Game Night, Braised Oxtails, Wolfgang's, and Other Random Things

Last weekend, we went to a really fun game night where our friends introduced us to a new board game, called Codenames.  It's a bit hard to describe but actually quite easy to play.  Basically, it's a word association guessing game played by two teams, where each team has one person designated the "spymaster," whose job is ultimately to get his or her team members to guess as many of their words on a 5 x 5 board as possible, as quickly as possible, and without accidentally guessing the other team's words.  Because the words are all very similar, and because the spymaster can only say one word, it's up to the rest of the team to try to figure out exactly which words the spymaster is hoping they choose!  We played the raunchy adult version, which was super fun, except then everyone realized that my friend and I didn't really know what a "pornhub" was.  Clearly we were  overthinking it, but oh well.  At least lots of laughter ensued.

Our friends who were hosting have a three month old little girl, and Michael and I both got to hold her (Michael handled her like an old pro, tossing her around like a malleable little sack of flour, while I squirmed and gasped and tried not to have a heart attack about how to carry her), and she was SO adorable.  She was wide awake and alert and smiled and cooed at me multiple times.  I was surprised at how heavy and robust she felt - I feel like I am going to have killer guns as a new mom.

We enjoyed a tasty dinner of braised oxtail while at their place, which inspired me to try to make my own dish.  Mine, however, was a complete and utter failure (though while I was cooking it, it looked very inspiring and delicious) - and I don't know if I just bought the wrong kind of oxtail (is there a right kind?) or just botched up the recipe (admittedly I am not good at following recipes).  The oxtail ended up being pretty much inedible (so sinewy and tough and also rather gamey) but then we ended up with a pretty hearty beef broth based onion/tomato/parsnip/carrot/potato stew.

Michael and I also had the chance to try out the new Wolfgang's that opened on Duddell Street in Central when we went on a double date with another couple, sampling their shrimp cocktail, chopped salad, filet mignon, salmon and a porterhouse for two (which the husbands shared, in a very romantic gesture, awww).  We also went all in on dessert, ordering a massive ice cream sundae and large slices of key lime pie and pecan pie, paired with generous scoops of vanilla ice cream. 

Now that I have a little breather at work (though not for long, as I may be headed down to Australia again soon), I've turned my focus and energy to crossing off all those pesky little items on my to-do list that never get done when I'm busy.  I fixed two broken necklaces (yay!) and feel so accomplished because all it took was busting out a few jewelry pliers and re-fastening a few loose washers.  I haven't worn these necklaces in months and months and I'm happy they're finally back in my rotation.

 My little tool kit:

I've been craving Chinese desserts lately, which I justify due to their "healthy" components, such as bean curd, black sesame, red bean, almonds and walnuts (all of which contain protein, am I right?).  I had a bowl of the loveliest, silkiest bean curd with black sesame at Dream Tofa Central the other day.

Thanks to this handy dandy guide, I also, after owning my orchid for well over a year now (give or take) finally figured out that I have a moth orchid, or the phalaenopsis, and not the cane orchid, or the dendrobium (or maybe I knew that but had just forgotten).  Orchids can be tricky and so knowing exactly what type of plant you have makes a big difference in terms of the sunlight and watering and fertilizing care.  That said, I am at a loss as to how to get my orchid to sprout a measly flower cane.  It seems that I might have to move it back to my apartment, as it requires moderate (but not direct) sunlight, a contrast in daytime and nighttime temperatures, and low to no drafts.  My office is generally a pretty comfortable place, but it cannot provide these conditions.

I think I've decided on the Cybex Aton Q infant car seat.  We purchased a Babyzen Yoyo+ stroller, which is compatible with the Maxi Cosi, the Nuna Pipa, the Cybex Aton, and a few others.  My friend thoughtfully gave me some very useful tips about the importance of selecting a car seat with a European belt path, which eliminated the Maxi Cosi, and given that Nuna Pipa is not sold in Hong Kong (or anywhere that I can find it) and most places don't ship car seats internationally, the Cybex it is!  Plus, the Cybex safety ratings are really impressive.  Plus plus, the aesthetics are so sleek.  It's designed to look like a (very aerodynamic) seashell.

As part of the Labor Day Sales, I went a little crazy at Motherhood Maternity (30% off the whole site) and purchased a flowered shirred dress in pink, a button down dress in olive, a robe, black pants, a black skirt, pj pants and a few other essentials.

My next projects are to pot a bowl of succulents (see inspiration here, here, here and here), find new dining chairs (likely through taobao), and plan our babymoon. 

I am currently wondering, given the rapidly diminishing amount of time left in which I am permitted to fly, whether it should be (1) tacked onto my next trip to Australia, (2) a quick weekend getaway to Taiwan, (3) a long weekend getaway to Japan, (4) tacked onto my next potential work trip to the US, perhaps as a layover in Italy? (I know, I don't want to talk about it, the thought of flying in my third trimester gives me the heebie jeebies), or (5) a staycation.  Let's face it, I've flown a lot this year already.  Maybe the most relaxing thing would be just to stay put?!  The other limiting factor in all of this is that I don't want to go anywhere where there is Zika or a risk of Zika.  The peace of mind and the lack of having to do testing outweighs my desire to lie on a beautiful beach in Phuket or Bali (as much as I want to).