" We've got a level 3 typhoon on our hands..."

The title reads correctly... Currently in main land China there's a tropical storm sweepin on through, meanwhile Hong Kong is feeling some of the effects as well. Yesterday the Typhoon level got moved up from level 1 to level 3 ( now please make note that it goes up to level 10 but a jump from level 1 to level 3 is big because there is no level 3 in between. Why is beyond me) Anyways, I'm preparing to go down to Hong Kong park and start collecting the birds ( two of each kind ) and I believe that there is some bamboo that could be suitable for an arc...Justtt kidding but really the rain has been pretty persistant since yesterday.



Yesterday we completed our first week of camp ( i'd lable it a succesful learning experience for both the kids and for us) My cantanese is improving.. I can't tell you how to say anything useful but I can say blueberry and chocolate sooo should anyone ever be in Hong Kong and need to buy some blueberrys or perhaps chocolate ( which is difficult to find.... Hong Kong hasn't exactly mastered the whole dessert thing- their idea of a good dessert is coconut milk with red beans in it... mmmm yum- I'd rather head to McDonalds for a vanilla icecream cone thanks) I can tell you the word for either them... I think we're all developing good relationships with the kids in our groups so next week will hopefully run more smoothly. Also, we have a better understanding of their individual learning styles ( like speaking to them in rapid English hasn't been a succesful method of teaching..) One of the last activities we did was one where we shared Cantanese words we had learned and they shared English words they had learned, and they all seem to have learned a decent amount. I think we were all ready for a weekend of recouperation, but also we're ready to face another week and the challenges it might bring... We have a shortened week next week due to public holiday so no camp on Tuesday. Our outting day will be on Thursday and we will take the kids to a nunnery, the space museum and then a country club to practice manors for lunch( The menu includes some sort of mesclun leaves nashi pears and feta salad followed by asparagus soup and tarragon cream and then chicken more asparagus and warm eggplant caponata- talk about your kid friendly meal... Egg plants delightful as a color but as a food not really on the top of my list of favorite foods....)

After a long while inside Maggie and I ventured into the rain umbrellas at the ready so that I could get a new pair of headphones... mine have become well worn( they might have become some what of a fire hazard... the wires are showing and the danger of electricution is always right around the corner, but I suppose that does make listening to music a bit more interactive and a bit more adventurous.... who knows when you'll truly be moved by the words- whether it's from a massive shock or truly emotional words is yet to be determined...) anyways apparently they don't sell plain old earbuds so I purchased a stylin pair with some killer lightning bolts on them... doesn't get much better than that( they're like neon lightning bolts- they make a statment that says welcome to the eightys on this new age technology.) The rest of the afternoon has been spent planning, lounging, and yes that really sums it up... The evening is yet to be determined but it has been an eventful week in Hong Kong and so some time spent relaxing is always enjoyed. Hope everyone is coping well with the recent death of Michael Jackson.... It's been quite a story here in Hong Kong as well... Well Have a good night/ day!

Cheers

Tina