Body surf

Last year when Grace and Mum came, we all went to Shek-O to show the kids some beautiful beaches in Hong Kong island. This is the result of body surf demonstration - Jon's head went straight into the sand under the wave, blood streaming down and he asked me if he is ok. I said you are just fine but when he walked into the changing room everyone was staring at him with the shocked face.

Sharp Peak

We went for a 2 day camp hike in Sai-Kung. Sharp peak has been one of the mountains we always wanted to hike but never did it with heavy backpacks (it is only accessible via 2 hour walk). We left our bags at the bushes then started the walk. Very treacherous and steep at some parts, the ground was lose, stones falling apart. Real hiking boots should help - we hike in running shoes all the time. We walked for about 16Km over the past 2 days with our light camping gear (no food no water, only a tent, sleeping bags, mattress, pillows, swimming gears and changing clothes, etc.). It felt like tons when hiking in hot and humid weather, especially uphill. We finally got home exhausted the next day and weighted our bags - it is only 10 and 7 kg!

Signing

We signed the paper last Friday during my lunch break. After the ceremony, I went back to work and Jon went swimming.

Worm farm

Our worm farm in the balcony.

Winnie the Pooh

Being a joker for everyone's entertainment I bought this hat for Jon's Rugby 7 outing, it is almost a rule that everyone has to dress up if you would like to get into south stand where young kids throwing beer at each other. Jon's got quiet a few pints and we decided to walk home from LKF. He was in the hat and said to people on the street "Where is the honey mate".

Picture taking

The funny thing about these pictures is that I bent my knees trying to be in the center. Hey I swear I didn't do that on purpose.

Helmet

Um, I was being made fun of wearing a helmet in this picture - my thick hair.

Skating in SGP

I was shipped in Singapore after Chinese New Year for about 5 weeks, in order to find something to do during the weekend, I again joined the local skating group. The lots are fun bunch, we started skating around 6pm and skate into the night while it is much cooler. stop for ice cream and soda, meeting other skating groups, etc.

Putting together

Few weeks after moving in - all furniture are second hand. We see no point of chopping down more trees for brand new wooden furniture while the second hand ones are just as good. One less item to the landfill is probably the best thing we can do to the environment living as a city dweller. __________________________________________________ We are still sleeping on the floor today, keep putting off the task to find a proper bed. The guest bedroom is pretty completed though.

Worm farm

Last year when we moved into our new flat, Jon had taken the responsibility of finding the kitchenware and furniture; I was responsible for the logistic and negotiating the prices. Jon would go round taking picture and sent them to me while I was at work. This is the kitchen rack stuff he found in IKEA. We are happily using it still. __________________________________________________________ We were crazy about house plants when we first moved in, and vowed to find a tree for our living room. We started with the small IKEA plant like that in the picture. Jon got it home and we watered it for 3 days before realizing it in fact plastic.

吾年未四十，而視茫茫，而髮蒼蒼，而齒牙動搖

Skating group in Singapore - the weather was just too hot and humid, we started around 6pm and skated into the night until 11. ________________________________________________ This is quoted from a famous ancient Chinese literature, translated into "I am not yet 40 years old, and have blurred vision, and have sandy white hair, and teeth shaking". This is pretty much how I feel today.

Elan and Dad

Last winter Dad walked back home alone one night and felt he cannot move his limps after getting home. He sat down and breathed slowly - finally regained mobility. He then called the emergency room and the doctor said it could be caused by extremely cold weather and it sounds like a minor stroke. Anyhow Dad is fine now walking around but he is very proud of himself handling this emergency very well. So he bragged about it to the neighbor, the stray dog mum (she feeds stray dog hence everyone calls her stray dog mum) said "Mr. Liao, you cannot die. If you die, no one is going to wheel Elan out for a walk".

Keep Calm and Carry On

There has been lots of changes in my life the past 2 years and they are not documented at all. What a shame. I moved away from Tokyo and settle in Hong Kong island with my partner Jon. I am using my Cantonese ID a lot more than my Canadian passport. I become a Yoga addict. I stop jogging but keep swimming weekly. I do not weight myself as obsessively as before. Just now I farewell my top right molar because the root was infected - thinking about the implant within 6 months.

Elan died on April 13 2014, 22 years old

Our dog died of old age this Sunday. Dad took it ok I think - he had a smoke after knowing the dog stopped breathing. This is the end of the endless chores of walking/wheeling Elan and cleaning the floor. But it is still sad. He had been part of the family (part of dad rather) for the past 22 years. I thank him for keeping dad company all these years.

The Village

Went dinner to Mum's adopted family in Hong Kong. Grand dad is 88 years old.