The Spinster

Several great and funny things have happened over the past week.

First and foremost, I was invited over to the home of Suzanne and Eric Chai who are across-the-street neighbors of one of our church members. Suzanne grew up in Hong Kong and had a bevy of information for me about what I should (and shouldn't) do in Hong Kong.  She recommended several cheap shopping areas for food and clothes, which I will definitely be checking out once I move.  The best part of the entire evening happened while she was telling me about one area in general, 女人街 (Nu Ren Jie, literally, women's street).  She and Eric were telling me about all the great finds to be had there when she stopped for a moment, studied me intently, then quickly scrawled "Please Bargain" on the paper.  To explain herself, she succinctly said, "They probably don't give you a good deal...because you're American!"  And that was the moment I decided I was a fan of Suzanne Chai.  The great news here is that she and Eric are coming to HK for a wedding in October and there is a possibility that we can meet up.  Hopefully that'll work out!

It was a great way to cap off the evening, I think.  Oh, and I also learned a very funny phrase in Mandarin... it goes like this... 对牛弹琴 (Dui Niu Tan Qin) It means, basically, playing guitar for cattle, or doing something that is utterly (udderly?) useless.

Spinster?

Early last week, I received my visa paperwork from the church.  It is about 15 pages long, mostly of explanations on how to fill out the two pages that require filling out, and all of the supporting documentation that has to go along with it.  The good news is that my visa does NOT have to be in my passport when I move.  I can come in the country as a tourist (no visa necessary) and once my working visa is approved, I'll have it inserted in my passport, I assume, and continue on my merry way.

In any case, one of the funny things about Chinese in general, is that there are oftentimes no good equivalents for Chinese words.  Add on top of all this the British cultural influences in Hong Kong, and there are bound to be some funny translations.  The first of many, I feel certain, is on the visa application. Apparently, my only choice of marital status is to check "spinster".  This is definitely a new category for me! I'm not sure that there's anywhere to go after this, so I'll leave with that.

 Til next time, The (spinsterly) Adventurer!

Preparations

Just a little less than a week ago, I shared that I'd be moving to Hong Kong.  This information has been in my mind for a little while now, and the newness of it has started to fade away.  I had a few days of renewed elation about it after having the chance to share, but now the reality of all that this move means has set in.  I have a LOT to do!

Tonight, I took what I consider to be the most major step so far forward (after accepting the position in the first place, of course) and that is booking my ticket.  If you know me at all, you might know that I am detailed, thorough, and an information-seeker.  This created quite the situation for me in booking this ticket.  I've done quite a bit of International traveling, but I haven't ever:

a) been flying at someone else's cost (thank you Community Church for paying my ticket to HK)

b) booked an International ticket just a month out

c) had so many different options to choose from (Canada or San Francisco?  JFK or Moscow?) 

So, now, I'm not only trying to be a good steward of the church's resources by booking a low-cost ticket, but also being creative with some sold-out flights, and trying to figure out how exactly to fly halfway around the world.  Phew.

Tonight, I sat down on my couch at approximately 6:37pm with the full expectation to book a flight I've been looking at for a week.  It's a Singapore Air flight leaving out of Houston in the evening, connecting through Moscow, Russia (no plane change, just drop off and pick up some Russians, I presume) then to Singapore.  From there, I'd connect to Hong Kong.

This not the plane I'll be going on, but you get the idea...

But then, as I sat down, I started to think of all the other possibilities.  First, I could pay about $200 more dollars and connect through LA or San Francisco and save about 7 hours of travel time, cutting  from two days to one.  Or, I could save $100 and fly through Calgary, Vancouver, then to Hong Kong, but with 7 excruciating hours of layovers in each location.  Each new possibility had its benefits and drawbacks.  I found myself going back and forth, reading reviews on each airline, each plane, each route.  When I finally looked at the clock, it was after 8:00!  

Finally, I decided to man up and book the Air Canada flight that had slightly shorter layovers, and was a little more expensive.  I got to the check out page and noticed that I wouldn't be eligible to get ANY frequent flier miles with my Star Alliance carrier partner with this fare.  Oh my.  Of course, at this point, I had to go back and re-research all of the previous options to figure out just how I could maximize my frequent flier miles. 

And then, that led me to a whole new conundrum.  I do sincerely believe that frequent flier schemes are elaborately hatched plans to make you feel like you're getting a great deal while really shrouding useful information in a vast fog of codes like Y, Q, W, Z, V, etc.  Can I buy a vowel?  No, I can't as it turns out,  because I work for Jesus, and those are the first class fares that I will likely never be traveling on. Ha.

All of this became quite comical when, at 9:05pm, my roommate and best friend announced that she'd had enough of my fact finding mission and that it was time that I stopped worrying and just booked a fare.  So I did.  And what fare did I book?  The Singapore Air one.  The flight I originally intended to book three hours before. 

So yes.  The moral of the story is that I will be traveling to Hong Kong, China on Tuesday, August 21st.  I will arrive almost 2 days later after being on a combination of planes for nearly 27 hours.

Let's end this positively and note that:

Singapore Air has been voted one of the best airlines in the world for several years in a row
Their in-flight entertainment is apparently the best in the sky
There are in-seat power plugs, which will be REALLY nice

and lastly, I'm moving to Hong Kong to serve Jesus and all of this doesn't really matter so long as I remember what I'm there to do.

Til next time!

The Adventurer



 

Hong Kong

I'm moving to Hong Kong. Whoa, it feels weird to type that.  But, in just a little over five weeks, I'll be packing a few belongings, traveling over 20 hours by plane and moving to my new home for the next two+ years. 

Since I started quietly announcing my move, I've had all manner of questions.  I've had every reaction ranging from full support to outrage.  I couldn't have prepared myself for this part.  I thought the 10+ Skype interviews I did with my  new church (literally, no exaggeration), were rigorous, but the questions I've gotten since announcing my move have been way more intense than any of my search process.  My hope is that I can start to answer some questions here, because I know that many people are wondering what the heck I'm thinking...

Most popular question #1:

Why Hong Kong?

The easy answer to this is "because God called me".  While true, this may sound like a cop-out to some, so I'll go into a little more detail.  For about the last five years, give or take, I have felt a call on my life to serve abroad.  I was pretty sure that I would be given the responsibility (and opportunity) to answer such a call at some future point in my life.  For the last five years, however, the answer has been yes, but wait.  I'm not an ultra patient person to begin with, so this has definitely taught me patience!!  Over the last six-ish months, however, it has become increasingly clear to me that God is calling me abroad.  At first, I dismissed it, citing restlessness, but God kept pursuing me.  One day while casually perusing some job boards, I found (no kidding) 5 job postings in Hong Kong.  A couple for an intern, and a couple for a Youth Director, all at International churches.  This, of course, piqued my interest, and that's how the whole process started.

Have you been to Hong Kong before? Do you know anyone over there?

Nope! I've never been to Asia.  I do have an acquaintance from college who works for Hong Kong Disneyland, go figure, and we've facebooked a little bit.  Other than that, I'm pretty much flying solo.

Where are you going to be working?

I'm working at a International church called Community Church.  Once I decided to leave Houston (not an easy decision), the decision to take the call at this particular church was one of the easiest ones of my entire ministry career.  I had several lengthy Skype interviews with people from the church ranging from the pastors, committee members, students, parents and pretty much anyone else you could imagine.  Throughout the whole process, I felt God confirming the process (as did they, obviously).  I fell in love with the people I talked with, and feel that I'll be a good fit for them, and likewise, them for me.  I'll be co-directing with their present Director of Youth Ministries.  She's been there for a year, so she will definitely be the veteran - I'm excited to learn from her!

What will you do while you're there?

I will be working as a co-director of Youth Ministry at the church.  Their program is actually very similar to a program at a church in the US.  Basically, they have Sunday School time, a fellowship opportunity at another time during the week, missions, events, etc.  It will definitely be a challenge doing ministry in a new context, but I'm excited to learn.  

Don't you need to learn Cantonese?

This is an interesting question.  I did take Mandarin Chinese in college, though my comprehension level was completely blown out of the water thanks to my year of Danish study from 2008-2009.  I'm probably at the level of an articulate three year old right now, so definitely not super useful unless asking where the bathroom is, making general inquiries, or ordering food.  With that said, HK was part of Britain until 1997, so basically everyone speaks English.  Many signs are in English as well, if I understand correctly.  I feel certain that I'll want to continue my Chinese study there, however, and will probably take up Mandarin again.  Many Hong Kongers also speak Mandarin.  I'll definitely learn "Taxicab Cantonese" as a little bit gets you far (and makes the locals know that you're making an effort, which I'm all about). 

Isn't Asia unsafe?

Quite the contrary, in fact. And Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world.  According to the state department. "Hong Kong has a low crime rate."  Those State Department people don't mince their words.  If they say the crime rate is low, I'll believe them (and the thousand other expat blogs out there!)  I even had one parent tell me in a Skype interview that they let their elementary schooler take the metro by themselves in the afternoon.  I think that's a pretty good indication of the safety level.

What's going to be your living situation while you're there?

This is the part I'm the most interested to figure out.  For the first bit I'm there, a church member has VERY graciously offered to host me in her home.  I'll probably settle in for a few weeks then commence searching for an apartment.  This will, by far, be my biggest expense while living in Hong Kong.  The rent is astronomical.  I'll be paying well over a thousand dollars a month for a TINY apartment (probably less than 500 square feet).  This is okay, though, because I didn't get into working for Jesus for the money, and I've always lived modestly.  I also won't have a car, which I am happy to say I won't miss in the slightest.  I've been wishing for public transportation since the day I left Denmark and am excited to take the efficient and inexpensive public transport available in HK.

What's your commitment there?

I have initially signed a two year contract, with the option to extend for more year(s) at the end.   I have no idea what God is going to do in the future.  If you do, kindly email me and we'll chat!

What kind of things are you moving with you?

Not a lot, to be honest.  It's very expensive to ship things there, so I'll be taking the bare minimum.  Probably clothes (as I'm considered enormous compared to Hong Kongers, who average seemingly at a size 0) movies, pictures, my laptop, and that will probably be the extent of it.  There is an IKEA in HK, as well as many local craftsmen who can make furniture fairly inexpensively.  This is probably how I'll furnish my apartment.  I will also not take any of my electronics as their current and plugs are different from ours (and after my near hair-frying experience in Denmark, I think I'll be leaving the voltage converter at home).  I will be selling my car and most of my other belongings, so if you're interested in my great e-garage sale, let me know!

Are you going to travel?

YES.  To all the places.  Okay, probably not ALL the places, but I do have an ever-expanding list of places I'd like to visit.  Where, you ask? Well I'll be happy to share.  Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Japan are currently in my top five, though I feel certain I'll find many other places to explore.  

How do your parents feel about this?

The good thing is that my parents know me well.  They've been managing my wanderlust from a young age - They raised me to be this way, after all.  My Dad was in the Navy for over 20 years, and has traveled extensively.  He is THRILLED.  Believe me when I tell you that he's already looked up hotel rooms in HK.  (He doesn't seem interested in staying in my 500 (or less) square foot apartment with three people... I can't imagine why!!).  My mom is excited, but, hey, she's my mom, so she has normal mom concerns, mostly based around when and how often I'll be coming home to visit her.  She does know that this is God's call for my life, and is very supportive.  And, as she says, planes fly, and there's Skype.  If this had been 20 years ago, she might not have been on the bandwagon, but now with technology as it is, I think we'll stay connected just fine. 

I think that's it, but obviously, I'm no stranger to questions.  Please, please, please pray for me if you're the praying kind.  I am about 51% excited and 49% nervous, and those ratios fluctuate daily, if not hourly!  Pray that my roommate and best friend, Sara, finds a new, awesome roommate, for both of the jobs I'm stepping out of (that Grace would find a new, awesome Elementary Director and that Sugar Land Ice would find a great Assistant Skating director.)

Most of all, pray that God uses me in a big way, and that through all of the new, scary, humorous, and ridiculous experiences I'm sure to have, that HE will be known.

Whitney

oh yeah, and keep reading my blog, because this time, I PROMISE to update it.