Way too busy

Summer is summer. Even the long enduring of hours of IB can't beat the schedule over the past week. I found that when you leave a place after you've lived there for a period of time, there are things that you must do.

1. Say hello to almost everyone, especially "aunties" & "uncles"

2. Figure out how they are doing construction on the road to avoid it.

3. eat, Eat, EAt, EAT. I'm absolutely stuffed.

Irene

Unless you hide away from all sources of media, you must have heard about Irene. Maybe it's because I took geography, that I actually pay more attention to these types of things in the world. It's probably the actual reason.

Hurricanes aren't new to the world, but I've realized the only ones that usually get the headlines are always the one affecting North America – in particular the southernly country. There isn't much coverage on stuff that occurs half way around the world and happens more often. Yes, we can all agree that there is a greater monetary loss. That doesn't make it less of a deal when it happens elsewhere.

Things Change & People Change

It's not a surprise that over the course of three years things have changed dramatically. The drive through a city that I once lived in for eleven years, it seems like some things will never ever change. In the last two since my last visit here, districts have transformed, moved and replaced faster than ever before. Buildings that once were landmarks to a common commuter are now gone. New areas being developed. It's pretty crazy.

Too many thoughts

Too many things have happened over the day. Technically it's one and a half days because of that dateline that causes everyone's circadian clock to go haywire. You'll have to suffice with point form, just to make sure I gather all my thoughts.

1. Plane – It wasn't that bad. An awfully crowded plane with the variation of Mainlanders, Taiwanese, odd caucasians here and there and of course the Hong Kongers. I was glad not to be sitting beside a child, although a middle seat wasn't preferable.

Bouncing around Shanghai

I've beaten the Great Firewall of China and gained access to posting on the blog. As much as I say that the days are going by quickly, and sometimes that the feeling that I'm moving away is kind of settling there is still much to do till then.

I sit at a Starbucks enjoying my brewed coffee and felt the need to discuss the dire circumstances of a Smoggy Shanghai. It's rather unpleasant- the feeling that you can't breathe nor see further than 2 city blocks. On top of that there is the horrendous traffic. Firstly the people who drive the cars, I swear don't have licenses(they do not respect any of the traffic regulations). Secondly, we have the mopeds and those who prefer to zoom around on the streets on bicycles. Lastly, the pedestrians. All of them work somehow all together and cause all chaos you can imagine.

A day well spent

You have certain days where you just feel great simply due to the fact you spent it with great people. The day blasted off with a missed alarm and a groggy headache. It quickly became a fast paced conversation with many people.

The goal was to go around and say goodbye or as I like more au revoir. At the end of the day, through reflection of the fast three years that past – its time to say, "Hello" to a new life in Kingston. It doesn't really hit you that you're saying adios, until the person is slowly walking away.

Dinner --> Cleaning

I was planning to have company over, but one thing turned to another. I guess its good that I'm not having them over anymore so I don't have go through all the prep that goes into cooking. bleh. I'm lazy. I think it has been decided we will just head out to eat.

Haven't we all considered that its so hard to have company over especially in Hong Kong… Living room is basically right next to the dining room. The kitchen is small. It's definitely hard to squish four at a table. At least at my dining table.

Anyway, just being random as usual there isn't a point to me writing– not like there ever was but to share random moments. I think I should get back to cleaning my room and rearranging books on shelves. I have too many books. Then to the final hours I need to devote to my summer job.

Cleaning in the process...

Over my head.

I'm in over my head again. With the days slowly ticking away, I technically should be packing my miscellaneous things that I will need in K-town. Apparently that's the hip name. Anyway, this last week is looking to be jammed packed with last minute meet ups that didn't happen earlier in the summer. I thought IB taught me to be a better planner than this… (perhaps it's already wearing off)

Meet ups are awesome. I love them, for the reason you get to catch up in a lot of missed things. Maybe with the exception to the very few I talk to almost everyday already. It's still great seeing people in person though. It has a different atmosphere. Chatting online, is rather lame in the sense that it lacks emotion. 

On that note, I finally had the chance to go check out Unar Coffee Company with a friend. It's a really small place, you sit outside. It was great that I could actually hear him speak unlike any other coffee shop in Causeway Bay. Although I sensed the owner was annoyed that we stayed there for two hours, service was top notch.

Next couple days, I have lots of stuff lined up. I think I'll be completely and utterly drained on the plane.

My phrase for the week - "If you never go, you never know."

Reflection of “the time”

After reading the second chapter of Crazy Love by Francis Chan it put my head into full on reflection mode. The reality of life is that it can be taken away in the matter of seconds.

The questions of whether I did well in school or where I will be in 15 years is completely irrelevant when I’m dead. Who people remember me will be whatever compared to where I will be in this temporary body.

Religion can be seen too many as that bogus kind of thing. It can also be justified as blind faith. The way I see it, is realizing there are pretty crazy things that go on that are inexplicable and more than luck. It’ll always be a roller coaster relationship with God. But once reflection sets in, you see Him in the most unsuspected moments.

That Feeling Inside

We do what we have to do. I have a good job. I have good pay. There is however, something that has been bugging me. Maybe I'm just being oversensitive to the whole idea because it doesn't really fit into my values. It seems like they have lost interest in actually increasing their knowledge of world beyond the text.

Education is all about learning more and more. There is a joy in learning. Although, at a young age especially for ESL children its tough and more of a chore forced upon them. The weeks have past after brushing up on explaining the different tenses. Puts me in the shoes of myself years ago when I first started taking French immersion. Simple present tense, present perfect, past participles, simple past, simple future… I'm not concerned about how they learn but more of the lack of organization of the learning I'm supposedly providing.

So much in such a short time.

There’s been a lapse since my last post. Thus,short and sweet - or as many others like to say concise and too the point.

Macao was a fun trip, with great people and meeting a new acquaintance. Between all the video games, meals and traveling, everyone was bummed tired. Perhaps the trip would have been better if we did more things. Meh.

Things I've Learned

Seems like it's been awhile since I've posted. Well not that long anyway. In the couple weeks I've worked my summer job I've learned many things.

1. Always use "Can I tell you tomorrow?" phrase whenever your employers want to give you more work.

2. If you want to avoid being given more work in the first place, don't work so hard.

3. The younger generation is not enjoying their summers.

On that note, I've seen some of them spend 80% of their time learning something to ameliorate themselves for their future education.

4. Sleep regularly – like school when your circadian clock is out of sync you don't work as well.

But it's been pretty fun, well to an extent anyway. It's been keeping me busy and some of the kids are really nice. However, I would never be a primary school teacher for a career! The stamina required to keep up with them is too immense.

Other random things that I've learned.

1. I'm horrible at self-motivating to run. So much for running 5k by the end of the summer.

2. Never play basketball outdoors as it is extremely hot and humid… Perhaps one of the other reasons I haven't been running.

3. Try to keep my plate small. Doing too many things is overwhelming. I've learned this over and over again, I just don't seem to be getting it right.

4. Summer is always too short, it's soon going to be back to academics :( Until then I'm not going to think about it.