Happy Birthday to Me

Gosh it feels like only yesterday that I was celebrating my 30th, and now I'm celebrating my 39th!  And yes I had to do some mental math there to make sure...

It was a really nice one. Simple but still indulgent, which may be the best of all worlds. Thanks to Michael and the kids and the aunties and my family and friends from near and far for making it so!

I got beautiful flowers, freshly roasted coffee, and the most delicious spicy hotpot dinner followed by a fruity cheesecake.  

I took the day off from work and proceeded to spend the whole morning lazing in bed reading an entire book (yay), had lunch with the boys, hung out with them, then went to a stretching /rolling class, followed by a trek to MyGym to see the boys in action.  

Lola happened to have a very busy day so I didn’t get to spend as much time with her, but the next couple of days will be completely focused on the little princess and her FIFTH birthday (!!) so all good there also.  

There was one incident last night she was so devastated upon realizing that a pink floral and ribbon dress that she had spotted and wanted to buy for me in Repulse Bay had not actually been purchased on my behalf.  I think it was a combination of wanting to help me unwrap my presents (which according to her really had to be ON the day; no belated or delayed gratification for this little one) and being really sad because she didn’t have a present (which she thought was so pretty and fitting for me) to give me when she thought she did.  

But little does she know that that sweet sentiment and thoughtfulness of hers was the best present of all.  I'm so touched that she knows my style?!  What a precious and thoughtful, 貼心心肝寶貝 daughter she is!

Fallen Tree - Some Early Morning Excitement

This Monday morning started with a fallen tree trunk on the main road leading up to our street, right during peak morning traffic and school pick up.  Thankfully and luckily it doesn't appear as though the tree hit anyone or anything (how lucky!!)

Lola was able to get to school because Aunty Lyn immediately took her on foot headed the other way (further up the hill) to get a taxi, and they were quite lucky.

After waiting a long time, Siti and I walked down with Al and Teo, and then our usual driver picked us up at the hospital in the direction of the tunnel.  I then trudged back up hill.  

Given the urgency at the time I walked out in ratty t-shirt and shorts, not expecting to have to walk around town in the outfit!  I only got 4 mosquito bites in the process.

Happy Thanksgiving

We celebrated one of my favorite holidays at home today with two of our neighbors in the building and their kids.  

Turns out it was our first time properly entertaining at home in years!  I'm not sure we have ever invited more than one family over to our apartment for a sit down meal at one time.  So funny to realize it. 

It feels particularly fitting this year not to dwell on difficulties but to focus on expressing gratitude. 

For the ability to call this beautiful apartment home. 

For precocious, healthy, intelligent, and adorable children.  For the family members, helpers, teachers, doctors and coaches who help in raising these children. 

For a beautiful, bountiful and absolutely delicious spread.  Easily the best Thanksgiving meal I've ever had. 

For access to good food, clean water, all the medical help and assistance that we may need.

May we all find room for gratitude, peace and comfort at this very moment in our lives, and bask momentarily in that pure and sweet delight.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Update: Bits and Bobs

I went for a spin class for the first time in 3 years. I was surprised at how emotional I got on the bike, especially when the instructor was trying to motivate us by saying how inspirational it is when we take time for ourselves and, through our own actions and hard work, produce this enormously good feeling after our workout.  We all do need to take more time to celebrate these feelings and accomplishments, the simplest and most essential feelings, in its purest forms.

Of course after that I promptly broke the streak because I went and got a small procedure to remove a suspicious mole from my back/shoulder and haven't been able to exercise.  The biopsy has since come back clear.  I have a pretty ugly scar currently though, probably 5 gruesome grayish stitches just sitting there.

Otherwise, the kids have been super cute as usual. Al talks incessantly, and Teo is always trying to charm his way out of some mischief.

Last Friday I took the kids to the Club, first just me and the boys and then just me and Lola.  It's kind of amazing that they are getting to the age we can do that.

I was reminded again of how beautiful Hong Kong is. 

On Saturday we went to a friend's apartment to play.  Turns out one of Lola's friends from taekwondo is our neighbor just across the street!  They have a beautiful apartment and two adorable dogs and the kids had a great time there.

In the afternoon we again went to the Club.

On Sunday we went to the Peak where the kids shopped, each picking out a small toy, played at an arcade, ate an MSG-laden lunch of barbecued meats and noodles and rice (it was inadvertent!), then headed home for some much needed naps.  We then followed this with some time at Stanley, and then dinner at the Club again.

At Stanley the kids rode their bikes and scooters (the boys are so fast) and we visited the temple where Lola got to light some incense.  She loves the smell.

At the Club, the boys giggled infectiously every time they came up with a new way to head down the big blue slide, whether it was head first or feet first. Lola had a really good time swimming and diving for dive sticks and learning how to dive.

Early Morning School Pics

I will leave it to these pictures to tell the story...

Holidays!

It's that time of year!  Decorations are going up all around town.  It's hard to believe but the holidays are just around the corner. 

 The building where I work has put up some really nice decorations this year!  As soon as I saw the elaborate display I thought of the kids. We will have to do a little tour through all the fancy malls/ our usual favorites.  

[Side note: I have to confess, I buy into all of the hype of holiday decor and music and stockings and presents and the tree, but I do not understand the fervor around Santa.  The line to get into Pacific Place mall's Santa meet and greet was so long this morning they had to put you into queues, to wait for the wait.  I frankly find the image and idea of plopping little children into the lap of an unknown stranger, who happens to be old and white and hairy and fat, very perturbing.  No wonder all those poor kids cry and howl and scream.  Really, what year is it, why are we still forcing these antiquated and inauthentic cultural norms on our children...]

Back to regular programming. A quick rundown to the end of the year:

Only 7 days until Thanksgiving.  This year we are hosting a small Thanksgiving dinner with some friends in our building. I love the idea of a friends' Thanksgiving; taking the time out of our lives to contemplate and identify what is the good and shiny amidst the tattered or tarnished, and declare and share what you are grateful for.

Then our Christmas tree arrives in 11 days. 

Then I turn 39 years old in 12 days.

Then Lola turns five in 14 days.  Her fifth birthday party is in 15 days.

Then the kids wrap up school and we are out of Hong Kong on December 18.  We decided to spend Christmas overseas this year.  It will be Lola's first time on a plane in 3 years and 4 months, my first time on a plane in 3 years and 2 months, and the boys first time on a plane ever.  Oh boy!