So it's been a while since I wrote on here. That's because I've been busy doing so no time to write about it. Tonight I have time so here goes. I have lots of little thoughts and random events to string together so I hope I don't lose anyone.
As I sit here on my couch I have realized some new traits in me that make me more like a local. I tried the whole polite excuse me thing for a while but when you're on the train and the doors are about to close and you have to get off and you say excuse me and no-one moves you have to physically push people out of your way. I know - sucks - but that's the way here sometimes. Believe me those doors are unforgiving. They aren't like the elevator door where if you stick something in the way they will open back up. Nope...they will close on you or whatever you stick in there and stay shut and the train will start moving...how do I know that? Well...one day a lady stuck her newspaper in the door. It shut and she was able to yank it out as the train pulled away but barely. Then a woman stuck her bag in the door. The doors closed and her bag was stuck in the door as the train started to go. We all reached to help get it for her but then the train guy noticed and the train stopped with a halt almost knocking us all on our fannys. It was actually pretty comical. I took a picture. I'll try and post it. Don't get in the way of train doors - they are merciless...
The next trait is my ability to weave through large crowds at a fast pace. I am improving. Always on my toes here. It's almost like a video game sometimes and the more I "play" the better I get. People are always shopping here. Always. Bizarre.
The next thing I noticed was my after work snack was dried seaweed and these soy and seaweed flavored rice cake snacks. Huh. And I like it. I had sushi from the grocery store for lunch Sunday. It's much different here. I had some kind of roll with flying fish roe on it. Ernie made faces at me but it was really good. A little strong on the wasabi though. A bit painful for my nasal passages. Eric - I thought of you. I do eat my American food when I can find it though. Last night we had burgers from this place called Triple O's - I guess it's a Canadian chain. Oh - it was sooooo good. So don't worry too much.
I have become a great navigator. I managed to map out my whole trip to Wan Chai on the main Island to get some art supplies. Then Ernie said can you find a Subway (the sandwich place) and I found that too and mapped it out and off we went and we didn't even get lost. I love the trains here - they are so easy to use.
I am picking up some words too. I don't know how to spell them but hiyah, hiyah means yeah or yes, Hi-itsa (sounds like that) means the next station is, djo san (sounds like that) means good morning. My daan means check please and mmm goi means excuse me or thank you. I recognize other sounds but don't know them as words yet. But that's pretty good for two months.
Other random stuff - Asian women shouldn't dye their hair lighter - it turns orange. My hair is destined to be frizzy and gross here no matter what I put in it so I give up. Older people here are always exercising or doing some sort of movement on the walking/biking path. It's neat. I think they are on to something here...they really don't have the same deodorant here but not too many people smell...when the wind blows from China it's really smoggy here. When the wind blows from the sea it's nice. I like walking so much most days. I don't mind the rain here because it's never usually for that long. It's not easy to run a few quick errands. You have to go to the malls mostly for stuff and that's always a process. Or there is a "street" like kitchen street or sneaker street with shops all of that nature. But that's okay. There are deals to be found.
My classes are sweet and adorable and we are having a lot of fun together. They have started bringing me pictures most every day. I love praying with them and teaching them about life. It is a blessing. And I am humbled and honored that God would choose me to do such an important job as teach these little ones about Him. He has blessed us and provided for us so well to be able to do this.
Okay, trips we've done - we went to Central and to Soho and had Mexican. It's really neat there and we barely explored it. We took the world's longest escalator - the mid-level travelator. It was cool. We took the ferry across the harbor. We took a special boat to the Island of Macau. It's actually a separate SAR (Special Administrative Region) and so our passports got stamped. We had dinner at an amazing Portuguese restaurant called Fernandos that's famous. I took pictures. We had fun, we got lost, we found our way and it was interesting. We had Japanese curry, we went to the fire dragon parade for mid-autumn festival which is a big holiday here. It's almost like Thanksgiving for us where families get together and have a feast. The children brought me mooncakes and we had a lantern parade. Again - I took pictures.
We've just been living every moment we can with lots planned for the future. We will have to see what tomorrow brings. :) I cannot believe this week will be October 1st. We have been here 2 months and 3 days already. Wow - time is flying. Well, until next time...much love to you all.
Veronica
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Another Update from Hong Kong
Right after I posted the last blog entry I came down with a horrible head cold. That's all it was but it kicked my butt! I was down for a good four days and missed two days of school. My first Hong Kong bug! I've been told I'm in for a lot more. Bummer - my immunity was finally pretty strong last school year and I only suffered from allergies...well after the experience of living out here I ought to be pretty tough!
I was on my way to school today and it hit me - I'm living in Hong Kong! It's been such a whirlwind that sometimes you just have to step back and see the experience for what it is. I've always wanted to experience another culture and not just as a tourist. And here I am. And I was thinking - it's so different to live here then to just visit and how cool is that?
We had dinner last night at the apartment of another couple from our school ICS. They are originally from California. He teaches middle school science and math and she taught the grade above me but has two kids and stays home now. Ernie coaches track with him. They've been here five years. It was our first experience in a true Hong Kong apartment. Up until now we've been bouncing around the 7th floor here and we all have basically the same apartments. This couple lives on the 35th floor of their building! That's higher then the tallest building in Phoenix which I believe has only 32 floors and they weren't at the top. I thought it was so cool but Ernie wasn't so fond of being up that high. Their views were amazing but apartments here are tiny! Tiny!!! It makes our school apartment feel so spacious! Mostly it's the kitchens. They don't really have built in ovens - they don't do that here. It's all counter top convection ovens. But I guess they don't really bake much so it's all good for them. We Americans struggle with that...there are plenty of bakery's around though. :)
The weeks are going fast here - we are always so busy! There are plenty of things to do and see when we aren't working. And Hong Kong people keep long hours. They work late and do stuff after - we are the lame ones who go to bed too early. It's a crazy, exciting place. I am looking forward to our long four day weekend in two weeks though - I feel like I've been working since I got here and need more then two days off. So that will be good. It's fall festival or something like that. It's all about the mooncakes right now. That's really interesting. There are several stories that go with them and who knows what the right one really is. It's kind of like mythology. Anyway, they are filled with sesame or lotus paste and some have chocolate but not like a chocolate cake. It's an interesting texture. I like the lotus paste ones a lot and my co-workers were surprised and said I like so many things that I must have Asian somewhere in me! I didn't care much for the sesame one - I don't much like sesame. I guess most Westerners don't like mooncakes at all. But everywhere kiosks and shops have opened up selling them. Hagen Daaz even does them here. It's huge. So that's neat to experience.
Well, that's all I can think of for now. I'll try and take more videos or something soon! Thanks for reading.
I was on my way to school today and it hit me - I'm living in Hong Kong! It's been such a whirlwind that sometimes you just have to step back and see the experience for what it is. I've always wanted to experience another culture and not just as a tourist. And here I am. And I was thinking - it's so different to live here then to just visit and how cool is that?
We had dinner last night at the apartment of another couple from our school ICS. They are originally from California. He teaches middle school science and math and she taught the grade above me but has two kids and stays home now. Ernie coaches track with him. They've been here five years. It was our first experience in a true Hong Kong apartment. Up until now we've been bouncing around the 7th floor here and we all have basically the same apartments. This couple lives on the 35th floor of their building! That's higher then the tallest building in Phoenix which I believe has only 32 floors and they weren't at the top. I thought it was so cool but Ernie wasn't so fond of being up that high. Their views were amazing but apartments here are tiny! Tiny!!! It makes our school apartment feel so spacious! Mostly it's the kitchens. They don't really have built in ovens - they don't do that here. It's all counter top convection ovens. But I guess they don't really bake much so it's all good for them. We Americans struggle with that...there are plenty of bakery's around though. :)
The weeks are going fast here - we are always so busy! There are plenty of things to do and see when we aren't working. And Hong Kong people keep long hours. They work late and do stuff after - we are the lame ones who go to bed too early. It's a crazy, exciting place. I am looking forward to our long four day weekend in two weeks though - I feel like I've been working since I got here and need more then two days off. So that will be good. It's fall festival or something like that. It's all about the mooncakes right now. That's really interesting. There are several stories that go with them and who knows what the right one really is. It's kind of like mythology. Anyway, they are filled with sesame or lotus paste and some have chocolate but not like a chocolate cake. It's an interesting texture. I like the lotus paste ones a lot and my co-workers were surprised and said I like so many things that I must have Asian somewhere in me! I didn't care much for the sesame one - I don't much like sesame. I guess most Westerners don't like mooncakes at all. But everywhere kiosks and shops have opened up selling them. Hagen Daaz even does them here. It's huge. So that's neat to experience.
Well, that's all I can think of for now. I'll try and take more videos or something soon! Thanks for reading.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
A Day of Exploring
Ernie and I decided to find a beach today since I really wanted to see some water. So we set out on an adventure. We took the train a few stops to Wu Kai Sha. We saw some beautiful scenery on the way. Then we got off the train and walked on what looked like a seldomly used path and then down a random road. There were signs that said Whitehead Golf Club or something like that. But we just wanted to get to the water. Then Ernie peeked through the trees and other foliage on the side of the road and saw a little beachy area. So we climbed down and we had a beautiful little area all to ourselves! It was so peaceful and relaxing and beautiful. We stayed a while and then we made our way back to the train station and took it back one stop to Ma On Shan. There are two malls there. We were hungry but the issue is that a lot of the local places are in Cantonese and the people speak Cantonese so ordering is hard for us. But I had our little cheat sheet and we were able to get a seat and actually order our food. That was fun! We got some Dim Sum items and also a noodle dish. I had fresh carrot and apple juice and Ernie had a coke and we drank jasmine tea. We ate with chop sticks although they offered us "American's" forks. I was pretty proud of our ability to do that. Then we went home and by the time we got off the train it was raining, so we had a light jog in the rain. It was so fun! We got home just in time - then it started pouring buckets of water.
To see what today looked like I'm sharing a link to photos on Picasa. I think I'm doing this right - who knows!
http://picasaweb.google.com/111125336105726794698?authkey=Gv1sRgCMWlldW1x-mkHQ
I think you can go to this link to see. You may have to highlight it - copy and paste it. It worked for me.
To see what today looked like I'm sharing a link to photos on Picasa. I think I'm doing this right - who knows!
http://picasaweb.google.com/111125336105726794698?authkey=Gv1sRgCMWlldW1x-mkHQ
I think you can go to this link to see. You may have to highlight it - copy and paste it. It worked for me.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Ironing
I chose to title this entry ironing because that is what stage we are at right now. The wrinkles are ironing themselves out. Let me explain...
When we moved into our apartment things seemed fine although a bit strange. However we just assumed that's how it was. I mean the light switches are on the outside of the room and you have to flip the switch for the water heater for the bathroom and the kitchen and separately. So any deviation from the norm seemed normal. But over time we started to notice some things getting worse. For example, our shower. If you turned it on hot and ran it, it got nice and hot. But as soon as you turned the faucet toward the middle for a not so scalding temperature it would go ice cold. So then you'd turn it back to hot. Usually you'd get a decent temperature for a minute or two. Then it progressively got worse and it was either very hot or very cold and very hard for us to actually be under the water. Problem two, our toilet started leaking. It has a little pipe out the side of the base (overflow or something I guess) and there's a little drain on the floor. I think it's a precaution so your bathroom never floods. Except ours was - little by little the water creeped until more of the floor was wet...well, finally this week they replaced some part and now it's bone dry there (yay) and my principal Tim (Mr. Hong Kong as he's otherwise known because he knows so much about here) said why don't you run your sink on hot just barely while you shower and that should keep the hot water running in the shower. See, it's a unit that flash heats the water - not a tank. So something is awry with the pressure and sensing. They are still trying to figure out a solution but at least in the meantime we can be clean! So those are two very big reliefs to us.
It seems that plumbing problems follow Ernie and I like the plague. When we moved to Chandler from Tucson we lived in a brand spanking new apartment but the first time we used the new washer it flooded. Then we moved to our San Juan address in Phoenix. The master bedroom toilet just kept running one morning and we found ourselves ankle deep in water - that was a fun process drying all that out. Then in our last place the toilet handle had to be jimmied and the fixtures were from the 1920's. The sink in the kitchen had separate spigots. While charming it was a bit unpractical. So I figured here we'd be home free. But I read that scripture the other day that says "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33 Boy isn't that the truth - but it's okay because there's something bigger going on and I'm not gonna let a little plumbing get me down. Instead I'm gonna do some ironing!
When we moved into our apartment things seemed fine although a bit strange. However we just assumed that's how it was. I mean the light switches are on the outside of the room and you have to flip the switch for the water heater for the bathroom and the kitchen and separately. So any deviation from the norm seemed normal. But over time we started to notice some things getting worse. For example, our shower. If you turned it on hot and ran it, it got nice and hot. But as soon as you turned the faucet toward the middle for a not so scalding temperature it would go ice cold. So then you'd turn it back to hot. Usually you'd get a decent temperature for a minute or two. Then it progressively got worse and it was either very hot or very cold and very hard for us to actually be under the water. Problem two, our toilet started leaking. It has a little pipe out the side of the base (overflow or something I guess) and there's a little drain on the floor. I think it's a precaution so your bathroom never floods. Except ours was - little by little the water creeped until more of the floor was wet...well, finally this week they replaced some part and now it's bone dry there (yay) and my principal Tim (Mr. Hong Kong as he's otherwise known because he knows so much about here) said why don't you run your sink on hot just barely while you shower and that should keep the hot water running in the shower. See, it's a unit that flash heats the water - not a tank. So something is awry with the pressure and sensing. They are still trying to figure out a solution but at least in the meantime we can be clean! So those are two very big reliefs to us.
It seems that plumbing problems follow Ernie and I like the plague. When we moved to Chandler from Tucson we lived in a brand spanking new apartment but the first time we used the new washer it flooded. Then we moved to our San Juan address in Phoenix. The master bedroom toilet just kept running one morning and we found ourselves ankle deep in water - that was a fun process drying all that out. Then in our last place the toilet handle had to be jimmied and the fixtures were from the 1920's. The sink in the kitchen had separate spigots. While charming it was a bit unpractical. So I figured here we'd be home free. But I read that scripture the other day that says "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33 Boy isn't that the truth - but it's okay because there's something bigger going on and I'm not gonna let a little plumbing get me down. Instead I'm gonna do some ironing!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
We found a new church!
So every Sunday since I got here (except the one I arrived on) has been sad for me because I was missing Faith Assembly. The first Sunday we went to ICA (International Christian Assembly) and it was okay. It seemed more like a concert or show then a church though. Then last Sunday we were wanting to go to a different church and that morning we set out to figure out how to get there and we couldn't and we missed the other service and didn't end up going anywhere which really bummed me out. For some reason I really felt this was an important church to check out. So then, I asked my principal if he could tell us how to get there because it's the church he and his family attend. So he said they'd meet us at the train station at the stop near the church and drive us over so that's what we did. We got there and went in and it was a very small sanctuary with wooden pews and the front was similar to Faith Assembly - a cross over the baptismal. I liked the look and feel of it. Worship was awesome - I knew all the songs. The pastor was American (not that it matters but it was nice to see someone from my country) and his message was great. Then they sang another worship song at the end and had offering and closed with a worship song. Then leaving we waited to meet the pastor and someone little came up behind me and hugged my legs - it was a student! How neat! My principal introduced us to the Pastor and he said "New teachers" and greeted us warmly and said he'd love to talk with us sometime soon. The middle school principal and his family attend there as well as several other ICS teachers so there were familiar faces and greetings. That was nice. Overall I was so happy and cheerful and full of God that it was a welcome relief! The church is called KIBC - Kowloon International Baptist Church. Yes, it's a Baptist church but honestly I don't know the difference. It was just good. I guess the 11:00 service is more traditional - they have a choir but I don't know what that means. I liked it there. Oh and they announced they were starting their Christmas Choir soon. :) It was a cozy church - hard to find here. I don't want to go to a church and sit in an overflow room. Anyway, then we walked back to the train station (the MTR) and had lunch and went grocery shopping.
Ernie and I did well navigating this weekend and that was cool. There's just so much to see and do and it doesn't even cost any money - just going around and seeing things is fun. I hated window shopping and malls unless I was out to get something specific before in the U.S. but now every store and every mall is different and it's just amazing. Can't wait to get paid and maybe do some real shopping.
Tomorrow night we're having tacos at Jens apartment across the hall and Friday night the 7th floor is having a potluck. Should be fun. And we have a snowman stalking our floor. Hee hee! I got back from the somewhere yesterday and there was a stuffed snowman at our door. I think it's from the storage unit where our washers and dryers are. So we put it in front of someone else's door and it keeps being moved around. It's so funny to come home and see! Well that's all for now. I'll try to post a video. I'm learning...
Ernie and I did well navigating this weekend and that was cool. There's just so much to see and do and it doesn't even cost any money - just going around and seeing things is fun. I hated window shopping and malls unless I was out to get something specific before in the U.S. but now every store and every mall is different and it's just amazing. Can't wait to get paid and maybe do some real shopping.
Tomorrow night we're having tacos at Jens apartment across the hall and Friday night the 7th floor is having a potluck. Should be fun. And we have a snowman stalking our floor. Hee hee! I got back from the somewhere yesterday and there was a stuffed snowman at our door. I think it's from the storage unit where our washers and dryers are. So we put it in front of someone else's door and it keeps being moved around. It's so funny to come home and see! Well that's all for now. I'll try to post a video. I'm learning...
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Live in Hong Kong goes on...
Almost 3 weeks in - I can't believe it! I feel like I have learned soooo much in the last three weeks - more then I've had to learn in the last three years combined. But I can do it. We got our official Hong Kong ID cards. They are serious here! It has a chip in it and they digitally take your thumbprints and that's on the chip. It's crazy.
I can live here and function as I would in the U.S. however it's so different too. It's so hard to explain. I live here and work here and am experiencing everyday life not just as a tourist. But I am still aware of all the differences. Like when my kids are eating snack sometimes I just don't know what they are eating. I ask them and they don't know how to explain it. Or in our breakroom there are candies and cookies and different snacks - some by companies I've heard of like Nestle but the actual product is something I've never seen in the U.S. or it will be something totally different for me like these rice crackers with seaweed flakes that we ate yesterday or sugar cane juice in a juice box or chrysanthemum tea in a juice box. So different. Also, I'm starting to recognize cantonese words. I have no idea what I'm hearing but I'm am picking up a pattern. It's probably like if you heard the word "the" in English over and over in conversations. You might think - oh, that's familar - but you have no idea what it means. I really would love to really learn another language. I'm goingt to make an effort.
I'm really liking my school and my team. They are kind and helpful to me and it's a bonding thing to do devotions and pray together every morning. For that I am so thankful. Our principal Tim did the devotion this morning and it so hit home I wanted to start crying right there.
I definitely like my afternoon class more then my morning class right now. I have some very high maintenance boys in my morning class. They are managable but they drain all my energy! I have some super cuties too. They are just such sweet children and the fact that I get to share Jesus with them just fills my heart in ways I couldn't imagine. We pray before snack each day and yesterday I prayed and they just clasped their little hands and bowed their little heads and they prayed so ferverently with me it was almost heartbreaking to see. Then today I asked for a prayer helper to prayer and to hear their little voices say "dear God please bless this food and keep us healthy..." and then they all say "amen" together was just the highlight of my day. I know I'm in the right place and I've had to do a fair amount of "extra" praying these few days so I was able to share with my kids about when you're scared or in trouble you can just pray "Jesus help me" and He will because He sure has given me peace and strength these past few days and weeks.
Academically I can't believe how much higher these kids are then all the kindergartners I've taught in the U.S. even my high level kids. These kids can already do things that are in the curriculum for kindergarten in the U.S. They can write their numbers, they know their numbers, they know their colors, they can all write their names, they know their days of the week, they know their shapes. I've been doing some informal assessment type activities and games and that's what I've determined. Some might be a bit better then others but in general they are much more advanced. They also listen better (mostly - not all). It's still a busy and tiring day but I can see so much potential for the year.
Ernie is also enjoying his job. He says his students are eager for the help he gives them and he seems to be enjoying his team. He got to experience the high school and middle school opening day praise and worship sessions. He says it was awesome. We are going to grow alot this year leading devotions and participating in chapel.
Well, that's all for now. Hopefully I can get into a routine now and feel a bit settled. Up until now every day has been different. Then I can go exploring some more. :) Love to you all!
I can live here and function as I would in the U.S. however it's so different too. It's so hard to explain. I live here and work here and am experiencing everyday life not just as a tourist. But I am still aware of all the differences. Like when my kids are eating snack sometimes I just don't know what they are eating. I ask them and they don't know how to explain it. Or in our breakroom there are candies and cookies and different snacks - some by companies I've heard of like Nestle but the actual product is something I've never seen in the U.S. or it will be something totally different for me like these rice crackers with seaweed flakes that we ate yesterday or sugar cane juice in a juice box or chrysanthemum tea in a juice box. So different. Also, I'm starting to recognize cantonese words. I have no idea what I'm hearing but I'm am picking up a pattern. It's probably like if you heard the word "the" in English over and over in conversations. You might think - oh, that's familar - but you have no idea what it means. I really would love to really learn another language. I'm goingt to make an effort.
I'm really liking my school and my team. They are kind and helpful to me and it's a bonding thing to do devotions and pray together every morning. For that I am so thankful. Our principal Tim did the devotion this morning and it so hit home I wanted to start crying right there.
I definitely like my afternoon class more then my morning class right now. I have some very high maintenance boys in my morning class. They are managable but they drain all my energy! I have some super cuties too. They are just such sweet children and the fact that I get to share Jesus with them just fills my heart in ways I couldn't imagine. We pray before snack each day and yesterday I prayed and they just clasped their little hands and bowed their little heads and they prayed so ferverently with me it was almost heartbreaking to see. Then today I asked for a prayer helper to prayer and to hear their little voices say "dear God please bless this food and keep us healthy..." and then they all say "amen" together was just the highlight of my day. I know I'm in the right place and I've had to do a fair amount of "extra" praying these few days so I was able to share with my kids about when you're scared or in trouble you can just pray "Jesus help me" and He will because He sure has given me peace and strength these past few days and weeks.
Academically I can't believe how much higher these kids are then all the kindergartners I've taught in the U.S. even my high level kids. These kids can already do things that are in the curriculum for kindergarten in the U.S. They can write their numbers, they know their numbers, they know their colors, they can all write their names, they know their days of the week, they know their shapes. I've been doing some informal assessment type activities and games and that's what I've determined. Some might be a bit better then others but in general they are much more advanced. They also listen better (mostly - not all). It's still a busy and tiring day but I can see so much potential for the year.
Ernie is also enjoying his job. He says his students are eager for the help he gives them and he seems to be enjoying his team. He got to experience the high school and middle school opening day praise and worship sessions. He says it was awesome. We are going to grow alot this year leading devotions and participating in chapel.
Well, that's all for now. Hopefully I can get into a routine now and feel a bit settled. Up until now every day has been different. Then I can go exploring some more. :) Love to you all!
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