Thanksgiving 2012

Being that Thanksgiving is a holiday unique to America on the third Thursday of November, we knew we would be working, obviously. We knew that we would be imagining our family together without us, eating food we didn't think would exist once we boarded the plane in San Francisco. We expected to be homesick.

 Thursday went on as usual, it didn't feel like Thanksgiving, there was no Thanksgiving talk at school among the American teachers, and we weren't even sad. We taught, we worked, we planned for next week. That's because it wasn't Thanksgiving yet. It wasn't Thanksgiving until Friday morning here due to the time difference. We made some calls as the sun rose and we were getting ready for work. The holiday thrill was in the voices we heard and the smiles we saw. Then the hint of sadness crept in. Dang it. Not so easy after all. As we arrived to school, we said "Happy Thanksgiving" to the American teachers around us, a few held back tears. Heather shed a couple tears. But as the day wore on, we remembered all that we have to be THANKFUL for.  We are happy and healthy, surrounded by friends and family near and far. We are living the life that we dreamt of.

 Fast forward to today, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Today is Thanksgiving for us! Adam is cooking in the kitchen as I write this, we have friends coming over to join us for a glass of wine before we leave to a Thanksgiving feast being hosted by other teachers at the school. While there are less than 15 Americans at the school, we will be celebrating with 30+ people from around the world. And regardless of our similarities and differences, we are all Thankful and that is really what it's all about.

 Love, the Domenico's

Cheung Chau, Hong Kong weekend

When we heard "Hong Kong" we imagined a giant city full of skyscrapers and bustling streets; never imagining that HK is actually a collection of islands that make up the country of Hong Kong. Not only is it a country of its own, it has a beautiful country side and awesome beaches.

A few weeks ago we ventured out of Macau back over to Hong Kong, to check out the Giant Buddha on Lantau island and to stay in Cheung Chau, a smaller, lesser known island. We were greeted with friendly faces, the delicious smell if street food wafting through the air, and the sound of bicycle bells mixing with waves gently crashing on the beach. It was wonderful and we ate our way through the place with no problem at all.

Pork and veggie dumplings on a stick.

Frozen fruit on a stick!

Vegetarian meal at the Giant Buddha.

Tea house sitting area.

Gooey delicious rice flour ball stuffed with fresh mango.

red bean pudding on a stick.

T

Bucket list #2... check! "Stare in awe at the worlds largest outdoor Buddha"

Whipped butter in a cone.

Mango filled rice flour ball...

A professor from Hong Kong. We met him on the trail, talked for a few minutes, and then he wanted a picture with real Californians.

Antique market off Hollywood Street in Hong Kong Central.

 

Hong Kong central, of course.

The Japanese sushi and tea house... the owner was so sweet!

Coconut and pumkin pudding on a stick.

Yes, those are dried sting rays.

Fresh potato chips... add your own seasoning.