-- George Burns
Hello all your blog lovers out there...
So in my nearly 4 month absence from the blog scene, I have received many complaints about my lack of blogging... I truly apologize for abandoning you!! But, I will have to say that this 1 every 4 month blogging thing might be the more normal pattern here. Life in HK is so much different mostly because I am working... ALL THE TIME. I didn't realize how hard 6 days a week of work would really affect my life, but it most certainly has. PLUS working in housekeeping is just such a physical job that by the end of my 6 day work week, all I want to do is flop on my bed, order room service, and sleep my entire day off. At least, I have been feeling that way. I get a little more adjusted every week (kind of like running a marathon!) and now I'm getting to the point where I can still drag myself up out of bed and walk around in the beautiful city for awhile! =) Hong Kong really is beautiful...
SO ANYWAY, to catch you up on life in the past 4 months, SO much has happened! 1) My parents came to visit me in May!! SO much fun and I got to take some days off and play with them in the city! We went to our old hangouts, saw our old apartment, saw some new sites, and did lots of walking! Good times and it was certainly hard to say goodbye...
June rolled on in and brought a new boss into the Housekeeping department with it! It was a lovely (yet strict!) lady from Germany who would only be there for 3 months to "shape up" the department. And shape she did... She had me hopping from day one with project after project and it was an amazing learning experience. We worked really well together and in a sad turn of events she had to leave suddenly last week due to a tumor on her spine... Very sad and she's now back in Germany in the hospital getting good treatment I hope.
However, BEFORE we skip ahead to August, there was the amazing trip home I got to make at the end of June and stayed over for the 4th of July!! Got to go to one of my best friend's wedding, did LOTS of boating, saw LOTS of family, and had LOTS of fun! I had an amazing couple weeks enjoying the Indiana/Illinois/Michigan weather!
In other sad news to report, the end of this trip also ended my relationship with Ricky. There were a lot of things that contributed to this break-up but in the end, it mostly came down to culture/life issues and choices. Relationships are hard enough as it is and then to add in the cultural mish-mash was just too much for us to handle. It created a lot of jealousy, problems, arguments, and finally a break-up. I certainly don't regret a day of it though and he was and is a wonderful person. I'm so glad he had a chance to meet so many of you and I thank you all for your friendship and kindness to him. It really meant so much to me.
Coming back to HK, I decided to get myself a little more involved in the city... so I joined a salsa dancing class! =) Whoooo! I've done 3 lessons so far and I'm loving it! Learning a lot and I think I'll continue to take the classes for awhile! Hopefully get to some more advanced steps soon! I also have gotten SUPER involved with a volleyball group here which plays every Sunday night! Different people play every week based on a sign-up sheet, but it can get REALLY competitive. I'm on of the only girls that plays but they're happy to have me! It took me awhile to get back into the swing of it, but now my skills are definitely back at a competitive level! Ah, I love volleyball.
Finally, the months slowly moved into August and even more slowly moved towards... MY BIRTHDAY!!! =) I received so many wonderful cards from my family (THANK YOU!!!) and I even got flowers and a cake from the hotel!! =) Everyone was very sweet and I even got to celebrate with one of my oldest friends Wes Jacks and his girlfriend Stephanie who came in from Beijing!! They are both studying/working up there and just happened to need visas right at this time!! =) It was such a treat! So with a bunch of my new friends, we had a lovely dinner at the Shangri-La Hotel Cafe Kool! And I definitely spoiled myself with a manicure, pedicure, massage, and a new outfit! =) You only turn 24 once...
So now, it's just a week past my birthday and the hotel is as busy as ever! Getting up to 90% full! Crazy times and housekeeping is uber busy! But tomorrow is the day off and I'm heading out on a junk boat trip with the volleyball group to play out on the beach! =) Should be a good time and I'll be sure to take my camera!
Then, in only 1 short month, the Gerbers will be invading Hong Kong... =0
Seriously, the 8th floor of the hotel will never be the same once sister Karyn, cousin Bev and Amy, and aunt Madi all show up!!! Oy vey! It's going to be SO much fun! I have no idea what mischief we'll get into, but it will be gooooood. =)
Well, I believe that officially catches you up on the life of Sonya Rae Gerber! It's been busy and I'm still trying to live life as fully as possible! Just not as much time to do it... =) So I appreciate all the emails and love over the past 4 months and please continue to send them when you can! Miss you all!!
Hugs and love,
Sonya Rae
