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Good morning! A full week here. Bali visas for Spring Break. {which then equals extra workouts!} China shopping. School projects. Doctor appointment for new glasses. Any who... I thought I'd share some tidbits before I'm on my way.

• If you missed it last week, I described our Hong Kong day for Design Mom.  So if you are curious on how a day in Hong Kong is different (or the same) take a peek. 
• I've seen a lot of funky stuff in Asia, but this person became an honest grass roots celeb in China after losing his iPhone in New York and the phone ended up in China. 
• You know how us ladies avoid stating our ages exactly. {I'm fortiesh. couch. cough} A most special friend of mine wrote some really great words on women and aging. Maybe we should stop coughing. You first...
• During one of our house sales the real estate agent made me paint over my chalkboard wall and heavily suggested that we change all of our appliances to stainless steel. Grr. The guy had no clue. I begrudgingly painted over my awesome chalkboard, but I refused the appliance purchase. Seriously, I always thought the steel was a bowl full of hype. I was into all black back then, I guess I was onto something. I'm totally adoring this Smeg!
• Our household has watched the Parks and Rec finale several times. I've teared at every single viewing. If you need to be compulsive about your viewing can even review this cheat sheet of every character's name. {bonus- all of Andy's band names}
• And if you need a pick me up after the Parks and Rec finale {and you've already finished House of Cards- don't ask}. Starting this Friday is Tina Fey's new series on Netflix. 

Have a great week! It's finally March. I think the 'cold' is almost over in The Kong, which isn't that cold. I just realized I never even pulled my sweaters out from under neath my bed once this winter. I hope it stays chilly just a little bit longer. I love my scarves!

xox,
c

photo courtsey of Heidi Selch

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Yes, it's finally cooled off in The Kong. Just enough that you don't want to get out of bed in the morning. But really compared to most of the US it's just fall temperatures. But in Hong Kong most homes do not have heating. At least the chill in the air has moved me into gear for Christmas. I have not even mailed my Christmas gifts to the states yet. So unless I choose gifts online and have them shipped, I will be late. So before I get moving, here are some fun tidbits to start your Monday off.

• In Hong Kong eggs in the wet market are not refrigerated, but eggs in the grocery store are. Finally, I found an article that explains why both ways are correct. I knew that had to be a simple explanation. 
• If you wondered what Hong Kong wet markets are all about. Watch this video. Seriously, I have asked myself the same questions and yes, pork belly is delicious. Maybe even more delish than bacon. Betcha didn't think that was even possible. 
• This is our first Christmas with a known celiac child. So it's been a hit and miss on navigating social events. Here are several ideas to help you steer clear of getting glutened this holiday season. 
• Netflix's Marco Polo starts this week. I cannot wait to watch it. How about you? Completely, unrelated, Advanced Style is also finally on Netflix. Watching it may be my reward once my Christmas gifts are sent off. 
• I think I'll always be struggling to learn Cantonese and/or Mandarin. Trust me they are different. But I stumbled up a big help. Did you know you can draw the characters in Google translate? Me neither. But I'm going to give it a whirl next time I'm stuck trying to order my dim sum. 

Hope you get started off to a great week. I have a lot to get done, but I'm sure with lots of coffee anything is possible!

xox,
christine

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Why, oh why,  do I have to threaten, cajole, count down to the children, when I allow them to write on the windows?

Whew, last week is over. We had lots of friends in for an American Thanksgiving on Saturday. Complete with turkey and the lot. Now onto copious amounts of exercise and Christmas. I'm making my lists and checking them twice. Thought I'd share a few tidbits before I get cracking on those cyber Monday sales. 

• Who doesn't love Pinterest? But you can really use it for practically everything. Yes, recipes and wedding plans, but you can use it to really get yourself organized. You can make boards of articles you'd like to read. Pin books you would like to get to. You could even make a board for a book club and allow all members to pin. You can create private boards among friends. You could use this feature to share ideas within book clubs, parent groups, dinner parties, group vacations. Any one have any really creative ideas?
• It's a rainy day here so it's not a bad day to check out what's new on Netflix this month. I've heard only good things about Broadchurch so it's going on my que first. 
• I really want to start knitting again this winter. But I can't decide which way to go crochet, the loom or knitting. I've done all three previously. I'm blaming my inability to get motivated on the lack of yarn choices in Hong Kong. But I just need to pick one and go! Any suggestions?
• Sarah DeRemer's art might really upset vegetarians. As it morphs animals and food into one being. Imagine a hippo with his middle sliced looking like a sweet potato. Sounds way creepier than it looks.
• Quite an interesting read on why couples relocate for the man's job, but not the wife's. As I sit here in Hong Kong as the railing spouse' I can understand how it happens.

I'm off to put up two Christmas trees. One regular and one mini silver. I could not justify throwing away a real live tree again in Hong Kong as they just toss them into the landfill. So this year I purchased an inexpensive artificial tree we can reuse while we are here. The silver tree's for the children to decorate. 

Have a great monday!

xox, 

c