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may your tummies be full and your Thanksgiving be happy!

Friday, November 27, 2020

Hong Kong had been doing really well as far as 1-4 local covid cases daily, but we have suddenly seen a spike and it appears we are on our 4th wave of this virus here now. We will have to see what this means as far as shutting everything back down goes, but as of now, we are still functioning in groups less than 4. Before cases began to rise, we decided to utilize Lindsey and Mike's free birthday pass (since the park was closed during their free birthday admission time) at Ocean Park!

Ocean Park is a lot like SeaWorld, but it had a whole new meaning to us this time being there after Mike had worked at SeaWorld. This man knows so much about animals and science, it really amazes me <3. The last time I saw this Ocean Park banner was from my view in quarantine, and being able to see this hotel again totally gave me the heebie-jeebies.

It was even worse when we were leaving at night because I could see the building that lit up at night across from me doing it's nighttime show (screams internally)-

But aside from the PTSD kicking in, we had a really great day! We did not really ride any of the rides because I am a grandma and would rather just see the animals. Most people going to Ocean Park go for the adorable pandas, and they did not disappoint.

and the absolutely precious red pandas-

On the other side of the panda exhibit is some of the golden monkeys. Qi Qi did NOT like me though. He was hissing at me, and even jumped at me (thankfully there was glass between us), but, not gonna lie, my heart was racing a bit.

When I wasn't being terrified by monkeys, we were really lucky to catch either a feeding or some form of husbandry at almost every animal exhibit we encountered. One of my favorites was watching them feed the otters.

We also saw them feeding the arctic foxes-

the penguins (look at the massive, brown, puffy baby!)-

the seals-

and they were cleaning the walrus tusks-

The aquariums at Ocean Park are also so incredibly beautiful-

There are sharks to be seen-

And my favorite is always the jellyfish!-

We had some other animal interactions with the meerkats-

koalas and kangaroos-

alligators-

and turtles-

(oh wait, lol).

The only 'rides' we went on were the cable cars on the way up the mountain to the second half of the park-

and the submarine on the way back down to the bottom half of the park.

The most unique thing about Ocean Park is it is on a cliffside, so the views are incredible no matter where you go within.

We had a blast!

Where we live in Hong Kong is pretty far out from everything, but the Wetland Park is only a small walk away. This is one of Mike's favorite places to go, and it's so incredibly cheap. There are not quite the same animal experiences here as there are at Ocean Park though.

Now that it is not so hot anymore, we spent some time walking around visiting the butterfly garden, exhibits inside, and spent a long time watching the mud skippers.

Another place Mike has been looking forward to going to forever was the Tsz Shan Monastery, one of the largest Buddhist Temples. This was also super far from where we lived, but one of the most peaceful places I have ever been to.

We filled our tranquility by providing a water offering-

There was also a museum underneath all dedicated to different types of Buddha statues and their history.

Also, loved the hidden Mickey on her -

It was really strikingly beautiful, and I was happy to see another Big Buddha statue here in Hong Kong.

Mike was also really happy to get to go hiking this week, and visited Lions Rock, with a really stunning view at the top.

He even saw a monkey!

All of the The Right Stuff episodes are officially out now, and I am really sad to see it end. It has also been announced that if there is a second season, it will not be filmed in Orlando, but in California, which breaks my heart even more. Episode 6, however, was the episode I had been waiting for.

One of my favorite claims to fame of this whole series was having my hands molded into Ham's hands, the first monkey in space.

And so this ....

somehow turns into this...

Amazing. We love movie magic.

Episode 7 we also made a brief appearance. I was wrangling on set the night before Halloween, and someone did not show up who was suppose to be in the pool, so I was thrown in. It was a really late night, and honestly not the warmest, but it was a really fun scene to shoot and my face is right there!

That night we wrapped on set around 2am, and then about 5 hours later I was on set to film this My Pillow Towel commercial, which is probably why I look like I have not slept in a month, ha.

The final episode is episode 8, Mike had his most memorable time. He got to stand in for Alan Shepherd in the scene of him walking to the Redstone Rocket ready for mans first launch into space.

This was a really cool night. Funny enough, he is also in both the German control room and in the NASA control room also-

I will never, ever forget my time on this show, it was such a magical moment in life. Some additional highlights were Leonardo Dicaprio sending over a cupcake food cart one day, and also getting to ring the recording bell.

Gonna miss you TRS, but I know this is not the last for us <3.

With this year being so strange, we were really ready to start some holiday celebrating ASAP. Pretty much as soon as Halloween was over, Mike and I were ready to start decorating for Christmas. We visited the Christmas Market in Sham Shui Po on Fuk Wing Street, to hunt for our Christmas tree.

By November 13, Mike could not wait any longer to get our Christmas decorations up. So we had the Grinch playing, cooking baking, and the tree decorated and ready for Santa!

We are also calling this Christmas the year of 3d printer decorations. Mike has had a lot of time to practice printing on the 3d printer and made us some really beautiful, one of a kind, decorations this year.

Like this really cool, interchangeable tea light holder-

and my favorite, our snowflake garland-

and our cute little castle wreath-

Not only is Christmas at our home, it is in full swing at Disney now too. Is there anything more magical than Disney at Christmas time?!

Mailing our Christmas cards from Main Street!

One of the most exciting parts of Christmas this year is the new Christmas castle show, and it's adorable! You can watch the whole thing HERE, but in the meantime, check out the photos of me crying over Stella Lou-

I think one of my favorite thing was the snoap on main street though, it truly is the most magical-

and the castle all lit up at night is beautiful-

The newly imagined castle also opened this week as well. It is absolutely stunning, and I am so glad I was here to witness this transformation before, during, and after.

Everyone was really excited to see all the princesses on stage together for the first time in a long time to celebrate the opening (watch the whole thing HERE).

I was a little sad to say goodbye to our first castle photo together that struck the inspiration for us to see all the other castles together, but with a name like The Castle Of Magical Dreams, what better way to celebrate new dreams than with new photos!

Every detail of this castle is beautiful. It is a a special homage to all of the princesses, each with their own detailed tower and topper. From the front, to the back, to the castle stage, it's stunning.

ceiling in the back

front gate outside the castle looking down from the castle stage

side castle

back castle

There is also a whole expo area on how the castle was built and what to look forward to, including projection mapping fireworks and a new castle show hopefully sometime in 2021-

all the tower toppers up close

Not only is it the holiday season and a new castle opening, but it's also the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong Disneyland. Crazy to think I was here for the 10th and now back for the 15th but the celebration has been amazing.

special 15 anniversary strawberry donut

The park also now has character meet and greets from a safe, social distance. Not pictured- us yelling at the character trying to interact because they are so far away they cannot hear us through our masks, lol.

And the princesses have a new meet and greet location inside the castle!

and look who FINALLY made his appearance at HKDL- OLU!!

Especially this Thanksgiving, I am incredibly grateful for a job as magical as mine, my husband here in HK with me, and our safety and health. Obviously Thanksgiving is not a Hong Kong, holiday, but you can sure bet that did not stop us from making a whole Thanksgiving meal in the toaster oven (or 3 toaster ovens to be exact) to celebrate!

Our Thanksgiving celebration started with a small turkey trot and decorating some hand turkeys with Lindsey before feasting.

First attempt ever at making a pumpkin pie (and in the toaster oven....)

homemade cinnamon croissants in the morning

turkey going in!

After we feasted with our friend Lindsey, we had round 2 with some of our other Disney mates (after some very careful temperature checks).

I am so full I may never eat again.

This year I am especially thankful to have a job a performance job during a crazy time for performers. As always, so grateful to the friends who help take these photos to share with my friends and family who cannot come visit at this time.