HK Week Two - Last week is Always Stressful (Featuring Macau)

Not sure about you, Gloria and I love to remember what we do each day during our trips.  She likes to mark everything down on her phone while I like to do it off my head somehow. I don't know, it's just more fun thinking back, hahaha.  

After the first week of relaxing and adjusting, all the excitement gone out of the windows right after our Macau trip, hahaha.  We left on Sunday afternoon and came back Monday evening.  When we seriously thought about how much time we have left, the stress started arriving, hahaha.  However, the Macau trip was quite fun and enjoyable.  It's something both Gloria and I enjoyed a lot cuz' at least it did feel like a vacation.  The only thing we had in our minds was where to go and what to eat, haha.  Thanks for the trip Daddy David and Mommy Annie.  With their helping hands on the kids, they (and Alice) made this trip so much more enjoyable, hehehe.   

My highlight was definitely the hotel stay.  It just gave me this vacation feeling somehow, haha.  Even though my washroom is bigger, it's always nicer to stay at the hotel than staying in my own, hahaha.  Mom and Gloria had so much fun figuring out what's free and what's not, haha.  Other than the hotel, of course it's the food, hehehe.  The shark fin "noodle" soup (yes, the shark fin was so thick that it made me feel like eating noodles, haha), and all the snack tasting are super memorable.  Dad ate so much that he said he is sick of everything and that's why he didn't need to buy any, hahaha.  He also left his luggage in the trunk of the taxi on the second day but thank God that he somehow got the ticket receipt of that trip (just for fun), so he could track it down and got everything back!  Taxi drivers in Macau are pretty honest, well at least this one is, haha!

Not sure if all fun time go super fast or if it's just HK, we had to treat everything we come across as the final encounter, haha.  It's probably cuz' we are with the boys.  That means there won't be any second chances!  If we want something, we either get it at the moment or we leave it for good cuz' we won't be able to come back again to get it, hahaha.   Since we are kinda tight financially lately, it's not a bad thing after all, haha.  It doesn't only apply to shopping, it also apply to eating.  If we are too full to try this, sorry, wait until next time we come back, hahaha.  But it's okay, we'll be back for sure.  We chose to spend a lot of time with our family this time, especially to our older grandmas.  Ever since the departure my Mom, my mentality changed a little I know.  Not that I have changed a lot but somehow, I realized this thing is always at the back of our minds - regarding how much time we have left about everything.  Like how many more times these Grandmas are going to see Jake and Jonah, etc.  I know, it's so negative and it's making me sad.  I tried not to think about it but sometimes, I just can't help it, hehe.  Pray that God can give me a peaceful heart always, not just once in a while, hahaha (greedy me).  And of course, I know who holds the future - we just don't need to worry.  All we need to do is to count our blessings and enjoy whatever is given, hehehe.  Love is to give right, hehehe.  I'll keep learning for sure.

One thing I want to mention is the Humunga Duck, haha.  It's such a hot thing during our time there in HK.  Everyone was posting pictures of it.  It's like the biggest tourist attraction in HK somehow, hahaha.  It's actually just a duck that's very big, hahaha.  Yes, it's cute and it's big but I don't know why ppl had to line up and packed up the whole place just to take a few pictures of it on the first day, hahaha.  Is there not any better things to do, hahaha?  We went there on the second week, weekday morning.  It's not bad at all, Jake and Jonah loved it.  After all, I like it too but I will just keep saying it's all for the boys, hahaha.  Oh well, I guess it's the same culture I mentioned last time, hahaha (that HK ppl just fight regardless).

Other than the Humunga Duck, this is what we did on our second week:

• Late night shopping at Mong Kok (no kids, hohoho)

  

  Yes, it's legal to drink on the street in HK!!!

• McDonald's breakfast (yup, Sausage Egg MACARONI IN SOUP and yes, they even have RICE there - not fair!  The size of all drinks there are smaller though, hahaha, kinda not very used to it but it's not bad cuz' it's not as easy to find washroom there, hahaha.)
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Lots of public transit rides, including MTR!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• More family and friends
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Sleeping over at Fian's
  
  
  
• Disneyland
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Ironman fun
  
  
  
• WHPISY's wedding (you guys are great!!!)
  

The past weekend was Father's Day.  Daddy Stanley was still in HK but getting ready to head to Vancouver.  That's right, he's done his HK trip already, hehehe.  Time flies but good job Daddy.  I know you already have plans when to go back next, hahaha.  It's always good!  You are gonna have lots of fun just like us in YVR.  Yes, I will tell everyone about our Vancouver trip next time.  Once again, happy father's day to you Dad.  God has His plan putting us together from day one to this year when Mom is no longer with us.  Let's continue to do everything together and enjoy everything given!!!  Love you always.

Glad to get stuck between you two!!!

Having two boys myself makes me understand a lot more how a father's role is and reminds me a lot about what my father did for me (and Fian) in the past.  And somehow, I can cry a lot more easier than before, hahaha.  I guess I'm getting mature (finally) having enough life experience to be able to feel for others while reflecting things onto my own life.  I am mature enough to get invited for this article "Sons of God" on Father's Day at church.  Take a look when you have time!

"Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.  The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him." (Proverbs 23:22, 24)

HK Week One - the Flight back

Hong Kong is my home town, a place that I'm always very proud of.  It's pretty, always busy, always packed, always full of energy and opportunities.  I enjoy seeing family and friends, eating lots of great food, making good deals when shopping, and driving on the right, haha.  If Mom was still around, she would for sure try fitting her schedule with us so that each member of our "Fantastic Four" (both grandparents of Jake and Jonah) would all be in town.  And that would mean our schedule would be super busy, with Gloria's family, my family, her friends, my friends, hahaha.  So this year, I was expecting a little less stress but...

The first thing before arriving HK is of course the flight back, hahaha.  Some of you may find it hard even going by yourself, sitting there for 15hours straight, haha.  Gloria and I never had a problem sleeping on the plane, so it is always quite enjoyable sleeping, watching movies, complaining about the food and service (for fun) flying back, haha.  However, travelling with kids makes everything longer and tougher.  That's right, bringing kids back is always a challenge, no matter if they have their own seats or not.  I'm already so proud of myself last year when I brought Jake back alone, hahaha.  He wasn't even three and even with his car seat, stroller, two carry-ons, two backpacks, and two big checked luggage, I actually could manage everything myself not needing any help, hahaha (surprisingly - thanks to the car seat cart!!!).  

Jake is such a great travel buddy simply cuz' he LOVES watching TV, hahaha.  I didn't know that the free ear piece won't fit his ears last year going back but this time, we even brought him his own head set on to the plane, haha.  We don't normally let him watch anything more than 20-30mins each day but on the plane, trust me, all rules are gone, hahaha.  You can imagine how excited this guy is, haha.  He can pretty much stay in his own seat the whole time, except when he needs to go the the washroom.  Since this is already his fourth time going back to HK, flying back is a piece of cake for him.  Btw, he turned four on the plane this time!!!  Dad made a little note for the flight attendants, and they made him a little special announcement on the plane, hahaha.  He was so shocked hearing his own name, kinda in disbelief but he was still super excited and couldn't hide his smile after all, hahaha.  

Going back to the flight, flying with Gloria and Jonah wasn't that bad especially when my Dad was with us.  Jake, as expected, slept twice, watched two movies (actually just keep repeating this Backyardigens that they both like, haha) and ate twice, peed twice before arriving.  Jonah was a bit challenging I have to say.  He's not as crazy on TV as his brother.  He wanted to come out a few times to walk around.  So yea, the whole aisle on the plane pretty much know this guy, hahaha.  Good thing that he's a good boy in general, it wasn't that bad.  Too bad they both wanted to sit with each other or else, I would have taken one so Gloria wouldn't need to take both, haha.  The only thing we could do was to switch seats so she could have some rest.  (And that's what we did on the way back from Vancouver in a smaller plane, hahaha.)  But yea, Jake and Jonah for sure took pretty much all our energy and attention this whole trip, hahaha.  Priority seating was actually very important or else we would have just blocked everyone setting up their car seats, haha.  I sweat like crazy every time trying to set up their car seats somehow.  Hopefully, the next time we travel, they are old enough to sit on their own (bye bye car seats!!!).  

Thank God for my in laws!  They are always so welcoming with both arms wide open to us whenever we visit them, hehehe.  Actually, if you know HK, it's really not easy for the four of us to stay comfortably unless you are staying in a hotel.  Thanks Daddy Mommy (and their big flat) for having us. It's such a treat going back taking up two rooms from them, using their maid and their cars.  Freshly made on demand breakfast, milk, soy milk, tea, coffee, soup, Yik Lick Dor, ready to eat fruits, etc. are all on the table once we are up.  The most enjoyable time each day for sure is the morning before we head out.  Thanks also for putting down your busy work just to accommodate us!!!  

Last year, Jake and I stayed at Fian's and we took her room kicking her out to the living room, hahaha.  Dad's breakfast was as great but that means he was like our "maid", hahaha - a  36 Hao Daddy and Yeh Yeh.  One year made a big difference as I mentioned.  Last year, Mom was still feeling well, commanding everything every second as usual.  This year, we are just cruising without bruising but deep down in each one of our hearts, I know we all miss her, especially her "noise".  

Once we arrived, the biggest challenge before anything was the boys' jet lag.  If we have no kids, it would take us maybe a day or two max to adjust.  But with them, whenever they sleep, we would sleep or else when they are up in the middle of the night, no one will be able to help us, (Gloria's parents door would for sure be locked at night, hahaha).  Last year, it took Jake about four days to adjust and this year, it took them about two/three days for both of them (yay, thank God) but there was a little hiccup in the first week a few days after we thought it's over, haha.  I have to admit that I'm getting older too.  I didn't go out at night this time in my first week, haha.  Well, I guess it wasn't just me.  It's also my friends who used to come out at night too, haha.  Somehow they were either just too busy, or just too tired, haha.  I think it's more them, not me, haha.   

Before lunch at Elements

Waken up before dinner, haha

On the way to Lamma Island

Arrived Lamma Island

Usually, we have a light lunch with family including Alice (Gloria's sister) as she is off these days, with Daddy David, Mommy Annie, Kevin (Gloria's brother) near their office or with my family and my parents friends and whoever doesn't need to work.  If the boys are still up, we would have one activity or else, we would be shopping when they are sleeping in their strollers (thanks Carmen for lending us your stroller - yes, we only brought one), or we would all take a nap at home or leaving the boys behind (to the maid) so we can enjoy some quiet time alone, haha.  Dinner time is always packed.  We just have too many friends and family back there who want to see us.  I really wish to be able to have a relaxing night out with Gloria, just the two of us, with no kids, no rush, no nothing, hahaha.  This will come one day, maybe when the boys are all sent to universities, hahaha.  For those we missed this time, I really want to say sorry as it's really not the easiest to go in and out with two little ones.  

We actually did quite a lot in the first week, including:

• Jake's Birthday Dinner
  
  
  

  

  Jake was so excited about this trip and his birthday

• Harbour Fun by Single Decker Bus

  

  Chilling out in harbour front

  

  Single decker bus

• Dim Sum at 101st Floor

  

  View from the washroom

• The Peak 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 8am Morning Worship

  

  Our family by Jake

  

  My mother school - Methodist Kowloon

  
  
  
• Lamma Island by Ferry (and Double Decker Bus)

  

  Favorite spot in a double decker

  

  Ferry ride

  

  Mom was here last year

  
  
  
  
  
  
• Shopping at TST

  

  Yup, they are sleeping

• Hard Field Soccer

  

  Team Yellow

• Playing at Club House both at Fian's and In-laws'

  

  Sweating like crazy

• Lan Kwai Fong night club visit with B (Yes, no kids!)
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Breakfast Buffet at W Hotel
  
  
  
• Studio Pictures
  
  
  
• Beach
  
  
  
• Meeting a lot of family and friends
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Lots of yummy food and dessert
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Somehow the first week was also called the "Golden week" which means it's a holiday week (Wednesday to Friday) in China.  Which also means, there would be a lot of visitors from Mainland.  It's kinda easy to tell if they are visiting, each of them has a carry on luggage with wheels (Lai Gip), hahaha.  They just came down and shop til they drop!!!  The other thing you can tell is the way they squat while trying to stuff their shopping bags into their "Lai Gip", hahaha.  Not trying to make fun of it but they are really good at it somehow, like how they balance themselves and not getting pins and needles were just amazing.  Cultural wise, I can still see a difference between ppl from China and ppl from HK but I also see improvements.  Somehow, this famous chain restaurant Tsui Wah's washroom in Mongkok (across from Langham Place) wasn't working, so I had to use the one in the Mall's.  When I tried to go back it after our break, two ladies from China lining up in line for seats actually asked me to line up politely.  I'm a bit surprised but I like it a lot.  I explained to them and both laughed.  I'm sure you can picture the scene.  No matter where you are from, God loves each one of us.  There shouldn't be a difference as we are breathing the same type of air, hehehe.

The highlight of the kids was definitely all public transits in HK including, MTR, bus, taxi, mini-van (greens only, reds are too dangerous, haha), ferry, tram, ding ding, harbour turbo jets, etc.   Even though driving is always the best choice with the two of them, Gloria and I managed to bring them onto everything this trip except the tram to the Peak.  We had to wait until the second week before we got a chance to ride on the MTR and Ding Ding!!!  Good exercise for us!!!  (I prefer the Banana and the California, hahaha.)

Hong Kong is a lot of fun for sure.  To me, it also has a lot of distractions, mostly through competitions simply cause of the super high density populations.  I love this place as long as I don't have to work there, as I kinda dislike this unavoidable "culture" of constant competing - fighting for something everyone else are fighting for before even knowing the reason.  (HK ppl don't have a choice cuz' it would be too late after you think it twice.  The chance would be long gone.  That's right, what do they do?  Fight for it first and then, think if it's worth the fight afterwards.  If you are lucky, you maybe not need to fight.  Or you maybe able to find the thing you really like and meaningful to you after the fight but that doesn't happen all the time but that's part of the culture I see there in HK)  

Our Macau trip divided our two weeks HK vacation into two right in the middle.  And I'll show you more next time.

It was exactly one year ago when Jake and I came back just to visit Mom.  She was going through her chemo treatment and was "stuck" there.  We went back just to give her a little boost trying to cheer her up a bit as we know she missed her grand kids a lot.  I'm glad we went back when she was still very well and active.  Thank God for that trip, even though it was only 12 days, Jake and I had so much fun spending so much quality time with her in HK, including all the heated conversations, hahaha.  My phone has this app that let me keep all the pictures I took last year.  I cried every time when I look at them.  There maybe a lot of changes here but His love never change - His love endures forever!!!  And so do our love and faith.  Mom we all miss you lots.  Your lot is all neat and tidy after the winter.  They even put new sod on top.  The monument is on the way!

"Give thanks to the God of heaven.  His love endures forever." (Psalm 136)