We're still here and kickin'...

Well, we've now been here for 23 days (not that I am counting) and I am starting to believe that things are beginning to look up.  I haven't cried since last week!  I think that is HUGE!  The boys seem to be continuing to do well with their transition - I guess at the end of the day, that is what is most important:) 

Highlights of my week:

1.  Today I went with Jack on a field trip to Wan Chai Market.  Wan Chai is an interesting area of HK - it's close to Central but used to be a seaport where many sailors came into town (I think you know the punchline - should I be concerned that Brian knows this?).  In any case, they have a "Wet Market" - we got to experience the market first hand...WOW! is all I can say!  Some of the stuff that you would see on the travel channel - who is that guy that travels to the exotic places?.. Anthony Bourdain!  I felt like I was on his show (except there was no way in hell I was putting anything in my mouth).  A Wet Market is an open air market that sells the freshest of raw food - so fresh in fact that there was an eel that was cut in half and still moving...yes you have that right, STILL MOVING and bloody!!  You would think that as a mother of 3 boys I would be used to the gross factor, this took it to a whole different level!  Let's also keep in mind that this was my first foray into the school mom arena - no worries...I didn't throw the F* bomb!  I know...I am SUPER proud of myself!  Considering the fact that I also saw an empty goat head, flat duck (like a whole duck that looked like someone ran over it) and live fish flapping on the concrete (people were buying these fish), I should win an award! As soon as I hear another mom throw the bomb, I'm asking for her number!

2.  Brian and I took the ferry over to Tsim Sha Tsui (TST for short) on Saturday night - this is basically mainland China.  *Side-note -  I really need to read up on my history - Brian keeps rolling his eyes at me when I ask questions.   Apparently I missed the lessons related to England owning part of the mainland (I thought they only owned HK - come to find out, they also leased part of the mainland for 100 years).  What can I say, I had a horrible SS teacher! 

Anyway, we ( really more me if I were to be honest!) needed to find some place that had a western feel - you know, somewhere where if you closed your eyes you would swear you were in the states.  As luck would have it, there is a BLT Steak in HK!  They also have a BLT Burger.  For those of you familiar with the BLT restaurants, they are just home!  We could have just as easily been in the city - after dinner though, you know you're in Asia.  An important point here - DO NOT DRINK HEAVILY and then get on the ferry!  Luckily it was a low key night - the ferry rocked so much I felt like I was in The Perfect Storm.  The boat itself is a bit shaky - let's just say I'm putting Thomas on a leash when we take him to TST (a rope separates you from the incredibly deep water).

Interesting Tidbits 

1.  HK television is still HORRIBLE!

2.  Parents who have the time to study and highlight (you might know how I feel about highlighting!) the class field trip guide have WAY too much time on their hands...just sayin'

3.  People are funny - it is really interesting to meet others who are in my same boat...some are even more high strung!!  hahahaha - good to know, good to know even better to remind Brian about!

4.  Cab drivers really like it when you say "Jóusàh" (Jo/Sun)...it means good morning in Cantonese.  They seem to remember they have kids in the car and don't take the ultra sharp corners at 70kmph (about 45, but we're not in KS anymore!)

5.  I realized this week how small my world view was/is - it is now growing at a rapid rate - but I'm almost a bit embarrassed by my lack of world experience.  I've met more than a few people who have lived in so many different places in the world - it made me realize how sheltered I was in the US.  To think I moved to CA because I thought I was sheltered in RI!!!  Again, whole different level!

Things I am looking forward to this week:

1.  I met a friend!!  She has 4 kids around the same ages as mine and is here temporarily (they think but you never know!).  Originally, her husband's job here was only supposed to be for 2 months but it keeps getting extended.  She is homeschooling (I would definitely be in a straight jacket!) her older 3 and is taking advantage of the traveling and life experience for the kids while they are here.  Anyway, her husband is back stateside for the week so we are taking the kids for pizza tomorrow night - I knew we would be friends b/c she said "I'll definitely be needing some wine."  Great moms think alike! 

2.  I met another friend and we are getting together for dinner with our husbands (1st couple date in HK - wish us luck!) on Friday night. That's what can happen when you will talk to anyone with a pulse!  I really do have to thank my mother's gene pool for that one!

3.  Benjamin's birthday is on Saturday and we are surprising him by taking him to Ocean Park (http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/home/) - it seems sort of like Disneyland on a cliff.  I hope he has fun!  He was a bit dramatic last weekend telling us that "we don't even care about his birthday."  WHATEVER!  My mother would have responded with something like..."you are lucky to even have a birthday."  Of course, I wouldn't have gotten that at age 7, I don't even think I get it now...

That's all for this week - I'm over the crying drama!  I'm puttin' on my big girl pants, puttin' my crazy back in the box and facing my life in HK. 

Thanks for listening:)