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dear future, i am ready
When we got back to Hong Kong from our trip to America, we had about a week til Christmas.
When we had returned to HK, the new social distancing measures changed, but they have since changed even more! Now the absolutely only remaining thing is masks at all times. There is NO longer any mandatory RAT tests, PCR tests, restricted number of people in a group, social distanced rules (except at Disney we are still currently greeting at a distance), or anything anymore! This is absolutely crazy after living stuck in a country that took it very seriously for 3 years. Now the opposite is happening where we have to test to go back home to America because the numbers in China are currently so high. While this is frustrating, we won't have to deal with that for a while, so hopefully it'll change by then. We are just celebrating the little wins we are getting here by enjoying movies in big groups like the new Avatar movie!
HK Disneyland was ready for Christmas with their Christmas shows and tree lighting. On Christmas Eve night, Mike and I watched them light the tree, and enjoyed some holiday cheer.
We also tried the salted caramel ice cream and passion fruit cream puff.
Christmastime we also welcomed the Charmings to the kingdom. I had the best day with these dreamers.
On Christmas Eve, we got together for candle light service, where we sang carols and told the Christmas story with our figurines, like my favorite family tradition.
We had some meet up times with our friends for the Yule Ball Christmas party where we decorated cookies and played games.
Christmas day Mike and I didn't really do gifts. We had a few to open from home, and after we had brunch with our friends in the morning-
A few days later we had family Christmas with my family on zoom, where we got to open our secret santa gifts to each other and play some holiday games.
The holiday season continued when we celebrated (our last) New Years in Hong Kong. We had the best time going out into the harbour on a boat to ring in the new year in style.
With such a perfect view of the skyline, and the clearest weather, we could not have asked for a better night.
At midnight, a countdown appeared on one of the buildings, and we shouted out the numbers til midnight, where we celebrated with tiny (and weirdly silent?) fireworks.
We also did a mini hike to the Sai Wan Swimming Shed, which is also known as the Instagram pier. It's known for it's stunning views at sunset, but with it being winter, the sun had already gone past it's color phase.
Mike and I also visited the Sweet Gumwood Forest to see the iconic red leaves after their change. We don't really experience Autumn in HK, so these leaves change at a different time than they usually do at home. People flock to see the red leaves before they fall to the ground since it's such a short, quick little hike.
We are finally starting to do some food adventures again, and one of my favorite stops was for lunch at Waffling Beans for a chicken schnitzel waffle and orange hot chocolate.
2022 was a bit of a challenging year for me. I am gonna get real honest for a minute, so buckle up. I did not know 2022 was going to be one of the most difficult years for me mentally and physically. A year ago today we were burnt out and ready to go home. I was tired of doing the same thing every day, singing the same one song, in this small country I couldn't travel to or from. We were ready to go home and when I got the call Amy was coming out, and I would be switching roles to something different every day, I thought things would be better, and they were, until I got sick. When I got E.Coli, I lost 15+ pounds, and had a really hard time gaining it back. Mentally, I was having panic attacks, I couldn't eat, and was severely and clinically depressed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Mike could not leave my side, he prepared every meal and snack and basically force fed them to me. I was speaking to a counselor, and after months, I can finally say I finally feel like my old self again. It's been months, but I finally gained some weight back, I am no longer having panic attacks, I am eating normally, and Mike can finally leave me alone at times and I am ok. I know they say these things take time, but it has really been a long time coming. We have begun adventuring out again, including where I look forward to eating out. I am really hoping 2023 holds some special new memories for us, and definitely better ones too, but I am grateful for these moments of learning as well. I wish everyone a very happy holiday season, and a safe new year as well!
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