Week 3

We have been here 3 weeks today.  I feel like we are settled.  The kids say they miss Philadelphia, but they are doing well here.  I expect they will miss Philadelphia for awhile, just like they missed every other place we left.  I feel like I have all of the necessary items set and I am ready to truly begin exploring.  That will have to wait.  Tomorrow I return to the states (San Diego) to meet up with Kaylin and get her settled at the University of San Diego.  Is that really possible??  I can't wait to see her!

This post will be a hodgepodge of items.

First, it is a gorgeous day here and I would love to be outside doing something.  However, I ordered a bottled water dispenser and they are delivering it "sometime" today.  They could not give me a specific time, so here I sit.  I think the reason they don't worry as much about giving you set delivery times is because every expat living here has a "helper".  Therefore, they have someone who can be home all day waiting for deliveries.  The reason for the bottled water dispenser is that we are uncertain about the quality of the water.  Apparently Hong Kong has done a lot to improve their water quality, but the water runs through very old pipes.  Because of this the water may contain higher levels of lead, or who knows what else.  We have decided to go with the bottled water for drinking, but I do use the tap water for cooking.

Another reason I would prefer to be out today is that our complex is on a 24 hour "no flush".  They are making repairs to the flush pipe.  You never have to use the toilet until you know you can't flush it!  I'm sure if I were out and about I would not feel the need to go to the bathroom.  Thank goodness Dave and the kids are gone for most of the day.  Everyone was given strict instructions when they left this morning to use the bathroom before coming home:)

Yet one more reason we are thrilled with where we chose to live, high school late starts.  The high school is on an 8 day schedule.  On three of those 8 days they start an hour late.  This means PJ gets an extra hour of sleep because he walks to school.  If we lived someplace where the kids took the bus he would still have to take the bus at the normal time.  By the way, most people I've talked to whose kids ride the bus say the bus comes between 6:30 and 6:45.  My kids leave the house at 7:25.  Anyone who knows my girls knows it is a good thing they don't have to take the bus!

The American grocery store.  I think that I have mentioned before that there is an American grocery store that carries a lot of items from Costco.  Not everything in there is clearly marked with a price.  I have bought some stuff there.  On the first trip I thought the price was a little high, but not too crazy considering what I bought.  I didn't buy the case of Gatorade because I did see a price on that and wasn't willing to pay $40 for it.  This weekend Grace, Meg and I went in there to see what they had.  We picked up 2 items, Power Bars and a jar of mixed nuts, neither was marked with a price.  I went to check out and it was $90us.  I will not be visiting that store again!  Although Dave says he still wants his Dunkin Donuts coffee no matter the price.

I have painted every room in every home we've owned.  I cannot paint here.  We do not own the house.  I at least needed to hang pictures.  All of the walls are concrete.  I bought a drill, but it wasn't strong enough.  Needless to say, Joe from the maintenance office had to come put in screws for me.  This was not an easy thing for me to take:)  I did have everything marked in advance for him and he was very quick.  But I don't like to ask for that kind of help.  Although they expect it here.  Edwin from the management office came with him to translate.  He was surprised I didn't have a helper.

I've noticed that when I comment to locals about what a beautiful day it is, they all look at me and say it is too hot.  I guess it's the Yuma girl in me that doesn't mind the heat.  Edwin told me today that Hong Kong is too humid.  He said Singapore is nicer.

In closing for the day, I will say that I will never get tired of the view from our house.  Last night we sat on the terrace while Dave grilled.  It is absolutely breathtaking!  We had to come in to eat because there are still too many bugs, but soon that should improve.  I will write about the helper tomorrow while I'm sitting at the airport.