It's July

Trying to post a few pics - I always have a few frustrating moments when I first bring up the blog and the dashboard is all in Chinese - grrrrr - don't know why that happens - guess cuz we're in China. Every time I question 'why' around here about anything, someone reminds me to just say to myself, "I'm in China - that's why."  I end up saying it a lot. 

 Garald working at his computer in front of our office window. It is an amazing view, we must remind ourselves to look out as we often are engrossed in the monitor screen more than the view.

We're always saying, "Where is________?" So one day we asked for a map of Asia. We thought we'd get one about 11 x 14.  Nope - BIG - hung it on one of our walls. We look at it often. My-Oh-My - China is big. We were planning a training trip and thought we'd visit Cambodia and Mongolia in one trip. Whoops - we see on the map they're at opposite ends of Asia. Make that two trips. One scheduled for August and one for October. We're learning our geography.

The real view from our window - cool, isn't it! Victoria Harbor in the distance - that's where we board the ferry most every day for our trip back home across the harbor. 

Warning - many of the remaining pics show touristy kinds of pics. You may get the idea that all we do is play. NOT SO! Can only do so many pictures of the office. We generally work every day from 7:00 to 6:00, (well Garald does - I usually go in a little later) but we do play on Saturdays - thank goodness! 

Also do groc. shopping, laundry and cleaning - just like the rest of the working world, I guess.

 Victoria Harbor  - Dragon Boat Races. We were able to watch them (quite the big doings) from the promenade right outside our apartment building. 

 Trying to make our way through the throngs of spectators and competitors. 

 A Saturday  seniors' activity included a boat ride on an old time (restored) Chinese trading vessel.  This pic is our apartment building from the harbor. 

Some of our seniors as we're about to board the boat - a  rainy Saturday.  

 Most of the ladies stayed underneath, but of course, these guys braved it topside with umbrellas. 

 This was the boat approaching the pier where we boarded.

 After the boat ride, we had lunch, (dim sum - yummy) then toured the old Kum Tong building - where the church previously held meetings in HK and had offices. Although it's now been turned over to the city for a museum (it was built by one of China's first wealthy families) Mr Stanley Wan gave us a guided tour. He was a little boy when his parents (refugees from Mainland China) were caretakers of the building and he grew up there. Was just delightful hearing his stories. He's now working for the church in Beijing. Some of our couples here have served missions previously in HK. Our apartments now are 600 sq ft. In their previous missions, their apartments were 300 sq ft. Sister Dodson tells me you could do everything in the kitchen without moving your feet. Can almost do the same now.

 This is Sister Jackson (wife of area presidency executive secretary) doing a demonstration for our Filipino sisters branch on food styling. It was beautiful

 This is the 'after' picture of the sisters enjoying the delicious food.

 Awww, getting the groceries home. He's the pack horse. Sweaty job. Someday we'll again appreciate the trunk of a real car. At least we've not gotten lost on the last few grocery days.

Just scenery - snapped this one night as we came out of a mall where we'd enjoyed dinner with another senior couple. We had a REAL steak. Uncommon menu item for us. The cityscape here always amazes us.

The pic we received of our newest grandbaby - Owen - born to Sam and Massiel. We also rejoice this month with our first grandson's mission call - Curtis Ottosen - to Richmond, Virginia. We celebrate from afar. We also sorrow from afar at the passing of Garald's sister, Mae. We've called her several times recently. Prayers and blessings to her children and beloved husband. We miss being there, but will listen to the funeral on line. Love technology.