A Year in Review

...or just a little bit more than a year. July 6 was the anniversary of us leaving the U.S. July 7 was the anniversary of us arriving in Hong Kong. Incidentally, these were the same days that I left the U.S. and arrived in Hong Kong this year after being back for my friends', Heather and Dave, wedding. My travel itinerary wasn't planned to coincide these anniversaries, it just sort of worked out that way.


It is really hard to believe that we have been here a year already. I've just met a couple of people who have been here only a month or so and we were talking about all of the adjustments that you go through. I'll never forget the day that I tried to catch the mini-bus to go to a meeting at the American Women's Association. I thought I was such an idiot for not being able to figure it out. Ah, if I only knew then what I know now. Funny thing is, I had the exact same thing happen to me about a week and a half ago. You can see my entry on July 11, 2007 for a reminder of what happened. The nice thing was, this time I knew it wasn't my fault for not being able to catch the mini-bus. They just happened to be completely full because of the morning commute. But it doesn't change the fact that it took me over an hour to get somewhere that should really take only 10 minutes. I was a half hour late for my meeting. Unfortunately, it was a meeting that I had called and was running. Ugh. Note to self, don't schedule any meetings at 9:00 a.m. It's just impossible to get anywhere with traffic.


Looking back on our year, we've learned a few things about Hong Kong, being an expat, moving half way around the world and trying to live in a country where you really don't speak the language. Here they are:

1. I really do have too many vases - when we were getting married, Chris kept saying that his life is now complete because he has more serving platters and vases than anyone could ever need. I of course disagreed with him because you can never have too many of those things, especially when you're entertaining. That is, of course, unless you move out of a house with a basement and in to a small apartment without any closets and very few cupboards.



2. A week after deciding what you're moving across the world and what you're not, review your list again and then get rid of anything you don't use everyday- otherwise you end up with too many vases


3. Don't wait for your life to start - As a corporate expat, your life "plan" is no longer your own. This might sound more negative than it is because it's a hard thing to describe. When a company sends you and/or your family to another country for a job, you quickly become much more dependent on them than you initially realize. Whether it's with having movers to get all of your things through customs, an agent to help you find an apartment and set up your utilities or having someone file your ridiculously complicated taxes thanks to the U.S. federal government, you quickly realize that there are parts of your life that you don't have as much control over as when you lived in your "home country." Mostly though, it's the time factor that really gets you at first. For example, Chris has a two year contract. However, within that contract, it states that they can move us back to the U.S. or anywhere else in the world at any time within those two years. And then there's the whole notion of extending the contract longer. The good news is, a lot of people are in the same boat. The bad news is, if you don't get past it, you end up sitting around, waiting for your life to start...two years down the road. Lesson being, don't think of your assignment as temporary otherwise you'll never be settled.


4. There is only one season in Hong Kong - CONSTRUCTION! - In the 13 months that we have had this apartment, we have not had one day (except for Sunday) where there isn't pile driving going on outside or drilling or pounding above us. The same holds true on just about every main street here. They love to do renovation work here. We think it's partly because labor is so cheap but also because they do such a crap job of stuff to begin with so it has to be redone all the time.


5. Do learn a little bit of the local language - your life will be so much easier. Just a few words here and there really go a long way. Especially when your toilet, water heater and air conditioner are broken. All you need to know is "broken" and then just point. It's a life saver. If that doesn't work, sign language is key.


6. Go outside of your comfort zone - and I don't mean go bungee jumping or something. I mean do stupid things you would never normally do. For example, going to someone's house who is having a knitting get together to show you how to dye sock yarn (did anyone know this actually existed?). You never know who you'll meet.


7. People really like to hack lugies all the time here - we haven't figured out why but the local people are constantly making bodily noises, spitting and other gross things. I don't think you ever get used to it.


8. $0.50 is a lot of money - if there's one thing you become good at while living in China, it's asking for more than what people originally want to give you. Whether it be a lower price or more of something, you have to ask, especially as a Westerner. If you don't, you end up paying way too much. The problem is, it becomes a psychological thing and you find yourself arguing over $0.50 on a $200 purchase.


9. Health insurance is more of a pain - anyone who knows me well knows that I have a deep loathing for the health insurance industry in the U.S. I'm not a fan of high premiums and large out of pocket expenses but I just might be able to stomach it if everything wasn't always a fight. The bad news is, depending on how your insurance is going to work if you're an American working abroad, it becomes an even bigger nightmare. You have to pay for doctor visits at the time of the visit, then submit a claim to an international department who then processes the claim and codes it in to American Insurance Speak and then send it to be processed through your U.S. insurance plan. If you're lucky, 6 weeks later you might just get the reimbursement you deserve for having to pay up front. If you're not, you get to stay up late to call the insurance company. You think at 10:00 a.m.; it's much worse in the middle of the night. I have to say that it is one of my least favorite things about being here. You apparently need at least a PhD to keep track of everything because having an MBA doesn't cut it.


10. Try not to push old ladies out of the way when crossing the street in the U.S. - survival in Hong Kong means that you have to stand your ground, bump in to people and take out the old ladies trying to steal your cab, spot in line or anything for that matter. It's not that personal space doesn't exist in Hong Kong. It just exists among the Hong Kong Chinese with people they know. There's no "ladies first" or moving the umbrella out of your way so they don't poke your eye out. Oh no. It's a serious free for all on the streets. The good news is, as a Westerner, you generally have size on your side. The bad news is, it quickly becomes a habit and you don't realize you're doing it when back in the U.S

There really are a million things we've learned in the past year, but I think the best thing is that we can be "home" wherever we choose. Home for us is where we are together. Everything else just sort of follows and comes together after that.

I'll post pictures soon of some of our adventures over the last few weekends. There are sure to be entertaining.