Happy Times during our Sad Times

One of the things when living on another continent is when you get calls you don't want.

On Sunday afternoon, the 5th November, I skyped with my darling Grandmother as she was not doing too well after her hip operation.  She could not speak to me, but I was able to tell her that I loved her.  Then that evening I was told she is doing much better.  I was so glad to hear that.  Then off to work on Monday, but I was not feeling well so went home early.  And that was when I got the skype call to say that my Grandmother had passed on to a better place.  My heart was so very sore.

So Paul and I started looking for flights home to attend the funeral.  

Isn't it amazing that during the saddest times, when all family get together it becomes our happiest times.

We flew from China on Thursday and landed in South Africa on Friday.  It was so good to see my daughters again and the rest of our family.  But it was a quick hello in Johannesburg, and shopping for something to wear at the funeral, as we, Paul, myself and my daughters, flew down to Durban in the evening.  Again it was good to see Paul's mum and dad even though it was such a short time.

On the Ferry that took us to Hong Kong Airport.

At Hong Kong Airport waiting for our flight.

The funeral was the next day.  It was a very sad indeed.  Afterwards, we had tea and snacks and mingled with all the people that attended her funeral.

Then my Grans immediate family went out for lunch to catch up with each other and celebrate my Grans life.  These are the times we all remember the most.

Sending my Gran lots of love.

After lunch, we visited my mum and family at my twin sisters home.  Looking through old photos and reminiscing.  

Then we returned home to Paul's parents home and sat up speaking to them and catching up.  It was then an early morning as we flew back to Jhb on Sunday morning at 7am.  

Back in Jhb, we were already exhausted from all the travelling.  We spent Sunday at Sanchia and Anton's home.  We had a braai for all the family and we also met Kerry's boyfriend, Kyle, for the first time.  Must say I have never seen Kerry so nervous in my entire life.  Ha Ha.

Family Time

 

When in South Africa, you can't do without a braai.

A bit more relaxed.

Then Monday morning it was time to say our goodbyes again and back to the airport to fly back to China.  We landed back in China on Tuesday and had to be back at work on Wednesday. 

This early in HK airport.  No one in sight.

It was a bittersweet visit.

Keep reading and I will keep posting.

FUN FUN FUN

A few of the teachers and their partners decided to get together one weekend and sign up for the 5 KM colour run here in Shenzhen.  

At registration, depending on the option you chose, you get a bag of goodies.  I got glasses, headband, t-shirt and a bag of coloured powder.

We all met at a location and then shared two taxis to the event.  There were different times the race was started because there were so many people who participated.  We were nice and clean then...

Oh man, was it a lot of fun.  Lots of laughs the whole way.  And by the time we got to the finish line, we were a rainbow of colours. On the way, there were different stations with different colours where the coloured powder was splashed over you by the officials of the event.  There were also other participants that were scooping up the large amounts of coloured powder on the floor and throwing it onto others.

At registration before we started the race.

We met up with some friends who had finished the race before we even started.

At the first stop.  YELLOW.

 Some runners came prepared ...

Next was GREEN.

Then it was a FOAM station.  I think they did this to mix the colours together.

Yes the lady behind me is smiling because it suddenly just jetted out and landed on my head.

Then came PINK.

The last was BLUE.  

Some pictures at the end of the race.

Cleaning ourselves before getting into a taxi.

All the proceeds from the event went to a charity.  It was so much fun.

 After the event, as dirty as we were, we went to lunch with Hugo, Ronnie, Michelle and her husband.

From there we had booked a villa by the beach and we all stayed the evening and had a Chinese BBq (braai) and a hot pot.  There was so much food.

The next morning we went for a short walk and had breakfast at a local Chinese restaurant. 

It was cooked in the image with the metal drawers.

My breakfast was ground rice noodles, egg and beef.  It was really delicious.

Paul had a tripe(offal) broth.  His was also delicious.

We also spent some of the day on the beach.  It was rather cold so there was no swimming, however, it was the children's first time on the beach.

Some of the buildings in the area.

A reminder that any foreigner booking into any establishment must have their passport with them as that is a requirement for checking in.