High tea: TWG

I had the French Earl Grey tea.  Amazing.  Bought some to take home afterwards.  That was about all the good I have to say about the high tea at TWG.

For about $300, you get either 2 scones OR 1 pastry item (yes, OR) and 3 slightly-larger-than-a-canape sandwiches. Whipped cream and tea jelly accompanied the scones.  Maybe I'm a traditionalist, but I want clotted cream and jam with my scones.  The scones were basically baked tasteless dough passed off as scones.  The sandwiches were okay--steak, salmon, foie gras.  I can make the steak and salmon ones with ingredients from parknshop.  The foie gras was overcooked.

The AC was blasting, which meant my tea was cold seconds after being poured into my cup.  The servers kept walking behind Hale's chair and either knocking off her coat or slightly grazing her hair.  NOT relaxing at all.  There was no hot water refill.  Okay, maybe it is to ensure quality of the tea to remove tea leaves after steeping, but seriously?  $75 for a 3/4 full pot of tea and no refill of hot water?!?!?

Yeah, I realize this is a bit harsh.  For $300, I had expected a lot more from TWG.  Next time, I will just stop by to buy tea leaves.

Hong Kong Sevens

The Hong Kong Sevens is an experience.  Rugby teams from around the world participate in the Sevens World Series and compete in Australia, Dubai, South Africa, New Zealand, USA, Japan, Scotland, England, and Hong Kong.  Yeah, Hong Kong.

Glad I was able to go.  But once is enough.  lol

1.  People (read: ex-pats and foreigners) go for the drinking and drinking and drinking.  The rules are different so that the actual games are shorter and less people play on each team.  The tournament is basically for spectator "entertainment."

2.  People show up in costumes for the festivities.

3.  People, people, everywhere!  I didn't bother looking for my seat.  You kind of just walk around to find an empty seat and make friends with people around you.  (This is the south side, notorious for the cool costumes and very "happy" spectators.)

4.  What do I know about rugby anyway?

If not for these guys from Leeds, I wouldn't have been able to follow along AT ALL.

Or have the great spot to take photos.

5.  It is REALLY REALLY REALLY difficult to score tickets.  You have to register to be in the pool of people eligible to buy tickets ahead of time.  And it cost both arms and legs for the weekend pass.  I wasn't about to pay for something I was only half interested in checking out (see #1-4).

I had just about given up when a friend's fiancee had ONE ticket.  She works for a hedge fund and one of the traders gave her the free ticket.  Lucky me!  Even though I was going to have to go alone, I decided it was now or never.  Hahaha.

I did enjoy the halftime show--the Beach Boys!

Lab Made ice cream

This places serves ice cream made-to-order...with liquid nitrogen!

I chose the purple rice flavor.  I really enjoyed it...just sweet enough for my taste.  Texture is different than other "gourmet" ice cream--not creamy or smooth--but delicious nonetheless.

Let's do the eight clap!

I just signed the letter of acceptance today.  Starting PhD program at UCLA this fall.  

I am so very grateful to everyone who helped to get me here.  Thanks!  This is indeed exciting.  It's taking me a while to come to terms with what all this means.  I am really happy.  Ecstatic.  But because I am who I am, I've been a little busy freaking out over what's to come.  Hahaha.  But instead of screaming "OMG what have I done," I'm going to do a happy dance today.  Hee hee.

Oh, I can't wait to do the eight clap at the next football game!  Go Bruins!

Bucket list: Doctor's visit

I know that's a silly bucket list item.  But I had to check it out.  For research purposes.  Hahaha.  Then I can actually say I've had personal experience in another country's health care system.  lol

Step 1: Call the phone appointment line.  You will likely get an appointment 2 days later.  Yes, you have to wait 2 days to see the doctor to alleviate symptoms that will probably be much better by the time of your appointment.  I guess the point is to let the doctor deliver the good news.

Step 2: On the day of your appointment, you have to bring your HK ID, Staff ID, and form 181.  This form is endorsed by someone at the school (I don't know what she does) and the form entitles me to free visit at the staff clinic.  DO NOT forget this form.

Step 3:  Find the staff clinic.  9th floor of old building.  Or is it new?

Step 4: Check in.  This is when you have to present your two IDs plus 181 form.

Step 5.  Two measurements--blood pressure and weight.  Then you're directed to sit here.

Step 6: Have you 4 minute visit with doctor.  "What's wrong with you?"  "Let me listen to your lungs"  "Do you have a fever?"  "I'll prescribe drug A and drug B.  Do you want drug C?"  And then you walk out with a prescription.

Step 7: Take prescription to main pharmacy.  The trick is to drop it off and come back waaaaay later.

Step 8: Probably make another phone appointment.  You get enough meds for 4 days.  Yes, 4.  Which means it might be a good idea to schedule the next appointment (which would be in 2 days), just in case you still don't feel well after you have gone through your meds.  

Takeaways:

1) You need to anticipate when you'll be sick--remember that next appointment is usually in 2 days--or be ready to pay a private doctor for an immediate appointment

2) You are expected to get well within 4 days (that's how long the meds last)

3)  Seeing the doctor is more for your mental peace of mind.  Just to say you went to the doctor.  For free.

I ended up seeing a private physician... and slept a lot and drank a lot of water.

Congee King

Tiff and I went to Congee King after Chinglish.  It was deeee-licious!  The congee base is made with fish broth.  And it had other small plates that you don't find everywhere.

Glutinous rice with pork and salted egg

Pig liver

Fish skin

My new obsession #3

Back to a childhood favorite.  It is all Nat's fault.  She needed to collect stamps to redeem a pan so we went to Mannings (local CVS-type store) and bought a bunch of stuff to make sure she had enough stamps.  Haribo earned double stamps so I grabbed a couple.  And two days later I went back to get a few more.  And then two days later...hahahaha.