Home Sweet Home

After being in Hong Kong for almost two years now, we have slowly found our niche and have made some very good friends here. While we still miss the simple things that we used to take for granted back home like clear blue skies, fresh air or even just a small patch of green grass for Ryan to run around on, we are now feeling a lot more at home. Still, the most difficult thing about living here so far has been not having family around. Even though both our families have taken turns to visit us a number of times, it’s still not quite the same as picking up the phone and saying, “Ma can we come over to your place for laksa tonight?”

We spent three lovely weeks in Melbourne over Christmas. For me, no matter how long I've been away, the minute I step off the plane at Tullamarine airport, I know that I am home. Maybe it’s the smell (by smell I mean the fresh cool air), or just the anticipation of being met by family, but I absolutely love that feeling. Ryan had a wonderful time this holiday, spending time with his grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and little friends. He had one adventure after another, going to the Wiggles concert, riding the Puffing Billy and seeing all the native animals at Healesville Sanctuary. But I suspect he had the most fun just playing in the backyard and at the nearby playgrounds. I think the photos speak for themselves.

Ryan's first hot chocolate (notice the glee in his eyes)

This is one of my favourite photos, thanks to Shad's artistic abilities.

Chasing seagulls at St Kilda beach

Picnic in the backyard with Ah Kong and Ah Ma (the little table and chairs are in great condition given that Daddy used to play with them 30 years ago!)

One of the things I miss very much since we moved to HK is our regularly "girls' night out". We had a deelicious dinner at the Waterfront in Station Pier where Will, Tania's partner is the Executive Chef. Will prepared an amazing degustation menu for us which featured many of my favourites like oysters, crab and lobster ravioli, scallop tartare, kingfish, rib-eye and of course a platter of sinfully beautiful desserts.

Sugar heaven ... Ryan's first lollipop

We spent a lovely weekend with Jo, Jensen and JP in Rye/Sorrento where Ryan and JP got to know each other better. Despite the dismal weather (we must have chosen the wettest weekend ever to go to the seaside), we had a great time catching up over dinner, nightcap, and a lovely brunch by the fire place at the Sorrento Hotel.

Exhausted from a full day of play. Hayden stayed over with us for a slumber party, and Ryan was estatic to have Hayden koh-koh sleep in his bed.


Up close with a wallaby. Surprisingly brave, Ryan loved patting and feeding the wallabies.

Under the protective wing of the eagle at Healesville Sanctuary.


I love this photo. You will understand why after you hear the story behind it. We took the boys to a nearby park and they just took off running the moment we got there. Shad decided to make things more challenging so he got them to run up this slope (it's much steeper than it looks in the photo). Hayden immediately ran up with no problems but Ryan got halfway then stopped and in a very pitiful voice called out "help me". So Hayden being the big koh-koh that he is, walked back down, took Ryan's hand and helped him up.


Enjoying Ah Kong's handy work. Shad's dad made this rocking horse for him when he was around the same age and size as Ryan. After all these years, it still looks and works great.

A truly Victorian experience, dangling our legs over the side of the Puffing Billy


Three generations of Han women

Boys will be boys!

He eats like a true Malaysian!

Enjoying the outdoors at the Warrandyte Nursery with Kong-kong and Poh-poh