It's the right place!

No you haven't come to the wrong blog - I just decided that a bit of a change was in order and so spent last night having a play. It's all a bit tongue in cheek but figured you'd all enjoy it - too bad if you don't - I'm not doing it again! Everything seems to be just about right apart from the bottom sidebar headings which for some reason won't expand to fill the column width. I'll keep playing but if anyone out there can straight off tell me what I need to do to get them to fill the width - I'd love to hear from you! STOP PRESS - Worked out that I was missing a closing "div"- put one in and schmicko - it's all go!

Nearly human again

I think I'm finally on the way to feeling like a normal person again. I've had a horrible week. For those of you who are sensitive or dislike hearing about illness skip this para - it's probably TMI but don't know how to tell what's been happening otherwise. When I last posted last Monday I was feeling like everything was improving and it continued to do so Tuesday although I was still far from right. I went back to work on Wednesday and managed to get through the day without too much drama but then Wednesday night had a relapse - back to uncontrollable diarrhea and violent stomach cramps again. So went to doctor on Thursday - he was a bit of a dropkick (couldn't get in to my usual guy) and just told me to keep taking Immodium and come back if there was any sign of blood!!! He finally decided I should get a specimen checked then asked if I wanted him to examine my tummy!!!! He then told me that he could hear my bowel working - wow - I could have told him that was the one part of my anatomy which seemed to be working overtime!! Anyway the rest of Thursday was increasingly miserable adding the shivers, further cramps and a headache to the story. Friday more of the same then Friday night had a bout of gastric reflux (something I haven't had for over 5 years) - think my poor tummy had just about given up the ghost by this stage. Funny story here - I was wondering what I could take to relieve the pain and had my laptop there so googled it. One suggestion was a banana which I also knew from other searches wouldn't fire up the diarrhea so at midnight I'm sitting up hugging my tummy and nibbling a banana!! I think it did help. Anyway I ended up spending most of Friday night upright in the chair in the lounge room. Saturday morning I had a hairdressing appointment which I really wanted to keep. By this time the loo trips had definitely decreased in frequency but I was still having violent spasms of abdominal pain. My friend S called me at the hairdresser and I filled her in on the story. She's a nurse and was the one who insisted I go to the doctor's on Thursday. Anyway shortly after that she turned up in the hairdresser having had a consultation with the chemist, with a packet of Buscopan and told me to get started on them straight away and leave the Immodium for now unless the need becomes vital. Well what a difference that's made to the way I feel. Insides still not functioning exactly the way they should but heaps better, and if I delay taking the Buscopan I get the cramps back but hopefully that will settle down really soon now. I'm heading off to work now and we'll see how I go. Back anon. Back again. So reviewing this week and considering what went in and what came out I feel like I should have lost about 5kgs and I've definitely lost inches. However the scales actually say 800g so that's me back to pre holiday plus another 100g down . Food wise I haven't eaten very much at all, managed to keep the water up but probably still not enough, and steps, gym, running and tracking haven't been a consideration. Must say that I wore my pedometer on holiday and Bloss and I managed to rack up 90,000 steps over 8 days so that was pretty good. I didn't make it to the gym in HK so need to work out where I'm going to pick up the C25K programme again. My plan for the week ahead is to start walking tomorrow morning again - assuming I continue to improve. I'll just walk this week and if I'm properly well then I'll get back into fitness next Monday. I've already got my pedometer on today so will start trying to get the steps going. There's still lots of things I have to avoid eating so will just try and muddle through this week - got to stay away from too much fresh fruit and vegies and all dairy - so there goes most of my snacks. So really not a lot to tell you about this week as I've spent the greatest part of it either in bed or in the loo! And my poor dog is feeling very deprived as she's had no exercise. 11 weeks till we go on our next trip and I have 7.3kgs to lose - that's an average of 650g per week - a bit higher than I usually can manage, but I'm going to have a shot at it. Wish me luck! I've been reading all your blogs this week but haven't managed to get up enough energy to comment on very many. I promise to try and do better in the week ahead. Have a great one everybody. Just a little add on about all my HK buys and what sort of price things were since a few of you have been wondering. The 4 pairs of shoes in the picture cost the equivalent of less than A$50 for all four. My jeans were A$15, Bloss's dress shirts about A$10 each, his tailor made jacket about A$200, my jacket A$30, kids undies - 12 pairs for A$7.50, sunglasses about A $6/7 pair, my tops all between A$10 and 20, laptop bag A$12, handbags between A$8 and $15 Our oil painting (I'll post a picture once its stretched and on the wall) $A45. Also picked up some gorgeous necklaces for about A$3 each - you can see one of them in the photo where I'm looking relaxed in the Harbour Club (ie had a few!)

Some HK Photos

Been trying for hours to put this on the end of yesterdays post but it just won't work but seems to be OK as a new post - in the words of the prophet WTF!!

Tales from the Orient

Me waiting for train to go to International Airport


The Journey

We had a great trip out - all flights on schedule and a colleague of one of our friends met us at the airport and drove us direct to our hotel. The journey back was good until I got sick. When we went into the Qantas Club at HK on the way back, this guy smiled at me and said "I think I know you" and I said "I think I know you too!" It was the manager of the Avis branch at our local airport who I've dealt with several times over the years. Amazing who you meet and where! He and his wife were off to Paris, then a cruise out of Monaco then on to Italy - to celebrate her birthday. What a wonderful birthday present!

The Shopping

The spoils laid out on the spare bed

One of the nice things about going to Hong Kong is the amount of shopping to be done! Here's a list of what we brought back (couldn't fit everything into the photo)

2 Jackets - one each - black silk for me, cashmere for Bloss
9 Shirts - for Bloss - Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren
7 Pairs shoes for 3 for Bloss, 4 for me
6 Pairs sunglasses - 5 for me, 1 for Bloss
1 Oil painting
Jeans and Tshirts for all 4 grandchildren
Ferrari jacket for US grandson
12 pairs undies for grandsons
Tos for all 4 grandchildren
2 Tops each for Son and DIL
D & G Handbag for friend
Gucci Overnight bag on wheels, laptop bag and handbag for me
Fendi handbag for me
1 pair Jeans for me
8 Tops for me
9 pairs Calvin Klein undies for Bloss
2 black leather belts - one each

Just as well I only half filled each suitcase - they were chocka on the way back. I think mine weighted just under 30kgs.

What we did

Bloss outside Stanley Markets

Monday we went across to Hong Kong island and caught a bus to take us to the other side of the island where we went to Stanley Markets. Last time I was in HK (5 years ago) I bought a black silk jacket - blazer style - which has just been great so wanted to try and get another one. I did - not sure if it's as good as the last one but will still be fine. We also bought a nice oil painting there which I'll have stretched and will just suit a spot in the entry hall. Bloss was persuaded to go and visit a tailor - not by me but by one of the many street touts. I turned my back for a minute to go into the chemists and by the time I came back he was all set to be measured up. Actually he did want to get a jacket made anyway. He's so tall (6ft 4ins) and has incredibly long arms so finds it almost impossible to buy jackets off the shelf.

Heading out to dinner

At night we enjoyed the happy hour session in the hotel then caught a cab to the Havana Club - had been recommended to us by friends who were in HK in February. It was good and had good music. Should say that the happy hour was great value - we enjoyed a chardonnay or four as well as nibblies both hot and cold and we found that a lot of the time after that we had no real need to have dinner.

Bloss and I at Statue of Nuwa, Shenzhen

Tuesday we had booked a tour to Shenzhen which is in China. Fascinating city - 25 years ago was only a fishing village and now has a popluation of 12 million. We visited some interesting places there incuding the museum which had a scale model of the entire city - awesome. We went to a shopping mall there where we'd been told the prices were much cheaper than HK but we didn't actually find that and found them to be really aggressive marketers - not nasty just really full on. We had caught a boat from HK to Shenzhen at lunch time, then had a coach meet us there, then came back to HK at night on the train. A top day.

At a fabulous Chinese Seafood Restaurant

We had an absolutely scrumptious lunch here - you can't see it in this pic but there were these incredible flower filled chandeliers everywhere

The Avenue of Stars

Wednesday we checked out some of the local department stores and had a walk along the esplanade on the Kowloon side - checking out the Avenue of Stars. We then found a nice little Irish Pub and had a couple of beers to fortify ourselves for visiting the Ladies Markets in the afternoon - got a good few bargains there and Bloss got really into buying mode so didn't have to drag him round screaming. At night we joined happy hour at the hotel then headed off to Knutsford Terrace which is a really nice eating area in Kowloon. We had a lovely meal at an Italian restaurant there then popped back into the Havana Club for a nightcap.

Ladies Market

Thursday morning we found another mega shopping centre and had a wander round there then went back to the Ladies markets again. You know how sometimes you think afterwards that you should have just bought something. Well there were a few things like that for both of us. Somewhere in there I think we went to the Irish pub again for lunch. Then at night we had happy hour in the hotel and a fairly early night - all this shopping was taking it out of us!

Star Ferry from Kowloon to Hong Kong Island

These ferries run every few minutes all day every day and cost about $2.20HK (that's about 30 cents) and that allows you to go on the top deck - bottom deck is $1.70HK

View from a tram

Friday morning we caught the Star ferry across to Hong Kong Island and had a wander round there then jumped on a tram and travelled the length of the route - a fantastic way to get a feel for the life in the place - sitting on the top deck with the windows down. I remember doing this last time we were here and it was great. Bloss had to go back to his tailors in the afternoon to pick up his jacket then at night we went to the Temple markets. This was the first time we saw rain and it was pouring so we had a pretty quick zip round there then back to the hotel.

The view from our room - Hong Kong Harbour

Saturday we spent the morning trying to work out how to fit all the stuff we'd bought into out cases! There had also been a couple of things we'd thought we'd get at Temple Markets which weren't there so.... you guessed it we shot out to Ladies Markets for an hour and did the last minute, last minute shopping! We had our room till 6pm which was great - had plenty of time to have a shower, get organised and then caught the airport shuttle at 7.15.

When I read this I realise how much shopping we did - but most of it was at markets and they are just so much fun - the people are warm and friendly (and pushy) but great to deal with. I was always referred to as Missy - "Missy you want copy Louis Vuitton?" and Bloss was Boss - "Hey Boss you want copy Rolex?"

I'm going to go back now and add a few photos, but as you'll have gathered we had a ball .....and guess what it's only 12 weeks till we head off for the States, Mexico and Cuba!!

ps As you might have gathered I'm now feeling a lot better - haven't visited the little room since lunch time but still wary of eating anything else.

pps Have done a lot of faffing around trying to get these pictures where I want them with captions in the right place - believe I need to go into Picasa to do it properly but that's just too hard right now. But the way I've done it I think if you click on the caption itself it'll open up the picture in another window. Have fun!

Sick

Only a very brief post today just to let you all know I'm back. Had an absolutely brilliant holiday but got sick on the plane on the way home but fortunately not till 7am when we were due into Brisbane at 10am. I'll try not to give you too much information but it started with the dreaded diarrhea, which got progressively worse, then shivering all over, appalling stomach cramps, and every muscle in my body aching. It made for a long day in Brisbane airport! Got home around 4.30pm yesterday and went straight to bed - still there now. Had today off work anyway - but hadn't envisaged spending it in bed (or on the loo). I've been dreadfully dehydrated - too scared to eat or drink anything when in Brisbane with another plane trip to come. Even today not even hungry - just ate some dry crackers to see if it will help - tasted a bit like cardboard and trying to keep up the water. Anyway starting to feel a bit better - couldn't have even thought of doing a post yesterday but I'm not game to be too far from a toilet! Yes I did stand on the scales - this morning - a gain of 700g so not too distressed about that. I'll be back in a couple of days with a more detailed post telling you more about our holiday and I'll include some photos.

Heigh Ho - to Honkers we go!

A quick post as promised. Lots to do and hardly any time left to do it! But a good week with a loss of 300g week to date. Had my first wine since Easter, last night - it (or rather they) went down quite nicely. And for your info Chris H I managed to get the wine rack full - would post a photo if I had time!! Reviewing the week thus far Steps - 64,400 so that's averaging over the 5 days around 12,800 daily Gym - once plus booked an assessment (which didn't happen - more on that another time) C25K - 3 days - completed Week 7 - for those of you not familiar with this programme - this means I ran for 25 mins without stopping for 3 days last week - I'm damn proud of that so need to shout it from the rooftops!!! Walk - 2 days Water - good Points - even with last night's wine - on target Tracking - doing that too. Off to take Zanna to the kennels and me to the beauticians - hope to get back later. 5pm - Back again. Zanna is safely esconced in the kennels - they love her there because she has such a lovely temperament and doesn't bark or carry on. She has a bit of a sook when I leave her but is always looking great when I pick her up so she obviously doesn't pine for long. She spent six weeks with them a couple of years ago when we went to Europe and was Queen of the Kennels. After dropping her off I raced round and picked up a pair of trousers I was having shortened then to the beautician. Had a good old chat with Geraldine my beautician while she waxed on/waxed off! Then next door for the spray routine. After I've been sprayed I have to stand in front of a fan for about 10 minutes to give the tanning spray a chance to dry. While doing this my phone rang and it was my friend Sharon asking what are you doing? I replied standing starkers apart from a g-string in front of a fan drying off - she cracked up! I met her for an early lunch then raced round getting some last minute things including a couple of good (well I hope they are!) books for the plane and when I'm not sightseening or shopping!! Should have said that the tan looks great - dark brown with my new blonder look - tres sexy according to Bloss! The cases are packed - just need the lid closed and Bloss and I will have a quiet night tonight ready for a 4.45am start in the morning. The taxi is booked for 5.35am I'm sitting here sipping on a wee chardonnay - seems to be a very tasty one - or maybe that's just the novelty of it. Anyway time to go - so be good all you little chickens and I won't do anything you wouldn't (and from all your blogs - between the lot of you I should have lots of scope for enjoyment!!) Back next Monday (21st) with a post but might manage the odd comment during the week as the Club floor has PCs with free internet access so I'll be checking my emails (Julie - let me know how you're going) and might manage the odd comment. Toodles!

Double Whammy!!

I've kicked two goals this week - passed the half way point in my weightloss journey and I'm a SIXTIES GAL!!! Can you tell I'm over the moon? I've had a good week with a loss of 900g and feel fantastic. I think running and gym have definitely speeded up my metabolism. Since I have hypothyroidism (an under active thyroid) I tend to have to work hard to stimulate my metabolism even although I'm on constant medication and I think it's the increased heart rate that's doing it for me. Remember Sue making a similar comment a few weeks ago and I think she's dead right. And as for being a 60's gal, this is the first time I've been in the sixties since I got these scales. Going back 4 years I was down to 66kgs on my old scales but then got my new ones and they made me 71kgs and since then have never managed to get in the sixties again. I'm going to look for a sparkly thing like Nanette has to skite to the world! Reviewing the week: Points - really good, came in a bit under for the week - I'm on 18 points a day and had 122.5 out of possible 126. I earned 20 exercise points for the week Tracking - did that well too Steps - 72,000 for the week (and I forgot to wear it one night when I went to gym) so anyway average of about 10,300 a day Gym - 2 days (having a bit of trouble with my shoulder so gave it a rest from Tuesday to Sunday) Walk - 3 days C25K - 3 days - finished Week 6 on Friday with a non stop 25 minute run and felt pretty crash hot with that. Now I have to try and build up my speed and distance. This week is three 25 minute runs so will be aiming to go a bit further in the same time (actually managed to do a few hundred metres more this morning than I did on Friday) Water - good apart from Saturday - went shopping and forgot to take my water with me. I'm getting quite excited now about our holiday - only six days to go. Have most of my packing organised - laid out on the spare room bed ready to just pop in. One of our friends' colleagues who lives and works in Hong Kong is going to pick us up at the airport and drive us to our hotel - which will be lovely - saves all that faffing around on buses or trains. We're staying at the Kowloon Plaza hotel which is right in the heart of Nathan Road so close to everything. We've splashed out and are staying on the Harbour Club floor - this is the floor designed for business people and offers those nice little extras - guaranteed harbour view, exclusive use of the Lounge on that floor, continental breakfast, afternoon tea, free internet use, a garment each pressed free each day, fruit basket and water replenished each day and best of all happy hour every night from 6 - 8pm - all drinks free and nibblies too - means that you need next to no evening meal. Needless to say I'll be back on the booze next week but plan to be a bit selective with the nibbles. So we're off on Sunday morning early - leave home at 5.45am to fly to Brisbane. We've a few hours in Brisbane as we don't leave for HK until 1pm but will use that time to get thoroughly into holiday mode. We're Qantas Club members so will catch the train across to the International Airport and tuck ourselves into a corner of the lounge and wind down (or should that be wind up) with a couple of quiet ones! The hotel doesn't have a gym but is right across the road from the YMCA which has an amazing gym which I can use. Am planning to take my gym gear and do Week 8 of the C25K. In past holidays I've had great ideas to keep up the gym but failed to follow through so we'll see if I can do better this time. As well as the HK tourist stuff (and of course shopping) we also plan to do a day trip to Macau - went there last time in 2002 and loved it and it has gone ahead with major leaps since then so keen to see it now. Think we'll also try and have a day trip to China - not sure where yet. Busy week ahead - having a reassessment at the gym on Tuesday night, back to the doctors Wednesday for a check on my BP - which strangely enough has dropped right down in the last two days - thought maybe my monitor was due for new batteries but put other ones in and it was still much lower - so won't complain about that. Friday night we're having dinner with friends, Saturday I have to take Zanna to the kennels in the morning then off to the beauticians to get all the bits waxed and the famous spray tan - always put's me in holiday mode! OK I've probably given you all the shxxs prattling on about my holiday. Might do a quick update from HK but could be so busy having fun that I won't have time. Right -time to disappear before you hit me!! Have a great week everyone and I promise to be brave enough to tell you how my weight is going when I get back on the 21st!!