Dragon Boat Festival

Today is Dragon Boat Festival. 

From Wikipedia:

The story best known in modern China holds that the festival commemorates the death of the poet and minister Qu Yuan (c. 340–278 BC) of the ancient state of Chu. A cadet member of the Chu royal house, Qu served in high offices. However, when the king decided to ally with the increasingly powerful state of Qin, Qu was banished for opposing the alliance and even accused of treason. During his exile, Qu Yuan wrote a great deal of poetry. Twenty-eight years later, Qin captured Ying, the Chu capital. In despair, Qu Yuan committed suicide by drowning himself in the Miluo River.

It is said that the local people, who admired him, raced out in their boats to save him or at least retrieve his body. This is said to have been the origin of dragon boat races. When his body could not be found, they dropped balls of sticky rice into the river so that the fish would eat them instead of Qu Yuan's body. This is said to be the origin of zongzi. 

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Before the festival you are supposed to eat "Jung" or rice packets. Ivy's mum was kind enough to make me some! #spoiled

On day of festival we have dragon boat races. We have been practicing for the past few weeks.

Boats of 18 people padding from the bay to the shore. We race at Stanley Bay.

Hasbro's theme this year is Marvel's Civil War - Iron Man versus Captain America. Who's side are you on?

Our women's team did pretty good this year. Somehow I got the front row seat. 

After last race I dropped the paddle - I am done! 

My front row buddy, Candy! 

Weather was much better this year. Last week was so hot but this year was just hot. 

What a great day! But I'm exhausted. 

Weekend

It was a hot hot weekend. So we found indoor activities to do. Saturday we went to a photography exhibit of Annie Leibovitz pictures. The exhibit was titled Women and included her portraits of famous and nonfamous women. The execution and layout of the photos was not the best but we enjoyed the exhibit. 

After we went to restaurant Picnic and had a fabuslous meal. The servers there are so nice and we got the royal treatment. 

Monday we got our costumes for dragon boat races this week. Thursday is race day and public holiday. Theme this year is Civil War (Iron Man versus Captain America). Which side are you on?

Went to Court

Saturday my friend Hannah was admitted as a solicitor (lawyer) into the Hong Kong High Court. So we all went to watch the ceremony and then celebrate with brunch. 

Posing pre ceremony. 

Me, Hannah and Clare. 

Courtroom before we were told to stop taking pictures. 

Barristers do wear the wigs!!

Hannah with her pupil master. 

Brunch!! At Conrad hotel. 

Seafood! 

With Andy, Hannah's husband. Poolside at Marriot after. 

Sichuan Food

Sichuan food is spicy pungent cuisine from China. I usually don't eat spicy food in US but the flavors in Sichuan food is very good. 

Last night Andy, Donna and I went to Chonqing for delicious Sichuan. 

Pork belly. 

Spicy fried chicken. This is the most delicious chicken!!!

We had the pungent spicy fish too which numbs your mouth. 

Dragon Boat

So I have missed the first 6 dragon boat trainings this year due to work commitments. But Friday I finally rearranged my schedule so I could go. 

It was an overcast day and we got hit with a few rain storms. So we were soaked by the time we finished. It is a super tough workout. 

After the training we showered and dried off and then went back for the beach for a bbq. They had bought fresh seafood and we had a great selection of food. 

Fresh scallops are the best! 

The beach! 

Overall great day. I am super sore though!!! 

Birthday Monday

Monday was my actual birthday. Which means I get 36 hours of love with HK and US time.

Today I worked and had good time with coworkers. Bonnie sang to me. Many wished me a good day. My balloons made it to work. 

My US team is in HK for meetings so we had team dinner tonight. 

Sunset. 

Gorgeous view from the Pacific Club. 

Team pic with birthday cake!

Local group even sang me a Cantonese birthday song. 

Here's my cake! 

PS. It's hard to see in these pictures but I am wearing the dress that my brother bought me for my birthday. Custom dress! 

Birthday Sunday

Birthday celebration for Sunday was brunch at the Peak. My favorite! 4 hours of great food, great friends and champagne. With a great view. 

Natascha tried to embarrass me by getting some pictures of me as a child. What she didn't know is that I was an adorable child. Now my teenage years are the embarrassing ones... 

  

Back to the present...

My halo is on straight still. 

Cheers! 

Here is your little angel (then and now).