What a year! I definitely dove into writing Kremb de la Kremb with gusto and have had so much fun doing so. I’m not sure which direction Kremb de la Kremb will continue, but I definitely know I’ll keep writing…Here’s a roundup of some of the exciting things that happened this past year on Kremb de la Kremb, but first, the fam…
Family Highlights:
With the settling in (expenses) of Hong Kong under way, the family was able to start traveling again in 2014, and we went on some amazing trips! We are so lucky to be able to travel and venture around the world. We started the new year out in Thailand with my sister Mary. For spring break last year we toured mainly by bike around Yangshou investigating all the karst formations. During the summer, we took the kids on their very first road trip with Grammie and Babaji down Highway 101 with stops in Portland, Canon Beach, the Redwood National Forest, and ultimately San Francisco. After two summers away, we finally made it back out to our lake cabin in Spirit Lake. It was an amazing summer of fun! For October break, we were able to visit the another set of Krembs in Jakarta and then sit at a beach in Bali for a bit. For Thanksgiving we visited my sister Mary for the second time this year, but this time in Shanghai. And now, here we are again finishing 2014 in Bali once again–since the first time we really didn’t see much. Wow! Looking at all these trips just really makes me appreciate how lucky Kevin and I are. It’s just amazing how we stumbled upon this line of work and hence have been able to travel for all of our married life.
The kids also received their First Communion this past Easter. It’s been nice for our family to be able to go to St. Anne’s in Stanley–when we don’t have Sunday baseball that is…
Gigi’s Highlights:
Gigi is super thrilled by her teacher this year! We won’t give too many names out, but, oh, ya we will! Miss Amber Foster is up there with Miss Fiona, her first grade teacher. Suffice to say, Gigi is being challenged but more importantly inspired, and therefore she is having a stupendous fifth grade year! She’s become a reader this year too, and her favorite book so far is Wonder, by RJ Palacio. As a fifth grader Gigi also has her own laptop which she thoroughly enjoys–stay tuned in 2015 for Gigi’s Tech Tips! Finally, Gigi continues to be an awesome skater. The dare devil in her goes for it. Up next, roller blading with mom!
Vincent’s Highlights:
Right off the bat when asked about Vincent’s highlight, he said WAKE BOARDING! This past summer we were able to spend plenty of time on the water and luckily the kids enjoyed all the water sports. Another highlight for Vincent continues to be baseball; he plays on the majors now and his team from last year on the minors was second in the league. What’s fun about watching Vinnie play is all the different positions he’s capable of with catcher and center field really impressing his folks! And of course, Vincent has enjoyed becoming the #12thman. Go Seahawks! Let’s cheer them on for perhaps another Super Bowl Championship for 2015!
Kevin’s Highlights:
Immediately Kevin’s response went to the lake as well. All he mentioned was, “SUP!” Each day Kevin would head out on his standup paddle and take a–what do you call it a stroll? No, I guess just a paddle. Anyway, he thoroughly enjoyed that. Another highlight was Kevin’s father’s retirement party. Alex, aka Babaji, is such a special man, so it was really neat for all of us to celebrate all that he and Jane have accomplished. To get all work-ish, Kevin has had some pretty good PD (professional development) that has stood out for him this year. He was able to travel back to India and spend time where we used to work at ASB learning from them again. Also, Kevin attended a workshop in Kota Kinabalu just for administrators that was fun and significant of his (totally loved) role as an associate principal.
Ann’s Highlights:
I became a contributor writing for both Sassy Mama HK and Sassy Hong Kong. Because of this opportunity, the family and I have been able to have a staycation at the Cosmopolitan, learn how to make macarons at the The Mixing Bowl, and have a private tour at The Pulse in Repulse Bay. I’ve also been able to go spinning at XYZ, write book reviews for both sites, and attend various functions around HK. It feels like such an honor to be a Sassy contributor, and well, to just be SASSY!
I worked with a couple of brands throughout the year: Fame and Partners and their gorgeous prom dresses, Cross the Line with their unique HK brands, and Louella Odié a Hong Kong printed, leather handbag designer. I also made a collages for the clothing line Modcloth and the Singaporean jewellery line Annielka.
Kremb de la Kremb was featured on Independent Fashion Bloggers’ Links á la Mode four more times making the total six so far. In 2014 my post with Louella Odié made it along with my collaboration with Cross the Line (which even made one of the four cover pics!). My essay on “How I Go For It” made it plus my comparison collages for “Luxury vs Bohemian Handbags.”
I was finally accepted to work with RewardStyle and use their affiliate link program. This means that I can actually make a commission off any purchases bought through the links linked provided on this site. So, please, if you wanna buy something, use my affiliate links. I’ll share the love!! Plus, you know I will always provide you with personal shopping–all you have to do is ask! I’ll help you out in a jiffy!
Professionally, I did very well during my evaluation year as a high school librarian. As a treat to myself, I stepped up my quality for handbags just a bit by going with some luxury: I invested in my daydream bag of years, a Louis Vuitton Speedy. I also won a couple of Oroton bags that are gorgeous. Although to be honest, I still tend to prefer the more bohemian style for sure. I’m just drawn to colorful and ethnic and just different bags, usually picked up in my travels–like the three I’ve already scooped up here in Bali!
In terms of fashion design, I began giving it a try and will be a part of the HKIS fashion show come May 2015…. I also attended the Eco Chic HK Fashion Show. And, I was illustrated by both Kitty Wong and Doeyfa!
Last But Not Least!
I finally chopped my hair! I had been wanting to go short for what seems like years. (Stay tuned for it to get even shorter in 2015!)
Here’s to a GREAT 2015!
Love the Krembs
Happy New Year Ann!