Busted

So being that yesterday was a typhoon day and all, Paul and I were quite productive.  I put him to work and we folded and stickered 100 fliers announcing that I am here in the Latitude, have teaching experience, a flexible schedule, and want to tutor your kid!  When they were all ready to go I went down to the lobby and started putting them in mailboxes.  I had only gotten through floors 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 when the door lady came in saying, "No. No. No."  I politely asked why not, to which she replied, "No."  Hmmm ok.  So today I spent the morning riding the elevator (I don't want to get locked in the emergency stairwell!) going from floor to floor leaving fliers on doorsteps.  I know they can see me in the elevator.  And I know they know what I'm doing.  I'm just hoping they don't send someone right behind me to pick them all up.  Lord knows they have enough staff to do it!

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Tonight Paul's friend Garrett from elementary school, gets into HK.   Garrett taught in Korea for two years and has been traveling the past year.  He's here for the weekend, Philippines (again!) for a month, then moving to Taiwan to teach.  Ohh the lives of English teachers!

Paul, Garrett, and I in Bangkok last March

Then tomorrow is National Day which means no work for Paul.  Hoorah!  We'll probably hit the beach or something, then we're going to a chocolate party!!  My friend Jackie works for a chocolate company, VERO, and organized a party at their Wan Chai restaurant.  It'll be chock full of chocolate, snacks, cocktails, and a great view of the fireworks!  Apparently this is the best fireworks show in the world.  So it should be a good night.  

Happy National Day!

Thank you Gwenyth Paltrow!

Yesterday I stumbled upon a recipe a la Gwen on how to make homemade ricotta cheese.  Being that cheese is expensive here and I have a lot of time and there's a typhoon, Paul and I took it upon ourselves to make some cheese. We didn't want to stop there, so we made tomato sauce and Italian spice chapati so we could make homemade pizzas!

Homemade ricotta cheese is the best thing that ever happened and it's opened a new door to me.  Next week I'm making homemade cottage cheese!

Here's Gwen (well Ina Garten's, really) recipe for ricotta.  I recommend you make it tomorrow.

Homemade Ricotta

Makes about 2 cups

• 4 cups whole milk
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons good white wine vinegar

Set a large sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 layers of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with the cheesecloth.
Pour the milk and stream into a stainless steel or enameled pot such as Le Creuset. Stir in the salt. Bring to a full boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and stir in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for 1 minute until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
Pour the mixture into a cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 to 25 minutes, occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. The longer you let the mixture drain, the thicker the ricotta. (I tend to like mine on the thicker side but some prefer it moister.) Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining whey. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep refrigerated for 4 to 5 days.

Nesat Destruction

There may not be rain, but it's windy!  Happy Typhoon Day!

3rd floor at the Latitude.  Someone's going to be busy tomorrow.

Outside the mall

T8

Yesterday I finally got back to the beach!  It's been weeks, I tell ya. I went to the usual Clearwater Bay except this time there were waves!!  I've been here a dozen times and never seen as much as a curl, but yesterday was full on body surfable waves.  And there was a warning not to swim on top of that, which of course, everyone ignored.  See picture of Clearwater Bay above.

Yesterday evening there was a sign put up in the lobby warning of a T1 in effect.  Typhoons are so common here there is a warning system in place, and it's even color coordinated.  T1-3 be careful, and I believe that corresponds to Amber rain.  Then T8 no school, no work, and Black rain.  See photo below from my balcony this morning:

The wind be a howl'n!  And no school!! Woohoo.  Oh wait, this doesn't effect me and this is just interfering with my plans of running and errands today.  There's always tomorrow.  Paul and I celebrated by making banana chocolate pancakes and are now on a King of Thrones marathon.  Asa to not leaving the Latitude today.  Perhaps we'll go for a swim in the indoor pool...

A Pleasant Surprise

Much to my surprise and excitement, I successfully and painlessly applied for a new passport today.  I head out early to get my photo taken, and again to my surprise, it ain't that bad.  In my last passport I look stoned, my Korean ID I looked possessed, and in the 100 pictures I had to take for India/Nepal I looked like a serial killer.  Finally a keeper!

I showed up to my appointment over an hour early, waited in zero lines, and exchanged nothing but pleasantries with everyone I spoke to.  It was actually quite entertaining.  So as to be clear (I guess) they have speakers in all the windows so while you wait you can hear everyone else's business.  One man came in complaining that his passport had him tagged as a woman.  Apparently this was all well and good for the past 8 years, but for some reason the customs in Hong Kong took offense.  He had to leave the next day for the US and didn't know what to do.  The woman suggested he get an emergency passport and sort it all out at home.  He was not pleased by this as he would have to pay $110 for a new one when clearly this was the US government's fault.  He starts to fill out the form and goes back to the window:

"I don't have an address.  I'm sleeping on my friend's couch until I find an apartment."
"Hm, use your parent's address."
"My Dad's right here and he lives in China."

Frustrated he gives up and goes back to his dad:

"This kind of stuff ALWAYS happens to me!  I got arrested for having this much pot! The US government thinks I owe them 1/3 of my salary in taxes...."

And he strolled out to take his chances at the airport.  Another family was there with a translator trying to give up guardianship of their child to their cousin in America.  The guy in the window couldn't figure out why they would want to do this as it's essentially adoption, and went on to explain they need lawyers etc. and need to handle this in America.  I didn't stick around long enough to see how that worked out.  So yeah, 10 days and I'll get an email notice letting me know my new passport is ready.  Easy peasy.

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Saturday Ms. Han was here!!!  I met her at the Hong Kong Convention Center for the HK Jewellry fair.  Oh, my!!  This event was huge!!  Thousands of people, tons of vendors, and billions of dollars worth of gems.   The whole convention center was filled with diamonds.  It was amazing!!  We walked around for hours admiring the different stones and cuts and it gave me a chance to explain exactly what it is I want on my left ring finger.  I gave Paul Ms. Han's email a while ago, you know, just in case he could ever need to get in touch with her. Paul and the Hanster are both pretty clear what's needed here; 2 carats, square cut, simple band.

Following the convention we met Ms. Han's best friend and Mr. Kim who usually joined us for Friday night magkeolli in Korea.  We ferried over to TST and went to Din Tai Fung, which had a ridiculous line!  While waiting, what would Han do?  Hit the next restaurant for a beer, which just happened to be Ruby Tuesday.  Who knew they had that here?  And it's crazy expensive!  Like $25 usd for a burger.  45 minutes later and our table was ready.  What I didn't realize at the time is that this is a popular Chinese Dim Sum chain.  Chee took my parents and I to one in Korea!  And it was excellent as ever.  In true Ms. Han style we had no less than 5 kinds of dumplings, meats, veggies, and beers.  Delish!  Then they all had to hop on a midnight flight back :(  I said goodbye and promised I would be back to visit soon ("You no stay hotel.  You have own room at my house.")  It really made me miss Korea and my friendships there.  I will have to go back soon!


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In other news, the "interview" I have on Monday is apparently just a casual meeting where the VPs will tell me more about their company, products and training program.  If I pass the two exams they require, I'm in!  So it's nice to know there's some stability here.  I just might be employed in the next month...and it buys me some time to get into banking!!

PS anyone noticed that the Korean market is the only one that seems to be doing OK these days?

INTERNET IS HERE!!

Finally, after 6 weeks in Hong Kong, we have internet.  It's about time! And guess what else is here? YATA!! Yey gourmet Japanese grocery store in my basement. I already went this morning just for milk for my cereal.  And what else showed up today?? The sun! After a solid week of low 70s (brrrr) weather, the sun has come out. It's friend wind is still here, but hopefully I will finally be able to go to the beach tomorrow. This tan won't keep itself up.

Yesterday despite the weather, was an amazing junk to Clearwater Bay. New friend Baucus (Baucus was the god of wine. I want that name!) organized a junk with fellow 20-somethings. It was a really fun day and I met a lot of really cool people.  Somehow no one managed to make a total ass of themselves. ha I suppose because it was a Sunday people stayed a little better behaved.

This is going to be a busy week! Tonight is movie date night with Paul. We got a groupon for 2 movie tickets, a popcorn and 2 drinks for $100HKD. Love groupon. Tomorrow I have to go to the US Embassy to get a new passport (my how fast 10 years goes), meeting new friend Laura for some shopping, then hitting a JMEN Career event. I have no idea what that is, but I'm guessing there will be plenty of people with business cards, and hoping for some wine and cheese, too. Wednesday and Thursday are both full of Cham events. Cham = Chamber of Commerce. I believe there's an AmCham and CanCham happy hour each day. As recruiter Peter told me, you'll be drunk until you find a job. If that's what it takes....

How Many Latitude Workers Do You See?

Here's a typical Saturday morning outside the club at the Latitude.




Here's walking to my apartment from the club. Is it really necessary to have 15+ people garedening, power washing, and just roaming the grounds? I had someone vacuuming between my legs while using the internet in the club and then someone wipe my finger prints after I opened the door (on the handle!). This is on top of the 15 million other people you have to walk by just to get into the building; one on G by the door. 3 on the third floor; one to open the door, one to direct you to the card swipe and one to sit there and sign in guests. 1 or 2 in your actual tower door; they or may not hold the door for you. It's always a crap shoot. No wonder management fees are $1500 a month!