Sunday, July 22, 2012

Great day!  Wake up at 6 so have 2 hours to get organized before I'm picked up to go to class.  We are going right straight through for 5 days (2 to go) of Sensorial because my time is valuable to both.  We have Wed. off and then go straight through math for 6 days.

I came back to the hotel and had a delicious pumpkin soup and chicken Caesar salad in the restaurant.  It's so fun to people watch and two ladies from Australia came to chat.  They had been to Singapore and were now seeing Hong Kong.
Things I notice:  all hotel staff are well dressed, professional, and extremely helpful. They go out of their way to show you something and do it with a smile.  The Hong Kongers do not look particularly Chinese to me, very cosmopolitan.  Every place is very clean.  Most people speak English.  They use a variety of utensils to eat with- chopsticks, little oriental spoons, knives and forks.

The students are very gracious, polite and have a good sense of humor.  They say thank you for everything, look you in the eye, hand everything with two hands, as a gesture of politeness, smile a lot, and are generally great to be around.  My swollen foot and ankle were better today, but I decided not to sit on the floor.  I explained I would present on a table.  That was fine and several times during the day, one student got me ice,  and wanted to make me comfortable.  Others, went out of their way to be sure I was OK.  Many of their husbands and children picked up today and they are outgoing, asked questions about the States and were very easy to talk to.  Ralph picks me up every morning and a different student takes me back at night.  I get a chance to talk with them on the way.

It is such a pleasant atmosphere.  We had Thai food ordered in today and all ate together.

Thai lunch

After lunch, one of the students helped make a pear cake because we celebrated Cheri, the pregnant student's birthday with a traditional Montessori birthday celebration before we went home.

Child helps make the pear cake.

Ginger flowers

Birthday Walk

Cutting of the cake.

 I feel very much at home.  It could be a Montessori training program anywhere.    I am being very well looked after.

Sat. July 21, 2012

Have I really only been with the students for two days?   So much gets accomplished and we get to know each other well.  Wonderful group of 19, two are male and one is set to deliver in about 3 weeks.

Some Montessori talk:
We started off with Size materials yesterday and they tested on them this morning.  They also presented reports from their readings and we had a discussion, with power point on their introduction papers.  We were able to represent all of the knobless cylinder extensions that Bee Pape had in her book.  They loved it!
We went on to Color and more practice.

It was a wonderful day and I think they are understanding the material.  When they gave reports, a few did it in Cantonese and one in Mandarin and others translated for me.  Most speak very good English.

Had somewhat of a swollen ankle and foot by the end of the day.  Started on the walking to the Buddha visit day but got better.  Must have been on my feet too much today.  Ice and homeopathic are helping.
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We had another lovely Chinese take-out buffet all together for lunch.  Most of them are parents of 2-3 year olds.  They have taken a Montessori in the Home course.  Only 4 are currently at the school.  One, in particular has a wealth of knowledge.  I really enjoy talking and working with them.

We had a stage 1 Typhoon warning this afternoon and there was wind and some clouds and thunder and lightning.  It seems to have gone by.  I feel right at home.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Well, I have tried to get pictures to the blog and can't seem to do it from Picassa.  Any ideas?
Got that problem solved so moving forward.


Today started very early, before 6, so I could get organized before Ralph picked me up at 7:45.
Nice breakfast, settled morning.
I set up some of the activities I brought from home when I got to school.
I taught from 8:30 - 5:30 and we got a lot accomplished.  I'm tired but can settle into this routine.

Most of the students speak English.  Only 4 had someone else talk for them during our sharing, but they understand most English.  They are very positive, happy, eager students, just like my group back home.
After lunch, at home, we have a quiet time before we start the afternoon. I asked them this morning if they would like to do that and it was unanimous.  They can sit or lie down, but are resting and quiet for about 15 minutes.  They really got into it.  As I sat watching them, and looking outside the windows, I found it unbelievable that here I am half way around the world, in a different culture, in a different training program and it is just the same.  What a fantastic opportunity this is.  I will soak in every minute.

A beautiful, simple focus point to start Sensorial:
flowers from the garden, shells from FL, a beautiful
candle, a sharing stone, and some lavender oil.

Rest time after lunch, at least during Sensorial.
Matthew was the only one who continued into Math.
He had it down to a science. :-)

Walking the "Maze" was a big hit.

Exploring the properties of the Knobless Cylinders.

Ralph dropped me off after school and I rested a bit.  Then I ventured out to a 7-Eleven a block away and stopped at the restaurant in the hotel to get supper. I had lunch with the students, who ordered out and got us basic chicken, vegetable and rice dishes.  It was accompanied by a hot broth in a thermos.  It was just delicious, but I need my water, too.  All drinks are room temperature or above.  They believe cold drinks with ice are not good for your body.

 I don't think I'll make it much longer.  It's 9:00 and I'm fading.  Another successful, event-filled day in Hong Kong.  Has it only been 3 days?  Wow!

Thurs. July 19, 2012

Oh my! This sight-seeing will do me in.  I need to get to teaching 8 hours a day to get a break.
I had a slower morning and got a bit organized.   Ralph came at 9:15 and moved all my bags to the room  they had  for a month and Elizabeth was in until today.  Daisy picked Elizabeth and me up at 9:15 and we went to a "dollar store", but there a "Ten Dollar Store".   Interestingly enough, many items came from Japan, since it had been a Japanese import store.  We got some things as gifts and for school and walked to another great restaurant, The Jade Garden, for lunch.  Ralph and 3 kids were late joining us so we started right in.

   baked barbequed pork pastry buns with lemon flavor,  fresh prawns with pink soba

steamed bamboo pith rolls with black fungi and bean curd, dim sum in the cage,  stir-fried clams with chives that you rolled up in Chinese pancakes    

beef dices with crispy garlic, rolls and soba from before

  
We had:  beef dices with crispy garlic, fresh prawns with pink soba, stir-fried clams with chives that you rolled up in Chinese pancakes, steamed bamboo pith rolls with black fungi and bean curd, baked barbequed pork pastry buns with lemon flavor, chicken and mushroom rice in bamboo steamer, dim sum in the cage, grilled barbeque pork in slices stuffed with preserved egg.  Very tasty!  (In case you hadn't noticed, this is a food blog. :-)

Then we headed out to Lantau Island about 45 minutes away to see the world's tallest, outdoor, seated Buddha ATOP Ngong Ping plateau amid spectacular mountain scenery.  Notice the key word "atop".  We rode in a cable car 3 1/2 miles past 7 stations up a high mountain  overlooking the water, airport, and beautiful green scenery, much like the CA mountains in spring.   That was definitely worth the trip!  Once up there, we got snacks and walked and walked through many shops, saw a Kung Fu demonstration and finally got to the foot of the Buddha. To go up to the Buddha, you needed to climb 268 steps.  We did not.

Residential buildings, 40-50 stories!

Entrance to cable cars for the 3 1/2 mile trip to tNgong Ping
Village and the largest outdoor Buddha.

Beginning the ascent.

View of people gathering mussels.  They only
gather them during low tide.

View of airport to left and  Tung Chung on right.

Higher and higher through 7 station towers

View of the Buddha on our way up.

Elizabeth, Ranen and I in square at the top.

 Back down and not home until 7:00.  Really tired and feet hurt and I needed to unpack and get ready for class tomorrow.   Supper and a shower gave me a little energy.   I plan to be in bed soon.  My goodness, what a busy two days.  We've covered a lot of ground.

Hong Kong Trip 2012

What a great adventure I am starting.

July 16, 2012
Needed to leave for airport in Orlando at 6:45.  Ride did not come so called back-up.
Sailed through check-in, security not bad, so all checked in early for my 9:15 flight to LAX.
So tired from no sleep, so slept almost all of the 4 1/2 hours on AA.
Upon arrival in LA, told to walk to Tom Bradley Intern. Terminal.  No problem. Once inside, had to walk miles and then get on a bus to international terminal.  Befriended a nice couple, who offered snacks and helped carry my bag onto the bus.
Boarded AA/Cathay Pacific 12:55 CA time and had very nice economy seat.  Next 14 hours were spent sleeping for an hour or two at a time, eating two very nice meals (lunch and dinner - a little disconcerting), reading some and sleeping, watching TV and sleeping.  Occasionally walking up and down the isle, but no back or leg pain.  Bananas?  Neck pillow?  Comfortable seats?

Arrived in Hong Kong the next day, July 17, at 7:30 pm.  They are 12 hours ahead of east coast so that conversion is easy.  The money and temperature are another matter.  Ralph, the training program director, met me at the airport and we went to a good restaurant there (Crystal Jade).   They have the best "steamed pork dumplings" (Xiao Long Bao).  We also got a dish with shrimp dumplings and noodles in broth.  Way too much food, but very good.  He dropped me at the Harbor Plaza 8 Degrees Hotel, Kowloon, and I settled in, got a shower and went to bed in the softest, most inviting bed.

Wed. 7/18/12  After a good night's sleep, I was up at 6:30 to a big thunder and lightening storm.  Did I bring it with me?  Had a delicious egg and coffee in my room, watched CNN with an international twist, and was ready to go at 8:00.  Ralph picked me up, and also Elizabeth, the teacher who finishes with the class today.   I realized we had met at various conferences and she was very helpful catching me up on what she has done with the class.  I sat in on her class for awhile this morning, checked that the materials I need are there, and got some of the paperwork I didn't have.

Then Ralph and I headed out for sight-seeing.   We picked up his 9 year old son, Ranen, who he jokingly called the tour guide.  In fact, I learned more today from him than I ever could from commercial guides..
We first went to a very exclusive restaurant at Tsui Hang Village and had Steamed Rice Rolls stuffed with Barbecued Pork, Steamed Bean Curd Sheet Rolls with Pork and Prawns in Supreme Broth, Steamed Pork Dumplings stuffed with Whole Shrimp, Deep fried Mashed Shrimp and Cuttlefish Balls, Pan Fried Pancake with Chives and dried Ham, Cucumber with Garlic and Vinegar, and Steamed Layered Cake with Salted Egg Yolks.  Each only had three pieces so we got a taste.  Very good!!

Deep fried Mashed Shrimp and Cuttlefish Balls

Chihuly?   Beautiful chandeliers

We then went to the Museum of History (natural and political) and took a very quick tour through all the peoples and occupations of China.  I had read some of it, got more at the museum and happened to sit next to one of the students at dinner tonight, who was a journalist and went over all the stories again with me.  I almost have it, I think.

Heading to the Museum of History

Ranen and I in front of early man exhibit

Story of Bun Mountains (you can tap on to enlarge)

Replica of Bun Mountains

Ralph went for the car and Ranen and I saw the movie and visited the gift shop - very quickly.  I may need to go back.





































Ralph dropped Ranen and me near the Star Ferry and said he would meet us at Central.  I was just along for the ride and followed trying to figure out what was next.  Ranen walked and talked very fast, so I tried to keep up.  We rode the famous Star Ferry across Victoria Harbor from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island, met up with Dad and then went UP steep hills to where they live. 

Entrance to "Star" Ferry

Taking the "Star" Ferry across Victoria Harbor

We could have taken a junk, instead.

Up steep roads to where they live in one of these
high-rise apartment buildings on Hong Kong Island.

We picked up his daughter, Gia - 4 1/2 and his wife's sister.  They lived high up, but then we headed to The Peak.  Unbelievable windy road up to the top of this mountain where the view on all sides was fantastic.  

There were shops at the Peak, and, of course, a
Starbucks.

There was a display of children's art.  They had made buildings,
the Star Ferry and other transportation vehicles.

View of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon from the Peak.

View to the other direction.  Hazy but no storm yet.

What a COOL place to have a preschool!

Drive down.  What a beautiful clear day.

Residential buildings

Ranen was an old man in a boy's body and took care that I was safe crossing streets, was an unending wealth of knowledge, insisted on taking pictures for me and of me, and was just a joy to be around.  I told him he should start his own tour guide business.  We dropped him at swimming class and went back to school at 5:30, as they finished their day.










































































Elizabeth finished up with the students, I set up Sensorial, and we all, except Ralph, went to Hong Kong University for a traditional group meal.  All the students, Elizabeth and I sat at a round table and were served course after course on a lazy susan.  I didn't get the menu so let me try to remember and will update when I see them.   Vegetables in broth, Chicken, Prawns and vegetables, Chinese mushrooms and abalone, steamed whole fish to take some of, rice and vegetables, little cakes for dessert and a dessert soup of Chinese fungus, and nuts in a sweet broth.  Again, many more pictures and a wonderful time. 

Almost the whole class, Elizabeth and I after dinner

 Florita got us a cab back to the hotel.  Tomorrow I will get Elizabeth's room, as she is leaving and I now have access to a phone that people back home can call me on at no charge.  852-5308-3838 (only while I am here).  I also have unlimited email and text when I am near wi-fi and I am set up to Skype, if any of you have it.  Will try it with Mom in the morning. 



Now, very late but wanted to keep up with this, since much will happen each day. Tomorrow is another day of sight-seeing and then I have to get to work.  I am loving it so much because I have people who are taking me places, giving me all kinds of helpful information, and helping me meet people who are locals.  

My goodness, how much can change in a month's time!   This one and the next may top the charts...    

• In August, Dad had a cough and fatigue that lasted 5 weeks, then Mom got it the last week in August.  By Friday, Sept. 3, she was really not feeling well and spent most of the day in bed.  I went over the 3rd to take her to a walk in clinic to get some meds.  I stayed through the 6th and we celebrated Mom's birthday on Sunday, the 5th.  She was able to rally for some fun and dressed in her new turquoise shirt and garden gear to do the Chicken Dance.  It was fun.  She still had the virus(?) until about last week.  
• I started and am continuing my weekly Jazzercise classes and just love it. 
• I took a Business Women's class on putting your business on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. Very interesting!  
• The weekend of the 11th and 12th was the training program from 8-5:30 each day.   It was great to get back together again.
• Monday, the 13th, I flew to CT.
• Tuesday, the 14th was Lois' functionality test.  We were there 3 1/2 hours.  The lady was very nice and took all our information on past and present events before putting Lois through her paces.  
• Wed., the 15th, we headed to NY and had Lois' MRI.  She had missed two chemo treatments (one month) because of her teeth, so he wanted to see her after two when she started up again.  We went up to stay with Connie and had a great time, as usual.  The mention of Mom's chicken dance made us have to try it, as well as the makarena.  We went back to see the doctor Thurs. and he said the scan is still clear.  He is very impressed and we were relieved.
• We did shopping, bills, catch up, etc. until I left Mon. the 20th and got home at 9 pm.   TALK has been of her moving out of that house to a smaller place.  It evolved from a place in Glastonbury, to a place down by Mom and Dad.  We also have been deciding about her working.  We met with her boss, Cathy, before I left and told her about our thoughts of moving Lois to FL and all that would entail. 
• I was home Tues. until I left for Jacksonville to stay in a hotel to get a head start on my workshop/consult there.  It is 2 1/2 hours to there so I like to go up the night before and get a good rest. 
• Wed. - Fri. I did consulting and a Power Point workshop.  Also, had dinner with two friends and found the most wonderful salmon I've  had anywhere.  I try it everywhere I go, since it is one of my favorite dishes.  This was wild, Atlantic salmon and just melted in your mouth.  It was at Mezza Luna at Jacksonville Beach.  Being that close to the water we walked down to watch the full moon and Jupiter over the waves.  It was gorgeous and the only time that configuration will happen the day after the Autumnal Equinox in our lifetime.  
• Was home Sat. 
• Left for Clearwater  Sun. to visit with Mom and Dad.  They were both doing better, but Mom got tired from the least exertion.  Fortunately, they have found some ladies who run errands, etc. and had help from them.
• Monday was a 12 hour day in Venice, at a school.  It is 1 1/2 hours from Clearwater so some of it was travel.  It's nice to not have to battle Tampa traffic, which I would have to do  if I were to come from home and a good excuse to spend more time with Mom and Dad.
• Tues., the 28th, Mom and I met with the real estate person, Luella, at Top of the World and looked at 5 condos.  We narrowed it down to 3.  Two were too far for Lois to walk to their house, so...   
• The one we liked is three buildings away from Mom and Dad, looks out on the golf course, is the same layout as theirs, but larger, is furnished with nice furniture, and is on the second floor.  We had been looking for a first floor so Lois could have a patio, but later realized that a patio takes work and Mom and Dad's is just 3 buildings away.  She is three doors down from the center section, where there is an elevator, the washers and dryers, and can get to trash and mail easily.  We talked it over and over and met with Luella again on Wed. To make a long story short, 
• Mom and Dad will buy the condo as an investment
• we will get Lois  down here for good, as soon as possible, maybe in 2 1/2 weeks
• we have North American Van Line person on hold to come on little notice (she wants to bring some of her things).  That may happen by the 15th.
• we have Cathy getting Lois set to get pension/401K, COBRA, etc.
• we have a consignment shop to take the rest of Lois' stuff
• we have a real estate agent in CT who has seen Lois' place and will meet with us next week to get set to put it on the market.  Lois will leave it empty for her to show.
• her doctor knows doctors at Moffit, in Tampa, and sees no problem with her going there for chemo.  We would still go to NY for MRI's every 2-3 months.
• So, I came home Thurs. and Fri. to get ready for a Porch Sale I set out Sat.  We have a prime location here - everyone coming into town goes by and we even had a nice shade tree.  I did it out back.  It was even a little cooler.  Made some spending money for San Diego.
• Today,  I am taking a little breather before jumping into "the rest of the story", yet to be written.

The story may go something like this:

This week - get caught up on my life to be OK until Nov.

Fri.   Oct. 8   Chemo #2Sat.  Oct. 9  Helen to CT            
Mon.  Oct.  11  Meet with real estate agent CT, Dorothy
That week:    consignment shop, primary care doctor, chemo doctor, movers, bank, boss, etc. etc. 
Tues or Wed.  Oct. 12 or 13   Helen and Lois to FLThurs. Oct. 21   Helen to San Diego, CA for AMS Conference
                  24   Drive to Ridgecrest to visit and empty storage unit
                  27   Drive to LAX and fly to San Jose to see Brian and Brigette
                  29   Fly to FL from San Jose

Jazzercise

Oh my!  I thought walking and weight training at the gym were good workouts.  I attended my first Jazzercise class in 20 years and found I've just been lazing around.  I've been looking for it ever since I got here but it's always too far away.  They are now starting in town and it was so much fun.  I may not move normally this week and will moan alot but I loved it.  It's great music, you don't stop for one hour, and it's more dance than exercise.  A group of us went downtown afterwards for a light snack.  It's even nice enough to sit outside now.  A most enjoyable evening.