Taking a break

...of Hong Kong, 

and escaping here for the weekend!

Bethany, Julie, and myself are heading to Shanghai for the weekend. We'll call it a mini bachelorette party for Bethany....sadly, I won't be able to make her Vegas blow-out, so we're celebrating "Asia style". .

This will be our weekend home...right along the Bund! 

Looks terrible, huh?

 I'm so excited for a weekend of relaxation. No plans are made (unless you count dinner and drink reservations). 

We'll just see where the wind takes us :) 

We will, however, be indulging in these....

 The best xiao long bau we've tasted in Asia. 

 Crossing our fingers that the weather will be like this (last year it was perfect!) 

Hoping you have a great weekend too!

xx,

Lauren

Guilty

Nancy Kissel, the American expatriate, was found guilty of murder for a second time on Friday, six years after she was first jailed for killing her Merrill Lynch banker husband. 

Nancy and her husband, Robert

This retrial lasted 47 days and took the jury 10.5 hours to reach a unanimous verdict...life sentence for murder. In Hong Kong, a murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence in prison. 

Nancy today

This saga, known as the "Milkshake Murder" happened in November 2003. The Kissel's were living here at the time of the murder. 

Nancy drugged her husband (and a friend of his) with a sedative-laced milkshake, and then killed him with a heavy, lead ornament. She then proceeded to roll him in a carpet and asked her doormen to put his body in their storage unit. 

This story is heavily followed by the expat population in Hong Kong. Actually, before moving here, MP and I saw a lifetime movie about the murder. Have you seen it?

If the story really intrigues you, pick up the book (I know I've mentioned it before...)

A sad end to a story with no possible positive outcome. 

xx,

Lauren

Seven's

It is such a crazy day.

We left by 8:00am for the stadium. I was a crayon, Michael was Charlie Sheen from the movie "Major League".  

 Here is some of our group. I was rocking "Cash Money Green". Some other colors: Gold-igger, Hong Kong Haze, Cathay Pacific, "It's a boy!", Purple Mountain Majesty, Tiffany Blue, Back to the Fushia...

There were some amazing costumes, and Black Swan definitely had quite the showing. Sadly, I didn't get any photos of them. They were similar to this though.

 I always love seeing the costumes people come up with. 

Until next year...

xx,

Lauren

A few visitors...

One of Michael's fraternity brothers, Ian, and his wife Sarah came to Hong Kong last week. Ian is a b-school student at Darden and they were visiting Beijing and Shanghai over Spring Break. We were so excited to learn they were going to stop through Hong Kong! They stayed with us Wednesday-Saturday.

On Thursday night, I arranged a junk for them. 19 Darden kids and a few of us "locals" joined them. 

It was onto LKF after the junk. 

A few jello shots later, and they were all ready to move to Hong Kong!

On Friday, we walked around Soho, went out to Stanley, and stopped to see the light show before calling it a night. 

It is such a treat when friends from home pop over, and of course we love showing off this amazing city we live in. 

xx,

Lauren

It's happening again

Remember last year?

It's that time again. 

This city is slammed full of people. 

The biggest weekend of the year is upon us...Sevens 2011. 

I may or may not look similar to this tomorrow.

Except there will be 35 of us. 

And we're not 3. 

Here's to a great Seven's weekend....

xx,

Lauren

Sun?

We're on the 7th straight day of grey skies. MP is so tired of my complaining about not seeing the sun. It's  causing marital distress and I think he's almost ready to buy me a ticket to the beach. That, or send me to a  shrink. I think he's leaning toward the latter :)

March is the worst time to come visit HK (just remember as you're planning your trip to come visit).  November is the best. Wink wink!

I'm making the best of the nasty weather though, and had a nice week. I went to Art Walk with Daria and her darling friend, Olivia this week. 

It was such a fun night. 

 65 art galleries participated this year and were open until midnight. Each one served canapes and wine. 

 We strolled the streets, drinking our red, and popping into ones that sparked our interest. 

 This gallery showcased construction in HK and the photos made it look beautiful. That was just amazing to me, as it usually seems like such an eye-sore. 

All the money raised benefited The Society for Community Organization 

I'm sure lots of cities around the world do art walks. Have you ever been to one?

While MP was in class on Saturday (yes, GMAT class), I went to Stanley with some friends. Although, I really didn't break out my camera, I couldn't help capturing a few images. 

 How funny!!! 

Have you ever seen a more regal looking pooch?

He sat perched on that ledge looking like he owned it. 

We rounded a corner and then saw these two.

 Ha! They made my day. 

Don't tell me about your beautiful, sunny, 85 degree weather you had this weekend. 

I may just move back :)

xx,

Lauren