4th of July

Yes.  I am behind, but it has been that kind of year.

This was actually the first year in about 5 years that Todd and I were actually able to celebrate it in the U.S.!!!  We were just a little excited.  I mean we were only officially back for a week at that point.

I wasn't in the best place mentally, sadly, as my birds had been in quarantine for only a week, but I tried.

We made a BBQ, cause we had to!

(Of course, all I could think about was how much the birds would love the fruit!)

Todd BBQ'D!!!!

I have missed Daddy BBQ's like you wouldn't believe. 

It was so awesome, despite the sadness of no bird girls.

So, to keep with a Haser not in the US on the 4th tradition, Logan was in Canada!

(more on that later)

The best, most yummiest 4th treat!  

(Thank you whole foods!)

I really wasn't up for crowds, and neither were Todd and the kids (thankfully), 

so we just drove to a view point near our house and watched the fire works from the car.

It was perfect!

Next year maybe we will head down to the city, if we are still on this coast.

I would prefer, of course, a 4th on the beach in So. Cal. 

I do miss my beaches...

Paddle Boating

We are really loving where we live in New Jersey.

Just around the corner, almost walking distance is a great lake.

You can even rent a lovely Swan to play on the water..

Apparently, the swan is for love birds, so if you are not a love bird you get the tiger.

We had fun enjoying the fresh air, the beautiful skies, and time with the kids on the water.

Foreign Fruit: Red Rose Plum

(Old post from 2012, that I didn't post, oops)

The Red Rose Plum

We had these little beauties sitting in the fridge...

Waiting to be tasted,

but for one reason or another they were neglected...

So, before tossing them out, untasted....

Krystin decided to give one a  try.

Krystin's experience with this little cuteness?

- It wasn't a pear. (Yes, that is what she said)

- She did not like it.  

I don't think she is a big fan of plums, 

so that might have been the problem.

Quarantine - Part 2

Quarantine 

Part 2 - The Countdown to Freedom

When we sent the birds to quarantine, or should I say, when our birds were forced into quarantine, I sent them with instructions.  Something like 13 pages of Indy & Xia how to's.  I gave information about each of their personalities, their likes, dislikes, preferences. There were pictures of how their rooms are usually set up. How to prepare their food, etc.  

My biggest concern was for Indy.  She is naturally a very shy and cautious little girl.  She is also very sensitive.  When we moved in the past there was one week that we didn't have much time to play with her.  We still fed her and so forth, but she didn't have time out with us for almost a week. We still talked to her, albeit briefly when we fed her. She became so depressed she refused to eat.  We thought she was sick and took her to the vet, all tests were negative. I knew what was wrong.  She felt neglected.  I sang to her.  I loved on her.  I babied her. I begged that little sweetie to forgive us, and slowly she snapped out of it.  I promised her then, that I would never make her feel abandoned again...

Now she was in quarantine.  I can't even describe what that did to me.  

Xia is a gregarious girl. A natural clown.  She is super out-going and chatty. The only concern I had for her was that she might pluck if she wasn't given attention.  I didn't feel that she would die in quarantine, as long as she was taken care of.  She would be happy to greet new people and kind of just goes with new things.

In my instructions to the handler, who's name is Rena, I explained Indy's shy personality.  I told her that she likes to be hand fed her food, and she likes to be greeted by dancing and singing.  I know most people would be like - "You are a crazy bird person."  Yes, that is true, but really if you want happy birds you have to understand their needs.  

Rena gave us her private cell phone number to text her for updates and to check in.  I couldn't personally text her, as I could not stand the thought that she might send a message that Indy was dead to my phone.  Irrational, crazy fear maybe, but I couldn't do it.  Todd texted with Rena for me.  

She was actually super accommodating and patient.   Indy and Xia had never shared a cage before.  They hang out all day with each other, but they have their own space.  Often they will bicker and I have always worried that they would fight if they were locked up together.  I was left with a huge dilemma send them to quarantine in their own isolette or have them share one.  Isolation or share space with a friend that you might fight with?  I decided that mentally it would be better for them to share space.  They were each other's constant.  They would be less lonely if they had each other, and I was hoping less likely to feel abandoned. Rena gave them a very large cage to share and set it up just like the pictures.  She also held two cages that were next to each other, just in case they started to fight, so she could separate them if needed.

This is one of the pics of the birds she sent a few days after they landed and put in quarantine.

It was the first time we were able to see them after they landed, even if it was just a picture it was a relief.

During the 31 days the bird girls were in quarantine, I cried all the time.  

 I couldn't even buy Mangos cause well they are Indy's favorites.  Kayla pointed out that is why I couldn't buy them.  I didn't know what was wrong with me.  

We also had to take Honey to the vet and try and get her fixed up. I asked them to give her injectable antibiotics, as the oral ones were awful with a broken mouth.  The vet said it looked like her jaw was broken, but was healing well, after the antibiotics.  A few of her teeth were knocked loose.  He said that she really should have all her teeth removed.  She has always had bad teeth, a pomeranian issue we have been told over the years. She is now almost 12 years old.  We still have to schedule the surgery for her teeth.  It is about 3K, so we have to save up for that, after all the expenses of moving and all.  We have been feeding her soft foods and she seems to be back to her normal self, so it isn't urgent. Happy and sweet.

Also, I had to get Krystin ready to go to Florida for college, which psychologically I was really not up for. I just barely got everyone back together!  Oh, and to make things more interesting, Krystin and Logan ate at one our favorite restaurants a few days before they left Hong Kong and got some bad meat.  They were very sick. Poor Krystin was right in the middle of finals.  Well, she was still not feeling 100%, so I took her to a GI to make sure all was well.  She was healthy, thankfully, and the doctor just said sometimes these things take a while to run their course.  Still stressful.

For 31 days, I got up, got dressed and took care of what I needed to, but was constantly crying.  I couldn't sleep at night.  I was so overwhelmed, so sad.   I really thought my baby would die or be mentally broken forever.  I know I sound dramatic, but I have loved this baby bird from the very first moment she came in to my life.  She had no feathers.  She was naked and only 10 days old. She is now 11 1/2 years old. Todd and I hand fed her and loved on her from the time she was tiny.  She knows us as Mom and Dad. She is my baby.  Period.  Imagine having your small child taken from you and put into a quarantine.  They would not be able to understand what was happening or why or that they would ever see you again. That is what it felt like to me.  

I know that Indy would not have made it without Rena.  Rena is such a blessing to the NY USDA quarantine recipients. A truly wonderful human being. She read my notes about the birds personalities.  She cared.  She noticed that my Indy wasn't eating, so she hand fed her.  She noticed that she was shy, so she danced for her.  She took the time to win Indy's love and trust, which is not the easiest.  She is very shy, cautious, at first.  Rena would go to the organic food store and buy them tons of fruits and juices as well. Half way through, she sent a pic and Indy looked 'skinny' to me, so she weighed her.  She had lost about 10 grams, which is a lot for her, so she bought a bunch of foods that I told her were Indy's favorites and made her a 'feast' as she put it, and Indy ate.

Finally, on July 28th my family would all be home and safe.  Todd drove the 87 miles to the quarantine location with me to pick up our bird girls.  The people there were really the greatest, most genuine people.  

During the 31 days while I waited,  I distracted myself by making the birds toys....

and bought them new rooms

With the horrible thought in the back of my mind that they might not needed them. :(

But really my fears were unfounded, because of one very special person.

Rena!

Isn't she beautiful?

She actually looked like and said she was going to miss the girls.

And I couldn't stop crying as I kissed my FREE baby in America!

A moment I didn't think was possible.

This times tears of relief and joy.

We love you too Z!  Xia gets nervous in the car (and jumps for it), 

so she was in the kennel for the ride home.

Don't worry, she got lots of love and kisses too.

and was chatting up a storm.

No greater joy than Freedom, for both of us!

So, that is our Journey Home!  

It has taken me a few months to recover from all of it.  I am still a bit shaken, but I am left to think that maybe there is order or reason in the chaos.  Even though I would not allow myself to see the hope or possible light in the situation, maybe, just maybe the Powers that Be were really trying to help. We would never have even considered flying the birds to New York, we really thought LA quarantine was the only option, and if not, that the other quarantines would be all the same. Why wouldn't they be?  I would not ever sign up for that experience again, but I am grateful, now, to be on this side of things with my happy, sweet and super feisty baby on my shoulder in America.  

I think I am going to go outside right now with my baby bird, 

so we can both go enjoy the clean, fresh air and open skies that I love!  

It is, finally, good to be home.

  

Quarantine - Part 1

Quarantine - Part 1

The word, quarantine,  had haunted me and tormented me for almost 2 years, and now it was my reality.  A reality I had to fight for.

After we landed, we had to get our three-thousand pieces of luggage and all our carry-ons before taking care of the pets.  We had rented a car, so after gathering all of our luggage. I stayed on the curb while Todd got the vehicle (that could hold all of the luggage) as quickly as possible, so we could go take care of our babies as quickly as possible.  

All I wanted to know is if the pets were ok.  

We were calling and trying to coordinate with Fish and Wildlife and the USDA quarantine people.  We were told we needed to hire a Customs broker?  No one mentioned that before. I was like, "No, no we don't."   I know all the paperwork. I know everything that needs to be done.  I will take care of it.  That is crazy. NO. We had the birds 'luggage' with us, two small suitcases that had all of their food, supplies, vitamins, boings, toys, perches, and comfort towels even.  I knew we needed to get them to the USDA quarantine people before they left with the birds, but we also needed to clear the bird with customs, so they could go first.  All these places were spaced out in opposite locations.  Oh, and we had to get the paperwork form the warehouse (3 places).  We drove back and forth, between the US Customs, the Warehouse (where the pets arrived), and then to Fish and Wildlife office where the USDA was to pick up the bird babes.  It was crazy.

When we finally got to the fish and wild life office, I was still unsure if the birds were ok.  We were not allowed to even see them.  However, when we walked in we could here their precious little voices in the back room.  Best sound EVER!  The gentlemen from the quarantine was truly the sweetest man.  He told us that our birds would be totally fine and that the handler is the most wonderful woman and loves birds.  He took the birds luggage and laughed. Apparently, pets don't usually come with luggage.  He loaded the birds in his vehicle after we left, as we weren't allowed to see them, which was hard, but maybe smart.  I might have grabbed them and RUN away with them! I was still pretty sure if my bird did make it through quarantine, she would never be the same mentally.

Now we had to go get our baby dragon.  I was trying not to obsessively think about our dragon-girl.  Did she die on the flight?  Was she ok?  I couldn't even allow myself to think about those things.  I really NEEDED her to be ok.  I wanted so badly to be able to take a baby home with us safe and sound.  We went back over to Customs, to get her clearance. The same lady that helped us with the birds helped us again.  The clearance wasn't there.  We tried to call fish and wildlife about it, they were supposed to fax the bird's and the lizard's clearance forms. Apparently, they only sent the birds.  We kept calling fish and wildlife.  Their office was now closed.  The warehouse was freezing. I was sure if the lizard was still alive she wouldn't make it in that freezing warehouse all weekend...  

I talked to the lady at customs.  I showed her all of our paperwork.  She knew the story by now, and she very kindly cleared our baby dragon.  I am so thankful for good people.

If you are curious, this is what the birds and the lizards kennels look like.

They all have pics on the top with their faces and names. 

My hope  was that, the people carrying them would treat them a little more gently, if they knew 'who' was in there.  Especially, the dragon, as she was hidden and quiet.

How could you be anything but gentle with that sweet face!

As we rushed to the warehouse, I was so nervous that she didn't make it. All the negative, horror stories of reptiles not making it  poured through my mind.

When we got the warehouse we anxiously were paying the fee (everything and everyone has a fee).  A guy from back had been the one to move our dragon, he saw the picture and was excited about her.  He quickly went and got her for us. All I could think was how incredibly cold it was in that warehouse.  The kennel was actually screwed together with tools (a china kennel), but I didn't want to take that long to find out if she was ok, so instead of unscrewing all the bolts, I asked if anyone had scissors.  The workers at the warehouse seemed just as anxious for us to get the lizard out and see if she was ok, as we were. I got the door open.  Cut the tape and the side of the box to get to her quickly and I reached my hand in to grab her.  I was so terrified that I would find a cold, limp, DEAD baby in there.  Instead, I reached in and there was a very cold baby, but a wiggly baby!  A very much alive baby. I gently pulled her from the box, still in her 'travel' burlap sack, snipped the end of that thing and cuddled her to warm her up.  Everyone there was enchanted with her. 

I can't describe the relief that she made it!

She was jet-lagged, and taking in America, while we were sitting in bumper to bumper traffic.  We were driving through Manhattan barely moving, while she sat on my lap looking around.  The cutest thing happened.  People started peaking in our car window and pointing to her and taking her picture.  It was as if they knew she was Dragon that just flew in from Hong Kong. 

She was greeted with true celebrity status, rightfully so.

So, while I wasn't able to take my bird babies home with me, which was mentally destroying me to be honest.  At least everyone was finally in America again...

The birds actually had to be in quarantine for 31 days, because 30 days was a Sunday.  

The countdown began...

There was one very happy Dragon Mamma waiting for her baby back at the house.

Ember actually did a leap of sorts into her Momma's arms on site. 

 It was cute.

Stay tuned for Surviving Quarantine

The Journey Home - Part 4

Part 4 - Finally

Our flight home

I have spent a LOT of time discussing the process and stress of flying the birds home, but haven't mentioned anything about flying our dragon home.  

The paperwork for the dragon wasn't very tricky. There are no communicable diseases associated with the dragon.  She isn't listed on an endangered or threatened species list or anything. Essentially, all we needed was to get a health cert from a normal vet stating she was healthy to fly, and to file a declarations form with US Customs.  We needed to file a declaration form for the birds (and dogs) as well.  It is just a routine thing. Since the dragon is a lizard it had to go through Fish and Wildlife, as did the birds declaration.  When you arrive, customs has the form faxed to them already.  They process it, and it is cleared.  Pretty simple.

The tricky part was figuring out how to SHIP a cold blooded creature.  There was really such a lack of useful information on this subject.  I spent months researching the best, safest ways. It was over 90F outside, and in the compartment of the plane where the pets are kept it was probably about 70F. The lizards likes to be in about 85-90F.  Heating pads would be dangerous and having her too cold would be as well.  The flight is 16 hours direct.  I was so worried she wouldn't make it.  Practically every other article I read was by someone that worked in the airline industry stating that we should NOT send reptiles, they will not make it.  Stories about pulling dead iguanas off out of the pet area, it was really unsettling.   They will die.  If you love your lizard give it away.  Well, I do love Krystin's dragon, and there is NO way I was going to give her away. Who would love on her like we do??? She is a sensitive, sweet dragon.  She is part of our family.   I took everything I read, and came up with the best plan I could for her and prayed she would be ok.

She also had to meet USDA 'shipping' requirements which were crazy confusing for reptiles. Ultimately, I had ordered a reptile shipping box (it was for local shipping), bought her a dog kennel, and made a high-brid contraption between the two.  I placed the box inside the kennel, lined it with Styrofoam, placed a towel on the bottom, for her comfort. I made air vents through the box.  I placed her in a burlap sack (specifically for reptile shipping).  Seemed mean, but she seemed to like it. I made sure she had a good meal more than 12 hours before shipping, a suggestion I read online. I secured her in the box, in the kennel and said a prayer! Whew!  

Back to preparing for our flight.  We stayed up pretty much all night Thursday night.  I was completely panicking about the weather.  Did the weather gods not KNOW I asked for a cooler day?  It was the hottest it had been since we had been there, heck since we had ever been in Hong Kong.  Like record breaking hot.  Usually, the mornings are overcast too, not that day.  Our fight was supposed to leave by 9:15 am, so I was hoping it wouldn't be as hot or sunny. Hong Kong is NEVER sunny, 'cept like 3 days a year.   

We had 8 large suitcases, 3 small carry on suitcases, 2 back-packs, a guitar, 3 pet kennels, a LARGE banner of Logan's, and a ton of small other stuff.  There was no way we could take all that by ourselves. So we took two cabs to the airport on Thursday night and checked in the 8 large suitcases on the flight at midnight.  Pretty nifty we thought! :)   We still had more than we could possibly carry, but it was better and our luggage would be on the plane!

You are supposed to have the pets to the Cargo area of the airport, preferably 4 hours ahead of time, at least 3.  They then load the pets on the plane, which doesn't have the climate control turned on until people board, so imagine a car in the summer without ac, dangerous.  It was 98 degrees, and a BRIGHT SUNNY morning, oh with an added bonus of 95% humidity. It was deathly hot. It is never bright and sunny first thing in the morning in HK, what the heck.  Fail, weather gods, fail!  I did NOT want to bring my pets to the airport early. I felt like it was definitely a death sentence. I was definitely dragging my feet, without realizing it. I am sure.  They would absolutely not be able to handle that heat.  I was pretty much an emotional wreck.  I mean kill them with the heat, or at least make them sick from it, and then follow that up with landing and going straight to quarantine after a stressful 16 hour flight.  There was no upside to this.   

Well, the plan was we would call a cab in the morning and head to cargo.  We finished up everything with the birds by 5:45am.  We  threw away their cages, put them in their flight kennels.  I placed enough snacks and fluids for the birds to last them the 16 hours, I hoped.  Got the lizard situated.  We were running a little late, it was about 6:00am by now.  Then we called the cab.  Normally, at 6:00am,  we have no problem getting a cab.  We live like 10 minutes from the airport. Should be quick. Nope we couldn't get a cab.  No joke.   We kept calling, NO CABS!!!  It was awful.  Finally, after an hour, we got a cab...  Now it was really cutting it close. 

It was almost 8am by the time we finally got to cargo desk, yes the flight was to leave at 9:15am.  It was like a ridiculous amount of effort for us to get all the stuff we had (look above) and the three pets to the fourth floor.  We ended up leaving most of it just sitting in the lobby, unattended, while we ran to the Cargo area.   We quickly handed them our paperwork  to process the pets quickly... The gentlemen grabbed the paperwork, looked through it.  He went and spoke to someone else, and then came back and said, "I am sorry, you arrived too late.".  "You will have to go on another flight."  

Ten million thoughts went through my head.  I hadn't considered this possibility.  If you know me, you would know I am compulsively early.  I am NEVER late.  I am the first one to EVERY event. I don't do late, but really I wasn't myself so what can you expect...  That and I really didn't want to do this. I felt as though I was marching my beloved, trusting babies off the plank.  However,  our luggage was on that flight.  It was the Friday flight.  We threw the birds cages away already.  Our lease was over in our flat.  All of our clothes were on the plane, and the birds couldn't fly on the weekend.  There was no other choice!  I started BEGGING him to PLEASE get them on the flight. Please! I told him there has to be a way, PLEASE!   He left and came back and said, "Ok, but we have to be fast." If you have dealt with Hong Kong government process you would know this in and of itself is a miracle.  They are very letter of the law and by the rules.

He quickly looked over the birds to make sure their kennels met requirements.  Passed with flying colors.   Then he looked at the lizard. He pulled out the books.  He had people come over. No one had a clue.  I told him, I promise I have read through ALL of the requirements.  The lizard meets USDA requirements for shipping, to the best extent possible. He and the others just nodded and cleared her.  Then Todd and I quickly grabbed Indy out, because maybe I was starting to have a complete melt down that her water looked dirty as they were about to take her to the plane... and we loved on her and kissed her. It felt like a Good Bye kiss.  It was sooo HORRIBLE.  Never ever, ever want to do that again. 

After the pets were off it took at least another half hour to get the paperwork in order.  Then we were told that we might not make our flight, and they will NOT hold it for us???  My baby birds  and lizard are now on the flight.  If we are not the flight to clear them when they land, we were told they will sit in a warehouse all weekend. Like even if we arrived later that day on Friday the warehouse would be closed.  They don't clear them on the weekends remember?    So, basically, I was sure they would die. No questions asked.  I felt like I was going to be sick.

The gentlemen that was helping us was kind and called and had a cab waiting for us to run to downstairs.  He explained the situation.  We had about 7 mins to get to the airport, that was the cutoff time the airline said we had to arrive at security.  It is only a 3-4 minute drive MAX from the Cargo area to the main terminal.  Should be ok.  Still have to go through security and so forth, but we should make it.  

We hop in the cab, my heart is racing, I feel like I can't breathe...  The cab driver is speeding along.  Then he pulls up this ramp.  Stops.  Looks back in the rearview mirror like he wants to back up. I see the look in his eyes...   All I can think is,  "OH SHIT" (sorry, but really).  I knew we were now doomed. I thought, "Back up.  Back up."  But, he didn't back up, because, well, it is illegal and dangerous, even though there was not a car in sight.  So, he accidentally got on the freeway going the opposite direction.  Never once in the two years that we have been there has a cabby accidentally gotten on the freeway going the wrong direction.  We were right next door to the airport!!! 

He tells us not to worry will only be an extra 10 or so minutes... Well, we only had 5 mins.  That was it I  couldn't stop crying.  I am sure that totally helped the cab driver.  I think Todd even started to cry?  I knew things were really bad then. Todd doesn't cry.  All I could think was that my bird babies, and my lizard baby were going to die and I was helpless to do anything about it.

We get to the airport 10 mins after their cut-off time and RAN to the security check point.  An immigration lady stops us and says we have too many things and the guitar is too big.  So, we tell her we don't have time.  We will just leave it.  Our pets are on the plane!  We have to run.  She takes our passports from us, so we can't leave and walks over to the Cathay Pacific people to discuss it with them. I am kind of like, You have to be kidding me!  We will leave all of this! WE HAVE TO GO.   She won't give our passports back.  I really start to freak out at this point.  We just have to get through security and on the plane.  I just started sobbing about my babies.  Well, other foreign people in line near us get concerned (apparently, I was making a scene), and they start reassuring me that the airline will MAKE SURE we make it.  I am sure this influenced the airline people.   After about 10 mins or so, the plane is now supposed to leave in like 20 mins and the door should be shutting any minute,  the airline allowed us one extra carry-on to bring with, but wasn't sure about the guitar.  We were like - KEEP IT!!  (Sorry Krystin).  We also we able to bring Logan's super-sized banner, go figure. 

Then we begged for someone from the airline to please help us get through security faster.  The lines were super long, and we no longer had our HK visa privileges.  Our Cathay pacific escort went and talked to the very short line  for local people, and HK immigration Official made an exception and let us come to her.  The other line had to be at minimum 30 mins.   I asked the Cathay lady if the flight knew we were coming, she said yes, but that they would not hold the flight.    She said that there was no way they could hold the flight for us, as it was full.  Of course it was the furthest possible gate and we ran the entire way, with our very nice Cathay airlines escort helping us.   We barely got on the flight before the doors shut.  We collapsed in our seats, drenched in sweat and shaking from the entire experience.  

I was so grateful Todd was in the seat next to me for the ride home.  The flight was the MOST turbulent flight we have experienced.  All 16 (or 7 million, what it felt like) hours of it.  With each bump and shake I imagined that my babies were terrified and the food and water was pouring all over. I was, however, left to appreciate the fact that while that was the MOST stressful experience ever.  The chaos of the morning did also mean that the pets were NOT on the plane for 4 hours before take off, and most likely were loaded on after the plane was already on.  I do not doubt that if they had been loaded, when they should have been, they would have died from the heat.  I do try to look for the positive when I can. 

We landed safely at JFK, then we were on to the next part of our Journey Home.

Clearing the pets, making sure they were alive, and then quarantine.

Stay tuned for Quarantine

(If you aren't exhausted. I know I am.)

The Journey Home - Part 3

Part 3

Crunch Time

The week before Todd and I were to head to Hong Kong, we were actually in Chicago to provide training to a group out there. It was a bit crazy.  I will leave it at that, but know I am giving you the highlights.

On the upside, we sent the dogs to a wonderful place that treated our pups like they were part of the family, and posted pics and videos of them while we were gone. We had never left our dogs with a kennel before, so I was really worried about leaving them initially.  Until I found this wonderful family that runs a cage free kennel type of boarding facility. We were able to send the dogs to them previously when we visited the kids in Hong Kong in April.  Since our dogs were their smallest visitors, they were allowed to hang out with the family all the time, sit on the sofa and sleep in their bedroom.  They even offered to have them sleep in bed with them, if we wanted. So sweet!   Happy pups.

We found out on the 13th that the Ban was lifted while we were in Chicago, actually during training.  We had to fly home that night to New Jersey.  It is still crazy to me, the ban was lifted just a couple of days before we were to head to Hong Kong for our final move.  We arranged to have my Dad fly in (and land around our flight time) to watch the pups for the week while we were in HK (which he has done numerous times over the years), and then he could stay for the following week and see everyone, once we all returned (optimism, see!).  We had to pick the pups up on Saturday from boarding.  I felt so badly leaving them again, but they love their Grampa.  They seemed happy.  Then we had to get everything in order to finish everything in Hong Kong in that following week.  Really not that much time. We hadn't seen my Dad in 18 months, so we were catching up too.

We left Sunday night for Hong Kong, with the time difference and the 16 hours flight, we landed at almost 6am on Tuesday Hong Kong time.

We had to reapply for a US Import Permit, as the import permit's only last for 30 days, and ours had expired 2 days before the ban was lifted.  Yes...  Fun.  We thought maybe they would just be able to 're-issue' with new dates, but nope we had to reapply.  Each application is $150 dollars, btw, fun, fun.  Usually, they process the applications within a few days to a week, and I applied on the 13th the same day I found out the ban was lifted.

When we arrived in Hong Kong we were so exhausted and stressed, but so happy that things seemed to be lining up, finally.  Even if I was uncertain and not thrilled about the birds possibly DYING in quarantine.  :(  Flying the birds to LA quarantine they can land pretty much any time on any day of the week. You just have to pay overtime for times outside of the 'normal' business hours.  Los Angeles bird quarantine is HUGE and busy.  However, the New York facility was very small, which was probably why they could accommodate our diet requests.  However, because they are small, they only pick up birds between Mon-Fri 8:30-4ish.  Really they said birds should land no later than 1pm to make sure they are cleared through customs in time and in case of flight delays. The flight also had to land in JFK and had to be direct.    So, essentially, there was only ONE flight that would work per day, and during summer the direct flights sell out quickly. That one flight lands at 1pm, cutting it close.

We originally wanted to fly home with the kids on Saturday, but with the restrictions we had to switch our flight to the following Monday.   That seemed ok, as we could use the extra time to finish some stuff with the flat and packing.

We had a wonderful time attending Krystin's Senior awards where she was recognized for her great scholastic accomplishments, and she won the best athlete in XC and Track, and female MVP of the year!  It was so wonderful to be there and celebrate with her.  Then we were able to celebrate her at her graduation, so bittersweet.  I was so proud, yet she is my baby and it was hard watching my last one become an adult...  (Isn't that alone enough stress on a Momma's heart, without the move stuff?)...

Oh, the kids' flight home was drama too.  We got to the airport and were running a little late.  I don't even remember why.  Maybe last minute packing and stuff. It is a blur. Hopefully, the kids will guest blog about their experience at some point. Well, Logan and Krystin's visas expired (like ours did June 13th), it was now the 21st.  We were told it wouldn't be a big deal, as Krystin graduated on the 20th and they were leaving the country.  Well, apparently, it was a big deal.  The immigration officers grabbed Logan and Krystin when they were trying to leave, and said they were violating their visa.  Uhm.  They are leaving? Kayla's college Visa was actually good for another 3 years, so she was fine. They took Logan and Krystin to an office that someone had written on the wall something like, "Welcome to Hell" or whatnot.  The kids knew they were late and were afraid they were going to miss their flight, and were totally exhausted from not sleeping and understandably stressed.  Ultimately, the officials decided that they would allow them to pay a fee for the extra time.  Sadly, they had given us the majority of their Hong Kong money and only had a tiny bit of US money that was supposed to be for when they landed. They gladly handed it over to the officials to run to their plane...  Yes, the HK officials happily took the US money too.  It was extra ridiculous, because Logan had returned mid April and visitors are allowed to be there for 90 days, so he was well under that limit.  The visa really shouldn't have mattered for him.  Well, they made it, stress and all... Thankfully.

While all this was going on, we were still waiting for the import permit from the US.  Usually, they just issue it pretty quickly.  Not a problem. I mean they already reviewed the paperwork, it was just barely expired.  There wasn't anything new?  As of Friday in HK we still didn't have the permit, and with kids flying out the next day, we had to cancel our Monday flight, until ???  Also, we couldn't get the HK Vet cert until we had the US import permit, and I was paranoid the alert status would change at any moment and the ban would be in effect again. Just needed ONE case of Avian Flu in HK, that is it.  The original alert status change was due to a Chinese person with the Avian flu crossing into Hong Kong and dying there...   Technically, we were supposed to make the HK Vet appt 10 days ahead as well...   Oh, and did I mention the temperature just kept getting hotter...  95F +...

I was hoping and praying for cool spell to go with the paperwork.

Monday came, still no permit.  We had tried contacting the USDA about it previously, it wasn't helpful.  Tuesday we tried again, as we still needed to get the HK Vet cert, and if we didn't get the birds on  a flight by Friday we would have to stay until the following Monday, and well our lease ended that Sunday.  We called USDA again on Tuesday, and were able to leave a message.  Apparently, the lady in charge of the permits, didn't notice that we needed it immediately, as she was hit hard with tons of applications for import permits during the summer.  Thankfully, she quickly processed it and emailed us with it by Weds morning, HK time...

In the mean time the kids were back in New Jersey with my Dad.  Apparently, something had happened to my sweet, little Honey.  The kids started mentioning to me their concern on Sunday after they arrived that she seemed off, but they weren't sure.  I was so concerned with getting the birds out of Hong Kong I didn't even realize there was an issue.  They knew I was super stressed with all the HK stuff, and didn't really want to worry me, but by Tues NJ time/Wed HK time they were really worried.

Apparently, she wasn't barking or eating or drinking and her mouth looked weird they said.  :(  Logan finally sent me pictures and I about lost it.  It looked like her jaw was broken and infected.  Todd and I immediately called a vet and asked my Dad to take her.  No one knows what happened to her.  She is tiny, could be anything.  She has problems with stairs even, she could have fallen?  I don't know.  The point was, my pup now needed me too, and I was completely unable to help her.  My sweet dog that normally weighs 5.5lbs was only 3.9lbs at the vet.  She was starving and in tons of pain.  This dog will not complain about anything, so it killed me extra to know how bad it was for her.  The vet gave her antibiotics and pain meds.  They were all oral though, with a broken jaw and a finicky eater of a dog that  is a rough combo for the kids to deal with.  They did their best to feed and medicate her, but I know it was a stressful welcome home for them.

The last thing I wanted was to have to stay in Hong Kong any longer than I needed. I just wanted to get my bird babies home, and get back to my kids and my pups. My poor Honey... Poor, poor Honey...  my poor stressed kids too... Let's just say I cried more than should have been possible for a good portion of this year.  It all was a bit much, and trust me I am leaving out a lot.

We were fortunate that the HK Vet is really a wonderful, on top of it, easy to reach person.  Even though protocol dictated the 10 day notice. He very graciously allowed us to bring the birds in the next day on Thursday for the HK Vet Cert.  Thank GOODNESS!!

 Now, we needed to make sure we and the birds were on the ONE flight on Friday that would arrive on time.  We called the airlines and at first they told us that there were no more seats, sorry. It was sold out.  I was devastated.   We talked to the lady a little longer and explained that the birds would be on that flight and we needed to be as well.  She put us on hold for a moment, came back and said she found two more seats on that flight, the LAST TWO.  Thank God!

Oh, did I mention, Todd had the previous week off as vacation to pack and attend Krystin's grad stuff, but we were really supposed to be back the next week.  So, he was working all night, while I frantically packed and cleaned. Serious party time.   We honestly needed the extra week. Packing up and donating 2 years worth of stuff in 5 days is really not possible while attending events for the kids all day, and everything else.

Finally though!
We had all the paperwork in hand.
We had the flight booked!
The birds were GOING HOME!
(Even if my little honey was a mess back home, an end was in site!)

Stay Tuned for  Part 4!

Oh, and about the dragon...

The Journey Home - Part 2

Part 2

Back in Hong Kong

When I returned back in Hong Kong I was SOOO depressed and anxious, like unshakably.  I was so sad that Todd was gone and I felt a bit hopeless about the situation.   You see, there was a short window in which we could get the birds out of Hong Kong, if they were going to leave.  They aren't supposed to fly in temps lower than 50s or higher than 84 F. They are required to fly in a special compartment under the plane.  It is temperature controlled while in flight, but the pets are loaded on the plane hours before the plane is turned on, so if it is hot outside it is extra hot in their compartment and dangerous for them.

  In March, New York was having a record breaking cold winter at between 8-20 degrees F (not counting wind) way too cold for our tropical birds, and we knew Hong Kong would be over 90 by May.  That really gave us a short window to send them.  Best bet would be end of April or early May...

With the ban in effect, we couldn't plan.  There was really no choice.   I contacted every agency/group/person I could think of or was suggested to me to try and find a way around the ban.  I was met with the same response from all.   "You need to respect Hong Kong law.  There is nothing we can do.  It is for the safety of people." Period.

I contacted our local vet to see, if needed, if there was someone that could watch our birds for us until the ban was lifted and weather permitted (not that I would have been able to trust anyone)... There was Not a ONE person or group.  Hong Kong is not a bird place.  I am giving your the brief update, I SWEAR.  I even considered smuggling them on a cargo boat or to other countries where there wasn't a ban.  The things you consider for the sake of your baby.

I couldn't look at my bird without crying.  It was pretty bad, and Todd was gone in New York.  I felt abandoned too.   I just felt at a complete and total loss....   I was so stressed, I couldn't sleep, eat, I was a mess.. I was a total mess.   Thankfully, the girls were deeply engaged in their school activities, and were super busy and gone a lot...  (Logan was in Hawaii)...

After Todd was gone for three weeks, I ended up flying out to help him set up a house we found to rent and try to snap out of my funk.  When we were looking for a house,  my only condition on our house location - was it had to NOT be in the city.  We ended up renting a place in beautiful area nestled between two nature reserves, a serious sanity saver! With easy access to Manhattan, just hop on a train and you are in the city, WIN-WIN.  

Todd and I went back and forth to Hong Kong a couple times, but we also ended up flying Logan to Hong Kong when he finished his finals in early April to help out.  The kids worked together to take care of the pets and each other, while we tried to arrange all the details.  I am so thankful for the most amazing kids ever.  They are truly wonderful and responsible people.  I should add that while they each had their own plans and pursuits, each of them offered to stay in Hong Kong with the birds until they could come home, so that they would be safe.  They were willing to forsake their own interests for our baby bird  girls, because the birds are our family.  What truly unselfish, loving people they are.  If only we could afford two locations, not that I would want to do that to the kids!

I watched daily to see if the alert status changed in Hong Kong, and would panic with every story of Avian Bird Flu in the news. The status didn't change all  of March, April, or May.  We had to be out of our flat in Hong Kong by the end of June.  The kids had one way tickets  on June 21st to New York...   To say I was not myself for the majority of this year would be an understatement.  

I tried to keep Hong Kong time when I was in the states, to be there for my kids, and New York time with Todd (12 hour difference) and sort of nap in between.   I don't think I had a good nights sleep for at least 6 months.

The weather in New York started to warm a little (like 60s) in April and we knew if we were going to get the dogs out we needed to do it soon, besides it would cut down some of the responsibility the kids had if the dogs were gone. I worked with the girls (remotely) to ship the dogs to New York.   They had to take the dogs to the Vet to get their health certificates, set up their crates according to the mandatory protocol. We did a lot of picture texting back and forth.  They had to get them to the cargo area of the airport and make sure all the paperwork was in order, which means arranging a cab with the dogs and back.  They did great!  The dogs made the journey without a hitch! It was crazy how easy the paperwork is for the dogs.  They basically landed, we went early in the day to get our customs form cleared and were able to just pick them up.  It felt so good to have some of my babies home.

 I have to say, I think the dogs were getting a bit claustrophobic too. They had no patio or yard in HK.  The only time they were able to go outside was when we walked them. They were so excited about a house with yard and a doggy door.  The first week every time I would look for them, they would be laying in the middle of the yard watching the squirrels or just enjoying their freedom. 

In May, the temps started to get hotter in Hong Kong, and still there was no release on the ban.  June came and I was seriously beginning to panic.  The weather in Hong Kong was hovering in the 80's -90's....  Our lease was coming up on the HK Flat, and still the ban was in effect.  At that point I was worried that even if they lifted the ban it would be too late, as it would be to hot to ship them.  To compound issues, Hong Kong stays hot until about October-November, by which time New York would be cold. ugh!! It really seemed impossible.

Todd and I were set to fly to Hong Kong on June 15th, for the final move and krystin's graduation. We were still planning like everything was a go, because we didn't know what else to do.  On June 13th, I did my daily check on the Hong Kong alert status and it was changed!!  Hallelujah!  I was so elated I almost fell over, which is semi-ironic considering how totally panicked I was about sending the birds to quarantine.    However, the option of having them trapped in Hong Kong with no where to go was even more frightening... Of course, there were still many details to work out, but there was hope!

Stay tuned for Part 3

The Journey Home - Part 1

Calamity...

That should be the title for this year, so far.

One after another... 

Mostly centered around returning from Hong Kong, but not limited to it.
I touched briefly in May about our move, but decided to give more details.

You haven't lived fully until you move to Hong Kong with 3 teens, 2 dogs, 2 birds, acquire a lizard and attempt to return home...

I have been so shell-shocked from the entire experience, (starting in about January when Todd agreed to the New York Job and progressing to recently) that I really have not felt like even recording much.
I tend to default to just wanting to put negative things out of my mind...

However, I am having a moment of clarity through the haze of chaos, stress, and crisis, so I shall try and record the events that have happened...  I mean life continues on whether or not you record it, right?  And we will all look back and laugh at some point as well, yes?  

Ok, let me start this with -- Part 1...
(Sorry if it is only semi-coherent, just recording this gives me anxiety!)

Part 1 of the final journey to get EVERYONE home to the U.S.!

Todd gave his HK job a 30 day notice the end of January, and was due to start the New York Job on March 3rd.  However, Krystin didn't graduate high school until June 20th, meaning we were tethered to Hong Kong until that date, at least.  As such, even at the onset of this journey, it was to be a challenging plan, but that seems to be typical for us.

I was very stressed about the entire thought of returning back to the states, not because I didn't want to, I DID.... I am not a city person. I am just not.  Hong Kong was a compromise for me, because it was unique and magical.  Our flat in HK, when we first moved there had huge open windows that faced the Ocean.  The open view saved my sanity.  However,  they started building a high rise shortly after we moved in directly in front of our window blocking the view, and as it went up and blocked our view my sanity went down...   Hong Kong is a unique city nestled in the middle of the Ocean and mountains,  but still it  is a city (in fact, one of the most densely populated cities),   it was super crowded always,  our flat was very small and we had 5 pets in it (yah), you can hear and smell all of your neighbors above, below and next to you, we had no car, shopping was no less than insane (which was necessary daily), and the air quality was awful (which was really the hardest for me). I couldn't go outside without getting sick.

 So, why would I not want to move home?

For the love of this little girl...

My baby, my Indy.

A year prior, we had considered and even planned to move home to California.

City life was starting to get to me.  I was getting more and more claustrophobic, which really is hard to snap out of. You can't even see the stars at night and the air made me so sick, I felt there was  no escape.  Did I say, I am NOT a city person? Oh my.  I always knew that, but now know it without a doubt.  

Well, before we moved to Hong Kong with all of our lovies, I double and triple checked EVERYTHING to make sure, when we wanted to return home it would be a smooth transition. As smooth as can be that is.  One of the deciding factors on whether  or not I would actually move to Hong Kong was the birds.  They had to be able to return home, and if they had to be quarantined (which I read they would be) it would have to be a home quarantine, which I had read was possible and acceptable.  

I contacted the USDA officials about it.  Their response was honestly my deciding yes or no factor.  If they had to go to a USDA quarantine facility rather than home quarantine or if that was even a possibility - I would NOT have moved to Hong Kong.  However, they responded in writing that they are US citizens and a 30 day home quarantine would be acceptable.  Sweet!  We left, and I kept copies of all of the communications for proof! 

 A year later when we were applying for the import permit, from the USDA they put on the permit that they had to go to the USDA quarantine facility.  Long and short of it, the person that worked for the USDA who told me in writing they could do home quarantine was wrong and was no longer with them...   I was completely devastated to say the least. 

Before we left for Hong Kong, our local California vet warned me about the USDA bird quarantine facilities in Los Angeles.  She looked me in the eyes and said,  "your birds will die if they go there." Hence the reason I made sure that they wouldn't have to before going to Hong Kong.  So, when we found out about the mandatory quarantine at the facility, I decided then and there we would just stay in Hong Kong forever.  I could not even stand the thought for one second of my bird dying alone and feeling abandoned in a quarantine facility. 

A year later, Todd's enchantment for Asia was waining, and when he was contacted by a company in New York for a cool opportunity and help with relocation he wanted to do it!  I was like, "Hell No!"... NO, No, NOOO, NOO, no and not a chance in the world EVER NO...   So, I was really not excited about it, even if I was super depressed from being so claustrophobic all the time and I was home alone way too much.  Todd and the kids were gone a LOT. Just not a good combination.  I still was NOT willing to even consider moving, because of my baby bird. I begged him to not consider moving, but he was so insistent that he contacted the USDA quarantine facility in New York. Didn't even know there was one in New York.  There are only 3 in the U.S. that take birds.

The vet in charge at the USDA facility in NY was really nice, even called us in Hong Kong to answer all of my MANY, MANY questions.  The LA quarantine said they could not accommodate special diets or any other special requests, no updates, no interaction, period.  However, the NY Vet said the birds could have whatever diet we wanted, they would even buy them fresh fruits/juices etc, just give them instruction.  They said they would even set their isolette with all their things from home, branches, toys, etc, however we wanted.   He, also, said they had the BEST handler that loves the birds who would text with us and keep us informed (you aren't allowed to visit the birds for the entire 30 days).  He was really nice and really did make me think, if they had to go to quarantine they might have a chance  at this place.  However, everyone I would talk to would say stuff like, "Yah, New yorkers say what you want to hear and then do what they want."  I was like, What?!!?!?  NO!  And the fact that the birds are never usually locked up at home and would have to be for 30 days without seeing us, freaked me out, so either way, I still just didn't want to do it...  

Somehow, Todd convinced me that he NEEDED to give the job a try and the birds would be ok.  I didn't believe him, but didn't really feel I had a choice. (He refused my begging about staying)...  We got all the paperwork in order for the birds to return home.  You have to get export permits from Hong Kong, Cities approval, and an Import permit from the US, which we arranged and all was set.  The only last thing to do was to get the Vet Health Cert from the HK government for the birds within 5 days before they get on the plane, no sooner.  Really it is a simple thing, they just look at the bird and stamp the form.  That is it. Seemed everything was in order. 

As if having your youngest child be in her last year of high school wasn't stressful enough!  Ha!  Try adding an international move in the middle, with extra special consideration about pets...  No time for pouting about my babies growing up too fast for sure.   

I went with Todd, a week before he was to start the NY job, to California to arrange shipping our cars from storage to New York, and hopefully arrange for all of our stuff in storage to be shipped too.  

I won't lie. It was really nice being back in California.  The big open skies.  The fresh air.  The sunsets. The Stars. The Targets.  The Mexican food.  Ok.  It was nice to be home.  

I really missed it. I was feeling a little more hopeful, albeit cautious.

 It was the last week of February, and Krystin wouldn't graduate until June 20th, so Todd would be gone about 4 months... I am usually a mess when he leaves for one night, let alone months.  I can't sleep when he is gone. It is even harder when there is a 12 hour time difference.  He tried to make it up to me and surprised me with a couple days at Disneyland.  He knows my weaknesses.  I really enjoyed our trip, even if it was in the shadow of him going to New York and me returning to Hong Kong alone.  

Two days before Todd was to head to New York, as we sat in our hotel in California, we received an email from the Hong Kong Vet official (actually a really nice man).  The email was to notify us that the W.H.O. had changed the Alert Status in Hong Kong, which in turn put a ban on ALL birds leaving Hong Kong.  He knew we were planning on leaving with them, and wanted to make us aware immediately.  We didn't know that was possible.  We were told our birds were U.S. citizens.  We had all the permits!  The only thing we didn't have was the HK Vet Cert, which they now could not issue.  We were told that the ban was put on indefinitely, and would remain in effect until the status was changed by the W.H.O. ...  

If I was not freaked out before, I was then!  When Todd quit his previous job, we gave up our visas to stay in Hong Kong.  Our current visas would expire in June.  Todd was starting a new job in New York in two days, and not only could we not legally stay in Hong Kong, but we really couldn't afford living in Hong Kong and New York simultaneously.  UGH!

Getting on the plane alone, flying back to Hong Kong, knowing all this was overwhelming.  Amongst other things that we had to take care of that I am not even going to get into.  I truly feel badly that the kids had to endure the stress of all of this, especially Krystin in the middle of her last year of high school with all of her AP classes, sports and college stuff.

They will never be able to say it was boring being our children. 

That is for sure.

Stay tuned for Part 2