Sassy in Hong Kong

When I moved to Hong Kong 15 months ago (yes, it's been that long!) I didn't know a soul. A friend of a friend introduced me (through email) to one of her childhood friends who was living in Hong Kong. "L" filled me in on things I needed to know about the city including the popular social group for expats called Sassy Hong Kong.

I read the Sassy blog and saw that they were having a meet up in a private club later that week. Well if you know me, clubs really aren't my thing. I closed the blog thinking I would meet friends elsewhere.

Before I knew it, it was Thursday night and there I was hair straightened and dressed up walking into a private club by MYSELF. When I got to the door lots of ladies were in line eager to sip their complimentary drinks and chat it up with their friends inside. I took my free drink pass (not quite sure what to do with it since I don't drink) and headed inside.

I stood by the bar looking around at groups of women chatting and kissing hello. I felt beyond uncomfortable but smiled at others who were waiting to catch the bar tenders attention, hoping someone would strike up a conversation with me. Oh, how I longed for my friends back home.

I inched a little to the right of the bar so that others could pass by me to get their drinks and I heard two women speaking in American accents. We began talking and before I knew it, I was introduced to 5 or 6 of their friends including two of Sassy girls themselves!

The next day, I already had a lunch date lined up with "J" a girl from NJ, who to this day remains one of my closest friends in Hong Kong.

Later that week was my 30th birthday. A group of girls invited me to lunch that day. I hadn't told anyone it was my birthday, but to my surprise I was being showered with a bouquet of flowers, dessert, and was even treated to lunch by 4 girls I had only just met! None of this would have been possible if I hadn't logged onto the Sassy Hong Kong website and forced myself to get out there and meet others.

When I found out my friend Vinny, (the one who made the amazing programs and seating cards for my wedding) was selling his bag line here in Hong Kong, I knew that Sassy readers would love to hear more about his practical and beautifully designed handbags.

Today the girls at Sassy ran an interview that I did with Vinny. Come take a look!

http://sassyhongkong.com/skinny-vinny-now-available-in-hong-kong/

That was a Typhoon?

Two weeks ago I woke up to hear that Typhoon Nesat was in full force. It was a Signal No. 8 storm which meant that the city basically shut down. Work was cancelled, stores were closed, and transportation came to a halt. Of course this happened on the first day of Rosh Hashanah when I was preparing dinner for 10 people. Thankfully, I had done all of my grocery shopping the day before.

(Precautionary Announcements with No. 8 Signal)

1. Complete all precautions in your home. Lock all windows and doors, fit bars into position and insert reinforced shutters and gates if they are available. Adhesive tape fixed to large window-panes in exposed positions will reduce damage by broken glass. Storm water drains should be cleared of leaves and rubbish. Are there leaves in Hong Kong?

2. Do not stand near windows on the exposed side of your home. Move all furniture and valuables away from these areas. Make sure you have a safe place to shelter, should windows be broken. We have windows in every room including the two bathrooms. Everyone has always made fun of me for having a king size bed. You never know when a level 8 typhoon might hit and you need something to hide under!

3. Since seas are very rough, you are advised to stay away from the shoreline and not to engage in water sports. I didn't have to worry about this one. I don't go near the sea when it's not rough and I definitely don't engage in water spots.

5. Park your car where it is least likely to be damaged. We don't have a car here since everyone drives on the wrong side of the road.

6. Please listen to radio or watch TV for the latest weather information broadcast at the 15th, 30th, 45th and 58th minute of each hour. The radio channels are only in Cantonese and our US television doesn't work here. We never bothered buying one here since there are only a few channels were could understand anyway! Thank goodness for the internet!

I must say I was quite disappointed for my first big storm out here. The hurricane that hit NJ when I was visiting in August was a much bigger deal. I guess I should be thankful that I wasn't "blown away" by the storm...or lack thereof.