The China side of life

This sign was even in Hong Kong, on the way to China!

Missing elements of China has been a big factor for me. Luckily I have fab friends who have also lived in China and frequently travelled between Shenzhen and Hong Kong to show me the way.

So last weekend, it was off to Shenzhen to do some Christmas shopping and some clothes fitting for some!

Sam having Ada copy some dresses

Arriving across the border was relatively easy and could be done with no trouble at all, with a visa only costing HK$160, about $30 NZ, we were off.

On the train ride to Shenzhen - what to expect!?

Before even arriving at the border I knew we were heading into some serious Chinese territory. The train was filled with loud tones and very pushy mainlanders. Not to mention that I could understand snippets of conversation. It was like having a hearing aide and turing it on! Conversation came back to me!

While waiting for people to get measured, I got jipped by a Chinese woman offering threading! Argument number 1 of the day! Loved it!

Emerging from customs, weirdly felt like arriving home. Smoggy, smoky air greeted me, phlegm and urine covered ground awaited and pushy salesmen forced things of every kind upon me. Oh, China, how I missed thee!

It makes me laugh when people talk about Shenzhen. From what they said I was expecting to travel in a taxi, trying to find the markets, trudge my way around a crazily packed, un air conditioned space, have a lack of food bar 100 year old eggs and dodgy bottled water, instead......HEAVEN emerged. A 5 floor shopping mall, filled with bargins of every kind, and EVEN a tailor floor and fabric galore awaited! No need to travel anywhere, no need to use Mandarin. I must say I was HIGHLY disappointed. However, it was a relief to know the culture and I cannot imagine how overwhelming or crazy it was for other members of our party!

It even had a great Dim Sum restaurant, where I could even get proper Chinese veggie dishes, oh, sweet corn and lily flower, how I missed you!

Spending only half a day there was a challenge and not even denting half of the place, it will be a must to go back to for presents and DEFINITELY for clothes when I am closer to my target (who am I kidding if I say REACH my target - self confessed clothesaholic here!)

Everyone is eagerly awaiting their clothes delivery for Thursday (I can't wait to see how they turn out-future clothes are planned)

Meanwhile, I am content to receive my Winter clothes, shoes and board games that will finally be delivered from NZ tonight. Receiving these things has really made me look back and realise that I really have not been here that long!

Time flies when you are having fun (or starting a new job and moving countries!)

Arohanui,

Love Amy xo

My first Hong Kong Christmas....

...why do I have the feeling that this is the first of many?

Sunday night, my humble apartment was rearranged and brightened up with lights and yummy food to have a Christmas Dinner fit for the usual Sunday crew.

We had planned it for awhile and because of the lack of an oven, we ordered the food from our local gourmet supermarket. It bought us a HUGE turkey (the guy said it only would feed 3-4, we hardly bruised the first side), some new potatoes, seasonal veggies, cranberry sauce, gravy and a long row of stuffing!!!

This is what 6 weeks with no diary does to you! YUM, CUSTARD!

We all pulled money and even bought platters of sushi and nibbles, desserts, Christmas pudding and Sam even educated us on brandy butter and how to flambe! YUM!!!!

Crackers were a must, as was the NZ bubbles and white and it was a lovely evening!!!

Needless to say, turkey has been on the menu the last few days!!!

Merry Christmas season!

Arohanui,

I'll be seeing you sooner than you think!

Love Amy xo

Being a voluntary member of AA

Christmas Tree decorating sans a glass of bubbles - oh the joys of AA

I was worried about not drinking and being a bit of a Nana - especially when going out and about here is a bit of a release, as is the obligatory, after school debrief session over happy hour.


However, I have been VERY proud of my efforts! I have accepted nearly EVERY single invitation out and one weekend, even partied until 4.30am on the Friday night, sober as, and then the next night outlasted my slightly intoxicated friends by not wanting to leave at about 2am the next night! TOTALLY SOBER!


The next days, I felt so great and really enjoyed my time out also. I have had dinners out and drinks with everyone and not worried about drinking (mock tails are GREAT - Vegan of course), I have been to the horse races and chatted to lots of people, completely sober and have even had 2 visitors stay at my house for at least 4 nights and have still not indulged AND I fully supported them and encourage their drinking.


The truth is, I really have NOT missed it. This weekend I am going to let down my guard a bit and have a glass or 2 of bubbles, Christmas just wouldn't be the same! Plus forgoing the bubbles while decorating my Christmas tree, did not fly! I was so pleased to find out that I could actually have fun and enjoy life without alcohol - the confidence is still pretty much on the downlow thou, but you can't fix 'em all!


Watch out Chch, confidence is a coming and after my last conversation with my Dad - 'Amy, grab a bottle of Vanilla vodka at Duty Free, we have found a great Christmas cocktail, remember you are on cocktail duty every night!' - I have a feeling the last few weeks of 2009, might see me leaving AA, either unwillingly or willingly, you be the judge!

Yes, unbelievably the fact that my gorgeous friends look like Gap Jeans models, has not driven me to drink!



Arohanui,

Love Amyxo

6 weeks sober

There has been NONE of this for the last 5 weeks! African Chicken and a bottle of Rose in Macau

For the last 6 weeks I have been doing a 'Liver Cleansing' of sorts, well not really of sorts - a Liver Cleansing, however I am trying it out as a lifestyle change.



It all started when Dad was here and we weighed ourselves - I nearly threw up (I was so disgusted at myself) and decided to have a competition to see who could lose the most weight by Christmas.



With this as an initial motivator, I was off! I had lost 10 kgs previously on this but had moved to Wellington and lived as a house guest for a few months, so could not continue without offending a few people.



Living by myself, feeling a tad more settled in my lifestyle and life in Hong Kong, it had to be my time!



Basically it involves eating natural foods (fruit, vegies etc), nothing with added colours, flavours or preservatives, not meat and diary. To ease you into it you can have chicken and eggs for the first 2 weeks and then for four weeks you eliminate yolks and chicken, then the last few weeks - chicken and egg yolks can reappear. NO alcohol!



As this is a lifestly change, I have eliminated the alcohol to see how it affects me and I will not be returning to chicken and eggs for the last 2 weeks - it will be ongoing.



So far - 5 weeks, I have lost 7 kgs, but have been hovering on this for the last 3!! It is driving me insane. However, the reason for this I am guessing is the fact that I have found crafty ways around my eating habits! I can eat fries (canola oil is ok, so is potato), I have found the most amazing Soy icecream, fudgy wudgy bars (diary and egg free) and have gorged myself on sushi (not technically allowed white rice, but it's a lifestyle change so WHATEVER!) Not to mention VEGAN meat-free, meat pies (yes, I realise the oxymoron) and I find that since it is a 'lifestyle change' I have allowed myself at least 1 coffee a week (2 this week to deal with the variety show plus it IS Christmas in a cup!) Hmmmm, sneaky or what!



This weekend is our first HK Christmas dinner, which will be held at my place, so I have said that I will allow myself a few glasses of NZ Lindy and turkey, which will make 6 weeks, and let's forget NZ Christmas, it will be out the window!



The real challenge will be returning to HK - will it stick!???



Who knows but those kgs better start budging OR it's looking like drastic action might have to be taken - I might ACTUALLY have to start going to the GYM!!!!!!!!!!!! Please don't make me do it!!!



Arohanui,

Love Amy xo

A crazed end to the year!

P1 Soldiers - March scene from the Nutcracker!

Today is the big day, and if you asked anyone at VSA, we'd tell you it seems like the biggest event of the decade - well it might be one to finish us off for the decade that is for sure!

Yes, you guessed it, our Variety Show, you know, the one that was NOT on the original calender and was put in, well, just for fun I suppose!

No, no I understand it is great promotion of the school and the parents will love it. However, going back to curriculum teaching for only one week before Christmas has had the school halls echoing teachers cries of 'Curriculum, what is curriculum?' as we hurriedly turn back to our 8 counts and children not singing in tune. We have now unaffectionately dubbed ourselves VAPA (Victoria Academy of Performing Arts) All in good fun thou!

Not blogging has driven me insane as there has been too much going on and lots to write about, I have kept the gossip hungry at bay by adding a few photos of events of facebook.

Wish me luck for tonight, the havoc of keeping 23 5/6 years old entertained and hidden away from their parents for an hour and a half mixed with the stage managing, micing, cuing and getting props on stage may see the end of me!

Arohanui,

Love Amy xo

Returning soon....

CRAZY, CRAZY busy here with the run up to Christmas and dare we mention it - the Variety Show - that which sucks all our energy and curriculum time!

Be back soon! xo

A day at Stanly and the beach

Beginning of Stanly Markets

While Dad was here we were lucky enough to have abslutely stunning weather. After a busy first day here at school, it was time to wind down a little bit for Dad.

View of Stanly from the pier

Hong Kong has the best of a few worlds, and one of those worlds include Stanly, a wee seaside town, less than 20 minutes away. After exploring the markets and strolling around the waterfront it was off to Repulse Bay to relax on the beach and induldge in Hong Kong's murky but swimable waters.

Hong Kong's beach scene - Repulse Bay

After a lovely wee snooze we were off to get ready to meet Maya for some cheeky Peking Duck at our favouirite Beijing restuarnt 'American Peking' - yes this restuarant has been around since the time the American soldiers/sailors came ashore here on leave.

Food = GONE!

The food is fab and the waiters are still the same old men that have been working there for years. Love it!

Arohanui,

Love Amy xo

It's too late to apologise!

Adjusting to my surroundings, and quite comfortably I must admit! - Wellington 2007

Upon walking in CWB this evening, on my way back from my peanut butter mission....(come on guys, liver cleansing needs it's perks - nearly a month without drinking -WHOOP WHOOP!), I noticed a rather fine specimen.

As I contemplated his ethnicity, I suddenly recoiled - hang on a minute - was that guy of Asian decent? Was I just checking out a member of the opposite sex that would usually of never been on my radar? AND since when have I been interested in men of Asian decent?

Don't get me wrong, I am so far from the definition of racist that you can get, but you like who you like, you can't help who you are attracted too and what I have never been attracted to before, is Asian features.

For those of you that know me well, you know I am usually prone to the 'cheeky darkies' (thanks Paul Homes for that one). I love dark skinned, dark features, well built 'real' men, as they are referred to. Unfortunately, not really thinking about men, I made my decision to come and live in a place that has hardly any of those kinds of men. Who would of thought!

SO, what I can figure out from this is, obviously your preferences adapt to your situation or what you are exposed too? OR is it just that the features of some people, regardless of where they are from, stick out? Tanned skin for example, wide eyes, broad jaw, tall figure?

Initially in China no one was on my radar at all and maybe that is why it has taken me so long to finally feel back in the game. The first and only person of Asian decent that I have really been attracted to was Emil, but I'm not really sure that counts as he basically counts as an ABC (American Born Chinese - thanks Bonnie), even thought he wasn't born there, he might as well of been. He even admits to not being attracted to Chinese woman.

Was I attracted to him because of his features or maybe because of his westernization (is that even a word?), or was it because I was immersed in this culture and what surrounded me was what influenced my now changed preferences? Actually that is completely untrue, my preferences have definitely NOT changed, maybe just broadened.

Uh oh, sounds dangerous, is this the sign of desperate times, change of surrounding scenery or just a plain fluke?

Let me know your thoughts.

Apologies to Grandy, regular blogs will resume soon! xo

Arohanui,

Amy xo

I don't want no scrubs

Better to be alone, basking in the culture and sun around the world, than worrying about being judged by others - Portuguese fortress in Macau

Why is it that posing questions and having a sleepless night, which results in a blog entry, causes so many things.

Obviously nothing of significance has been affected by my thoughts, however, it has caused a lot of new things to be discussed, things to resurface and slippery snakes emerging from the darkness.

It astounds me that as soon as you write about people how fast they respond. Now both parties were mentioned by name in my blog and it surprises me how very different their reactions were.

One, let's call him 'Bob', updated me on a few things happening in his life and inquired to make sure that I was ok, sensing some inner frustration in my words and offering his kind advice. This is surprising in the fact that, I could not love him back and he just wants to see me happy by talking about 'dating if I want too' and not caring about what anyone thinks. A big man or what? How amazing.

The second mentioned subject, let's call him 'Fred', sent a message via the same means as 'Bob' however his content was completely different. He was glad to know that he was a blip on my radar and proceeded to tell me that he was is going to be in 'town' in the next few months and could he take me out to be another blip on the radar. Equally amazing or more like surprising in it's own rights.

So tell me people, what is your thoughts on these 2 responses? Completely different boys, reactions and words, which would you judge and how would you deal with them?

I know how I feel about both, but I put it to you to judge them from an outside view with little or no inside knowledge.

And to these boys, I apologize for using you as a topic of discussion. I love you both really! xo

Arohanui,

Love Amy xo

He's just not that into you...really...you don't say!

He's just not that into you - seriously, look at his body language! Dad teaching me a thing or 2!

Today has been a day to remember that is for sure. The reaction from my last blog has been VERY interesting.

It had been taken various ways and it has started a lot of various discussions and even had two of the mentioned parties come out of the woodworks - ah the joys of facebook! (insert eye roll here)

One interesting topic that did arise was the fact that 'He's just not that into you'. Two people that replied to me mentioned this and it made me think.......dangerous I know.

I have read the book and seen the movie, book WAY more accurate than the movie and was pretty much common sense, which when it comes to matters of the heart, or well, just boys then it is what most of us of the fairer sex end up lacking. We all think that we are the exception.

But it is things like this book that does this to us. Basically it's telling us that if he is not doing this, this or this, he's just not that into you.....what about not being into him? Is there a manual for that? and why is it that all these so called self help books are aimed at women pining over men.......not a lot of us really are 'THAT' girl.

Not saying that I am a hard nosed tough chick, I've had my fair share of hairy experiences however, I am definitely not that kind of girl to really put up with much crap. Cheat on me and you're out, mess me around and then you are cut....brutal, may be a more accurate word to describe me when it comes to messiness in the 'relationship' world.

I was not always like that, in my long term relationship I gave everything, settled for a lot and nearly lost myself in it. I have learnt a lot and am glad for that relationship and have absolutely no regrets, I still love him to this day. He taught me what I know. I followed those lessons up with a 'guard yourself'.

Moving around and not settling for long really doesn't help matters either. Neither does being in dismally populated male areas!

How do you avoid being labelled a 'bitch' (for lack of a a better word), when all you are doing is looking after yourself and if you go the opposite way how do you avoid being labelled, well, really the 's' word, no girls should ever have to hear.

We are just sheilding ourselves from hurt, really I should say further hurt, and if the tables were turned, it's really not an issue if you are guy...almost like a right of passage - what's that phrase - treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen? What a crock of misguided you know what...I have to say it though, we all seem to come running back and why is that?

The feeling! The euphoric feeling, the instant happiness, secret thrill of being the girl in that instant, the one that he desires, wants and needs. The feeling of power, desire and ecstasy.

I hate games, I have always sworn that, but really we all play games, whether it is talking to another guy in the bar to see how the guy you want reacts, not ringing him because it's his job to ring you, or just simply playing a more intricate game of cat and mouse. It's all in the fun, the wonder and the unknown.

However there are a lot of situations that cannot be understood. I am sure that it is for both sides of the gender.

So - you don't know what you've got until it's gone - bullshit, he's just not that into you.

Is it really that simple and if so, why the hell do we decide to torture each other with these games?

In a society filled with more and more pressure, stress and mental illnesses do we really need those precious few brain cells eaten up by utter time wasting, sanity demolishing crap?

I know what my answer is, however, me thinks that the games will go on....there something about that feeling....damn you!

Aso and me -My real life, he's just not that into you lesson: He's just not that into you if he's on the phone to his ex girlfriend in your bed and switched to speaking Samoan so you can't understand the conversation. Needless to say, you live and you learn, and that relationship had a very short expiry date!

Arohanui,

Love Amy xo

So...

Dating, WAY back when

...I have found myself thinking a lot about dating recently and in particular the dating scene portrayed on television, in the media and the expectations of others on people. Almost like an expectation to perform. It seems to me like this is one of the most judgey things people well, judge you on.



Coming from New Zealand, I have found the dating scene not really so hot. I mean to be honest my first 'real' date wasn't until I was out of high school, working full time, knew the guy for a few months and then went on a date and 'ta da',four, nearly five years later we split! I mean sure, I had a few 'boyfriends' that we dated, went on dates but that was after we had started out as a couple, you kind of just always fell into that trap of the relationship before the date, or the hmmm, how do I put this nicely...the casual (which usually involves no or limited dates) that either develops or stops short as soon as one likes the other more or things become less convenient.



Recently, I have found myself actually scoping out the guys around me, a feat that has taken me some time to actually get to. Seriously, I can't really remember the last time I really had fun scoping out the talent and looking at the dating pool around me. In all honesty David was the last person that I really checked out and I was so lucky with that one. After that, it really signalled the end until now. Don't get me wrong, it was not David that ended it all for me but when he left, that was the turn over in China and where everything went a bit (A LOT) downhill and where my decent into numbness began.



Friends have pointed out guys, I have even dated guys since then but that has been via fluke. Take Emil for example - was out at an opening in Wuxi, he was there with a mutual acquaintance, I was seated next to him, so we kinda had to talk, asked for my number, gave me his, asked me out for dinner, I made excuses a few times (my confidence was knocked down there in the pits of Wuxi), finally gave in and 'ta da' second real date ever. Aside from these small blips on the radar my own radar has been completely switched off.



And by switched off, I mean, well and truly broken and tossed out to sea. Even after the end of my long term relationship - my one and only to date - my radar never seemed to be quite switched on full.


In the last 2 weeks something has changed and I have been finally able to really take in my surroundings - and by surroundings I mean the delicious and delightful sea of opportunities around me. HOWEVER - confidence is key and that is something that I lack a lot of in that department.



Apparently while I have been in a so called 'absent state' from the dating pool, expectations have arisen. People expect you to be out and get hit on, if not, then they need to find you someone to make you feel good, if you haven't been with someone in the last two weeks, it's a tragedy and 'oh no' you must really feeling that pain, and god forbid - you haven't seen any 'action' in a few months that is the worst thing that could happen! When did the world's perception become this way, why does it matter and really, are we truly defined as individuals by the amount of people we date, sleep with in a certain amount of time or attract in one night?



Maybe people will argue that this is coming from a person with limited experience, maybe a bitter outlook or just plainly someone that really isn't that appealing to the opposite sex. But all I want to know is does any of this seriously matter?


So my question is this:

'Does dating really exist and if so, does it exist for all or just for the worlds elite, or is it that for the most part we all just end up falling into some relationship through convenient methods?


What I am really asking is 'Are we people who like to take risks or just play it safe?



I'm not sure that I like my answer.



Arohanui,

Love Amy xo

The Venentian - heaven on earth

Outside of the Venetian - only 1 year old

...or as Dad sums it up - the most palatial place we have ever stayed at!

As Dad was coming I thought this the perfect excuse to escape the country overnight and head to Macau - we even had to clear customs AND I got a stamp in my passport!

Friends and colleagues had all raved about the Venetian and told me we would be blown away, and because we could also get a fantastic package that included Cirque Du Soliel - Zaia, we were off!

Dad enjoying a 'G and T' before Zaia at one of the many bars


We headed over in style on the Cotai Strip Jet - which drops us off at the Taipo Jetty (a small island off Macau) and arrived in a little over an hour to be greeted by a free Shuttle to the Venetian.


As Dad had just been to Venice it was amazing - he recognised everything they had on the outside of building - including a mini version of some famous building - that shows my dead beat knowledge of Europe!

Mini version of a Venice building


Every ceiling was painted with amazing things and every light fixture was different and even more amazing than the next!

Main entrance hall


On the third floor, it even had shops that lined a canal that ran around the whole floor and had Gondola's in them. Unfortunately time was short and we didn't manage to catch a ride!

Shops along side the Canal


It is the world's largest casino so on top of the 3000 rooms, 20,000 staff (and that does not include the restaurant and shop staff) it had amazing games. Most we had never heard of, but as this is the money pit of Asia, we decided to stick to the pokies - without much luck! Oh well!

Comfortable beds

Lounge Area

Bathroom with 2 sinks!

Split level


Our room was stunning - up high with a view and on split levels. Both beds were queens with drapery and the the bathroom had a bath tub, seperate shower, 2 sinks, a seperate dressing table and a toilet, which room was the size of my HK apartment! It even had 2 massive flat screen TV's. One in the lounge and one on the bedroom level, hidden away in the cupboard!

The next day you could actually see that their was a wind farm on the hill! It's 'fog', I swear!


However, there was not much time for TV - we were off to explore Macau!!!!

xo

Pana's Handy Household Hints

The fun never stops at school and Pana is here to show us all about how to fold laundry!

Pana's handy household hints - Take 1!

Here to help out!

Arohanui,

Love Amy xo

It's beginning to look a lot like.......

Times Square, where I go to do my grocery shopping - just another normal sight in Hongkers!

YAY! Those of you who know me, know that I have the view that as adults we really do not get the opportunity tio get excited about much anymore. Living in Hong Kong, you really cannot avoid excitement. Halloween was BIG here, including Ocean's Park and Disneyland theme nights and the more adults only dress up's in Lan Kwai Fong.

Friday night after a very long week ant school - we only had Sunday off - I decided to flag the beer fest and catch up on some things.

Heading to IKEA I was bombered by Christmas Elves, handing out sparkely Christmas tree things (ofcourse I got one - it's on the fridge), then entering IKEA was like entering a magical fun land - full of Christmas cheer and spakly lights! Ahhhhhhhh, so lovely! Excitement was bubbling!

In short the rest of the weekend was spent straightening out my house for my Christmas party (basically framing pictures that have been around the house and sorting out my never ending laundry pile) AND hanging up Christmas lights and sparkly snowflakes.

I have to refrain from putting up the tree until the 1st of December - apparently I have been told 'it's the rules!' However that did not stop me from putting on The Christmas CD and singing the songs, door open, hoping to give my neighbours some Christmas joy!

Haha, I know I'm mad, but life is to be enjoyed...and also, small things amuse small minds!

Sending lots of love over the seas!

Arohanui,


Love Amy xo

Girls Night

Apparently when in HK you need money to go out and when I say money, I mean SERIOUS money! It's crazy - alcohol has a higher tax than anything else. Also,when in HK it is mandatory to go and do some things out on the town.

Dancing at my apartment to kick off the night

Being old - we are now sensible - we kill the dancing to line our stomachs!
Last week, after a very long and crazy week at work, it was time to hit the town for a girls' night to treat ourselves. Of course being the poor, newly moved here, broke teachers that we are, we started at my house with bubbles and dancing to old school R'n'B and then headed to the legendary, although not so amazingly talent filled, Lang Kwai Fong.

One of the thousands of taxis photos that surfaced

Staying alive/Dancing Queen down rat alley!
Tequilla!!!

After a mandatory Tequila shot, it was off to 'Al's Diner' to suss out the 'one must do while in HK' Jello shots! Totally, totally strong and not to be taken lightly - there was even a trick to it!

Orange flavoured Jello Shot!

What it actually tastes like -STRONG!!!!

Next off to Stormies - stand on the street bar - to meet up with some more girlie's and then off to the Cavern for stage dancing and a live band - free entry by a friend who knew the doorman saved us $100 and then from then on, good old Wan Chai till dawn

The crew at the Cavern
Paying for it Sunday and Monday truly showed my age and the fact that even thou it was a great night - remembering and not paying for having fun the next day is soooooo much better!

I blame this girl (Bonnie) for my ginger indiscretion!

Lesson learned and this weekend it was still girls night but Friday was a Tango show and then Saturday a Salsa class - that unfortunately was at a different venue!

Wearing pink shorts into a bar becasue Salsa was in the wrong place, had to be combatted somehow!

Gorgeous girls who missed out on Salsa class!

Oh no! To tell the truth this ended up being a very sober night - damn the watering down!

26 and still learning wrong from right,
Am I a lifelong learner or what?!?

Arohanui,
Love Amy xoxo

Not so holy!

DIY 101 - What the hell is wrong with this thing! Just another Friday night in HK

Well, after a few crazy weeks - not being able to blog at school early morning has really killed my blogging - I have passed that date - October 15th and to no avail! Although I did meet a male member of the secondary team - however with the huge school that really wasn't a big surprise that I hadn't meet him yet! Oh well, I'm sure it will happen one day..haha...but I have a feeling that Corey's advice may have been right! I loved it!

I am so lucky - my Dad is coming to visit this Friday for the October break! I am so excited! I really miss my parents and haven't seen them since January as they were in Europe when I was home for the NZ winter. We have lots planned and I need to do a a lot this week before he gets here! Macau and Harbour Plaza living here we come!

My apartment is coming along very nicely and I have had my landlords Dad over a few times this week sorting out a few issues - removing an air conditioning unit, fixing my toilet and filing down my door so it actually shuts - safety issue 101. My landlord and her family are so amazing - I am so lucky. Last Friday I was being handy lady/domestic goddess and was even getting my hands dirty myself. Poor Maya who was over for a relaxing time got roped in as well!

Air Conditioner removal 101 - My sister loved me showing her on camera how high up the hole in my wall was!

Although my apartment may seem to be falling apart, I am feeling so much more like this is a home for me, than when I was in China. Probably because I can actually do more things for myself other than get to and from basic places with a limited vocabulary.

Here's to independent and happy living!

Arohanui,

Love Amy xo