Hong Kong...Here We Come!!!

In our new living room!!

 September, 2012

A few days till departure.  It has been quite a month.  I still can't believe ALL that has been accomplished.  After our preliminary trip to Hong Kong - we arrived back in Chicago to pick up Patrick and spent the evening with my entire family.  It was the first time all the little cousins were together since Thanksgiving - so it was fabulous.  Patrick clung to us for the next 24 hours and it was so nice to have the extra hugs from him.  The next day we took off for PA and CT to visit Tom's family - we spent a day at the farm and a week at the beach and the weather was fantastic.  It was great to have a week after the stress in Hong Kong to unwind and relax.  After our week out east, we arrived back in Arkansas and Tom was in town for about 18 hours before he had to fly back to Hong Kong/China for work.  Patrick and I attempted to get back to a 'normal' routine, but there were lots of errands around Northwest Arkansas that we did while Tom was gone.  The best news was that our house that was on the market for about a week - had been rented! It was a relief that we didn't have that hanging over our heads for very long. 

Once Tom returned to Arkansas, the serious packing begun.  Tom's dad & Trish came in town last weekend and helped us get the boat out of the lake, winterized, and in long-term storage.  We had a great weekend with them in town, got a lot done - but had some fun too.  At home we began sorting piles: long-term storage and Hong Kong.  We didn't take really any furniture - mainly we took clothes, toys, baby stuff, and household items (kitchenware / linens). Some items went air-freight, other items are in our suitcases. Our cars have been sold and the movers started yesterday (hopefully finishing by early tomorrow!).  We've been stationed at a hotel for our remaining nights.  We are keeping ourselves busy with watching the house become empty, visiting friends, and taking Patrick to all of his favorite places one last time.  We leave on Sunday (Sept. 23rd) for Chicago and then Monday we leave for Hong Kong! 

Below are some pictures of the apartment in Hong Kong.... we actually are getting the unit above this one because it has recently been updated (bathrooms, closets, and kitchen appliances).  However, we did bargain for some furniture that you see in the pictures - it made our shopping a bit easier.  I've spent many evenings on Ikea's website thinking of how we will furnish our apartment.  Decorating with limited timing is kinda stressful - luckily when Tom went to Hong Kong for work - he was able to order some furniture!  The apartment is 3 bedroom/2.5 bathroom and it has a 'servant quarter' (bedroom/bathroom) if we decide to hire a live-in maid/nanny. The closets are a great size and there is an extra walk-in closet in the hallway which will be great for the stroller, car seats, and suitcases!  The complex is a great place full of expats and families.  It has a pool, gym, and indoor playground :) It's close to Tom's work, the hospital, and near an area called Central so we'll have places to go to (restaurants and shops) that aren't too far.  There is a mini-mart in the complex which will be great and a big grocery store is within walking distance.  We are hoping to stay in temporary housing for just a few days while the rest of the furniture gets ordered and arrives.  We can't wait to move in!  Pictures of our place will be posted in the future!

Bamboo Grove Complex - located in the Mid-Levels in Hong Kong

Living Room

View from Master Bedroom

Another view from Master Bedroom

Kitchen

The hardest part of the last month has been having to say goodbye to friends and family.  There are so many friends that we haven't seen in such a long time because we are all spread across the country.... knowing they won't be in the same time zone to give a free text of phone call to is sad!  Thank God for internet, email, Facebook, Skype, Facetime, blogs, etc.  It will be easy to keep in touch!   Saying goodbye to our families was difficult.  It's just a short two years, but we also know that holidays this year will be quiet and vastly different and we'll have a new little guy that anxiously wants to meet family!  AND I know I'll be wanting to show off my new little handsome man as well.  Many family members are planning trips to visit so that keeps us smiling - and we hope to visit family next summer as well!  We've also had a rough time saying goodbye to our second family, our friends in Northwest Arkansas.  It's hard to believe we knew no one here 4 years ago.  We've made some lifelong friends here that have made Arkansas a difficult place to leave. I never in a million years thought that we'd love Arkansas so much.... life here has been wonderful and we are looking forward to returning :)

We are very much looking forward to living in Asia - hopefully doing some traveling with the kids and taking lots of pictures for them to look at when they are older.  Even though the boys are young and won't remember much about our time in Hong Kong, we plan to instill the love of traveling, culture, and new experiences that Tom and I both share. 

Patrick & Baby update:  Patrick has done surprisingly well with everything that is going on.  He has put up with errands around town instead of days at various playdates and the park.  I'll be very excited when the air shipment arrives with his toys so he can start adjusting to his new home entirely.  He turns 2 the first week of October - he is such a big boy and looking forward to becoming an older brother (at least that is what we are telling him!)  I'll be 30 weeks next week..... time has surely flown this time around.  I meet with my new doctor again Oct. 8th. We are due early December for another precious boy to steal our hearts!  Can't wait!!!

Next time I write we will be in Hong Kong and most likely we'll be more settled in our apartment.  Our address for letters, postcards, and CHRISTMAS CARDS is:

C/O Tom and Kathleen Alessi
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Hong Kong
P.O. Box 1707
Bentonville, AR 72716

The above address will collect our mail and then they will forward it on to us once or twice a month.  Above address does not collect packages.  If you'd like to send us something directly to Hong Kong (like a big package with homemade treats - ha ha) our address is:

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Alessi
Apartment 2601, 26th Floor
No 82 Kennedy Road
Bamboo Grove
WAN CHAI, 
HONG KONG

Take care &
Love to all,
Kathleen, Tom, Patrick, and Baby Boy Alessi