Kremb de la Kremb Highlights of 2012

 

We had a wonderful impromptu dance party on December 31, 2012. What preceded it was one of our favorite meals of late: homemade, individually made pizzas. At the dinner table, the discussion concluded the year with each of our top highlights. Below you can find some favorite memories from each of us:

Kevin

During out last spring in Beijing, Kevin’s folks came to visit. We had a wonderful stay with them up at the Great Wall. The weather was magical with some rain and then bright blue skies. We were cozy as could be with a fire roaring in the fireplace and yummy food from the grill. It was just a fantastic final trip up to the Wall for us. We have many, many great memories from the Great Wall of China.

 

During the summer, the four of us had an excellent experience camping! It was the kids first time. Oh it was so fun, and the places we visited were beyond beautiful–the Olympic Forest is a must see for any Washingtonian.

 

This highlight is an obvious one for Kevin: he got his first administrative job in 2012! While it will start in August of 2013, the excitement and anticipation for this position is prevalent. Kevin is going to do an amazing job working as one of the Associate Principals for the middle school at Hong Kong International School.

While this memory isn’t necessarily a highlight, it is something Kevin can say he has done: lived on a houseboat. Granted it was only for 3 weeks, but we all did it. Some of us may have wiped it out of our memories, but for Kevin it’s all there!

 

Finally, this memory lives on–being in Hong Kong with family is beyond wonderful! It is so nice to have Cork, Sally, and Little Guy Alex 30 minutes away. Kevin really enjoys having a brother here in HK.

Vincent

Ironically, on this night that was followed by dancing, Vincent’s first highlight from 2012 was the dancing that ensued at his 10 birthday party. Again, it wasn’t planned, but he thoroughly enjoyed it. I think Vinnie might have a little Latino in his blood after all!

Another sweet memory for Vincent was when he was asked for a sleepover here in Hong Kong. For him it signified that he was beginning to make a friend–which is important to all of us.

In conjunction with making a new friend, Vincent misses his old friends–in particular Trent. So while there is no one memory of Trent, there are many. I hope they meet again as I also hope that Vincent meets with his good friend Jack Fochtman from India. I like to believe in this incredibly global world that they will!

Of course baseball has become an even more integral part of Vincent’s life, so when he made his first homerun this season, it’s been kept in the vault–along with the ball

 

Gigi

Gigi has very fond memories of Alice. And, luckily because of awesome technologies, she is able to see Alice every Tuesday evening via Skype. Alice is Gigi’s sister friend–the one that could be more of an actual sibling than friend. They will always be BFFs–that is for sure!

 

Right when we arrived in Hong Kong, and Kevin and I started work, we were left without a nanny (even though we had hired two already–that’s all another story). In place of daycare, we signed the kids up for surf camp. This was a great experience for both of them and a lasting highlight for Gigi. Surf camp has actually been requested for our return in August 2013 again. It is a good one!

 

Gigi was very impressed by her ripstick–and probably more importantly her ability to master it in such a short amount of time. She’s a very persistent little girl. She is now determined to move on to a skateboard. It’s just a matter of time until she does. (She’s saving up her money anticipating its purchase!)

 

Ann

My 40th birthday was so very, very eventful! Not only did I get an entire month of celebrating, but I also had a fantabulistic birthday party that included a pre cocktail hour, an outfit change, and a disco ball introduced after 10. PLUS the best surprise ever was when my sister Julie arrived the night before! Oh! It was absolutely, hands down the best birthday of my entire life. Tons of memories! So many people made it very special too like girlfriend Mary Kelly and Sandy Pascolini. Front and center on making it special though is my husband, the star, Kevin! Love him.

Another highlight for me was having not only one but two very important visitors in 2012. Julie surprised me for my 40th birthday in Beijing, and Mary arrived just in time to spend the Christmas holiday with us in Hong Kong. I feel so lucky to have had both of them visit in 2012!

The final memory for me is an ongoing one: I am just so thrilled beyond belief to be living in Hong Kong. I just feel like it might turn into a serious love affair. While I have loved and enjoyed everywhere we have lived, the initial falling in love has never happened as early as it has with this post in Hong Kong. I hope it lasts for a very long time. I love being in love!

Here’s a neat video I found to give an example of my love affair with Hong Kong:

So Long, My Hong Kong from Gregory Kane on Vimeo.