Hong Kong Halloween

Halloween has never been my favorite holiday. Honestly, I don't like very much about it. As soon as the magic of trick-or-treating wore off I haven't ever had very much fun. UNTIL I came to Hong Kong. Maybe it's because I had low expectations and no great past Halloweens to compare it to, but this year was fabulous. I went to a Halloween party in LKF with some friends and it was so fun to see everyone dressed up in costumes. I don't really love to go clubbing here, but it made it way better when people were dressed up. Here are a few of my personal favorite costumes...

So I didn't really know exactly what I was dressed up as, but then people kept mentioning me being Wilma Flinstone. THEN I ran into Fred Flinstone so I just had to take a picture with him.

How typical. Hello Kitty. There were 4 of them, but I could only find 2 for the picture.

This was another person who had a twinner costume with me. Once again, I couldn't resist a picture.

I'm not exactly sure what these girls were dressed up as, but they looked great. 

This is my friend Nadia, she was facebook. So creative, too bad every single person thought so and stopped her to take pictures and compliment her all night.

Martini & Evelyne were dead dolls, it was pretty cute.

The next night I got to help out with the haunted house that my hall made. I really didn't do anything, but my roommate and some of the other locals invited me to be a part of it so I couldn't resist. They got me all dressed up and then I just hung out in the lobby and for the last hour I tried to scare people in the haunted house, but nobody took me seriously. They all just said hello like I was the friendliest person ever and not scary at all.

This is my roommate all dressed up laying in her place for the haunted house... I was honestly a little afraid to sleep in the same room with her after seeing her like this.

These are my friends Kam & Dorothy, they are the ones who asked me to participate. So sweet of them.

This is my neighbor Oscar, killing me.

Me & my lovely roommate. Such a great duo, I know.

It was really such a fun Halloween. I didn't even celebrate on actual Halloween night, but honestly what's the difference as long as I celebrated. One thing I do love is pumpkin carving and I didn't get to do that this year, but it just means I'll need to do it twice next year. It wouldn't be the same doing it without the Buie's anyways...

Lamma Island, I love you

I took a little trip to Lamma Island on my day off last week. Yes, I went alone. That's sort of the story of my life in Hong Kong. It's okay though because I'd rather see places alone than not at all and it's tough coordinating schedules with other people. Maybe I'm lazy, maybe I'm anti-social, either way I enjoyed myself at Lamma Island.

Look closely and you can see how the graffiti on the cement wall says "Welcome to Lamma." 

It was such a welcoming place.

Everything was green and beautiful. It was the most amazing 20 minute walk through gorgeous rain forest to get to  the beach.

I can't imagine living on Lamma Island. There are no cars and no buildings over 3 stories. Life really would be so care free.

The beach was incredible as well. Barely anyone was there due to Typhoon Megi  creating a level 3 warning, but I thought it made for perfect beach weather. I got to sit alone and write a letter to my dear friend Eagle who is at the MTC.

Places like Lamma Island remind me of the beauty of the world. Hong Kong is full of hidden treasures and this outlying island certainly is one of them. Central with it's million businesses and ifc mall may be impressive to some people, but I'd take the solitude of Lamma Island over downtown HK any day.

Tuesday Routine

Today was probably the best Tuesday since I've been in Hong Kong.

I woke up and headed to Wan Chai for institute with the Relief Society ladies. 

The lesson was way good. Moses 6 & 7. 

There was a lot of discussion about Zion and I just thought about Brighton the whole time. 

One heart, One mind, Perfect love.

After learning about the Pearl of Great Price I went to Karma Yoga.

I got a way good deal on a one month membership and took my first class today. 

Only two of us were in the class which I sort of loved and sort of hated. 

It means the Indian instructor was able to help me perfect my postures more, but it also means I had to push myself the entire class.

I love how much stronger I feel after yoga.

Then I went and found a restaurant called Just Salad. 

It was amazing, I created a delicious salad.

Iceberg lettuce, hard-boiled egg, carrots, pasta, broccoli, & mozzarella cheese.

I really love vegetables and I have been craving a fresh salad for a while.

That's the beauty of Central, it's super westernized.

Now I'm in class. Love, Sex & Relationships.

We are discussing the question:

 "How does love differ across ages?"

Nobody is into it, as usual.

I can't wait for next week to make this Tuesday goodness happen all over again.

Bike Trip to Tai Mei Tuk

This Saturday the "buddy club" at my school organized a bike trip in the New Territories (the rural area of Hong Kong up near mainland China).

It was beautiful, just like everywhere else in HK.

The area was quite crowded because it was a public holiday, but really most places in Hong Kong are crowded so I'm getting used to it.

There was a road you could cruise down along the water. 

We were there just as the sun was setting.

Then we ate some Hong Kong BBQ which was delicious.

A Week of Wonderfulness.

I'm not even sure if wonderfulness is a word, but that is what my week was full of.

I'll just go ahead and give you a picture tour of all the wonderfulness.

I found out I was famous when I saw this sign in Central.

I went to Hong Kong Park...

...to meet up with my friend Perona.
She is from Australia, but has been here visiting her grandma for about 2 months. I met her at church and I'm way sad she's leaving this week.

We saw all sorts of birds in the aviary at the park.

They were literally so close I could have reached my hand out and touched them.

Then we proceeded to the zoological & botanical gardens to see all sorts of animals.
Flamingos.

Tortoise.

Raccoon.
I was cracking up that a raccoon is considered a zoo animal here. The little plaque said something like "found in many North American regions."

Alligator.

Chimpanzee. 

Yes, that is a baby holding onto it's stomach. It was adorable. The mom was swinging all over the cage as the baby just held on tight for the ride.

Tuesday was possibly the clearest night since I've been in Hong Kong.
I walked into the common room and saw this.

Here is a closer look. I know, my view is unreal.

Next, I had the bright idea to go study at the beach.
So I hopped on a bus and headed to Sai Kung.

I studied for about an hour and then went for a walk along the beach.
I found this.

About 5 minutes later I was taking a windsurfing lesson.

Obviously this picture isn't me, but I did that.
That is my instructor in the boat.
He told me I was a fast learner, much better than the man in this picture.

Three hours on the water and I now love windsurfing
& have a terrible sunburn.

This is my neighbor Gary.
He was so kind to bring me some Chinese cuisine to try.

Here is the close up of the cow parts he wanted me to try.
Yikes. Intestines, stomach, lungs, & other organs he didn't know the English name for.
Of course I tried a few and then hurried off to yoga class just in time.

I really do love my life here.
Beautiful views & so many amazing places to see.
Never a dull moment.
When was the last time someone knocked on your door with a styrofoam container full of cow parts?

Now I get to go take my first test of the semester.
Pretty monumental.
Biological Psychology here I come.

10,000 Buddhas

Literally I saw 10,000 Buddhas.

Less than 20 minutes on the MTR and I was at the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monestary.

Every single statue was in a different pose. 

Seriously any position you can imagine. 

Okay maybe not ANY position.

There were so many though. 

Incredible.

These are just a few of my personal favorites.

Yes, every single spec on that wall is a Buddha statue.

These statues were way cool.

But it's nice to only believe in one God.