Food and Friends

This month marked our 1 year anniversary of living in Hong Kong and we completed our second full year in Asia. It's been an amazing Asian adventure! Our year in Hong Kong has been very different from our year in Macau in so many ways (work, school, church, living arrangements, transportation, food, activities - the list could go on and on but that's another story). Not that living in Hong Kong or Macau is better or worse than the other because it's really too hard to even compare them. Both years truely are very near and dear to our hearts, primarily because of the wonderful, wonderful people we've met and call friends. 

So often when we get together with people there is food involved. Over the past 2 years, I've realized more than ever that the food we share with one another is much more than nutritional sustenance for the body; it's a compelling way to express gratitude, concern, friendship, and love.

If you really want to make a friend, go to someone's house and eat with him...

the people who give you their food give you their heart. 

- Cesar Chavez

With opportunities to mingle with people from many parts of the world with different cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs, I've learned that food speaks a language everyone can understand. There's an unwritten note accompanying food that says "made with love", "baked with love", or even "bought with love". I really believe that when we share our food, we give a little of ourselves and friendships blossom.

This month we had a few memorable moments when friends gave us food but really shared their love.

Our sweet, Indonesian friend (who we knew in Macau and who always brought the kids a bag of goodies each week) we found out now lives not far from us in Hong Kong. On a recent visit to our apartment, she and her friends made us a delicious meal. We enjoyed the food but more than anything we enjoyed building and strengthening our friendship. It was also fun to learn more about their country (Leah now wants to visit Indonesia).

One Sunday after church, we joined our dear Filippino sisters for a Family Home Evening activity. They made some yummy food, including the traditional Philippine birthday food, pancit and we taught them how to play Reverse Charades. The Filippinos have a sincere heartfelt generosity and love that I always feel. Good food and lots of laughs is a great combination for strengthening our friendships and love for each other.

Another evening, a wonderful Chinese friend took us and another family to a traditional Chinese restaurant. Although Kyle's been to many like this with work associates, it was a first for the kids and I. Kyle, Cade and Leah helped to pick out fresh seafood from the aquariums while Abby, Ian, and I learned to wash and disinfect the chopsticks, glasses, and bowls with the hot water (or hot tea) at the table. We had an enjoyable evening sharing an array of different dishes including goose, pork, fried rice, choy sum, and fish. But most of all, we loved spending time with good friends.

Thank you for the food before us,

the family and friends beside us,

and the love between us.

Leah's Birthday

Our little Leah is not so little any more. She turned 5 years old this month and according to her had "the best birthday ever". 

To begin her special day, we woke her up early to open gifts.

Leah loves to help in the kitchen and has been asking for an apron and "kitchen glove" so she can help more. She was so excited her wish came true.

 She's absolutely adorable in her new chef's attire.

Later that day, we celebrated with a swimming-BBQ-piñata party. Although many friends were away on summer vacations, Leah's BFF was here and that's all that mattered. 

They had a great time swimming and playing together. Afterwards we barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers (a first for us since being in Asia). It was a real treat!

We also had Leah's favorite cupcakes - chocolate with white frosting and sprinkles.

A few months ago we made piñatas for a homeschool project. Ian and Leah agreed their piñata (a hot air balloon with a doll in the basket) would be used for Leah's birthday.

They did a great job and the piñata turned out to be a pretty tough one to break.

The stick broke before the piñata.

Finally the piñata broke open and the candies and prizes littered the ground. All the kids gathered handfuls of loot.

Leah had a fantastic birthday party and loved turning 5.

Leah has an adventurous personality, a taste for exotic foods, a contagious laugh, a well developed vocabulary, an active imagination, an insightful perspective, and a smile that melts your heart. Sometimes it's hard to believe she's only 5; she's growing up so fast. Leah is amazing and we love her more than we can ever express. We're so glad she's a part of our family.

Happy Birthday Leah!

Fun at Discoveryland

During these hot summer days, no one wants to go outside. It's understandable that we all want to stay indoors with the air conditioner on. Thankfully there's a large number of museums, shopping malls, and activity centers around Hong Kong to visit on such days. We recently went to a brand new family entertainment center called Discoveryland. 

The facility is filled with games and activities for kids (and adults) of all ages.

My kids had a great time building with giant LEGO bricks,

sliding down the tallest slides in Hong Kong, 

playing mini golf, launching soft foam balls at each other, shooting basketballs, and just running around with their friends. One of their favorite activities was rock climbing.

With a wall full of different holds, belay ropes, and dressed in a harness and helmet, the kids had a great time scaling the wall

 and racing their friends.

Cade was the first to reach the top.

Leah enjoyed climbing too but loved jumping backwards to come down even more.

There was also a rotating rock wall where the kids held on as someone else rotated it. 

High above all the other activities was the Air Trek, a high wire obstacle course.

Cade and I thought it looked like fun and were anxious to test our tightrope skills.

I got a little nervous once I reached the top platform and felt it swaying. The hardest part was taking the first step onto the high wire. But with every step my nerves calmed and confidence grew.

It was scary and thrilling and fun all in one.

Cade was not as nervous as me.

He flew through the course

making it look easy.

It was a fun challenge.

Discoveryland is a fantastic place to spend a day indoors to get out of the hot, humid, or rainy weather. We had a blast.