7 Quick Takes: All in the last month

I have spent a good amount of in-between time thinking about what to write next and very little time feeling motivated to do anything about it. I have realised that the longer I leave it, the more there is to say and the more difficult it is to get started. The other evening, kids were down to sleep, I was procrastinating dishing up dinner and Kev sat across from me at the table, sketching another amazing masterpiece (yes - you read right! I always knew he had amazing talent, thanks to our tense games of Pictionary over the years). I decided to jot down some thoughts and those thoughts rolled into my next post. 

Murphy's law, just as I was about to finish, I lost it all. That sinking feeling when you open up drafts and its empty.  Nothing. I opened it up again this morning, hoping it would miraculously reappear, but still nothing. So, this post may lack some enthusiasm and life, because it is just not the same second time round. Sorry about that. Truth is, if I don't get this one out, there is the real possibility that I could lose inspiration and motivation to carry on blogging at all. Dramatic, but true.


The last month has been packed with so many special, memorable moments and wonderful days. As I look back, I am actually amazed. 




Overall, my heart is content, but I am realising that some of the changes take more time to process than others, and some days its more in my face than others. When you're in the middle of 'life', you often only see a slice of the picture, but as I honestly reflect on the last month there is so much to celebrate and to be grateful for, starting with these:

1/ Visitors! Both Kev's dad and my sister have visited us! Kev's dad was here for a long weekend mid March, and as always, he was a great encouragement, support and voice of wisdom in our lives. Just three days later, and a little more spontaneous, my sister arrived for a week. Her first time to Asia! I definitely didn't expect a visit from her anytime soon, but mostly because schlepping over a family of four didn't seem very likely. What I hadn't contemplated, was the possibility of her leaving the other three behind (hubby and kiddies) and coming on her own. H-E-L-L-LO! I dont actually know when last we spent a solid week together like that. Possibly when I was 9 and she was 18, we both lived at home, had dance off's in the lounge, and shared wardrobes? (OK - good chance I got more out of her wardrobe than she did mine).

There is something very special about family travelling far, across the ocean, and then being in our home, walking our streets, seeing our sights, taking in the smells and joining in with the everyday routines. It definitely fills a gap. But then you have to say goodbye all over again.

2/ New experiences. Visitors means lots of exploring and new experiences and we packed in as much as possible. From bird markets to flower markets, to night markets and night light shows, to beautiful little bussling islands, small cobbled street meandering and busy high street browsing...in taxis, mini buses, ferrys, ding dings, buses, MTRs and trams. And a whole lot of walking too. At one point when we were out and about and I was playing tour guide, it dawned on me that just 11 months ago Kev and I were preparing to board a plane Hong Kong bound to get a sense if this was to be our new home in the future. We were hosted and shown around and at that stage everything was completely foreign (and overwhelming) to me. And now we call it home and show it off to our guests :)

3/ More good food. Visitors also means lots of new food experiences and we packed in as much as possible of this too. Peking duck, coconut, sushi, dragon fruit, dumplings, bubble tea, egg tart, k-roll, dim sum, bao, mochi, satay, frozen fruit, fried rice, noodles, mango sticky rice, fish balls, edamame beans, loads more green veg, and a number of other nameless foodie delights.

4/ Birthdays. In just the last three weeks we have celebrated Shiloh, Kev and Sierra's first Hong Kong birthday's. And I have baked my heart out. Good news is I have had more success than my first one or two baking experiences when we first arrived. At first I was a bit apprehensive about planning parties for the girls in a new country. I tried to sell them the idea of a fun family day out instead. I then realised that taking the opportunity to celebrate them well, and including others who have been with us in these first few months adjusting to life here, was a good reason to put aside my own preferences. Both parties were super low key and suited them each perfectly.

Shiloh had her party at the Botanical and Zoological Gardens - we played in the park, had a treasure hunt and pulled out the good old pass the parcel for entertainment. We had to be ok with no special decor or frills as they're super strict about that sort if thing in public spaces, but it was one of the most beautiful days with the bluest sky I had seen in weeks. (Blue sky is a real treat in Hong Kong!) Sierra had a tea party with a few little girls, cookie decorating and Sandart. The greatest joy for me was seeing the little group of friends gathered around both my girls at their parties and remembering the prayers Kev and I prayed before moving over - the answer to them right before our eyes.

Kev's birthday wasn't forgotten about. He's not that into pass the parcel or tea parties, so we surprised him at his office with his favourite homemade carrot cake.
.

5/ Vacay. Or more like 'staycay'. There is one thing about Hong Kong that everyone warned us about and its quickly becoming real for us too. Every now and then you just have to get out or away. Living in a small space, in a high rise, with many other high rises surrounding you, also filled with small spaces, all accommodating many, many people, can get a little claustrophobic. The day following Kev and Sierra's birthday was a public holiday and the girls are on school holidays so we took the gap and went away for two nights last week. It was just what we needed. It was not even an hour bus ride away, but a little less busy, a little more space, a beach and our little family together. I can't tell you too much about what the area is like, because we spent the majority of the 48 hours next to (or in) the pool. The remainder of the time was spent reading, sketching, sleeping and playing monopoly deal (a few of our current favourites).

6/ Kind Strangers. Have you ever had an interaction with someone that has left you a little speechless? And for me, in this circumstance, also a desire to be more generous. Long story short, I met a young lady in an MTR station one evening who gave me a pair of brand new, beautiful Hunter boots. For free. She initially was wanting to sell them but then she insisted I have them for nothing, if they fit and if I like them. Well, they did and I did. I feel a little more equipped for the dreaded summer ahead of us. I have been caught in one downpour so far, and apparently it was nothing. Taking Sierra to school, armed with an umbrella, we had the short run to the bus stop and the last stretch from where we jump off, to school. Umbrella = joke. I spent the rest of the morning out looking like a drowned rat and sloshing around in wet socks and takkies. Hunter Boots to the rescue!

7/ Sundays at Watermark. This is fast becoming one of the highlights of my week. I love that we can be so new to a completely foreign country, but have a space where we belong and feel at home. I love the people, so many of whom I still want to get to know. I love that I leave feeling encouraged, challenged and filled for the new week ahead.

So grateful for so much.