Ending the night with a blast.

Literally, last night ended off with a blast... I come home in those wee hours, turn on the light then *bam. A light bulb on the chandelier over my dining table bursts. Firstly, I didn't really know what was going on. Secondly, the loud blast was definitely a change from the ringing in my ears. Lastly, it was a pain to clean up. Anyway, now the flat is awfully dim and needs to get fixed. 

Rain, rain and more rain. I don't mind really (: It's awesome seeing people struggle with their umbrellas. I tend to just grab my raincoat and hit the streets. I get awkward stares like I come from outer space. 

Actions & Happenings

So many things have happened over the past week… Overwhelming really. So who knows how long this post will go.. 

1. I'm very glad I didn't get stuck in the Beijing flood. After seeing the news of the flood being up to car hoods and the Forbidden city flooded with water gushing everywhere, still can't believe I was there only a week ago. 

2. Great days have gone by quickly meeting up with YS was part of two great days. (: Can't believe it's been one year since we've met, in the strangest way possible. Had fun eating breakfast at 2 pm and meeting some very interesting people while roaming through the streets of Hong Kong. I also got the chance to see Mme Tussauds work. 

3. Swimming outdoors is becoming a hazard. As much as it is in a pool and not open water, the sun's rays never cease shining upon me. I now have an awkward tan. Perhaps a sign that I should hit the beach with a wetsuit and a book.

Bill Gates & Vaccinations

Flipping through the channels while sitting on the hotel bed, I come to a stop when I saw Bill Gates. It was on BBC News and it was a discussion of his philanthropy well his recent donation of $1 billion to fund for vaccinations in LEDCs. There sat the head honcho of some pharmaceutical company, a representative from the Rwandan government and critics from MSF and World Development.

Anyway, after watching about 10-15 minutes of it - I really began to think about the integrity of what Mr. Gates is financing. As much as his intention as stated was to reduce the figure of child mortality. Yes, vaccinations is one of the steps towards stopping high child mortality rates suffered in LEDCs. However, it is not the first. As the WD critic pointed out there are other factors that contribute to the cycle of poverty including speculative trade, land grabs, etc.

Finally Away from HK

As I'm up at the wake of dawn, I drag myself to the shower. It's that groggy feeling you finally get out after stepping into a nice cold shower. Anyway, leaving in a couple hours - and I had some time at hand so I decided to post.

On that note, I will finally get to post in my empty travel blog even though it is domestic traveling. Shh.. Anyway, if you're interested check it out here (soon).

Last Minute Emotions & to the class of '11

As much as we give our hugs and sign other peoples yearbooks - it’s never truly good bye. It will never be - nor do I believe in them. There will be a time when we come together again, the paths beyond high school will cross once again - then and only then - will we remember all the memories we have one another.

Rather than saying good bye as we may shed tears for those who have meant a lot to us over the years. Or the friends we have made over the years that are going around the world. I say - remember and cherish the times, but never fret. There will be a day, where we all unite at a coffee table chatting about the random things we did today.

Even though it’s not saying good bye to those we have began to love. It’s the turning of a new leaf. University. For many a daunting task, others a new adventure. Whatever it means to you, it’s only going to be a phase.

Shedding of tears is the natural emotion that everyone goes through. I was definitely at that point saying, “see you soon”, or “keep in touch”. It’s that overwhelming feeling. It has definitely stumped me, the fact that I know I’ll see most of you again in the near future and still be overtaken by emotion. However, I digress.

To the class of 2011, we were great - we set that bar higher than anyone else has ever before. I’m confident that one day, every single one of us will be successful.

For now, enjoy life to the fullest before we return to the cycle of sleepless nights. 

Overdone topic of 'over-ness'

I think I have completely overdone this - “It’s completely over” thing. OK, I think this is the last one for real. I will not write about the actual last day of school, because that will simply be OVER THE TOP.

Anyway, it was great seeing everyone out there. Most people got what was expected. What did come to a surprise was the actual award from the consulate general of Canada. The award for IC was huge + it was made out of glass. It was funny though when BL made the remark when he received the award that he wasn’t Canadian. Really LOL.

But it was completely bang on and had all the meet and greets you can think of. Tired. I don’t even know why I am up.

Short post.

Actually before I head to bed, I have to recount how teachers say they keep it short and sweet but never truly do. It’s not annoying and stuff - its just the realization that they don’t cohere with their own sets of rules. Shortest note so far in my yearbook - 8 words, 4 letters, my name and her name.

Good night world.

315 AM

Now that I’m off school - have all the freedom I have, I’m not waking up properly. My whole sleep cycle is out of whack and I can’t help it. This week has been especially bad due to the fact that I haven’t hit the gym, nor the pool at all this week and that after prom that was in the middle of the week - that threw my plan completely out of the window. 

 

It’s that feeling you get when you just don’t want to do anything. On top of that, today, my day was ruined by the early thunderstorm that lasted from 3 am till noon? As well as that amber alert that was issued at 6 am. So that also threw my plans to go snorkeling out the window. So I was disappointed.

I actually can’t pinpoint what I really did today. After getting a text saying that it was canceled, I decided to again whip out my PSP that I started playing Saturday night. Playing some FIFA 11 (:

WriteRoom

What Ifs

Hasn't there ever been a time where you wondered how your decisions affect everyone else? I don't know if you had, but I've heard of the infinite universe that may coexist with ours where it plays our all the choices and probabilities of your life or something along the lines of that. I have my random moments where I reflect upon what would happen if I didn't come to Hong Kong. Its probably, well one of the biggest choices my parents have made that have changed my life dynamically. It has truly defined a new me. As much as I can say I detest the pollution, the cramped spaces of the flats and a school that has blown my mind into bits - there are its advantages.

Starting from the beginning of the adventure to Hong Kong. I met some of the most influential people in my life. SC - At first glance you would think of a girl wired on crack or something 24/7 but truly a great friend. Somehow I was also brainwashed by her into going into education - or actually confirming something that I've been thinking of going into. On the point that you'd think she's wired on crack shes always super enthusiastic about everything, there is never anything negative - always positive energy flowing through her - of course, she never ceases to smile either. After a full season of basketball stretching from September all the way till Feb. It was one of my best seasons ever. Practice was always filled with laughs and everyone actually wanted to be there. On a personal basis, our trip together to Guang Zhou was truly epic. We were on a natural sugar high, the ones you get of raisins. That night never stopped as we went around the entire hotel taking photos, telling each other jokes and doing flips on bed. We obviously were not tired enough to go to bed as we talked for hours even though we were lying still in our bed. I think it was about four when we decided it was time for us to actually head to bed. Those were the fun days.

I realize this is kind of getting lengthy, and I'll make it shorter from now on. On second thought, I'll summarize the next three women in my life (other than my mother of course).

They have truly made my life much better than it used to be. Two of the three were intimidating to meet at first, but once you warm up to them - they are all great people. One was known as that crazy coach who made you all these suicides, the other was someone who would give the evil stare, and lastly the one known to just be really warm. HAHA dynamically different (: All of them contributed in various ways, whether it was just a quick chat to deflate all the stuff making my head big or to help me manage that crazy scheduling of IB. Over the course of the years we had fun. I think to most of them anyway, I would send them all random e-mails using fancy colours back and forth that didn't really pertain to anything but something I just enjoyed doing.

In all, the three years spent here have changed my whole perspective of what I will do. Conservation, traveling, going to university across the country. Also being in a globalized city, I see all the globalization that is occurring at the moment in our surroundings. In general terms I am now: more educated about everything. So it now leaves me with university at Queen's as a con-eddie and a bunch of friends that I look forward in seeing again in the near future - also the dream to travel all over the world (maybe not Egypt after I heard the scary story).

Connecting With an Old Friend

Well not age old, just someone that I can say that has changed my life in a significant way, and known for quite some time now. The initial contact of this person wasn't particularly pleasant - well I wasn't in the mood for the fact that I moved to a new school and all that. So it was completely new friends, and perhaps the daunting fact that I was at that moment going to enroll in late French immersion. I guess this friendship also didn't blossom till later that year when we went to Manning Park for a class trip in the middle of the year. Actually, that's not entirely true we were pretty close by the time we traveled to Manning Park as I would chuck snowballs at her without getting into deep trouble. 

Over the course of the year, that friendship grew. It was clearly defined by my second trip to Manning Park that closely resembled my first trip, however, it wasn't with my grade 6 class but rather with a bunch of other students my age in the district - who just so luckily got elected by our teachers to attend a leadership camp. Somehow she saw potential that I didn't see? 

Over the years doing other programs with her we built a unique bond. An atypical friendship. We knew each other inside out - mostly anyway. After falling out of touch since the three years I've left, you just get that great feeling that you can finally reconnect. I remember visiting her prior to my departure that year. It was on the basketball courts outside of my elementary school building. I said hello and she returns the same remarks and comments on how she has heard from a mutual friend that I was moving. It was one of those bags of mixed emotions. Evidently she was taken by surprise when I first confirmed that it is true and also the fact that it's a dynamic change of scenery compared to Vancouver. The conversation ended with a sad good bye and a hug. 

Getting something back in the post after a postcard I sent a couple weeks back made me smile. Apparently my postcard did the same as she had a busy week. Just like I never left, I could envision her friendly grin from the first days I met her.

Reconnecting is awfully powerful. It just makes you happy for the rest of the day. As much as time has come and gone. A strong relationship that once existed will always revive again given the opportunity.

Another Day of a Summer

Today, was unique from the past couple days - the hangover finally ran away and I feel fresh. Although I was awaken by my mother vacuuming it was okay - it was 11 anyway. So I decided, to iron some shirts and head to school to drop off some stuff and run the list of errands that have been calling out to me for the last couple days. I set off, arriving at 12 - I then spoke with the receptionist who awkwardly knows my name. Kind of weird but I believe it's all due to my excessive tardiness especially for English class, occasionally for math. On a side note I know EA gets really annoyed, PL on the other class trusts that I'm making a better choice by sleeping in. Anyway, I dropped off the stuff for JJ and set off to go workout. That didn't happen so I decided that I should just go find my red headed friend and chat.

The chat lasted longer than expected - I thought I'd be in and out in 15 but that quadrupled o.O I had a great time though, and it was her anyway - I can always squeeze time for the ones you care about. Well out of this conversation, I now have a place to stay in the middle of nowhere in Québec. Although in the middle of nowhere, it looks as if it'll be a long drive from Kingston but perhaps all worth it - lying right along the coast of Saguenay River. So who knows, perhaps I'll spend some time there - with a book, with work? According to her kayaking is great, so that's on top of the list of one of the things to do.

Lunch was great as I enjoyed a nice fei cha faan (肥叉飯) with gueng yong (姜容) - yummy. I then headed over to no other than the immigration tower in wan chai (灣仔). Lone and behold, I see a familiar face in the crowd as I wait to collect my HKID. Sat next to SL and had a quick chat about school and the finished exams. A relief for her and yeah that was unexpected.

A quick side thought that has been on my mind - today I was sporting my vibrams, a pair of regular jeans, an ironed collared shirt and aviators. So either this combination, or how I look has somehow attracted a lot of people to ask me to sign up for credit cards and join fitness club. On the topic of fitness clubs, two thoughts come into mind - either I am very fit they think I will get a membership or that I am not fit enough and need a membership. On the other note of credit card sign ups, somehow I look older than I am? meh. People these days.

Kicked back with CH at Starbucks and just did some random chatting. We already talk so often, so it wasn't really anything special.

A Memorable Time

Yesterday, was the day we will look back and remember. All dressed up and snazzy, taking photos with friends and family. What better way to kick back the year. Truth be told, I was taken by surprise the quality of the food. The last time I went to a prom, even though at the same hotel - they didn't have great food. That was very enjoyable, just to chat and all that.

The video, basically a shout out to the editors KK, AC, JL that it was very well done and very amusing to watch. You guys somehow put it all together in the hours you guys all put in. So thank you for making such a great film for us to all remember. I think the funniest part of the video was the random ones of people doing silly things. The ending titled remember four years ago? Even though that seems like a lifetime away already, and I definitely was thousands of kilometers away - it's good to see some things never change and while others do dramatically.

To end off this short post as I don't really remember much of anything past 1 am. It was fun playing dices with LY, JH, OH, AK and some randoms - other than the fact that the wager got bigger and bigger overtime. Anyway, the things I've done have already come back and bit me in the ass - but it's alright, it was a fun night - things are a bit hazy but I'm in one piece and alive to party another night.

Hope everyone else had a great time and see you guys at Grad. I can't believe that it's truly going to be over. I guess that whole idea still hasn't really set in yet… Last time I remember thinking about something like this was before the exams of doom. Where we all thought we wouldn't last a day doing them. We fight and we conquer.

Friday

What a great way to spend a Friday afternoon - soaking up some fun in the sun, some swimming and enjoying a novel. There nothing else that beats that combo right there - well maybe if there was an additional poolside bar where can I enjoy a snack & a drink.

After some time, I finally completed another book and its on to the next on my long list of 'to reads' over the summer. Last night over dinner, chatter came up about some other books - that I have to add on the list now.

This summer is going to be a kick back from everything over the last two years. Anyway, need to head back to my series marathon. I'll post soon.

secondary Pain

pain, the sensation that is felt be everyone - to varying degrees dependent on the cause. pain can also be associated with emotions. The spectrum ranges from the "good feeling" pain after a hard workout or some form of strenuous exercise but rarely do we feel the pain from a substantial injury inflicted upon our bodies. pain for many is simply a temporary state - it comes and goes within days sometimes weeks. On the flip side of things how about those who suffer chronic pain. What if it becomes debilitating? What then? Load up on analgesics and hope for the pain to subside? hope for it to go away?

Compared to the majority of the world I haven't felt much pain. Nothing I couldn't bear. It doesn't really put in a position to discuss physical pain. Secondary pain, a pain that doesn't derive from your own body, but to a limited extent you can feel it. Not sympathy pain because that usually never gets me. The same goes for the pitying, which I hate for someone to do for me, therefore I don't do it to others. Rather a feel of sensing the pain that the individual is experiencing. 

Tolerance to pain differs from person to person - we all feel pain. For me, it's not debilitating its the emotions that flood my mind of the pain associated with the individual when I'm not pondering about something else. Pain, an obstacle where one has to fight harder to do the things they need to do. Held back basically. Many flee from it and change themselves because of it - the easy way out. There are also the fighters who wrestle with all their might to conquer it. Until the pain ceases, the fighter I know of will never stop battling against it. The suffering will last a long while - but in hopes that will end soon. One could imagine that sharp pains radiating throughout the body are unpleasant. There is really nothing I can do. 

Continue to do the things I do and not compromise what I do for the one in pain, because if I do, I will be no better than a person who takes pity on someone. Continue to show love and care. Continue to be the random girl who speaks of random things. Whatever I do, it will not subside the physical pain. Something that wracks me as you know someone close is unwell. 

pain whether physical or emotion, plainly something that takes over us. how we cope with it distinguishes the weak and the strong.