Last night we arrived in Hong Kong at about 7pm local time. After getting through immigration, we found the hotel desk at the airport and grabbed a car to our hotel. We arrived at the hotel in a nice Mercedes Benz and were greeted outside by name and ushered in to check in. After arriving in my room, I immediately checked out the view- it's great! I have a view of the city, Victoria Harbor, and Hong Kong Island. Everything was all lit up and it looked awesome.
The room is great, though the bed is a little hard... The toiletries in the bathroom are awesome- they have everything from shower gel to bath salts to shaving cream and razors. I could have just showed up here with clothes and been all set. After my luggage was delivered, a few minutes later, housekeeping stopped by to turn down my bed and brought me hot tea and fresh oranges. The tea was in this little wicker basket holder, it had an awesome teapot and two little tea cups. Very cool. AND the tea was probably the best I've ever had. Since it was about 5am Denver time, I called it a night, and got to bed around 11pm Hong Kong time.
My body clock was all sorts of off and I woke up at 330am. I got up and tried to entertain myself, but was unable because the electricity was off. Apparently, the hotel was conducting annual maintenance to the electrical switchboards and had turned off all power overnight. I have no clue why or for what or whatever, but it forced me to lay back down and i was able to sleep a few more hours. I woke up for good around 630am and am now sitting here ready to go. I'm just waiting on Chris to finish working out and getting ready, then we're going to go to lunch. We may even get to do a little bit of exploring this afternoon.
I have to say I feel a bit hungover or something. I suppose because it's really 630pm in Denver and I'm trying to feel like it's the morning.
I decided to iron some of my clothes this morning while I'm waiting for Chris and apparently here in China, they have super powered irons. I had the iron on the highest setting, which I usually do at home when ironing my dress shirts. So I finish ironing one, and move on to the next. I notice that the shirt is changing colors a bit when I'm ironing the collar, not something that caused me too much worry, as some fabrics do that. Then I move on to the sleeve. Well, it's doing the same thing and I pick it up only to discover that the two sides of the sleeve have fused together! I melted my shirt together. I try very gently to pull it apart. But I have no luck, it totally tears! I couldn't believe it, all I could do was laugh. Damn Banana Republic Outlet shirts! Luckily I brought more than enough clothes with me.
Oh my gosh, I totally feel like I need a nap right now! This isn't right! Well, more to come.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The journey-Continued.
More than halfway to China. In fact, I've been on the plane for nearly 10 hours now- less than 5 to go!
In the past 10 hours, I've taken a couple of naps, read the airline's magazine, had several snacks- including cup of noodle, a mini sandwich, and a few glasses of wine, I'm almost done reading "Wicked", and I watched "The Departed." Amazing what you can get done when you're help captive for almost a full day in a 2x2 foot area!
The airplane is actually quite comfortable. The flight attendants are extremely friendly and are more than happy to get you a drink or snack. In addition, they have refreshment areas set up in a few areas on the plane where you can just go and refull your drink, grab a snack, and sit back down. It's actually quite convenient and allows me to get up and walk around a bit.
I have to say, I really have lost track of time. The shades on the windows are all down, so it feels like night. Though after my couple of naps, I'm quite awake. According to the satellite map, we are somewhere over Japan. Actually we're right over Tokyo now. It really amazes me we still have five hours to go. I guess it also baffles me and more accurately, embarrasses me that I have such little world geography knowledge!
So let's see, currently it's 10:52pm in Denver, 1:52pm (Tuesday!) in Hong Kong, and God knows what time it is on this plane! By the time I land in Hong Kong and get to the hotel, it'll be the middle of the night, Denver time. Making that even worse is the fact that I got up at 3am to begin this journey!
We're staying at the Shangri-La Kowloon, which is across from Hong Kong Island and is supposed to have amazing views of the skyline and Victoria Bay. The area of Kowloon we're in is Tsim-Somthing-Tsai or something like that. I did VERY little research for the trip which I'm somewhat regretting now as it seems we'll have some free time here. Oh well- thank goodness for internet access and google!
In the past 10 hours, I've taken a couple of naps, read the airline's magazine, had several snacks- including cup of noodle, a mini sandwich, and a few glasses of wine, I'm almost done reading "Wicked", and I watched "The Departed." Amazing what you can get done when you're help captive for almost a full day in a 2x2 foot area!
The airplane is actually quite comfortable. The flight attendants are extremely friendly and are more than happy to get you a drink or snack. In addition, they have refreshment areas set up in a few areas on the plane where you can just go and refull your drink, grab a snack, and sit back down. It's actually quite convenient and allows me to get up and walk around a bit.
I have to say, I really have lost track of time. The shades on the windows are all down, so it feels like night. Though after my couple of naps, I'm quite awake. According to the satellite map, we are somewhere over Japan. Actually we're right over Tokyo now. It really amazes me we still have five hours to go. I guess it also baffles me and more accurately, embarrasses me that I have such little world geography knowledge!
So let's see, currently it's 10:52pm in Denver, 1:52pm (Tuesday!) in Hong Kong, and God knows what time it is on this plane! By the time I land in Hong Kong and get to the hotel, it'll be the middle of the night, Denver time. Making that even worse is the fact that I got up at 3am to begin this journey!
We're staying at the Shangri-La Kowloon, which is across from Hong Kong Island and is supposed to have amazing views of the skyline and Victoria Bay. The area of Kowloon we're in is Tsim-Somthing-Tsai or something like that. I did VERY little research for the trip which I'm somewhat regretting now as it seems we'll have some free time here. Oh well- thank goodness for internet access and google!
The journey across the other pond.
As I write this, I am sitting on my very first flight outside of the US. The plane is enormous- the biggest I have ever been on. I met my boss, Chris, at LAX after our flights from our home cities had taken us to Los Angeles. I made it over to the International Terminal with relative ease and waited by the gate for two-plus hours catching up on work.
When I first arrived at the gate, I was the only person there. By the time Chris arrived, as boarding was beginning, the gate was bustling with dozens of people.
We boarded the plane- I got an aisle- thank goodness! Once the plane doors closed, we realized the flight was not quite full and after take off, I moved up several rows to another aisle seat to allow my new friend, Rudy from Manila, an aisle seat of his own.
After take off, we were served a drink of choice- red wine for me, of course and a bag of peanuts. I began to fear this was the only food item i was going to receive for a few hours, so I busted out my stashed bag of pretzels, because I was starving. Luckily, they began serving lunch not too long after the peanut/wine appetizer.
Lunch was sweet and sour pork, salad, roll, cheesecake, and a drink. In traditional plane food fashion, it was semi-hot, sort of tasteless, and not too filling. Nonetheless, I was happy for the meal. Now I am sitting here watching the mini TV in the seat back ahead of me and about to read a bit and possibly take a nap.
After talking to Chris, he seems fairly confident that we won't be too busy. Even suggested we may be able to leave on Friday vs. Saturday. Though, if that is the case, I may consider staying on for the extra day by myself because, I mean, how often do you get the opportunity to be in China??
When I first arrived at the gate, I was the only person there. By the time Chris arrived, as boarding was beginning, the gate was bustling with dozens of people.
We boarded the plane- I got an aisle- thank goodness! Once the plane doors closed, we realized the flight was not quite full and after take off, I moved up several rows to another aisle seat to allow my new friend, Rudy from Manila, an aisle seat of his own.
After take off, we were served a drink of choice- red wine for me, of course and a bag of peanuts. I began to fear this was the only food item i was going to receive for a few hours, so I busted out my stashed bag of pretzels, because I was starving. Luckily, they began serving lunch not too long after the peanut/wine appetizer.
Lunch was sweet and sour pork, salad, roll, cheesecake, and a drink. In traditional plane food fashion, it was semi-hot, sort of tasteless, and not too filling. Nonetheless, I was happy for the meal. Now I am sitting here watching the mini TV in the seat back ahead of me and about to read a bit and possibly take a nap.
After talking to Chris, he seems fairly confident that we won't be too busy. Even suggested we may be able to leave on Friday vs. Saturday. Though, if that is the case, I may consider staying on for the extra day by myself because, I mean, how often do you get the opportunity to be in China??
Sunday, January 28, 2007
And I'm off...
Early tomorrow morning I'll be driving to the airport to begin my very first intercontinental trip. I'll be flying to Los Angeles first, where I will be meeting up with my boss, and then we'll be flying together to Hong Kong. The flight is enormously long- 15 hours, but thankfully Cathay Pacific offers free drinks in coach, so hopefully I'll be able to have a couple of glasses of wine and sleep a bit.
I've been having numerous nightmares about this trip. Well, I can't say they're nightmares, but more little anxiety attack dreams. The recurring theme in all is that I forget something. Mainly, I forget a book to bring on the plane and so I'm left sitting there with nothing to do for half of a day. Even if I really do forget to bring a book (I already have 3 packed in my carry-on), each seat has its own TV with movies and whatnot, so I don't know what I'm freaking out about. In another dream, I forget my passport... And in another, the cords to my laptop. I'm such a worrier!
I'm about 90% done with packing now, just am charging up all of my electronic devices and then those will get packed up and I'll be all ready. My flight is at 6:20am, so I'll be up and going really early in the morning and want everything in its place before I go to bed tonight. I seriously can't believe it's almost 5pm now. I am still in my pj's and feel like I haven't done much today even though I've been running around like a crazy woman packing and printing stuff out for our meeting.
Anyways, not sure what sort of access I will have to the internet while I am there, or if I will have a lot of free time or virtually none, so if I am unable to post during my trip, I promise a post full of photos and tales upon my return to the states!
I've been having numerous nightmares about this trip. Well, I can't say they're nightmares, but more little anxiety attack dreams. The recurring theme in all is that I forget something. Mainly, I forget a book to bring on the plane and so I'm left sitting there with nothing to do for half of a day. Even if I really do forget to bring a book (I already have 3 packed in my carry-on), each seat has its own TV with movies and whatnot, so I don't know what I'm freaking out about. In another dream, I forget my passport... And in another, the cords to my laptop. I'm such a worrier!
I'm about 90% done with packing now, just am charging up all of my electronic devices and then those will get packed up and I'll be all ready. My flight is at 6:20am, so I'll be up and going really early in the morning and want everything in its place before I go to bed tonight. I seriously can't believe it's almost 5pm now. I am still in my pj's and feel like I haven't done much today even though I've been running around like a crazy woman packing and printing stuff out for our meeting.
Anyways, not sure what sort of access I will have to the internet while I am there, or if I will have a lot of free time or virtually none, so if I am unable to post during my trip, I promise a post full of photos and tales upon my return to the states!
Friday, January 19, 2007
Guess where I'm headed...
So, last week I just received word that I'll be heading to China the end of January for a week. I am beyond excited! I'll be traveling to Hong Kong and possibly taking a small day trip to Xiamen. We're meeting with Wal-Mart and our manufacturer over there that does our giftsets (everything else we have made in the US, don't yell at me, all you crazy 'buy American' people out there). So, the past week I've been working on getting my visa (just came back to me today!), making travel arrangements, and reserving meeting rooms and all of that fun stuff.
I know I'll be busy over there, but I had to laugh when I found out the one main appointment I am going over there for is a 45 minute meeting. So essentially I'm heading over to China for a 45 minute meeting. But, really, I'm sure there will be a lot of prepping and possibly follow up. My boss wants me to go with him to assist him, as well as to get acquainted with the people we work with there, as in the future I may be our China liaison. Fun stuff.
I'm going from never leaving the country to traveling clear across the globe- I can't believe it!
This year is certainly going to be one crazy year... After my China trip, we're heading to Baltimore for a wedding. Then we have 3 more weddings out of state after that, before our own! Thankfully the last wedding we have to travel for is the end of June, so we'll have a little bit of downtime before our big day.
Wedding plans are coming along. We have almost all of the major vendors booked now. The only major ones left are the DJ and florist, and we're in the process of meeting with them this week and next. I feel really good now that almost all of the big stuff is taken care of.
My mom is coming out the end of February, so it'll be great to have her here to help me out with some little things and I'm so excited to show her the reception site. We'll also be doing one of the best tastings while she's here... the cake tasting. YUM!
I know I'll be busy over there, but I had to laugh when I found out the one main appointment I am going over there for is a 45 minute meeting. So essentially I'm heading over to China for a 45 minute meeting. But, really, I'm sure there will be a lot of prepping and possibly follow up. My boss wants me to go with him to assist him, as well as to get acquainted with the people we work with there, as in the future I may be our China liaison. Fun stuff.
I'm going from never leaving the country to traveling clear across the globe- I can't believe it!
This year is certainly going to be one crazy year... After my China trip, we're heading to Baltimore for a wedding. Then we have 3 more weddings out of state after that, before our own! Thankfully the last wedding we have to travel for is the end of June, so we'll have a little bit of downtime before our big day.
Wedding plans are coming along. We have almost all of the major vendors booked now. The only major ones left are the DJ and florist, and we're in the process of meeting with them this week and next. I feel really good now that almost all of the big stuff is taken care of.
My mom is coming out the end of February, so it'll be great to have her here to help me out with some little things and I'm so excited to show her the reception site. We'll also be doing one of the best tastings while she's here... the cake tasting. YUM!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
My pretty baby-girl...
Lola all snuggled up in the most awesomest blanket that Jen gave me for Christmas. Actually, speaking of the awesome blanket, Lola and I are snuggled up in it now as I type!
Christmas
Anyways, where did I leave off? Oh yes, so I finally made it to Chicago on Christmas Eve night. My parents picked me up from the airport and we headed to their new house in Lily Lake. I spent Christmas Eve exploring their new home, drinking wine, and snacking on some cheese. We stayed up late catching up and I think I finally got in bed about 2am, after talking to Brian while he was stuck in Dallas on a cot to sleep for the night. :(
Christmas morning we woke up early to go to church, then came back for breakfast and to open presents. We spent the rest of the early afternoon making food for dinner, and then headed over to the LeDuc's for Christmas dinner and to spend the evening with them (and some delicious gingerbread martinis).
The day after Christmas my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew came in to town; we spent the day catching up, drinking egg nog, and watching my nephew Jack's favorite movie, Cars, a bunch of times. That night, Jen came over for dinner and a little slumber party. We drank gingerbread martinis, apparently the drink of my Christmas in Chicago 2006 trip, caught up, had a delicious Italian dinner with everyone and all-in-all had a great night. It was so nice to see everyone that day, and I was so happy that Jen was able to postpone our original 'date' we had on Friday for Tuesday when my travel plans got totally goofed up by the crazy blizzard.
Unfortunately, Wednesday morning I woke up and had to start packing to go home. The trip to Chicago was entirely too short.
Christmas morning we woke up early to go to church, then came back for breakfast and to open presents. We spent the rest of the early afternoon making food for dinner, and then headed over to the LeDuc's for Christmas dinner and to spend the evening with them (and some delicious gingerbread martinis).
The day after Christmas my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew came in to town; we spent the day catching up, drinking egg nog, and watching my nephew Jack's favorite movie, Cars, a bunch of times. That night, Jen came over for dinner and a little slumber party. We drank gingerbread martinis, apparently the drink of my Christmas in Chicago 2006 trip, caught up, had a delicious Italian dinner with everyone and all-in-all had a great night. It was so nice to see everyone that day, and I was so happy that Jen was able to postpone our original 'date' we had on Friday for Tuesday when my travel plans got totally goofed up by the crazy blizzard.
Unfortunately, Wednesday morning I woke up and had to start packing to go home. The trip to Chicago was entirely too short.
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