Greetings from Hong Kong

Hi Friends! Finally, I am able to get on Blogger! I've been in Shenzhen (mainland China) since Wednesday where Blogger/Facebook/Twitter are blocked. I've been keeping up with all of you by reading posts on my phone, but unable to comment. I will catch up next week...promise!

It's been a rough trip. I am so thankful to have an awesome job that lets me travel the world and take on exciting projects with lots of responsibility. However, I would NOT recommend traveling to sketchy areas of China while 12 weeks pregnant. The flight over here was fine, and thanks to business class, even the 7 hour delay wasn't that bad. The executive lounge kept my nausea at bay with unlimited salty snacks and Coke (I know caffeine is bad, but it really helps the nausea when it's at its worst).

Anyway, I flew into Hong Kong, but stayed the first three nights in a city called Shenzhen. A few problems: 1. The hotel had flooded due to typhoon season and the entire building reeked of mildew; 2. Everyone in China smokes and even a "non-smoking room" smells like an ashtray; 3. No one, not even the front desk, spoke English; 4. The trade fair I went to was outside, in 95 degree heat and extreme humidity (ever done Bikram yoga? Yeah...felt just like that). I threw up every time I entered my hotel room and dry heaved pretty much the rest of the time. I got really dizzy several times and almost passed out at one point. Not fun. I'm normally an adventurous eater, but the nausea has really limited my diet for the past few months. The very, very authentic Chinese meals were just too much for my little growing every day preggo tummy. I grabbed what I thought was a safe-looking piece of chicken off a plate at lunch and it turned out to be the head - beak and all! UGH!

Ok, so enough complaining. And, please don't think I'm trying to bitch about morning sickness/pregnancy. I'm not. Trust me, I find nothing more annoying than pregnant infertiles who complain about pregnancy. I've welcomed my morning sickness and am thankful every day to have signs that my babies are growing. It's just the past few days have been really challenging...and would be for anyone.

I decided I'd had enough of Shenzhen and partly out of fear that I was doing something to harm my babies, I ditched Shenzhen a day early and headed back to Hong Kong. I booked a nice hotel, upgraded my room, and cried with relief when I took a deep breath of the jasmine-scented pillows in my room. As it turns out, a friend of mine was performing with the Hon.g Ko.ng Philh.armonic, so after a stop at Burger King (so gross, I know, but I hadn't eaten a real "meal" in several days and it was the only thing that sounded good to me), I went to his concert and spent some time exploring the city. Hong Kong is incredible and really beautiful. I wish B was here with me, because I know he'd really love it.

I'm heading back to Chicago today and can't wait to be in the comforts of my own home. Hopefully I'll make it home in time to watch Rafa claim his first U.S. Open final!

P.S. If you're so inclined, please say a little prayer/wish/thought that our NT screening on Tuesday goes well. I'm so nervous and am hoping with everything I've got that our babies are healthy!