Have been feeling a tad icky over the holiday period (which has nothing to do with the vast quantities of cookies and chocolate I have consumed I am sure!) so decided to take it easy for New Years. Had absolutely no intentions of going to 'mental as you like at this time of year’ hong kong as it would just be crazy busy! We decided instead to have a nice relaxing meal and a few drinks with the intention of being back in the house asap after midnight.

Took Jim for some of my new found treats, went for Thai and had chicken feet (without bones, since it was his 1st time wanted to go easy). We also had 1/2 pineapple filled with fruit rice (sooo delicious!) and a big coconut scooped out with a pigeon stuffed inside with his little head sticking out the top! I would feel sorry for the wee guy if it wasn't so damn tasty!

Afterwards we went for a few drinks, was not expecting many people to be out in China but the place was rammed, in fact I think they were prepared to do more partying than us! Everyone had these big confetti tubes that they set off at midnight (which by our watch was 7 minutes ahead of schedule but hey who cares that much).

We tried to get a taxi just after midnight (was feeling rather poorly by this point since we had sat for most the night outside) but the roads were chaos! People everywhere and we know the Chinese do NOT queue so its each man for himself! We decided to be a bit sneaky and dash round the block quick smart and within seconds managed to grab a taxi. Don't think he was too impressed to pick us up however, since he wanted to be in the crowds hustling for business not driving foreigners back to a quiet residential area. We practically got flung out of the cab when we arrived home!
Weird to think when we got in that in the Uk they still had hours to go before they even started celebrating properly!

New years resolutions include: (and now I have to keep them since Ive declared them publically on this blog!)
1: Sign up to a language course to learn Mandarin properly (probably means forfeiting my Friday nights out since they are on a sat afternoon.) since my plan to learn by osmosis at work does not appear to be working as yet!
2: Continue to work hard and get my contract renewed in Sept –hopefully moving back to Hk (which involves spending less time on Facebook and Msn.. can it be done I wonder??!!)
3: Lose 50 stone (since my boss commented today that I have started to look fat… damn the Chinese brutal honesty!!), going to make good use of that gym in my apartment as soon as I get trainers honestly!
4: Keep the blog updated regularly so that everyone can continue their reading enjoyment in this new year!

Let me know your ‘of course I intend to follow through with them I swear’ resolutions for 2008.

Lots of love
Tx

Ps: Last minute exciting update: I have booked my flights home for a wee visit. I shall be arriving in Heathrow early morning 31st Jan and departing again 9th Feb which gives you lucky people a few days to schedule in some Tanya time! (FYI, intend to split my time between b-town and London whilst back). woo hoo, hopefully can see you all soon xxx

PPs: For some reason the STUPID slow Chinese connection (and I thought China were supposed to be the biggest upcoming economy, no holds barred, take over the world, mind out the way thank you please! They can't even get their internet connection running above dial up speed grr!).. where was I, Oh yes, the connection will not allow me to upload the pics for this post so will try again tomorrow... hold your breath until then (note to readers: I will not be responsible for those who actually do that and die).