GZ Tai-Tai

Husband is away, so we go and play

Husband got the word late last week that he would be heading to the states, on the weekend, Sunday. Well we had booked a Hong Kong weekend for the family, and husband asked if I wanted to cancel.

No I said, " I don't want to cancel".  Among other things like... who is the lame S.O.B. that held production up this long on the order, because they could not make a decision, that now you have to do a hand carry, and screw up our plans. Why doesn't he or she fly their sorry behind over here, and bring the product back!  This is a lot cleaner that it came out the first time, but I am sure you get the gist of how I felt. Two times in less than a month! 

So the kids and I left Saturday morning early and arrived around lunch time. We checked into the suite that had been ordered and headed to lunch. The kids chose Dan Ryan's for lunch. They have great food,nice atmosphere and good music.  Makes me happy too.  We had club sandwiches one regular and one veggie and a cup of clam chowder, and lemon squash. Then for dessert we had the world's smallest sundaes and we all shared a slice of carrot cake. Dan Ryan's Carrot Cake is really good. So far their carrot cake is a tie with the carrot cake that I make. Though Expat daughter still says that mine is the best.

After lunch we headed to the Toys R' Us store, for Expat son. He was dying to check out the latest Lego's. I have a list of  Lego Knights that he wants, that is a mile long.  The store was out, so he opted for a Lego motorcycle and a couple of the racers. Purchases made we headed upstairs in the mall, to the shops with the Indy/ beach stuff for Expat daughter. I found a pair of sandals I liked, but not my size they were nice but they are the competitors brand. The shop had my size in a different shop and could get them  to this shop on Sunday but in a different color. I was not thrilled with the color, so I figure it was not meant to be. Besides it will just irritate husband if I buy the other brand.

We head to Page One the bookstore, and I pick up some more cookbooks. One large one and several small ones. The suit case  will be heavy coming home as usual. Expat son spies a buzz wire kit for he and Dad to tackle when Dad gets back home.When we finish at the book store it is time to head back to the room and go to dinner.

We drop our things in the room and refresh ourselves. The kids pick the restaurant again this time it is Delaney's  It is a pub and the food is great we had the Nachos for starter, then we all had Bangers and Mash. Great dinner! After Dinner we had a video that Expat son ordered up. Back to the Future.  Great time watching it again after so many years. Son loved it too!

Sunday we had Breakfast at Dan Ryan's then we went to the Zoo. It was nice, not too many animals as it is a free zoo. A lot of beautiful birds and a Jaguar. Nice walk amongst beautiful flora and fauna in the middle of the city. It was not too hot we had a breeze to help keep us comfortable.  We headed from there to Central to a grocery store, Oliver's to have a look around. Then to Pacific Place for more shopping. Bra's and panties for Tai- Tai and Expat daughter.

Some shoes for Tai-Tai and no they are not the brand. They are Nine West so Husband can just shove it, if he has a problem with that.They fit, they are pretty and they make me happy!

Then we bought some smelly bath stuff at the Body Shop.

Expat son said, "he wanted smelly balls." I said, WHAT!

So he showed me the bath oil beads. We got some of those too. He remembered, that I used to throw some of those in the tub with him and the bubbles, at bath time when he was smaller.

Well the kids were tired and it was time to take our load of things back to the room and think about an early dinner. The kids had been talking about Fat Angelo's all day . So we headed there for our early dinner. We had Lasagna, Chicken Marsala and Chicken Parmesan, Salad and Bread. Also we shared a slice of cheesecake and a slice of chocolate cake and some vanilla ice-cream.Awesome meal!

Had to work all that food off so we spent a couple of hours in HMV buying DVD's and CD's.  3000 HKD later. Ouch! We head back to the room to watch Back to the Future 2, Expat son ordered up, and then Expat daughter and I watched Pretty Woman.

Monday morning we had Breakfast, packed our bag, went for a walk, and bought some sandwiches for the train trip back home to Guangzhou. We arrived home around 3:30 in the afternoon, the kids went to the pool. I unpacked and ordered pizza for dinner.

So that is how we spent our weekend playing, shopping, and eating, without my honey.  We played hard and shopped hard and we slept well!

Tuesday morning it was back to the gym for me!

Piano Saga

Well here it is already June and I still have not told you about the Piano shopping trip. On Friday May 20Th Expat daughter and I were off to buy another Piano.

The first piano is in storage. We did not bring... Not sure why now.. Probably to keep the weight down on the shipment. Kind of stupid really. Expat son started lessons shortly after we arrived in China.  A month ago Expat daughter says that she would like to take lessons too. Well son is still a beginner and the electric keyboard that we brought is fine for him. But now daughter wants lessons again so will need to have a piano. I think that I should probably take some lessons too.  Why not. Perhaps I will get better at trying to plunk out "Heart and Soul" and maybe even enjoy piano this time around. since I am an adult and have a better appreciation for music than I did when I was a kid. I tell husband that I will buy a piano and that there will be three of us taking lessons. I guess I sound like I am justifying buying a second piano. Oh well

So next lesson I talk with the piano teacher to find out where to look at pianos.He volunteers to go with me to help play the pianos and listen to them. Very nice! So on the morning of the 20Th Expat daughter and I set off to meet the teacher at rendezvous spot. We go to a shop that has several different brands of piano and we have a look and a listen.  The cheaper pianos I don't care for the sound. The more expensive piano I like the sound. This is always the case. I was expecting to buy a cheaper piano that is made in China but instead I bought a more expensive piano made in Germany.  Of course buying something here always takes longer and so it took most of the day. The piano would be delivered when money was wired to the bank account of the business. Cool! So I expect to see Piano the following week early Monday or Tuesday. Nada. I received Piano yesterday finally only 12 days later and money was still not transferred. The excuse is computer problem at the bank.  HA I think it is someone being lazy, and that is a excuse. Skeptical me.

So Piano is delivered and kids arrive about 2 minutes later. Expat son (7 yrs) sits down and starts playing. Then he grabs his lesson books and plays some more. I am amazed and proud. Since he doesn't sit down and practice until about 10 minutes before the teacher arrives for the lesson.  The Piano is a good thing. Expat daughter had her turn at it too.  So next week 3 of us will be taking lessons. I hope that the enthusiasm for the piano practicing stays!