Although I didn't wake up until noon, I made the most of it! Went to my favorite place (with exception to the BIF), the library of course! Studied for my quiz on Tuesday in the class that actually counts for a grade! Anyway, I was returning to my dorm with a sense of accomplishment when
First words out of Cyril's mouth,"Hey! Come to Ladies Market with us!" Now here I am with a backpack, sweat pants, and [Ponder for moment] "Ok, sure. I'm in!."
Ending up going to Temple Market where I bought 5 pairs of socks including Pumas!! and a couple classy Armani and Ralph Lauren Polo dress socks, a mountain climbing clip(which I need to clip my shoulder strap onto my duffle bag because it broke off) then off to Ladies Market where I haggled my way down from $20 USD for one Armani belt to a 2 for 1 deal. Tip: You must go into the markets with budget cap, otherwise things can get out of hand.
From the market's to Causeway Bay's all you can eat Korean BBQ Buffet, where you cook your own meat in front of you. Now, I do realize how unsanitary these places specially around the time that I'm putting loads of raw meat onto my plate, but none the less the variety of crab, fish, chicken, pork, and steak was all delicious (the ox tongue was a bit chewy)
In the beginning, there were two of us and we helped ourselves to a couple small sized plates, but then two of our other companions joined us, Ole and Larz, (whose real names will not be revealed for confidentiality purpose). We were given a warning that the meat would be taken away in 15 minutes, so as any hungry college student would do, we loaded up 6 plates with mountains of meat. The management and staff gave us looks of doubt and warned us to take only what we could eat, but we knew or at least thought we could handle it, we'll show them. The place closed at 1 a.m., and it was already 12:15 a.m. It became a race against time.
By 1 a.m. we devoured 4 of the 6 plates. We owned the place, as the only people still in the restaurant. I hit a wall. A very big wall, that made me sick to my stomach. The most meat I've every eaten. The staff laughed and talked Canto with Ole, saying, "Your friend looks a bit sick over there." I still managed to eat 4 more watermelon slices and 3 more orange slices to finish off the meal. We left them a nice tip(which you're "not supposed") for staying past 1 a.m. for us. The hard part was standing up. Thoughts of sickness clouded my mind, but I was able to make my way outside and into the cab.
This morning I woke up with the taste of pork in my mouth. Ugh..I didn't think these words would every come out of my mouth, but I don't want to think about, look at, smell, or taste one piece of meat right now... maybe in another 4-8 hours. That meal covered late night dinner, breakfast, and perhaps today's lunch as well. I'm not doing that again; I prefer to enjoy my food. Korean BBQ, I will be back, just give me a week or two. It's just too good of a deal not to go back; I can promise you that I will enjoy my food next time and eat at leisure.
First morning in a long while that I woke up and wasn't cold! Yahoo! Good start to a great day!
Random Quote- "WHEN A PERSON WITH EXPERIENCE MEETS A PERSON WITH MONEY, THE PERSON WITH THE EXPERIENCE WILL GET THE MONEY AND THE PERSON WITH THE MONEY WILL GET THE EXPERIENCE."
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Paradise Take I
Philippines Debriefing:
Went to the Philippines for Chinese New Year with two other HKUST exchange friends, "Guidebook" Ben and Shray. We left Wednesday night, flew Philippines airlines 1hr 45min flight (they served us refreshments and dinner!) Made our way 2hrs by bus, 1hr by boat to White Beach. We returned to Hong Kong Monday night. Total of 5 days, 4 nights. I could talk for hours about this trip but here's the low down:
To wrap it up here are some things I forgot to mention:
It was a very nice break/change of pace from Hong Kong in terms of the weather, the people, and the culture.
People in the Philippines are extremely friendly, amiable, laid back, and willing to help you. They also speak English well. For example, Adrian (in his 20s) showed us around his home town and went with us to Batangas just to make sure we got there safe and sound (we paid for his lunch and gave him 20 pesos, which in realty still wasn't enough).
With that being said, Filipino time requires some translation. As a heads up, when some tells you to meet them for lunch at noon that means 1 or 1:30pm, and when the boat says it's leaving at 10:30am, what they really mean is that it will arrive at 11:05am and start boarding at 11:15am. The local are also really into karaoke and henna tattoos (or just tattoos in general).
I had the best vanilla ice cream at the couple's home at Aninuan beach ever!
I tested my bargaining skills while I was there, and I think I'm ready for the real deal, perhaps Ladies Market this weekend.
Make the Philippines a group trip, they love to give discounts on everything from bus rides to scuba diving!
and don't worry, although we didn't exactly celebrate Chinese New Year, we still wore some red clothing for good luck or in my case, actually turned my skin red just for the occasion. (at this point I'm learning how it feels to shed skin... unpleasant)
I don't know if I could live in the Philippines, but with this cold 10 degree (Celsius) weather with no heat and these people leaving all the doors and windows open, I'm ready to go back!
Random Quote- "NEVER ACCEPT A FREE DRINK FROM A UROLOGIST."
Went to the Philippines for Chinese New Year with two other HKUST exchange friends, "Guidebook" Ben and Shray. We left Wednesday night, flew Philippines airlines 1hr 45min flight (they served us refreshments and dinner!) Made our way 2hrs by bus, 1hr by boat to White Beach. We returned to Hong Kong Monday night. Total of 5 days, 4 nights. I could talk for hours about this trip but here's the low down:
To wrap it up here are some things I forgot to mention:
It was a very nice break/change of pace from Hong Kong in terms of the weather, the people, and the culture.
People in the Philippines are extremely friendly, amiable, laid back, and willing to help you. They also speak English well. For example, Adrian (in his 20s) showed us around his home town and went with us to Batangas just to make sure we got there safe and sound (we paid for his lunch and gave him 20 pesos, which in realty still wasn't enough).
With that being said, Filipino time requires some translation. As a heads up, when some tells you to meet them for lunch at noon that means 1 or 1:30pm, and when the boat says it's leaving at 10:30am, what they really mean is that it will arrive at 11:05am and start boarding at 11:15am. The local are also really into karaoke and henna tattoos (or just tattoos in general).
I had the best vanilla ice cream at the couple's home at Aninuan beach ever!
I tested my bargaining skills while I was there, and I think I'm ready for the real deal, perhaps Ladies Market this weekend.
Make the Philippines a group trip, they love to give discounts on everything from bus rides to scuba diving!
and don't worry, although we didn't exactly celebrate Chinese New Year, we still wore some red clothing for good luck or in my case, actually turned my skin red just for the occasion. (at this point I'm learning how it feels to shed skin... unpleasant)
I don't know if I could live in the Philippines, but with this cold 10 degree (Celsius) weather with no heat and these people leaving all the doors and windows open, I'm ready to go back!
Random Quote- "NEVER ACCEPT A FREE DRINK FROM A UROLOGIST."
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
I'm back!
Made it back safe and sound from the Philippines! Back to reality and home in a way. For those of you who think it's warm in Hong Kong (currently in the 40s), I'm freezing here after being in 80-90 degree weather. It was a great time, now the hard part is trying to condense it all into one post.
Here's my address for those of you who are curious:
Room 912
Undergraduate Hall VI
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Clear Water Bay, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Now you can come visit me, look me up on google maps, send me a card if it suits your fancy, or be grateful this isn't your address whatever, I just thought I would let you know. (My only hope is that you use this information for the good of mankind only) Thank you.
Random Quote- "IF CON IS THE OPPOSITE OF PRO, THEN WHAT IS THE OPPOSITE OF PROGRESS?"
Here's my address for those of you who are curious:
Room 912
Undergraduate Hall VI
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Clear Water Bay, Kowloon
Hong Kong
Now you can come visit me, look me up on google maps, send me a card if it suits your fancy, or be grateful this isn't your address whatever, I just thought I would let you know. (My only hope is that you use this information for the good of mankind only) Thank you.
Random Quote- "IF CON IS THE OPPOSITE OF PRO, THEN WHAT IS THE OPPOSITE OF PROGRESS?"
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Today will be a good day as it should be!
"Today is an 8"(always a good feeling), and it should be because today marks the day I leave for paradise in the Philippines! Sources: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/horoscopes/...Oh wait, I'm in the future, so yesterday was an 8.
My faith in horoscopes just dropped tremendously; I'm going to have to kinda, sorta disagree. After reflecting on yesterday, I have come to the conclusion that 1. New definition of "nose to the grindstone" = procrastinating and getting little to no work done and 2. I have some questions of my own for Linda Black such as who is this "female" making "final adjustments"? I recall nothing of the sort.
Conspiracy: Horoscopes are a manipulative plot to alter your life and force you to come up with irrational explanations, so you can make sense out of nothing. All that aside, I think I'll keep reading them for pure enjoyment and humor.
Happy Chinese New Year!
Random Quote- "I USED UP MY SICK DAYS SO TOMORROW I'M CALLING IN DEAD."
My faith in horoscopes just dropped tremendously; I'm going to have to kinda, sorta disagree. After reflecting on yesterday, I have come to the conclusion that 1. New definition of "nose to the grindstone" = procrastinating and getting little to no work done and 2. I have some questions of my own for Linda Black such as who is this "female" making "final adjustments"? I recall nothing of the sort.
Conspiracy: Horoscopes are a manipulative plot to alter your life and force you to come up with irrational explanations, so you can make sense out of nothing. All that aside, I think I'll keep reading them for pure enjoyment and humor.
Happy Chinese New Year!
Random Quote- "I USED UP MY SICK DAYS SO TOMORROW I'M CALLING IN DEAD."
Friday, February 5, 2010
First Week of Class
To sum up the first week of class:
Already gave a 2 minute group presentation in my marketing class, got the crazy idea in my head that it would be a good idea to take a finance course Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management, a class that is 70% mathematics.
Taking a computer class where the first day they showed us how to use basic tools of the internet like google and some people apparently were opened up to an new world as the class owwed and ahhhed as the TAs showed us how to use google maps, gmail, google calendar, and other very very basic tools of the internet (I felt a little bad for these people).
Mandarin class, all exchange students making fools of ourselves trying to repeat the teacher, I need to be taking that class 5 days a week to really get the ball rolling.
Got in some soccer and ping pong this week. Hot pot dinner aka Fondue in the West, where we had so much food and made a garlic and spicy soy sauce for added flavor: shrimp dumplings, coral, fish, crab, pork, beef saved for last, mini sausages w/ cheese filling all of it delicious. Good thing we had Ozone with us to make sure the food was cooked. Went to LKF from there, nightlife hot spot.
Today- no class on Fridays! Slept till 11:30, relaxed, check gmail, take a 3 hour nap, overall I would say a pretty productive day.
Some observations of the week
1. Different people have different reactions to the exchange students- Professors seem to like us more because we participate more in class than the other students. One professor was so excited when he saw a group of us in the hall way, he asked if we would meet with his students and do some sort of project with them (how hopefully I can live up to his expectations which may be impossible feat as he treated us like prodigies). Most students aren't phased by exchange students, some are very friendly and helpful aka Ebe, Ozone, my buddy Carol, and Francis in my study skills class. The workers in the dining halls are probably frustrated/find humor in watching the exchange students go in wrong lines and scratch their heads wondering where their food is.
2. The dorms have some hard core pride and spirit for their individual halls. Each hall (with the exception of my hall and hall 7), rocking out in their sick uniform/costumes and setting up their lego like structures, promoted their hall in the atrium. Every day they were out there handing out chips or rubber duckies, haggling students, and the most intriguing aspect occurred at 5:00 PM each day. Just observe for yourself:
Quad day on crack
I'm not sure what the best part was the uniforms, the hardcore energy, or the fact that I have no idea what they're saying, nor what's going on. Just try to picture the halls at UIUC doing this, I don't think so. These people need to find a hobby or something.
Other sites and sounds on campus:
Saw a man playing the bagpipes this morning
We had a fire drill, all serious business, no messing around (good news, I made it into the elevator before the alarm went off), security had all possible escape exits taped off and guarded. Police with microphones telling us where to go, and then RAs checking us in once we got down there. Half an hour later, I finally make it out there. I can only imagine what a real fire drill is like.
Guy named Bill (his english name) in my marketing team, lives each minute with an enthusiasm and liveness few have, makes every conversation interesting and really grabs your attention. Quite a character, real jumpy fellow. Anyways week one full of class intros and ready to take on week 2. Short week, 3 day week and then off to the Philippines for Chinese New Year break!
Random Quote-"TIME IS THE BEST TEACHER. UNFORTUNATELY, IT KILLS ALL OF ITS STUDENTS."
Already gave a 2 minute group presentation in my marketing class, got the crazy idea in my head that it would be a good idea to take a finance course Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management, a class that is 70% mathematics.
Taking a computer class where the first day they showed us how to use basic tools of the internet like google and some people apparently were opened up to an new world as the class owwed and ahhhed as the TAs showed us how to use google maps, gmail, google calendar, and other very very basic tools of the internet (I felt a little bad for these people).
Mandarin class, all exchange students making fools of ourselves trying to repeat the teacher, I need to be taking that class 5 days a week to really get the ball rolling.
Got in some soccer and ping pong this week. Hot pot dinner aka Fondue in the West, where we had so much food and made a garlic and spicy soy sauce for added flavor: shrimp dumplings, coral, fish, crab, pork, beef saved for last, mini sausages w/ cheese filling all of it delicious. Good thing we had Ozone with us to make sure the food was cooked. Went to LKF from there, nightlife hot spot.
Today- no class on Fridays! Slept till 11:30, relaxed, check gmail, take a 3 hour nap, overall I would say a pretty productive day.
Some observations of the week
1. Different people have different reactions to the exchange students- Professors seem to like us more because we participate more in class than the other students. One professor was so excited when he saw a group of us in the hall way, he asked if we would meet with his students and do some sort of project with them (how hopefully I can live up to his expectations which may be impossible feat as he treated us like prodigies). Most students aren't phased by exchange students, some are very friendly and helpful aka Ebe, Ozone, my buddy Carol, and Francis in my study skills class. The workers in the dining halls are probably frustrated/find humor in watching the exchange students go in wrong lines and scratch their heads wondering where their food is.
2. The dorms have some hard core pride and spirit for their individual halls. Each hall (with the exception of my hall and hall 7), rocking out in their sick uniform/costumes and setting up their lego like structures, promoted their hall in the atrium. Every day they were out there handing out chips or rubber duckies, haggling students, and the most intriguing aspect occurred at 5:00 PM each day. Just observe for yourself:
Quad day on crack
I'm not sure what the best part was the uniforms, the hardcore energy, or the fact that I have no idea what they're saying, nor what's going on. Just try to picture the halls at UIUC doing this, I don't think so. These people need to find a hobby or something.
Other sites and sounds on campus:
Saw a man playing the bagpipes this morning
We had a fire drill, all serious business, no messing around (good news, I made it into the elevator before the alarm went off), security had all possible escape exits taped off and guarded. Police with microphones telling us where to go, and then RAs checking us in once we got down there. Half an hour later, I finally make it out there. I can only imagine what a real fire drill is like.
Guy named Bill (his english name) in my marketing team, lives each minute with an enthusiasm and liveness few have, makes every conversation interesting and really grabs your attention. Quite a character, real jumpy fellow. Anyways week one full of class intros and ready to take on week 2. Short week, 3 day week and then off to the Philippines for Chinese New Year break!
Random Quote-"TIME IS THE BEST TEACHER. UNFORTUNATELY, IT KILLS ALL OF ITS STUDENTS."
On a side note: Fact or Fiction- "Healthy Addiction"
At what point are you crossing the line? Usually, I learn the hard way. There's the addiction to television, bacon, cigarettes, alcohol, Facebook, gambling, checking your email, watching Jersey Shore, possessed by Scrubs, drinking coffee, and ___________ (fill in your own addition here). Of course, don't forget my addiction which in no way can I call a "healthy" addiction: I crave: desserts (sugar, sweets, pies, puppy chow, candy, cake, ice cream, milkshakes, you name it) (In fact, I currently have a severe stomach ache from eating to many Cigar Biscuits dipped in Nutella chocolate) Hong Kong is the king of candy. Every other shop you look into is loaded with candy and sugar. When I arrived in Hong Kong and saw these places, first thought = no wonder these people have bad teeth. I mean I thought I had a problem, whoa not compared to these people, I mean whose eating all this stuff. Imagine the candy shop from Willy Wonka and then put two on every block. It's ridiculous.
I digress, with a week and a half under my belt, I was doing well, hadn't had a single dessert.< Actually felt better not eating dessert, and then my addiction got the better of me.
What started as one Oreo Mcflurry turned into a vanilla ice cream cone too. And then as the days went by, the habit kicked in and the self-control fell apart. Oh I think I'll have a vanilla ice cream cone after dinner and then 10 choco pies, some tiramisu after lunch, a box of Milano's and sure I'll try some of that, and oh my childhood favorite Koalas filled with chocolate on the inside aka Koala Walas as I call them (if you know what I'm talking about, then you know they're too good to pass up).
If you can keep your addiction under control, then good for you because you have a special gift for self-control and a strong will power. As for me, dessert is my achilles' heel, and there's nothing "healthy" about it. With Chinese New Year around the corner, I suppose I have the opportunity to try and redeem myself, or perhaps tai chi will be my remedy or Buddha can solve my problems. In the mean time, at least it's an addiction with some short term gratification. (I think I'll have some more Nutella) =) First step: I have an addiction to dessert.
Random Quote- "NOTHING CHOCOLATE....NOTHING GAINED."
I digress, with a week and a half under my belt, I was doing well, hadn't had a single dessert.< Actually felt better not eating dessert, and then my addiction got the better of me.
What started as one Oreo Mcflurry turned into a vanilla ice cream cone too. And then as the days went by, the habit kicked in and the self-control fell apart. Oh I think I'll have a vanilla ice cream cone after dinner and then 10 choco pies, some tiramisu after lunch, a box of Milano's and sure I'll try some of that, and oh my childhood favorite Koalas filled with chocolate on the inside aka Koala Walas as I call them (if you know what I'm talking about, then you know they're too good to pass up).If you can keep your addiction under control, then good for you because you have a special gift for self-control and a strong will power. As for me, dessert is my achilles' heel, and there's nothing "healthy" about it. With Chinese New Year around the corner, I suppose I have the opportunity to try and redeem myself, or perhaps tai chi will be my remedy or Buddha can solve my problems. In the mean time, at least it's an addiction with some short term gratification. (I think I'll have some more Nutella) =) First step: I have an addiction to dessert.
Random Quote- "NOTHING CHOCOLATE....NOTHING GAINED."
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