Hockey...or not.

As some of you know, I've decided to play field hockey at the Football Club here in Hong Kong. 

Let's remember the last time Lauren picked up a field hockey stick... 

Um...12th grade. 

I was excited about playing though, and went to a few practices last week.

 I almost quit. 

These girls were good. Really good.

 I really didn't know if I'd be able to hang,
 but tryouts were Saturday and I was going to give it until then to see how I did.

I did okay! 

I wasn't the worst one out there, and as the games progressed I was telling myself maybe I could hang with the big-dogs. 

And then my knee buckled. 

I went down.

No popping or snapping. 

I sat out for a bit, but then played in 2 more games...
A bit more gingerly, but I did play. 

Now, I can't walk.

 I can't bend my knee. 

It's as stiff as a board.

And, it's been 3 days.

I ended up here today.

And then went for a MRI.

Oh, Lord.

The results will be back on Thursday.

I think my field hockey season may have just ended...before it even started. 

Lovely.

xx,

Lauren

One Year...

August 25, 2010...
Today marks our 1 year anniversary of living in this crazy city. I don't think either of us imagined five years ago this is where our life would have taken us.

Thank you so much for faithfully following my blog, your wonderful comments, friendship, and support as we continue to explore and try to make a home here in Asia.

If you have a spare 12 minutes, check out the last year of our life.

It has simply, been amazing.

xx,

Lauren
(No idea why the pictures get fuzzy if you put it on "full screen".) 

Tea to celebrate TWO!

Saturday I hosted an "American" Baby shower for my two British friends, Hayley and Rachel.

Rachel is due in September, and Hayley in October. 

Michael helped me the weekend before assemble these bad boys. I thought they turned out so cute!

We went to the Grand Hyatt for tea and had such a girly, fun afternoon.

No one had ever been to a baby shower before, so it was a day full of firsts.

We played 2 silly games, ate lots of yummy food, and opened some adorable pressies. 

I hope they loved it. 

It was so fun to honor these two mommies-to-be. 

Thank you all for such a lovely afternoon!

xx,

Lauren

Bikin' through Bali

Our second day in Ubud we spent on a bike tour. We were picked up early and started our morning with breakfast about an hour away, overlooking Mountain Batur's active volcano. 

Our first stop was a coffee plantation. 

We were able to sample lots of different kids of teas and coffees, and we even tried Luwak Coffee. Have you ever heard of this?

Luwak coffee is made from the coffee berries that have passed through the digestive tract of this animal. 

After he defecates, the bean is taken from the poo and made into the coffee. 

I'm not much of a coffee drinker, but it was actually really tasty. After we tried the poo-poo coffee, we were off on our ride. 

We rode through forgotten villages, roads filled with pot-holes, past rice-paddies, temples, and lots of sweet Balinese children saying "hello!" as we peddled past them.

These little girls were just precious and they LOVED the camera. 

After my photo session with the girls, it was back on the bike. 

It was a great day, but we were glad to be back here by the end of it. 

After 2 days of tours, we decided to spend our last day and a half in the serenity of our hotel. 

Our last night we were able to see a fire dance.

It was a perfect way to end our vacation.

So long from Bali. 

xx,

Lauren