6 months in HK

Dear Family & Friends,

This week marks our first 6 months living in Hong Kong - Life is good on this side of the world.  I've been meaning to blog for quite some time, but life has been busy - which is a good thing!

In February, we had our first family member visit - Tom's mom, also known as Mo-Ma to the kids!  She was here for about 10 days and they were adventure-filled and wonderful.  We did so much around Hong Kong.  We went to two islands, Cheung Chau and Llama Island for some hiking.  We also ventured up to the New Territories and went to Sai Kung which is a fishing village and we took a junk boat around and climbed some rocks and visited another small fishing village and temple.  Our junk boat got pulled over by the police, but just to check paperwork and then we were back on our adventures.  In addition to our big excursions, we also took Mary to the Peak, Ocean Park with Patrick, Kowloon, and to many restaurants and markets around Hong Kong.

Tom's cousin Eli and girlfriend, Zheng, also visited (they both live in Shanghai, China).  They also planned their trip when Mary was here - so it was great to have lots of family around. Eli and Zheng were here over Valentine's Day and when we met up with them the next day they were happily engaged!!  It was great to celebrate with them. We hit the town and had some champagne and did some serious street dancing.

Mid-February was also the Chinese New Year celebrations.... although, not a fan of the year of the snake, the celebrations around Hong Kong were great.  Our complex had a dragon dance - Patrick feared the dragons, but enjoyed dressing up in his Chinese New Year clothes throughout the week.

We have been going to the beach almost every weekend for the past 4 weeks.  We are taking advantage of the 70 degree days and loving that it is March and not freezing cold.  Patrick loves the beach - he enjoys playing in the little pools Tom makes for him on the shore. We took Evan to the beach one weekend and he did not so much enjoy it... too young still.  Tom and I made to the Rugby Sevens in Hong Kong... it's quite the event!  We've also been to the Happy Valley racetrack to experience the horse races on Wednesday evening... it's like a mini-America because the place is filled with expats.  We also took Patrick to Disneyland to experience fireworks for the first time.  He loved it!  Here are some pictures from the past two months:

Mary & Tom @ Llama Island

Sai Kung - Kathleen & Tom climbing rocks (our boat in background)

Patrick showing everyone how to ride the Frog Hopper - No hands!

Celebrating with the newly engaged couple and heading to the night markets

Watching the Dolphin Show at Ocean Park with Mo-Ma

Eli, Zheng, Mary, and Tom @ Cheung Chau Island

Other visitors:

My friend from SMC, Beth Lovoi, was on vacation with her family in Hong Kong and we got to meet up for lunch and catch up.  It was great to see her.  Then another friend from ND, Paul Buser, was in town for business and Tom & I met him out for dinner.  It was great seeing him and hearing all that is new in South Bend.  Our friend from Bentonville that works in Shenzhen, Val, has also been back to HK to visit. (Val, we need a picture of you for the blog!)

Kathleen & Beth

Tom & Paul

Family news: 
Patrick started going to school by himself 3 days a week (MWF for 2 hours) - he walks out with a huge smile everyday.  Norlie usually takes him on the bus and they go to the park beforehand and he loves that!  He enjoys playing at school and loves playdough currently. Lightning McQueen, Thomas the tank engine, Mickey Mouse, and Elmo are pretty much heros to him.  We are also in the middle of potty training him.  He is making progress... slowly.  He stays busy with playdates and is making lots of new friends.  His shyness has completely disappeared and he really enjoys pushing the limits.  I created a chart for him to earn stars daily - 'job reward system' - and I think I enjoy it as much as he does when he gets a star. 

Patrick's Star Chart

 

 

Patrick's Chinese New Year outfit - at school

Patrick playing at the beach

Evan is doing well - he loves watching Patrick play.  He recently made a break-through and has had a few nights of sleeping through the night... hopefully this continues.  Evan also has developed a love for Air Supply, Lionel Richie and the Easy Listening Channel - it puts him right to sleep. It's hard to believe he is almost 4 months.  One of my favorite things to do is dress him in his cute little clothes... I especially love dressing the boys the same.  His smile and giggle melt my heart.  Time goes too fast!

Evan - 3 months - March 2013

Tom is enjoying work.  He has been to China for a few visits and recently went to India too.  We had a great work dinner the other night and it was great to meet some of his colleagues.  Tom enjoys taking Patrick to soccer practice on Sundays.  Afterward, the two of them do lunch - Patrick loves his daddy day!  Tom's favorite kind of night in Hong Kong is going to dinner than his favorite bar (7-11 the store) to pick up a beer (you can drink on the street here) and then roaming around Hong Kong. 

Tom visits India

I am starting to really like Hong Kong.  Everyone says the first 6 months are difficult, but slowly it starts to feel like home.  I agree.  I am starting to network and meet more people.  I recently found a dance studio and started dance classes.  I'm pretty awful, but it is so much fun :) I also started a book-club so if you have any book recommendations send them my way!  In addition, my boys keep me busy playing cars (Patrick) or playing with rattles and giggling (Evan).  One of my favorite parts of living in Hong Kong is having my weekly foot massage. 

That's Tom underneath the dragon - Happy Chinese New Year!
 

heading out for date night in LKF - on our way to 7-11

Upcoming Events:
Looking forward to Easter - Tom and I are going to Cebu in the Phillipeans for a long weekend without the boys!  So excited to relax!  The following weekend my sister and husband, Christina and Bill, are coming to visit!  And in May, my parents are coming over!  Looking forward to Spring in HK.

Hugs to all,
The Alessi Family