20 hours in Hong Kong

I landed in HK late Wednesday night.

The first thing we did on Thursday was wake up and go to the market.

After that, it was off to the Jockey Club for brunch with Uncle Bill, Auntie Pearl, and MaMa.

Mmmmmm Mmmmmm. MaMa loooves her waffles.

After brunch we went to the cemetery to pay respects to my Gramps.

MaMa, feeling a surge of energy, decided to attempt the 5 flights of stairs to the top of the cemetery where my grandfather's grave is. Something she hasn't done in about 7 or 8 years!

It was kind of amazing. A 90-year-old lady with two metal legs!

Of course, she needed a breather or two. But we were very proud of her.

And I'm sure gramps was happy to see her.

The way down was kind of scary.

But we made it. Whew!

After a quick dinner, I headed to the airport and hopped on my flight to Phuket, where I'm now sitting poolside looking out on the ocean. Wooo!

Update on grams...

Surgery was last night. Everything went fine. She's recuperating.

Thanks to everyone who sent in their thoughts and prayers to God (who I may or may not believe in).

From my dad:

Hi All,
Just talked to Suzanna Ko. Mom is out of surgery and back in her room. She is doing fine. She is awake and has been talking and misbehaving already. Not a surprise at all. She is one stubborn old lady. She wants to drink when she is not supposed to. Always afraid she might starve...so despite recovering from anesthesia, when she can't eat anything until eleven PM, she wants to eat and drink! She is supposed to be on oxygen and she refuses, the mask too damn uncomfortable! Unless one of us is there, she is totally out of control. I am glad Bill will be there to rein her in! She is fine! She said she feels more comfortable than the last time after surgery! She is a pro at it now!
B

From Auntie Pearl (Kristy's mom):

Good Morning!

I spoke to Mama last night before her operation. She was accepting of her situation. She said the fall could not have been avoided. It will be another road to recovery. Mama's resilient attitude is simply amazing.

The operation went well, easier than the first. She did not require any blood transfusion. The operation was similar to the first, another steel rod was inserted into the bone.

Bionic woman!

Pearl

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I'm glad my family is always optimistic and that we can always have a laugh no matter how dire the situation.

Here I thought my grandma was going to be all depressed and weak.

Kwans kick ass!!!!!

:-(

Just got an email from my dad that my grandma (MaMa) just fell and broke her other f-ing leg.

She broke her femur last year and was just recently almost fully recovered.

I'm glad some of you guys got to come and had a chance to meet her. last times recovery took almost a year.



As much as you don't want her to die, thinking about her going through this ordeal all over again (and she was so good and optimistic about it getting back to health the first time) just brings me to tears.

My entire family owes its cushy little life from now until forever to her and my grandpa. What incredible people. Last last trip I posted about going to the ancestral Kwan village. I recently found out that the villagers there all worship us (the direct descendants of Lam Suk Yin and Kwan Kim Sing (my grandparents)) and always treat us SO nice because basically during some war and famine they saved an entire village from perishing by smuggling all kinds of supplies from rice and clothes and medicine and money etc etc etc from Hong Kong to the mainland.

Anyway, it's all really really sad. She's getting so old. She used to be up first thing in the morning walking up the mountain and getting stuff done.

She used to be the best parallel parker. (Clearly where I get it from.)

Also she eats like a cow. (Me too!)

And she loved her gay ailing son (Uncle Benny) when everybody else (including himself) had turned their back and given up hope. At least that's how I like to remember it.

Now she is so tired and sleeps until noon.

Guess I'll be heading back to the HK soon. Let me know if you want to come.

Might not be as happy as last time...

Update: Of course Dad is being Mr. Optimism and saying, "Well, at least now she has two metal femurs and is basically bionic and this will never happen again!"