This new world

Today marks the longest I have ever been away from home. I landed three months ago today in Hong Kong and I have never been away from home for longer than three months. The time has flown by and I am really settling in. I have been at Euromoney for just over three weeks, I have been in my own apartment for a month and I am making lists and plans for my time here. There is so much to do, and I intend to do it all. I have signed up to run the Hong Kong 1/2 marathon in February and joined the netball team. If 2012 was my champagne year, 2013 will be my health year. I intend to give up smoking too.

Friday was another busy day in the office, with three big projects all needing editorial and research. On Friday evening I had plans to see my old flat mate, Jonny as he was leaving Hong Kong to return to Germany on Saturday. It will be the first person that I have to say goodbye to that has been a huge part of my new life out here. We spent the evening in Wan Chai and found an amazing little bar serving cocktails.

Saturday we headed for some lunch and said our goodbyes. I will miss Jonny and hope to see him again, weather back in Hong Kong or in Germany.

I went over to Sally's to watch a movie and chat the afternoon away. It's so lovely to have made such good friends so quickly here. By mid afternoon I was feeling tired from the late evening the night before. I had arranged to catch up with mummy on Skype and it was lovely to do this. My sister and mummy will be coming to visit in March and I am already so excited. It'll have been eight months since I saw them by the time they arrive and I will have a whole week with my sister and two whole weeks with my mummy. I don't miss the UK, but I do miss family time. Nothing compares to time spent with family.

On Sunday morning I made my way to St Stephens Society. It was another inspiring service. Jackie really is such a wonderful and insightful speaker. It seems that what ever has been through my mind in the week she touches upon in her service. We spoke about perseverance and hope (Romans5:3-5) We also talked about growing up and being mature (Ephesians 4:13-15). This is something that I have been thinking a great deal about recently. Standing strong for what you believe in. Moving forward, even if they are small steps in the right direction. Taking on responsibility for your actions.

After church Josh and I wandered around Mong Kok, Tsim Sha Tsui and Jordon. We walked through the markets and crossed the harbour on the Star Ferry. It was a very relaxing Sunday afternoon.

Another week goes by in Hong Kong. Some good byes and some arrivals to look forward too. The longest I have spent away from home and some more realisations about growing up and living my life the right way. As another year roles on by, I start to think of my 2013 plans. It still feels in some ways that time has stood still. I have come along way in 2012. The list I made of things I'd like to achieve in 2012 has a lot of ticks. My 2013 list is forming in my mind. 

Happy go lucky

I went to see a production of Samuel Beckett's world renowned play; Waiting for Godot last night in Wan Chai with Richie.

It was fabulous. I loved the moods they go through, the debates they have, and the conclusions they make and then make again. The things they do to kill time, the people I know in real life who remind me of Estragon and Vladimir.

My favourite line:

'We weren't made for the same road

It's not certain.

No, nothing is certain'

It reminded me of the Robert Frost poem 'Two Roads' which has had a lasting impact on my life since I first heard it in an English country garden.

Friday was a bit of a struggle. I had three deadlines that relied on other members of the team in order for me to send off the documents in time. After pushing myself and realising that I could do it, I sent off all the documents at 6:03pm. I was relieved that Friday had come to an end and my second week at work. I had learnt a great deal and felt I was making progress in the role.

I went over to Happy Valley to spend the evening with Richie on the rooftop, to watch Homeland, a series I had heard about non stop and had decided to see what all the fuss was about. It was thrilling and well written and had one of my favourite actors as the lead, Damian Lewis, who had the lead part in my all time favourite Friends and Crocodiles, a play by Stephen Poliakoff.

We cooked some dinner and drank some red wine in the warm October night. We stayed up late swapping stories, recommendations and chatting till the early hours of the morning, Saturday was therefore spent in bed finishing off the series.

On Sunday I met with Sally and we made our way to Cheung Chau island. A peaceful place, 25 minute ferry ride from Central. We walked around the island, heading to the beach to catch some sunshine and then went for some lunch at one of the seafood restaurants on the harbour front. It was very relaxing and the ride home, as all the ferry rides home are, was beautiful, with the sun touching the sea. 'We live here'. And we felt very lucky in this moment. Once we arrived back on the island we went for a massage. 90 whole minutes of pampering to see the weekend off in utter relaxation.

Monday was just another day in the office, it was hard to get my head into it knowing that Tuesday was a public holiday. I booked in some more meetings and left on time to head for a night run along Bowen Road. It was a beautiful evening, warm and it was beautiful to run through the Hong Kong skyline at night. One of the most stunning views.

Tuesday promised to be an extra special day with a bike ride around Lantau Island with the girls from work. We met for the 10am ferry and left the busyness of Hong Kong Island behind. We arrived at Mui Wo and made our way to the bike shop to hire bikes for the day. $40 (£3) for a bike till 7pm, Not bad and we touched again on how lucky we were to be living somewhere that things were reasonably priced and we could enjoy our time off after working so hard. We had a route planned and we set off in the mid day sun on the 10k to Cheung Sha beach where The Stoep and our lunch promised to be. Lantau is a mountainous island and I was glad that I was fit and healthy heading up steep hills and whizzing down the other side. We stopped regularly for everyone to catch their breath and drink some water. It was a beautiful 30c. The roads were quite and the green lush setting filed me with peace. To feel the sun on my back and my heart racing was the perfect day. There is nothing like this. Fresh air, good company and little bikes, without any gears and very unreliable brakes, which didn't work, however hard I pulled them back. I was glad for my years of cycling in the Hampshire countryside.

We cycled through Pui O, a small village and spotted a buffalo on the side of the road. They roam freely on Lantau. A few more hills and the road opened up onto on of the most beautiful beaches. I hadn't seen Cheung Sha beach by day, and I was suitably impressed. It was full of families and friends enjoying the public holiday and sunshine. We had made it and sat down to eat some BBQ vegetables, freshly baked bread and hummus, washed down with a pitcher of sangria.

After lunch Aimi and I jumped into the sea for a swim. The sun was still shining strong and we were in no rush. Time faded away today, it was heaven,

The ride home wasn't as strenuous. The temperature had dropped and there was a mild breeze. It was just gorgeous. Ladies Lantau day has been one of my favourites since coming to Hong Kong. I will remember this day forever. Another day to remind me how very lucky I am. How very luck I am to have met such amazing people, to be living in such a beautiful and inspiring place and to be able to embrace new experiences with so much love.