Like a River

Enjoying HK

I am really enjoying living here.

Went to the beach with Hello Kitty on Wednesday (public holiday).

We basked in the sun and then went to the cafe for some chicken wings and fries.

Its been some time

I've been busy at work mostly. And then there was the every other gym session and the regular runs. And the long runs on the weekend? 30+km Phew. I've lost my toe nails. Not to say I have not been on the net (nor to the HD)- for I have - checking facebook and twitter regularly - only not here. Which is a shame, because I am really liking this new site. It inspires me to draw. It even inspired me to put up drawings on the walls of my flat. This hasn't happened for 4-5 years! Funny how I feel like I am also getting to know myself much better and at the same time am developing friendships - proper ones - with people at work, while running, in  classes etc etc.  It all feels good - more real and solid vs, earlier this year. Bring on the second half of the year I say.

Friday's Illio theme - worn

Has it been a week already?

Time flies by these days. I completed a project at work mid of last week and spent catch-up time at the gym - Its been 2 weeks since I trained with the PT! I partied on Friday evening with two different groups from work, recovered by Saturday afternoon, spent time at the gym etc and went to Hello Kitty's to get dressed to attend the black tie opening event at this place (ticket courtesy of Hello Kitty). I arrived back home totally knackered at 8am - Sunday morning's 7am run went out of the window. I tried to make it up by going for a long run in the evening - it was simply too hot, even at 7pm.. Indeed, I gave up at 9km and went back home to bed feeling semi grrrr with myself. Never mind, this week I intend to focus on getting fit again. It's got to be done. I ran 6km during my lunch break and trained with the PT in the evening. Tomorrow, I WILL get up an hour earlier and go for another run. It seems as if I'm always sliding of the fitness regime when I'm working hard to complete a project. Must try harder. It's 4 weeks to the big race. 

* * *

NBF who has been showing up to work looking very stylish told me that she makes it a point to lay out her outfit every night for the next day. I am suitably impressed and plan to adopt this practice. I have been good - introducing other small changes in my life - e.g. making myself delicious salads at home - It has been years since I've prepared meals at home. I kid you not - years.  

Unfold

Friday Illustration: Unfold

The pleasures of being at home on Monday evening

I'm so happy to be back at home at a decent time. I did my 16km run yesterday [so I'm not feeling as if I need to be out there running] and don't have an appointment booked with the PT. Ipod on the speakers, thick drawing pen out, drawing software clicked open, cheese, sparkling wine .... really... I'm so easy to please ... ...  ...I deserve an award. 

From the archive

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Made it to Macau all right this morning - no drama, no fuss. It did take some time though: cab-ferry-bus. Amazed to see the size of this place. It's huge. The pups and family have been here since Wednesday - haven't seen much of them - so it was really good to spend time with them today. I have been at my desk most of my waking hours these last few days...  not complaining, its all very necessary and I'm feeling super productive and therefore good with myself albeit knackered. I am also very much enjoying the company of a number of people at work, not least (i) the NBF who I am lunching and having coffee breaks with; (ii) the new team member that I am getting hysterical with and (iii) whichever random people I end up having friday evening drinks with. I havent been able to run much and even had to work through last sunday -yesterday and cancelled all runs and my PT sessions; but aiming to put my project to bed early next week so that can I get back to my training schedule.    

Not much ZZZ

I've been doing a Maggie T - minus 1 hour. I don't know how I'm surviving without the zzz but so far so good..I think.

I was ready to hit the bed this early evening, but I decided to try and make it to Macau [to join the brother and family]. I made it all the way there, only to discover that I needed a passport; my ID wasn't sufficient. I was escorted and deported back. Deported?! From Macau? What a joke.

I realised when I got back to HK that my ring was missing its black pearl. I managed to persuade the rather grim people at the arrivals of the deportee lounge to bring me back to the ferry so that I could look for it (by this time it was 2am). The ferry attendants helped me to dismantle the seat, brought a torchlight..pero nada. Nada nada nada...

I got home - v. tired.... sleepy...cross with myself, with mikimoto, especially mikimoto ..grrrr.....what? how? workmanship unacceptably shoddy surely?


I emptied my handbag hoping, just hoping that I might have had my hand in there when the pearl dropped off....


And I found it !!!

I'm happy with the world again, and ready for bed. Tomorrow Macau attempt 2, but with a passport!

This new blog makes me want to post up drawings

I bought this jam from a shop in Hay-on-Wye. I don't know why the label has 3 rs.

Is this the Welsh way to spell blackcurrant ?

Somewhere else

One of the many lovely sights around Hereford

UK is lovely when mother nature keeps the rain and wind at home but allows the sun out to play. Which was  very much the case when we were in London, Hereford and Hay, Lucky, lucky, us.
 
Lots of ideas floating about in Hay - -the box office people teased us mercilessly about the number of tickets we bought. I found most of the sessions interesting and bought more books than planned [but still, a third of what I bought last year]. The program was varied - I listened to discussions on social order, the legal system, communism, the environment, growing old, cooking, Sudan, cosmic war, people chastising the contrite looking man who received and encouraged the 'lets smear them emails', the financial situation [greedy bankers..yawn], South Africa, Apartheid, English life, traveling, and much much more. Everyone had something interesting to say. And then there was a hysterical knitting session and a more serious how to write workshop which I attended with Rara. I have a notebook crammed with notes. These past days, I find myself thinking more about the speakers who were/are involved in fighting the injustice in this world. Such strong individuals. How tireless, how courageous, how admirable.