Celebrating

 So this is it! I'm officially out of my 20's and into my 30's. There is always such a big deal made when you make this transition. Like a great portal you go through and can never go back. Like I said in my last post, I wasn't afraid of the transition, or particularly excited by it. I feel like my life is exactly where it should be at this age, which is pretty boring, I guess. As I look forward, I see so many great new things to do and explore, and yes, I will miss the young, free days of being in my twenties, but those already seem like a different life. I'm so thankful for all of the people, and experiences that have made my life so full of love so far. I look forward and see more adventures and more laughter and sunshine, of course there will be more challenges, and the ever looming "getting older." But right now, it's hard to see them, so I'll keep my rose-colored glasses on for now. :)

Yay!

Goofballs at Mexican food.

Dad had shared a meal with us Sunday and we saw him off to the ferry Sunday night. It felt like the first of the celebrations. The actual day itself was anti-climactic. It was a Tuesday, just like any other Tuesday. We went to work, and I walked in to see my classroom covered in 30's left by Honey and Zack. It was a sweet gesture, and the students had fun poking fun at my new age all day. After an unusually long staff meeting, we headed over to the Mexican food restaurant for dinner. Amy brought Paul to meet us, and H&Z joined us as well. Paul couldn't sit too long, so we just had some drinks and then headed home to order pizza. Paul had trouble falling asleep, so when we finally got him to bed, Donnie and I shared a delicious Haagen Daz ice cream cake. It was decadent and delicious. A great way to end the day and officially start my thirties.

Refuses to pose for pics

The rest of the week went by uneventfully, we finished the cake, went to quiz night, and finally it was Friday. Friday we had planned to go HK with Zack and Honey and Paul. It was a surprise trip for Honey (her big birthday is coming up too) and we all met at the ferry to head over on Friday afternoon. 

Happy Birthday to us!

It's a long journey when you factor in border crossings and crowded subways, but we made it to the hotel by 7pm, just in time to enjoy some happy hour and put Paul to bed. After that, the guys surprised us by pulling out a spread of paint and paper and we spent the next few hours laughing, painting and dancing. Honey and I made a venture out to the streets around our hotel to get more beverages, and it was so lively, I couldn't help but take the time to take a few photos of the busy streets. We stayed at the Ovolo again, and it's in an area of "urban renewal," so it's not glitzy or glamorous, but interesting still.

Sweeties

More Sweeties

Hard at work!

Mr. Beef??!

Out and about

Paul woke up at midnight for a dance party, then we all fell into our beds exhausted, and happy. Saturday was slow to start, breakfast, then saying goodbye to Zack and Honey.

After we said goodbye to H&Z, we slowly got ourselves ready for the event of the day, an international craft beer festival. Our tickets were for the afternoon session (12-5), so at 11:30 we made our way to the metro and then followed the poorly placed signs and eventually ended up at the beer fest. It was located at a park across the bay from downtown central HK. We arrived right as they were opening, so it wasn't crowded, and people were just waiting for us to come up and try their products. It was an amazing collection of craft brews from around the world, and a really impressive collection of food booths too. We tried german sausages, Texas BBQ (it surpassed Donnie's expectations!), but we skipped the beer ice cream and opted for all samples of the delicious liquid. 

Paul had fun running around the hills and dancing to the DJ, until he decided to fall asleep in his stroller. :) Donnie and I had some quality time soaking in the atmosphere, chatting and generally feeling like royalty. We celebrated the beauty of the food and beverages, each other's company and our feelings of self-satisfaction for having ventured out to try something new. It was a China moment, I couldn't believe we were standing there, with that view, surrounded by people who looked like they belonged in Portland or Seattle, and marveled at what had changed in a year. It was a perfect moment. We savored it, and when Paul started stirring, we headed back to the hotel.

Unfortunately, the rest of the weekend wasn't as smooth as the first few days of it. Paul has been challenging us with his 3 year old tantrums and general poor attitude. Sunday, we were going to take him to the science museum to see a dinosaur exhibit there, but after about an hour of screaming and struggling to get ready, we opted not to and headed home by ferry. It was an exhausting way to end such a fun experience, such a low to the previous high. We've been reeling from it since.

Our anniversary followed the weekend, and we had a low key meal and then headed home to Paul. It's been 7 years since the day we were married. I can't believe how fast time goes by, how much we both have changed, but how much I value having Donnie as my life companion. The daily grind can be hard to bear sometimes, and I'm so lucky to have an incredible, inspiring partner to keep me going, and plan our next trip with. :) He's my rock, my travel buddy, my partner in parenting, and my husband. I hope he knows how much he means to me, and that this next year will be more fulfilling with him by my side. 

Here are some pics from Saturday:

Dancing in the metro...we're on our way!

Where are you??

Empty, but so inviting

Yum, yum

Selfies!

Playing around :)

So lucky.

Cool day, cool view

I loved the logo!

Super yummy Texas BBQ

Happy Anniversary!

China Moment, cheers!

In other news, we've booked our travel home for the summer! Here's how it looks:

June 15-June 30: San Antonio (with a weekend at the coast in the middle)

June 30-August 1: Munich (yes, we're going back!! YAAAY!)

August 1-?: Back to HK, then Shenzhen. Hopefully a certain darling sister will visit then :).

It seems so far away, but I can't wait! I keep imagining all the food, friends and fun we'll have in SA, and then some re-charging time as a family in Munich. :) 

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes and the love from around the world. I miss and cherish everybody and I'm looking forward to seeing you this summer! 

Love to all