The Other Side of the World (Guest Posting by Brendan)

If there is one thing that I vividly remember from my childhood - it is the time I spent 'living on the other side of the world'. I recall bits of details from my time in Texas when I was young, but how does that compare to seeing the Great Pyramids from a cruise ship on the Nile or traveling throughout Europe for sporting events in high school. I have been to London a few times on business since high school and every time I go through a turnstile for the Tube I can picture 5 punk American teenagers jumping over them for one entire day and running before security caught up to us and made us pay for our fare (or possible worse now that I am reflecting). Getting on an airplane bound for X international location has never worried me or made me anxious in any other way than wanting to see what is there when I arrive. I think a lot of this natural adaption comes from my mother's attitude. After all, she did leave New York for Texas at point in time when many New Yorkers would have died from the cultural shock. We can thank the Bush's for enlightening the rest of the country to the lay of the land in the Great State of Texas.

As I sit here in Hong Kong this evening, after putting Charlotte Grace to bed, I can only imagine what she will remember when she is older. I do not think it will be the hassle of taking her first passport photo, packing her room at age 3 months to move to Madrid or even her time exploring Hong Kong from a comfy ride in a daddy powered stroller or baby carrier. I am sadden by this a little, but so thankful for the Lord's care and love for our family during this time on 'the other side of HIS world'. Charlotte has remained healthy (as far as we can tell from our last Spanglish doctors appointment) and seems to be taking nicely to the loving attention that she receives daily from her wonderful mother. The two of them encounter some of the most interesting situations during their time together and I feel that it will remain something that Anne remembers for the rest of her life; something to the effect of "what am I doing with a baby in X location, when I have no idea what they are asking me".

In making this guest posting today there is one thing that I wanted to get into writing to ensure that we remember it from our time in Hong Kong. I believe it strongly relates to the people that we have encountered while out touring and their love for children - well I will rephrase to say my child. Charlotte is no doubt an adorable baby but the amount of attention that she attracts in Hong Kong is a little ridiculous. We have caught people on numerous occasions taking a quick picture of her or doing a little double take into the baby stroller and talking to her while we pass by. None of this however compares to our experience at Repulse Bay Beach this past Saturday.

People should have been there to enjoy the beach and the surroundings, but instead Charlotte captivated them and their camera lenses the entire time. It started with one or two people taking pictures and shortly turned into a receiving line for everyone at the beach. I am not joking! We had some people ask, others just come up and took pictures and then even more that would sit down on the blanket with Anne and Charlotte while their family took their pictures. Anne and I are undecided on what to think about this, so for now we will just smile and shake it off, hoping that we do not see her on some Chinese website or other in the coming days. After swimming out to a floating dock off the coast a little ways on Saturday and looking back to see 20 people surrounding the umbrella and blanket where I left Anne and Charlotte, there are mixed emotions. I had a moment of panic that was ultimately undone by a moment of laughter when I see people bending down to pose with precious little Charlotte Grace. I am glad that she can bring joy or excitement to their time in Hong Kong - I just hope that is all it is for!

One of our own pictures (probably on a few other
cameras as well)!!!

Time will tell what memories she will have, for now Anne and I will hold this one!