Want to know exactly what is being assessed? (Mind you, I don't know what exactly they all are, but I do know that it's pretty bad if the levels are not right!)
Air movement
Airborne Bacteria
Benzene
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon tetrachloride
Chloroform
Dichlorobenzene
Dichlorobenzene
Ethylbenzene
Formaldehyde
Nitrogen Dioxide
Ozone
Radon
Relative Humidity
Respirable Suspended Particulates
Room Temperature
Tetrachloroethylene ppbv
Toluene
Total Volatile Organic Compounds
Trichloroethylene
Xylene
We are thankful to Buddha if for nothing else than for having a birthday that can be celebrated with a public holiday here in Hong Kong. This morning we took a bus from Tai Po to Tsi Sha Tsui to a fete at St Andrew's Church.
Tirzah and Jemilla immediately headed for the face-painting table...
while Keegan and Craig played catch with a tennis ball...
and I rummaged through the white elephant stall. (Naturally.)
Then the kids enjoyed a ten-minute bounce on the jumping castle.
Chocolate drumstick ice-creams. Yum!
We took a ferry and bus back home in time for a swim in the Forest Hill pool.
Today was Book Character Day at school when all the elementary students and staff dress up as characters from books. This is a picture of our motley crew as we left our apartment this morning: Pippi Longstocking (from Pippi Longstocking), Max Rumble (from Maximum Maxx), and Princess Fiona (from Shrek).
And, yes, there were a few stares from people as we travelled our normal route to school via minibus and MTR.
Here I am with B2 (from Bananas in Pyjamas) and Dorothy (from The Wizard of Oz), my two wonderful assistants in the Bridges classroom.
As a side note to any negative nay-sayer who argues that Shrek is not a book character, I happen to own a copy of William Steig's Shrek (1990) on which the movie was loosely based in which horribly hideous Shrek leaves home and terrifies everyone he encounters in his search for his equally ugly bride. It's worth a look just to see how repulsive the ogre is in the original book.
Imagine our surprise to find out that we have some distant relatives who also live in Hong Kong! Tonight was our first opportunity to meet them.
Originally from New Zealand, Howard and Averil Robinson have been living near Shatin for the last seven years and have three children: Lance (16), Jacinda (14), and Trent (12). They work for MMM International in building, renovating, and maintaining properties used in Christian outreach in order to further the gospel. The Robinsons live in a Christian hostel called the Stewards High Rock Centre which is run out of a former 1920's colonial police station.
The greenery and peaceful surroundings at High Rock are a rarity in Hong Kong.
After looking at a family tree, we worked out that Averil's grandmother and Craig's maternal grandmother are sisters. So that makes our children and the Robinson children third cousins, I believe.
Howard and Craig spoke at length about their work roles and responsibilities.
Jacinda did a great job of entertaining our girls and sharing her old Polly Pocket toys.
Keegan and Trent found common ground playing with Lego and beyblades.
Lance and Averil prepared a delicious meal of potato wedges, salad, chicken, and fresh bread.
We managed to all fit around their dining table, five of us and five of them! For Eleanor's sake I wish I had gotten a photo of the beautiful pavlova we devoured for dessert. It had strawberries and chocolate shavings on top of the cream. Yum!
Of course I had to take a photo of the lovely Robinson family all together for Craig's parents to see. Thanks for a great night, guys, and next time you're invited out to our place!
Kowloon International Baptist Church held a special event this morning on the day before Mother's Day. Jemilla and I enjoyed craft and morning tea with several other girls aged 8 to 11 and their mothers.
Making a crystal angel
Making a flower pot
Playing "How well do you know your mother?"
These were the questions we had to answer. I was surprised how many Jemilla answered differently to me.
What is your Mum's favourite colour?
What type of books does your Mum like to read?
What is your Mum's least favourite food?
What is your Mum's favourite food?
What colour are your Mum's eyes?
What is your Mum's favourite holiday destination?
What is your Mum's favourite season?
What did your Mum eat for breakfast this morning?
Who is your Mum's best friend?
Where was your Mum born?
What is your Mum's favourite sport?
What type of music does your Mum like to listen to?
Does your Mum prefer to ear jeans or dresses?
What is your Mum's favourite flower?
What type of pet does your Mum like best?
What is your Mum's favourite hobby?
What colour shoes is your Mum wearing right now?
What is your Mum's occupation?
Does your Mum like to wear perfume?
What size shoes does your Mum wear?
Reading a book together
Jemilla wrote me this special note.
We were supposed to decorate a photo frame together, but Jemilla and I ended up making it into a general collage with buttons, ribbons, flowers and roses. We had so much fun doing this together!
