Baby BOY Purser arriving November 18th (or somewhere around there)!! We’re all very excited!
So much for New Year’s Resolutions… is it really May?
Back in January i promised to update our blog more often. And now it’s May and i haven’t written a post since early February. Oops. So much for New Year’s Resolutions! Now i remember why I never make them! I’ll chalk it up to all the fun we’ve been having and just say that time here in Hong Kong is like living in a time warp. Somehow it just goes by…
It’s been a busy and fun 3 months – i’m not even sure where to begin… do i go all the way back to Chinese New Year?
Here are a few highlights from the last few months! We’ve filled our time with visits from Grandma and Gramps and Nona! We’ve ventured to Chiang Mai, Thailand and Xi’an China. I’ve also been to Seoul, Australia, Chicago, Malaysia and coming up next week is the Maldives but hey, who’s counting! Here’s your very own time warp of the past 4 months in HK…
Chinese New Year (mid-February)
We decided to spend our first Chinese New Year in HK even though it seems like all of the other expats flee the city. It was a lot of fun – we hit the parade – I’ve never seen swag bags at a parade or strange blue alien looking guys, watched the fireworks with friends, took in the flower market and just enjoyed doing something i never get to do – explore Hong Kong. We saw the 10,000 Buddhas, ate Korean Fried Chicken in deep, dark Kowloon and just enjoyed some family time!
Grandma comes (back) to HK (March)
In March we got to enjoy a great visit with Grandma! We explored lots of Hong Kong, since this time we knew a bit more about where we were going and what to do, and we spent 5 days in Chiang Mai, riding elephants, touring templates and visiting the place Aaron and I got engaged 7 years ago! It was a great visit and we’re waiting for Grandma to come back again!
Gramps & Nona take Hong Kong (April)
After our visit from Grandma we got to enjoy two more visitors – Gramps and Nona! Since this was their first time in HK we took them to all of our favorite sights. The Big Buddha of course, the beach, the Peak, Wooloomooloo for rooftop drinks and HK Park. We also decided to venture into deep dark China… I mean Xi’an. About 2 1/2 hours from HK, right in the middle of China – where we saw the amazing Terracotta warriors, incredible history and had a lot of fun trying to figure out what to eat. To say the least, no one gained any weight on that trip!
The beaches of Hong Kong…
In between our visitors, trips, my crazy job, and life itself we’ve been trying to spend as much time as possible at our other favorite place in Hong Kong – the beach! While Aaron spends more time there than the rest of us, Aria definitely makes the biggest splash! Oh and Aria is happy to give tips on getting bikini bod ready for the summer for anyone who wants them 🙂
So that’s what’s been going on in here in HK. Apologies for the delay in updates! I guess I can’t promise to do better – but i’ll try! We miss and love you all!
XOXO
Where oh where has January gone…
Is it me or does time literally fly? Waking up today on Superbowl Sunday (Monday here in HK) I can’t believe we are already into February. And thanks Dad and Tra for hooking us up with your Slingbox. We thoroughly enjoyed watching the Superbowl at 7 am this morning. It wasn’t quite the same with a plate of egg whites and avocado but hey… it was at least the Super Bowl.
I would say the last few weeks have passed without my excitement but then again, every week in Hong Kong is still new and exciting. We’ve filled the month with a waterfront Carnival, trips to Disney and Ocean Park, visits to Hong Kong Park and the Botanical Gardens, and new nightlife spots in Kennedy Town and Soho. If I think about what we’d be doing in Chicago (eating, sleeping, eating, and maybe getting outside every now and again when it’s not absolutely freezing cold) I guess things are a bit more exciting then in years past. Here are a few highlights from this month!
Cotton Candy and Carousel Rides at the Waterfront European Carnival!
Midgets – Aaron’s favorite!
Another trip to Hong Kong Disneyland.
Fountains you can climb in at Hong Kong Park! And a day at Ocean Park!
And finally, the last week also meant the start of a new classroom for Aria! Our big girl has moved on from Playgroup into the Stepping Stones class! This is only really exciting because it means she now goes to school all by herself – no mom, no dad, no Remy. I’m sure Remy is most excited about this new change.
Last day with Ms. Crystal (Playgroup teacher)
First day of Stepping Stones with Ms. Joanne (accompanied by Kitty)
Last but not least, I was feeling a bit sad this morning about missing the Chicago blizzard. I mean, who doesn’t love a good snowstorm and particularly a snow day. But then i had lunch outside. Without a coat. On February 3rd. And decided I wasn’t really sad anymore. Hong Kong definitely has its perks.
XO
The first weekend of 2015
To kick off our first Hong Kong weekend of 2015 we decided to take advantage of the beautiful January weather and venture outside for a little Chinese culture. I had read about the Nan Lian Gardens but had yet to venture to the “dark side” to check them out.
On Saturday we ventured off to the Nan Lian Gardens and the Chi Lin Nunnery – no, not the type of nunnery you’re probably thinking of. The Chi Lin Nunnery is a Buddhist temple that was founded in 1934 but was rebuilt in the 1990s following the style of Tang Dynasty traditional Chinese architecture. The buildings are the only ones built in this style in Hong Kong! (And yes, i learned that on Wikipedia). The Nan Lian Gardens are classic Chinese gardens that are connected to the Nunnery. We had a great time exploring and it was nice to escape the city (or at least feel like we escaped the city) for a morning in the great outdoors!
Sunday was equally as beautiful a day – and Daddy was off watching ‘American football’ so Aria and I spent the morning in Hong Kong Park. I swear, everywhere you turn in HK you find something more beautiful than you found the day before. We had an amazing time looking at fish and turtles, running through caves and exploring the waterfalls – and all just a 10 minute walk from home.
Hong Kong – you are truly amazing. And i think we all can say with confidence that it is good to be home.
XO
So much to be thankful for
So i started this post the week of Thanksgiving. But sadly, with the holiday long over I am just getting around to finishing it. So here goes…
As we hit the six month mark in Hong Kong I can’t believe how incredibly fast the time has flown by. When Aaron and I decided to take the leap of faith and move our family more than halfway across the world to Hong Kong we’ll admit it – we really had no idea what we were getting into. No idea at all.
But 6 months in, and a trip home under our belt, I can without hesitation say coming to HK was one of the best decisions of my life. This isn’t just because it’s so cold in Chicago that my office is closed and it’s 75 and sunny here and i took a run outside yesterday in shorts and a tee shirt. But the weather sure doesn’t hurt either…
In 6 short months we have met amazing friends, traveled to four incredible Asian countries, visited some of the most beautiful beaches, attempted to learn a new language, attempted to navigate a new culture and have experienced a part of the world we know most people aren’t even lucky enough to visit.
Being back in the states made us miss our family and friends immensely. And we miss our home and the creature comforts of life in the US (I for one miss places like Target). But we realize that life is short so as we enter 2015 here’s to more adventures in Hong Kong. I’m really enjoying this journey i’m on and so thankful to be experiencing it with these two.
Happy New Year!
XO
The Wonders of Cambodia
There are times in life when you visit a place that is so incredibly amazing and yet so unknown that you stop and wonder how such a place can be kept so hidden from the rest of the world. Cambodia is without question one of those places. We didn’t really know what to expect when we arrived. We knew Angkor Wat, the 8th wonder of the world, would be amazing. And we knew we’d have fun no matter what the trip turned out like. But we had no idea that the people would be incredibly welcoming and unimaginably resilient, that the temples would be breathtaking, that the food would be delicious, the shopping so fun, and that this would be a place we would be talking about for a very long time.
We started our trip by exploring some of the smaller but well-known temples – Bayon and Ta Prom (known best for its scenery in the movie Tomb Raider). It takes only a minute to understand why these are called wonders. The intricate carvings, the wonder of how someone actually built these things, the detail and thought that went into the placement of every piece of rock. Both temples were incredible, mysterious and an unbelievable sight to see. On day 2 we saw Angkor Wat in the early mornings and caught that incredible reflection off the lake (a lake that is required to keep the temple standing). Its sheer size is unbelievable and it’s beauty incredible. We also visited Banteay Srei (the lady temple) made out of shimmering pink sandstone. Each temple was incredible – and their beauty almost made us forget the heat and humidity of the Cambodian climate. Almost. Good thing three of us just lived through a summer in Hong Kong.
Our guide So Phai (Pronounced Sopan) was also incredible. Aria is still talking about him. He shared with us the history of the temples, but also the history of the Cambodian people. I started this post by wondering why so few people have been to Cambodia. But when you think that it has only been deemed safe for foreign travelers since 2002 the answer becomes pretty simple. They are still finding Landmines from the Khmer Regime all over Cambodia – and when your tour guide tells you not to wander too far off the beaten path you know there is a good reason. But in the 12 years since Cambodia has opened its doors the people there have built their lives and they love to tell you about the Cambodian people. Their pride, their spirit, their love for their country.
Cambodia can only be described in one word – Magical. I feel grateful that we got to see such a wonder and got to experience it with my mom. I know the chances of Aria remembering some or any of this experience is pretty small but I hope if nothing else she catches her parents travel bug and love of the unknown and can look back on these posts and at least read about the incredible adventures she had as a child.
Here are some pictures from our adventures. I hope you can all visit this incredible country one day. It is truly a place not to be missed.
XO
Aria is two!
Where has the time gone? How is my little Aria Madeleine two years old? This little peanut has turned into a walking, talking, sassy, sweet as can be, two-year-old little girl. With her Blonde hair, big brown eyes, outgoing personality and smarts that outdo most adults, she is truly our little wonder.
We celebrated Aria’s birthday in Cambodia with many of Aria’s favorite things – Her family, elephant rides, cake, swimming, new friends and chicken nuggets and French fries. Oh to be two again!
A highlight of her birthday for us was Aria calling her first cake of the day “elephant poop.” Which have a look – I did say she was pretty smart. We’re still laughing about that.
But the best part was getting to spend my little girls 2nd birthday with her and our family in a magical place doing all the things she loves to do. Aria you are beyond the sweetest, most lovable two year old I could have ever dreamed of. You make every day of our lives more fun than the day before. We are so grateful for you and I hope you’ll always know how much we love you. Happy 2nd birthday, little sunshine. We love you to the moon and back!
Grammy takes Hong Kong
I’m way behind in updating this blog – so I can thank this very long flight to London for finally getting back on track. But I’m also behind because the last month has been filled with tons of fun, lots of exploring, an amazing new country, work (that thing I’m supposed to actually be here for) and one awesome visitor – GRAMMY!
As our first official visitor other than Grandma Bonnie who helped us move in (we can’t wait for her to come back in March to really show her HK) we had lots to do and show Grammy in Hong Kong.
The first week we spent exploring Hong Kong. We took Grammy on her first ferry, had dinner on a floating restaurant, took her on the Ngong Ping cable car to see the wonder of the Big Buddha (she even climbed all of those steps), explored Stanley beach and the market, and of course goofed around with Aria.
Week two we wandered off to Bangkok and Cambodia… more to come on Cambodia in the next post but Bangkok was a truly great day! We started our morning with a visit to Grand Palace which is appropriately named. Holy gold statues…! We then wandered to somewhere a bit cooler and checked out the local mall – Siam Paragon. Aaron couldn’t resist a 2nd swim with the sharks and Aria will never say no to hours of staring at fish. We spent our evening having dinner at our favorite restaurant Face – and the next day we were off to Cambodia…
Our last week with Grammy we got her out to Shek O Beach, up to the Peak, out on a river cruise and she and Aaron couldn’t not hit up the casinos of Macau.
Unfortunately the Teaware museum just didn’t make the cut this visit. But we had to save something to ensure she would come back next year! Thanks for coming to visit us Grammy. We had so much fun having you in Hong Kong. And even if Aria may have tried to send you to “the grass” a couple of times or given you a face that we are still laughing at we all LOVED having you in HK! We miss you lots and can’t wait to see you in December.
We hope Grammy will be the first of many visitors to come in the next year.
XO
Mid-Autumn Festival
This past week we celebrated our first Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong! Mid-Autumn festival, also known as the Chinese Moon Festival is traditionally celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunisolar month. Got that. I didn’t think so. Eighth lunisolar what?
So as i understand it, the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important festivals in Chinese culture. It has been taking place well before any of us were born (don’t think any of us were around for the Tang Dynasty) and is an occasion for outdoor reunions among friends and relatives to eat mooncakes and watch the moon. The round shape of the moon is a symbol of harmony and unity in Chinese culture – and the festival is meant today to bring harmony and unity among families.
We celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival where else – but under the moon! We went to Stanley beach and joined lots of other expats in a celebration of something we definitely didn’t understand. But since i’m never one to say no to a night time picnic on the beach we were definitely partaking.
Aria had a blast with her lantern and glow sticks. I think she’s practicing for the clubbing I’m sure she will do at some point in her teens. I’m not sure this is exactly how the Chinese celebrate and maybe next year we’ll tough it out with the Chinese people in Victoria Park to see the dragon dance. But until i’m ready to face 1 million Chinese people in one tiny park we’ll stick to picnics on the beach, glow sticks, and lanterns.
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!
XOXO
I have a crush on Hong Kong…
We’ve officially been in Hong Kong for three months and I am definitely falling in love. Don’t worry Mom, that doesn’t mean we won’t move home eventually. But I am starting to understand why people love living here. There aren’t many places in the world that you can be in one of the most exciting/dynamic cities by day and on the most beautiful beach by night (or a mere 20 minutes later). Everywhere i turn in HK there is something beautiful or interesting to see. And i’m sure we haven’t even yet begun to scratch the surface.
So here are my favorite things about Hong Kong so far…
1. The beaches
There are 12 public beaches to explore on Hong Kong island. We’ve only made it to two and I’m already madly in love. This past weekend we checked out the beach on the furthest peninsula called Shek O. About a 25 minute cab ride through the mountains (which are beautiful) later we arrived to this. Even Aaron about died.
2. The diversity of the city.
Everywhere you look in Hong Kong there is something interesting or beautiful to see. This is my daily walk to work – there is beautiful architecture, Aria’s favorite grafitti (she calls that lady ghost face), stairs that lead to absolutely nowhere, and my favorite little flower shop.
3. The views
Everywhere you go there is an amazing view of Hong Kong just around the corner. Everyone talks about Hong Kong’s beautiful skyline but my favorite views are the ones that are completely unexpected. Looking out of a taxi window, walking up a hill, playing at a playground. You’re never more than a glimpse away from a beautiful view.
4. Remy
Ok, I’ll admit it. Having a helper is awesome. Most importantly, Aria adores her. I think she calls her “Gremy” because she thinks she’s a long-lost grandmother that she never met before (Don’t get jealous Grandma’s, she talks about all of you all the time too!). I’ll also admit that having dinner cooked every night after work, a house so clean you could literally eat off our toilets, and all of our errands run for me has made the time i have outside of work a million times better. Helper’s are truly life changing and I’m grateful we found one that is wonderful.
5. The outdoors
People say we arrived in Hong Kong at the worst time. It is hot and humid (really, really hot and humid), it rained a lot in the beginning, and the air quality isn’t always the best. But after surviving 11 years of Chicago winters i will take this any day. Because unlike Chicago winters even in the rain here in HK you can always be outside.
There is no shortage of things to do outside – boats, amazing parks, amazing beaches, pools, pools, pools. I can’t wait to see what cooler weather brings. I’m looking forward to the hiking I’ve heard so much about here.
I’ve had many relationships in my life that were shorter than this current love affair with Hong Kong so let’s hope it’s here to stay. There are still lots of things about Hong Kong that make me crazy – like the taxi’s, the humidity, and the overcrowding. But today i’m going to focus on the things i really love about Hong Kong. After all, every weekend i get to do my favorite things with my two favorite people. What more could i ask for.
XO
From Chicago to Hong Kong 
