Planning…

More specifically financial planning… We all have to do it at some point in our lives and now is the time where I actually have to keep up with it. I devoted the entire weekend to build the ultimate spreadsheet.

On the note of spreadsheets, I learned all these crazy functions that I didn't even know about. Like who uses "=IF" or "=TRANSPOSE" very often? Kudos to whoever came up with the idea to create the program — without it, I'd be toast. I guess it would have taken less time and effort if I didn't like colour, borders and fonts. Hey, it's all pretty now or so that I deem it so. 

With the spreadsheet done, it's now under the scrutiny of how much I need to pay for university next year and living expenses. It's a bummer, but we gotta do what we gotta do. Time to be more frugal.

Digging @ What Costs?

Over the past few weeks, digging is occurring in what most people would call their backyards. The dig will continue until they have inlaid the tracks for the new extension of the MTR. With the deadline to be fully functioning by 2015, that's less than three years to get everything done. 

Everything goes into question, at what cost is all this digging? 

For the positive section one can quickly determine – the number one thing is convenience. If you live on the south side of Hong Kong Island you would know that it's a pain to go through the Aberdeen Tunnel during rush hour. A commute that is regularly twenty minutes can be extended up to an hour and a half. With odd working hours here, commute is essential as it determines how much rest one will get. 

For the negative section I can think of two major things; the environment and the disturbance. There is no question that the environment is going to through rapid change as a tunnel is being dug as I type under the Aberdeen Country Park towards Admiralty. On the other negative section we have disturbance, which is more an personal thing. Where my building lies is already so close to the bus terminus. Meaning that I hear buses go by constantly at the crack of morning and not so much after midnight. I don't know if I could tolerate hundreds of people commuting daily to and from an exit near here.

Who knows what will happen when it's finally done being built. I won't be here for the mean time to use it. All it is currently is a nuisance.

History and Change

It's been a tradition on my maternal side of my extended family to have frequent gatherings at my grandmother's flat. Inside this flat was filled with childhood memories ranging from living as a home to a place to rekindle family connections. The eighteen years past by quickly and they will never be the same ever again. At the end of the summer, my grandmother and my great aunt will be moving to Mei Foo. Technically more convenient as it is next to the MTR and has an elevator, however it's smaller and will not be able to fit the whole family in. 

The dynamics within the household has changed immensely. Since I was born till the age of ten I believe – I was the youngest grandchild. I had all the attention. The family soon bigger and bigger as my much younger cousins were born. I guess it's always been odd that I'm in the middle of everything. With cousins that are at least ten years older and younger – my interactions with my cousins differ. Not that it was a bad thing, I just grew up differently. (:

things that happen.

From the news and havoc in Oslo, no one can really sleep well these days. It's as if, internationally there are more conflicts, war, and random actions against innocent bystanders. 

The craze of a single man dressed as a police officer is of question - "why?". We may never truly find out as the general public, however one will always ponder upon it. No where is truly safe anymore - or so as it seems. Whether it be a more economically developed country or the less - one is vulnerable.  

All we can do now is reflect upon the horrid events that have past over the past week - hope and pray for protection. Lastly, extend our condolences to those who have lost a part of their family or a close friend. 

Worn Out

I'm completely worn out today. Heading out to the annual HK book fair coupled with little sleep the night before is taking its toll at the moment.

I think it was totally worth it anyway. A couple hours spent pushing and peering over heads does go by quickly. It's the place to be if you enjoy reading, or interested in buying those funny looking comprehension booklets or just go into the crowd and buy nothing. The only negative thing I can really say is that you're in a system with tens of thousands of others trying to buy books. And a tangent from everything - Hong Kong's efficiency still takes my breath away.

If there weren't that many people I could stay there forever. The choice of books is somewhat limited but they are the best deals in town. I did get a chance to pick up some novels that were on my "need to read" list as well as some random thrillers. $380 HKD later I fled the scene with twelve new books and three of my favourite childhood comic books - Archie's.

Before I drill through these other books I have more on my summer reading list too (:

An Out-ordinary Day.

My whole day revolved around me carrying around a bunch of books. It would have made my life a tad easier if I had the chance to drop off my Larssan books at home first - so be it, I ended up lugging them around town today.

Totally random run into DN as she was with VY. A short conversation - as everyone rushes away like a Hong Kong storm. Oh and while I was waiting for KY at the MTR, the usual random CC runs up says hi and leaves. He didn't even stay to say how you doing, etc. Anyway, its the HK lifestyle. 

Lunch was rather amusing a meet up with a friend from Vancity ended up into meeting a new acquaintance as well. He probably thought I was pretty weird. The fact that I was sporting 7-8 books in bag and brought them to the Flying Pan. Hey, I think it’s pretty decent all day breakfast. Anyway, did some catch up and some learning of the happenings in the city I felt like I did not leave so long ago. I also didn’t notice what I was really wearing today when I went out to eat. The owner of FP starting striking up a random conversation. “So you Canadian?” Anyway, a friendly exchange about her business and how it has grown - well also a bit of gloating. Oh wells - life goes on, but it was pretty cool to meet the who behind it.

Made my first trip to Book Attic - well that kind of failed. My goal was to reduce the number of books I had in my very small flat - there’s only so much shelving space. It didn’t really work out as I put in three books and got two new books. Yea, so great place to head out if you’re looking for a cheap read. Most of them are 50 bucks and some are in immaculate condition.

My trip to Tung Wah Tung Hospital was interesting. Chinese medicine > Western medicine. It was pretty cool to see that the government funded hospitals all work towards helping their citizens and caring for their health. I’ll post more about the medicine tomorrow or for those who are suspicious I’ll tell you how it works out on my rash.

Rather many things I did today. I have a batch of dough cooling in the fridge right now. With the lack of baking soda, I wonder how baking powder will work out once I actually bake em. nom nom nom.

Sorry for the long post - to the one who “sent” me the package.

1. Thanks for the belated present.
2. I will get to reading it soon after my summer reads.
3. I’ll bring it to Kingston - because I know I won’t get through my other 10 books in the line. Perhaps it’ll jump it - who knows.
4. Congrats on your win, please show me your awesomeness when I’m back. 

Breakfast Munchies

I finally located where I can get my hands on BAGELS... nom nom nom. After three years of making that occasional breakfast trip to friendly neighbourhood green lady coffee shop, I can arrest that and toast my own bagel with my own philly cream cheese.

I didn’t actually first notice them on the rack next to some other bread like products. It’s there though - Mark’s and Spencer’s. Anyway, I’m a bagel fan and always want some without paying 2-3 dollars a pop at that green lady coffee shop.

Random. Felt like I needed to share my discovery with the world. Tomorrow’s breakfast, is calling out already!

Days Go By

It feels like its been awhile... At times like these who isn’t busy. Summer is a unique season for that. We may be busying away at work, play, TV shows or what not, however, we take it in a more enjoyable fashion compared to the school year.

Plans slip through sometimes and they all work out sometime. Again, I’m ceased to be amazed by the number of museums in Hong Kong. The HK railway museum is rather intriguing. Firstly, I learned the complete history of it. Secondly, I got to see the actual thing. Thirdly, the trip was coupled with friends and foooooood. I’m to lazy to hunt down the cable for my camera and I apologize for no photos. I can however share with you some interesting things I learned.

- The original name of the railway was Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR) that has recently merged with the MTR corporations.

- The original railway spanned from Kowloon to Canton where the Lo Wu station marked the end of the British Section. There was also a separate track from Fanling to upper New Territories.

- It was built in the late 1900s by both the British and the Chinese governments - where they each built their own sectors. The British labeled theirs the Kowloon Canton Railway the British Section.

Photo taken by Toby Oxborrow, 2008

Anyway, everything else is as it should be. I still wish I didn’t require sleep - the things we can do... Reading is still rather slow, I’m averaging 2 weeks per book?!??!?! The countdown ticks away as I should start to think more about packing. As usual being prepared (:

Maybe I'll create an album of select photos later...

:o Whether.

Today was rather disappointing as I woke up in the morning to find that there was thunder and a rather depressing cloud hanging over the peak of Ap Lei Chau. I automatically thought about the consequences of walking through Chatham Rd.to Whampoa. I would be soaked even with an umbrella. So I quickly contacted OC and canceled our meet up plans. A rain check (pun intended). Now that I’m sitting here in Starbucks finally getting some real work done that has been piling up on my desk I see that its nice, bright and sunny outdoors.

1. HKO deceived me. Well they are just an observatory. One I will miss greatly once I move to Kingston - no more 90% accurate weather reports.

2. I actually got work done.

3. Since it’s sunny now, I might consider hitting the pool and get a workout in.

4. Meeting up with OC has been rescheduled which is kind of a good thing? Well, another random meet up with a complete stranger - but she’ll be my first friend at Queen’s apart from RH, JH and the select others that are already moving to upper years. I’ll recount how that goes...

5. Wednesday will be fun - Tsuen Wan. Finally some HK exploring. I didn’t think I would be this busy!!! It’s alright, it’s better than sitting at home everyday whining about how Summer is boring like some people are.

I apologize for my list writing. It allows for me to cover vast topics that run through my head. Can’t fill in all the gaps of my life eh?

Oh and for those traveling - have safe flights and hope that you’re not siting beside an obnoxious child. Of course, if you’re heading to my little part of the world you know what to do. 

Death and Life.

For most of us in the world we don’t always appreciate the things we do have. I know I can go curse my head off sometimes when things don’t work out the way I want them to be. Death is seen as a passing, the end of someone’s life - it however is the unique event that also rekindles familial relationships.

Although I may not have known my great uncle very well, nor do I think I have ever met him prior to this weekend. It is a great time of reflection. He will be remembered for the things he has done - for some as a father, brother, grandfather.

The ending of one’s life hashes out new paths for others. It’s not only meeting second cousins, aunts and uncles but a chance to seek the lineage of ancestry that leads on. 

Rest in peace, for you will forever be remembered. 

Day well spent.

The day may not be over just yet, but I have nothing better to do as of this moment other than blog and read yet another novel. 

Starbucks is simply too loud for my liking especially during a Friday afternoon. CH and I were sporting some drinks, sat down chatted and off into our own little worlds. Whilst this was all occurring, we had two girls from the next table stare at us "innocently" for 45s to 60s. Just a bit too many seconds... it caught my attention and made me wonder. Yes, I'm reading a book, and English book. Yes we talk, it maybe about Catholicism. Yes, we can sit at the same table and chat up like no tomorrow and we can at the same time sit for minutes in utter silence. They were just weird, thinking that we didn't notice their awkward glares and eaves dropping into our conversations! 

Again, the world is made up of such random people, who all have their unique background. Some more distinguishable than others. From my non-professional training of profiling, I would come to the conclusion that both males sitting at their sides must always abide by their rule. Or in other words, the girls wore the pants but in a Mrs. Warren's fashion - using beauty as a strong point. Either way, it was also getting that vibe that they were some family that is very well off. But who am I to say, that I'm not wrong? You can remain skeptical about me as well, this is after all a blog where I am the author and choose to tell you certain things.(:

I sit here now, with a new novel, unlimited drinks, a computer, and a new excel file to reshuffle this university schedule of mine. I'll leave the night to close with a short reunion with friends from East to West - oh and of course my scary novel.

Busy days are fun days.

As much as being busy can sometimes be a pain in the rear, it can also be the complete opposite and make you smile once you're all done. Today was one of those days. It may be true that I've worked 6 hours almost non-stop since 3 in the afternoon, but really what other way to spend a summer.

There's no point of lounging around at home and stare at my screen everyday. There is obviously more to life than this. After meeting two of my new students its been great. They're from the Philippines and I believe their father works in town for some business. They're so adorable. I think they had a good time, or seemed to be until I waved goodbye as if my hand was going to fling off.

The day ended off with showing off some card tricks and teaching SC and KC to do them. They'll be pro at them soon. I think their parents are glad that I worn them out by 9 pm, apparently something that only occurs on rare occasions. We also enjoyed some popcorn and Annie - a great movie starring Aileen Quinn. The coordination of the movie is phenomenal and the beginning kind of reminds me of someone. She'd probably laugh if I told her...

Anyway, another day gone by. It's summer so who cares!

Really?

As much as time is seemingly to pass by without me noticing - it’s needless to say that many of us are in the same boat of having a mishmash of feelings about the months to come. September is really not that far away. For those who are leaving even earlier, that tingly feeling is probably roaming around already. 

Who knew, that it’s only mere weeks that I officially completed high school. This week, I finally start my new job. As much as the hours are short, I’m glad - more time to do my own thing. 

On that note of doing my own thing, it just sucks to be flat out broke. Okay, that wasn’t entirely true as I need to save up for this trip nearby and it is going to cost a fortune. Who knows, maybe I’ll get lucky and find money laying around as I clean out my room for the move.

Filled day of activities.

It may be Sunday, but who says you can't pack it all in and have loads of fun? 

- Brunch, well basically late lunch with JL. Had a great time chatting over delicious English breakfast and failed lemonade. They put lemon slices into water. o.O - I should have gone for my gut and opt for the orange juice instead... Oh wells we all make those silly mistakes anyway. 

- PageOne - I could live here (: Over some intense discussion of certain good reads and the sharing of ideas from flipping through some books we came to the conclusion that it will be better if we either worked in a bookstore or had a library. As much as the library in Hong Kong is a wealth of information compared to many other cities, one thing that I find that it lacks good page turners. Again, my bias opinion prevails and who is to say that they don't have good books in Chinese?

- Pacific Coffee - I had an hour or so to wait before I headed out to church and decided to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and my book. The summer light beams through the window - a feel good moment. 

- Church - The sermon = great = rolled up bundle of jokes and a good message. What was rather odd, was when the service was about 15 minutes till the end, some woman smacks a bag across a man's face next to me. I was rather taken back a moment, well shocking really. That woman just continued down the stairs, strutting away, ferociously. No comment, no sorry - only walking with frustration written all over her face. 

the things people do these days

 Rather odd and I mustn't drag on about the sermon which was a rolled up bundle of jokes and a good message. 

Hmmmm.

Never put shampoo & conditioner bottles next to the bathroom window cill - one of them might go missing during a storm. :(