Science and History Museums

A replica of a "bun tower" made of buns, that people climb for the bun festival

On Sunday, Angela and I spent the day at the Science and History Museums (they are next door to each other).  Both were really cool!  I learned a lot about Hong Kong history and the Science Museum has a great exhibit on the human body, so we are taking the boys for a field trip on Friday!  So I will probably have a lot more pictures after Friday. 

Looking for monkeys.....

 When Hannah was here she saw monkeys at 10,000 Buddhas, so I went back last Friday hoping since it was a week day that I might see some, but I had no luck.  It's still a beautiful place to visit.  I'm hoping to find some monkeys one of these days!

Victoria Road

I had read online that Victoria Road (right by my house) was a good jogging route so I put it on my list of things to check out as a place to walk.  I went this past weekend and sure enough, it was quiet and had some views and I hardly saw any people (no buildings even).  It's nice to know that I can be away from the city and crowds with a 15 minute walk. 

10 reasons I love my Kindle

I've been thinking about Kindles a lot lately because the boys all just worked to "earn" them.  They had to have 20 "good" days at school before earning one.  They are all really excited about owning their own Kindle.  Also, being Christmas time, I wish had enough money to buy everyone a Kindle, but I don't.  But if you're looking for a good present idea- keep this in mind.

 1) It fits in my purse or backpack and it goes every where with me- I read on the bus, at the bus stop and on the subway

2) I am always reading 2 books at once, yet only need to carry 1 device.  I have to constantly keep up with the books that the 12 year old boy is reading and I also read my own books for pleasure

3) The battery lasts forever- or weeks!

4) I use the dictionary feature ALL the time to look up a word in the book I'm reading, you just scroll to the word and get a definition.  

5) No need to worry about what you're going to do if you finish a book (such as wanting to take a book to the beach, but it's almost done, and not wanting to bring 2 books)

6) It works as a "to read" list- I upload all the books I want to read (or free samples of them)  and then I never have to worry about what to read next.  It also acts as a "books I've read" list

7) Free Samples!  Amazon will let you download free samples (about the first chapter) of any book so you can decide if you want it, and keep in on your "to do" list without buying it! (Apparently you can also share books with other kindle users and get e-books from the library too,  but I'm not sure how)

8) The kindle was perfect for me for taking to Hong Kong- I didn't have to pack a bunch of heavy books

9) It is light and easy comfortable to use- especially in bed, no more heavy books that make it hard to get comfortable

10) I love the ink-screen.  It doesn't hurt your eyes at all and feels just like reading a book

Museum of Tea Ware

Hong Kong Park has this free museum of tea ware with some impressive tea sets.  I've been meaning to post these for a while :)

Morning Shadows

I really love the way the city looks in the morning when the sun is out.  Since the skyscrapers are so tall the sun only peaks in to certain parts of the streets, lighting them up and making beautiful shadows.  The city is so much quieter in the morning.  Mostly elderly people out.  Hong Kong is not an early morning city.  Things aren't usually open until at least 11am, minus the grocery stores, coffee shops and convenience stores.  

Had an exhausting (and good) day.  More about it later.  Back to work tomorrow- and it's supposed to be sunny and warm all week :)

Missing Thanksgiving

Like the "did you turn me off?" sign on the oven, specifically for Jack :)?

I rounded up some old Thanksgiving photos as I'm missing my family's celebration today.  Luckily I got to call them and say "hi" to everyone.  Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays and this is the first one I've ever missed.  But, I'll be home in 3 weeks for Christmas which feels SO close! 

I guess I missed the annual "What are you thankful for?" round robin at the table, so I've been thinking about this all day.  Being away from home makes me thankful for just about everything: friends, family, Adam, my car, my house, clean air and wide open green spaces, having an oven, being able to eavesdrop....  

However, I have a lot to be thankful for right now.  This trip has fulfilled (and will continue to full fill) all my hopes when I took the job: being able to travel, save money, experience a different culture, grow as a teacher, make new professional connections and get in touch with my independence!  I am thankful for this opportunity and don't regret it for a second.   Even though it can be lonely, the job is a little weird and time seems to be going way too slowly, I know I will look back at this year fondly. 

Kowloon Walled City Park

From what I understand, the "walled city" used to be this walled off area in Hong Kong that didn't belong to the British or the Chinese, so it was basically a lawless city.  In recent years, it has been torn  down and is now a park.  I was quite impressed with how pretty this park is and being that it is a week day (that I have off because of Thanksgiving) the park wasn't busy at all.

My Thanksgiving Dinner

I took this photo after I ate the other piece of salmon

I had quite the feast last night at "Oie Sushi" on my block.  This place is good, fast and CHEAP.   There is a graduated happy hour menu, so after 7:00pm everything is 30% off, and after 9:00pm 40% off!  I ordered: salmon sushi-mi (can't get enough of raw salmon right now), a huge piece of eel, seaweed salad, deep-fried tempura shrimp roll and baked mussel with cheese.  Couldn't finish everything and it was DELICIOUS!  Guess how much it cost?  $16 US.... or $125 HK.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving

Everyday we have TONS of choices at lunch.  It's amazing....

Delicious "spinach parantha" (spelling?) which is home made Indian flat bread.  So good!

Ahh!  Agedashi Tofu!  This stuff is amazingly good, it is deep fried tofu in a soupy-sauce.  LOVE IT.  The boys go crazy for this stuff, they fight over how many pieces they get and make a big deal out of it.  The first time it was served, I wondered why the boys made such a big deal out of it, it was ok...  But then you eat it a few times and it becomes CRACK.  Suddenly I'm aware of how many pieces everyone took because I want MORE.  It's so good!  Agedashi tofu days are good days- we only get it about once a week.  Today was a good day!

Check out the warm weather we are still having!  I could have gone swimming today!

 As you can see from the grocery store, some people celebrate Thanksgiving here. 

I have a never-ending appreciation for the "Helpers" employed at the Varmas.  They make us delicious food every day for lunch.   Everything is made from scratch and it's all healthy and amazing!  There is always a lot of variety and at the end of each meal they bring out cut up fresh fruit and ask if we want coffee.  They are really wonderful women and lunch time is definitely a favorite time of the day.   Also, I've been getting really good at my chopsticks!  AND I've been eating yogurt!  (But only to help cut some of the spice) My spice tolerance has gone way up too!