The family is the reason I spent my entire weekends partying and forgetting to sleep.
The family is the reason I stay sane in HK.
So who are they?
And how did it begin?
To answer the second question first.....
It began on a sunday night at the end of Jan (pictured above).
English Chris (who is in fact Aussie) had a work colleague moving to HK. I agreed to meet him for lunch and impart my wisdom of the town. He turned out to be so amusing that I invited him to Saturday night drinks. (And that was how I met Darren.)
I was hanging out with Darren a bit, and Mandy had yet to meet him. So I decided to have a little dinner party with Mandy and Darren. And I figured I'd invite Sharon cause she's always good fun and washes up ;) Of course then I had to invite Mark, because Sharon wanted Mark and I to have a cook off. I was not planning a cook off, but instead a little mexican meal. Darren declared he was bringing a bottle of tequilla, Mandy some beer, Mark oranges and Sharon the game of Cranium.
It was just one of those perfect nights, where you expect a simple dinner, and instead it becomes a fun filled night of yummy food, loads of laughs, cranium, and tequilla shots with cinnamon and orange - yummo!
Who would have thought we'd all get on so well?
Mandy 
It's rather amusing given my oldest friend in Oz is Mandy, and now one of my closest friends in HK is Mandy too. This Mandy is scottish and crazy! (in a good way)
She was my flatmate for a while last year, and we had a great time drinking wine, and perving on the neighbour. (Who by the way is moving out this week - very upsetting!)
She can always make you laugh, has a great accent, and crazy slang to go with it. Oh and she has sexual tourettes!
Sharon
Sharon's birthday junk is how I came to meet Mandy and Hayley, but I didn't really get to know Shaz until about 6 months later. (What a wasted 6 months!) I first knew Sharon from going out and partying, and later learnt that she lives in a church and teaches Sunday school. I couldn't quite work out how that all fit together (given most everyone I know is atheist). She is always smiling and is the best person I know. Now that I know Darren I can't work out which of the 2 are the friendliest, but its damn close. Shaz knows people all over Hong Kong, we were out wandering on Saturday and she knew a guy selling clothes at the markets, and then a couple of girls at Krispe Kreme where we stopped for coffee, donuts and a goss ;)
Mark
Like Shaz, I knew Mark for a while before we became friends. He is the tallest person I know in HK, not that this is an achievement given most people are short, but its still amusing to watch him squash into HK sized things. He also has the voice of Alan Rickman (from Die Hard and Robin Hood -Prince of Theives), oh and he does occasionally cook a decent meal ;) Like the others he's pretty damn funny, but I think we're only friends with him as he knows every capital city in the world. (Yep he has too much free time).
Darren
When I first met Darren I was pretty sure he was gay. It turns out he's just camp as hell. Oh and now that he's got his mojo back, he seems to be picking up chicks left, right and centre. He also seems to have had every job possible, he now works in IT, but previously did all sorts of things (non of which I can remember at the moment). So now his biggest contribution to the fam, is his bus licence and a kick ass roof (with bbq). Oh and he's slightly older and wiser so good for occasional advice.
Conclusion
I am sure I have done no credit to my friends, but I love them all and hopefully haven't offended anyone too much. Individually they're all great, but together they are priceless!
This weekend was another jam packed one - and full of fun. Friday night drinks with the gang plus Kitty, Amy & her boy. I was in a foul mood but managed to socialise til 11.
Saturday morn I caught up on sleep and then had a great afternoon with Shaz walking about town, and buying green wigs for St Paddy's Day Party. And yes a Krispy Kreme too.
Saturday night turned into a huge one, starting off at a house party (with open bar) before continuing on to Lan Kwai Fong and then Wan Chai. Wan Chai is kinda like Kings X, you only go after midnight and the later the better. Seedy as hell, but very fun when you''re in the right mood. Met a cute aussie boy who's all of 19 (isn't that scarily young!) and managed to get home after 7am (alone though). But I was up at 11am to meet Mandy for our massage. She was recovering from flu and I had no sleep and hangover - but yep the sauna and massage was brilliant. Not to mention the chatter.
Then we were off to the pub to meet the family for lunch. Great lunch but after the relaxing massage and my crazy night I wasn''t much for conversation. I did manage a 2 hr nana nap before heading to Sarah's for dinner and dvds.
Needless to say I felt like shit today. (Although the 19 yr old texted me so that was amusing - new photos of friends and snogs on the side link).
Gonna try and not drink at least until friday. Wish me luck.
Time to upload photos and then bed!
