March 6, 2005
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…the sun, the sun…
For the first time in a very, very, very long time, I felt the rays of the sun again today…
This weekend was the first weekend in a very long time that I didn’t go anywhere. It was nice to just chill here in Hong Kong without having to worry about rushing to the airport or rushing to see as much of [insert country] as possible. Life, for a brief moment, was simple, was sweet, was satisfying…
On Saturday, I went to Lantau Island with Thomas, Jessica, and Thea. It was really nice, albeit cold. The MTR ride out to the island was actually one of the most memorable moments of the whole excursion. I had never taken the MTR out that far before, so it was an amazing sight to see us pulling away from the island; it was as if we were going to a completely different country. I wonder if this’ll be how I feel when I finally do leave Hong Kong for good in May…
We went to Outback Steakhouse tonight to celebrate Kevin’s 22nd birthday. It was the first time I had had steak in Hong Kong. I was really looking forward to it–salivating quite profusely as a matter of fact just thinking about it. When I finally got my plate, I was a bit disappointed at what I saw. I tried to be positive though and figured that I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, perhaps this steak will be rich with flavor and melt in my mouth. Unfortunately, I was wrong, and to my dismay, the steak tasted just like it looked–bad. Whatever, I consoled myself with Hui Lau San afterwards, so it was ok. I guess I’ll just have to wait until I get back to the States to get real steak…
Speaking of the States, I’ve had a handful of people ask me recently whether or not I was homesick yet. I hadn’t really thought about it, so I guess my answer would be “no”. Coming to Hong Kong, and to Asia in general, has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Last semester at Berkeley had to have been one of the most trying semesters I’ve ever had there, not because it was academically demanding or anything, but it was just incredibly taxing emotionally. I know that the rough times we experience in our lives helps us build our character, but sometimes, all the bullshit and drama’s just not worth it. Okay, strike that, most of the time, all the bullshit and drama’s not worth it. I counted down the days to when I’d finally get to leave it all behind me, physically and psychologically, and now, 2 full months into my exchange, I’m dreading the day I have to return to it all. Yes, things will be different as I won’t be a student anymore, but I will still be working in the same general area, and I wonder if a tabula rasa will truly be possible. Well, whatever happens, happens, and I’ll be ready for the challenge…
Asia has rejuvenated me. It’s nice to be back amongst my fellow people, to be able to look around and know that only minor cultural differences separate us…welcome home…
Places I’ve been from placenta to present:
- Battambang, Cambodia
- Phnom Peng, Cambodia
- Khao-I-Dang Refugee Camp, Thailand
- Tokyo, Japan
- Long Beach, CA
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Wiesbaden, Germany
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Lyon, France
- Paris, France
- Manhattan, NY
- Washington, D.C.
- Berkeley, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- Columbus, OH
- Phoenix, AZ
- Portland, OR
- Seattle, WA
- Vancouver, Canada
- Sydney, Australia
- Cairns, Australia
- Melbourne, Australia
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Pattaya, Thailand
- Singapore
- Hong KongPlaces to visit before I finish my program in Hong Kong:
- Macau
- Shenzhen, China
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Manila, Philippines
- Beijing, China
- Shanghai, China
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Guangzhou, ChinaPlaces to visit before I die: too many to list…
