a city of transitions
05 Feb 2010 4 Comments
David, with his school buddy, Danielle
One of the major downsides to our international experience is the fact that families come and go. They rarely stay for long and there are constant goodbyes. The kids have all had close friends move away and it’s been a hard lesson for them to learn.
David has a school buddy named Danielle. She is from Ireland and a delightful little girl. We’ve met her parents and I get together with her mom quite often. We enjoy their company very much.
This past Thursday, David came home from school, devastated. I asked why he was so sad. “Miss Adrienne came to pick up Danielle early from school today. They are leaving for Shanghai!!”
“I know!”, I said. “Isn’t that neat?”
“MOOOOOMM!!! That is NOT neat!”, he said, with a horrified expression on his face.
It was then I realized he thought she was moving to Shanghai, not just going for the weekend. I quickly reassured him that they are coming back Sunday night. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he said, “Oh, whew. I thought I was losing another friend.”
Poignant, eh?
some more pictures for you
03 Feb 2010 3 Comments
As we left the flat this morning and headed to school, I took a few pictures for you. (click on the pictures to enlarge them a bit if you want)
our apartment building...we live in the back portion with the natural colored stones
the lovely construction going on right next to our apartment
climbing in the taxi to head to school
the girls heading in to school, after just having their hands sprayed with sanitizer. they have to do that every.single.morning.
dropping David off at school
after dropping off the kids, I head into the mall for a quick coffee. there are Chinese New Year decorations all over the mall.
more decorations
more decorations
my destination...coffee!! (see how shiny the floors are? they clean them all.the.time)
this is the MTR (subway) station in our area
the major source of public transportation here in HKG
the street I have to cross to get to the bus station
heading to the mini bus to take me home...total cost....60 cents USD
almost there....it's my front door
ahhh, I'm home
random pics for your enjoyment
03 Feb 2010 2 Comments
coming up the street to the school (on the left, reddish brick)
"I am so tough in my Tae Kwon Do uniform!"
the retaining wall behind our apartment building, being repaired (yikes!)
Here is my tiny oven, with a 14 pound turkey shoved in it. Thanksgiving was a challenge, people. 
hello, is this thing on??
03 Feb 2010 5 Comments
a sample of the tiles in my set
It’s been 9 months since I’ve blogged. Wow. I think I lost the passion for it somewhere along the way. Actually, I KNOW I did. I’m not sure if anyone is still out there, but I’m going to get back on the horse and try to ride. Again.
The biggest reason I want to get back to this is to finish strong. We are nearing the end of our time here. We will be heading back to the states once the school year is over. That’s the end of June. We don’t have an official date yet, but we have a general time frame at least. I’ve started a list of things I want to do and see before we leave and I’m hoping to share some of that here; finish strong!
Does anyone out there have any questions? Things you want to know? Things you want to see? Give me some suggestions….this is your last chance.
Now that I got the business out of the way, here is what I’ve been up to, including a long story behind it. (You might want to get comfortable; this could get wordy, ha ha).
Today was my last mahjong lesson. I’ve fallen in love with this game. My love affair with mahjong starts many years ago, and I’m thrilled to have the chance to pick it up again. What a neat souvenir to take back to the states with me, don’t you think?
Now, for the long story portion of the post….. We married in Sept of 1991 and promptly moved from Maine to Texas. When Christmas rolled around, the poor newlyweds couldn’t afford tickets home for the holiday. Hubby’s grandparents offered to help us with the expense of driving to Florida so we could spend the holiday with them. I had only met them a handful of times and the prospect was intimidating. They had many good qualities, but they were not warm, fuzzy people.
I don’t remember how it happened, but somehow hubby and I ended up learning to play Mahjong from Grandma during our visit. Gramps never played with us as he hated the game, ha ha ha. I remember Grandma laughing, telling stories and making jokes as we played, which was not her typical demeanor. It was wonderful! She was thrilled to have someone to teach, as she really loved the game. I remember twittering the tiles (shuffling/twirling them around the table) and loving the clattering sound. I remember the way the tiles felt. I remember the exotic names and rules…pongs, kongs, bamboos, dragons…. I fell in love. She had a beautiful mahjong set, handed down from her mom. It was handed down to the only granddaughter on her side and to be honest, I was sad about it. Grandma knew I was disappointed, and bought us a nice set so we would have one.
Time went by and without other players to practice with, my skills left me. I couldn’t remember any of the rules. I even got out the instructions to my set once or twice, but was totally confused, lol. 16 years later, I found myself living in Hong Kong, with the opportunity to re-learn the game I had fallen in love with so long ago. Isn’t that the neatest thing?
I’ve been learning how to play from a Pakistani woman with a melodic accent, and my partners have been an Australian, an Irish(wo)man, and a fellow American. It’s been a once in a lifetime chance and I’ve loved every minute of it!!!
Now, who wants to play with me??
we’re moving
01 May 2009 3 Comments
Now, don’t get all excited (MOM!). We’re only moving to a new part of town, not back to the states. It’s a combination of factors that required the move, including sending a third child to private school, an unreasonable management company, trying to make our money stretch a bit farther; simple economics. I hope you wrote our address in pencil in your address book. ;)
it’s all in how you say it
30 Apr 2009 2 Comments
Bekah is enjoying swimming for her PE class this term, and we’ve been diligent about packing all her things the night before so she can have them the next day for class. I was surprised to get a call this week from the office saying Bekah had left her swimsuit at home and needed it brought to the school. I questioned them since I thought she had it with her when she left the house, but they were insistent she said she left her swimsuit at home. Ooookay, I thought. Maybe she left her whole bag here at the house….. I searched high and low…no bag. I called hubbyman since he dropped her off. Yes, they had the bag when she left the house. Yes, they had it on the bus. Yes, she had it when they got off the bus (I was worried about that step). Yes, she had it on her shoulder when he dropped her off at school.
What in the world?!
I called the school back and explained that I just didn’t understand how she could have forgotten her suits, so could she please call me herself and tell me. Sure, they said.
The phone rings….”Hello…Mom….I need my swim shoes. We can’t walk around the pool without them.”
Swim shoes.
Swimsuit.
To a non English speaker, they sound practically the same.
You wonder why we have misunderstandings so often……
I could have written this
15 Dec 2008 4 Comments
….but I didn’t. I do need to share it with all moms though. Updates on our life here coming soon. Honest.
Dear Santa,
I’ve been a good mom all year. I’ve fed, cleaned and cuddled my
children on demand, visited the doctor’s office more than my own doctor,
sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on
the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out — over
several Christmases.
Since I had to write this letter with my son’s red crayon, on the
back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles; and who knows when
I’ll find any more free time in the next 18 years, so now – -
*** Here are my Christmas wishes ***
* I’d like a pair of legs that don’t ache (-in any color, except
purple, which I already have) and arms that don’t hurt or flap in the
breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy
aisle in the grocery store.
* I’d also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh
month of my last pregnancy.
* If you’re hauling big-ticket items this year, I’d like fingerprint
resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that
doesn’t broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a
refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide
to talk on the phone.
* On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, ‘Yes,
Mommy’ to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don’t fight
and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of
power tools.
* I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, ‘Don’t eat
in the l iving room’ and ‘Take your hands off your brother,’ because my
voice seems to bejust out of my children’s hearing range and can only be
heard by the dog.
* If it’s too late to find any of these products, I’d settle for
enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the
luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served
in a Styrofoam container.
*If you don’t mind, I could also use a few miracles to brighten the
holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable?
It will clear my conscience immensely.
*It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around
the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an
organized crime family.
Well, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing, and my son saw my feet
under the laundry room door. I think he wants his red crayon back. Have a
safe trip Santa, and remember to leave your wet boots by the door, and come
in and dry off, so you don’t catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the
table, but don’t eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.
Yours always with love and appreciation,
A Mom
good times
02 Nov 2008 11 Comments
Hubby’s boss is in town; the big guy; the owner of the company; the only guy hubby answers to so there’s just a wee bit of stress and pressure around here.
Anyway, Mr. Z (aka bossman) wanted to take our entire family out to any restaurant we chose; someplace we might not go usually. The kids immediately voted for anywhere with western style food. I vetoed McDonald’s, and tried to steer them in other directions. We finally decided on Hard Rock Café. (Of course there is one in Hong Kong!). I knew they would like the food, it’s some place we would rarely go (too expensive) and it’s a 20 minute taxi ride away.
We decided today was the day, and lunchtime would be a better time than dinner. The kids are all better behaved then (I’m not stupid!). Hubby left with two children to pick up Mr. Z and get a taxi (remember, we don’t have a car here). On the way to get him, on a sidewalk that had no people on it (oddly enough), Jon swings in a circle while David hangs onto his arm. Normally, this is not problem, but today, sweaty David hands slip and he winds up on his backside, bumping his head, and crying a bit. Bekah was grumpy and crying, as well. Great start to meet Mr. Z for lunch and all.
I left in my own taxi with two other children. No big deal. I am a pro at that now. We made it with no problem, found the rest of the gang and settled in to order. Bekah, number 2 child, immediately gets up and comes to sit next to me. She tells me she doesn’t feel good…her tummy hurts. She’s not one to complain and she isn’t my drama queen, so I knew something was up. We made two quick trips to the bathroom in 10 minutes with her thinking she would be sick, but nothing. Deep down in my Mommy soul I knew “this child is sick and isn’t going to last at lunch”. But we are here with hubby’s BOSS!!! Nuts.
We went back to the table where I quietly whispered to hubby, “I have to take Bekah home. Now.” We gathered our things and quickly left without ever eating a bite. Ugh. Totally embarrassed, but knowing Bekah was more important, outside we went to find a taxi.
Bekah is feeling lousy at this point, and I have her propped up in the taxi, leaning on me, looking out the window (she gets car sick) and telling her to take deep breaths. I text J at 1:00 on the dot and say, “Pray we get home. Bekah is looking pretty green”.
Let me pause here to say one of my fears of living in HKG is having a child throw up on the train or bus. What do you do!?!? And here we are, in public transportation, and there is real possibility that Bekah is going to vomit in the taxi. My mind is spinning as I make contingency plans in case that actually does happen. Not to mention that my Mama genes do not override my incredible gag relex (THANKS DAD!!!) and I’m worried that I will join her if she starts in!
Eight minutes later (I know this because I texted hubby again), we are about half way home and Bekah is still hanging on, but barely. Then the taxi driver stomps on the brakes to stop at a light instead of pushing it and going through the light. Very conscientious and all, except it pushes Bekah over the edge and she says, “MOMMY!!!!!!!!!!” in that voice. All you Mommy’s know what voice I’m talking about.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Yup.
We are stopped at a red light so I throw open the door of the cab and Bekah proceeds to vomit all over the road, right next to the taxi. Before she is done, the light has changed (of course!). Cars are honking and Bekah is still puking. The taxi driver reaches over in his seat, grabs a plastic bag, flips it upside down to empty it and throws it to me. I haul Bekah back in the cab (she’s still not done) and shove the bag to her face, holding it for her, all the while, fighting that gag reflex (THANKS DAD!!) and praying so hard I’m sweating.
The taxi driver is calmly driving, handing me tissues, and asking if she’s ok. Bekah finishes, I clean her up and then I have to hold the bag full of, well, you know, until we get home. We have all the windows down in the taxi so I can breathe, I mean, to help Bekah feel better, and he’s driving much more cautiously. Of course, it’s Saturday in HKG and that means serious traffic, so we spent lots of time sitting at lights.
Bekah felt better as soon as it was out of her system, so the rest of the ride was uneventful. We pulled up in front of the apartment and I threw a big bill at the taxi driver; way more than the fare. He was starting to make change and I said, “No. You keep it. You were great! M’coy. Thank you. M’coy. THANK YOU.” He was stunned but very thankful. I just wanted OUT OF THAT TAXI!!!
not to rush things
28 Oct 2008 2 Comments
I don’t mean to rush Christmas, really I don’t. But I just heard of a great project for the whole family that encourages us to focus on our blessings during the Christmas season and I just had to share. Usually I don’t get these ideas until just before the holidays and I never have time to implement them. This year, I have no excuse! For the record, this isn’t my idea so I get no credit for it. I actually heard about it from a special online friend who lives in Ontario (shout out to Carla!!). It’s something they’ve done in the past and I just loved the idea. Now I have to get busy converting all the amounts to HKD so we can participate. Here is “The Blessing Box”.
P.S. If you end up doing this, please let me know how it goes. I’d love to hear your experience!
Blessing Box
What do you need to do? Have a box or a bank ready and determine where you will give the money that will be in the box at the end of 24 days. This begins on December 1st .
Day 1. One out of 5 children live in poverty lacking adequate clothing. Give 2 cents for each pair of socks or tights each child has.
Day 2. Are you thankful for the gift of electricity? Give 2 cents for each lightbulb in your house.
Day 3. Most people in the world have never touched a computer. If there is one in your home, put in 50 cents, an extra 50 cents for a scanner and 50 cents for the printer.
Day 4. Most of the world’s population lives beyond the reach of medical care. Give 10 cents for each box of band-aids in your house…an extra dime if they are not flesh coloured.
Day 5. Are you thankful you have a roof and doors to keep out the wind and rain? Give 10 cents for each exterior door your house has.
Day 6. Are you thankful for all your clothes? Give a nickel for each closet in your house.
Day 7. Are you glad you have indoor plumbing? Give 5 cents for every roll of TP in your house, counting all the stored away rolls.
Day 8. To people in refugee camps, even a thin sliver of soap is precious. Give 5 cents for each bar your family has…A dime for each soap pump.
Day 9. Do you walk to town to get a bucket of water for washing, drinking, bathing or cooking? Or are you blessed with faucets that bring precious water to you? Give 10 cents for each faucet you have and don’t forget the outside ones.
Day 10. What a blessing to be able to see and have eye doctors to help us. Give 10 cents for each pair of glasses your family members wear.
Day 11. Jesus loves the little children. Give thanks and a dollar for every child in your family and do a secret good deed for them today.
Day 12. How would you like to live in your car as some families do? Give a dime for every vehicle in your family.
Day 13 . Epidemics often follow natural disasters. Give thanks if no one in your house has been too sick this month to go to work or school and donate 50 cents.
Day 14. Did a cozy blanket cover you last night? Give a penny for every blanket in your house.
Day 15. Was it cold enough to wear a coat today? Were you thankful for your coat? Give a penny for every coat, jacket or raincoat in your house.
Day 16. In some countries of the world, most people can’t read. Are you thankful you can read? Put in a penny for every book in your home….(Yes, for most of us this is an expensive one)
Day 17. By now you have received many Christmas cards from many loving friends and family members. Give a penny for each card and be thankful for God’s love.
Day 18. Most people in the world cook over an open fire. Aren’t you glad your parents did not send your out to chop wood this morning? Give 5 cents for every burner on your stove and a nickel for every oven.
Day 19. Aren’t you glad that you have people that love and think about you? Put in 10 cents for each gift under the tree that is for you.
Day 20. Unfortunately this is the time of year in which many people suffer loss in house fires. Give 10 cents for every phone in your house in which you can dial 911 in case of emergency.
Day 21. Many people in the world suffer excruciating pain from the lack of dental care. Have you ever been grateful for toothbrushes? Give 5 cents for every toothbrush in your house.
Day 22. Many children in the world barely get one meal a day. How many did you have? Give thanks and five cents for each meal and 10 cents for each snack today.
Day 23. “Give us this day our daily bread”. Thank God for feeding you today and give one penny for every slice of bread in your house.
Day 24. Make a list of all the fruits and vegetable God created that you can name and put in a penny for each one on the list.
Use the money to purchase something out of the World Vision or Samaritan’s Purse catalog.
anyone know a good doctor?
23 Oct 2008 2 Comments
The inevitable has happened. Something that rarely happened in the states…..one of my children has gotten sick enough to warrant a doctor visit. The thing I have been dreading most; UGH. It’s too hard to explain how the system works here, but let’s just say, it’s different. After some calls to some western friends, we got some good leads and after a false start, we now have a diagnosis. Bekah has impetigo. That’s a contagious thing, by the way. Yay. 
So, no more school for her for the week, and we’ll be trying to keep everyone else away from her. It can get gross (and that’s all we’ll say about it right now, thankyouverymuch), and can be serious if untreated. Thankfully, we caught it very early, and she’s already on medication. She’s feeling pretty lousy though, and is being a real trooper. Friendly e-mails for Bekah are welcome!