home at last

So we made it home. And I'd estimate that of the 13 hour journey home, I slept roughly one hour. However, I did watch three marginal movies. Funny how a movie you wouldn't bother with otherwise is like chocolate covered chocolate when you're trapped on a plane.

Also - United Airlines lost major points when after we had cleared security and bought our drinks to take on the plane (Pocari Sweat, as we knew they'd be our last precious bottles), we were forced to go through another round of body patting, bag searching security measures just outside the airplane door. And guess what they confiscated? My liquid. I still haven't forgiven them. And I'm pretty sure the security guy who destroyed my hydration intentions in one foul swoop is currently sitting in the backroom downing a deliciously refreshing ion supply drink.

Anyhow, so Jess and I initiated ourselves into Americana again with a trip to Wal-Mart and the Riz (that would be Cafe Rio in the SLC vernacular). And as I walked through the parking lot, the tar squishing under my feet as it baked in that beautiful Utah sun, I realized that the heat wasn't bothersome at all. In fact, it almost felt good. Then I Google-texted the temperature.

You know that Hong Kong has changed you when NINETY FIVE degrees becomes dreamy. ;)

today!

So if you find yourself cranking the volume up
and singing at the top of your lungs while you watch this,
don't worry - it's totally normal. Happens to me every time. ;)

We're coming home. Today.

packing

It's funny. Because I'm so excited to go home, but I'm so sad to leave too. And I'm not sad to leave Hong Kong, per say, but I feel this sorrow of sorts that we're about to close the book on this summer. It's truly been amazing. So while I'm more than ready for some dry heat, some water from the tap, a soft bed, Cafe Rio, to hear the sound of my key turning over the engine in my own car, to have the personal bubble of space that we Americans grant each other, I'm still somewhat melancholy to say my goodbyes to an experience that is unparalleled and singular in it's happenstance. Jess and I have been so lucky. And this summer has been so happy.

So as I pack up my luggage full of clothes that have been attacked by pollution and knick knacks from the little places I've left my shadow on, I say goodbye to an experience I know will remain imprinted on the folds of my brain forever, little mental images of the places I learned to love so much.

a peek from the peak

So for my family's last hurrah, we headed up to Victoria Peak via the Peak Tram. The Tram is probably the best "ride" ever because to get to the peak of this mountain, the tram ascends at an angle parallel to the mountain. As it happened, we were the last to board, and as our best friends weren't giving up any seats any time soon, Rissa and I were left standing at the back. However, this location turned out to be the most entertaining by far. Guess what happens to your body when the vehicle you're riding in is at a serious angle?

It was pretty fun to feel my center of gravity adjust to the angle of the Tram. On the way down, everyone opted to stand at the back so they could fully experience this mode of public transportation that is pretty much as good as an amusement park ride.

Jess trucked his tripod up the mountain too, and for good reason. As the highest mountain in Hong Kong, Victoria Peak offers spectacular views of the city. We also enjoyed a delicious Japanese meal at a restaurant that overlooked the city. It was a great way to end my family's time here and by far one of the best excursions (and meals) we've had here. I almost (I said almost) felt a little sad about leaving Hong Kong as I looked over the pretty city.

But then I remembered sugar cookies and Cafe Rio and a soft bed and that notion fled quickly.

mirror faces

So I haven't reported much because I've doing repeat things with the family that I've already reported on. Except, however, HONG KONG DISNEY. Of course we went. And this Disney was a whole new bag - its a new park (so everything is sparkling and new and the animatronic things look so real), it has good food (relatively speaking - no curry popcorn, no tortilla wrapped hotdogs), and it's miniature - it's two main attractions are Space Mountain (we went four times) and It's A Small World (we went once). And despite its theme that gets permanently imprinted in your brain, this version is pretty cute because they've incorporated the Disney characters into the areas of the world that they hail from - you have no idea how excited I was to see Pocahontas. For real. HK Disney doesn't have any of the other staples - no Splash Mountain, no Pirates, no Thunder Mountain. However, we still had so much fun. There's just something about Disney that makes you feel happy. Also what makes you feel happy - the ginormous fans they have in the waiting areas for each ride. ;)

Mostly it's just so good to have the fam here. We particularly enjoy the "face to face" looks we get when just the girls are together. Our Hong Kongian friends start with one face, then move to the next, then the next, then the next - and then we go, "Nope, we're not related. Our mirror faces are in your imagination. So are our matching noses."

PHOTO: The gals at the big Buddha. My dad decided that the view from the bottom was sufficient. ;)

missing child

So yesterday I took the fam to Ocean Park. (I was wondering if Purgatory had any variation in temperature.) As it turns out, the weather was a little better, so although I was dripping, I kept saying, "Wow, what a nice day," to which my family (also dripping) would snort in my general direction then duck into the nearest air conditioned gift shop.

Anyhow, while we were wandering around, my sister Rissa and dad wanted to go on a rollercoaster. After my first concussion inducing experience (Jess is still dizzy, if anyone was wondering - his diagnosis is vertigo), I thought I might just wait it out, and my mom and sister Danielle decided to sit in the shade and drink orange-mango slushy with me. So we sit down on this stair that is not a bench (because all our best friends are sitting on the benches and not willing to share with us) and wipe at our damp faces, waiting for the sun to disappear behind a cloud. When I saw a bench open up, I shouted, "Look a bench in the shade! Run!" So we did.

And we waited for like ten sweaty minutes while the other two rode a smaller (but nevertheless rickety and surely unsafe by American standards) rollercoaster. When they were done (the report was that it was pretty fun and that actually their brains felt fine), we stood up to gather our gear and go to the log ride as sister Danielle was pretty much ready to jump in the ocean. I went to reach for Jess' camera, his baby, his most favorite toy. Which I had left at the first step. I ran back to the step fully expecting it to be gone, as it indeed was. Then as quick as you can say "I don't want to die because I lost my husband's camera," I had located the Lost and Found on the map, which of course was at the bottom of three escalators as big as this one featured in the picture.

Customarily, you ride down these, as walking will just induce more rivers of perspiration down your neck, but run I did. And after lots of "Excuse me," "Excuse me, please," and "Move or I'll poke your eye out after I kick you in the shin, please," I made it to the Lost and Found, where of course there was no camera waiting. So I filled out a missing item report. Then Mr. HK Security got on his walkie talkie and said something and told me to wait. (I'm told at this point my dad was sitting in the corner debating whether or not he had any responsibility in the loss of the camera. Apparently, after that argument with himself, it was determined that actually he couldn't find any way that he was responsible and would therefore be exempt from the purchase of a new Hong Kongian digital camera. ;) )

So I'm standing there with glazed over eyes thinking, "Well thank goodness he uploaded all his pictures this morning. At least all I lost was a thousand dollar piece of equipment. Maybe I'll sell one of my legs and buy him a new one," when Mr. HK Security says, "I found a camera....I don't know if it ziz yourz, but..." Yeah right. You're telling me that the same people who artfully unscrewed my Sprite Zero that was in my shoulder bag while we were in line are the same people who turned in my camera? Sure.

And then Mr. HK Security #2 walked in with my husband's baby.

Jess and I are still married, if anyone was wondering. And I've informed him that I won't be taking his camera anymore as I don't think it too wise to test the honesty of these people more than once.

Plus, I'm kind of attached to my legs.

in flight entertainment

So what do you do when you're on a super long flight across the world? I usually just suffer, maybe eat some awesome airplane food in between in flight movies and attempts to read Moby Dick. But my sister Danielle? She makes movies.

Totally normal.

maternal love at its best

My mom loves me this much. :)

the fam in hk

So this is the most miniature picture ever, but isn't it so great? This is my momma and her girls all shoved into a photo booth. I think I'm about 12 years old, judging by the little one's baby face.

The best news is that, minus married Kristen and her hubby (sooooo sad), they'll be here in a few hours (with the papa too). They'll be here all week. I'm supposed to be their tour guide, but the problem is, there isn't much to tour (as you may have noticed by my much less frequent blog entries).

Hong Kong is great for shopping - both upscale and flea market style - which doesn't lend itself to awesome pictures. And while there are some cultural landmarks, they're hard to come by. Some have been literally demolished or destroyed based on their historical contexts. However, I've read in a few places about how as of late Hong Kong is trying to revitalize their history and culture. They've been through so much as a people, and they're trying to define their identity. I think they want their own identity, not an inherited one. But for the time being, Hong Kong continues to maintain its reputation as a "world city," which definitely includes lights, glitter, and lots and lots of shopping.

I've saved some touring for the fam, as I didn't feel any need to wade through the humidity twice, so I should have some fun pictures forthcoming (not to mention some awesome knock off hand bags).

And I have a funny feeling that with these kids here, our last nine days are going to fly and I'll find myself on American soil quicker than I can imagine.

possibilities

It's possible that I buy this regularly. It's possible that it is almost as good as the real thing. It's possible that I'm going to really miss my carbs.

And it's also possible that my physique will not. ;)