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I find words fail me when trying to express my deep appreciation for this holiday and trip. I will never know just how to thank Barrett or my Parents for all of their efforts in getting me back to the Land of the Cold for a much needed Home Retreat.

The travel both to and from Canada proved to be a challenge; I was stuck on crutches due to a strained Achilles with a partial tear and had flight delays, cancellations and re-routes like it was the airports’ job to make life for all fliers difficult (haha oh winter travel). Looking back I find myself able to laugh and shake my head at the whole thing but at the time it was a painful and exhausting experience. Reflecting on the traveling part of my trip home I am reminded of a particular conversation that I had with my dad while sitting, defeated on the Seattle Airport floor (an airport I was never supposed to be in) with my leg the size of a tree trunk up and resting on my pack, with tears in my eyes. I remember him saying that the difficulty of this trip was exactly what I needed. At that time my mouth agreed (knowing he was probably right) but my heart hurt, tears fell with pain and exhaustion and my eyes rolled while my head thought Enough is Enough. Although I agreed with him, I didn’t yet know the meaning of this statement. It wasn’t until the traveling section of my trip back to 'China home', when I was feeling more like myself, that I understood what Dad had meant on the phone that night. January had been a very difficult month and it had left me feeling unlike myself; I had lost sight of some very important things that I had to be reminded of. 

Some of which I posted in my January post of quotes. Looking back, yes I had flight problems. I had flight delays, was re-routed to different airports and even to a country that my airline doesn’t fly to; I had flight cancellations, had to change airports, and went many days with no sleep. Through all of this I now know that my Dad knew that I would survive and would see the beauty in the challenge; Human Kindness. He was right. My heart grew two sizes on this journey both to and from Canada; of this I’m sure. 

The kindness of strangers throughout the journey was overwhelming. From people carrying my bags, to bringing me a coffee because they thought I could use one, to pushing me to the front of lines so I wouldn’t have to wait, to having wheel chairs waiting for me at each airport, to someone working with a Delta employee to sort out my flights so I wouldn’t have to stand. People brought me into Delta lounges where I could eat and shower while others offered a kind word or an empathetic smile. Did I mention that I was also given First Class seating for every flight I was on!? I don’t consider myself a needy person; I’m independent and can take care of myself. BUT my word my heart and soul felt deeply appreciative for the love and kindness that I was shown. The kind words and help that I received was refreshing and all of these strangers have no idea what their kind acts meant to me. 

While the journey both to and from Canada proved to be challenging (and rewarding) my time home was heartwarmingly perfect. It was exactly what I needed. It was so nice to relax, to sit in my sunroom on a warm couch surrounded by laughing family and friends while looking out at our beautiful view. Sitting by the fire or in my hot tub during a snowstorm, breathing fresh air and making snow angels with my family in flip-flops and socks was absolute bliss. To be with my family and visit friends was a true treat. Being able to spend a couple of days with my Mom in her classroom was so much fun and being home to greet Daxy and Dad after work was always entertaining. Sarah was even in town and was able to pop in for visits, what a riot she can be! Having the Hooper clan together again was quite something…I do adore my family. 

The weekend festivities were a definite highlight of my visit. Having everyone over to the Hooper Residence was, as always, a night to be remembered (in bits and pieces); I woke up with cheeks that hurt from smiling, a stomach that hurt from so much laughter, legs that were sore from trying to dance on my ankle and a throat that told me I had howled sufficiently loud for an extended period of time. Nice to know that something’s never change – it was a perfect night! Hahaha A house full of love, laughter and fun <3  

I had been so looking forward to getting home to be with my family and friends, to breath fresh air, drink tap water, eat delicious food, drink homemade wine and get some much needed physio for my ankle, among other things. I was able to check all of the above off of my list and although I was far from ready to leave I knew that I had to stop putting check marks next to ‘eat delicious food’ and ‘drink homemade wine’!! hahaha 

I'm not back in China with my China Family (I don't know what I would do without them) and things seem to be coming together. My ankle is feeling Much better, the weather is warming up and I just got the word that the gym has finally re-opened!! 

Hugs to my Family and Friends, I’m truly appreciative of you and can't wait to see all of you this summer <3

Some important reminders that the difficult month of January provided me...

            

  

                       

                      

      

A Wonderful Asian Christmas with my Mama!

Although the holidays can be a difficult time to be living abroad, we do keep it festive here in China and this season was, although a little quieter than last year, wonderful. When December came the countdown officially began, the kids got progressively crazier and the teachers grew more and more anxious for the time off to rest and recuperate. Of course in my classroom we began counting down to my Mom’s arrival rather than Santa’s (the last Friday before holiday)…can you blame me!?

 

This past Christmas was like no other. I feel extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to travel around Asia with my mom – what an absolute treat! With my great excitement of course I was a couple of hours early to pick her up at the ferry terminal (with a large sign in one hand and wine, cheese and olives in the other). I cannot describe the excitement that ran through me the moment I saw her teal coat round the corner to step onto Chinese soil (cement… let’s be serious). From then on we were attached at the hip and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. From her arrival onwards it was go-go-go! She was quite a trooper and dealt well with the jet-lag – thank goodness because I had her running the roads! 

With the little time that we had at my China-Home I wanted to make sure that she was able to see as much as humanly possible which, thinking back, I do believe was a successful goal. Some of her Shenzhen experiences include but at not limited to: the Boathouse, a tour of Shekou at night (no I didn’t squeeze a place in at night so that she could say she went, Shekou is wonderfully lit and there is always a ton going on hahaha), a mid-night mani and pedi, smoothies, panamie treats, Luoho shopping (where we did very well), hair-washes, Tapinyaki, Kingway (chinese food) in the park and a delicious Gypsy’s breakfast. I think it’s safe to say Mom didn’t miss much; it was such fun taking her on tour to see all of the places that she has heard me speak about for the past few years. She also now knows how hard my bed really is (straight out of the Flintstones).

From Shenzhen we travelled to Chiang Mai, Bali (with an overnight stop over in Singapore on the way), Gili T, Kuta and then Singapore. We fit a great deal into 2 weeks and what a dream it was.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a wonderful place and unlike anything I had expected. This was our adventure section of the trip and my goodness it was spectacular! We were adventurers by day and market-explorers and pad Thai/spring roll eaters by night. We had a day of temples and the most delicious Thai Christmas dinner before spending Christmas day with elephants in the jungle a few hours outside of Chiang Mai. This may have to be ranked #1 on my list of Christmas Days. It was an absolutely phenomenal experience and one that we felt for days (goodness elephants are immense animals that are much more uncomfortable than they look). 

We spent time training with them, ate a delicious meal by a fire, and then went trekking (bare-back) through the jungle before washing them in the river. Our elephant certainly had a mind of his own…but we survived and it was an overall phenomenal experience; one I am sure to never forget. My heart was so happy to have been able to do this with Mom and on Christmas day no less. There is a Santa.

Elephants one day to Tigers the next!

The day after our elephant trekking adventure we headed to Tiger Kingdom where we spent some quality time with some ‘medium’ tigers (HA! They were huge.). We were much more relaxed then we expected to be as you can see by the picture. What a day! After cuddling with our furry friends we spent some time watching the babies and all decided that we wanted one to take home. It was another adventurous day in Chiang Mai!

Temples & Elephants & Tigers & Hill Tribes Oh My!

Our final day in Chiang Mai was spent traveling from one hill tribe to another and it was a positively eye-opening experience. It truly is amazing to me each time I see how some people survive and with smiles on their faces no less. This day was yet another success! Mom even treated me to a fantastic hand-made hat for my collection!

When the time came to head to the airport we were feeing sad to leave the beautiful and very interesting Chiang Mai but were keen to get into the heat of Bali (it was cool and overcast much of the time in Chiang Mai).

Before arriving in Bali we had to spend the night in the Singapore airport. Although it was a sleepless night, Changi is the airport to ‘sleep’ in (believe me, I have slept in my fair-share)! We set up shop in the Free Movie Theater and watched movies and caught up on Facebook (no VPN needed). It really wasn’t so bad but I was thankful that our flight out was in the morning – I’m not sure my mom and my stomachs could handle much more laughter (I was overtired and feeling a little silly).

 

With some confusion over flight times, arrives and boat schedules I had to do some shuffling but was able to get Mom, Kathryn and I flights to Lombok where a man was waiting for us (with a sign) to drive us to the boat. The boat scene was straight out of a Jason Bourne/ James Bond movie. We were in a slick rig and were taken across to Gili T and arrived within 15 minutes, where men were waiting to help us with our bags and take us to our hotel. Martas, our hotel, was Marvelous and I recommend anyone going to Gili T to stay here! What a beautiful spot with such hospitable, wonderful people. It is the perfect island for both relaxation and fun. 

Mom and I spent a day snorkeling with sea turtles, fish and ship wrecks around the 3 Gili Islands and eating on Gili Air; that was about the extent of any 'physical exertion'! hahaha We spent our time puttering from place to place, having drinks, eating spring rolls and listening to live music. (Kathryn left for Ubud while Mom and I enjoyed our time exploring the small, very lovely island.) Although it was rainy most of the time we strapped on our sandals, threw on our bathing suits and dresses and walked (confident that we wouldn’t melt). 

New Years Eve on Gili T was one for the books – I have Never seen such spectacular fire works…it was jaw-dropping! We ended up going to a huge beach party where they had set up a stage and

lightshow (on the beach) for a famous Swiss dj to play and we danced the night away! Top NYE. 

After a rough boat ride from Gili T to Kuta Mom and I puttered around, did some shopping and had some food before meeting up with Kathryn again. That evening we were all exhausted so we had some food in the comfy room and went to bed rather early. Saturday, our last day of this wondrous holiday was Sunny!!!! Mom and I hit the beach for 2 hours of pure bliss while Kathryn read at a coffee shop (crazy haha). We had such a beautiful time together playing in the waves and taking breaks to sip our drinks and read our books in the sun. What a treat to have had at least one beach day on what was supposed to be a ½ adventure ½ beach trip! Haha Ah well, can’t control the weather.

After a wonderful day spent puttering around Singapore with Dylan and running to the ferry ticket counter in Shenzhen I was able to get us tickets on the last boat to Shenzhen – what luck! We did some packing and fiddling before begrudgingly going to sleep, knowing that Mom would have to leave the next day. We enjoyed our morning puttering around ‘home’ before heading to the ferry terminal on Sunday to say our good-byes until June. I half wished we hadn’t had such a tremendous time together…good-bye may have been a little easier. Alas, all good things must come to an end and mom was off and home without any truly terrible issues before we both knew it. Strange to see her on the other side of the screen again but I do feel awfully blessed to have so many wonderful memories of our time together.

I am Very lucky to have had the opportunity to have such a wonderful holiday with my Beautiful Mama! XO