Happy in Hong Kong

Project Everlasting and new HK village house

Finding the secret to enduring love....what is it?  Well, my sister has crossed paths with a great man from the US who is devoted to spending a lot of time, energy, and money to go out and look into this ageless and priceless question. The bedrock ideas that this guy asserts are clearly inspired from a superior source of good. There is no doubt in my puny little mind about that.  Please look into his videos and "cool as" inspirations.  I can't wait to meet this guy some day to share with him and pick his heart, brain, and soul.

....and I also wanted to share pictures of our new house, which puts us very near the HK-China border now.  we are loving life and looking forward to the new possibilities this move has opened for us.

Teaching the whole world English

just wanted to share this fabulously beautiful picture of my wife and son at yet another Saturday function where we teach English to Asian children.  We're getting very very close to the opening day of our new dance studio, so we have all hands on deck for that.  We'll try to keep you current on what's happening with it (and actually with my Master's degree program that I started about 2 weeks ago) here, but we'll also be adding a photo gallery and online forum to our dance studio website to document the proceedings.

Sonia Herron Academy of Jazz....Now Open!!

The latest Modern Jazz and Hip Hop Dance syllabus from Australasia. Classes taught in English, Internationally recognised examinations, and all done to the latest trend setting music your child will LOVE!
A safe and positive dancing environment for your child to learn and develop their full potential in dance.
Syllabus info and timetable with prices can be found by click image above.

Register NOW at dance academy website   www.academyofjazz.com

Address of studio is:  Shop 26, 1/F, The Waterside, 15 On Chun Street, Ma On Shan

phone/fax:  +852 2643 9688

Classes start on 20 November.

Don't miss the grand opening specials!!!

A video for our families

We made this video mostly to show our family how much we wish you were here to be with our kids and a part of their lives. Most of it is footage from earlier this year and from elijah's first birthday last december.
We love you and miss you.

video blog 1.0

living the fast-paced Asian life.  kindergarten, mass transit, tourist destinations, shopping, and heaps of info on how to come and thrive in Hong Kong. we're a family who is doing it and want others to benefit from our experience. God called us to this place, and we know his plan is majestic and worthy of following with all our hearts...enjoy all Hong Kong and Asia have to offer

  Quicktime video -- Download here 

  Windows Media Player DivX video -- Download vlog_intro7.avi 

Sonia takes the boys to a fun gym

didn't want you to miss seeing pictures from last month's trip to Little Gym for Caleb's friend's birthday party.  The boys got party packs and had heaps of fun.  Just look in our Family & Friends Photo Album for the rest of the pictures of their fabulous fun!

Grocery shopping in Hong Kong

when we first came to HK 9 months ago, we didn't have a clue what to do as far as weekly groceries.  And now it's not even weekly, since you tend to stop by the grocery store more often here (not wanting to carry too much if you either forgot your own trolley or don't want to buy more than $400 which is the minimum you must spend in order to get free delivery to your house.
Now we think we're experts.  Especially because I really do scrutinize what each store offers: prices, variety, quality, and bonus programmes.  I've come to the resolution that Wellcome is the best all-around place to get your groceries in HK.  Just remember these things:

• at least 2 cloth shopping bags (environmental discount of 10 cents per $50 of groceries)
• a hand trolley with wire basket
• your Octopus card to collect Octopus Rewards (can register at cashier or online)
• your Standard Chartered American Express card -- 8% off at Wellcome & Park N Shop
• get double Wellcome stamps on Saturday & Sunday when you spend over $250 (redeem for prizes)
• if you send a dometic helper to do the shopping, they won't allow her to use your credit card

You can only get certain Western foods at Park N Shop, and they provide good incentives as well, but they tend to be overpriced in the more expensive item category.
If you choose to complete your shopping online, then you must be aware that they won't give you Octopus Rewards or your environmental discount.  We ordered like this a couple times, and we weren't at all satisfied with the quality of the fresh foods they picked out on our behalf, so that was the end of shopping online for us.

• Oh yeah!  Don't forget your shopping list!

HK kindergarten interview

time to take her two-year-old to a famous and established local kindergarten for an "interview".  and what did the Chinese teacher and English teacher do?  the Chinese teacher put all the toys on the table and ordered the little girl to play.  no interaction, no instruction.  just a stare.  then the young expat teacher came by.  she started to read a storybook loudly and word-for-word.  no imaginative illustration or kind interaction.  when is it that teachers reach out to little toddlers and actually help them to develop instead of just treating them like little adults?
this is a picture of what teaching kindergarten is like here in HK.  I know what this woman means after having taught in a local kindy for 9 months now.  i think we need to make our own kindergarten and go into business.

Lighthouse Christian Products

I had dinner last night once again with George from Lighthouse Christian Products from Chicago, USA.  What a great company that is sincerely trying to be a light for Our Lord Jesus Christ in this troubled world.  It was so good to hear his many stories of how their products continue to encourage and inspire people to love and understand God more.  They are always so uplifting to my whole family, no matter who it is, and that's why I was led today to write about them.  Please visit their site just to see their range of gift items.  I worked in their warehouse on and off for a total of maybe 18 months, and God had many key conversations with me during those work hours shipping and storing their many gift items.  Thanks George & Ed (and supporting cast)!!  We love you!

The Vine Christian Centre- Hong Kong

for all those looking for a church home in Hong Kong or for those who just want to see the great things that God is doing through the people of The Vine, see their videos, info, and pictures at their website.  We are so happy worshiping and serving God in this place since coming to Hong Kong in Aug 06.  To get directions to the church for Sunday services at 9:30am, 11:30am, and 6pm just click here.  Nearly every other Sunday we are there we are invited out for lunch after the 11:30 message.  The people are so friendly and just so down-to-earth that we couldn't feel any more at home there.  We have been inspired and challenged even.  We are seeing where and how God has given us certain talents and passions to be used with the people that come to this church.  We have even been able to start a new "home group" in our area of Shatin, New Territories, to get together with others every other week on Mondays in Tai Wai.  We are also so relieved that they have such great children's activities there on Sunday mornings.  Our kids love it there and have made so many really good friends already.  Our 2-year-old says his friend's name all week long when he doesn't get to see him.  I could go on and on...God is so good.

Flat Stanley in kindergarten

for all those kindred spirits....(family or those desperately looking for children activities)....my most recent kindergarten video is ready to view.  you can view it and read info about the activity on my video page

internet browsing accountability

Who is Covenant Eyes?

The Covenant Eyes program was established to change people's lives. They want to make available to everyone the ability to foster self-control, self-discipline, integrity, and personal accountability when using the Internet. Job 31:1 states, "I have made a covenant with my eyes." CE's purpose is to provide a tool enabling Internet users to maintain that covenant, regardless of whether their temptation is to pornography, gambling, or simply time spent on the Internet. The goal is to honor God, our families, and our relationships in the way that we use the Internet by establishing accountability with others. Covenant Eyes is the tool that accomplishes this goal.

Click below on ad to get more info, or view their intro video on my videos page. 

And I use and have used this program for 3 months now, and I can vouch for its usefulness and viability.

kindergarten photos from Hong Kong

I've put heaps more photos up in the "Wellborn School Photos" album in the left sidebar. Be sure to have a look.  Might give you some creative ideas for activities with your children or with your classroom if you're a teacher or parent.