A fun filled week!

First, did anyone notice that I changed the look of my blog?  And, the most important part is that I added a time clock.  Everyone is always asking what time it is here.  So, now you can just look at the blog and see the day, date and time.  Easy!  

Its been a busy couple of weeks since the hubby has been out of town.  E and I have been doing projects, visiting, and preparing for chinese new year.  We've been trying to fill our time with fun things to do.

Our first project was planting a garden.  A couple of weeks ago we went to a local garden store and got our supplies.  We also purchased a Malasyian lime tree or a calamansi tree.  So beautiful and full of fruit.  It is supposed to reproduce fruit and we hope it will!  It has lost some leaves, but we hope that is just because of the move to our balcony.  We've been watering daily as instructed.

So, we got our pots prepped and planted cucumber, zinnias, jalapenos, basil, and zucchini.  We still have tomatos, mint and some other flowers to plan.  Just need to get some additional supplies.  

Our pretty new lime tree all decked out for Chinese New Year!

In less than a week our tiny seeds have sprouted and are very happy in their new balcony home!  I am already dreaming of going out to my balcony and picking fresh vegetables.  One thing that brings so much joy.  It really is just the simple things.  These little plants somehow make me feel connected to my old life back in the US.

 Zucchini plants

Cucumber (left) and Zinnia (right)

Our little garden corner, complete with an American flag.

We've also been playing with Legos.  Aren't you excited?  We've branched out beyond the plans that came with the set and have built some pretty exciting things.  (or so se think!)

 Stable for our horse (notice the swinging door)

 Rapunzel's castle.  

See Flynn Ryder sitting on his horse at the bottom of the castle?

 Rapunzel looking out her window.

We even built it with a removable roof.

Rapunzel relaxing on her bed.  See the fireplace in the corner?

I think Mom had as much fun with this project as E did!

I also decided to try "hot yoga" for the first time this week.  I was a bit intimidated by the pure name of the class.  Not to mention, I haven't done yoga in several years.  But, in keeping with my New Year's resolution I needed to go!  So it wasn't as bad as I thought.  Yes, it was HOT!  But I didn't mind it.  For someone who doesn't sweat, I did!  Actually, it was kind of refreshing.  Crazy to think that when I walked outside it was cooler than it was in that room.  As I rode my bike home from my yoga class I was so much more aware of my surroundings.  I could hear the birds and the wind.  I just felt good!  Not a bad start.  Hopefully I can keep it up!  

Also, I have been meaning to show this to all of you.  A very popular thing here are outdoor exercise areas.  It baffles me why you would want to exercise in such humid heat, but a lot of locals do.  They have them in the parks, at most apartment buildings, and all over the place.  Here is what I am talking about:

This photo was taken later in the morning, but in the early morning and evening it is packed!

The place is even equipped with outdoor showers.  Although that seems kind of gross to me again it is very common here.

So, until next time.  I will have a great treat for you; we are heading to Chinatown for Chinese New Year this weekend.  I know it will be crazy, but we can't wait to see it!  We'll have lots of photos for you.