Welcome Jasper

After much consideration  we have finally decided to get a new family pet. Now almost 9 years since our wonderful Caleidh passed we gave in to the kids (and Kathryn's) constant begging and have a new puppy! 

Jasper is a beautiful red and white Border Collie. Very smart and an absolutely wonderful gentle sweet nature so far. We picked him up from the breeder almost two weeks ago and he has transitioned into the family beautifully.  We are in the middle of crate training him and have all the necessary arrangements in place for his return to Hong Kong with us. Although a back yard would be the ideal we have decided to tackle the challenges of having an energetic pup in a high-rise apartment over the alternative of  waiting for the "perfect" time and place to own one. 

So, I am sure we will have a number of interesting experiences to report on the blog in the coming year with our newest addition. 

Celebration breakfast

the SCMP article

...and his even more proud wife!!

Mark and his proud children

Mark and the Vice Chancellor

A day of Celebration

Today was a day to celebrate for our family. Mark has recently (in July) completed the Master's of Marketing degree through the Macquarie University and the graduation ceremony was held this morning at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Ballroom.
Last night we attended a cocktail function as he was awarded a Deans award for top of one subject. This morning our family had a lovely celebration buffet breakfast before Mark gowned up and we had the official portraits taken. Mark had a restless and sleepless night as he had been chosen by the university to present an address at the beginning of the ceremony for the Graduating students.
He , of course, had no reason to worry and delivered his very heartfelt and approriate address with poise and elegance- even including some cantonese for his class mates which was very well received. We were all impressed with the very warm applause and cheering from the crowd when his name was announced to speak. His speech concluded with a lovely note of appreciation and thanks for the love and support he has received from the children and myself which have allowed him to commit so much to his studies.
In addition to receiving his masters document we were absolutely thrilled to learn he was awarded two further accolades. He received the Directors award for the highest grade point average for his graduating class and another which was for best performance overall in the Marketing Strand of the Masters Program.
Certainly high praise and achievement considering the gruelling schedule of work and travel commitments , not to mention family time.
The children and I were so happy to be present at the ceremony and to witness his achievements and even little Riley coped well with the formailities and the presentation of some 200+ graduands.
Whilst Mark still has 3 more subjects to go before the completion of his MBA program ( having already completed 3 more since July) we were so happy and proud to celebrate his wonderful progress and achievements .

I have included a photo of the article which appeared yesterday in the South China Morning Post (the largest english language circulation newspaper in HK) which was also about Mark and the University program.