"You know I really got a thing for American guys..."

This American guy...

I am on such an incredible adventure with my favorite person!  He has been such a strong support to me this week--cleaning, cooking, stocking the fridge with necessities (diet coke and chocolate) and reminding me that we are getting the experience of a lifetime.  It is so refreshing to come home to him!  AND see him during lunch, or his breaks throughout the day.  It's so fun working together!  Telling stories about what happened during the day is so much easier when we both know who the other one is referring to!  The above picture is what we've really gotten into lately--quiet Saturday mornings of reading, blogging and laundrying...(laundering).  Anyway, my heart is his--wherever we are in the world!

So.  What have the past couple weeks in Hong Kong been like?  A whirlwind. I am not sure if it's because we experience the day sooner than everyone we are tracking (stalking on Facebook) back home or if our days are just filled with good things ... but TIME FLIES on this side of the world!  Taylor and I said that we feel like we just had a Saturday.  When does this ever happen!?  It's wonderful. We had back to school nights for both Middle School and High School so getting those things out of the way makes for an even lighter week ahead.  

Oh! Confession: we caved.  We went ahead and bought a VPN (virtual private network) and NetFlix.  We were feeling like we would just become readers--all the time! But then, there are those nights where reading feels more like work--how can we truly relax?!  So we are thrilled to be watching episodes of TV shows we liked in the states, etc.  It has been so fun to stay home now!  

Also, we have been cooking more.  Taylor made his first attempt (and success!) at cooking a Hot Pot Soup at home.  Veggies, meat, broth and noodles.  Pretty delicious!  It's funny how we crave things like this now?  While we're both losing weight, it's not that we don't miss eating more American things--we do--it's just that WHEN we do, we tend to feel really sick after.  Wonder what this says?!

Speaking of losing weight.  I am very excited to get our visas to mainland China next week because then, I can find a tailor that will tailor clothes for Taylor (sorry, I couldn't resist the fun with puns).  All the pants we brought for him to wear to work are baggy and being stuffed into a belt size much smaller than the pant size.  Great dilemma to have but can't wait to fix them! I look forward to a couple dresses :)

All in all, we still truly love this place we are starting to call home.  We have been lavished with care from our staff and friends that have moved in with us also (someone delivered a can of spray Pam for me the other night--the small things are really sweet these days!).  We are loving exploring, changing routines and trying new things.  And when the days of doing everything new start to become too much, we love coming home to each other--to a home that we have made feel like our own (not short of the perfect couch blanket, microwave popcorn, and our favorite candle from home).

This is an example of a 'new' routine, actually.  Hot water does not just run and heat up all day--you have to be intentional!  Remembering to flip the switch before a shower--or even just washing your hands or dishes has been tough to remember!  And at the same time, it's brilliant, I suppose.  Cheap utilities, here we come!

Who is this handsome man!?!  It's true. He carries that umbrella proud.  The sun here is BEATING hot.  It can make the difference between a warm walk, and a sweat drenched bath walk.  So. We carry a UV lined umbrella and it truly makes the walk better!  He's yet to carry it when I'm not with him..we'll see ;)

Adventuring...

The craftiness of some of the things here are so fun--this was an art display from a school in a little market. Anyway, it looks like it's all made out of recycled cardboard. Clever!

This is the mid-levels--one of my new favorite areas! It's basically a section of town that is built off and around the largest escalator in the world.  You jump on at the bottom and ride to the next platform.  If there is a shop or restaurant you want there, you hop off and head out to the side streets.  If not, you keep riding until you reach the stop you want. It's amazing! Not to mention there are some wonderful restaurants, cute pubs, spas, etc.  I plan to explore more!  Last week, our middle school principal, Bryan, and his wife Emily, took us to an incredible Indian food buffet in this area.  I think I am still dreaming about the food. Delish.

Riding along with the lovely Bradfords (Ben and Rachel) from Oxford, England.  We've so enjoyed spending time with these two and listening to all their different terms for things.  So fun!

First Mexican food we had!  A  quick taco run but so worth it!

In a busy place like China, it's somewhat rare that I stop and say, "That's such a peaceful view!" But this street was stunning...the views, the quiet, perhaps that little baby...beautiful!

I have probably mentioned this before but I finally got a good picture of it--the building in China is all done with the support of bamboo.  Incredible!

This picture was taken because I am constantly reminded of the differences here--this one being that they do NOT bring free refills of soda :(  It's been hard to slow down and drink slowly!

I have been glued to Pinterest.  And have been hunting for ideas to decorate our cute little place with that don't involve holes in the wall.  I made these cute little felt flowers one night and was pretty happy with being able to craft--even for a little bit :)  I paid 12 HKD for the felt ($2) and borrowed the glue gun from school.  I love cheap crafts!

We were out in our neighborhood last weekend and Taylor could not believe his eyes! Who would have thought--Harley Davidson in Hong Kong...

we are planning on getting Taylor's motorcycle license while we're home next summer.  This way, he can get a mo-ped license here next year and maybe we'll buy a cute little bike. 

We tried a new church this weekend in Quarry Bay called Island Evangelical Community Church.  We really loved it and are looking forward to going back tomorrow.  But this was the view from just outside the building.  SO PRETTY!

Home, Sweet, Home!

After church, and lunch with the Thompsons, we ventured to meet friends on Lantau Island.  This was on the bus ride over.  It's just beautiful scenery everywhere you look!

My faithful navigator--checking on me while I am feeling a little car sick in the back! The funny thing about their buses--they're very nice, but the size of one seat, maybe even two seats, is the size of like half a seat in the states. We don't fit well, at all!

These are pictures from the beach ... the wrong beach.  Apparently there is a system that when you get on the bus, you show the driver where you're going and tell him to stop for you.  Well, we showed him where we were going and went to the back thinking this was enough.  We ended up at this beach and asked how far we were from the one we needed to get to. He replied, "Oh. We passed. 30 minute walk back."  OHNOSIR.  We stopped, took pictures, and hailed a cab back to the correct beach, ha!

Even the hailing of the cab was funny.  They had a taxi spot that we stood at (called the Lollipop) and when the taxi drove past he honked for us to go to the other side.  Completely confused we resulted to one of us standing on each side of the road so we would be sure to catch one!  All in all, this day was great. It was the anniversary of 1 month in Hong Kong and our FIRST time to get lost.  That's a pretty good record in our opinion! Just shows how easy it is to get around here....and how you should all come visit ;)

Here are pictures from the beach we met friends at--of course I have no pictures of people, but that's probably because I went straight to the water to cool off.  It was perfect temperature (Taylor says it was not refreshing and felt like a bath) for me...!

My tired babe on the way home....the beach is conveniently close compared to Colorado, but still a couple train rides and a bus away here.  About 1.5 hours to get there...worth it for some weekends, for sure!  On the way home, we raced friends on the MTR to find the fastest route.  We all walked off different cars on the same train back at our home station.  There are no short cuts in Hong Kong!! ha!

Taylor is so sweet. He snuck my favorite candies into my work bag...I was ecstatic for orange tic tacs.  AND THEY WERE WHITE! But they tasted orange.  Weird and perfect ;)

Taylor thinks it's important that I provide a picture of my peep hole.  This is where I snoop on people walking or talking in our apartment hallway! Anytime I hear voices or a door, I tend to run to the door to be nosey. I suppose I miss ground level neighborhood living where you can easily look out a window!!  But, after talking with friends, turns out we are all doing the same thing!

Today is the 27th--and for those of you that know us well, you know we celebrate our monthly anniversary.  So, tonight, we're going out!  First, we are going to hit up some markets, sight see, snap some pictures...and then, we'll find a fun place for dinner.  I love spending time with my Love.  

Happy 1 Year and 8 Months ;)  

Sending our love to Colorado, Texas, Maryland, New York, California, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Honduras, Oman...and all the other places our friends and family are! We love and miss you all!

"You and me together, we can do anything, Baby..."

I actually heard our cake cutting song (quote above) in an electronics store in the mall this week! It was such a fun treat since it's rare that we recognize the music here.  But I took it as a small blessing and a reminder that Taylor and I picked that song, for the adventures we would have.  And here we are! Just about everyday we look at each other and say, "We're doing it, babe!"  Together, we can do anything...love him!

So. What adventures did this week bring?  School.  We started our first week with students, and so far, I really enjoy it.  It's totally different than what I used to do.  My room is quiet ALL day long, even with students in there.  I do lots of paperwork (no different than I did previously) but now when I sit down to work, I actually feel like I can get work done and in peace in quiet.  I have seen about 8 of my 21 students and they're all very sweet, very smart but maybe a tad bit organized with their materials and thoughts--which is where I step in.  So I will be providing testing help, organization help, study tips, a quiet room, etc.  

Taylor also had his first experience in front of a classroom this week. Since it has been 4 years since my first teaching gig, I had forgotten the stress that builds before placing yourself in front of 40 whites of eyes. It can be intimidating! But he did such a great job! I snuck by his room during a slow part of my day and he was teaching up front and the kids were giggling about something he said. Typical, Taylor!  He will slowly fall into his element, I know.  For now, the next week for him will involve learning how to grade, post grades and give quizzes.  All new challenges that he will most definitely learn quickly.  I am so proud of him for being willing to move across the world and try something completely new.  He is so daring and brave and I admire this about him!

Of course I have been snapping shots from the week.  Things I saw that didn't get to be pictured below include the 'calf' leg carving station in the grocery store where they were shredding some calf leg for a little sample--just like Costco! Yummmm...or not.

Or the shirt I saw this morning while running..which I just couldn't get the nerve or the time to get a picture taken---thin black stripes, hot pink writing, a little heart at the bottom, just a cute t-shirt on an innocent young woman. But I'm certain she did not know the translation read, "What happens when it all comes off?"  I seriously want to market myself to translate for these companies before they mass produce!!

So these are pictures of my talented husband, taking the title of Player of the Game for the Alumni Game last weekend.  Around the building when he or I meet someone new, as soon as he says his name, they say, "Oh, the basketball Taylor!" He's famous.  I like it. :)

Just a little night view from our balcony.  It's pretty stunning, day or night!

This is what appears to be a normal bathroom, excuse me, it's 'toilet' only here....but look again!

It's actually the smallest toilet in the world, haha! This was in the kindergarten at the church we tried last weekend.

The food is always an adventure...not so sure what this would taste like?

I was thoroughly disappointed when my food came out last Sunday and this is what it was...supposed to be Beef Brisket Soup...and yet, if you look closely, there's nothing really 'meatish' about it! PURE FAT!!! Globs and globs! UGH.  Haha. I ate the broth and noodles and that was great :)

I found a new favorite...Franc Franc! It's a home store but this circular booth is full of different, gorgeous pillow covers! I am tucking this away in the back of my mind for our home next year...

Who doesn't want Aloe Vera flavored yogurt?!

Off to school! Mr. Williams' first day outfit (and the rest of the middle school--matching t-shirts!)

This is the immigration office...we went to it this week to pick up our....

Hong Kong ID cards! We're officially residents!  Which means we can now get our visas for mainland China! Cheap massages and pedicures, here we come!!

This was on the deck of a mall--such a beautiful park! And pretty skyline.  They really don't skimp on their malls!

Beautiful in any country ;)  I actually have not had a Starbucks since we've been here! There is another coffee shop called Pacifica Coffee Company which is more widely found...

This place was awesome!  It's a Canadian hamburger place but they were soooo great. And sweet potato fries.  Perfect date night!

The few pictures above are from a Welcome banquet that the school hosts at the YMCA (it's more like a 5 Star Hotel!) It was an awesome buffet of all sorts of food!

Oh! The Mobile Softie.  There is an ice cream truck here, too!  However, it tasted more like coconut vanilla to me...not so fond.

So pretty--can't wait to explore more!

Goodmorning, Hong Kong! Out for an early morning run...pretty blue sky!

A "Zumba" class that was learning a new dance---I'm tempted to join next time!

Breakfast tacos!  A delicacy since flour tortillas are more rare! Yum!

Skyping with one of our favorite Parker family (The Holmans) revived our souls! Look at those sweet faces! Love you guys!

We're off to the world's largest outdoor escalator...probably some fun food...and of course, some shops!  We are so blessed with wonderful friends here AND the technology to talk and stay in touch with those at home.  XOXO!