Our Calendars Lately

So much to do and so little time! That's how we've been feeling as we make everything we want to do become reality, yet trying to keep balance with work and enough rest so we don't burn ourselves out.

I was in Shanghai for 10 days and got back to Sing last Friday. It was a busy and productive trip with visitors from other headquarters, meetings, and processes roll-outs. Since my boss who usually takes care of hosting these things was on vaca in South Africa (*jealous), I had more to do than usual. It was great meeting up with some old friends and hanging out with some new ones. Having great company made this trip so much better than the last. Shanghai has a couple days off this week due to Duan Wu Jie - Dragon Boat Festival, so I'm studying for my scuba test and supervising the maid (she's new) at the same time as I type. It's nice to have some down time before this weekend, when we're off to Tioman Island, Malaysia for 6 dives. The last time we dived was on our honeymoon in French Polynesia, and everyone tells us we started our diving career with a bang there, and anything after would be hard to compare. And yes, diving in the Tahitian Islands was beyond awesome, but I can appreciate diversity. We don't have to see sharks, whales, and octopus everytime, it's also worthwhile to savor the pretty little thing nature has to offer. We've gotten our gears ready, but still need to locate the under water camera case in one of the boxes...

Some other things we've been up to - Josh has met several good tennis partners, so he's been playing tennis a couple times a week. Golf is not as easily accessible and affordable here, so tennis has substituted golf for now. Though, we found a spot nearby that has in-door golf, where they simulate a full course (or 9-hole if you wish), and the cameras calculate your data precisely, with a ginormous screen for you to look ahead. I'm not knowledgeable enough in golf to decide if it's yay or nay, but according to Josh, it's pretty cool! On my end, I finally joined a gym, Fitness First. The reason it took some time to search for one is that gyms are pricey here. We're looking at something comparable to LA Fitness back in California, for $150/person/month. That's more than what we were paying for the Bay Club in San Francisco! However, keeping healthy is priceless, as long as it's within our means, it is a spending that's a must in my book.

Even though we've only been away for less than 2 months, it feels longer. We miss home from time to time, mainly the people and the comfort. We may be planning a trip home this year around Thanksgiving timeframe. We'll keep y'all posted! For now, sending lots of greetings and warm hugs from the far east your way! Back to the diving planner calculating pressure group, total bottom time, and decompression limits...and the house smells like pine sol.

Just a few photos from Shanghai -

Best way I've eaten foie gras - lightly pan seared on both sides, served with a heavily stewed chunk of daikon, a few drizzles of truffle oil, topped with some radish slivers. At Moonsha, Bund # 5.

So gorgeous - The Bund at night taken on my phone.

Braving the World Expo with 400,000 visitors a day. Spain pavilion.

Admiring the China pavilion from afar since the wait to enter was 4.5 hrs. I'll go back to the expo another time during the week, at night. That's the only way to not cringe for lack of personal space.