Saturday, December 12, 2009

I'll be home for Christmas, you can count on me!

Well....4 finals down, 1 to go! This past week has been dedicated to final exams and studying, but as always I managed to fit in a few adventures along the way. On Thursday night, Sarah and I went into the city to drop off shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. This is the first year Operation Christmas Child has come to HK and Sarah helped jump-start the program at Lingnan! Seeing all the boxes lined up, waiting to be delivered to the children was pretty neat! That same night, Sarah and I were invited to dinner at our Senior Hostel Tutor's fathers' home on Hong Kong island. She grew up in public housing, and her father still lives there and she felt Sarah and I should see what over 60% of Hong Kong people call "home." Upon arriving her father spoke no English, but was very hospitable and all smiles. There whole apartment flat was smaller than my bedroom. We ate around a small table, and had some enjoyable conversations (I tried speaking a little Mandarin with her dad). It truly was an eye-opening experience, it was crazy to me to think that over 60% of HK people live that way.

Today, Sarah and I took a 20 minute walk to the local temple in Tuen Mun. After our visit to the temple, we headed to Hong Kong island to do some major shopping..and let me tell you, we did some damage! I can't believe I only have 7 days left in Hong Kong! Wow, where has the time gone?


hundreds of shoe boxes


A package ready to be sent to a child in need


more shoe boxes!


Operation Christmas Child



Tuen Mun Temple





What a specimen!

It was a gorgeous temple...who knew it was right under our noses?


Another gorgeous flower


views from the temple with the mountains in the background.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Tai O Fishing Village

This past weekend I spent most of my time dedicated to studying for finals, but no worries I did have a day of “me” time! On Sunday, we decided to go to the Tai O fishing village which is located on the Northwestern portion of Lantau island. In order to get there we took a 2 hour ferry ride from the Tuen Mun piers. Tai O fishing village is home to the Tanka people, who have built their homes on stilts above the tidal flats for many generations because they do not feel safe on land. The landscape was beautiful and the local markets were tons of fun to walk through (although the markets did have a bit of a “fishy” smell). We finished our day by watching the sunset on Tai O and then had an adventurous trip back to Hong Kong

3 finals down, 2 to go! Home in 11 days. The feeling is definitely bittersweet. Can’t wait to see everyone, but I will miss this wonderful experience/opportunity!



The girls and I did a final dinner at the Peak...on the way up to dinner. I call it "building in a building" haha


sunset at the peak



gorgeous


Tai O fishing village



hundreds of homes on stilts



more stilt houses, with mountains in the background. They sure do have a view.



Stilt houses


Beach on Tai O


sooo pretty = )



Mountains.


Tai O fishing village


stray dog, he was sooo cute..I want to take him home in my suitcase!



local market, measuring live fish...yuck!


sunset on Tai O

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Tis' the Season Falalala lalala--Pre-Christmas Hot Pot Celebration

Last night, English Bible Exploration hosted a Pre-Christmas Hot Pot Celebration! It began with Sarah, Laura, Sunny, and I heading to the wet market to pick up supplies, we got tons of dumplings and vegetables for the hot pots (we were expecting around 30 guests!). We then headed back to Hostel F and started the preparations for party! As soon as guest began to arrive we started singing Christmas carols, which was tons of fun! Then, some of us shared our faith and how bible exploration has helped us grow, and it was really interesting to here our different stories. Finally, it was hot pot time! We had four hot pots and everyone crowded around them, and we ate until we couldn't eat anymore! We finished the night off with Pastor Dale talking about faith and some dessert! All and all, it was a wonderful evening!

ps...I've started listening to Christmas music in Hong Kong! The only thing I'm missing is bitter cold weather and snow to get me in the spirits!!



some of the bible exploration girls at hot pot!



Pastor Dale



Wendy!


singing Christmas Carols



More singing...



Sarah was really proud of her artwork!


setting up for the event!


before hot pot began...everything still looked nice and orderly



setting up for Pre-Christmas Hot Pot


A Beatle's Christmas in TMT Plaza



Beatle's Christmas cont'


Happy Holidays


TMT Plaza Christmas Tree

"Hello Melyssrrrrr, Melyssrrrrr"

Thanksgiving in Hong Kong will definitely be some thing I will always remember. On Thursday (Thanksgiving Day), a few of us went to the local mall and had some pizza (we tried to eat some Western food in order to feel more at home!) On Friday, some of the American exchange students went to Sunny's (one of the exchange student's from Augie) Aunt's home. We had the traditional Thanksgiving meal and it was delicious!! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie...we did have a few Chinese dishes as well!

So, what am I thankful for this year:

1. I'm thankful for this amazing experience/opportunity! It truly has been life-changing!

2. I'm thankful for all the new friends I've made here, and also all my friends at home..who keep me updated on all the latest gossip..just kidding! ; )

3. I'm thankful for my family because they are all WONDERFUL!

Thanks again to everyone who has sent me facebook messages, e-mails, skype calls, cards, and anything else...I love hearing from everyone and it always brightens my day!

Also, side story on the title of this posts ("hello Melyssrrr, Melysssrrrrr): Everyday when I leave or return to my hostel, Bing Bing, the security guard, always greets me with a "hello Melyssrrrr" and I just think it's the cutest thing! Bing Bing is an extremely nice person, and she is always at the security desk (sometimes I think she sleeps here!) Alot of people here can't say my name right because the "a" comes out sounding like a "r." The pronouncing my name wrong with def. be one of my memories, so I thought I'd share it with you all!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

When you wish upon a star.....

Today, Laura and I decided to go to HK Disney Land! And it was one of the best days ever!!! To start, all of Disney was decorated for Christmas, which put us in the right mood...and of course they were playing lots of Christmas music too!! The Park is MUCH smaller than Disney World in Florida, but still lots of fun. We were able to do everything in the park in less than 8 hours!

One funny story....So Laura and I decided to go to the Stitch Encounter in Tomorrowland. When we sat down it looked like it was going to be a silly little kids show. Well, were we wrong! The animated Stitch cartoon character began talking...and we thought okay, this is going to be dumb, but then he started asking people in the audience questions. It wasn't much later that I was handed a microphone. Stitch first asked me my name, so I said "Melyssa." and he proceeds to ask, "Well, Melyssa do you have a boyfriend?" I tell him no and he proceeds to call me his girlfriend throughout the rest of the show (reminder this is all on a large animation screen, and his cartoon character had the funny voice and all)....well in the end Stitch accidentally blows up a planet and as he is running away, he yells: "Melyssaaaaaaa, I love you!!" And that, my friends, is how the show ended. I am now a celebrity in HK Disney Land!

The rest of the day was fabulous. We stuck around to watch the fireworks display. Also, Disney truly is a magical place....they made it snow on USA Main street! With all the Christmas decorations, Christmas music, and snow I was reminded of home! It really was a great day! Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday...unfortunately they don't celebrate Thanksgiving in HK...I guess it's because it's an American holiday!! haha Eat an extra piece of turkey for me!



MTR to Disney Land


We made it!



surfing Mickey








When you wish upon a star.....




The large Christmas Tree


Cinderella's Castle


Christmas decorations


carrots shaped like Mickey...so that's how they get kids to eat healthy?


Playing the drums in Adventure Land


Mickey in the parade



Let it Snow Christmas Parade


dancers...

float

under the sea Christmas




Toy Story soldiers!


Minnie and Mickey dressed for Christmas


Cinderella's Castle with mountains in background


me impersonating Pooh

It's a Small World


Inside It's a Small World ride--Asia


It's a Small World Christmas


It's a Small World wishing everyone a Merry Christmas


Cinderella's Castle at night


Snowing on Main Street USA

Castle lit up at night

fireworks!


goodbye Disney Land