Headin' Back!

So, in just 6 days, we will be on a plane heading back to Texas -- at least for a while. This was definitely not a planned thing, but due to N's continued weight loss and the Hong Kong doctors suggestions, we feel like going back to America and having a change of environment might be the best thing for now. It's a strange feeling knowing that in a few days, we will be surrounded by grass, trees, quiet, countryside, family, friends, good home-cookin', etc, etc, etc. I'll be able to see my sister who just found out she is pregnant with her third child and be able to share the joys (or un-joys!) of pregnancies with her for a while. I'll be able to see my 6 year old niece and 1 1/2 year old nephew (whom I have only seen a few days at a few weeks old before moving here). We'll be leaving friends here who we have been building relationships with lately, but we know they are being left in the good hands of our American friends (who are learning sign language to hopefully work in the schools soon). They just found out they are pregnant too, so we are a little sad that we will miss so much of each other's pregnancies. So many mixed emotions! Leaving here (temporarily or not) is nothing like moving halfway across America -- you are definitely moving worlds, moving cultures, moving away from everything you have experienced or seen during the past 18 months. It is hard to imagine us going through "reversal" cultural shock (cultural shock when you go back to the States), but it will probably happen in some ways, ways that we can't imagine right now. I will say that although America has problems and is not perfect in any ways, I LOVE America and feel incredibly blessed to be an American citizen. I hope I never take my citizenship, my country, my people for granted again. America (and Texas!), here we come!

Hong Kong!

We just got back from a visa run/vacation in Hong Kong. It is such an interesting city, I wanted to show you some of our latest pictures. I didn't want to mess with organizing them in a sequential order, so forgive the randomness...


We went to Lama Island and did some easy (but super hot) hiking. This is one of the beautiful views from the island.


View #2 from Lama Island


View #3 from Lama Island


Here you can see the typhoon slowly approaching. We were under a severe typhoon warning but luckily, and unexpectedly, the typhoon went around Hong Kong instead of over it. So, I still can't say I've truly been through a typhoon...


We are at Stanley Market -- a huge outdoor market where you can buy lots and lots of touristy stuff. Really peaceful there also. I loved watching the waves and decided that day that my dream vacation is an Alaskan Cruise (random though, I know, but it was realized there :)


Here I am standing on the balcony of the guest apartment that we stayed at during our visit. Look at all the many apartments around me!


Here I am just sitting on my favorite thing to do in the city -- ride ferries! It is so relaxing...and cheap!


All the different shops at Lama Island. We loved this island. So quiet and peaceful, which about 6000 residents and no cars! I may move here.


Just both of us sitting on the ferry, trying to get us with beautiful background, but I think you just see mainly us. Sorry!


Me enjoying some ice cream from Mister Softee! Soft serve is my favorite :)


Enjoying some good ol' Mexican food. I had a mexican sandwich (who knew?!) and Nate had a fish soft taco and chicken soft taco. He raved about them all day!


Just another picture while on the ferry. I love this place!


We had to stop and have some of Mister Softee's ice cream! It was well worth it :)


All the other days were cool and rainy because of the close-call typhoon, but we stupidly decided to pick the hottest and sunniest day of the year to go hiking (easy hiking, but still hot!). And as I have learned, pregnancy hormones make you sweat a lot!


After our hike, we stopped at this little vegetarian restaurant. N had hummus with pita bread (falafels), which was super good!


And I had a tasty tofu burger, which was also good, but the humongous fries were amazing!


Isn't this the cutest little boat!?



This has to be the most expensive car (Lamborghini) I have ever been able to touch (although I kept my hands off) -- security guard motioned us away though...


I just love boats!


I thought this was a neat looking boat. We were on a ferry when this boat went past.