All last week and into this week, I was going out to eat.  It’s nice to go out to eat once in awhile, but not everyday I’ve discovered.  It’s OK for my husband, but I’ve come to realize that I do need that take-out down time every once in awhile. 

Here’s why you should pack a lunch:

• Aren’t you tired of thinking of what to eat EVERY DAY?  I already have this problem with once in awhile lunches with friends, much less think of what to eat everyday
• You can utilize great leftovers
• Waste not, want not
• You control what goes into your food (so supposedly more healthy)
• Save money
• Maximize work time (during crunch times)
• You can do a fast lunch (and use the time for shopping maybe?)
• Economies of scale (someone’s cooking it anyways)
• Potentially saving the environment (by reusing your lunch box)

Here’s how you can practice great lunch packing habits:

• Control your portions (sometimes going out to eat will give you portions you can’t manage)
• Use reusable containers (with dividers if needed for various dishes and sauces)
• Practice healthy cooking for healthy meals
• It doesn’t always have to be rice, mix it up (sandwiches, homemade salads)
• Pack snacks (like fresh fruits, so it’s readily available when you’ve got the munchies)
• Make sure your place of work has a fridge and/or microwave
• Wash your container and cutlery at work after lunch (it helps to reduce bacteria build-up and reduces work when you get home)
• Lunch with co-workers who always pack (it’s weird, but even adults do sometimes share or trade lunches)
• If you’re packing for kids, why not make an extra portion for yourself?

It’s interesting how different cultures, companies and circle of friends will influence your “ability” to pack lunch.  Going out to eat on a regular basis with the same group of buddies is something I do miss (did it all the time at IBM and LOVED it).   It gives you a chance to wind down and socialize, but on the flip side - my mix and match of flexibility has also proven to satisfy me.  Regardless, packing lunch isn’t as nerdy or weird as it sounds (not when you’re on the packing side at least) and it has definitely helped me save money.  I just never saw myself as a lunch packer - that’s all

“Why can’t I fit 2 into my mouth!?”

Experimental children - or maybe greedy?   I found this too funny.  She obviously took her sister’s water bottle and was getting frustrated with her lack of progress in fitting both into her mouth.  I suppose this is part of the learning process as a child so I let her “discover” her own way.  HA HA HA!!

Below are a few space saving tips that I’ve come to realize when it comes to space planning.  Of course, having a designer and custom furniture built is the way to go, but I am not privvy to that kind of luxury.

1.  Use the space under the bed

With limited storage space, the space under your bed is most ideal.  There are a few options that I’ve seen - built-in drawers or the whole bed lifts up to reveal space, or the space is wide enough to fit large boxes and such.  I didn’t realize how efficient that space was until moving to Hong Kong.  It’s great for storing luggage, extra blankets, boxes and things of infrequent usage.

2.  Use the space from floor to ceiling

By using your maximum vertical space available, you’re able to store more.  Although some argue that it’ll make your room look even smaller (especially in spaces such as living rooms and such), it’s definitely practical.

3.  Use mirrors with built-in cabinets

There’s practical and then there’s fashionable.  I err on the side of practicality because mirrors with built-in cabinets  are children friendly (high enough to keep the kids out) and ideal for storing medicines and the likes.  Only if I had more bathrooms, I would consider fancy mirrors rather than practical.

4.  Use the space above the door

Buy simple one-piece wall shelving to manage the space above the door.  I find this space is great for tissue boxes, toilet paper, paper towels and such.  It’s probably more practical to store empty boxes or minimally used items, but because they are wall units, they can’t sustain great weights.

5.  Use ottomans and make sure they have storage space

Ottomans have great usages.  Sitting space, leg space, table space, throw space and storage space all in one.  Plus, they are movable.  You can store magazines, books, toys, dvds - whatever!

6.  Try foldaway beds

One of the coolest ideas ever!  Great for guests, the maid, the kids, the snoring husband - whomever.  And these days, there are so many contemporary designs, that they even look great folded away.

7.  Install sliding doors where possible

You don’t often find sliding doors in the middle of your home (at least growing up in Toronto, I didn’t see it frequently), however it’s so common in Hong Kong.  It’s a great space saving thing to do and serves a purpose at the same time.  They are perfect for kitchens and if you’re lucky enough, custom a half-height one for the kitchen as a child proof solution.

8.  Make window benches in deep windows

In Hong Kong, many new apartments come with deep windows.  Some people either install a bed right into that section or make it into a bench.  Use that space or else it’s wasted.

9.  Consider bunk beds

Bunk beds either for people to sleep in or an elevated bunk bed with storage space under it.  The space under the bed is a great place for an office, closet or whatever else you can dream of.  IKEA sells such a bunk bed for around $1000 HKD of if you’re lucky enough, get it custom made.

10.  Wall mount as much as you can

This applies not only to the bathroom, but the whole house.  For washrooms, you can have tiered units that store your bathing needs.  Wall mount lights as well to save space from free standing light units.  You can always put shelves and units in the washroom that are higher and away from wee hands - I find this is a great place to put my cleaning and toxic materials.

11.  Use the minimum

Buy furniture you really need.  Probably a couch, table with chairs, bed, closets?  Clutter is something that will eat up space and the more furniture you have, the more it eats.  It’s hard with kids, but I do try to keep their toys to a minimum too.  No big pieces (no house or giant cars), but plenty of books and other fun things.

12.  Use storage boxes for toys and other little items

Boxes are your friends.  They are stackable and keep things confined.  For children, they can easily throw things back into boxes when cleaning up and they can be easily moved (with its content).  I use storage boxes for everything - lego, toys, CDs, wires and cables, tools - whatever fits, there’s a box for it.

13.  Use the hallways

I know people who either put shelving into their hallways or create fake ceilings for additional storage.  If your hallways permit, use them.

14.  Use behind the doors

3M plastic hooks are one of my favourite things to buy.  And behind every door (except the front door), you’ll find these hooks pasted on.  They are cheap, versitile and you can hang whatever you want (towels, clothes, toys, jackets, bags). 

15.  Spring clean every year

Space saving does not mean junk accumulation.  Clean our your stuff every year - books, clothing, shoes, stuff.  If you haven’t worn the clothes in 2 years, you’ll most likely not wear it anymore (so donate it!).  Turn your CDs and DVDs in to soft copies or buy versiosn online rather than the hard copy versions.  Get rid of toys that children no longer play with and stop buying so many canned foods and cereals that you hardly eat.

Just a few space saving tips for your home.  I’ve come to the point where I really am out of space so will probably need to redesign the children’s room and go with custom furniture.  My goal for that room?  To be able to store double what it stores now! LOL - which means another body.  I know, not quite possible, but a step forward in the right direction.  I miss having space, but we all make do with what we have and just hope it’s enough to keep us sane.

Limited Vocal Range

You can’t sing, you can’t tell stories with life, you have limited vocal range and therefore are limited to your intonations and inflections.  Last night, I promised I would read to my daughter and it didn’t work out very well.  I was straining myself to get it right and in the end, settled for whispering it.  Sad.

Lack of Power

You don’t realize how much power LOUD voices have.  It’s not completely what is said, but rather a combination of what is said and how.  The how is your tone and volume and without both, I’m rendered in a situation where I need to reconsider the message I am portraying.  Yesterday, while we were getting into the elevator (already crowded with 2 strollers and a few people), one young lady decided it was brilliant to squeeze herself in as well.  As luck would have it, her backpack got caught on the closing door (but not at the sensors - so the door still kind of closed) and we were stuck for about 3 minutes in an elevator that would neither go up nor down and was going in between floors 0 and 1 for quite some time, all the while shaking like it couldn’t decide.  At this point, my niece Natalie begins to scream and cry and my oldest daughter was starting hysterics.  The only thing I could say in my raspy voice was “what were you thinking getting into a crowded elevator?”  I said it 3 times with limited effect and gave up.  If I was at my potential, believe you me, I would have grilled that girl to the floor and through it.  I was fuming by the time the elevator had jolted its way up to the 10th floor.  So you see, being loud does have its advantages - ask my husband, he is sometimes embarrassed by my outspokenness - but I stand on matters of principle.  I don’t yell at people for the sake of yelling at people.  That would be wrong!

Creative Disciplining

Because I am a vocal person, I can no longer exercise discipline through words.  I have resorted to take action immediately with limited warning and reasoning in whispers.  I point a finger at my child (the naughty one) and whisper to five as loud as I can and then give them a time out or put them aside.  Once they have calmed down, I have to explain what happened into their ear as a whisper.  Ironically enough, I haven’t lost my wits - yet.  It’s an interesting way to approach disciplining and I find that even today, my children are more attentive to my actions rather than words.  I completely understand why children (and husbands) hate nagging mothers (and wives) - it’s because of the repeat, repeat, repeat - but in a negative sense.  The morale of this lesson?  Less nagging and more follow through. 

People Look at You Funny

That is so true.  They think I’m sick.  Which I am, but it’s not contagious nor life-threatening.  Or maybe they think I have a condition.  Regardless, first impressions are a powerful advantage (or in my case, disadvantage).  However, I continue on with life and try not to explain myself too much.  It is afterall, temporary, and because it’s Sunday and I have no helper (nor husband as he’s away on business) and I’m fending for myself with 2 kids, I really don’t give a damn what people think.

Lost Communication

Through a telephone, you have no means of communicating.  End of story.  Don’t call me.

It’s really not as bad as you think.  I see this as an opportunity to live life differently (yes, the glass is half full rather than half empty).  I am more circumspect in my message and have taken to more listening to talking.  We are afterall, born with 2 ears vs 1 mouth, which means we should be listening TWICE as much as we speak (at a minimal).  And because I am a person of communicative fluff (although I am trying not to be), it gives you an interesting perspective on how to communicate.  I also find that I am less high-strung with my children and carefully choose which battles to fight.  It’s really interesting.  I just wonder what things will be like at work.  No pity though - everything else is functioning as normal.

For those who read Chinese, it means happy.  Wouldn’t it be cool?  Well, something interesting at least.  Internet addresses are taking a change for the better and this means by introducing non-latin based characters into domain names.  They have been testing this for 2 years since its approval in 2008!  Wow, what a change indeed.

Although this means that local language site will probably be restricted to a specific set of users - I certainly can’t type arabic and even the Chinese is minimalistic, but it will probably increase local readership.  YAH for more internationalization!

Check out the article here: Internet addresses set for change

I try to be more private, or at least feel that I am in control of my privacy - so here are a few tips I use to curb my exposure.

Facebook

Maximum privacy settings for Facebook.  By selecting “Settings” and then “Privacy Settings”, you can pretty much control who and what people are seeing.  Only my friends can see my profile, messages, pictures - everything.  I know Facebook acts as a platform for gossip and information, but for me, I don’t like strangers knowing too much.  

Let me tell you a story.  My husband added me as my husband via Facebook and I blindly accepted.  I know it’s not a big deal to put him as my husband, but then I figured I might as well remove it as less is better.  Inadvertently, this action caused quite an uproar.  I was bombarded with questions “What happened?  Are you guys still married?  Did you get a divorce?”  MY GOODNESS!  Have people nothing better to do?  I removed it because I felt like it, nothing happened!  So you see, even the slightest modification and tweaking can lead to miscommunication.  I wasn’t sure whether to be touched by people’s caring attention or nosiness.  

LinkedIn

I finally joined LinkedIn because I received so many invitations for about 3-4 years on and off (more so lately).  What’s the hype?  Well, I guess since I am now back in the professional field, I decided it might be useful.  Again, limited information.  To ensure maximum privacy - under account settings - I’ve turned OFF a public account - that means people can’t find me via a link through searching the internet.  Also, you can visibility to “My connections” only - which means potential employers can’t find you, but that’s my objective.  I am still debating the benefits of this site to me - so will give it another 6 months before I decide to kill my account totally.

Job Boards

I also DO NOT post my resume anywhere publicly.  This includes my own site, job boards, recruiter boards and the likes.  I did try it once on monster.com.hk and within the week that I posted it, I got 5 calls from separate ManuLife recruiters who wanted me to sell something.  For starters, I am a horrible sales person.  I am not too fond of insurance sales calls and have no desire to be.  Secondly, I do not like MLM-style businesses.  That’s just a personal opinion, I have nothing against them except I won’t work for one, nor will I buy stuff from one.  If you do post a resume, leave out the addresses and phone numbers and register a non-personal email address just for these jobs (any free emails will suffice like gmail, hotmail, yahoo or whatever).

Where I Work

You have probably noticed that I don’t make any mentions of which company I work for.  For those who know me, yah, you’ll know - but I did put it up once in a profile for a site I write for and within that month, I was getting calls from local vendors about X service or Y product.  At first, I wasn’t sure what the source was, but when I did a search for my name and my company on the internet (as told by one guy who called me), this site came up and I have removed it since then.  It’s interesting how sales people can find any source and use it.  They simply call up the main line to my company and ask my name and the receptionist will direct them accordingly.  I must say, sales people sure are resourceful.  Having removed my information, I no longer get these random calls from vendors. 

So in short, if you don’t mind being a public figure - I’d say the internet and these social mediums are your friends.  In reverse, if you’re cautious with where your information is going (especially considering that people get fired from Facebook from talking crap about their bosses or gossiping about other people or putting too much personal feelings in), take these few precautions if you’re on social platforms.  I have a friend who adamantly won’t join Facebook - which I completely respect.  But for someone like me, who is curious and not completely afraid to be out there, I do have my limits.  I’m curious though, how many people lie about stuff on their Facebook/LinkedIn/Twitter accounts?  From my experience, I think most people tell the truth - so as we all know, you never know when your history will come back to bite you in the bottom (ie:  like those drunken photos in our bikinis during College orientation?).  And it’s true, employers are using these mediums to research candidates, I would too if I were in a hiring position - so moderation is probably a good approach.

PANIC.

1.  Quick - grab the security guy on the bike and ask him how he can help.  The guy is as baffled as we are and probably has never owned a car (as it’s not common in Hong Kong to own cars - so had no idea what we were talking about when we told him we needed jumpers).  He said he would be back after calling someone - probably his boss.

2.  Quick - grab the gardener!!  His bike has got a basket with a hose in it - how appropriate.  Can he help?  No, unfortunately, he has no clue either.  Although he does recommend we go to the taxi stand and strike a deal with a cabbie to see if he could jump the car.  Not a bad idea.

3.  Oh oh, a local couple with a kid.  We jump at them like a bunch of hungry wolves.  Do you guys have jumper cables?  Could you give us a boost?  I think we caught the guy off-guard, but he says “yes” and that he would come back.  We didn’t even doubt he would or could be lying.  Just come back to rescue us!!!

So we’ve got quite a side show going on.  3 screaming kids in high afternoon heat, one of whom has not napped and no shade to hide under.  2 Disney employees sitting on their bikes (the first security guard came back) watching us.  And 2 freaked out mothers who have no idea how to jump start cars.  After a few calls, we have guidelines on how its done - however, how do you pop the hood?

Of course, having driven cars before, you have to know where your hood is.  So we pop the hood and fiddle around for the latch and manage to secure it in place.  The wonderful local fellow comes around with his Lexus and we take several shots to get the distance right, because the cable is only so long.  His cables, as it turns out, was newly bought and brand spanking new - cool!  And he hasn’t done this before either - hahaha, a bunch of newbies (us included)trying to jump start our car.  We connect the cars (you have to put the negative to the negative and the positive to the positive) and he starts his car first.  We know it’s working at this point because our car gives a beep (alarm) and we start it into live.  BRRRR… cool!

My sister and I are ecstatic.  We try to get the guy’s number or other contact information so that we can properly thank him after, but I think locals are a bit hesitant in giving their details to strangers.  He settles for taking my sister’s business card and we thank him and his wife profusely for their service and time.  I think we’re still bowing and waving and saying thanks as they get into their car and drive off.

WOW.  Cool adventure right?    Well, I think it goes to show that no matter how useless a skill (or potentially unused a skill will be), it’s always good to know something?  Lucky for me, I’ve seen my dad do it before, so had a rough idea of how it would work and I have been able to open the hoods of the various cars I’ve had.  I’m just glad that there was a guy who was so willing to assist and had the hardware to do it. 

I’m surprised that it’s not street knowledge to know how to jump cars in Hong Kong.  This is probably because the percentage of car ownership is not high amongst citizens and even if it were, the distances being driven are relatively short (unless you’re going to China) and well, most people pay money to have someone fix and work on their car - whereas I find in Canada, sometimes, you have to be the handy-woman yourself.  Regardless, it was a learning experience - one that I will never forget and one that I am glad the local HKer was able to step up and offer assistance without thinking that we were 2 crazy chicks trying to rob him.  Goes to show, you never know when a skill will come in handy and you never know when an unwilling stranger will be your hero.  Thank you stranger - whomever you are!!

Read the article here:  Where the Hell is the Outrage?

Vanessa’s Chinese is going to be far more superior to mine within 2 years.  Miraculously, she is able to read Chinese characters of numbers, small, big, person, fire, moon, day and other simple words.  She can sing songs in both Mandarin and Cantonese (although I don’t think she can distinguish which language she is using) and she can flip flop between English and Cantonese with amazing speed.  Yes, she probably speaks the hybrid Chinglish, but her Chinese spoken vocabulary is already far more superior than mine.  Tsk tsk on me.

My goal?  To learn with her.  Below are a list of activities you can do to enable language learning for your child (and yourself).  I didn’t realize how fast children pick up on learning languages through activities until my daughter went through it - the key though, is to practice it - forever.  I speak on experience for this.  When I was young, my mother enrolled me in Italian and at the age of 6-7, I was pretty fluent in Italian for a youngling.  Ask me now what I can say in Italian and I will tell you swear words and naughty phrases that my Italian cousins taught me (like “your head is full of air”). 

So a few things to kick start diversifying your child’s language palatte.  It’s never too young to start and truthfully, language is a skill that will definitely have a use at one point or another (even Yidish, I am sure). 

Singing Songs

As funny as it sounds, singing songs is one of the easiest ways to remember a new language.  A majority of common children’s songs are translated in multiple languages. Singing a song that your child is familiar with in their native tongue and then again in another language, can help them better learn their second and third languages. You can find songs such as “London Bridge”, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” in a multitude of languages. Although their meanings may not be the same, these tunes are common enough that other cultures have adapted them. CDs and the Internet are your best resources.

Multi-Cultural Play Dates

It’s probably easier in a country with multi-cultural diversity.  I’d love to have a French playdate for my kids, but it’s not so easy in Hong Kong.   I will settle for English and Cantonese play dates though - and kids can communicate with other kids regardless of language.  Vanessa has a score of Japanese buddies at school and they manage to play happily even though their mother tongues vary.  As long as you’re giving them the exposure, it helps.

Flash Cards & Posters

The easiest way to approach a new language - flash cards!  I don’t think it’s so easy that you just flash them to you child once, but continually enforce the new word in everyday life.  Flash cards help because they usually have pictures and words together, so it’s both a visual and vocal activity.  You can even make your own flash cards and have your child colour it in.

Visual & Audio Aids

Oh, this is probably easier than flash cards because you just play it!  The one reason I do let my children watch television sometimes is because of the language they learn through programs.  Dora is a great example of learning Spanish and surprisingly, Vanessa can count to 10 in Spanish.  Other programs will enforce the English, which I like (because their Chinese seems to be surpassing their English).  Audio books also help, but the best is the parent.  I sound like a broken recorder when I speak to my children by saying it once in Cantonese and then repeating in English and repeating in English some more….over and over and over…

Bilingual Parents (or Caregivers)

I love the fact that the grandparents speak Cantonese.  By default, this means I speak English to my children (more often than not).  My helper speaks Indonesian and sometimes we use Indonesian words as well.  Why not take advantage of this skill?  If you’re hiring nannies or caregivers, encourage the caregiver to speak to your child in their mother tongue - it’s actually a bonus.

Practice Practice Practice

There’s nothing like enforcing a skill by practicing it repeatedly.  Again, the broken recorder scenario plays in my head - but it really does work.  I’ve also taken to introducing larger vocabulary when I speak (to Vanessa) - like by saying “You’re such an independent girl” - independent, big word there.  Or “You have to perservere and keep trying” - I learned the word perservere in grade 7.  Maybe you think I’m being an over achieving mother in this regard, but I don’t see how using my regular vocabularly with my children has any negative impact.  To a certain extent, reading and writing (semi-professionally) will always enhance your vocabulary, so it’s a good thing!

Anyways, a few tips and tricks I use on how to introduce a new language to my children.  If you  have more, please do share.  I have also published a similar article on brighthub - here.  We are living in international times and exposure to languages always has an upside.  I very much regret my inability to read/write Chinese like a local and although I can survive, it’s a struggle.  Yes, speaking English (fluently) is extremely beneficial, but for Chinese characters, it’s either you know it or you don’t - there’s no inbetween.  Truly, there are only 26 English letters in the alphabet and with phonics, you’re able to sound it out even if you don’t know the word.  In Chinese, there is no sounding out, it’s pure memorization.  Definitely a challenge, but one I will partake with my child.

Check it out:  The World’s Best Places to Live 2009