At Last They Speak...

Well, I have to say that it ABSOLUTELY KILLING ME not to have a computer, internet or a telephone. I am so technologically spoiled that I can hardly stand it. I have been quite anxious to put an update on here since we have experienced so much already. So...this may be long or it may be short, since I might get kicked off the "apartment computer" that is for public use.

We Arrived! Yes, we made it all in once piece with our 14 extra large duffle bags, 2 large boxes and six carry-on pieces with blankets, pillows and stuffed animals strapped to each one of them. Our journey was typical Sandness style with stories to tell at nearly every corner. What kind of adventure would it be if there wasn't?

OUR JOURNEY HERE - BRIEF HIGHLIGHTS
Our journey out of Minneapolis was highlighted by a passenger fighting with the gate personnel over whether or not she could bring her very large carry-on on board. After the "f" word was thrown around a few times, security was called. We did eventually see her board the plane toward the end - bagless! I was then a bit concerned for the journey as a whole when Keely was screaming (I mean screaming) for the last half hour or so of the flight to LA. A very kind woman in front of us (who had no kids of her own) was MORE than helpful offering things to Keely after I very kindly told her she would likely choke on those items. That story is too long to bother telling at this point...needless to say, we were happy to be off that flight.

Unfortunately, they temporarily misplaced one of the two pieces to our stroller to transport Keely from one flight to the next. We can get creative, but no matter what there was no way we could get to our next flight without a stroller. So...we waited...then rushed to the next flight to wait again...long boring story there also, but needless to say we were packed like sardines in a shuttle bus being taxied out to a gate and we get there and there is no plane...of course there isn't...so we waited as sardines in the shuttle bus some more... :)

After all this and more, I'm extremely fearful of what the 15 hour flight has in store for us. I prayed several times throughout the day for this flight...apparently I should have been praying for the WHOLE journey, but this flight was a BREEZE!!! The kids were great, even Keely. Kyra turned to me at about 10 1/2 hours into the flight and said..."mom, this flight feels way shorter than the last one." Praise God is all I have to say!

IN HONG KONG
Things have been fine since we've been here. It is very funny that everyone knows that we are the new people in the building. Every time we get in an elevator with someone new they turn to us and say, "you're the new people, right?" The kids are very amused by this.

Since Trey and Kyra don't start school until the 19th, we have been enjoying walking down to the beach that is about a 10 minute walk down to (about a 20 minute walk back up!). The last two visits they've put their swimsuits on despite the fact that Craig said the water is VERY cold. These are our true Minnesota children. The beach has lost it's luster a little bit. There are Chinese tourists that are brought to this beach by the busload daily as it is the most popular beach on Hong Kong Island. That isn't the problem...the problem is that they won't stop posing with us and taking our picture. They come and congregate around us and pose with Keely especially, but today they were around us for nearly an hour...each taking their turn asking to take our pictures. I said yes to the first few, which was my first mistake, because then when i started saying no, they just nod their head and start snapping away.

The funniest story that came out of today's "photo shoot" was that one particular man was taking pictures of us for nearly a half an hour and he was pleasant enough. When he was finally ready to leave, he said to Kyra, "how is it the word you say in English when you are leaving?" Kyra didn't understand what he said so she just responded to be polite "Oh, that's awesome" so he waved to her and Trey with a big small on his face and said "AWESOMMMMEEE" The kids got quite a kick out of that. We finally had to leave because they wouldn't leave us. Some even followed us off the beach a ways.

Tyson started school today at a different school than Trey and Kyra. After a few days of the kids home with no other kids around I quickly realized that Tyson needed to be around other kids during the day. He is a little timid about it, but went to school just fine. He did great and we are so proud of him. I think he is still a little sad that he isn't going with Trey and Kyra to their school. He has to ride a bus by himself also. I know it is the best thing for him, but it is hard to see him sad and wish this wasn't the way it is. Hopefully, he will get into their school for next year. We are optimistic.

We've met several families in the building...from all over the place...for the most part very nice and helpful, so that's good. Hopefully, it will continue.

Well, I'm sure there is much more but I'm sure my family is wondering where I am or at the very least, what has happened to me. We hope to have internet and our computers next Monday. If not, I'm going to cry!!! Seriously.
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