Happy Tuen Ng

The Countdown Begins

Yesterday was our last dragon boat practice session. Although it was only an hour long (and we had cancelled practice the week before), we did really well. We've really come together as a team. And I could feel all that training etched into my muscle memory. The paddling's become much smoother and synchronized. I got to practice drumming yesterday for the first and last time before race day sans drum. I improvised with an empty water bottle and the wooden seat in front of me. It wasn't as nervewracking as I thought it would be, being in the front, facing all my teammates. And keeping the beat's easy, I just have to drum to the beat of the 1st pair of paddlers. I'm all nervous and excited just thinking about Wednesday right now. Enough talk. Check out this video from last year's event here:

http://www.dragonboat.org.hk/en/home/homepage.html

We also had our team dinner last night. We were all in high spirits. Felt like we had already won;). Jen and Joe, who started up the team had set up a fun vote for titles like "the most fashionable paddler", "loudest paddler", "most elegant paddler", "funniest paddler", etc. And surprise, surprise, I got voted "most friendly paddler"! Never expected that, was hoping for the fashionable paddler award;). They even presented us with award certs, all laminated, so cute!

Had a hard time falling asleep last night, most likely due to overeating and all the excitement of the upcoming race. Hopefully tonight will be a better night for sleep.

To list or not to list

I'm tempted to make a pros and cons list. It'd be my first ever. Making a list sounds so cheesy in order to arrive at a decision. But as some of you know, I'm VERY indecisive. I even feel pressured having to order from an extensive menu! And if there was a label for people like me, it'd be "mind-changer". All this wrecks havoc on my multiple choice exams.

The dilemma is this: Choose between 3 options. 1. Going back to Toronto for the summer (I've found a "cheaper" ticket, although still expensive). 2. Go to Toronto via London stopover. 3. Stay in Hong Kong and look for a job. (Would most likely include going to Beijing/Shanghai)

I'm not going to bore you with all my wishy washy thoughts on those 3 choices. But I will make a post eventually when I come to my decision. For sure though, I've decided on staying put in Hong Kong/Asia for another year at least. Better get a move on and send out those resumes!

Crazy, Cutie, Happy, Sleepy

These are my kidkies. Enough said. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Falling II

For those who remember my "falling up" the escalator incident. Here's a sequel for you. Today I fell flat on my face on, you'll never guess, a FLAT FLOOR. It was near my workplace again. Surrounded by many people again. Was rushing to work again. But I think this incident has taken 1st place for most embarrassing moment. I blame the new flooring that was just installed recently. Super smooth floor tiles, newly waxed. And it was raining today. I think the caretaker had just mopped the floor too. I figured that when I saw the mop in her hand as she was asking me if I was alright. But I was already fleeing the scene by then. Looking back, I should've been more careful, knowing that I was wearing my slippery shoes. I felt myself slipping, losing balance, and the next thing I knew, I was down on the floor, splat. I once again had my hands full, juggling an umbrella and 2 bags. So I had nothing to break my fall with. Result: floor burn on my knee (was wearing a skirt). At least someone asked me if I was alright this time. Lastly, just for the record, I'm not that clutzy, I've never really fallen before in HK before these two highly embarrassing moments occurred. Weird.

Everybody I told my story to found it pretty amusing. So I hope my utterly embarrassing moment has cheered you up and put a smile on your face. It'll have made it all worth it.

Random bits and pieces

The book was way way better. The Code was a disappointment. Didn't live up to the trailer;p. Too long, too much talk, and the actors just didn't work for me. I just kept thinking of Tom Hanks in Castaway, Audrey Tatou in Amelie, Paul Bettany in Wimbledon, and Ian Mckellan in LOTR. Maybe they should've picked some not so well known actors. Ah well, it was a good try.

Looking forward to X-3 now.

Got to catch up with people I haven't seen in a long while. Carmen's back from Guelph (not your Carmen, Ada), Lisa was back from London, Kitty whose been in HK (just very busy), Ada whose in Australia (chatted online). It was nice to catch up with those girls. Ate so much and talked so much. My favourite pastime. And I discovered that I say the word 'like' a lot (thanks for pointing that out Car). So I'm trying to like cut back.

We sold cookies today for fundraising (dragon boat). And counting the money we raised from last week and everything people donated from church, we raised a grand total of $48 000! Amazing. I helped bake mocha banana chocolate chip muffins (long name, I know). Finally used the oven at home for the first time since moving in (9 months)! Really yummy. Half of the first batch got eaten by family and friends and ME. So I had to make a second batch. Stayed up till 2am making the second batch. Dozed on and off while waiting for the muffins to rise. So today, even downing 2 cups of coffee didn't help much. Fortunately, our practice session got cancelled due to heavy rains. Apparently there was one boat out in Stanley but it was half sinking due to the rain and choppy conditions. Glad for the opportunity to get some rest, went home and took a 2 hour nap. But nervous about one less practice. Next Sunday is our last session before the race! Can't wait:)

Everyday should be mother's day

I should change the title of my blog to 'diary of a dragonboater'. It seems to be the only thing I update on nowadays. To be honest, last week's practice was brutal. Felt like puking afterwards. But this week was great, we've come a long way as a team. And I felt good during and after practice.

Fundraising at church today for our team. We sold bouquets of flowers for Mother's day. It was awesome to see God's providing hand. We sold out after the 1st service, and raised $13 000 in profits. People were so generous and supportive of us. Only need to raise another $10 000! Cookies and bookmarks for sale next week;)

The Watoto Children's Choir from Uganda visited our church today. The kiddies have all been orphaned by AIDS. Despite that, they're so sweet and happy. I had the chance to chat with them a bit, and am totally taken by the 6 year old Derek that has the brightest smile I've ever seen. A few other boys taught me some words in Ugandan? Cute, cute, cute. They even got the whole congregation on their feet and dancing! If they can sing and dance and praise God, then so much more should I.

Tough Noodles

Another long weekend comes and goes. I've been spoilt lately. Off 3 days, work 3 days, off ANOTHER 3 days.

Yesterday:
Hiked up to Sunset Peak on Lantau Island, my first serious hike. 2 hours of rock stairs. Totally went beyond what I thought my own limits were. As most of you know, I'm not exactly what you'd call athletic. Well worth it though. We stayed in a cabin for the night. Had no idea there were cabins up there (well, ok, more like a hut, but cabin sounds nicer).

Today:
Hiked back down to civilization, much quicker, only 1 hour. Made it right on time to dragonboat practice at Stanley. And had one heck of an upper body workout. Our coach was really tough on us today. But I still love paddling! Although now I can barely type, and I still feel like I'm on the boat, swaying from side to side.

I'll post up the pics of the hike later, because I really really need to sleep. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...