Well, with mixed emotions we now finally get to formally announce we will be moving to Hong Kong at the end of this month. The official date is to-be-determined as we wait for an update on when Craig will get his work visa. We will be Hong Kong residents until July 2013! Craig will work part-time in Hong Kong and part-time in Huizhou, China.
We are so excited to have this opportunity as a family. The time has never felt more “right” for something like this. There are many many things to look forward to. We are excited to have the opportunity to see another part of the world and experience a new culture first hand. We are excited Kay will have the chance to be surrounded by a new language. We are excited to have the opportunity to travel to countries we never dreamed we would make it to. We are excited for this exciting career opportunity for Craig.
With the excitement, comes some tears, fears, and unknowns. We are nervous about living so far away from those we love. We are anxious about what life will be like there. We (at the current moment) have no idea where we will be living or what to pack. We are hopeful we will be able to meet new friends. We hope our transition back to the states will be smooth. We (ok, mostly me) tear up thinking about leaving the friends and family we love so dearly and have been used to being close by.
This is an adventure of a lifetime and I hope you all will share it with us! Although the time will be 12 hours apart and a very short (16 + hour plane ride- YIKES!), we hope to keep in touch!!
Lets get caught up....
We were offered the opportunity a few months ago and were sent on a look-see trip to China to see if it would be a good fit for our family. The trip was for several things...1) is this move across the world a good fit for us and 2) Craig would be working in Hong Kong and Mainland China so we would need to decide which location was a better fit for us to live.
Kay was a trooper and had a great week of Grandma Camp (thank-you mom!) I think being away for 10 days was much harder on us than Kay. Grandma said the time Kay really got confused and mentioned “mommy” and “daddy” a lot was every time she pulled in the garage and my car was there and at the grocery store. She skyped with us several times and it brought such joy to Craig and I to see her from so far away.
Here are the entries that I wrote while there, but could not post.
Day 1...
We arrived in Hong Kong for our look/see trip earlier this afternoon. I was very anxious leading up to the trip as I have never left Kay for more than two nights, much less all the way across the world. I cannot remember the last time I had 16 hours of silence to myself. Although I was not able to sleep more than an hour on the plane, I did enjoy some time to myself. Arriving in Hong Kong left me filled with all kinds of emotions. I was excited about this adventure, sad to be there without my little girl, and anxious about what the future would hold. I must admit, I am experiencing a bit of culture shock. It is amazing here, but I am feeling a little overwhelmed! We are going to try to get a good night sleep tonight so we will be ready to start our exploring process tomorrow!
Day 2...
Yesterday was an exciting day. Our orientations person Melanie (an Australian girl about our age) showed me what life would be like in Hong Kong. We went to grocery stores, shopping stores, swimming pools etc. The amazing thing about Hong Kong is you can walk for blocks by linked buildings. Every (and I mean every) corner has a building that has an entire shopping center, a grocery store, bank (basically everything you need to never leave). Prices are incredible here. The cheap refried beans we buy at home for 80 cents are almost 4 dollars here. A box of cereal can be as much as 10 dollars! The bonus is for the same price we can get gourmet cheeses etc. Melissa said you just have to re-learn recipes. Things that were cheap at home are not here and many homes do not have an oven. If you are willing to try new foods you can actually eat much better for similar prices.
I was pleasantly surprised with the housing we were able to find. If we move here we would have to decide between a large swanky apartment farther out, a large villa in the burbs, or a smaller apartment in the heart of it all. I loved my time in New York City and am very excited about living in the heart of it all. The difference is amazing. Some apartments would be much larger, but Kay would never be able to swim in the pools. They store their chemicals where Kay could just walk up and stick her hand in them. Others, would be a smaller place, but the pools and amenities are like a resort spa.
Skyping with Kay has been interesting. She is very animated when she sees us. She kept getting up close to the screen trying to see us. Mom said she is keeping Kay busy trying to keep her mind off us being gone. The hardest times have been when she sees my car in the garage.
Day 3...
We spent the morning touring Hong Kong some more and then left to go to mainland China. Leaving Hong Kong I had another relapse of dazed shock.
We took the metro all the way to the end. I had my first experience crossing the border. I used a squat pot for the first time and I am so tall people could probably see from my waist up. This was an interesting experience. Not sure how training Kay to squat over a little hole will go. She is so new at the concept of a toilet!
After riding in the metro for about 45 min, crossing the border (20 min), trying to find a driver where all you has is a parking deck floor and a license plate tag, and then riding in the car for 2 hours we arrived at the hotel. I have already learned a lot....
1: Traffic rules are really only suggestions. There are no traffic lights. If the person in front of you is too slow, just go in the oncoming traffic lane
2: Moped bikes can hold an entire family of 4 and the groceries for a week. If you are a lady, sit to the side and it is ok to ride holding an umbrella
3: There are no cross walks. I also learned that if you are crossing the road and a car comes, do not speed up to get across. They judge their speed based on how you are walking so if you speed up, when they swerve to get around you it will be bad news!
4: I thought I stood out at home because my height. We took tall to a whole new level. Not only were we the only Caucasians shopping, we were at least a foot taller than everyone! Little kids would laugh and point and stare because they thought we were amazingly tall. They got really thrown off when Craig was able to say "tall" in mandarin! We would all laugh together and and try to communicate, but it will be so nice to take some mandarin lessons!
5: Taxis have metal bars around the driver. They also tuck seat belts behind the seats so you can get in and out of the car faster...
Day 4... Today started off with a "western style breakfast of Sushi, noodles, Asian pastries, and oh yeah...and egg too! I actually enjoyed this because I am not a huge fan of the typical breakfast foods.
We then met our orientations team. Craig kept pointing out how many people there were doing each task (e.g. two people to open the door when we arrived). I was blown away when four guys walked up to show us around. We all laughed together when Craig asked where they lived in Houzhou. None of them did! At one time we had 8 guys with us. Craig got a really funny picture of the guys leading me to the next house. I was HUGE compared to them. Basically, the place we would
most likely stay in here would be huge, brand new, very ornate, and very remote.
Day 5... Started out with an upset tummy. This is what makes me anxious about living in mainland. I can handle an upset stomach but with a two year old...I am not sure I am that adventurous...
We also saw a beautiful lake that would be where Kay and I would take a lot of walks. Babies on scooters is the norm. Dad usually drives and mom holds baby on the back. Even though I am getting more used to seeing it, it still makes my heart beat fast and I find myself holding my breath as they zoom through traffic. The places we are visiting are very grand. Some have gold wallpaper, very large ands glamorous drapes and very ornate carvings. One place had so many Chinese antiques they would not unlock the doors for us to see until we were serious about wanting to move in. Whatever furniture you see in the places is in general what you have to live with for the next two years.
We went to lunch with our eight guides and had my first experience in a chinese restaurant where you have to sanitize your own eating ware. They gave us a private room which is very common for large parties. I was thrown off when they led us down a winding hallway until Craig said that was normal. When we got to our seats I learned how to break the plastic off the pile of eating ware. Next, they fill the top cup with hot tea and you use that to carefully work your way down the stack sterilizing the eating utensils.
What I do love about Chinese dining is it is all family style and you get a lot of variety. They have lots of interesting rules or traditions. You are supposed to order an even number of dishes. It is bad luck to order four. Most meals we have ended up with around eight. I have had to get over my germ a phobia because you serve yourself with the same chopsticks you are eating with. Before you can refill your tea you must serve your friends or others tea. My cup was never low. We fed a group of eight with a feast of food for just under $40. The Realtor that was with us said his rent for his office was $100 per month. I am so very thankful Craig had me practice with my chopsticks before coming here. I did much better than expected. I am now able to eat very difficult things like noodles, beans, and rice with them.
After lunch I was dropped off at the hotel because i was worried about my tummy for the rest of the day. Craig finished the tour of apartments without me.
Day 6- end of trip...
This has been a wonderful trip. I am so thankful to be able to experience this culture and possibly live in it for two years. The people we have met have all been very kind, welcoming, and helpful. I wish I could say people at home were always this way. I am excited to be nearing the end of our time here. I am ready to see my baby girl. I am ready to have a final decision on if we will be moving here and can’t wait to see what the future holds!
