Macau Tower Mast Climb

 Before the climb we all got our gear on.  I had no idea what I had gotten myself into.

 Posing before the climb.  I did not know how important all that gear was to save my life.

 Up quite high, attached by a rope and hanging out on a ledge.

 So this is the world's highest urban climb.  I had no idea.  We are using our sliders as guns.

 Sophia, the organizer, and I super stoked to be up so high.

 Climbing up outside was more nerve wracking then climbing inside, because you are exposed to the elements and can see how high you are.

 Taking my slider off so I can climb up the next phase.

 Living life on the edge!!!!

 I climbed to the top!

Never in my life would I have thought of climbing the Macau tower, but a friend organized us and said let's do it.  I really didn't know what I had gotten myself into, but I must say it was exhilerating, exciting, scarey, encouraging, and confidence building.  Thankfully I didn't get blisters on my hands.  My arms are not too sore from it, but surprisingly my legs are more sore than my arms.  Well now I can say I've climbed the Macau Tower.

Lion Dance

I met a friend for breakfast at the local neighbourhood restaurant.  We were enjoying our meal and conversation and then all of a sudden a loud clanging and drumming interrupted us.  I screamed, because it scared me.  But it was only a lion dance.  The martial art companies train to do lion dancing and drumming and then at the new year time get hired to perform around Hong Kong.  It was quite the show.  After the dance the lions came into the restaurant and people would give them red packets and have their picture taken with them.

The Second Day of the Year of the Snake

 The two Americans in the group united in spirit and in colour.

New Year meal with friends.

 Nikia and I.

 A tree walking toward the Star Ferry.

Waiting at the IFC to watch the fireworks over Victoria Harbour.

The second day of the year of the snake was very special for me.  I dressed up in traditional clothes to meet with my church friends for lunch.  They are such beautiful, precious people and I feel home and comfortable with them.  I left them for awhile to meet up with my friend from Russia who was visiting. It was good to catch up with her as I hadn't seen her in two years.  Then I waited at the IFC to watch the fireworks.  It was such a great view.  I waited for 2 hours outside in front of the Red Bar on the rooftop terrace garden, but it was worth the wait.  I met a nice lady traveling from England and her son bought me a drink while we waited for the fireworks.  It was a hopeful second day for me.  Though things in your life come to an end there is always a future and a hope.

Chinese Lunar New Year Fair

 Never Give UP!

 Look closely...can you see Jesus?  Can you see the ninja??

Put gas in your can.  Or use more gas.

So the Chinese Lunar New Year Fair is held a couple days before the new year.  People usually go to these fairs to buy fresh flowers and plants to bring into their homes.  But there are also alot of other strange things sold at the fair.  Like these banners.  It is the tradition at Chinese New Year to put red papers outside your door with good, lucky sayings.  Usually you see the chinese character 'fu,' which means blessing.  These red banners at the fair were so funny and strange.

Gypsy Jazz at the Fringe Club

I'm so grateful to have found some Gypsy Jazz music in Hong Kong.  Live music can be hard to come by in Hong Kong.  But low and behold there is a great group called Gadjo Station playing the sweet sonorous sounds of French Gypsy Jazz with some American Jazz standards thrown in.  Of course the swingers will follow live music like this and were out in pairs to dance to these great tunes.

Spring Greetings with a Dear Friend

Pink Lanters

Anne and I

Spring time theme

My dear friend returned from Canada to Hong Kong.  She was my teaching assistant last year.  She is a God fearing women, kind-hearted, and ready to pray about anything.  I was so blessed to work with her.  She always knew when to give you a piece of chocolate or lay hands and pray over you and over a struggling student.  When she returned from Canada she called me and wanted to meet up for a tea.  So we met up in this CNY time.  So special.  You can see the CNY decorations in the mall.  Lots of pink lanterns and pink blossoming trees to represent the spring festival.

Swing Dancing in Hong Kong

I am so grateful for the Hong Kong Swing Club.  The fact that there is American swing dancing in Hong Kong was a big motivation for me to want to move to Hong Kong.  Every Wednesday night there are free social dances in an Italian restaurant, Grappas Cellar.  Dancing lifts the spirits and listening to such great Jazz music is inspirational and makes me feel like I'm back in the USA.

Hike To Tai Tam Reservoir

My dragon boat team is starting to get into physical condition.  We have been going on hikes on the weekends.  Today we went to the Tai Tam Reservoir.  It was a 10K hike.  Very nice group of people.  I made new friends with people from Belgium, Spain and Iran.  Looking forward to many more hikes with my team.