1. Umbrellas for the sun
2. (Girls) Covering the mouth when laughing
3. Various soy milks/box juices
4. Trendy t-shirts
5. Wearing jeans even though its 90 degrees and 90% humidity
6. Vending machines
To be continued...
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Behind a Camera
While I love taking pictures, the thing I hate about it is that instead of being a participant, you become an observer. Instead of being engaged in what's happening, you wind up watching the events through a viewfinder, a plastic 2.5 inch screen. This, of course, didn't stop me from taking a bunch of pictures today/tonight.
Today was the HK city tour, the student helpers took us by bus to a couple of different places in HK. We made it out to HK island, which was a first for me. We stopped by the Stanley Market, which I'll admit could have been cooler. Checked out the temples, but something seemed vaguely off about them. Stanley Market is a very commercial area so I just felt like the whole significance behind a temple was sort of lost in the shuffle. Also, I'm not sure if it's observing the proper reverence to go into a temple, kneel, and bow because it's "what you're supposed to do." I feel like the whole concept deserves more than that. The temple did have a sweet ~50 year old tiger skin which I'll admit that I gawked at. Didn't make it to the market part of Stanley Market, so maybe my view is a little skewed.
From there we went to Victoria Peak, which is...a peak? Very picturesque, nice views of the harbor and city. Also of note: Victoria Peak has a shopping mall. Capitalism at a couple thousand feet elevation. So removed that no person in their right mind would go there for their first shopping option, but a facility that rivals malls in the US.
Then to Tsim Sha Tsui again, but didn't do much there. Walked along the Avenue of Stars (or whatever it's called), took some pictures, admired a sunset. Highlight? Random white guys doing a Bruce Lee pose infront of a bronze Bruce Lee statue. Again, not the proper reverence. Bruce "His Fists are only used to Pummel the Unrightuous" Lee is the sort of role model young Asians need. Screw you, Mickey "I fail to see why Long Duk Dong is offensive" Rooney.
Took a ferry over to Central, a nice (and short) ride. Cheaper than the MTR too, so not a bad thing.
Supposed to go out tonight, personal batterries at about 15%, going to sleep instead. Lame? Yes. Restful? Yes. HK nightlife, wait for me, I'll be there someday.
If you made it this far, you get pictures (a small sample anyways, took about 200 today):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shuie/
Today was the HK city tour, the student helpers took us by bus to a couple of different places in HK. We made it out to HK island, which was a first for me. We stopped by the Stanley Market, which I'll admit could have been cooler. Checked out the temples, but something seemed vaguely off about them. Stanley Market is a very commercial area so I just felt like the whole significance behind a temple was sort of lost in the shuffle. Also, I'm not sure if it's observing the proper reverence to go into a temple, kneel, and bow because it's "what you're supposed to do." I feel like the whole concept deserves more than that. The temple did have a sweet ~50 year old tiger skin which I'll admit that I gawked at. Didn't make it to the market part of Stanley Market, so maybe my view is a little skewed.
From there we went to Victoria Peak, which is...a peak? Very picturesque, nice views of the harbor and city. Also of note: Victoria Peak has a shopping mall. Capitalism at a couple thousand feet elevation. So removed that no person in their right mind would go there for their first shopping option, but a facility that rivals malls in the US.
Then to Tsim Sha Tsui again, but didn't do much there. Walked along the Avenue of Stars (or whatever it's called), took some pictures, admired a sunset. Highlight? Random white guys doing a Bruce Lee pose infront of a bronze Bruce Lee statue. Again, not the proper reverence. Bruce "His Fists are only used to Pummel the Unrightuous" Lee is the sort of role model young Asians need. Screw you, Mickey "I fail to see why Long Duk Dong is offensive" Rooney.
Took a ferry over to Central, a nice (and short) ride. Cheaper than the MTR too, so not a bad thing.
Supposed to go out tonight, personal batterries at about 15%, going to sleep instead. Lame? Yes. Restful? Yes. HK nightlife, wait for me, I'll be there someday.
If you made it this far, you get pictures (a small sample anyways, took about 200 today):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shuie/
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Excellence with a Soul, Leadership with a Heart
Is the motto of Shaw College, where I am. Apparently they also have a cheer that includes the yelling "WE'RE THE BEST." It's actually pretty nice though, the housing gods look like they've reversed their position of "Slap Sam" in a pretty significant way. The rooms in Kuo Mou Hall are so new that they were still under construction today, the day before we move into them. They have a nice kitchen space (must buy own pots and pans though), a common room or two on the bottom floor, and new furniture in the rooms. Plus there is an outdoor basketball court somewhat nearby (it's a little beat up, but I'll learn to love it), as well as a rehearsal space for a band that will be formed. And it shall rock.
Downside? Near the top of the mountain that is CUHK. Never have shuttles played a larger part in my life.
Went back to Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) tonight for an IASP dinner and a walk around. For all of the crap HK can throw at you, it's pretty amazing too. Just going from shop to shop in the neon lit corridors has an energy all it's own, very visually striking. They should have sent a poet.
Had a pretty interesting conversation today. I know I've been complaining about this whole about my being pwned by various linguistic/cultural barriers, but wouldn't you know it goes the other way too? Leave it to an American to lose perspective on things and let it all become about "me."
We were talking, he had some trouble finding the right words in English. He pulls out a dictionary, types something in, and looks at the result. He called not knowing what the English translations were "suffocating." And he's right. That's how it feels when the people you're around drop into a language you don't understand, when people ask you questions that you just can't answer. Pulls the air right out of you.
But you never think that English is hard (especially if it's your major) until it's pointed out that it is, in fact, for a lot of people a foreign language. Other people can flip between languages because they've learned those other languages.
I'm not a bad Chinese person, I'm just a little behind on the learning curve. Let's take steps to fix that.
Downside? Near the top of the mountain that is CUHK. Never have shuttles played a larger part in my life.
Went back to Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) tonight for an IASP dinner and a walk around. For all of the crap HK can throw at you, it's pretty amazing too. Just going from shop to shop in the neon lit corridors has an energy all it's own, very visually striking. They should have sent a poet.
Had a pretty interesting conversation today. I know I've been complaining about this whole about my being pwned by various linguistic/cultural barriers, but wouldn't you know it goes the other way too? Leave it to an American to lose perspective on things and let it all become about "me."
We were talking, he had some trouble finding the right words in English. He pulls out a dictionary, types something in, and looks at the result. He called not knowing what the English translations were "suffocating." And he's right. That's how it feels when the people you're around drop into a language you don't understand, when people ask you questions that you just can't answer. Pulls the air right out of you.
But you never think that English is hard (especially if it's your major) until it's pointed out that it is, in fact, for a lot of people a foreign language. Other people can flip between languages because they've learned those other languages.
I'm not a bad Chinese person, I'm just a little behind on the learning curve. Let's take steps to fix that.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Day...3?
Things I've learned:
1 - Waiting for a table? Go stand next to it until the people there are done and leave
2 - Haven't seen any black people on campus (edit: saw two, but that was at Tsim Sha Tsui which is more populated/a shopping area)
3 - People driving on the other side of the road isn't that weird to see, it's only a problem when you're crossing the street. Looking the wrong way is never a good thing
4 - Octopus card = win
5 - So far, Europeans and Canadians seem to be the friendliest (at least that one's I've talked with)
After a bunch of orientation meetings this morning...
-Skipped out on even more meetings to play basketball (1-1, games to 5)
-Went to Tsim Sha Tsui for dinner/shopping. Caught the last two minutes of the daily light show, but will definitely have to check that out again
-Seating 16 people for dinner is never easy. Small food portions too. Booooo. Good times though
-Language/logistical/accounting skills are great for big groups. Probably small groups too
-Got a SIM card, so I'm now cellular. Still need to do more shopping though
Tsim Sha Tsui was very interesting, lots of people, neon, and shopping. Kind of overwhelming (pictures on flickr soon?), but in the end I hit the wall and wanted to be back in my room. I blame jet lag
1 - Waiting for a table? Go stand next to it until the people there are done and leave
2 - Haven't seen any black people on campus (edit: saw two, but that was at Tsim Sha Tsui which is more populated/a shopping area)
3 - People driving on the other side of the road isn't that weird to see, it's only a problem when you're crossing the street. Looking the wrong way is never a good thing
4 - Octopus card = win
5 - So far, Europeans and Canadians seem to be the friendliest (at least that one's I've talked with)
After a bunch of orientation meetings this morning...
-Skipped out on even more meetings to play basketball (1-1, games to 5)
-Went to Tsim Sha Tsui for dinner/shopping. Caught the last two minutes of the daily light show, but will definitely have to check that out again
-Seating 16 people for dinner is never easy. Small food portions too. Booooo. Good times though
-Language/logistical/accounting skills are great for big groups. Probably small groups too
-Got a SIM card, so I'm now cellular. Still need to do more shopping though
Tsim Sha Tsui was very interesting, lots of people, neon, and shopping. Kind of overwhelming (pictures on flickr soon?), but in the end I hit the wall and wanted to be back in my room. I blame jet lag
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Day 2 Odds and Ends
Ok I've clearly been screwed in the housing department:
1 - Temporary hostel is filled with CUHK student workers and 25 year old Dutch guys. Plus it's far away from where every meeting is. Plus, comparatively, the rooms are old and run down.
2 - Permanent housing is the furthest from University Station, at the top of the mountain, and it's canteen has a reputation for giving it's patrons food poisoning.
But:
1 - Free air conditioning
2 - I have a single, so far
Campus tour was interesting and hilly. I doubt I could find my way around, but at least I kind of know where I'm going now. The shopping trip at the end of the day was mostly a failure - cell phone still doesn't work. Group dinner and a grocery run were perfectly peachy.
-The trains can get obscenely crowded
-Saw a huge cockroach today
-Bugs invade my closed room
-HK Chinese people have the best T-shirts. Good designs and color schemes, appropriately indie writing and slogans on them
Things seem to be focused on appearance and presentation over here. Hair is immaculately tussled and disheveled is mixed with designer. HK seems built for this though; the buildings are dressed up in lights and colors just like the people who live inside of them, and there are mirrors in every elevator.
On a note of appearance, I don't think the tension of "I look Chinese" versus "I have basically zero language skills" is ever going to go away while I'm here. Shopkeepers tell me "It's better to buy three oranges" in Cantonese, which only compounds problems. And our perfectly well meaning student guide this evening said to me "I don't know why but whenever I see you I speak to you in Cantonese." In my defense: no, I don't understand you. So much for a defense.
It's guilt (oh I should speak ____), it's frustration (why do they assume____? why can't they ____?), it's edging towards resignation (ah screw it). And there it is.
1 - Temporary hostel is filled with CUHK student workers and 25 year old Dutch guys. Plus it's far away from where every meeting is. Plus, comparatively, the rooms are old and run down.
2 - Permanent housing is the furthest from University Station, at the top of the mountain, and it's canteen has a reputation for giving it's patrons food poisoning.
But:
1 - Free air conditioning
2 - I have a single, so far
Campus tour was interesting and hilly. I doubt I could find my way around, but at least I kind of know where I'm going now. The shopping trip at the end of the day was mostly a failure - cell phone still doesn't work. Group dinner and a grocery run were perfectly peachy.
-The trains can get obscenely crowded
-Saw a huge cockroach today
-Bugs invade my closed room
-HK Chinese people have the best T-shirts. Good designs and color schemes, appropriately indie writing and slogans on them
Things seem to be focused on appearance and presentation over here. Hair is immaculately tussled and disheveled is mixed with designer. HK seems built for this though; the buildings are dressed up in lights and colors just like the people who live inside of them, and there are mirrors in every elevator.
On a note of appearance, I don't think the tension of "I look Chinese" versus "I have basically zero language skills" is ever going to go away while I'm here. Shopkeepers tell me "It's better to buy three oranges" in Cantonese, which only compounds problems. And our perfectly well meaning student guide this evening said to me "I don't know why but whenever I see you I speak to you in Cantonese." In my defense: no, I don't understand you. So much for a defense.
It's guilt (oh I should speak ____), it's frustration (why do they assume____? why can't they ____?), it's edging towards resignation (ah screw it). And there it is.
Caught Up
Those all being handwritten notes taken at various points. As things settle down, hopefully more concise and focused entries.
-Things here seem very reserved/subdued
-I've hit my head twice so far
-I can't stand upright on the campus shuttle. I have to stand where there is the raised ceiling for the roof exit/window thing
Sha Tin shopping tonight.
Pictures updated variously at http://www.flickr.com/photos/shuie/
-Things here seem very reserved/subdued
-I've hit my head twice so far
-I can't stand upright on the campus shuttle. I have to stand where there is the raised ceiling for the roof exit/window thing
Sha Tin shopping tonight.
Pictures updated variously at http://www.flickr.com/photos/shuie/
That was the Plane this is Day/Night 1 (8/25/08)
Met up with some UT exchange students, went on adventure to get to CUHK. King of hot, too humid. Plus 98 pounds of luggage + a backpack = nothx
CUHK is like some kind of college in the midst of what is either old or just rustic. It's also on a giant freaking hill, turning the campus into a set of giant freaking hills. It's like Oxy on steroids.
So far people have been nice, if not particularly helpful. As a group we got two "Oh I'll help but I'm actually leaving...," so yeah.
They have us holed up in temporary residency hostels for the first few days. The free (so far) air conditioning offsets the lack of internet.
Had my first "Are you real Chinese" exchange today with a student helper as he showed me my temporary room:
Guy: "So are you ABC?"
Sam: "Huh? What?" [I was tired!]
G: "Are you ABC?"
S: "Oh, yeah"
G: "Which city?"
S: "San Francisco"
G: "Oh oh oh oh"
(slight pause)
G: "Ni shuo putonghua? Ni ting bu dong?" (Do you speak Mandarin? Do you understand?"
S: "Yi dian, yi dian" (A little)
G: "Ni shuo gongdonghua?" (Do you speak Cantonese?)
S: "No, no"
G: "Ah so a little bit of Mandarin"
Pass? Fail? Doesn't really matter?
Adapter for electronics doesn't fit the plug, killed a whopper of a mosquito, and found ants infesting one sink. Nice.
From what little I've seen on HK, it feels like a bizarro version of cities I'm used to (SF, to a lesser degree NY) - it hasthe sprawl, the people, but it seems almost too organized? Maybe Sha Tin station during sunday nights isn't Market St at lunch time, but so far its not been that hectic moving around. Having luggage sucks though, small elevators and bars around each escalator.
HK has some nice architecture and makes interesting use of lights as accents for buildings. Like most cities, it is beautiful from far away. We'll see how it is closer up.
For me, it's hang out, read/play gameboy, shower, eat, and bed. Something like that.
CUHK is like some kind of college in the midst of what is either old or just rustic. It's also on a giant freaking hill, turning the campus into a set of giant freaking hills. It's like Oxy on steroids.
So far people have been nice, if not particularly helpful. As a group we got two "Oh I'll help but I'm actually leaving...," so yeah.
They have us holed up in temporary residency hostels for the first few days. The free (so far) air conditioning offsets the lack of internet.
Had my first "Are you real Chinese" exchange today with a student helper as he showed me my temporary room:
Guy: "So are you ABC?"
Sam: "Huh? What?" [I was tired!]
G: "Are you ABC?"
S: "Oh, yeah"
G: "Which city?"
S: "San Francisco"
G: "Oh oh oh oh"
(slight pause)
G: "Ni shuo putonghua? Ni ting bu dong?" (Do you speak Mandarin? Do you understand?"
S: "Yi dian, yi dian" (A little)
G: "Ni shuo gongdonghua?" (Do you speak Cantonese?)
S: "No, no"
G: "Ah so a little bit of Mandarin"
Pass? Fail? Doesn't really matter?
Adapter for electronics doesn't fit the plug, killed a whopper of a mosquito, and found ants infesting one sink. Nice.
From what little I've seen on HK, it feels like a bizarro version of cities I'm used to (SF, to a lesser degree NY) - it hasthe sprawl, the people, but it seems almost too organized? Maybe Sha Tin station during sunday nights isn't Market St at lunch time, but so far its not been that hectic moving around. Having luggage sucks though, small elevators and bars around each escalator.
HK has some nice architecture and makes interesting use of lights as accents for buildings. Like most cities, it is beautiful from far away. We'll see how it is closer up.
For me, it's hang out, read/play gameboy, shower, eat, and bed. Something like that.
I told you that story so I can tell you this one
Or: More ramblings from the plane
At a certain point ~9 hours in, the plane shut down. Everyone was asleep, all the windows closed. Dark and sleeping inside, light and aware outside. Felt like traveling in a giant anachronnism, something so out of it's time hanging onto what it has left of it. Apparently stuck forever between 100% Go HK! and Aw Hell I want Oxy I was awake like on HK time, but still in the dark (literally) like on pacific time.
And in whatt scientists are calling "The Worst Decision so Far" I ventured a bite of the clam sauce spaghetti my mom packed for me. It's usually delicious, but this was about 10 hours into the flight. The unrefridgerated flight. Spent the time time landing battling the urge to puke into a small grey bag. Ugh. It was one bite!
All in all:
-3 strawberries eaten
-About 5 hours of sleep
-About 4 hours of gameboy
-0 times actually vomited
At a certain point ~9 hours in, the plane shut down. Everyone was asleep, all the windows closed. Dark and sleeping inside, light and aware outside. Felt like traveling in a giant anachronnism, something so out of it's time hanging onto what it has left of it. Apparently stuck forever between 100% Go HK! and Aw Hell I want Oxy I was awake like on HK time, but still in the dark (literally) like on pacific time.
And in whatt scientists are calling "The Worst Decision so Far" I ventured a bite of the clam sauce spaghetti my mom packed for me. It's usually delicious, but this was about 10 hours into the flight. The unrefridgerated flight. Spent the time time landing battling the urge to puke into a small grey bag. Ugh. It was one bite!
All in all:
-3 strawberries eaten
-About 5 hours of sleep
-About 4 hours of gameboy
-0 times actually vomited
Thoughts from Monday at 11:45 am, or Sunday 8:45 pm
I've got adapters, the internet, and some free time. Here's the backlog of notes (with some snide-in-retrospect comments probably):
Thoughts from Monday at 11:45 am, or Sunday 8:45 pm
I guess it depends on your state of mind
The good: first time on a double decker plane, aisle seat, United Airlines actually served some sort of mini-ramen for lunch (for dinner?)
The bad: a little over 6 hours to go. Somehow, less leg room than Southwest. Guy in front of me is in max recline. Constantly.
Couple of study abroad kids on board, but from what I've heard, they're going to HK Baptist [surprise there were actually a bunch of CUHK people on board!]
Ipod batteries holding strong, thnk god. Probably slept for ~2 hours and most through most of the Ra Ra Raiot album - which, for the parts I was awake for, rules. Lots of Asians on board - the old ones all speak cantonese, while the young ones are speaking English.
Approaching Tokyo, apparently, closer to Siberia though [who knew?]
As most of the people have their windows down, the plane has this weird timeless feel to it. Not that it could last forever (that would suck), but there is just no way to tell what time it is. Without seeing day or night the only clue is my watch.
Packing always gets me in a weird/depressed mood (listening to Death Cab while doing so probably doesn't helpt at all). It just feels weird to know that you can basically pack up your life. Probably worse is knowing what you're leaving behind.
But it's good for you, that's the thing, and you know it's good for you, but for me it doesn't quite fel that way. I know that this helps in the long term - jobs, life experiences, all that stuff is enriched, but for me it's not necessarily the best. There are other places I'd rather be, and other people I want to be with. Stuck in a comfort zone? I guess, but it is comfortable.
Despite these reservations, I'm going to have a good time. Stockholm syndrome aside, I'm going to be a 20-21 year old student living in HK for a few months. If I can't somehow enjoy that then I'm trying to be miserable, and that just doesn't seem fun.
It's been 7 hours and 3 minutes in the air. It's 12:08 and 34, 35, 36 seconds. I just ate lunch and am considering taking a nap before my pre-dinner snack [read: I'm on HK time now] (I hope spaghetti keeps) and its 12:09 28, 29, 30.
And I'm on a plane to Hong Kong. What's 4 months? Four months is nothing. That's either a good thing or a bad thing. It's 12:12 25, 26, 27 and here I am.
Thoughts from Monday at 11:45 am, or Sunday 8:45 pm
I guess it depends on your state of mind
The good: first time on a double decker plane, aisle seat, United Airlines actually served some sort of mini-ramen for lunch (for dinner?)
The bad: a little over 6 hours to go. Somehow, less leg room than Southwest. Guy in front of me is in max recline. Constantly.
Couple of study abroad kids on board, but from what I've heard, they're going to HK Baptist [surprise there were actually a bunch of CUHK people on board!]
Ipod batteries holding strong, thnk god. Probably slept for ~2 hours and most through most of the Ra Ra Raiot album - which, for the parts I was awake for, rules. Lots of Asians on board - the old ones all speak cantonese, while the young ones are speaking English.
Approaching Tokyo, apparently, closer to Siberia though [who knew?]
As most of the people have their windows down, the plane has this weird timeless feel to it. Not that it could last forever (that would suck), but there is just no way to tell what time it is. Without seeing day or night the only clue is my watch.
Packing always gets me in a weird/depressed mood (listening to Death Cab while doing so probably doesn't helpt at all). It just feels weird to know that you can basically pack up your life. Probably worse is knowing what you're leaving behind.
But it's good for you, that's the thing, and you know it's good for you, but for me it doesn't quite fel that way. I know that this helps in the long term - jobs, life experiences, all that stuff is enriched, but for me it's not necessarily the best. There are other places I'd rather be, and other people I want to be with. Stuck in a comfort zone? I guess, but it is comfortable.
Despite these reservations, I'm going to have a good time. Stockholm syndrome aside, I'm going to be a 20-21 year old student living in HK for a few months. If I can't somehow enjoy that then I'm trying to be miserable, and that just doesn't seem fun.
It's been 7 hours and 3 minutes in the air. It's 12:08 and 34, 35, 36 seconds. I just ate lunch and am considering taking a nap before my pre-dinner snack [read: I'm on HK time now] (I hope spaghetti keeps) and its 12:09 28, 29, 30.
And I'm on a plane to Hong Kong. What's 4 months? Four months is nothing. That's either a good thing or a bad thing. It's 12:12 25, 26, 27 and here I am.
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