Leavin'

It's December 27th. My sis is going to leave in 8 hours. Happy time always pass so quickly. It's a shame to see my sis leaving when I was supposed to leave with her.

It might go back to the same routine, where my sis was not around. But I've gotta accept it. Make a change.

What am I really goin' to do without her?!

5 a.m

4: 50 a.m. Amost 5 a.m.

Sunrise is ready to kick on my window. But I have got no plans to be the witness of its arrival.

I heard today is another sunny day though.

Done the first ever freelance project. It is a promotion brochure for a tutor centre. Although the pay is not equal to the amount of time and effort I've spent, but this is not the point.

We are talking about a precious experience here.

Design is not easy, but this is what makes it interesting. The time to deal with your client; the time you have to solve the problem; the moment where you realize the solution. They have made up this fabulous yet unusual experience for me.

Love it. Just love design.

I will save up the $800.

Damn It

How the hell did someone steal my idea in my brain?! Nah, I am just moaning, lamenting the death of a good idea. The world is huge. It is no surprise that someone in another corner of the world shares the same thought as me. Now I need a another idea for my website. Damn.

Play

Getting hiccups is part of the creative process. Perhaps I need to go out, breathe some fresh air, and experience this city's dynamics.

To go back to Canada seems to be unachievable in the moment. Nag about this shit is not going to change anything. No more tears. I will work hard, and play extra hard. Stay tune on my blog. More will come on my observation and experience in this city.

Peace out (lol)

Thomas Biu Gor's Bday

Perhaps I still haven't got through the pain of leaving Canada. First of all, Happy Birthday to Uncle Chicken and Thomas. It was a memorable birthday dinner. Everything was great until my sister brought up the reason of my early return after dinner. I do not know why she wanted to mention it. It upset me so much that I had one drink after another. What happened next? I went to the washroom to puke for god knows how many times. The scene was not too elegant. Finally I lost control (again) on the taxi to say I don't (not even now) understand why my sister announced her over-reaction that led me to pack my stuff and leave everything behind to Hong Kong. Did my sis believe that this disastrous drama is over for me? Did she think it would be an entertaining topic to discuss? I only know I was so drunk that I went straight to the bed, and laid down to cry. My sister apologized to me in tears when she saw me crying like a helpless baby.

I am adjusting to the place, but blooding is still leaking in my heart. I am truly hurt this time. I thought to talk this out would be okay. But that's not the true. I am actually much weaker than I thought.

想

想, 是想得來的.

Soup

Soup is always the dish I anticipate the most in a dinner, especially when we eat at home. Gwai lo soups are great, but Chinese soup is the best. It is the essence of the Chinese culture. Each one has its own special flavor, serves a particular purpose, and easy to make! I am the Soup Diva in my family. Often times the last drip of the night's soup would end up in my stomach! It's hard to be satisfy without a bowl of good Chinese soup.

Thanks mama for making me good soup always!

Goodbye, Autumn.

Body butter has become my best friend. I need to wear socks when I go to bed. My hair dance crazy in the blowing wind. I am very sensitive to seasonal transition. It often stimulates a mixture of weird yet familiar feelings. One good thing to leave early to Hong Kong is that my summer got extended for one extra month. But I really wonder what TO is like right now. Sunny but chilly? Everyday is a scarf day? TO is beautiful when colorful maple leaves decorate the city. Beauty in its natural way. Trees are aliens in Hong Kong, which makes me extra miss TO. It would be great if I could hold a cup of hot Tim Holton green tea, and relax myself under the sun.

I miss TO <3

Shek O

As I walked closer to the sea shore, the more frightened I became. Once upon a time the ocean was the safest place to be. It was like going back home, and being in my mother's arms. But it has been a while since I immerse myself in the deep blue sea, I was unsure if I could handle its power. There was no time to hesitate. I know today was my very last chance to swim in the waves before the cold winter approaches.

I felt weak as I swam slowly away from the beach. Waves hit my face hard without sympathy. It was a dangerous act to swim without any estimation of my strength. But it's too late to rethink. I was thrilled to swim to the platform again.

There were four platforms floating across the sea in the beach's length. Sunset was just half an hour away, leaving the platform I was swimming to to be empty. Victor, who is my childhood buddy, used to sit on a platform with me for the whole day. Letting the mad sun to kiss our skin was how we spent an ordinary summer day together. Sometimes we fell into silence, doodling in random thoughts in our heads. Then we shared what we thought of in the silent moment. But the highlight of the day is always diving in the sea from the platform. Victor was my teacher. I spent 3 days learning the skills in a week, and he was there to guide me. Of course we both had red hot sun burn afterward. And diving in the sea has become our favorite activity to do.

Spending my time on an empty platform was not bad, although it would be nice to bed accompanied by Victor. But I got the blue sky and warm sunshine with me. I dived from one platform, and swam to next one. Nothing matters except the dive. Life suddenly became fabulous. This is how much I like diving in the sea. As I tried to slowed down my dive, the experience and the feeling became more vivid to me. The moment of forever, thanks to my golf swing.

To be continued......

Growing Up

Growing up means seeing the same things in a different perspective, so different that you cannot open your arms to the truth immediately. Indeed, it is very likely to be an upsetting reality. Of course it makes you smile from the bottom of the heart from time to time. Despite my homesick, this trip to Hong Kong has been the best one out of all the previous times. Parents (the good ones) always love their kids fully. I do not regret getting a lipoma on my back, and being sent to the hospital to get rid of it. Without you, lipoma, I would never discover how much my parents care about me. I truly feel the love this time. Meanwhile, I also see how tough my parents have to work in order to get along.

A marriage is not as easy as it seems. Sometimes the bond takes a lot of strength to maintain and carry on. Hong Kong is 全民皆賭, meaning every citizen is a professional/ non-professional gambler. You see gambling tips on the most popular newspaper everyday; general public discuss what to buy in the stock market; a long line up to buy lottery tickets every Wednesday; men yelling out the number of the horse they bet on. Basically you are surrounded by this insane gambling atmosphere. It makes you stifle so much that you want to run away. Gambling is pretty much what my father lives for. This biggest hobby of his occupies most of his leisure time. It is the only thing that gives him the thrill in life. Mostly he only gets excited when he talks about it. I didn't believe in my mom until I see it with my eyes. Dad has gradually loss his connection with the world. Although he picks up newspaper on a regular bases, but he pretty much focuses on the gambling section. He is only capable to discuss his business and gambling. It hurts me so much to see the truth. I do not doubt how much my dad loves me, but I wonder what he can do after his retirement. Is he going to continue living like this until the day he dies? What else does he like to do other than gambling? How can my mom bears this when it's only him and her in the house after his career is over? It is out of my imagination, or I should say I don't dare to imagine the future of my parents. I can only hold my tears to myself.

After dating this guy for a year, my good friend is going to get married soon. I should congratulate her to find the love of her life so early (she is just as old as me, still in her early twenties). But is a marriage simple as that? My parents' case makes me wonder about the meaning of marriage. Forming a family with a stranger takes more than love and romance to sustain. It is a commitment to take care the other half for a life time no matter what. In depth understanding is necessary too. Without knowing this person in a full scale, how can you sleep beside him/her for 50 years? Other than giving birth to a child, getting married is the most important decision that requires carefully consideration. Perhaps I have over complicated the situation. Divorce is so easy to do in this era. All you have to do is sign a piece of paper. But is it that easy? My suggestion is always choose your partner with your mind, not purely with your heart. This is probably the key to a successful marriage.

First Surgery

YO

Hanging out with my own kind is always a bless. Thanks for bearing with my bad ears, Matt. I just can't hear things properly tonight. Lol, but I did catch every little details of your eye-opening Shanghai's Expo trip for sure. Ironic enough to be reassured of how "civilized" Chinese has got after nourishing in their poisoning culture, I have officially claimed Chinese to be the man kind cockroach. Can you believe that kids can wee-wee anywhere in the Expo, and see as an ordinary thing?! Chinese citizens shit on the street?! Wheeling around walking pedestrians like they are moving road blocks? An Italian restaurant manager calls a group of "blind" Chinese customers " lower men" when they refuse to pay with cash instead of credit card, while a clear sign indicates "Cash Only" at the entrance? I ask Matt, "Were you ashamed to be Chinese at the moment you witnessed the whole scene?" And he looks down and nods his head. Without self-realization, self-reflection, and self-commitment, crawling up of the modern Chinese Dynasty is the nightmare to the world. The man kind cockroach will spread very corner of the world very quickly. Their eye sight is so poor when they rarely look with their eyes, not realizing how disgusting their existence is. Anyway.

Seeing Yvette was the highlight of the entire evening. Thanks for chilling with us after a tiring day. High 5! I wish you the best of luck at school and work ;)

Yesterday was my first day working on the make-over of Foot Specialist's website. Sitting on a chair for 5 hours straight is a killer move for an ever- moving monkey. Tho, it's a great practice to concentrate my brain on one thing. I have no doubt how much I like being original. Nothing is better than being paid to be creative. Each opportunity like this is a gift from God (If God is not dead) I wish more will come to my way.

I am proud to announce - No More Alcohol In My Life. Drinking is like slamming on the gas pedal to accelerate the death of my liver. This is the least I could do to stay in advertising in the long run (if I could ever get into this business) After all, health, family and creativity are my top priorities. *Fingers crossed I hope everything will be all right. No news is good news.

Moon Festival Hot Pot

We came together to celebrate the belated Moon Festival tonight. There were no moon cakes, nor lanterns, nor candles. But the night was filled with laughter, care, and love. Nothing is better than surrounded by great food and beloved ones. Okay, I know hot pot is not so eco-friendly, but this is what Hong Kongness love to do. It explains why each Hong Kong citizen is guilty for producing so much greenhouse gases each year, hehe.

It was my first time in more than a decade to celebrate Moon Festival in Hong Kong. Not so much moon cakes were munched though. My mom used to buy me a lantern each year when I was small. I remember I had always wanted a traditional paper rabbit lantern (Mama, don't get me wrong. I still love the lanterns you bought me! I was too shy to tell you what I wanted) Yesterday night my childhood dream came true; my elementary classmate went to get rabbit lanterns for the 5 of us! Yawning was non-stopped after work for everyone, but we had a good time lighting lanterns and candles in a neighborhood park.

Looking at my rabbit lantern, I wonder if Gloria, one of my mates, is true about the tradition of lanterns. These paper rabbit lanterns were hand-crafted in paper-offerings shops.What is a paper-offerings shop? Super suspicious Chinese believe that their ancestors can have a joyful after-life in hell if they burn paper-made items to them. This is what paper-offerings shops do. You name it, they tailor-make it. The hottest item is Ferrari now. Anyway. An owner of a paper-offerings shop claims that lit a lantern can bring you good luck. But no lanterns should be kept once it's been lighted. Thinking of this makes me shiver.

The first thing to do in the morning is placing it in a garbage bin. Sorry, rabbit!

Cha-Cha-Cha

I never knew dancing is my passion until I had my first ballroom class today. Learning the basic steps of jive and cha-cha already got my blood pumped up. But my feet are not in love with my new 3 inch dancing shoes. It was so much fun to sink in and move the body with music. I was nervous when I hit the dance floor with Ronnie, my dance teacher, later that night. It was wonderful to dance with other dance teachers as well, thanks to my dance buddies Betty and Betsy. Despite the dancing, yummy food and nice wine were served all night long. I anticipate to dance smoothly on the dance floor very soon.

First T1

What a surprise when the Typhoon sign appears on the television! I complete forgot September is the typhoon season still. According to Chinese calendar, we are still in August (I don't know how Chinese people get this) so more tropical storms will visit this city until November. This sounds crazy, but I actually anticipate for the typhoon to pummel! It has been two years since I experienced the last typhoon. This is getting exciting.

Two movies upset me very much in the last two days. They are both fantastic movies. The Secret In Their Eyes is romantically sad. Every character is too stubborn to let go of the things they care the most. And all of them cannot change the things that are out of their control. Life is full of unfairness. Although it was a happy ending at the end, but the process before leading to the end was not delightful at all. In fact, my heart felt like it was clutched by an invisible hand very very tightly. Same happened after watching The Stool Pigeon. Within 129 minutes, both movies revealed the dirty side of humanity.

First Week in Hong Kong

Being in Hong Kong is surreal. I know I should not feel this, but I truly miss Toronto. Too many knots are tied to the GTA. Falling in love with Hong Kong seems more difficult than anything at this moment. Though it has only been a week, but I feel like I have lived in Hong Kong forever. At the same time, something is not right. Disconnection with this place has only grown stronger. Sometimes I feel so lonely that I weep before going to bed. I don't know when this loneliness will go away, hopefully it will vanish once I start my plan :(

Long time no see, St. Michael's pals!

It was wonderful to see my Hong Kong elementary schoolmates. Some of them had never interacted with me before tonight. What an excellent opportunity to know them again! The dinner gathering took place in a Korean restaurant located in Causeway Bay. Serving with fabulous Korean food, you can enjoy the nightscape of Kowloon right across Victoria Bay through the windows.

One interesting insight is that none of them are active Facebook users. Compare to the popularity in North America, Facebook does not play an important role to mid-twenty Hong Kongness. Indeed, they do not know why they don't use it much. Is it because of busy work life? Distance between people are not far? No need to interact online when meeting up is so easy? Friends are not all over the world? This is worth the time to dig in.

Majority of people might not realize that Advertising is actually a profession. I was chatting wtih my security guard on my way back home, hoping to grasp Hong Kong localist's general ponit of view towards Advertising. I realize that most people miss the piece of knowledge of how much talents it requires to support the field. I would say Hong Kongness only recognize the creative aspect of Advertising, but not so much of research and marketing. Perphas this happens not only in Hong Kong, but every place in the globe as well. Too little knowledge about Advertising; too little appreciation to the industry.

Second Day in Hong Kong

Believe it or not, Hong Kong is really strange to me now. Home sweet home? No way. This is not my home anymore.

Once upon a time, Hong Kong and I had such a strong connection. I begged to stay without going away. Now this Congrete Forest only makes me breathless with the sky height congrete walls.

Way too many things are different than Canada. Hong Kongness never wait for passengers to get off the subway before they rush in; plastic surgery is the new hip for boys and girls; bone skinny is still too fat.

I need time to get used to this "new" environment. It's not going to be easy, I can only give my best shot.

HONG KONG

How should I say it? HELLO HK ;) !!!

blogging on blogger again

long time no see, blogger ;)