Saturday Shopping

Saturday is the day that I usually go shopping, because then John is home to help me unload the groceries. Only in Hong Kong can you get away with this...

We by our groceries at the"Park n Shop" in our appartment complex and then bring it HOME...

John is a good "BOX" boy but hates to return the carts!

Shopping is an unsual anventure in ASIA but we love the Conveniences

Heart Feels Nature

One of my favorite things to do on my hikes is to find things of beauty and try to capture them with my camera. I feel things with my heart and when I am alone I find solitude a great teacher. My heart feels nature, my eyes delight in what I see, my ears delight in what I hear and my mind becomes uncluttered and I find I can focus on those things that matter most...

Rushing River of Time

Perspective

The Same But Different

Silent Transformation

The Light Within

I am learning to enjoy the best that this life has to offer. Happiness is what we create!!

Foot Massage Anyone

In Hong Kong you can find foot massage places on almost every street corner. I found one while hiking last Friday...

You take off your shoes and walk across this path, rocks are embedded in cement and have round pointed ends - it HURTS - that is false advertising -this is NO foot massage!

Hot Pink and Black

I was looking for a new reason to go shopping when I decided that I need a new pair of trail runners. I have always purchased men's running shoes because I just liked the fit and the colors better. But, since I am here in Hong Kong I have discovered that color is where it is at. So I went out side my color safe zone and purchased black and hot pink trail runners! Of course I need a new hot pink jacket for the effect to have the bling bling and the zing zing effect...

What do you think....PINK

See I actually do hike, and as you can see I am alone - so have a hard time taking pictures of myself!

But the proof is in the PINK!

Hong Kong Trail - Alone not Lonely

Last Friday I decided to do two stages of the Hong Kong trail, sections 2 & 3. It was a wonderful day for hiking low humidity and about 70 degrees. I tied up my trail runners and off I went. I took my small camera with me, didn't want to carry the larger one as I knew that I would be doing some trail running. I am so glad that I packed it...

Stairs, Stairs there are so many stairs - who knew that hiking replaced the stairmaster!

The views are so amazing... I have to remember to watch were I step and not to look out at the views while I am walking or I will walk right off the edge!

Once I arrived at the beginning of the third stage of the Hong Kong trail - the path was a little more even with very few stairs and I was able to run. This stage is about 6.5 K and I didn't meet a soul on the trail. I had it all to myself - quite unusual!

I was alone but defiantly not lonely!

My Favorite Things

A little while ago I started a list of my favorite things.... just in case anyone was wondering!

Jane Austen
Sun on my face
The smell of rain
Listening to the flow of a river
Listening to waves
Having a close friend
The whispering of the wind
The color green
Mannheim Steamroller Winter Solstice Album
Ju Ju Bes Candy
Clean teeth
The wind in my hair
Stars, where ever you are someone else can see them too.
Solitude
The smell of fresh Rosemary and Lavender
Knights in timeless armor
Proverbs 3:5-6
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Sharp Pencils
Lilies and tulips
The rhythm of my heartbeat
Morning dew on the grass
Rainbows
Laughter
The time between sleep and fully awake

I think as I get older I realize how many things are becoming favorites - so I will continue to add to the list....

Happiness 2010

Happiness 2010

I had an interesting time on the flight home, I took some time and thought about the past year and asked myself like, I do every year, if I am a better person then I was a year ago. It was an interesting time for me to reflect.

Since moving to Hong Kong I find my time hiking my quiet time, time for me to talk to our Heavenly Father in prayer and to think about spiritual things –so that has been a blessing. I have done a little complaining – okay I have done my fair share of complaining and it effects me in ways that I don’t like, so I need to be better at putting things into perspective. The big thing that I thought about on the plane – was happiness. Am I happy, if not why and if I am what make me that way?

I came up with my own new mantra or motto for 2010 – it is “Happiness should be measured by what I create.” If want to be happy in my family I need to create a good family relationships, if I want to be happy in my friendships I need to create moments and experiences that will develop those friendships, if I want to be happy with myself I need to create time to be my best, physical, emotional and spiritual. Happiness should not be measured by what someone else says, or doesn’t day. It shouldn’t be measured by how others treat you, good or bad. It shouldn’t be measured by what others think you should be or what you should do. Happiness should be measured by what you create. I need to create my own happiness, a place that brings me joy, love and laughter. “Adam fell that men might be, Men are that they might have joy.” I can be happy amidst the trails of life, I can be happy when others respond to things differently then I would, I can be happy not measuring myself against others. 2010 is going to be a year of Happiness for me. I am going to create things that will bring me happiness. I want to be happy all the time; life is too short to be sad, mad and angry. By having those types of feelings in your life you just use up to much energy. So, here is to 2010 and Happiness!

Ten Thousand Buddha's

There is a wonderful group of women here who are trying to get some "culture" in there lives by exploring Hong Kong. Last Monday we went to the "Ten Thousand Buddha's Temple and Monastery. Here are some of the scenes from that outing...

You start on this trail that is lined with Golden Buddha's, each one is different.

As usual in Hong Kong we encountered stairs - about 500 of those nice "bun"firming stairs!

Okay, I am not sure why Denise (Madison's Mom) and I decided to have our picture taken in front of these two Buddha's, I think they are both ugly looking - Oh, I remember now it is because it was the only place to sit down!

Buddha's come in all shapes and sizes!

Incense Pot and Big Buddha shrine.

The next photo is what happens when you do not trim your eyebrows!

So, after looking at over Ten Thousand Buddha's I was a little tired. On my way down the trail I found someone I could relate too....!

Of course an outing with these wonderful ladies wouldn't be complete without going to lunch. Which we promptly did - and then it was off to a museum for more culture - wow my brain hurts from all the learning.

Madison and Me

While living here in Hong Kong I have "adopted" Madison as my little friend. Madison and her family moved to Hong Kong about a week after we did and she and I became instant friends when she found out that I had "Sponge bob" movies! I knew those would come in handy when I packed them -LOL. Madison and I decided to spend last Saturday together, I was going to be the photographer and she was going to be the model! She had 9 outfits to change into, her mom and I talked her down into only bring three, I told her to leave the bathing suit and pajamas at home!

Our adventure started when I picked here up in a taxi and asked her where she wanted to go for lunch. She promptly told me "Miss Heidi I would like to go to Ruby Tuesday's"! Well that was settled off to find Ruby Tuesday's - we of course had to pick up John and Ron as they wanted to come too. After eating her toasted cheese sandwich - we left the boys to do their own things and we went on our modeling shoot!

Madison loves the camera!

The water was a little cold - but she didn't mind at all!

Even on the subway Madison is clowning around for the camera.

Madison could teach John Travolta some moves, here she is trying on what she called her "DISCO" hat and then proceeded to dance in the street! It was Saturday afternoon fever!

Okay so I missed Madison seventh birthday - it was during Christmas and she was in Utah and I was in Washington so I got her a little gift! Hope her mom doesn't kill me!



Miss Maddie and her Boa on Queens Road in the central district of Hong Kong!

Smile Maddie

Could she get any more adorable, I submit that she cannot!

Madison thank you for allowing me to spend the day with you. I hope that you enjoyed your time with "Miss Heidi. May we all remember the child within us and enjoy each moment that comes our way!

Dragon's Back

After visiting in the states for nearly three weeks, and then coming home to colder then usual temperatures - I was looking forward to hiking again. So when two of my friends suggested "Dragon's Back" - I jumped at the chance, who could pass that offer up - NOT ME!

The day was cloudy and mild, not too much humidity which is what makes some of the hiking here difficult on those days you sweat so much you leave a Hansel and Gretel sweat drop trail so anyone can follow you! Today was not one of them - thank goodness!

Here I am at the summit with Big Wave Bay off in the mist behind me!

My two friends, Christy and Kelly - Thanks for a wonderful day!
Dragon's Back, Stage 8 of the Hong Kong Hiking Trail

Shek O, Hong Kong March 2010

Our February Valentines

We had some special Valentines arrive from the States...Ron's parents came for a wonderful 10 day visit in February. They expected to leave snowy Utah for some warm sunshine in the Asia area, but that was not the case. They seemed to have brought the cold weather with them, some days the high was only 50 degrees which is unusually cold for February. Gramps and Grandma braved it well by putting on coats and scarves. John was excited to see that he is now taller then Grandma and according to this picture I think he is taller then Gramps!

They were here for the all important Chinese New Year and Hong Kong did us proud. The city was beautifully decorated for the festivities! Red lanterns and lights adorned our apartment complex and kumquat trees, symbol of good fortune, were in abundance. We went to temples, museums, parks and the open markets. It was great to share our Asia experience with them!

Seattle Solitude

When I am in Seattle, this is the place that I find solitude. You have arrive pretty early in order to escape the crowd. While visiting in February I had many opportunities to run along the Redondo Beach Boardwalk. The air was crisp and clean having been washed by the rain. A soft breeze was blowing from the west and the sun was just rising. The water was still except for the gentle lapping at the shoreline. I ran 3 miles everyday I could while visiting - I wanted to soak in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and take some of it back with me to Hong Kong. The world I live in now is so different from my home in Washington, not bad different just different. As I ran I thought of days gone by, friends that have come and gone in my life and those that have come and gone and have come back and marveled at how fast time really flies. I felt so blessed to have a few short minutes each day to drink in the beauty and to feel my soul be rejuvenated by the solitude that I found in Seattle.

My Baby is having a BABY!!

So I need to do a little bit of blog updating.... Audrey Lynn, my first baby is having her first BABY!! When I was home in February family and friends got together to celebrate. I can't wait to be a NANA! I can love him, hold him and then when he cries give him back to Audrey! Now that sounds like I get my cake and get to eat it too!

Nana Heidi and Audrey Lynn - 6 months and counting!

My Baby Audrey (26) is having a BABY!

The baby will be born sometime around May 22nd - and if it all goes as I wish, HE will not want a May birthday and will wait until June 2 when I am there to see HIM!! How about it Audrey can you hold off until then?