We take off in less than 12 hours for our visit to the states. I am so excited and the boys don't know what is going to hit them. To start off the blog, let me share the top 10 things I am excited about returning to:
10. Clean Air & Comfy Temperatures - The HK pollution is terrible. Sometimes you go outside and actually feel your lungs begging for fresh air. The humidity here is unreal - and I spent 4 summers in Arkansas where it hits well over 100.
9. Mexican Food - I actually could make a top ten list of things I crave and will eat while I'm home, but decided I could only put food down once in this list. Hacienda chips and salsa here I come!
8. Grass - Hong Kong is actually a pretty green city - even though it is known for its' skyscrapers there are many parks, trails, and natural greenery. HOWEVER, it does lack in green grass spaces like a traditional backyard has (at least in the part of HK where we live). I think I am going to do a grass angel once I get to Indiana.
7. Shopping - Like the food list... I could go on and on here. Surprisingly, Walmart brought us to HK and that store (and others like it... Target, grocery stores, TJ Maxx, the mall) I am very excited to visit. HK does rank top when it comes to shopping - however, most is very high end and while I enjoy window shopping at those high-end stores, you get sad when you come home with zero purchases. I plan to do a bulk shopping trip. It's going to be bad. I've been saving and hiding cash from Tom so I can hit the superstores.
6. Driving and Carseats - We taxi frequently in HK or bus, tram, train, ferry. We also hold our children constantly in our laps and drag the stroller from place to place. I'm excited to strap my children in - buckle them safely - get in the front seat where they can't touch me and drive. I will listen to the radio. Actually, it probably won't be as peaceful as that - especially when they are not accustomed to carseats anymore. But it will still be nice, especially if both happen to nap. The radio should be in the list as well.
5. TV - We really don't watch any TV here because we lack English channels and really nothing good is on. Not that we are huge TV people, but I will channel surf when I'm home and hopefully get an hour or two of mindless watching...that's all I need. Then I'll be happy to return to netflix.
4. Personal Space - Standing in lines here drives me crazy. Apparently it is okay to stand directly behind someone so their nose touches your back.
3. Grocery Stores - I decided this one did need a spot on the list. We pay close to $20 for a gallon of milk here (yep, sickening!!) - so I just want to roam the store and walk out with a product that I have completely forgotten about.
2. Watching Patrick & Evan love America - If you have children then you can relate - you know when you take them to a friend's house and they are so behaved because they are in a trance playing with other toys than your own. The toys are always better when they aren't yours. Well, that will be our entire month. I will be taking the boys to Elkhart to see my parents, my sisters' houses in Iowa and Chicago, friends' houses, the farm, and the beach at New London. Each place will be something new for them - Patrick will get to rediscover each & every place and Evan will get to see America for the first time.
1. Friends & Family - Doesn't need an explanation - CAN'T WAIT !!!!
This past month has been extremely fast. Tom and I visited Toyko for an extended weekend. We were able to meet up with his host family that he lived with in high school that he remains in touch with. In addition, we hung out with his business school friends that he met while studying abroad.
My friend, Heather, from college came for a visit. We had a great visit and it was great to have another SMC girl to hang out with :)
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| A rainy night in LKF |
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| Give me a 'Squiggly' |
Val has also been back in town for visits.... we love having her so close by. I finally snapped a picture of her for the blog. Sorry Val, you are eating a huge bowl of ice cream in the pic - but to be fair, we shared :)
We are very excited for the month ahead. We are starting our travels in Indiana where we are going to be surrounded by family for Evan's baptism. Then moving on to Iowa and the Chicago-area to visit both of my sisters homes and friends. Then we fly out east to spend time with Tom's family in Pennsylvania and New London, Connecticut. Tom will be in Indiana and Arkansas and then fly back to HK for work then meet us back out east. Here are some pictures from the past month. Hope to see many of you in America :)
Love - The Alessi Family
