My hair technician Jan told me about this really dope place in Causeway Bay to see an unobstructed view of the harbor. I took Rudi there the other day. While I reckon that it doesn't really the showcase the best bit of HK, HK for me still has the best skyline. When people think of HK, they think about tall buildings like the IFC and now the ICC but I reckon HK has more attitude than that.

As I get older, I am often saddened by the fact that I am constantly pulled further and further from the dreams that were conceived during my childhood. However being able to come to HK and live here is definitely a dream come true.

When I was young, I used to play this game with my brothers, we used to walk around the neighbourhood in the evenings and imagined the type of people that live in certain houses. There is plenty to choose from; from this picture

Rudi, very camera shy actually

I like the perspective of thus picture and the colours turned out the way I like it

Beneath sits one of the busiest streets in Causeway Bay - Paterson Street

There is so much beauty in the ordinary. We as people often fail to see that.

I love living in a city close to the sea. There is something about the sea that soothes me. I don't think I could go very long without smelling the sea

I love iPhoto. It's easy to use and comes with many dope functions

Have a lovely weekend people

Someone asked me today When I die, how would I want to be remembered?

I didn't really have an answer and because I am someone who thinks about the answer way after a question has been asked. I asked myself over and over again how I would want to be remembered.

If you had asked me 10 years ago, I would want to be immortalised through a book. It was 1998, I was at a flea market and I bought Oscar Wilde's Picture of Dorian Gray. I fell in love with it immediately and since then I have pretty much read everything Oscar Wilde had ever written. Like most authors during his time, he died a tragic death and he was pretty much broke. Nevertheless, I still consider him pretty lucky as he is immortalised through his books like many other great writers.

While I still hope that there will be a day whereby I can be immortalised through the same manner, I no longer think that is the most important thing.

When we die, we do not get a chance to write our own eulogy. The memories of us are kept by people who know us. Someone I know not too well told me one thing that I will always remember. While our family are the people that love us unconditionally, we are usually defined by our friends.

So if I ever die before my time - this is how I want to be remembered.

Natalie Tong , born 1979 - 20XX was not perfect but hated mediocrity. The only true treasure she held on to was the desire of learning Her lifelong dream was to learn something new everyday and that everything she chose to do, she gave it a 110%. Never a fan of of societal norms and rules; she lived dangerously by questioning the very essence that defined the world we lived in today. Long accepted that the everything in life exists in a state of impermenance, she was determined to find happiness in every circumstance. And she did by learning to let go.

There is something bugging me and it bugs me a whole lot. I do not know if this is considered normal code of conduct or maybe it's just me. Whenever I'm in the gym, I can't stand people talking to me whilst I am at my most vulnerable state - stark naked!

Okie I was observing this conversation between these two middle aged ladies ( no offense to older women), they had just got out of the shower.

Lady A: Have you been attending Brian's class? ( stark naked she was drying her toes)

Lady B: Yes, his classes are so hardcore ( stark naked, she was drying her armpits)

Lady A: I heard someone pulled a tendon at his class the other day ( stark naked she was combing her hair)

Lady B: Serious? His classes are very advanced ( stark naked she was applying cream on her face)

I went into the shower and when I came out 10 minutes later, they were still having their chat and they were still stark naked.

One of them came to me and pointed at my tattoos and asked, " Are those real?". I was trying to dry myself ASAP and then put some clothes on. After I slipped on my underwear I turned and said, you can try stratching it out if you want to.

They continued asking me more questions.

It was so distracting and it's worse for us women because we have peripheral vision. It is a superpower ability whereby even whilst we are looking at you in the eyes, we can still see other parts of the body.When I was answering them all those questions, I can't help but to look at their bush. It's so bad, I think men will be embarrass by it.

I seriously do not understand why Chinese women don't shave or wax. I don't know if it is still pre-dominantly Asian culture but there is no reason not to especially with the amount of spas in the territory. Call me a fanatic if you want but I am definitely anti- bush.

So does it happen in the guy's changing room too?

I asked Rudi, if he checks out other guys in the changing room.

He said no, unless you want to get beaten up.

That's true men do not have peripheral vision. That's how we always know when they are looking at our boobs.

I have fat girl syndrome. I know I sound like one of those whiny little bitches who sit around talking about how fat they are when they are really not. The thing is once you have been fat before and when people incessantly give you flak for not being thin, you live with the scars forever..



My aunties and mother used to say shit to me like," Aiya fat girls cannot get married because who wants to marry someone who eats more than them."

What is fat girl syndrome?

The characteristics of fat girl syndrome are - you still think you're fat when you're not, once you put on 2 pounds you get really upset and you never think you're beautiful enough.

It's so sad to feel that way, I can't help it, I am only human.

For those who you who haven't known me long enough, you probably can't imagine a fat Natalie. Ah ha! I have evidence. I was looking through photos of me in iPhoto and I found some really incriminating pictures of myself. I want to burn them and hide them in a place where no one can find them but since I am on my way to be a personal trainer and I am the real deal and not the product of some fat busting pill/ slimming fad. I want to share with you guys - my fattest photos.

At my fattest, I weigh about 135 - 140 pounds. I mean it's not really heavy heavy but considering my height which is just a little off midget standards; I was fat. My BMI was 27 and body fat was 41% - that is fucking unhealthy.

Oh fuck I look pregnant. Look at my gut! Started going to the gym. Picture taken circa July/ August 2007 Chengdu October. Starting to lose some weight. I hate that double chin

Halloween 2007. Still visible double chin but starting to that wonderful exercise glow

Thailand - November 2007. I can finally wear my old jeans and my old tiny Ts.

First marathon December 2007. I walked more than I run. But not anymore.

My Birthday January 2008. Hard at training for the Standard Chartered Marathon. Double chin also gone. Yipppppeeeee!!!

Present day Nat. August 2008. 108 pounds, BMI 18 and fat level 23% - still can improve

While I know I am not Tai-Tai material, spending the day like one once in a while is total revelry. I had such a nice day today. It's been so long since I have not rushed around for appointments, fulfilling obligations or talking to really obnoxious people.

It started with a sweat inducing session of Spinning and another set of vigorous circuit training at the gym followed with a light healthy lunch of chicken and mushroom ciabatta( trust me you don't work so hard just to blow on KFC or Mcdonalds). In true tai-tai fashion, I spent the whole afternoon at the hair salon getting my hair cut, coloring and treatment.

I met Jennifer for dinner before watching The Duchness starring Kiera Knightley. While I enjoy period movies for the cinematography and the grandeaur of portrayal of the decadent lifestyle, artistocrats seemed to enjoy during the Victorian era; I am so fucking glad I am not a woman of that era.

You're blamed for the stupidiest things - like not being able to produce a son, you can't vote, if you're rich; you are likely to live in a gilded cage. Kiera Knightley plays the Duchess of Devonshire and the Duke is the most powerful dude besides the royal family. Loveless marriage, Duke takes in a mistress who is coincidentally the Duchess's best friend, she loves this other guy but of course, they never ended up being together.. Very tragic.

Funny, fast forward to the 20th Century - we see Lady Diana and Prince Charles with almost the same storyline.. Well at least she got her divorce.

Went for the Misia Discoteque Asia Concert last night at the Asia World Expo. I am not exactly a fan of Japanese music but I bought the tickets for Rudi since he is such an adoring fan of the pint sized so called Queen of R & B in Japan. And guess what after the concert, I am a converted Misia fan.

Misia is only 153 cm and weighs a mere 40 kgs( holy moly!!) and like they always say good things come in small packages - Misia served this analogy justice!

Within minutes of opening her concert, Misia has got the crowd working. That girl's got HUGE lungs. I have never seen anyone so energetic maybe with the exception of Beyonce. Like I consider myself really fit and all but I don't think I could sing and dance at the same time - and it's not recorded. She sang everything LIVE!

That's like impossible in HK because none of what we consider singers in HK are actually singers. They are more eye candies than anything else. Talent - is secondary.

If there was a talent that I wished I had, it will most probably the ability to sing. Music is just an elusive language whereby you don't need to understand it to be able to feel it. And I felt it last night. During some of her slower numbers, I actually had goosebumps running across my arms.

So Misia, thanks for a good time last night. I haven't danced like this for ages!!!! Please come back again soon! I promise I won't download your music off BT and buy all original copies of your CDs.

My readers - they didn't allow any photos last night - so I found this on Youtube. Enjoy please.