First full day in Hong Kong...

Started early! Never fell asleep after 3:30AM but managed to "rest my eyes" until around 6:30 when I just could not stand it anymore. I got up and fixed myself some "breakfast", just crackers and milk really.

Around 8AM or so, my mom woke up. I also took advantage of the time to give Ricky a call. Although we have to talk everyday when we are apart, we are really so up to date on each other's lives that there isn't so much to talk about! I caught Ricky at DSW shoes....so I go away for a day and he goes shoe shopping by himself, the irony...

Then mom, dad and I went to Cafe de Coral for our usual Hong Kong breakfast. Mine is always eggs with "sausage", actually hot dog, and toast, plus coffee. Very fulfilling and cheeeap!

The bigges news in Hong Kong is the WTO ongoings and of course, the protests. Too bad I didn't bring a camera today on my way out. As I walked past Victoria Park, I saw the people gathered, getting ready to protest. Most were from South Korea, protesting the US cotton export subsidies. The park was filled with banners decrying the WTO ("Down down WTO"), they were also singing and dancing Korean songs and dances. For a while it was quite interesting to watch.

After picking up Mom's Canon printer from the service center and buying a toilet seat (I know, not very glamorous) we walked from Wanchai back to Causeway Bay. As we neard the center of Causeway Bay, by Sogo Department store, we saw the bulk of the protestors marching towards Wanchai, where the convention center is located, and where the WTO Conference was taking place. Later we saw on the news that violence erupted between the protestors and the police back in Wanchai, where my mom and I were walking this morning. The protestors clashed against the barriers of the predefined "protest zones" and police used pepper spray and such to try to stop them. It was pretty nuts. They had to shut down all the traffic going in and out of Wanchai...a real inconvenience.

After dinner at grandma's we went home. I'm tired...time to sleep....zzzzz....still jet lagged. :p

Jet lagged in Hong Kong, once again...

The joys of flying buisness class...

Having flown across the Pacific several times in the past year dealing with preparations for my wedding, I had won the membership into the esteemed Marco Polo club with Cathay Pacific airlines. Although I am of course on the lowest tier possible, even the basic membership gives you great rewards.

First and foremost, use of the lounge...free food, drinks, internet access, nice bathrooms away from the hustle and bustle of the regular waiting area.

Then I was so lucky to be able to upgrade to business class. I had called Cathay Pacific earlier to see if it was possible to upgrade and they had told me that unfortunately, all upgrades on my flight was full. Oh well...

But if I had learned nothing from business school, one thing I did learn is that it doesn't hurt to ask again. Everything to gain, nothing to lose. So at the boarding gate, I did just that, I asked again. Lo and behold! They had a seat available. The angels were singing... :)

With a 16 hour direct flight, sitting in business class instead of coach makes a world of difference. They've also improved business class since the last time I traveled business. Best of course, is that you have your own little personal space, and plenty of legroom. My legs were not long enough for the legroom they provided. The seats reclined back until you are lying straight, albeit a bit tilted towards the front, but still a world of difference compared to the limited movement in economy.

Entertainment was on demand. You don't need to catch a moving at the beginning and wait till the end to go to the bathroom. It started when you requested it, and you could also pause, fast forward and rewind as desired. I watched the Wedding Crashers and the Island. The first was good, the latter, was ...eh....ok. I think Ewan McGregor is hot. Oh, the noise reduction headphones really do reduce noise. I couldn't hear the plane at all!

The food, of course is always good on a Cathay flight. But in business class, they serve you with real plates and silverware, in courses. One after the other, salad first, then main course....it was awesome! I tried a drink called the Cathay Delight, a little non-alcoholic cocktail with kiwi, lime and a hint of coconut. Delicious!

The 16 hours passed by really fast. A little sleep, two movies, some reading. I didn't even take out my laptop. It's amazing how traveling half way around the world is really not such and ordeal anymore.

As is my usual drill, I met with my parents at the air train Hong Kong station. I call them once I land and then they get there in time for my train to arrive. We went straight to a restaurant for dinner but I wasn't really hungry. It was too weird a time for me to have an appetit, besides I just had "breakfast" on the plane. I was so sleepy, I moved through the night in a total fog. I believe it was drug induced. I didn't sleep it off on the plane...unfortunately. Collapsed in bed the moment I got home, and of course, now at 4AM, I'm wide awake. *sigh* going to try to catch some more sleep before "normal" waking hours!

Ok...that was the second last entry before taking off...

I'm now sitting at the Terraces lounge at JFK, ah the benefits of being a Marco Polo member! Although the lounge is not as luxurious as the Cathay Pacific lounge at HK's CLK airport I am impressed to see that it is quite classy. There's a fountain in the middle of the lounge with lounge chairs all around the fountain, as if the fountain is a swimming pool! The chairs also look comfy, and oh the cappucino machine! Very impressive. They also have apples and snacks for us, little mini sandwiches, bags of chips and maruchan instant noodles. Of course, the lounge is well stocked with soft drinks and water.

Of course, most important to me is that they have a laptop connection center with power and internet connection. Since I'm flying off all alone, it's almost like having someone to talk to (AIM you know). Anyways, I felt it was too good an opportunity to pass up entering this experience into my blog. I love frequent flyer programs!!

Last entry before taking off...

I've spent the morning packing for my flight to Hong Kong. There really isn't much to pack. My policy for packing is to pack only the minimal necessary to get by because I purchase everything else when I get there. I've learned from experience. Whenever I pack more than the bare minimum, I regret it because thenI don't have enough space to pack all the stuff that I buy! Nuts.

So I brought two dresses for Cathy's wedding (I couldn't decide between the two), a pair of jeans and one long sleeved t-shirt. Plus, of course, a change of underwear. Then I brought all the necessary chargers, phone, camera, etc. I brought the Taiwan book that Usa lent me and the vitamins and stuff that my mom asked me to buy.

I think I have more in my carry on bag thatn my suitcase. There are all my on-flight necessities, of crucial importance is the eye cover, ear plugs and sleeping pills. Then I brought my Sudoku puzzle book, the Devil in the White City, and the Rule of Four for entertainment. I know, too many books, but I'm almost done with the Rule of Four, and I don't want to be stuck with nothing to read! I'm an expert when it comes to long flights, I've done them so many times. Bringing more is always better than less, most of the time you're not carrying the stuff anyway. The final piece will of course be the laptop that I am typing on now. I can't wait for the day when planes all have plugs for laptops. The entertainment will be endless, who needs inflight movies anymore??

The first semester of my second year is officially over. I've completed all my projects and papers and have organized the first ever Marketing Conference at Columbia. Overall, I feel pretty good. I suppose the only regret I have is not doing even more! But there are only so many hours in day.

I also have a job, so, no recruiting next semester either. Wow...it's going to be so much fun! :)

Sent in my deposit for going to Peru today. Usa and I decided to hike the Inca Trail for Spring Break. I can't wait!

I can't believe New York didn't make this list!!

"Least affordable rental markets"

You know you're not a little girl anymore when...

...your mom sends you dirty cartoons via email, for example:

Oh there were more, some more explicit than this! I'm glad I have such an open relationship with my mom. We made a very smooth transition from her being an authority figure to her being more my friend. I supposed especially now that I'm married, she doesn't even need to pretend that I'm an innocent little child. My mom and I never had that rigid tension so often depicted by Hollywood romatic comedies. She hardly ever criticizes me on anything besides my weight. In fact, she is often the one to overinflate my ego, telling me how great I am and how proud she is to have me as a daughter all the time.

On the other hand, my dad, not so much a transition at all. I suppose I will always be daddy's little girl. I accpet and respect that. I don't mind playing my part. After all, he really is a great dad.

I know I am really lucky to be so close to my parents. This is why a part of me really longs to move back to Hong Kong so I can be closer to them. Another part of me is afraid of the unknown. Ricky and I have never worked in the far East and that part of me is worried that we won't be able to adapt. Ricky especially had left Asia so long ago and has assimilated to life in the U.S. so well that I really don't know how things will turn out.

No matter what, I know that I will spend the next few years in the U.S. because of the job offer that I just accepted. The benefit, however, of being at a multinational is that I can eventually ask for a transfer back to Asia should I feel the urge or need to move home. Things will work out, I'm sure...they always do. :)

Snow Day!

Today witnessed the first real snow storm of the year! The snow started sometime last night while we were sleeping and is still going on right now, at 9:11AM. The flakes are coming down big, fat and fluffy. It's really quite pretty.

The good news is, I don't have any classes, have no reason to walk outside except to play in the snow. Ricky, unfortunately, is not so lucky. He had to trudge out, all bundled up, to work! This is New York City, work never stops because the city is so incredibly efficient about keeping the roads clear and the public transportation running.

While I have not ventured out (and probably will not venture out) today, Brownie did get a tromp around in the the snow on the deck. I think he really enjoyed himself! It didn't seem like he wanted to come back in. He looks so cute with snow up to his tummy and when it gets really cold, he starts standing on three legs in turn, picking one leg after the other up in turn, I suppose to let one warm up.

I have a paper to work on, so this is the perfect weather to just hole up and type, and type, and type! :) At least I don't feel like I'm missing out!

Grill Warming Party - December 3

Ricky's deck is finally finished! Over time and overbudget, to be expected of course. But at least, it's done.

To celebrate, we hosted a Grill-Warming party this weekend and had the usual group come over for some grilling. Of course, it was freezing outside, because it is the beginning of December. While Ricky grilled, most of us stayed in the warmth of the kitchen, watching him.

We had a meat lovers bash. Steaks, pork loins, ribs, wings, hot dogs, one after the other, non-stop. For those of us carnivores, we bought portabello mushrooms and multi-colored peppers. The food was really really good. But Ricky and Ray had to spend a lot of time cleaning up in the end. I suppose the most painful part of hosting a party is always the cleaning up.

After filling up with too much meat, the group played Cranium for another two hours. Girls against guys, and unfortunately, after three matches, the guys won two to one. Of course, we got the short end of the stick, we got harder questions! After we got really bored with Cranium, we moved on to two rounds of Scattergorie. The game is fun, but I think Cranium is better still.
We played until around mid-night before we called it quits. Overall, it was a great day!!!!

On Sunday, I spent all day sitting at my desk working on all the projects that are due for the end of the school year. Sadly, that is was procrastination gets you!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

I loved the movie! I think Dan Radcliff, aka Harry Potter, is pretty damn cute! No, I am not a pedophile, I just appreciate a good looking guy when I see one! I think Matthew McConaughey is hot too, and he'l plenty adult.

Back to the Goblet of Fire. The biggest drawback is the movies are only allowed to be so long, and there is just too much plot in the book to fit into a 2 hour plus time slot. The plot was rushed and many details were passed over. For example, Hermione's SPEW obsession was entirely taken out of the story line, in fact there were no house elves at all in the movie. It was also a pity that most of the new characters lacked depth because there was time to develop them, Cedric came across as a handsome, grinning idiot with about three lines the entire movie.

However, despite these restrictions I think the director did a great job. The special effects were manificent, and although the action was just....ok....knowing the young stars meant my expectations were not so high in that department.

Ricky and I went to the movie with Usa and Ray. We had to buy the ticket online before going because we were afraid that the tickets would sell out, and sell out it did! We had fun. :)