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This past weekend was filled with Rotary fun. Saturday night I attended a going away dinner for fellow scholar, Lily Wu, at Rotarian Uncle Orr's house. He's from Indonesia, so we had a really yummy Indonesian spread. I can't get enough of that delicious peanut sauce! It goes on everything... salad, bread, meat... you name it. (The meat with peanut sauce reminds me of your "special" ribs, Dad. Apparently your secret recipe isn't much of a secret in Indonesia). Anyway, Lily is heading back to Kansas to compete in the Miss Kansas USA pageant. Woot woot! GOOD LUCK, LILY!!! Anyway, it was a really lovely dinner and it was great hanging out with some of my favorite rotarians from the Rotary Club of New Territories! I also tried to learn more about the elusive game of Mahjong, but to no avail. Everyone plays so quickly and I could hardly keep up.

On Sunday, I spent the day in Sai Kung helping the Rotary Club of Causeway Bay with one of their annual service projects. They team up every year with the Hong Kong Christian Service Association to help provide an educational day of fun for children in foster care. The theme this year was "Eco-Day" and about 80 children ranging from 5 - 18 years old showed up to learn more about the environment. Activities included farming, recycling games, basket weaving, baking, and crafts with sand and stones. Most of these children were in foster care because their parents had either passed away or are currently in prison. They were all surprisingly well adjusted though. And although there was definitely a language barrier, I really really enjoyed spending time with them! There was some serious bonding going on. We had a gorgeous day too, which made it all the better.


With two children in my Eco-Day group. Such cuties!

Sunday night was an end-of-semester hotpot dinner at Leani and Jin Nan's apartment. Somehow we managed to squeeze about 20 people into a VERY tiny space. The dinner brought us closer together literally AND figuratively. It was nice to spend a little extra time with everyone before we all go our separate ways for winter break. I'm already feeling friend withdrawals. :)


Group shot at the hotpot dinner. Someone threw a roll of toilet paper right as the picture was being taken, which is why I have such a goofy look on my face.

Last night I finally went to check out the Foreign Correspondents Club. There is a lot of history surrounding the club and I loved how it was written (and photographed) all over the walls. One of my professors also pointed out that a member of the club in attendance last night was none other than ________ (this is horrible, but I forgot her name). Anyway, she was the first journalist to report the beginning of WWII. Absolutely amazing! She's a little, gray-haired lady in her mid-90s that lives nearby and spends most evenings at the club. I didn't get the chance to meet her last night, but hopefully I will eventually.



And that brings us to today...

I received some excellent news this morning! I'll be interning with the South China Morning Post, working with their online video team over winter break. I'm pretty pumped about it! I won't start until December 16th, but will keep you posted on how it goes.

Also, my landlady invited Sandy and me to "yum cha" (tea and dim sum) this morning. To our surprise, she had brought us Christmas gifts! How sweet is that?!! I got a brand new watch (very swanky) and Sandy got an all-in-one printer. It never ceases to amaze me how kind and generous Hong Kong people are! It's really unbelievable. I'm so blessed.


Sandy, Mrs. Chan, and myself at yum cha (holding our gifts).

Hope everyone is doing well back at home! Feel free to send me an e-mail anytime or post a message. I love hearing from y'all!!