Flying Pan

Brunch today at the Flying Pan.

Spacious place. Inside looks like an American diner. The tables and couches are a bit rundown but fit the atmosphere just right. There are a million different types of eggs to choose from. Tasty all day breakfast type of dishes. Large servings. I give it 3.5/5. Points deducted for not serving real OJ (Let's be honest Mr Juice is water and artificial flavorings).

I love food too much to be a skinny girl. What a shame. Oh well :-/

Egg Ranchero

Egg Tapenade with Olive Spread and Feta Cheese

Rediscovering Pizza Express

I live in Wanchai. There is always a Pizza Express near me. I have been to both branches in Wanchai countless times and there's a period when I didn't want to go anymore. Then a few days ago, as I was wandering around aimlessly I walked pass the one on Ship Street and decided to go in for a long lunch by myself. The food has always been quite good, but I really enjoyed the service that day. As I told the waitress I wanted a table for one, she seated me in a quiet corner couch-seat (important - I didn't want my bottom on wooden chair for my relax day off long lunch). She cheerfully introduced herself, showed me the lunch menu, took my order and left me alone. I was playing with my iPhone while waiting; and when I looked up, there's my iced coffee along with a copy of "HK Magazine". That's thoughtful! Lunch was served quickly. The portion was bigger than I could handle (no problem, I tried my best). When I almost finished everything (while reading the mag) the same thoughtful waitress quietly put the dessert menu and toothpicks on my table. I couldn't eat anymore (though I would love the cake sampler) so I asked for the bill. Miss Nice Waitress asked me how was the food. I said excellent. I was so happy I filled in a customer survey for her voluntarily. 90 minutes lunch, less than $150, not bad :)

My coffee and my magazine

Appetizer: Stuffed mushroom with grill cheese and pesto

Main: Green salad; garlic bread; basil, olives, carpers and anchovies  spaghetti

The Escape Cat Artist

Boo Boo must be too used to being in Melbourne, living an in/outdoor cat life. Gone were the days when he sneaked out when I took the trash out; gone were the days when he jumped over the fence and stubbornly sat in the neighbor's garden; gone were the days when he sunbaked in the balcony / garden for hours. Now he lives in a small apartment in Hong Kong. But fear not! The clever Boo-ster decided to escape tonight when I got home and dropped in the corridor (filled with fluorescent lights) and showed that there is life outside the apartment!


*He also sniffed all the neighbors door and shoes and ALMOST marked his territory. I stopped him.*

*Stretch, streeeetch*

Boo Boo: I like it here, I ain't going back in!

Boo Boo: Mom! Go away and leave me alone now!

Update on Mia - the Chinese way

Two days ago Mia had an allergic reaction. She responded fairly well to conventional medicine (a shot of steroid followed with oral medication). However, the swelling comes and goes and this morning she flared up again. Repeated a dose of steroid, seemed to get the situation under control. But I want to target the source of her allergy.


Plan A - draw blood for allergen testing - gonna be pricy and the wait for result is long, but worth a try to get to the bottom of things; plan B - try traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Dr Angela had a look at Mia today, diagnosed her with 'blood deficiency and wind' (Note: blood deficiency in Chinese herbal medicine is not the same as anemia in conventional medicine) and prescribed Si Wu Xiao Feng Yin (四物消風飲) for Mia. Started the first dose tonight. Mixed the powder with her favorite turkey and chicken canned food - she hesitated for 3 seconds, chowed down, finished everything. No forcing needed. My good girl! :)


四物消風飲
功能主治
治素體血虛，風熱外客，皮膚游風，癮疹瘙癢；及勞傷冒風，身熱口燥。

Mia - Much Better But Still Slightly Swollen Around Eyelids and Lips

四物消風飲

Mia + Allergy = Swollen Face!

No idea what triggered an allergic reaction in Mia. Came home late last night, no doggie wagging tail to welcome me. Immediately I thought that was strange. Found my baby girl quietly laying on my bed sleeping. Something's definitely wrong. Woke her up, she lifted her face up and I saw these! Couldn't think of any inciting agents. I am going to blame either the cat or the housekeeper (maybe a new chemical cleaner?)

Absolutely broke my heart to see her like this. I rather I have an allergic reaction myself :'(

*Update: This morning she was much better and all swellings had gone down.*

Swollen Eyelids & Muzzle

Swollen Lips

Teary Red Eyes

Fake Apple Shops in China

China is a well known supplier of pirated and/or lookalike products, ranging from CDs, DVDs, electronics, household appliances, to software and other intellectual properties and ideas. Making a direct copy of movies / music is not hard. Even lookalike electronics (see Rasonic applicances) are not hard to make and don't require creativity / imagination. But recently China has surprised me.

Example 1: I witnessed a man's iPhone 4 rang in the MTR, he pulled out the phone, then from the top right corner of the phone, pulled out an 3 inch long antenna. Totally solved the "Antennagate" problem. Example 2: A while ago my dad bought what's called an "Apple Peel" that converted his iPod Touch into an iPhone with GPRS internet, SMS and phone calling ability (there's a SIM card slot in the "peel"). That didn't work too well as Apple frequently updates the iOS, disabling / crashing the "peel's" OS. Example 3: an iPhone 4 lookalike that runs on Android - "Gooapple"

But this is a whole other level: chains of fake apple stores in Kunming. Even the staffs there were fooled, thinking they actually worked for Apple. That's some clever opportunistic evil businessmen out there in China for sure!

Related News: China inspects electronics stores after fake Apple shops report

Sugar Nice - it's nice!

Newly opened dessert place Sugar Nice

Desserts were nice, but service needed improvement

Banana with pastry and sesame ice-cream

Apple Crumble