Long Gone from Hong Kong.

We've arrived in Newark and are officially gone.

Our last 16 hour flight was unlike the many others we've taken. The entertainment system was down, meaning no movies, power adaptors, or ability to control the lighting. Not the most enjoyable flight ever, but we made it...and it gave me alot of time to reflect on the past 28 months. 

Living abroad was a gift. 

 It was an adventure we weren't willing to pass up, and I'm so thankful we leaped out of our comfort zone for a couple years. I've grown in ways I never thought possible, and am coming back a different person than when I left. We've seen alot of places, countries I never thought I'd make it to, and they have all left their footprint on me, and my view of the world. 

If you are given the opportunity to live outside of the US, go for it. Would we do it again? In a second. Leaving Hong Kong was hard. I don't think either of us was really ready for it. Change is not something I embrace, but exciting things are to come as we start to find our footing again back on US soil.

Thank you for following us, for being interested in our life abroad, and for supporting us, as so many of you have.

I'll keep you posted if I ever decide to blog again.

xx,

Lauren

Last Day.

I was feeling pretty nostalgic today, and just tried to take in as much as this city as I could. It still doesn't feel real that we're leaving tomorrow. 

One final pick-up from the tailor.

We popped by Michael's office to say goodbye to Alice.

Alice is Michael's secretary, and has been such a gift to us. She was a God-send when I lost my passport in China, and without her, I'm not sure I would have gotten back as quickly as I did. She would do anything for us, and we really do think of her as family out here.

I stopped to say goodbye to our laundry man. This sweet man came to our house 2x week for the past 2.5 years. He came between 10:30-11:00pm every Monday night, and delivered laundry at the same time on Tuesday night. He loved Dudley, and we loved him. 

His store-front. 

We had to run by our apartment to finish some last-minute cleaning and to say goodbye to Emily.

  Emily came once per week since we moved in. She cleaned for us, and each time we left for the US or on a trip, she stayed at our house with Dudley. 

We will miss her so very much.

We ended the night with our dear friends.

 Dinner with Bethany and Sage at the China Club,

 and a few "see you soon" hugs. 

My last entry from Hong Kong. 

I'll talk to you from Newark!

xx,

Lauren

Moved out.

This morning I'm writing from a hotel....my first hotel-stay ever in Hong Kong. 

My first time in Hong Kong was the day we arrived, August 25, 2009. We came with just 8 suitcases and I was excited, and nervous, to change our life as we knew it. 

 We didn't have a look-see trip, and the only thing I knew about Hong Kong was what Michael had told me. For the next month and a half we lived in a serviced apartment before we finally landed at 80 Robinson. 

Yesterday we moved out.

 I'm not quite sure how, but we're moving back with a whole lot more than 8 suitcases...although those 8 are coming on the plane with us!

We had a  lovely dinner last night as just the 2 of us. 

...and just like that, today is our last day. 

Our flight leaves tomorrow morning. 

I'll have a few more posts for you, but I think this blog will close its chapters once we're back in the US. I have gotten so many emails and questions about its status...I can't thank you enough for all of the love you've shown me through something as simple as a "blog". 

Lots of love from Hong Kong,

Lauren

Final Farewell

Here's a glimpse of our final Saturday night. 

I did pretty well, and the water-works didn't start until the very end...but then they wouldn't stop. 

How lucky we are that these friends make saying goodbye so hard.

xx,

Lauren