Holding my breath!

During the summer the winds that blow, blow from the direction of basically California.  Across the open ocean.  Our air quality, while still not great, is usually manageable here in Tung Chung.  One of the reasons we live here, and not downtown where it is convenient to everything....

Well, this time of year, apparently, the winds shift and we get the air from China, which results in this!

I have always been very sensitive to bad air quality...  Not good.  I can't breathe....

So, I have been trying to hang inside more, which I dislike.  But, I like it better than not being able to breathe.

It is like there is a brown cloud that is sitting on the ground, insane!

I was excited last week, we had a couple better air quality days and I actually saw some blue skies.

Blue skies are very rare!  It seriously looks completely gray/brown, so much though that the sun is hard to see in the sky!

I love the blue!

Krystin was doing a project for her AP Art class and I went with her, and grabbed a couple shots to demonstrate the lack of visibility.  On this day, though, the air quality wasn't that bad.

When the air quality is good it is completely clear across the water and you can see the mountains and the sky is blue! 

Planes taking off.

This is by our flat so you know. 

On a different note, that is one way to water a waterfall! Ha!

Here's to some strong winds from across the ocean!!!

Todd did buy us an air purifier for our flat, which I am very appreciative of. 

I do feel badly for Krystin and her running team practicing and competing in this bad air!

Dinner...

Dinner.  I hate Dinner...
I do.  It is the nemesis of my life.

It is NEVER simple.

Always, "What should we have type of a deal?"...  

Where no one agrees, unless it is Mexican night!
I seriously will make whatever, just make a decision and agree.
(Disclaimer:  Whatever can NOT include bones or heads.  I have my limits.)...

Now, I would be happy to go out to eat as there is no counter space and cooking is a challenge, and it is actually cheaper to eat out most times. However, the MSG factor is dangerous and going out is so time consuming, so I will gladly cook in the little tiny no counter space, no air con kitchen!

Ok, phew feel better!

I have been trying to mix it up lately, especially when the kids are busy.

We had Australian Beef Chili.  With homemade Sourdough bread in my bread maker.

I have been experimenting with different recipes online too.

This one was a super hit!  

It is a cross between Mexican and Italian.

Krystin and Todd could NOT stop eating it.

I was very happy.  I have even made it in different ways and they loved it.

Recipe found here.  

Taste much better than my blurry pic.

We also are sad for Churros regularly, so our friend from California, Christine Mushet recommended this recipe.  

It is hard to find Western foods here, usually.  The recipe called for Sara Lee frozen Angel food cake.  Look at this selection they have.  All pound cake!  What!?  So we decided to improvise Swirl and Chocolate. I was committed to making these things.

Todd helped me, as I have never fried anything in oil before, and was a bit nervous about it.

The final result.

They were a little to greasy, but I might not have done it right.

They weren't bad, but I think I need to try again.

Do you remember this? 

I haven't seen stove top popcorn since I was a kid.

I failed at demonstrating to Kayla how stove top popcorn is done, and I think there is still a hint of burnt popcorn every once in a while in the air.

Krystin convinced me to go to Ajison Ramen for dinner one night, which I love...

I especially love the not cooking factor...

They normally will accomodate our request for no MSG.  Well, we took it to go...

It had TONS of MSG.  The lady that took our order totally had no clue what we were saying, we kept asking her if she understood. She said yes, but you know, KNOW when someone doesn't understand...  I looked at the Chinese receipt and it was missing any additional comments, so I should have said something. What do you say though to someone who doesn't understand you?  Nothing, you just eat it.

It was VERY good....

However, Krystin was sick for most of the week....

She had already had MSG the day before, and it overloaded her system...

One of my favorite meals to make is Tofu- Veggie- Stirfry!

Love it so much!  Todd really doesn't, so I try to plan it mostly when he is away or add some sort of animal flesh to the mix to satisfy his O blood cravings. 

SO GOOD!

Kayla's idea of dinner at school. 

Lizard Dinner 

Todd's Hotel Dinner via room service.  

Bet he preferred that over Tofu! LOL 

Ok, just because this bird cracks me up.

Look she does brain sucker. 

Pizza must not have been bad, he got it the next night too! Hahha 

Fun, fun, now what is for dinner tomorrow night?

College Entertainment

Logan was able to attend another concert recently.

It was an Alex Boye' concert. He wasn't familiar with his music, but is really open-minded about music.  He honestly enjoys all music, all genre's (even Country, shutter!), in all languages.

He sent me a few pics from the night!

Nice shirt!

With Alex himself. 

Logan REALLY enjoyed the concert, so much so that he not only bought a shirt, but a CD as well.  That is saying something, as he tends to not like to spend his money. 

Kayla also had the opportunity to attend a concert at her school with a friend.

The concert was in Cantonese, and a few different artists performed. 

She had a great time, even though her Cantonese is limited!

Ok, this doesn't really count as entertainment, per say....

However, it enterained me, so it totally counts...

Sometimes my Kay shares her class experiences with me.

She has this one class that isn't quite like anything that it was stated to be....

It doesn't have anything to do with science, or it wasn't supposed to...

(Did I mention Kayla does not share in my love for Chemistry and science?)

(In other words this is pretty much sheer torture for the poor girl.)

Apparently, Kayla is not alone in her perplexity, and uhm lack of interest in the subject.

I regularly receive messages from Kay of students who lost the bottle to stay conscious in this class... 

I am happy to say she is determined to stay conscious, and apparently is the one that answers most of the questions.  While she may not like the subject, my blood is in there somewhere. HAHAHAH!

Well, there you go, some college life excitement! woo!  

Foreign Fruit: Malaysian Tropical Passion Fruit

Foreign Fruit:  Malaysian Tropical Passion Fruit

First, before we share, wait.  Lily wants to say, "Hi!"... 

We hadn't seen these little puppies before.

Honestly, they looked a little strange.

Before cracking them open, we all guessed about what they would look like on the inside.

Krystin guessed yellow, but I don't think any of us expected this! 

The girls were a little nervous to try it I believe...  

Something about an alien sac or something (ok, maybe that was me saying that).

They did not agree with the package...

It stated, "The best tasting Tropical fruit in the world".  

It sort of smelled and tasted like Guava, so if you like Guava...

Indy thought it was ok, but not nearly as amazing as the pomegranates.  

Later in the day, Indy was so happy to try new fruit she was extra cute! 

Then fell asleep on her Daddoos shoulder. 

Lily was pretty happy too... 

Honey too... Nothing is more comfortable to nap on than your sister's homework.

Z-bird really liked the Tropical fruit, but she has a Guava obsession!

Krystin's AP Art Class

My children love knowledge, learning and diversity of enrichment.

I truly value that quality in the three of them.

They each express it in their own unique way.

Krystin loves to draw and paint.

As such, this year she is in an AP Art class.

While it is time consuming, I think she is truly enjoying having assignments where she is to express her creativity with a paint brush or pencil.

Her most recent assignment was a little different.

She was to go out and artistically capture images with a camera.

I went with her to keep her company.  

Luckily, we happen to live right next to the airport and the ocean, so many opportunities.

She was so cute taking pictures that I had to capture a few of my own, of her!

(Sorry Krystin, you know I can't help myself).

A biker gang came riding up as we getting ready to go...

I couldn't help but laughing, training wheels are totally socially acceptable for adults to use out here.

Hell, they make you that much more bad ass with your peers.  

Krystin walked by to give me an excuse to take pics of the training wheels, cause she is smooth like that. 

The view of our flat from the path.  Ours is on the left fourth tower away (even though they call it the 5th!).  The new towers that are going up on the right are like mighty giants battling their way to the sky and competing with the ocean view skyline. RUDE!  Next year we are moving to a floor above 40 (the new buildings will cap out at 39, our building goes to 60).  

Hopefully, I will be able to share some of her art work, as she completes it.

Ok, Krystin?