Joana, ( du geile Sau )

So an American (me), Englishman (Damien), and two Germans (Beni and Johannes) walk into Oktoberfest in Hong Kong... did I mention it was also Halloween night? The guys and I headed out to this celebration of traditional German food and music. The band, Die Notenhobler, played some great instrumental German songs while we enjoyed the "bretzel" and German sausages with sweet mustard and sauerkraut. The atmosphere was amazing with the Hong Kong skyline behind us. We decided to buy some animal masks for the occasion since it was Halloween after all and stopped by 7/11 for our Snickers since we could not go trick-or-treating.

The food was absolutely delightful and it was a great atmosphere to get away from the busyness of Hong Kong. The event was five and a half hours of food, beverages, and great music! Beni and I got to know some of the band members do to them being from the same area as him. They played a wide range of music from traditional German songs to western songs such as "Sweet Caroline," "Country Road," and "Amarillo." Our all time favorite song of the night was a German song called "Joana." It is a great way to continue the spirit of the party that is for sure! Our great new friend Uve and Alexandra allowed us backstage for a bit and exchanged numbers for us to come back a second time for FREE! Of course we took the offer and enjoyed it just as much the second time.

I am still helping with the youth group at KIBC and love every Sunday when I see their smiling faces. It is really an inspiration to see that age group starting to absolutely LOVE God and what He has for their lives. My friend Sam and I went over to share a little American football with the kiddos one Saturday after watching a movie in Brit and El's private cinema. The kid's wanted to play tackle so bad but we just couldn't allow that since it was co-ed. It was funny to attempt to explain the rules and then watch them change them mid-play of the game. We played in a doggie park that is in the middle of the horse reacing track. It was great to get away and finally sit on a grassy area!

A favorite place of mine and the other Americans is a place called Soho. It is a great place that offers many great restaurants from all different walks of life. Well there is this fabulous frozen yogurt place there that reminds me of the youtube video "Boys will be girls." They talk about the "pink berry" and while I was in there the guy behind the counter is actually from Cali and he asked if my friend had ever tried the pink berry. He replied and said he had no idea what it was... well if you have seen this video you would get the humor of my comment to both of them, "it's totes the best hun-cal." This place also had swings hanging from  the ceiling to sit on and enjoy your fro-yo!

Huncker Down! (blog post for mid-October)

Over the past twenty-one years of living on the great Gulf Coast of Mexico I have seen my share of tropical storms and hurricanes. The memories of windows rattling and the sounds of winds screaming by while trees are being ever so slightly tossed from their roots and plunged through you personal property. Generally 48 hours before a level three or higher you are issued a mandatory evacuation and have to pack up and leave. Well here in Hong Kong things a little but different... We have had several Typhoon 1 and 3 signals hoisted which is equivalent to a tropical storm but close to the end of October Typhoon Megi screamed through the Philippines causing damage and was headed straight for Hong Kong. This storm was categorized as a super typhoon with winds making it a category 4 hurricane.

Here in Hong Kong you have no where to evacuate to and you do not do the usual boarding up of your home. You simply move up it the water rises and stay away from the windows. I asked my hall tutor what to do if it hits us directly. His was response was calm and simple, "Well if the windows shatter in one room you just move to the next." That was so comforting to hear... NOT! Thank goodness the power lines are under ground so the chances of us losing power is not very high. Fortunately, at the last second Megi turned before she had time to plow through Hong Kong as the largest typhoon in over the past ten years. We did experience the casual tropical storm weather as the winds picked up, making it a perfect day to go running.

Classes are beginning to pick up with presentations and such. I have this one professor who has his doctorate but seems very timid in the classroom. He usually begins and ends every sentence with "okay..." The lecture stills here in Hong Kong are very different from those back home. The professors here really like to "spoon feed" the students with exactly what they want on exams and papers. Don't get me wrong, this is nice but aren't we in college? Also, it is very common for students not to worry about printing out powerpoint slides or notes because every teacher provides them for you. I am still trying to get used to the whole mid-term and final exam idea ONLY. However, I can't wait to get back to those amazing nursing exams (coughing with sarcasm.)