a few days in hong kong

we have been trying to get our visas completed since we arrived here. thursday we took the kids out of school and went to hong kong to finally get our z visas. we planned on spending the night since we would pick the visas up on friday.

the morning ferry from shekou to hong kong

a little nap before arrival

we checked into our hotel and then headed over to the visa office. we then found out we needed more documentation. we headed back to the hotel to make a plan. it was decided that i would travel back to shekou pick up the documentation, make some copies of larry's work contract, get some extra cash and then go back to the visa office while everyone else headed to disneyland.

i took a taxi to the border crossing and walked across. i just love stepping over the big yellow line that leaves hong kong and places you in mainland china - just a step. i got in the car with the driver only to find no house keys or cell phone in my purse. i had taken my phone out in hong kong due to the fact it doesn't work there. i had checked that i had my keys but they were not in my bag. at the house the driver and i run around trying all the windows to no avail. we finally climb into the back yard - something the kids do daily. the yard is below street level and i really felt old and decrepit making my way down the wall. my driver found a window we could get into and he ever so kindly climbed in and opened the door. i jogged up the stairs and something rattled in my pocket - my keys!! i didn't have the nerve to tell the driver i had them the whole time. he already thinks i am a ditzy westerner, and so what if i am, does everyone need to know?

so i did all i needed headed back to hong kong, ferry was cancelled so went back over the border. it is probably faster anyway. paid my 400 hk dollar fare and turned in my visa info. which i successfully picked up the next day. all the while my family was heartbroken and missing me at disneyland. here is the proof:

i think there is a tear in number 1 daughter's eye.

we must take our picture with marie -for mom. we'll smile even though our hearts are breaking.

i will just pull this out as a little gift for my mom.

i think your mom went that way!


you remind us of our mom, may we have a photo.

too bad they had such a hard time being away from me.

sharing my childhood

one of the things i have enjoyed sharing with my children is literature. is there ever enough time to read all that is good, uplifting, thought-provoking, etc? as a child i had access to many children's classics and one of my fondest memories is sitting by the banks of a small creek that was set a bit behind our home while living in scotland and reading The Wind in the Willows by kenneth grahme. While in hong kong the other day i happened upon an abridged version with artwork by inga moore. i thought i would share the cover of this book with you so you can see some of this beautiful art that so wonderfully captures the magic of this book. i cannot wait to share this with my children!