Trip with my father

I had forgotten how it was to take a trip with my father. It had been awhile and I was scheduled for my regular buying trip to Hk for my business. My mom wanted my dad to tag along since he was lethargic most of the time. (He just came from getting sick). My mom thought  getting around HK would give him some exercise and jumpstart his system.

I usually stay only 3 days per trip, but this time, I booked 4 days. I only got to work one day out of the 4 days. My brother and my husband went with us, so we were a foursome.

My father reminds me of Sean Connery. He is of the same generation and carried himself in the same suave way. His tastes are also down that alley. He is such a cool dude!

What I love about him, is that he never complains. You know some old people, they complain about the food, being tired... price for eating, shopping etc. But my father, he looks at the menu and declares, "All right, order what you want-- I'm buying!"

He has no qualms at all of entering a pricey store and asking for the price of a gold wristwatch...or buying my mom a $2000 PRADA bag..

I usually don't shop for myself. (I am stingy at times) But my dad was quite the opposite. (my mom said, it was a good thing he was born male.. if he was a female.. whoa is the man to marry him!! He is just a shopaholic!)....After two days, all his shopping was kind of rubbing off on me.   He bought some lens for his canon camera and I asked for the price of the Olympus pen (epl2) I was craving since last year. I crunched the numbers and it turned out a pretty good deal. (the kit included a 14-42mm lens, 8gb SD card, tripod, camera case and extra battery). ~ I got it in white.

Shopping with my father is super contagious. I got a mulberry bag too~~~~

It made me look like Indiana Jones... I love the size and the roomy construction of it. I can fit my camera, notebook and other things as well. It is a "IT" bad without being too loud.

On another walk, My father went looking for a sketcher shoe my brother recommended- it was the newest shoe model. He bought it of course and I was just sitting there when the saleslady asked if I was interested to purchase one for myself. It was pricey at $131. I said no. (I had spent too much already) But my dad said to go ahead and try and he would pay for it. (yey!!)--- new shoe!

I dont think you can find a better traveling companion other than my dad. (My mom always complains about the prices~ loudly too) but my dad just coolly smiles and chats up the saleslady with his charm... Sean Connery 007!

Scoring some plates

I am in the process of moving into a new house. Decorating, cleaning...

I have been hunting for some side tables for my living room and chanced upon a small furniture store.

Browsing through their display, I chanced upon some beautiful plates. They were marked down -- TWICE. original price was about $5 each but the final price was only about $1.7 each. WOW. --

 I love the scalloped edges! Plus, they are microwave and dishwasher safe...!!

I could not pass it up. It was still available in a 6 pcs set (perfect for my table setting) and because they were so cheap, I got the square ones as well.

I was scared though when they told me they could only accept CASH for these (since they were so marked down) -- and for one who rarely has much cash on her... I had to check my wallet.... (WHEW!) - good thing I got some money on me and paid the nice lady for the beautiful plates. I couldn't resist and bought 2 pcs of  appetizer plates...

 love the detail!

 the chocolates look great don't they?

This is also microwave and dishwasher safe.. I really don't know when I will be able to use them but I will find a way! (have to invite more people over!)

So Now, I'm part of a TEAM?

Whew! Just finished running my first 10K race last Sunday. For someone who had no inkling of running 3 months ago, I have come a long way. Not to say that I am a good runner.... just finishing the race was enough for me ( for now). I did not get to train for the whole week before the race. Maybe I was lazy, tired, busy or all of the above~ who knows???

My time, if you want to know was 1 hour 19 mins. I enjoyed the first 4k and I  was running at a pretty good pace. But when we got to the SKYWAY, (the elevated highway).. wow.. it really pushed my knees to the limit. ( the age was showing a bit...), but with no training, I finished in the top 30% of my race category. I even finished ahead of another friend who HAD trained that week for the run.

The race was for the benefit of the Dolphins and but what I was curious about is that the freebies were put inside PLASTIC BAGS (what the??? and this is for conservation?~ )

It is the only race that courses thru the main overpass highway in the business district. (that's why most people want to join).. I was thinking if I got stuck on the highway without finishing, will I get run over when they opened it again?? LOL

Honestly, I was struggling after the first uphill. I had to walk to get my wind back. There were water stations every 1.5kms and I went for one by the time I reached the 4.5 km mark. Thank goodness for the bananas. I really needed the food. Although I only managed to eat half of the banana that I swiped off the station. (imagine running and eating a banana at the same time. I was about to puke the banana)

The sponges at the end were a big help too. Cold water on your head when you feel you can't possibly finish helps you regain some strength. (there were TWO uphills for the race course). Everyone who finished got a medal. So I have my very first running medal!!!

So, the big news is.... WOULD YOU BELIEVE?  Me and my husband just got to become a member of a race TEAM. sponsored by SOLEUS WATCHES. We will be running on every run SOLEUS is sponsoring. (Can you imagine me with the soleus team shirt?)--- AND it's colored black... w/c compliments me!! yey! Dont ask me how this came about... I am still in shock at the revelation!

Problems is... I don't have a SOLEUS watch... I use GARMIN.... hehehe
Maybe they will sponsor our watches too!!! (hello soleus!)

For a so-so runner... being part of a running team seems so HUGE.... (It just makes me want to train now... OMG!)