HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!

THE LAST DAY OF OCTOBER and I hear there was already snow in Charlottesville in some places?!?!! Times are changing my friends!!! HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO YOU ALL!!!!!!!! And look what I got in the mail...

Yup. That's Right- Halloween in a BOX!!!!! I am so so blessed to have such wonderful friends who I get to work with daily and who thought about me while I am a million miles away (might be pretty close on the mileage..just sayin). They are THE BEST! and know how much my momma and I looove a good celebration in  BOX!! So here it is ladies and gentlemen- Halloween in Hong Kong! Thanks to a box and Dear Friends, Susan and Tracy!!!

Yup. Their my background right now after they sent me this picture of them flying over the Grand Canyon while in Vegas!

Sweet little note that fit perfectly on top!

EEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! SO EXCITED WHEN I SAW ALL THIS PRETTY STUFF!!!! Wasn't sure what all was in there!

EYEBALLS! (ping pong balls- be ready beer pongers!), GUMMIES, SMARTIES, RING POPS, COSMO, CAUTION TAPE (2 packs= double.trouble), CANDY BRACELETS, HALLOWEENIE PENCILS, STICKERS. I got it ALL!!!!!

They even restocked my pantry so I don't have to go shoppin!!!!!

AND A COSTUME!!!!!!!!!!!!! PRINCESS ATTIRE because they know the real me and you know I'll be sportin this! It's a crown, white gloves, and a wand! Plus I will wear the candy bracelets, and ring pop from above (you never know when you will need a little sugar pick me up!)

AND THE BEEEEEST PART- They are just so sweet they FOUND ME A DATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cosmo single ladies addition had all these young bachelors and look what they flagged- the good ole boy from CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA! He just has no idea what is coming his way straight from China. What amazing friends! :)

Pretty cute huh? Fingers crossed he returns the email they came up with!

And look, not even everything from the box was on the bed..

SO MUCH HALLOWEENIE!!!!!!! AND sugar (which could be a little dangerous for my energy levels- oh yeah, I'm in Hong Kong and I don't know anyone so its fiine :)

I was just so touched and excited I decided I need to give everything a try..

Yup sat there on my bed with my new reading material and started testing all the treats!!!!!!

The biggest THANK YOU for the sweetest gift ever!!! Susan and Tracy- I sure do miss you both dearly and hopefully this candy will last me until I see you again soon! (no promises though..)

HAPPY HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!! BE SAFE AND ENJOY!!! Hope everyone gets just enough trick or treaters that you have candy left over to enjoy!!!!!! Sending lots of love!

Ton of Pictures. Grab a coffee and Enjoy!

Soo..what's this Monday off from work I have been hearing about?!?! Have to say it was pretty funny to get the email saying the Cville office of CFA was going to be closed because of Sandy- the Hong Kong office started laughing not really understanding whats going on! Hope the storm doesn't leave you all in too bad of shape!! Goooood luck and let me know what happens! Enjoy that extended weekend- hope you all are having hurricane parties right now! Take this advice as you go party..

Meanwhile, over here in Hong Kong we have MONSOON winds going on- meaning just high winds and some rain. It's dropped in temperatures to the 70's which is actually an awesome change for a bit (cooler breeze). It's Monday though and time to reflect on the past few days that were PACKED with something every.single.day. Enjoy all the pictures!

I believe I left off after my trip on Tuesday which brings me to Wednesday.

I went with a sweet lady from work on Wednesday night to Causeway Bay to see the Forever 21. By see I actually mean go through every level- 6 total! It's huge. And so cheap. Mostly the same ideas as the states but a little cheaper. I got 2 shirts and earrings for $30 USD. Not a bad purchase.

 The area we were in was very different than the Central area I live in. Here the buildings are mostly department stores, there are so many more people, no over head walking paths, and a million lights and places to eat. I have no idea how each store does enough business to stay open! When I say a million, I really mean that. It was for sure a sight to see! We did our shopping and looking around and then had dinner. I was excited they had a "cheese sandwich" that I was so glad to order! :)

THURSDAY!!!! My friend (and only other person in my department here in HNK) Sonia, took me out to The Ladies Market area and Mok Konk. Here are the walking paths over the area. It was by far the most crowded area I have seen yet and Sonia kept telling me it was only Thursday and not crowed at all! Here is the walking path to help deal with the crowd.

We went and had Sushi at MONSTER SUSHI. I have been used to sushi being mostly rolls...weeelll I have been mislead all my life. Sonia helped order the sushi and I ordered the rolls. We had scallops that were AMAZING (raw of course) and then the spicy tuna roll and shrimp tempura roll along with a lot of other stuff. It was pretty amazing and I really enjoyed the raw stuff (or REAL SUSHI!).

After dinner we hit the Ladies Market. Think of China Town in NYC and the State Fair booths put together thats what you have. EVERYTHING was sold there! Beets by Dr.Dre were the most seen and every type of purse ever. Thank goodness for Sonia because she helped bargain with the little ladies and get some great deals!

This was the BIGGEST escalator I have EVER SEEN in my life. It went from the top floor (12th) to the bottom. Unbelievable. Of course I had to go to the very top and go all.the.way.down. I was stoked.

We ventured to all the other streets around (or a lot of them) after the ride. There is the Goldfish Road..

every store had MILLIONS of different types of fish and everything you need for fish. Sonia said boys mostly get fish as pets. Then there were PUPPIES on another street! (And bunnies, cats, other things)

And then we headed somewhere for desert. Its a big thing to follow your meal with desert after the meal and Sonia was looking forward to me trying the mango! I have no idea what it was called but it was pretty good!

It was a GREAT night and loved getting to know Sonia better and was so thankful she took me around and showed me the area! Seriously one of the best nights I have had! And to top it off...I found this gem in the subway (BTW- all the places to buy cakes and stuff are in the metro area!)

ON FRIDAAAAAY!!!!!!!! I was trying to not have to go out to lunch so I left the office at about 11:45 to run down to Starbucks and then came back to my desk. I had just been eating out for lunch and dinner every day and wanted a "day off". No such thing. CK came by my desk asking if I wanted to get lunch and

sometimes you just gotta go so I went to lunch and got Sushi (this time only the real stuff!!) and actually ate it all! Great lunch. After that I returned to my desk to find this gem... THANK YOU MALLORY! YOU ARE SO SO SWEET TO THINK OF MEE :)

Then Friday night I was invited to CK's house for dinner with two other people from the office. He was making Korean food (he's from Korea). IT WAS AMAZING.

And very interesting to meet with them outside of the office and be invited to someones house. He lives there full time (well, when he's in HNK) and it's on the 47th floor. I told him I hope his elevator doesn't break cause that would just be awful and call for a day off from work if you ask me.

After dinner and drinks I headed back to Central towards home. I had received an email earlier in the day from this guy Adam and the Subject was "Hong Kong Contact- from your Dad". Turns out my dad had met Adam a few years ago and helped him through different positions at IBM but now he and his wife live in Hong Kong! I met him for drinks on Friday and WOW I have to say the "SoHo" area in Hong Kong is similar to Cville! Small bars where you know the bartenders and the locals who go to each bar (oh, locals here are the ex-pats from all over). It was awesome and I had some of the BEST cocktails I have ever had! A mango daiquiris with a coco chocolate rim?! Yeah.Amazing.

SAAAAATURDAY after getting home around 3:30am I slept in and then had to rise and shine for my first Chinese WEDDING!!!!! Louisa Lo from this office was getting married and after going to her little tea party the office ladies had she gave me the invitation to attend the wedding and cocktail reception. She is so sweet to even think of inviting me!!!! She was just BEAUTIFUL and it was a Catholic Mass service in a church so very similar to the regular Catholic Mass here (even though I couldn't understand the words- thank goodness for Cardinal Gibbons Catholic Highschool for helping me follow along!). the only real difference was the bridal party really did not play a role in the ceremony at all.

And they signed the marriage certificate right there so her family signed, the new couple signed, the Priest, and his family. Then of course there were many pictures :)

SUUUUUNDAY I went back Causeway Bay area from Wednesday night and I found this!

yeaaaaaaahhhh boooooy!!! Super similar to ours but everything is for storage and small spaces! Really enjoyed just walking around though :)

Annnnd then I went and had brunch with Adam and Megan and beers. Great Sunday. OH YEAH- finished off the weekend watching Magic Mike I bought for like $4. GREATNESS. OH and then I gave into my need for comfort food from home come Saturday night when I might have not been feeling the best so I went for this...thought it was OK for me to do since I have been here for 18 days and this was the FIRST PURCHASE from mcdonalds.

Week 2, Holiday, and Blue Box- OH MY!

Walking shoes. Something I don't really have. I bought a new pair of RUNNING shoes before I came half way around the world only to find out they have much better colors here than at Ragged Mountain. I brought my rainbows for any beach vacation I might go on, 2 pairs of high heels (work shoes that stay at work under my desk- black and tan- go with everything), 2 pairs of flats to wear to and from work, and the warm croc slippers my dad gave me a few Christmas' ago because they are the best and much needed in the APT. But no proper pair of "walking shoes" and lord, I am doing a TON OF WALKING! If I keep up the mileage I might have to put my fashion to the side and wear running shoes with an outfit..(key word- might). Sorry for the rant but just wanted you all to know that there's nothing better than comfortable, stylish shoes. When you find a pair buy 2 (one in a size 7). Thankyou.

MOVING ON! So WEEK 2! 15 DAYS DOWN!!!! The week has been busy! We had a holiday on Tuesday (not a day off because it was a holiday we were celebrating- an Indian holiday to be exact!), last night I went with a lady from work shopping at times square in HNK, tonight I am going out with my friend Sonia to shop, and then tomorrow I have a wedding to attend! Busy life and no time for laundry so thank goodness I brought 20 dress and everything else so I haven't even had to worry about it!

On my FIRST HONG KONG HOLIDAY I met my friend Reese (she works in the Contact Center here at CFA) and we headed out to one of the biggest islands around Hong Kong, Cheung Chau. It is about 35 minute away on the ferry and is where the beach is and also known for the fishing village, and a ton of seafood. Me on the ferry leaving HNK in the distance.

We got there around 2pm and minutes after getting off the boat Reese was already in line to get Fish Balls- fried fish that is in balls on a stick. Here's me trying some of it- super fried and one was good for me :)

After the Fried food we made our way down a street where I saw a man making COTTON CANDY! and by golly it was the biggest cotton candy I had ever seen. So tempted but decided Reese did not need to see me all hyped  up on Sugar- know your audience and since I was with someone from work I decided to pass up the sweet. bummer. But instead I got frozen fruit on a stick (almost as good?) and a friend potato thing (which was so much better than the frozen fruit). Reese ate most of the potato and I through most of the frozen fruit out.  (guess when your mind is on junk food (aka cotton candy) fruit isn't as good..)

We sat and ate on one of the steps going down to the beach. It was interesting to know many people in Hong Kong don't know how to swim and Reese was impressed I could probably swim out to this floating dock area. Little does she know how I love a good challenge and people were diving off the dock so of course I would want to join in! Too bad I didn't know there was a beach there or I would have been like Michael Phelps and swimmin up a storm!

After sitting there for a while Reese wanted to go find some well known cave on the island. So we started walking. People were flying by on bikes and I was dying to rent one but she had told me she wasn't very good on a bike and there was no rental in site. We walked for 45 minutes. no lie. I felt like Meg had felt when I had made her walk places to look at who knows what or just to take my picture. Ha- payback for me now.

It was cool thought once we found the cave entrance. You had to go out and around these rocks on a cliff (here's going around the corner to the cave) And then the "cave" was around the side. I say "cave" because this wasn't a real cave like we have in the US. This was a "cave you had to drop down into- one at a time- and then crawl around. There was some guy selling flashlights so you could see in the cave (his blanket was the blue and white thing in the picture to the right) and the hole to get into the cave was down between the white and dark rocks. Heeeck no was I going down there 1. in a skirt 2. with flip flops 3. didn't know how to get out and 4. it was getting dark. Total party pooper but I was over it. OF COURSE I said it all with a smile and just said "oh, that wouldn't be lady like to go into the cave in a dress!" (was thinking of you, Mrs.Ayers!) so we turned around and took the long walk back- this time a little faster since I knew our destination was ahead!

We got back in time to see this...


Pretty beautiful. All the ships lined up are the fishing ships (or HOUSEBOOOATS- said just like that) where they live. The area is very well known for the seafood. They also have a TON of dried seafood. Reese said this is used as spices for food and to add flavor like to soups, rice, noodles, etc. It did not smell the best. This is what that looked like.



Yeaaah- I mean fish all types of fish- big ones and small ones, octopus, shrimp, EVERYTHING. It was amazing to see it all and how many little stands there were.

After seeing the sun go down we got back on the 6:05pm ferry and headed back to Central Hong Kong where we went and had Thai food. So far that and Korean food has been my favorite! I love the spicy food and they have forks which always make my day.

BTW! the FORKS are always kept in a draw. They say they don't have a lot of space so they have these hidden little draws sometimes under the actual table and it pulls out from the side or by the computer where they put your order in. They pull it out and BOOM- FORKS!!!!!! and if you get really lucky they bring knifes too. Ahamazing.

So after a nice day off I returned back to work and went to lunch again with some friends. Enjoy reading this- yeah. I couldn't either. They ordered for me and asked do you want rice or noodle? then the rest was a surprise. Shrimp dumplings in noodle soup showed up. not bad!

BUT don't you worry!!!!!!! Look what I found hidden in the back corner of the Wellcome...

WOOOHOOOOOO!!!!! THE BLUE BOX!!!!!! Mom- told you I don't need any food to be sent. I got pizza and the Blues- GOLDEN.

Enjoy your THURSDAY my USA friends and I hope you all have a Thirsty Thursday and have a cocktail in my honor. Wish I was there to share!

peaaaace love and the Blues :)

I met a Stranger and we're going to be Friends.

Yup. That is a true statement ladies and gentlemen. But I'll make you read through the whole post about my weekend before I tell you the story!

So Saturday. Homegirl slept in until 11am!!! I did take another advil pm so maybe that was why? But it sure did feel good to get a lot of sleep! After getting up and getting going I headed out and door and put my brave face on. I headed down towards the Central Bus Station. That was a mess. All I knew I was looking for bus 6. WELL. the bus numbers were listed small on the one sign at the front and it took me a while to find it. When I did this is what it said..

If you can't read it says "6- Stanley Prison". Well that sounds fun. I knew that was correct because the ladies at work said that its the prison bus..BUT get off BEFORE the prison. My problem was I had NO IDEA when the Prison Stop was going to show up or what stop I needed to get off at. Whelp, no time to think because I needed to get on the bus and claim the front seat on the top!!

I sat down next to a nice lady and asked here what stop was Stanley Market (I thought she was a local)- I assumed too early because she too was just visiting and was from Thailand and of course, it was her first time to Hong Kong too. Well! Isn't that great? I laughed because who knew where I was going to end up. True Margaret Fisher style (Mom- I know you're not surprised one bit!)

This is what I was seeing from the bus. It was really pretty and funny because when I was in Hong Kong in college we had been to this area. The road was full of sharp curves and I was glad I had my legit over the shoulder seat belt on.

We passed the Rainbow Road in Hong Kong (not called rainbow road, totally made that up but made me think of good ole Charleston) and finally I just got off at Stanley Plaza because everyone else seemed to get off. And man, am I glad I did!

This was the area with all the places to eat and then after you walked past them and around the corner there was the "market" which is the covered market with all the stalls that have everything.under.the.sun. and no prices because people make them up as you go.

This is the opening to the start of it. Everything from huge suitcases for $25 American dollars (sorry mom and dad- should have waiting to get a new one until I got here! maybe I'll bring one home!), very kind of electric thing, silk, Toms, purses, art, everything. After walking through the market a few times I went to explore everything else.

It's hard to believe this is Hong Kong and not Greece. It was just as beautiful if there was a white sandy beach to go with the blue water. Instead there was just a wall that you could sit on along the water.

Went and sat on a rock that was in the water. It was a huge rock- Meg, I wish you were there to take my picture.

And sat and watched this Icecream Truck who was makin BANK! Each cone was 8 HKD and his line never stopped. Homeboy was rollin in some dough. I was too nervous about eating his icecream so I went and got gelato and continued watching.

I finally went to have dinner and had this view (this was taken about 2 hours after I sat down). My waiter didn't get that I was totally ALONE. He kept asking if I was going to wait for my friend or when my friend was going to show up. After laughing each time and sayin, I was alone he started talking to me and keeping me company.

OH. he thought I was from Australia. I said no and laughed because it had to be my southern drawl that was throwing him off! And then he asked if I was British...wrong again. He was really nice and kept bringing me amazing drinks FO FREE!

First I had a greek salad (a true Greece salad with no lettuce and only veggies- but they kinda tasted dirty so I didn't eat all of it) and a beer, then I had mussels in a white wine sauce with some pino- amazing. And when I wanted to get my check the waiter just kept bringing me drinks. I had a a fruity martini that was SO GOOD and then this sangria (it was ok. trader joe's has better). Over all it was a great dinner. I passed some of the time doing this..

10 postcards waiting to hit the mailbox. Hopefully I'll buy more today and send more off soon!

I got back on the bus (this time bus 260- express bus to central. thankyou mister waiter for that info) and sat in the front row again (my only picture of myself!).

And walked home to end my Saturday. This is the walkway I go through EVERYDAY. This is the "art side" and then to the left is just concrete and stores. I wish it smelled as nice as it looked in there but it doesn't.

SO SUNDAY. (sorry this is so long).

I slept in and then walked around in all day. This time I started to notice something. Women were lining the streets and when I mean lining I really mean FILLING the sides. They would sit on cardboard, have their shoes off next their cardboard area and sit there. All women. Not one male around. I had no idea what was going on. Thought maybe like in the States guys go and watch football on Sundays..that here the women go and sit and walk on Sundays? boggled my mind.

Moving on I went to this awesome grocery store that was so similar to a Fresh Market in the States. It was awesome! I mean look at what I found..

A block of fudge with a little shot of Jager- just add water and you have an instant treat! Watch out, this could end up in your stocking from Santa..

Also they had these little guys- super fresh and alive!

Then I got really hungry and went back to my favorite place (where I'm going again today btw). I went, got my big ole slice and had a seat (no beer this time). As I was sitting there this lady approached me. She asked me if I had been there last Sunday too...Welll I sure had and you know what it was the same lady who I had my first conversation with when I told her the door she was looking at was not the bathroom!!

WELL come to find out, she and her husband have been in HNK for 18 months and will probably be here until April. They are from the great state of TN and she was so happy when I told her not only was I from the States, but form VA!! She wanted to be friends and told me she has 3 grown sons probably older than me. She was so nice and we exchanged numbers and email. she asked if I had any plans to travel and she would love to take me some places and also have me over for dinner! SO NICE!

And you know what?!?! Monday afternoon I had an email from her asking me when we can do lunch or dinner! Her name is Kristy and I have a feeling she is going to make sure I make the best out of my trip!

Whelp that's all for today folks! We have the day off because its a big India holiday (it's the month leading up to their new year and we have been in a 9 day celebration and today, the 9th day is the biggest day...so we have the day off!) going to explore with a friend from work and I'll probably write more later.

Happy Tuesday to you all! Sorry this was so long :) looooovies! (a butterfly race?! I know. I'll get to the bottom of it)