Being pregnant in HK is a very interesting experience. My co-workers have tons of advice for me. And in my Canadian mind, I'm baffled by the advice. I'm not supposed to eat watermelon, mango and banana. I'm not supposed to run, jump, lift things, or get upset. My co-worker bumped me in the hallway and apologized for two days after. I usually have no problems integrating myself into Chinese culture, but I think pregnancy is where I really stick out. I'm running off of the advice that was given to my mom, when she was pregnant with me. Dr. Norris said that she could do everything that she was already doing, but she probably shouldn't take up sky diving. So, I'm trying to take that advice to heart. My co-workers just shake their heads at me as I run down the hallway and tell me to slow down. But I just smile and go off to eat my watermelon.

One of the best parts of being pregnant in HK is that was that one of my students now quizzes me everytime he sees me. "Ms. Debbi, your baby like spiderman? Ms. Debbi, your baby like sharks? Ms. Debbi, your baby like transformers?" I always answer yes to each of his questions. "Ms. Debbi, your baby like dinosaurs?"  

The rest of his class has picked up the question too. Everytime that I go into their classroom, most students have their hands up ready to ask me, "Ms. Debbi, your baby like Hello Kitty/ice cream/chocolate/McDonalds?" (yes/yes/yes/NO. I cannot, in good consious, say that my baby likes McDonalds.)

Their class teacher rolls her eyes and laughs everytime they start quizzing me. But I think it is good for them. They need to search for the English vocabulary for what they want to ask me. It's fun. I laugh, the class teacher laughs, the children laugh and learn. Perfect.

So although I'm breaking all the HK pregnancy rules, my co-workers know that it is part of me being who I am as a Canadian (or at least someone who isn't from HK). I seem to be fine, and the baby seems to be fine, so they aren't too worried. (My one co-worker wants to see how the kid's temperment turns out after all the bananas I've eaten.) I've really tapped into a part of HK culture that I had never seen before, which is great because I'm so interested in how it all works. I'm sure there is much more to be learned though.

And in case you were wondering, Yes, my baby LOVES transformers, especially Optimus Prime.