A knock at the door

I took these pictures over a week ago and now I have a tale to put with them. Hong Kong housing is somewhat different to UK living quarters, the buildings are so tall, usually pretty narrow and home so many HK citizens per block. It amazes me just how high they go... Our building is 6 stories high therefore, doesn't have a lift - this means we get to climb 88 steps to get to our own front door! (Buildings in Hong Kong only have lifts when over six stories high and that's the rule). Ah, rules, that brings me on to my story... Today I was sat at my computer minding my own business when there was knock at the door (this doesn't happen so often), I jumped up, opened my door to be greeted by three members of the police, to which they asked me "why is this door open"? pointing at the exterior metal sliding door, "well I didn't realize it had to be closed", "well it does, shut it", "why"?, "safety, burglaries, shut it now", "sorry", and I shut the door. My main door was closed, locked and I was home, now both are shut tight and I'm still inside making it hard for anyone to get in or get out! I guess I should appreciate the thoughts of the police, putting my safety first, patrolling the building for any mischievous goings on, however, I feel somewhat trapped now, locked in my own flat. I wonder if this is how others feel?

Hong Kong is a tough nut to crack

Thank goodness for Kinder Maxi...they didn't spoil this one

Weekend blockbusters

on Hong Kong TV this weekend...

Jaws 3 on Friday

Titanic on Sunday

!

Give Dolly a new home

and all my other things too...

yellow_polkadots

I feel

EMOTIONAL

and I just finished watching

500 days of summer

I loved it.

On the menu today

Snake or turtle?

Yesterday I...

went jogging and got lost for over an hour

Something not quite right

All the following have a peculiar taste:

Tomato Ketchup (slightly tangy with hint of chilli, even Heinz)

Milk (calcium overload and way too many choices)

Bread (too sweet and life, from bread?)

Chocolate (lacking something, doesn't give you that mmmm feeling)

There are probably others too, but these are at the top of my list so far.

On a positive note, I love love the little milk bottles.

Once used, wash them out and take them to 7eleven, where they give you some money back.

*Brilliant*

$140 hair cut

Works out at about £12 and I am pretty happy with the outcome.

A new experience for us over here and I realised that perms are still popular...

Dinner afterwards at the famous establishment Chungking Mansion.

An interesting building, estimated 4,000 people living in it. On par with Rusholme's curry mile, Chungking hosts a welcoming eery feel. Guest houses, African bistros, curry houses and shops all take residence in the 17 story building. During my research I discovered that two people have been known to have died in this place; one danish tourist who was trapped during a fire and one female resident whom was killed by her partner.

The entrance to our restaurant. Yep.

***Chungking Mansion served as one of the filming locations for

Wong Kar-Wai's movie Chungking Express***

Food

I realized I write about food quite a lot on here...I do love food. I think it's great, it's also very easy to take photos of. Since living here, I have noticed that dining out is something of the norm. More people eat out than stay in and cook at home, this is due to lack of space and cost of food. Also, dining with friends and family is very much a social event. However, this week we made a pact to cook every night. I love cooking too. We have no oven so have to be inventive with the dishes we can prepare. Stews, bolognaise, stir-frys, soups, chilly and curry are generally on the menu. Working at the soup-kitchen has definitely helped me out.

GS took me for late night supper; Simply Thai was simply delicious. We arrived just as they were closing so had to order quick sharp, including dessert. I wasn't too bothered about anything sweet, so we ordered something to share. THANK GOODNESS WE DID. This has been my favorite meal I think, since we arrived! I have never seen such large tiger king prawns...

Our dessert was a crazy combination of passionfruit, purple sticky rice and coconut, accompanied by a fresh Lycee, ginger & white wine refreshment. Thanks GS xx

Proper China girl now

Today we had to take a trip to the immigration tower to pick up my dependency visa and also my HK ID card! I am very happy about this. People in England are objecting to having such a thing, but over here it seems to make so much sense. My two thumbprints are now stored inside a chip along with other bits of basic information on me. My full name, photograph, D.O.B and personal ID number can be found on here too. I guess "the people" are now aware of exactly where I am when I use this to travel, but to me, this smart card will make my life so much easier in HK. Being taken seriously, listened to and recognized as a HK citizen has been a struggle since my move here, I am hoping this little card will do me proud and not make me eat my words...

Tutor time

This week I pick up my dependency visa. I am now fully dependent on my husband...where would I be without him?

Tutor time can also begin, planning out lessons for some little ones over here is actually pretty fun. Learning the rainbow song again, animated story telling, playing games and behaving like an animal is really not so bad. Fingers crossed my alphabet song will go down a storm and they'll enjoy the scales I have lined up for them. I'll try and get some snaps of us all in lesson too.

CC & GS make the two month mark

CC & GS have been in HK for two whole months. Still exploring new places, but settling nicely. Made some new friends, learnt some new words and tried some new food. It's not been easy. Tears have been cried. But hearing from friends and family at home makes them smile. Highlights of the trip so far include; Hot Pot, NYE, Mountain trail, minced pork & tofu, stew time, fusion food restaurant, Fringe Club roof garden, counting song in cantonese, cow skin rug, family arrivals, high waisted jeans & american apparel shorts, simply Thai, Kimmy visit, skype and my new shiny macbook.

On the agenda next...tutoring.

x

Generally hanging out with each other and BEING MARRIED tops it all though!

xx

A fine line

Taking photos

I am not a professional, knowing what can and can't be captured is proving difficult, the boundaries? Could do with some advice from people...I do not want to encroach anyones personal space, however, I do want to get some "real" shots.

Stew time

Here is Amanda with her home-made stew! Made by CC

x

CC attends CCC

I have two teachers; Amanda & Anthea. With this dream team I am determined to conquer my language demons and return to England a fully fledged Cantonese conversation creator.

Thanks for my book. x

Let the Cantonese Chinese Classes begin!

Hot Pot 火鍋

Last night friends took us to experience the traditional Hot Pot. This consists of a simmering metal pot of stock at the center of the dining table. While the hot pot is kept simmering, ingredients are placed into the pot and are cooked at the table. This was a great way to dine with friends in a fun, sharing way. It's kind of like a mini cook off. My favorite ingredients were; king prawn skewers, mini corn-cobs, tofu and fish skin. This is nothing like the Lancashire hot pot which us northerners may be used to!

Love toast?

I do and this is my favorite toast in Hong Kong...

I name this "The Coco"

Sweet bead shop

Super smart. Super sweet. Beading brilliant.

Sham Shui Po, Kowloon.

Mountain trail