. Food was good but the conditions crowded & noisy.

Last evening, we had an enjoyable dinner at Man Yee Building, Central. We all liked the deep fried little yellow croakers. $18.00 each, everybody had taken 2. Stewed pork belly, tomato/anguilar louvre/flour noodles and the pumpkin cakes - all famous dishes of the restaurant. Fried pork buns were special priced - 5 for $10.00. Wonton just so so.

The pale blue tee for YM is a nice choice. Practical and comfortable. Good for leisure wear.

Waited for more than one hour yesterday afternoon. Have to go again this morning. A bit tense.

Min's notebook still under repair. Van wears the cashmere short-sleeved top today - grey, pink and light-blue. Hope she likes it.

I pray hard to have strength & calmness to go thru the case. Not easy.

thk god it's friday

Hi, the periodic Englishman, if you are reading again, I just say hello!

I have visited your blog yesterday. It is very inspiring. Life seems to be very interesting. I am happy you talked to me and in such a friendly & sensible manner.

Lunch with B & W at summer Palace. Usual dishes. W travelled a lot in China.

Englishman is right. I shoud look for the right emotion solace. Not everyone is a good listenser. Some are just wicked & some stupid.

Today is Tam's birthday. We will celebrate with him next Wednesday evening. After all, the world is made up of all sorts of people. Just remain with the nice ones, tolerate the bad ones & avoid the evil ones.

I am always too soft to hurt others. But I can see that we can hardly anticipate all will be kind to us. What about scientists & politicans? What are the structure of their minds and emotions? Which type of personalities should be happier?

Ed has taken Min's notebook home. I should note the warning about spyware earlier.

SuperStar

Busy. More relaxed mood. I bought a comb and a hand-cream for lucky draw.

Alice & Stephen are so alike in their ways of talking.

Dinner with 2 girls. Went to buy quite a lot of things from Great for them. Must learn to enjoy life.

Tam is kind. He is always predictable and very accomodating. He told me not to be affected by L who tends to exaggerate.

I was told that KarMing's family of 3 has been hospitalized for some kind of infection.

Min's notebook is attacked by Trojan.

leung hing ch ch rest

Lunch at Wanchai. Regular group. Edmund came. SK sick.

Dinner with B. Went to Sogo after that. Bought nothing. Problem of storage. Wonder if I should buy less.

Very tired. Today is so cold & wet. Both girls did not wear coats. Can't understand them at all.

Min went to Tamar Site Funfair or Playground?

Changed her dental appointment to be in the afternoon of 29th.

allow me to scream

Or dance for the night. Being strangled by workload & helplessness. Jiu Ming!

Lunch with Ju at a new place. Surroundings comfortable but quite expensive.

Weather is turning a bit cold in the evening.

Marga likes my new handbag. She is heavily loaded as well. What are we doing? Spoke to KK on Sunday. He is 61 now, retired for 6 years. Quite a boring life. But as long as he accepts it, it is alright.

Read from news about the spacewoman who intended to kill or harm her rival. How crazy she has become. Blinded with hatred & anger. So, we must drink some warm water to calm down. Reading a cartoon or watching some comedy will help.

Gyms & sports are useful. Perhaps I will go downstairs to jog for 15 min after dinner.

Pa has come home, safe & sound. What a survivor. I love him & adore him except for his bad temper. Would God spare my inheritance of that. Grant me more strength & sense of humour. Laugh off every unpleasant feeling.

In "the Queen", QEII asked Tony Blair the difference between humility & humiliation. Good question.

The Queen - superb

I have spent the whole day with Min. Home delivery from restaurant. Studying in the Club, discussions, exchange of opposing views & expressions of feelings. Then, Jap food at APM and then movie - The Queen - superb.

The story is about QEII, Princess Diana (after death) & Tony Blair, Cherie Blair.

Helen Mirren acts well. That is why she won the Oscar Best Actress.

Dinner at KT. Marga bought 2 LCD TVs. Pa is still in hospital. May be discharged tomorrow.

I bought 2 colourful cushions from Kai Tin.

Saturday - leisurely

5 day-week is really good. I went down to arrange for some settlements of bills thru bank ATM, then one hour walk in Sai Tso Wan Playground. I just learnt that that is a dumped area, containing methane - marsh gas. Quite alarming as it is odourless & colourless. Released in the process of decomposition of some waste with bacteria etc. Oh, my Goodness. It is not toxic when inhaled but it takes away oxygen. So in a constrained condition, it may cause suffocation. Yet, in the open air, it should not be harmful since it will be diffused & released. I hope so. Otherwise, my intended programme of healthy exercises will turn into a sickening one.

King got things smooth this morning.

Van sleeps again after 10 am. Min is having tuition on Maths. How time flies. She is taller than I.

Gerber feeding bottles are found to be containing components causing cancer. Both girls had it when they were small. No news is good news.

SOS

Pressure is killing me. Work work Work.

Buying cannot cure. Eating cannot cure. Talking cannot cure. It is even worse when you talk to the wrong guy, like J, who is forever argumentative & must have the last words & keeps on shouting.

It is even worse when you find that you are not loved & pampered as expected.

SOS!

March

Full schedule of work on some documents. Very tense and demanding. Some colleagues become burnt child & remain very worrisome. Luckily, some are of higher calibre.

May be called tomorrow afternoon. Bring home a thick file to study. Don't know whether I can perform well.

Lunch with Van. She gave me quite a "huge" sum of money. I was so moved. After all, she grows up.

Sim is paying much respect to me. I feel flattered. I will meet him on 18th. Van & I brought home olives, French ham, cheese & cured ham & crab-roe salad from Great.

The ring from Saneco is not yet ready for collection. May be the craftsmen take long vacation at LNY.

My team-mates today are experts of all kinds. I am delighted to work with them. I learn from them. I am thankful that I can energize like this.

I could not go to Wanchai today for lunch with colleagues there. I hope I can eat leisurely tomorrow in Queensway.