Rain and my airplane

I have been in and out of airplanes for I don't know how many times. So I can say, I am an experienced traveller. However, my trip back from China  was the closest I have felt to being on the news. (if you know what I mean)

Maybe I have been watching too much AIR CRASH INVESTIGATION for my own good. But, by golly, that flight really gave me jitters.

The weather was cloudy as we checked in at hangzhou airport that morning. We were relaxed and looking forward to going back home after 5 days of working. We boarded the flight on time and eased  into our seats. Things got rough halfway into the flight when the pilot, in a distressed voice (well, that's how it sounded to me) suddenly announced over the PA system...

"We are going to experience sever weather conditions, everyone ...pls FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS...  I REPEAT, PLS FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS!! Cabin crew, secure the cabin"

I could hear the whirling of the engines to my right as it struggled to push through the wind. The plane shook and rattled the overhead bins so hard I could hear the screws jiggling above. Due to the number of people who booked early, I was seated two rows away from my husband (either being seated apart or being seated in the last row.. I chose the former). The planed dipped three feet and I gripped the armrests and closed my eyes.  I wished I was beside my husband and could grip his hand instead. I dare not look at the other passengers for fear they might reflect the same anxiety I was experiencing.

"Whir.....whir...... glug...glug...." the plane went as it successively tore through the air and shook. The airconditioning went into overtime and I wrapped my scarf closer to me. (a jacket would have been helpful at this point)

Outside, the dark clouds were punctuated by flashes of lighting as the wind whipped the side of the plane. There was a tropical thunderstorm in Hongkong and we were landing right in the middle of it.
Each flash of lightning was like me seeing my life flash before my eyes. I kept thinking how they can find my remains when they scour the sea after we crash. (GULP) I also kept thinking how my readers (you) would never know what happened to me.

"We are preparing for landing and Hk airport has asked us to maintain position for about 10 minutes. We are STILL under sever weather and we advise you to keep your seatbelts on." The pilot said after a few minutes. I was still not assured though as the plane kept going up and down, side to side.

Thankfully, we landed in HK... I actually did not notice the landing because my eyes were closed most of the rest of the flight. I was truly so dizzy I was afraid I would puke for the first time in years on an airplane.  I guess the storm was so severe, our connecting flight was delayed for three hours (I could hear the thunder ringing though out the modern, glass and metal clad airport). I'd rather be delayed than in an airplane under a tropical cyclone is all I could say....

We finally boarded our flight home three hours later.. and got back in one piece, but as luck would have it, our luggage was left behind in hk. AAAHH..... the joys of flying!!!

Getting Things Done

I finally have some help in the office. My work load has been cut in half (thankfully)

The last few months, it seemed like I didn't get anything done. I was always backlogged for some reason or another. I finally figured I needed more help and hired my sister in law to become my accounting officer. This leaves me with the selling/marketing and talking with customers and not constantly pouring over the accounts I have to collect, review and update.(a nightmare.. but getting checks is wonderful.. hahaha)

Does this mean my business has grown so much it takes more than me to handle it all? MAYBE.

My sister in law is a VERY big help. (love her!!) She makes my life less stressful and I finally can start some writing.

I just have to finish all the quotations/follow ups for the house, go on another buying trip next week and THEN, get some writing done.

I just figured I needed to prioritize and schedule my time. Aside from the tropical thunderstorm that passed through the country (power was out for over a day), the flu going around the house (everyone getting sick).. I could say, this week has been good.

Don't know when I will be writing a blog post again. (My life is pretty redundant and boring at the moment) but I do enjoy reading the blogs that I have been following. Especially the ones with pictures. (moments of perfect clarity)

Lost in Space

You never know what your faults are until somebody points them out to you,
We all know everyone has something that kind of drives other people up the wall...

Mine (as my husband points out) is that I totally space out when I am doing something. I get totally engrossed in whatever I am doing (watching TV, reading a book or newspaper) that I don't hear anything else. He may call me and talk to me and it would be like talking to a brick wall. You never really know these things unless you get to live with them. (my husband actually has other pet peeves about me but he has to live with what he got... har har)

Yup. I REALLY do try to be more concious of not being that way but sometimes, I just tune out. I saw one episode of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER that perfectly drives this point....


This is a VERY funny episode...  and I sometimes think I am like the girl TED is dating... hahaha

Beauty Idols

I came across an article about Jennifer Aniston turning 40.
It got me thinking, what is 40 anyway?

When I was younger, 40 seems so ancient... and I mean ANCIENT.

Now, I have beauty idols that have aged so seemlessly. They are gorgeous!

Did you know.. these ladies are over 50?

 SHARON STONE

and these ladies--- over 40!

 MONICA BELLUCI

RENE ZELLWENGER

so I guess I just need to take care of myself and hope I age as beautifully as these beauty icons. My ultimate icon is (the sexy 75 year old...)

SOFIA LOREN!!!

June 30, 2010

Half of the year is over..... really, so soon?

We have a new president and my father is a year older. He is 75 years old. By this picture, Can you really tell his age? He doesn't dye his hair (it is still dark and lush)

Sometimes you get to thinking how time really flies.
My Dad was saying to my daughter, " Beyonce, we will celebrate when you turn eighteen. (my daughter is 6)"

My daughter (who is quite the talker and can come back with a witty reply) answered, "Will you still be here?"

My dad just laughed and laughed at her. He will be 87 by the time she turns 18. He said, "I will be here even if you get married!!"

But honestly, you get to thinking about these things. My grandmother is 95 already. (Although she is a bit on the weak side this year), I hope my dad also gets to live that long.

I think my dad is living his life to the fullest, enjoying the fruits of his labor (buying things he wants like a dream car starting with the letter P and a very expensive watch).

His eldest granddaughter is already turning 19. So maybe, he can still see his great grandkids in the near future. He had travelled all the continents (south and north america, alaska, south africa, europe, scandanavia) maybe the only place he hasn't been to is antartica. I would love to travel with my dad again but his knees are not what they were and he is having a hard time walking for long periods. He is the best travel companion (both me and my husband agree) because he doesn't mind where we eat and what price (some people gawk at prices). His main concern is that we enjoy our trip.

He is classy and very dignified. Thanks for the good genes! Happy Birthday Dad!