Shek-O (Again)

We apparently like Shek-O quite a bit, as it seems we jump at the opportunity to go there whenever we can. What's not to love? There's a beach, great restaurants, relaxation, and fun. Jen bought Lucy a cute bucket full of beach toys, which she absolutely loved. I can't figure out how to rotate the picture below, but it is of her playing with her new gift.

Bob, Jen, Pete, and Lucy on the beach.

We went to our favorite Thai restaurant for lunch, which was awesome. Lucy was fascinated by Daddy's chopsticks.

Back for another work week tomorrow. Why do weekends go so fast?

Saturday

It was a pretty typical Saturday around here: Lots of domestic activities, lots of playing with Lucy, lots of relaxing. We're hoping to go on a Shek-O outing tomorrow with Bob and Jen.

Friday Junior

This morning when I woke up and it was still dark outside and I was grouchy because I really, really wanted to sleep more, it finally hit me that we are really back at school and there really is a full school year ahead of us. Then I got more grouchy, not because of work, but because it is insane that any job makes you get up while it is still dark outside. That is unnatural. Our bodies are meant to sleep during the dark. Anyway, I got over it and it actually was a pretty good and productive day. (Aside from the cafeteria duty I have been assigned this year which is a total crock!)
Now, on to nicer topics ...

Here is cute Lucy who is still in awe of the very cute friend she found in the mirror a few months back. She really can't get enough of herself - she just thinks she is so fun!

I think she is really starting to look like a little girl in this one.

Tomorrow is Friday! Hooray! There are no typhoon warnings, so it looks like this really will be our first full week of school.

Happy Birthday Pete!

Happy birthday to the best husband and dad I know! Here's to year 33 - may it be the best one yet!

Lucy says, "I love you, Daddy! Happy Birthday! You're the best!"

We're off to dinner to celebrate!

A Little Couch Time

Some days I'm just searching for a picture:
It was back to work today and pretty much a typical Monday. I'm still struggling a bit to get in the swing of things - hopefully that will come soon. I need to quit mourning the summer and get on with the fall - there are things to do!
I made a major decision today that proves I am a mom once and for all. Every November all of our students go on a trip called "Experience Week." Teachers are required to be chaperones for these trips to places such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Nepal, London - just to name a few - and their trip is paid for entirely. Sounds like an opportunity of a lifetime, right? Well, there are also two trips in Hong Kong for kids who don't want to go anywhere or who are looking for a cheaper option. Guess which one I elected to chaperone? You guessed it - Hong Kong. As cool as Nepal and New Zealand sound, coming home to Lucy (and Pete too!) at the end of the day sounds better. I would love to go to any one of those places, but when I go I want to have Pete and Lucy by my side. They are my two best travel partners.

Back to Work Tomorrow

Well, our three-day weekend is almost through :( I almost let myself slip back into summer mode. Oh well, the sooner school starts, the closer we are to the next break, right? We basically just stayed in and played with Lucy today. She is SO close to walking. She took about five steps today (little steps, but steps nonetheless).
One of my biggest fears about having kids was that my house would be covered in toys all the time. In our current "house" there is really no choice but to have this happen and, funny enough, I more o.k. with it than I thought I would be. It seems that, as it stands now, if Lucy is happy, I'm happy.

Have a good week everyone. Katy - we're thinking of you. We love you! Good luck!

We survived Typhoon Nuri!

Actually, it wasn't nearly the big deal that everyone made it out to be beforehand. The actual typhoon hit sometime after 11:00pm, I think. It got pretty stormy and blustery, but all in all, it wasn't too bad. Pete, Lucy, and I headed out to Stanley this afternoon and there were some down tree branches and lots of debris along the road, but most things seemed intact. It was great to get out of the house after over 24 hours trapped in our apartment! I think Lucy appreciated the change of scenery as well.

The First Day of School and a Typhoon Day

Yesterday was the first day of school with students. It went well, but it still hard to believe another year has begun - this is my 8th year in education! It would be my 10th if I hadn't taken a couple of years off to get my masters. Once again, I am reminded that time flies.

This was Lucy's first year to get her picture taken with the family on the first day of school. As you can see she was very excited.

Some friendly faces in the Guidance Office.

Hanging out in the Guidance Office before classes begin.

Bob. I think he said this was his "Proud Look."

The Upper School Principal, John Jalsevac, often referred to as, "Johnny Jal" by Pete.

The Upper School at the morning assembly.

All the new teachers - that was us last year!

Even though yesterday was the first day of school, we already have an unscheduled day off! Today school was canceled due to a massive typhoon that is headed in our direction. They've already upgraded it to a Typhoon 9 and my even go to a 10 by this evening. It's crazy living in Southeast Asia, I tell ya. Pete went to the store last night to get supplies just in case we couldn't go out this weekend and he said the store was packed. I guess everyone had the same idea. Here's hoping we don't blow away this weekend :) (Just kidding, by the way.)

After School

Here are some random pics I took after school today:

Lucy being cute (what's new?)

Lucy getting her favorite daddy ride.

Reading the worms book that Claudia gave her - she loves it (I still need to write a thank you ... sorry Claudia).

A cute pic of Pete.

Students arrive tomorrow - I can't believe another year is about to begin. Wow.

The many faces of Lucy

Going back to work this week has been like going back to work after maternity leave all over again. I miss this precious face so much!





You may wonder why so many pictures I take are in her highchair. Well, it's because it is the only time I can get her to sit semi-still these days. She's a-movin' and a-groovin' all over the place and getting into absolutely everything. Fortunately she only has 650 square feet to play with, but even that is hard to keep track of at all times.
I'm working on creating a new blog design - it'll get done someday, hopefully soon, but for now something tells me I should work instead of update my blog. Grrr ... blog design is so much more fun!

Back to Hong Kong, Back to Work, Back to Blogging!

We're back in good old Hong Kong. Our flight back was great, but our transition time-wise has not been so stellar. The Shmoo slept for 6 hours on the plane and, therefore, when we arrived in Hong Kong she was pretty much rested after another three hour nap. This would have been fine if it wasn't 12:00am. So, we've spent the last four nights often playing and reading at 3:00am and sleeping for large portions of the day. Last night was much better, however. The Shmoo slept until 4:30am and, as it was our first day back to work, we pretty much decided that was a good enough hour to get up. Here's hoping that tonight will be better yet because I am truly exhausted and can't imagine working tomorrow without a good night's sleep.

This face pretty much describes how Lucy feels about her parents carting her halfway across the globe and messing up her perfectly fine sleeping patterns:

Here's a picture of the lovely breakfast Pete made us this morning on our first day back to work. There's nothing like Hong Kong pineapple.

We don't have students until Thursday and I have tons to do before then. It will be nice to get back into a routine, though, and get back into more frequent blogging. Again, I apologize for the summer hiatus, but, I have to admit, it was nice to just relax and be with friends and family without a care in the world for a few weeks. It was such a good summer. I plan on enjoying this year (our "Senior Year" overseas), but I am looking forward to home and no more jetlag come next June.

Here's to another school year!