What is YOUR idea of a vacation?

This is a long one – you might want to get comfy and get a drink! I’m writing this on our flight back from Thailand – just coming off our first family vacation ever (let alone first in Asia) – YES, we have gone to the beach with the cousins, but we’ve never actually gotten on an airplane with all the kids in tow just to vacation and not visit family. Previous to this experience, our idea of a vacation would be sitting on a beach drinking cocktails at 10am…then we had kids! We decided for this first foray into Asia, we wanted the kids to have a cultural experience…So no beach…not this time--We had an adventure vacation! Originally we were only going to go to Bangkok but after some friends returned from Chiang Mai and raved about it, we added that on. In doing so, we had a bit of trains, planes and automobiles but all in all, we had an amazing experience! You'll notice I included a lot more pictures than I normally do so you get the full effect!

Day 1 – Leave Hong Kong on a 10pm flight…hindsight…not a good time to fly with 3 kids under 9. No one got to bed until 2am in Bangkok. At this point I am really glad we brought Zenny with us!

Chiang Mai – Northern Thailand
Day 2 – Leave for Chiang Mai on a 12pm flight that was delayed by an hour (remember this was an add-on so flights were a bit off). Arrive in Chiang Mai, get to hotel at 3pm. We stayed at a place called Rimping Village – super nice staff, very quaint hotel that had bikes for the kids, a pool and that very rustic feeling. Nothing that I expected! Having never traveled through Asia, I didn’t know what to expect but coming from the US, I guess I expected paved roads, clean surroundings and the like. But this was northern Thailand…dirt roads, lots of run-down buildings, and a Thai massage place on every corner. We let the kids swim to get out some of their energy – they had been traveling since the night before…the pool immediately got louder by about 10 octaves!

An hour later we were all getting a Thai massage – kids too! Out of the 3 kids, I thought Thomas would like it the most – think it was a bit too much for him but the other 2 LOVED it…especially Jack! Contrary to popular belief, massages are not always relaxing. Thai massage basically tries to bend you like a rubber band – it feels great after, but during is a different story. Was a great experience for all and it only costs 1200BAHT (bot) which is about 40 USD…that’s a bargain if I’ve ever seen one! Jack is now a big fan of massage...wonder who he takes after!

For dinner we tried a local Thai place – note to self…if no one is in the restaurant at dinnertime, do not enter! But again, everything is an experience. As the kids were exhausted, we took a Tuk Tuk home. A Tuk Tuk is a 3-wheel bike with a seat in back – this would NEVER pass any sort of safety regulations in the US! They are super cheap to take– about 2 USD –the kids loved it and it was a great way to really get a feel for the area. We were all in bed early as we prepared for the next day at Patara Elephant Farm.

Day 3 – The Elephant Farm -
7:45 am – We are all picked up by the elephant farm van. If you would have told me a year ago I would be cleaning, bathing, checking an elephant’s dong (yes, that is poop!), and riding one, I would never have believed it! But here we were, all of us, elephant owners for a day. After a windy 40 minute ride, we arrived at Patara Elephant Farm. A few of our friends had done this and absolutely loved it so we decided to try it. In my mind I pictured, I don’t know what I pictured and really should stop doing that because nothing is as imagine!

The farm was ecstatic because a baby elephant had been born the day before – we got the blow by blow account of his birth and even watched him breast feed (amazingly, elephants are very much like humans right down to the placenta passing after the birth!) while we were standing there. After a longish presentation on our job for the day – we were now elephant owners. The staff was there to assist, but it was our job to make sure our elephant was healthy and taken care of. We doned a Thai outfit to protect our skin while we rode and then met our elephants!

Benjamin and I shared Mae Won Di because he decided he had a fear of elephants upon arrival! I think the shear size of them totally freaked him out – seeing elephants in a zoo is DRASTICALLY different than having one right next to you!

Feeding:
First, we had to make friends with her which meant that we had to say some Thai phrase that I can’t remember right now and that told her to open her mouth so we could feed directly into her mouth. Of course in doing so, we actually touched her very LARGE, wet tongue!

Checking the Dong:
We had to count the number of poops that Mae Wan Di had and then we had to pick it up and break it apart, squeeze it to make sure some liquid came out and then smell it to ensure she was healthy. Surprisingly – elephant poop doesn’t smell! If it does smell, then something is wrong. I was a bit grossed out at first, but Benjamin did this part for us.

Cleaning:
Then we took this tool made up of brushed and brushed the entire elephant – the entire time we did this, our guide was telling us “harder, harder”…we had to command them to sit down (NA Long) and praised them for doing well (Didi).

Bathing:
After brushing, it was time to wash them – we walked them down to this creek and proceeded to throw water on them and brush them from trunk to tail – again, our guide was telling us, “harder, harder.” How the hell much harder could I do it?!?

Getting Up:
We were finally ready to ride! Apparently some elephants only like to be mounted one way – this was Mae Wan Di…the only choice I had was to have her bend her head down so I could jump over her trunk to her neck…have I mentioned how BIG these animals are! I took one look and thought, holy shit, this is NOT going to be pretty! I propped my hands on his trunk and took a jump…I made it but barely I think! There’s a video of this event that will NEVER see the light of day but I did include a picture below (ain’t too proud!). Then it was Benjamin’s turn-- the plan was for him to sit in front of me and I would hold onto him with one hand and the rope behind me with the other. Seemingly easy, right? He got up, took one look down and decided this was not the way he wanted to spend the day! He opted for a ride on his own elephant…Toyota with the lead guide. He loved it! Thomas and Jack on the other hand, each rode their own elephant and loved it! I thought we were in for a short ride – low and behold, we were on these for the better part of the day!

Riding:
Just so we are clear, when you ride an elephant, you sit on their necks. No big deal…except that you are in a V position from the hips for the entire time! Try doing that for 6 hours – see if you can walk the next day! Thank goodness I remembered to bring Advil along for the trip! Once I got on, I thought I was done with that part…not the case – I got up and down off that elephant about 5 more times. I did get better though!

2pm – we finally stop for our Thai lunch at a waterfall where after we ate, the elephants went for a swim. The boys decided to go swimming as well – to see them slide down this rock slide into the pool of water with the elephants was the highlight of my trip. Their absolute joy climbing on and playing with these gentle giants was worth every single sore muscle I had the next morning.

At last, we were on our descent back to the farm. We proceeded to go up this mountain (up is inherently easier because you essentially lay down forward on the elephant) and Thomas decided he had enough of the elephant and got off (with about 7 more coming behind him!) …not to worry though, one of the guides gave him a piggyback ride until he wanted to get on again. I was having a bit of a panic attack when I saw him off the elephant – I was on mine and was not at a point that I could get off to help – I’m assuming they have this type of thing happen, because none of the guides even batted an eye…they just picked him up and kept right on going.

What goes up….
Coming down the mountain is a whole different ballgame – you are supposed to lean back (remember, your legs are still in chicken wing position!) while this giant animal is your escort down a 90 degree “path” (picture this incredibly narrow dirt path filled with rocks, trees, etc). I was not afraid all day until this moment…all I pictured was 12 elephants toppling on top of each other with each of us in the middle of them. It was so incredibly steep and they were all close to each other in this tiny space and all the while Mae Wan Di was jockeying for a position in front of another elephant – the whole thing was giving me agita (ogeda)! I was really thanking God at this point that Benjamin opted for the Toyota - there was no way I would've been able to hold the two of us on that elephant!

Alas, we all survived and slowly made our way back to the farm where we said goodbye to our newfound friends. Brian decided the elephant is his new favorite animal – I have to agree – they are truly amazing animals! The kids had the time of their lives! I was impressed that although they can’t seem to clean anything in the house, each one really took time to make sure their elephant job was done right. They didn’t complain the entire day! It was a Christmas miracle☺

Needless to say, we were all in bed early! Brian and I went out for a bit to explore the Sunday market (think of a big flea market but with nicer stuff!) where we picked up some souvenirs and got a foot massage for 2 USD!☺

Day 4 – Flight of the Gibbons
9:45am – We are picked up by the Flight of the Gibbons van to begin our adventure zip lining through the Thailand jungle!

For those of you who know me well, you know that I don’t love heights…I’m okay for a bit if I am in enclosed glass – it took me about 8 weeks of living in a highrise before I could look down without first having a cocktail! Now, here I was preparing to fly on a wire from tree to tree about 200ft or so off the ground. I don’t think I really thought through what it would be like to actually do this but there was no turning back when we were outfitted with the gear – yes, those pictures are pretty indeed! – and arrived at our first station. Sky and Ging were our guides for the day…we partnered with an Australian couple on their honeymoon and a German girl who was touring around Asia by herself for a couple of months (I gave her a lot of credit – doing this by herself was truly adventurous!). At our first stop, the boys were all dying to go first – no sign of any fear! I thought they would have Thomas go with a guide but nope, wrong again, they strapped him up and sent him on his way!

Picture this…Brian and I are on one side of the zip line and our 3 boys are on the other (with no adult other than the guide)! We were all so high up and there was not even a railing…just a platform on a tree! At this point I really trying to keep my "crazy in the box" and immediately screamed to Brian…”get the F*#&#& over there! I was scared shitless! I had never done this and didn’t know once you cross to the other side, you are clipped to a safety line so even if you fell, you would still be attached and you wouldn’t fall to your own demise while on vacation. I made Brian go before I did – I had to make sure I would be safe…if it could hold him, I was okay☺

Not just a zip line:
I don’t even know if I can begin to describe this experience….once I got used to the zip lining (I finally started opening my eyes around the 4th one), the experience got all more interesting as we traveled across a very long, very high, open-slotted wooden bridge - remember the one in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom?? – this was EXACTLY like it! Sky and Ging think they are hysterical as they stand on either end and jump on this damn thing…I was again scared shitless! That is until we had to repel down a tree! I mean really, did I sign up for this????? At the next somewhat scary bridge, Sky says, “Mom, stand in the middle.” I looked straight into his eyes and told him if he dared shake it, I would seriously hurt him – with a smile of course….he and the kids burst out laughing – clearly I was not taken seriously!

The 3 boys have such fearless spirits and their sheer joy, enthusiasm and willingness to try new things was really something to see. I thought Thomas would like it, knowing his sensory needs but Jack was the one who took off – no hands holding on, legs all over the place, laughing, just having the time of his life – again, this made it worth it. After 39 zip lines, 3 frightening bridges, 2 repels, 2 scary flights of steps down to a different part of the tree and 1 TERRIFYING bridge, we were done! Thomas and I did the final repel together and I quickly helped myself to a beer they had waiting. It never felt so good to be on the ground. Not sure if I’ll do that again in my lifetime, but at least it’s off my bucket list!

After that experience, we were done! Benjamin and Thomas were content to watch a movie in their room while Brian, Jack and I took a walk to the Night Market (many stalls, selling stuff) – Jack was adamant about getting a tiger tooth necklace as his souvenir and we were successful☺

Off to Bangkok - Day 5

We left for the airport at 8:30 and arrived in our hotel in Bangkok at around 1:30pm. After feeding the kids, again, Thomas and Benjamin needed a “chillax day.” So Brian and I took Jack to go see the Grand Palace – seems easy, right? The traffic in Bangkok is the worst I’ve ever seen…we took the Tuk Tuk and after 45 minutes, we still weren’t anywhere close to the Palace. Our driver suggested we take the river because a boat would be faster – we agreed and 15 minutes later we were traveling up the river to see the Palace. Again, not what I expected…we were tired and filled with exhaust fumes so we opted to see it from the river and call it done! We made our way to a hotel to find a taxi back – note to self…negotiate the price before you get in and start driving – many taxis in Bangkok are “private taxis” (i.e. no meter…try to gauge the tourists). We’ve all learned the art of negotiation! With Jack still with us, we took him all around the area that we were staying in – of course, come dusk, there’s another Night Market setting up around the corner from our hotel…more Chatski’s to negotiate for!

Day 6
Bangkok is basically a big, dirty city! Not the best place for kids but good for them to see, nonetheless. We took them to Siam Ocean World which boasts to be the largest aquarium in South East Asia…our kids love ocean animals so it was a good fit! They rode a glass bottom boat around the inside of the tank, looked at all kinds of animals..typical stuff. But, the highlight of the aquarium was the Turkish Garra Rufa fish massage we all had. After cleaning our feet, we sat around a hot tub looking pool that was filled with these small fish.

Then the fish eat the dead skin off your feet! It’s a bit weird at first, but it tickles more than anything. What was really weird was the fish were nibbling at my many scabbed mosquito bites (can’t believe I forgot that little tidbit of a story! So MANY damn mosquito’s…Off was my new deodorant!) and those healed much faster than the rest! Crazy but true!

Day 7
Back to Hong Kong on a very early flight that had us up at 6am! Finally arrived back home at about 4pm.

I’m sure I included much more detail than necessary but hopefully you can get a sense of what it’s like to take an “Adventure Vacation.”

Although it was nice to take our minds off of missing Christmas with our families, I for one, am a bit sad at this time of year. This is an absolutely fantastic experience and I know we are blessed to be able to do it but I do love Christmas in the States.

Merry Christmas Everyone! From the Green Family to yours, enjoy your time off and get out there and try something different!

Much love,
Sharon

In Memory of...

I've been meaning to write for the past 10 or so weeks. It took the death of a friend to bring me back and I'm using this to help me grieve.

I woke up Sunday morning, sick with a horrible sore throat, to numerous messages from FB. As I tried to swallow and scroll all of the messages on my phone, I was dumbstruck to find out that a friend of mine from college had suddenly passed away. Pam was a breast cancer survivor who had buried 2 sister in laws and her mother in the past 4 or so years (all from cancer). She was the mother of 4 children in addition to working full-time. Pam went to bed Friday night, feeling fine and passed away in her sleep. It seemed that nobody could believe the news. FB brought all of us together a few years ago and now we are using it as our source of comfort as we remember, share memories and as we all grieve in our own way.

Pam was one of these larger than life people. She lived large, laughed loudly and always saw the upside in things. She was the type of person who really didn't give a shit what others thought - I had to respect that! I hadn't kept in great contact with her until we moved to NJ and I found out that she had been diagnosed with cancer. I reached out via e-mail or card (I really can't remember) but I remember getting a response back and her thanking me for taking the time to send it. It struck me then, that it was so like Pam to thank me...here she is in the fight of her life and SHE takes the time to thank me. From that point on, we exchanged X-mas cards and then became FB friends. I kept up with her prognosis and progress through my college roommate Amanda who lived in the same city as her. In her battle, she was finally cancer free, had gone through reconstruction but was still taking a cancer drug to protect her from a possible reoccurrence.

Last October, we had a sorority reunion and since we were moving to HK, I decided to go. Brian opted to come along (really just so he could go to Primani's!) and it was a chance to show the kids where I went to college and let them have fun with my friends' kids - it's funny to see them all together:). I hadn't been to Pittsburgh since the fall of 2005 and this was only my 2nd time back after graduating. My college days were a total blast - the friends I met there are still some of my closest friends...it's important to have friends who knew you before (you know, before you grew up and had to get a job!) - I think it keeps you real - it keeps you grounded - it keeps you from taking yourself too seriously!

The reunion was like reliving one of our formals! We all just fell back into place - taking on our respective roles and laughing until it hurt. Even though we were all now "adults", we still managed to have chug contests (I was on the winning team - I'm sure that makes my parents proud of me at age 39), dance like we were 21 and yes, I got up with the band to sing Mustang Sally. Of course we couldn't let the night end with the formal, we took the party to our college bartender's current bar and continued there. My last memory of Pam was at this bar where she proceeded to show me how they did her reconstruction - "it sucked" were her words. Then she laughed as she explained that "they took the fat from my stomach so it wasn't all bad." I just had to laugh - here, she had been through this horribly painful (physically and emotionally) experience and she could take something good from it. She was just a fun person - people liked being around her because she had such a positive energy. She will be greatly missed.

Her death has hit all of our college crew particularly hard. I'm not sure if it is because, for me anyway, she is the first person in my immediate friend group who has passed, or if we are all now so acutely aware of our own mortality. We always think we have more time.

Death is such a difficult thing to wrap your head around...I know it should give everyone comfort to know that she is in Heaven, but for me, it doesn't right now. Maybe it will someday, but I can't help but think of her kids. I know they now have someone looking over them but it's not like having your mom tuck you in at night or give you a hug and that makes me sad and then I can't stop crying. It just doesn't seem fair. I talked to Amanda the other night and she made a point that does make me feel better - she said, "you know, I can't help but think God took her now so that she wouldn't have to go through anything else..." Pam had told her that she had to have another procedure done to help keep her cancer free - her battle was still not over and maybe it never would be. Maybe that is why God wanted to save her. That does give me comfort.

Pam, you are loved and missed my friend.

Stop the Crazy Train (or at least get off!)

There is definitely something to be said for taking some time for yourself! In the past 6 weeks, I've actually had some time by myself - to do what I want to do, to read what I want to read, to watch what I want to watch (I'm now addicted to American Idol and Glee!) and I have to say...I'M A BIG FAN! What a GREAT break! I think I am well on my way to learning how to relax. Now, I realize this has been possible because all of the household "duties" (dishes, laundry, cleaning, etc) have been taken over by our Helper, Zenny. Since the 70's, Domestic Helpers have been a very common part of the culture here in Hong Kong. For a bit of history, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_domestic_helpers_in_Hong_Kong

I have not met one family (although I did hear there was one) that does not have a helper. Having managed childcare help since the kids were born and having an au pair for the past 3 years, Brian and I were comfortable and used to having someone in our house helping us with the kids - what we have never had though was someone who helps with everything in the house - from cooking, grocery shopping (which is a HUGE deal here because there is no Super Stop and Shop or Costco!), laundry, cleaning, ironing, childcare, and everything else in between - basically, she is Alice! Let me tell you, she is out of this world good! We found her because as you know, I will talk to just about anyone and I struck up a random conversation with a woman in the elevator when we lived in Parkview (serviced apartments) and she gave me Zenny's info. For as many good stories about helpers that I've heard, I've also heard just as many horror stories. It comes down to fit - you need to find a person who will fit with your family. As I watch some of my new HK friends navigate the helper arena, I think we had a bit of an edge because we knew what kind of person would fit with our family. But, you never really know until you live with someone, right? It's all good! In fact, it's even better now that she lives with us!!! I definitely feel blessed (and maybe a bit lucky) to find her.

My point in sharing this information is that over the past 6 weeks, I've realized that I was seriously on a CRAZY TRAIN back in NJ! Although I love Ozzy, it was so good for me to get off! Between work, the kids, the house, just everything...it was like we were on a ridiculous roller coaster that never stopped to get new riders. You know, up, down, all around, up, down, all around...it just never seemed to stop. I recently said to Brian that I felt like these past weeks have been the first time I have really thought about things - had the time to just think - like we were always making decisions reactively...something happens, we react, something else happens, we react again, again and again and again. I used to joke with my friends in NJ that I was going to write a book entitled "I'm totally $#^$^#$!# exhausted!" And now I realize I really was - and I had some help! I don't remember feeling that way in KS, but our kids were still young and weren't involved in anything so I don't know if it was just NJ, but I definitely know I felt that way when I left there. Who is this crazy person who insists you can do it all - I'm here to tell you that you can't. Well you can, but it's a pretty good possibility you'll end up in Betty Ford! I was on my walk/hike the other day when I was thinking about this and all of a sudden The Brady Bunch popped into my head - did Carol Brady work? No, she didn't and she had Alice! Everyone with kids needs an Alice! That might be the title of my new book! It's true what they say about it "taking a village." The Asian culture has it right - everyone with kids should get some help! You'll be a hell of lot happier - I know I am:))))

You can see how this life is very enticing and easy to lose your sense of reality. Thank goodness my family will never let me do that! I say this as I just finished reading (yes, reading again! Love it - it reminds me of my summers before I had kids, I could just sit on the beach and read!) "Never Enough." For those of you who are not familiar with this story, it is about the infamous Milkshake Murder story. It's really sad to be honest - in a nutshell, it is the story of the Kissel family who moved from the NYC area to HK back in 1997. In 2003, Nancy killed her husband by drugging him in a milkshake and then literally bludgeoning him to death and rolling his body up in a carpet. They had 3 kids - so totally sad. The book is a good read - interesting to me obviously because we live here, but also, they lived in Parkview and their kids went to the same school our kids go to. Also interesting is that we have some friends in Madison who lived in HK at the same time and their daughter was in the same class - such a small world! Back to my original point - I think it would be very easy to lose yourself here if you are not grounded. Folks (men and women here!) start thinking this is the way you will always live. IT IS NOT! I remind Brian of this every now and again - certainly don't want him getting used to this! Although it may not be the way we will live in the States, I'm going to enjoy it now! I love being able to go on a field trip with one of the boys and not have to worry about juggling work or other kids to make it happen.

So in 3 very short weeks, I will be solo, on a plane with my 3 boys for 16 hours...do I sound excited? That's probably because I'm not. To be perfectly honest, I feel like we all just got settled and now we are upheaving our lives again. Not that I am not excited to see our family and friends (YES!! Very excited for that!) - but I'm now dreading leaving, particularly because I'll be on my own for 6 weeks with no help and then we'll all have to re-acclimate in another 8 weeks ...wish me luck!

Had to add in a couple of pictures for everyone. This one is of an entree we had at dinner with friends called Wild Boar - take a close look!

The second one is window art at a place in the Lan Kwai Fong area. I had to stare for a long time to be sure it wasn't real.

Food for thought! hahaha - see everyone soon!

What's your mantra?

I can’t believe we have actually lived here for 4 months and I haven't written in 5 weeks! Before you know it, we’ll be coming home for good. Crazy how time flies...

So to catch you up, we are fully settled into our new apartment (or flat as everyone here calls it) which is located on the 18th floor of a 36-floor high-rise. Since I really don't like heights, at first I was a bit freaked out. I had many nights of nightmares of my children falling from the balcony - for those of you who know my kids well, particularly my youngest, you know that I had every right to have bad dreams! But, we did what most other families with small kids do, we had safety locks put in every single window (so kids can only open about 3-4 inches), had all the locks moved up so high, I can't even reach them without a stool and we have a VERY strict "No one on the balcony" rule - which surprisingly all the kids adhere to. However, Thomas managed to learn how to open the window and even though they only open 3 inches, he was able to throw our little camera and some toys out of it - from 18 stories up! Another mom had told me a story (literally, the day before) about her kids doing it and I was contemplating having the windows fixed so they would only open an inch...go figure! And, of course he chose the window the faces the front of the building! We were just blessed (God clearly watches out for him!) that someone wasn't walking below...I can't even imagine. I was now seriously reconsidering our choice of a high rise. But I think we scared him enough...he hasn't done it again.

Back to the good stuff...we wake up every day to this view:

It is truly amazing! Being a water person, I simply love it! I have no other words - the ocean calms me like no other force on earth. We have this tiny balcony (and I do mean TINY!) that is just big enough for a grill and 2 chairs. Brian and I love to sit out there, have some cocktails (or coffee in the am) and just chill out! Although I love Madison, the view just doesn't compare. As I am writing this, I'm sitting on our balcony taking it all in!

Kid News
The kids seem to be settling in nicely at the new place. Our complex has a great pool that they swim in daily, tennis courts, a basketball court, and 2 play areas for younger and older kids. So there is always someone to play with and something to play on. The older boys definitely have more freedom than in the US - HK is a really safe place and there is no where for them to go other than the complex so they will often go find friends and play outside without me watching them (except the pool - goes without saying!). Thomas even has a little friend Charlie that he absolutely adores and screams his name VERY loudly whenever he sees him in the pool or playground! I don't have the heart to tell him yet he is moving in probably less than 6 months. That is the thing here - friends will come and go - it'll be a lesson for all of us, I guess.

Some GREAT kid news - we found out that Thomas was accepted into his brothers' school!! Yeah! We are so excited that the school acceptance experience is done and over with. What a HUGE relief! He also seems much more settled - I hope I didn't just jinx us!

Other News

Newfound Favorite Spot!
Some friends of ours introduced Brian to surfing, yes, surfing with an actual BIG surfboard! They also introduced us to a great beach:

One that encourages drinking on the beach! Many of the beaches in HK are on a bay and so they lack waves - not my idea of a beach. This one is perfect! It is nestled between mountains and is just absolutely gorgeous! The first time we went, we got dropped off by the cab and were walking down this very sketchy road-like path passing by a few Chinese beach stores (a very odd site indeed!). I was totally hesitant to say the least and was already thinking of an excuse for why we couldn't stay! The road leading to the beach looks nothing like the paths to the beaches in RI, CA, VA, NJ, NC, HI, etc. -basically any place I've ever been! But we finally got down to the end and landed on this incredible beach with great sand and waves - needless to say, we spend part of almost every weekend at the beach. The boys love it and now they want to learn to surf! Plus they have this great little beach snack shack that feeds us all for like $30! You can't beat that!!

No more job...
After we found out about Thomas' school spot, I could finally resign from my job at FDU. As I sat down to write the letter, I had a really strange feeling...I've always worked. Since the age of 13 (technically, I was supposed to be 14 but my mother forged my birth certificate so I could work at Taco Bell - apparently high school, 3 sports, student council, and yearbook weren't enough for me to keep busy, I needed to work as well! But that's another story!) I have had a job. There have been a few times when I haven't had a job for a few weeks, but I can't remember a time longer than that. Then there was the first year we moved to KS and I was writing my dissertation, but let's be honest, that was still a JOB!

My book I was working on is done, except for the final edit once we get it back from the publisher and I've had about a month of nothing to work on. It's a weird feeling - I know some of you reading this will tell me to stop moaning and just enjoy, so I want to be clear, I'm definitely not complaining! I'm just wondering where I fit in...you know, for someone who has always worked outside the house (I make that distinction because I really don't like the work in the house, hence I always had a job outside!), I think I got a great deal of my self-worth and validation through working. So when I don't have that in my life, there are times that I am left thinking, "what the hell am I doing?" So I came up with a new Mantra..."I'm going to learn how to relax." I'm not going to feel guilty - I think that's it...the guilt!!! It just came to me as I was writing, it's the guilt of just sitting on my ass and doing whatever I want to do in the middle of the day - I've never done it! Why...because there was always something to do! Let's trace this back, peel back the onion as I say...who can I blame this on??...my Irish Catholic family of course! The guilt will kill you if you let it! Although my brother-in-law David will say, "no one can MAKE you feel anything." Words to live by!

Back to my new mantra - I'm going to learn how to relax....
So I took up tennis lessons. I'm playing once a week, well, learning to play! My goal is to give my brother a run for his money this summer.

I've been trying to get a workout in at least 5 days a week - hell, I should be able to get out of the chair to do that! HK has a lot of hiking trails and so I made it my goal to try out a couple of them. I've blogged about hiking here before, so let's remember, there is a lot of walking on concrete steps (aka, hiking!). This week I did a hike called "Violet Hill", I've now nicknamed it "Violent Hill." We started in Repulse Bay and hiked up to Parkview (yes, infamous site of Milkshake Murder and our former residence). On the hike itself, I felt good, except that it was really humid and difficult to breath at times, but we stopped, had water, caught our breath, and kept going. All in all, was proud of myself for doing it! Then we got in the car to come home and I started to feel nauseous. I came home, took a shower and had to go to bed!! I slept for about 2 - 2.5 hours! How awful is that! I woke up just in time to get the kids off the bus. Here's the view from that day:

Today, I did a hike called the Dragon's Back - now this was much more my speed! It's a 5-mile hike but nothing like the constant stair stepper of earlier! This is one of the most popular hikes because it is truly beautiful! You literally walk across the top of the mountains and so the views are spectacular - see below:

So much better! And look, I didn't even have to take to the bed! I'm able to function!

More later - kids are getting off the bus...thus, my real job begins:)
We are back stateside in about 5 weeks!
xoxoxo
Sharon

Oh Shit...We actually live here!

I had to take a hiatus from writing this so I could finish up another writing project for work – although someone reminded me I wasn’t actually getting paid for that one so can I really call it work? In any case, it’s done...Was e-mailed out on Monday! At least for a month it's done until the publisher ships it back to be edited again!

I was reading another friend’s blog today and it inspired me to get back to mine. His was brutally honest – even dark at times and I’m challenged to do the same (honest, not dark….just not my personality☺. Living abroad sounds cool and interesting and fun….until it isn’t. Then it just sucks. Writing this is cathartic for me – it helps me keep things in perspective and just lets me share. I try to keep my kids out of it – frankly because I want to protect them – I chose to share my life, they didn’t. This week however, I need to share Thomas’ story. Thomas is the youngest of our 3 boys and as my grandmother would say, “he’s full of it!” Not really sure what it is, but you know it can’t be a good thing!

As a parent, the following experience nearly drove me to the airport to come home. Screw it- I’d just live in Madison with Thomas and Brian could stay here with the other 2. (Yes, I do know that was never an option!) As a teacher, the experience shook me at my core and left me speechless! In a nutshell, Thomas has been getting intervention since he was about 18 months old for speech and since he was about 2 for OT. We’ve covered our bases and had him seen by the developmental pediatrician who told us at 2 ½, he presents as a kid with ADHD (but much too early for a diagnosis). He has a Sensory Integration Disorder (need Jerzie to tell me if I’m right there) – he has “sensory seeking” behaviors that go beyond being a boy. Basically, Thomas is a super energetic kid who needs physical outlets in order to help him focus. Although he has learned how to operate on a calm level, he will probably always need a lot of physical input. He isn’t the easiest kid by any stretch of imagination but he sure is the happiest! He is a genuinely happy kid and he is continuing to make progress. Of course, when he is having a day (kid on crack is how we refer to it), you really need to be on your A game! He can be exhausting – my brother calls him Taz…not really the nicest nickname, but there have been days that it was appropriate. He works much better with boundaries….he needs to know where the line is or he makes his own line – considering he is only 3, that is never a good thing!

One of my fears for Thomas has been about school. I’ve tried to picture what he’ll be like at age 6 or 8 in the classroom with 25 kids. I might sound jaded but I get classrooms. I know how much teachers have to do and how much they are trying to accomplish in a short period of time with little resources. So I know that there are teachers who hate kids like Thomas…kids like Thomas make their job really hard! They don’t sit still, they don’t focus, they bother their neighbors, they don’t put their shit away or keep their desk clean….I know! I’ve been there! I get it!! Thomas is a handful and a half, but he’s also a really bright kid – I just want to see him have a positive school experience so he continues to love to learn! Teacher friends…RELAX! Yes, of course I know there are some really good teachers out there – many of whom I would love Thomas to have! But I can’t handpick his teachers for the next 12 years and travel all over the US to do so!

Because of his language delay, he qualified for the Special Needs preschool in our town and we were BLESSED with one of the most competent, caring, patient teachers I have ever met. Miss Susan really understood kids like Thomas. So for about 15 months, he had been in the same preschool, with the same teacher and relatively the same kids for the entire time he was in school. In the past year, he really made some incredible gains (we also took him off Gluten, got him in Tae Kwon Do and continued therapies until we left) and we thought he would transition to HK with ease since he was testing at age appropriate levels – let’s let him be with his peers. When we got here, I was desperate to find him a school so I could finish my book project – yes, I know it must sound awful, but I did have a job and a deadline!

Long story short – we put him into the preschool that was attached to where we were living in the serviced apartments. Not my first choice, but very convenient and quite honestly, I couldn’t get him anywhere else that had an opening that was conducive to the other kids’ school schedule. Besides Brian reassured me, “he’ll be with his brothers next year – no big deal.” When I went in to meet with School XXX, I discussed Thomas’ prior placement and shared his current speech and OT reports. The curriculum person (not really sure of her title/credentials) calmly explained that…”we ...can..do…some…mild disabilities…..but…..” I should have known then! But she met with Thomas and thought his language was fine –so he started.

Big Deal #1 – Thomas started off okay for the first 2 weeks, but then was having some issues with other kids…you know, basically beating the shit out of them! No big deal….

Big Deal #2 – We get called into the principal’s office by the Mandarin teacher to discuss the hitting issues….Yes, I wrote this correctly! The (^*%^%#$$ principal didn’t even call me herself – I heard about the meeting from the Mandarin teacher who I could only understand 50% of the time (the same teacher who insisted on talking to Thomas in *&%&^% Chinese even though we were still working on English!). Thank goodness Brian was at the meeting – you know, I’ve run tons of meetings like that but when it is your own kid, something is different. Particularly when the principal (this god awful British thing) says things like “we don’t have to take those types of kids.” Really?? You just said that out loud?? Even if you thought it, try finding a better way to express yourself!

If you are reading this, I’m guessing that you know me well. Then you know I sure as shit wouldn’t be quiet in a meeting about my own kid…but this one was different. I was stressed about my deadline, stressed about moving here and now I had a kid who was violent!! I really wondered about this move…and had that feeling again...I can't believe we did this! In the end, after listening to her take on a child she had never even met, we came up with a plan to help Thomas transition better, blah, blah, blah and planned to meet in 2 weeks (at my request).

Big Deal #3 – I get ANOTHER call from the principal (her secretary this time) the following week and she wants to meet the next day. I’m thinking there is NO WAY this is good news! Brian is out of town (not a big deal, for him!). I was a bit timid at the last meeting – but going into this meeting, I simply decided I would not let some elitist English bitch tell me my child was “bad.” Simple as that!

I sat down and she looked at me with this pitiful look, almost as if to say…”you poor thing with that horrible child” (be sure to do the accent, it adds to the flavor!). She explained a few of the things that Thomas had done (apparently he stood up and kept saying, poopy, poopy, poopy during a lesson – no one reprimanded him, they just let him escalate….really good behavior management!) that just “completely ruined the lesson…while the other kids sat and listened like they should.”

Me: Listen, I think we both agree this is not the right placement for Thomas and I have no problem with today being his last day. (Not bitchy, just blunt. Let’s be honest, I beat the bitch to the punch – she was going to kick him out.)
Her: we feel very badly when we can’t….
Me: let’s be honest, it is neither the mission nor philosophy of the school to include all kids – it just isn’t.
Her: You are very brave!
Filtered Me: Brave? For F*ing what?? Believing that my child is not the serial killer you think he is going to grow up to be??? It was everything I had to hold off telling her what I really thought about her and her F*d up International Baccalaureate Preschool! Brave, please! Try fighting on the front lines, having a child with cancer....I wasn't brave, I was just being his mom.
Me: Yes, well, I’m going to find a school that is a better fit for Thomas. Have a good day.

My gut feeling is when he knew the teachers didn’t like him and the kids didn’t like him (who wants to be friends with the kid the teachers don’t like)….he didn’t like it and acted out. Felt really sorry for him and had a lot of mom guilt for putting him in such a bad spot! When I told him he wasn’t going to school there anymore, he said, “why?” I asked him if he liked it and he said “no”, I replied, “that’s why.” He never once asked to go back, never asked about any of the kids, nothing….and we drove by it 20 times per day! That speaks volumes.

I learned a really important lesson that day - I've said this to many parents but today I know that I am my kids' only true advocate. If I don't believe in them, they won't believe in themselves. It doesn't matter so much if other people don't believe in them, they HAVE to believe in themselves...it'll be the only thing that stays with them when things get tough.

BYE BYE SCHOOL XXX

The Aftermath
When I talked to him about going to other schools, he would only respond with, “I want to go back to NJ to Miss Susan” or "I want to go to Miss Susan's class." How sad!!! I felt horrible!!! He was only 4 and I had scarred his educational career! I really doubted this move – he was always my concern coming here, but this might just put me on a plane back home. My new mission was to just find him a place that he liked – I didn’t even care if he learned anything.

I called another school I had found back in January and had really liked the director (a lovely English woman!) when I met her. I brought Thomas in and he said he liked it and would go back – thank goodness!!! And, the director wasn’t turned off by what I told her happened at the last school. He is now in his 3rd week of his new school – a very small class centered around building independence in a structured environment. They are all about the development of a child. His teacher is very warm and caring yet structured and has rules. She is not afraid to set limits and he seems to be responding to her nicely. I ran into her around our new apt last week and he said she “just adores Thomas.” She told me that he had a day that he was testing the limits, but that was “totally normal” as he was learning the structure. I told her how happy I was that he liked her and liked her class and what an awful experience he had previously. I had to hold back the tears when she talked about liking him….after the debacle at School XXX, I feel like I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop…knock on wood or say a prayer this is a good experience for him!

Schooling in HK 101: A quick lesson on the system

1. Kids begin school at age 1.
• Obviously we made a bad choice of school for a variety of reasons – 24 kids in his class, heavily populated Chinese, no other American kids in his class, most of the teachers were young and had never come across a child like Thomas. When you have kids who start school at 1, clearly, they are at a higher academic level – hell, after 3 years of formal schooling, they should all know how to read!!
2. BIG DEAL #4….Kids have to interview for school placements. Yes, in fact, School XXX had an Extracurricular Activity entitled “Preparing for school interviews.” Again, NO JOKE!
• Thomas’ interview was 3 days after I pulled him out of School XXX – good times here! I was seriously stressed to put him back in a situation with 12 unknown kids without me to help him navigate! And they would be “testing” him – I really needed some big time prayers now!! We are still waiting for the official results.
• Yes, I know back in the states, you have the whole sibling thing with getting into schools…not here! Doesn’t really matter – “there are no guarantees” is what I have been told numerous times by numerous people including school administrators.
3. Kids apply to about 5-6 schools.
• I’m sorry, I missed the memo on college applications at age 4!
• Here’s the thing to remember – there is no public school to fall back on! Your kid doesn’t get in, you’re homeschooling!
4. Schools are ULTRA competitive.
• They have to be to start kids out at the age of 1.
• They have ULTRA competitive parents – parents who send their kids to the private international schools are typically highly successful, highly educated and motivated.
• They don’t have to let anyone they don’t want in. Bottom line – they are private schools. They have their own rulebook.
5. The HK society is ULTRA competitive
• This is a must read for anyone who hasn’t heard of the Tiger Mom. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704111504576059713528698754.html

That’s all for me – it’s now really late and I have to go to bed so I can go to a Mother’s Day celebration at Thomas’ school in the morning. ☺

38 Days in…Hair, More Hair and Hiking

First – The Hair

So this week I decided it was seriously time to get my hair cut and highlighted. Although most of us do this without thinking…I’m now in another country! Let’s also keep in mind that blond, white girls aren’t part of the indigenous population. I did what most newcomers to any area would do, I asked around. I got everything from something closely resembling Super Cuts (cheap but --no offense to anyone who goes there--no thanks) to something that sounded like it would cost me a month’s rent (again, no thanks). I took my new friend Kate’s (by the way, she and her husband will now be known as John & Kate – you get the reference!!) advice and went to her place. Her guy wasn’t available on the one day this week I could do it – yes, quite ironic considering I don’t have an actual job to go to everyday – so I tried my luck with the guy they gave me – Paul.

After racing to get there – they sat me down and gave me some magazines. I was REALLY hoping for the new People because I SO miss my trash fix! No such luck, I was reading Maire Claire. Paul came in cheery enough, although at closer glance, I thought he might have just rolled out of bed after a long night at the pub (he’s English) and forgot to brush his teeth…they reeked of cigarettes. Now, back in the day, no worries – we’ve all been there. However, now I’m 40!! Can I please not have to smell that at 10am??

Once I started breathing only through my mouth, the experience got a lot betterJ He seemed to know what he was doing so I was willing to keep breathing through my mouth for the remainder of my visit. After he put on the foils (for those of you who are highlighting virgins, google this), he pulled over this very high tech, funky looking drying machine that did not make a sound. Back in Jersey, I’m used to the big ball thing over my head making so much noise I usually don’t notice the headache or the fact that I’ve sweat my ass off onto the chair until the machine is shut off. This thing though, not one single vibration, quiet as a mouse. Paul came over after a bit – not really sure, I was IM’ing with Jay (my brother) and directed the hair helper (sort of like a salon assistant but I don’t think the hair helpers are learning in the process) on how to take out the foils and wash my hair (should I be nervous that she needed instruction on how to wash my hair??) The only thing I remember next is lying down on this super comfy chair and having THE BEST HEAD MASSAGE EVER! Nothing like my previous massage experience, that for sure!! Apparently , the whole head massage thing is big here – when I met with the culture consultant (next week’s blog) she made it a point to tell me which salons in town gave the best head massages. All I know is that it was so relaxing, I passed out for a bit – it had been a tough day so far!

I have to tell you about the chairs…you know how when you get shampooed at a US salon you have to sit in that chair with your head stretching way back? Not here my friends…you lay ever so comfortably in this ergonomically designed chair with your head on some sort of plank (I think it’s like a plank but I never got the chance to actually see) while the hair helper washes your hair and lifts your head for you. Did I mention the head massage?? I was headed back to this place just for that alone!

After that, Paul could have told me he was going to shave my head and I would have agreed! He didn’t though!! But he did suggest a cut that would make it healthier, blah, blah, blah, and “be much more fashionable.” Yes, that was the quote! So he put 3 different colors in it (to give it depth) cut about 4 inches off it (to give it a style), and blew it out. When all was said and done, it looked great . I know you might be tempted to say I’m biased, but even the kids noticed and like it. Benjamin actually told me I looked younger! I told him that since I got my hair cut, I was only 31 again. YEAH! Success at the hair salon!!!!!! That goes in the win column!

Next – The Threading

If you have traveled or lived in this part of the world, you might find this next part mundane. For those of you who haven’t, listen to this! Again, my friend Kate mentioned threading to me one day while we were in the cab talking about girl grooming stuff (you know waxing, hair, nails, etc.). I had vaguely heard of it before but didn’t really know the details. In a nutshell, rather than using wax to get rid of excess hair and shape your eyebrows, a very skilled technician does magic with a piece of dental floss! Okay, it’s not exactly dental floss but I opened my eyes and she had one end in her mouth and the thread between her 2 hands in this very flossing sort of way. It felt like she was using the floss like a razor on my eyebrows. Keep in mind, I had my eyes closed! I was beginning to become afraid when it didn’t seem to be stopping in a timely manner. You know, when you wax, it’s one rip and your good to go. Either she was really good at this, my eyebrows were bushes, or I was going to need to stop on the way home and get an eyebrow pencil. A few minutes later, after I was sure I still had eyebrows (you know what some of those people with the pencil eyebrows look like) I had her do my lip too. I figured since I was there and she already had the dental floss in her mouth, let’s go for it. Plus, when I asked her she exclaimed, “Oh yes!” After she finished and gave me the mirror, I was totally amazed…no redness! Again, you know after a wax, you look like you could work for Barnum and Bailey…not with threading! You could actually go out after! If you are considering this, please know that you are an active participant in this treatment – I had to pull my skin on either side to make it tight. For your lip, you use your tongue to push your lip way out while she does her dental floss trick – I had to take a break midway through…my tongue hurt!! Really….Try it, it’s not as easy as it sounds! All in all though, I’m now a big fan of the threadJ

Lastly – Hiking HK Style!

For the record, I’m not a hiker – not what I think of a hiker anyway. When I think of a hiker, I think of a crunchy (no offense to my good friend Krista!), tree-hugging, love the dirt and all the animals that live in the dirt sort of person. My definition of camping (most of you have heard this) is staying in a Holiday Inn. So, no thanks on the hiking.

I do however like to walk. I’ll walk outside in all kinds of weather – cold, you just wear more layers, warm , you wear the basic minimum not to get arrested. In all of the places we have lived, I’ve always had walking buddies (miss you all!!!!). Sidenote…Let’s be honest, an exercise buddy is just free therapist. They have to listen to you because they are trapped in some sort of fashion! That’s the beauty of a buddy!

Back to the hiking…I’ve heard a lot of talk about hiking in Hong Kong. There are hiking groups, hiking races, random people talking about hiking – I was curious about it. I called this other mom on a whim and asked if she wanted to go for a walk (secretly hoping she could be my next walking buddy). We started talking about this whole hiking thing as we were walking along. The place that we are temporarily staying in is like a big brick fortress in the sky – it’s way up on a mountain and thus there are many hiking trails around. We decided to try one.


So we looked at a map and tried to follow it. The first thing we saw was about 350 concrete steps – GOING STRAIGHT UP! No side rails, nothing of the sort, just little concrete steps (like the tiniest steps you have ever seen!). So – we started climbing. When we got to the top (what we thought was the top), we looked back – Holy Shit! All I could think of what how the #$#^&%$$ we were going to get down. I was pretty sure there was no elevator here! But, we kept going. I thought for sure we had been going for at least 40 minutes…nope, only 10! We walked on a little path for a bit and then more stairs…and more stairs…and more stairs! I was finally getting the whole hiking thing….you just climb stairs! This isn’t hiking, it’s just an outdoor stairmaster! Going down was just as interesting as my size 12 running shoes didn’t fit on the steps – I had to make sure my feet were angled sideways as not to fall down all those steps and break my ^%*&$*$ back! I'll definitely have to keep this up if I want to buy some skinny jeans!

Oh well, I’m done for this week! More to come….

New friends, a Tiger Masseuse and a trip to Disco Bay…Kung Hei Fat Choy!

So our first couple date went really well!  Ya gotta love another couple who can do shots of Patron and not flinch (guys, not girls).   You know you’ve met good friends when you don’t realize the time, are the loudest people (stop laughing – it wasn’t just me!) in the restaurant and are almost the last ones to leave!  Quite a good time was had by all!  We’ll call them Nate and Kate (pseudonyms of course) – they both grew up on the east coast and just moved here from London back in July.   They laughed hysterically when I told them they’d make the blog! 

So my new friend Kate and I went for coffee early in the week and after watching me try to walk, she suggested I try out the masseuse at Parkview (remember, the brick fortress in the sky we are currently living in!).  After a week of not being able to move, I finally called and got in on Wednesday.  I’m not even sure how to begin to describe this massage.  Kate did warn me by saying, “you really can’t be a prude, b/c she has no boundaries.”  I was fine not being a prude – I mean I don’t wear underwear for a massage, certainly I’m not a prude! I consider myself a massage connoisseur…there is nothing better than laying your ass on a table and having someone rub you for an hour, right?  NOTHING could have prepared me for what I was about to experience!  It started off okay, although it was a bit different to only have 2 really thin towels covering you (when you are used a nice thick warm blanket).  There was no conversation, but I did tell her that my lower back and neck were bothering me.  She began firmly on my back, through a towel (a bit different), but I was all set to relax.  I closed my eyes and started breathing to get myself in my Zen place.  Ahhhhh, you know the feeling….all set for 90 minutes (yep, cause I’m worth it!) all about me! 

You might want to sit down for this next part…THEN….she climbed up (I think, I was face down after all) on the table, took the towel off my a** and proceeded to “massage” (I’ll need to continue to use that word in quotes) my piriformis with such vigor, I almost came off the table!  For those of you unfamiliar with your piriformis, it’s your butt muscle…if you’ve ever been to PT for your back, you would know all about it!)  Tom (my PT in NJ) would have been really proud!  All I could think about what how funny this was!  It was like something in a movie – you know where you see the Asian massage therapist person jump up and start going at it on someone while they are face down –but that someone was ME!  I thought they only did that in movies for effect!

After what felt like the entire 90 minutes, she went on to my lower back (remember, this was what was sore) – again, I almost came off the table.  I began breathing as if I was in labor!  She went on to the right side of my neck and shoulders, again breathing like I am in labor.  At this point, I said…”yeah, that really hurts”…to which she responded, “yeah, yeah, yeah”…not in a sarcastic way like you’d see in the states, more like in agreement.  But HOLY SHIT…I’m on the table…if I say it hurts, shouldn’t she stop??  Correction…I came off the table!  Now, just so that we are clear – I have a HIGH tolerance for pain…I have dislocated my knee, fractured my femur, had a screw put in my tibia while I was WIDE awake, have given birth to 3 kids (2 sections and 1 in labor for 15 hours with no epidural) and I have 3 boys (they just ooze pain!).    But this was DIFFERENT…I paid for this!  Where was my relaxing, all about me, have some hot oil rubbed on me time??  When did I sign up for the Kung Fu massage??  When she finally moved on to my left neck and shoulder, I cursed myself for being so self indulgent and getting the 90 minutes…what the *#%*#(@) was I thinking??  Just when you think it is over, I had to flip. 

I thought, “thank god!”  The front cannot possibly hurt as much as the back….WRONG AGAIN!  I explained to her that I had arthritis in both knees and plantar fasciitis (I simply said my heel hurt) in my left heel (yes, I LOVE being 40!) so she needed to go easy on those areas. Just when I thought I was safe…OFF the table again!  Didn’t I just tell her my heel hurt?? 

Finally it was over…I was soooooooo relieved.  I didn’t think I could take any more.   Although I felt like I was just beaten up by someone probably less than half my weight, I could move!  I couldn’t believe it – I was actually walking upright!  The down side to that is, it’s Friday and no one can touch me yet - I’m bruised everywhere – even the front of my biceps…no joke!.   She commented numerous times on how tight I was…”lots of pain to feel better” – guess I’ll have to go backJ   I’ve heard of Tiger Moms but I think I just found my very own Tiger Masseuse! 

Kung Hei Fat Choy – Happy New Year!

Since it’s Chinese New Year, Brian had a couple of days off (the kids were off all week!).  Today we decided to take the ferry over to Discovery Bay.  DB, as the locals call it (it’s also called Disco Bay) seems like a very well planned community (not quite Wisteria Lane but clearly has the potential….)(http://www.discoverybay.com.hk/icms2/template?series=248) with a spectacular view.  It is part of Lantau Island (also home to Disneyland).  If you are looking at an aerial map of Hong Kong, Lantau is to the left…although I have NO idea what the hell the body of water we cross to get there is called!  The ferry ride was about 30 minutes (but this ferry had fancy seats, still rocked like the Andrea Gail though) and upon docking, you see this great beach with kids playing, folks hanging out and everyone truly enjoying a gorgeous day in DB.  As we walked down the path, to the right was the ocean and to the left was restaurant after restaurant with outdoor seating and a play area for kids!  Now this is brilliant!!!!  The US should do this – kids don’t want to sit and watch their parents eat and drink at a leisurely pace, they want to eat and play!  Parents don’t want to pay $100 to feel like they just scarfed down fast food!  It’s a win-win…BRILLIANT!  Funny enough – we ran into our new friends Nate and Kate who were in DB visiting friends of theirs…we made another dateJ

So that’s all for this week.  Jack and Benjamin are meeting with a “transitional specialist” for their Cross Cultural Orientation tomorrow morning – should be interesting.  Mine is next week!

A final note to parents…how do you get boys to not fight with their hands?  Any advice is welcome.

Again, thanks for tuning in!  Tune in next week for my rant about “hiking” in Hong Kong…it’s a doozy