We've been here in Hong Kong as a family now for 2 months and a week. I can't decide if time is going fast or slow. Things are going well and that's all that really matters. The kids have adjusted well to school and work is going well for B. By now we've had the chance to meet many (most?) of the other families here with B's company and fortunately they make up a nice solid network of people all looking out for and taking care of each other. It's so Song. And if you know what I mean by that then you know it's a great thing.

For the first time today I felt very at home. Not that I've been uncomfortable or anything, but today I was in the groove and it felt pretty good.

I walked along side the kids as they rode their bikes to The Plaza this morning for some morning fun. The kids knew the way. They knew all the places to stop, all the areas I wanted them to stay away from and it was so nice to not have to direct them constantly or worry about them getting too close to danger zones. (I have mentioned safety features are sometimes completely absent here--how about no barriers or railing at all at the edge of the concrete walkway that drops off about 10 feet into the bay?)

After we'd been at The Plaza for about 5 minutes, G realized that there were a few girls from her class there too. She was SO happy to see them and took off to start playing with them. I knew who 2 of their moms were and had talked to them both briefly once before. So I got to talk with both of them again which was great. One of the moms was born and raised here in Hong Kong but moved to the USA as a young adult and now she's back here. She is great to talk with because she totally gets me as an American but she has (unknowingly) given me lots of insight about local culture as well. The other mom is Vietnamese. I love talking with these people! And I love that our kids are friends even more!

I also started talking with another (Portuguese) mom of a younger toddler and she was asking me where my kids went to school and my thoughts about all of that. She was asking ME for advice?! I told her I was probably unqualified to give advice since I've only been here for 2 months. She told me she'd only been here for 2 weeks so in her eyes I was definitely qualified. Which is funny. I feel so brand new but I actually was able to share some things with her that she seemed to be glad to hear. I think I helped her? I hope I did anyway.

And when I was at the grocery while D was at school I saw a lady with 3 young kids. Twins in a double stroller and an older one. I helped her with her stroller onto the bus and we began talking. Her family has only been here 3 weeks and today was only her second time to go shopping without her husband there to help.

I guess I'm not new anymore?