Stage 5 Clinger Still Clings

So a week or so ago, I wrote a post about this stage 5 clinger I met at the gym. I told a couple of people at work about it to make sure I wasn't crazy and they've all basically laughed their pants off. Especially after I told them I've saved his number in the phone as Gym Stalker T. But they are in agreement that it's an absurd story and that I should speak to management if he continues to stage 5 cling. So I haven't wanted to write much more about this yahoo because it's just not worth my time but the fact is he's been texting me non stop since our encounter at the gym. I've ignored all the texts and do my best to avoid him at the gym. I've even gone so far as to put on my "f-off" face when I'm working out now. I only save that face for the nightclubs so I've really been stepping it up. ;) This was then followed up with a text that read "Hey, saw you at the gym today. You didn't look happy. Something happen at work?" LOLOL. So now I've got him avoiding me at the gym but still sending me a follow up message about it. I can't believe how ridiculous this has become. So I always ask my coworker that sits next to me if I should just send back a nasty message and end this BS but he says no. He says if I respond with anything, this guy will only get what he wants, attention. Today, however, that same coworker sent me this as inspiration for my last sms to gym stalker. I got a kick out of it so decided to share.

Dahn - Tat! Say it with me!

One of the most delicious things to have in Hong Kong. Made daily, fresh out of the oven, and oh so good any time of day. My coworkers just bought two dozen egg tarts and brought them to the office to share. It was so delicious. I can't even describe the melt in your mouth texture it had and they were still warm! Practically melting out of their little paper wrappers. So good and SO Hong Kong and a perfect way to wind down your day. You'll have to try them when you come visit!

yum!

PS. My coworkers told me today during lunch that I'm SO American so naturally I asked them what they meant. (me? American? ha! jk) And they said it was the way I speak to people and they said that I'm even rubbing off on other coworkers. More and more around the office, they've been hearing people talk with "excitement and high pitches". This made me laugh so hard. They tried to mimick me and it didn't quite sound the same but I think I got it. Is it American to sound upbeat? Is it wrong to come in every morning and want to have a morning chat with everyone before starting the day? I think not! And I certainly don't think it's a crime to use these, "!", to get my point across when I'm talking to you guys, do you?! Yeah, that's what I thought! Love you! Mean it!

It was like Christmas morning!

There I was, plugging away at work, settling into my afternoon groove, when I get a tap on the shoulder. My care package from Karin arrived! Woohoo! I was so excited! I had just gotten a call that morning from Karin and told her that I hadn't received my package yet but that I was patiently waiting for it.

It doesn't even matter what's in it. It was just so nice to get something from home and from my sister. Here's the pretty package!


Ok, so it's not the prettiest thing you've ever seen but I was like a kid on Christmas. I could barely contain myself and I think I scared my coworker. So let's see what I got!


Tons of great magazines, a few good books to read, some dvds, and of course Gary had to throw in the latest "now that's what I call music" cd! hahaha. I also got a pretty purple top and a very sweet card from the family. It was a great package and will certainly be used immediately. I LOVED IT. And love my family for putting this together for me. Speaking of my family, I have to give a quick shout out to momma szeto. She sent me the cutest email after I was having a bad day and wrote my "things that annoy me" post. Here's what she wrote to me (keep these things in mind: she never writes emails and English is her third language):

Hi Mae Mae (that's my nickname in Chinese),

It is me again. I saw your Blog "Things that annoy me". I want to say you did good job so funny I love it. I am really enjoy every line you wrote. Every few days I am check on the Blog and show your father let him know your new experience. I am so proud of you.

Love,
Mom

I mean, could she be any cuter? I love my family to bits and these little notes and packages make me miss them SO SO SO much. I'm a lucky gal. And now I get to see what all this Glee hype is about! My sister sent me the first season. Wonder if I'll like it, but I'm sure I will. :) Thanks again for the awesome package!

I'm officially a junkie!

Well not in the way that you're thinking, but I did go junking for the first time this weekend. We had a holiday on Friday so I went with a bunch of coworkers on a junk trip which I've heard about pretty much since I arrived. It sounded so elusive and intriguing so naturally, I jumped at my first chance to go on one of these "junk" trips. So Friday, we took off from Sai Kung! This is everyone waiting at the dock for their boats. It looks super foggy here but once you actually get out away from the island, it was really sunny!


Junk trips are day long boat trips that go out to different remote beaches surrounding Hong Kong. You go with about 25 people, sometimes you know everyone on the boat, sometimes you only know the people you go with. It's a whole day affair. You leave at 10am and don't return until 6pm and it's basically a day of sun bathing, swimming, banana boating, drinking, eating, and enjoying good conversation with your friends. Check out our boat!


At first I thought it would be a boat trip in that we'd be on a moving boat the entire time, visiting various beaches. That is not the case, you ride in the boat for about 30 - 40 minutes to ONE beach and then you anchor by the beach. And that's it! You stay there until the trips over and the boat takes you back! I hope I'm not the only one who thinks that's strange. I was expecting either to be in a moving boat the entire day or visiting various beaches. But nope, it was alot simpler than that. So once the boat anchors, it's up to you to make your day - you can swim over to the beach, you can jump off the boat and swim around the boat, you can just sun bathe on the boat, you can eat and drink, you can take a nap, basically do whatever, but you're there for the next 8 hours so you gotta be prepared. I had so much fun with everyone. I wish I took some pictures of the sun but I was too busy enjoying it to take photos. Here's some of the aftermath of the sun...needless to say, sun tuckers you out!




Crystal was, we'll say...eager...for the banana boat ride...


Lounging in the lower deck...and see all those other boats? There were like 5 or 6 anchored in the same area as us so you could potentially go boat hopping if you liked.


The remote beach we anchored by...


Candids always make the funniest photos


It was the perfect remedy to my cloudy blues. Oh and see all the little islands behind us? They're everywhere, we didn't sail anywhere where they're weren't little islands all around us. It was gorgeous! Felt like you really left Hong Kong without going too far. It was nice.

things that annoy me (I know, clever post title right?)

I know it might be a little too early to have one of these, but I'm having a "I need to tell you about a few things that annoy me in Hong Kong" day. 1. It’s ALWAYS foggy. I haven’t seen one single bright sunny day since I’ve been here, and I’m sorry, that’s been over a month now. I have seen spots and moments of occasional sunshine, but I have never once looked up and have seen the sun! I think I’m forgetting what it looks like and that might be adding to my negativity today. Sorry.

2. Get up for people that are pregnant or old. Isn’t that a common courtesy that people just know to do when you’re on public transportation? At least I thought so, until I started living here. There have been a few instances where I’ve seen pregnant women (at least 7 months or more) or really old people who are desperately looking for a seat and no one gets up for them. I just don’t get it. This morning, it was pouring raining and I was on the MTR headed for work. I notice an old lady get on the subway looking around for a seat. People see her and just look away. I felt so disgusted, I was about 10 feet away, got up, told the ppl around me I’m letting the old lady have my seat so DON’T SIT IN IT (just like that, it was awesome) and went over to escort her to my seat. She was so thankful and appreciative. I couldn’t believe an old woman (with a cane, mind you and wet from the rain) was not even offered a seat when she walked onto the train. I then proceeded to stare at all the young men sitting in the seats in the same area with my “you should be ashamed” stare. I’m sorry, but that really makes me upset. I guess it’s b/c my parents are getting older (or already are old, you know what I mean) and I would hope that people have the decency to lend them a seat. Most of us are traveling to offices anyway where we will be sitting for the next 8-10 hours, how’s 10 minutes of standing going to hurt? Just don’t get it.

3. Oh and you know the whole, let people get off before you get on idea? Yeah, that’s lost on some people here too. And it drives me NUTS. I mean hello, the train is not leaving without you. You’re the first person standing outside the door so just let everyone off and then you can make your way on. Isn’t that better than shoulder bumping everyone as you push your way through? Are you really that afraid that someone else will get the seat and you’ll have to stand for your ride? Again, just don’t get it. But it does motivate me to work on my shoulder exercise machines at the gym. Jk! Hehe. Sort of.

4. Sense of general walking direction. You know how in the states, you walk on the right hand side so that there is a general flow of traffic? Yeah, not here. People walk in every which way, I’ve seen many a times where people will walk on a sidewalk that’s not very wide at all with 5 people walking together in a straight line across the sidewalk. You would think they would understand that you can’t take up the whole sidewalk but that’s lost on them. Or you know in the states that if you’re walking towards someone and they’re walking towards you, you both know to step to the right a bit and pass each other. Here, I thought you would walk to the left since everything is opposite here but that wasn’t right. I’ve literally walked into people more than I can count here and it’s b/c there is no general understanding of ok you go this way and I’ll go that way. I always end up practically walking into the person. Maybe that’s just a me thing and I just don’t get it yet, but it can be very frustrating to walk around sometimes, esp during rush hour and esp on days when it’s raining and everyone has their massive umbrellas open.

5. Shows on the internet. So since I can’t watch most shows on the American websites or hulu and things like that, I’ve discovered another one for Hong Kong (thanks to my coworker, Philip). And I was sooo happy about it. BUT the one thing that annoys me is that you can only watch 72 minutes of tv at a time. That’s right, not 60 not 90 but 72. How strange is that? What show runs for 72 minutes? Basically, I get to watch one episode of “The Real Housewives of New York City” (I know, it’s such trash but I love it! hahaha) and then I can start watching a second episode for 12 minutes. It’s so weird! Then I must wait 54 minutes until I can watch a TV show or movie on that website again. Why 54 minutes? Wish things made sense to me, but they just don’t.

6. Sarcasm. Miss it! Made me think of that when I wrote the title of my post just now. I'm glad you guys can appreciate and understand that I don't mean no disrespect. I just love a little dry humor in my day. Maybe that's why I'm really enjoying these Chelsea Handler books! Ahh, I feel much better now. Maybe I just needed to get all that out of my system. Ready to take in the good again. And there is a lot of that too, just had to share some frustrating moments. Have a great day! Missing you all! xx

sorry, if this post font is all funky. I was trying to get this up and now the blog program has gone bunk on me. maybe it wants me to complain about one more thing! haha. whatevs.

Stage 5 Clinger!

Went for an early morning workout today and met a stage 5 clinger. For those of you who haven't seen wedding crashers, a stage 5 clinger is someone who just won't leave you alone!

So I got to the gym early so I would have access to all the machines without waiting and without too many ppl around. I hate going after work or later in the afternoon when there's a million people around. I don't know about you guys, but the gym is my time to focus on me, do my own thing, not a place to socialize....AT ALL. Even when I go with friends, we walk there together and then it's like see ya at end of your workout! So I see this personal trainer there who's walking around, evaluating how ppl are working out, desperately trying to make eye contact with me. I, in turn, desperately try to avoid eye-contact, turn up the music on my ipod and continue with my work out. Eventually, he comes over and says something to me in Cantonese. I think, YES! I'll just pretend like I don't know any Chinese and then he'll leave me alone. No such luck. He knows English! So he offers some advice on machines to use, helps me adjust my seat, weights, etc. I figure, hey this is ok, it's like I'm getting a personal trainer session without paying for it. sweet! Then starts the flirtacious comments. ugh! why? I just want to work out. Then he starts asking where I like to go out, and then says that we should hang out some time. He knows a cool bar that he went to with another gym member from Cali and they smoked hooka and then asks for my number so he can call me to hang out sometime. So maybe he's just looking to make some more friends? I feel bad and don't want to assume he's hitting on me, so I'm like sure, whatever and give him my number (knowing that I'll just never answer an unknown number.) Then I say alright thanks for your help, I'm gonna go do my own thing so I walk away and start working out on some other machines. This trainer cannot take a hint. He proceeds to come over and continue chatting. I'm like dude, please. I just want to work out in peace! What is up with this socializing? It's totally throwing me off so I just decide I need to leave. I say goodbye and tell him I'm leaving so he's like ok enjoy the day. I'll give you a call. I'm like, see ya! And I go straight to shower, change and leave. The second I walk out of the locker room, who's standing there waiting for me? yup, the trainer. He's like Oh, you took so long. And I'm like, uhhhhhh, I didn't know someone was waiting for me and walk by him as quickly as possible. Again, he repeats, I'll call you! and again, I repeat, See ya!

It true! Asians do love gambling....

But so does the rest of the world. hehe. Now if only I could get on that band wagon...


So I went to my first horse race this week and it was really cool! I didn't know what to expect, where it'd be, who'd be there, and this is what I found out.

First off, it isn't far away at all! Even though the track is huge, it's right in the heart of the city (i.e. right near my office!)

Secondly, it's only 10 HKD to get in which is only like $1.25 in USD. It's super cheap. Then once you get in, that's where all the magic happens. There are races every 30 minutes and the races are on Wednesdays and Saturdays (I think). I didn't meet any new people there that night but I deduced many things on my own as well as with my friend Crystal (another EF-er and fellow Americano).

Third, the smell of the freshly cut green grass was awesome. This must be saying alot coming from a city girl that doesn't typically dig anything green. Guess the lack of nature has made me miss it.


Fourth, drinks drinks and more drinks. It's kind of like a baseball game. You go in, you find your seats (or in this case, you find any seat b/c there are not assigned seating arrangements), you tune in and out of the games as you please, and you make it fun and interesting as the night goes on by drinking and eating more and more. You can bet as much and as little as you want. I think the minimum bet is 10 HKD, but I was too overwhelmed to participate in that. It was still fun nonetheless.



Fifth, special event emails! Look for them, keep them. Do them. I got one from my boss about this company that was doing a special event at the horse race so I decided to check it out while I was there. And boy was I glad I did! They offered free drinks and food and you get to watch the race from this cool suite that overlooks the entire track! It was a pretty sweet deal. They also give you a gift for coming to their event (in this case, it was a hair piece and each person got a different country. Mine had a Spanish flag and my friend got the Mexican flag. Up for grabs if anyone wants! haha). They were also giving away free manicures and make overs throughout the night. I was too late and already buzzed (from all the beers I had in the actual race course areas) for that, but I did appreciate the ambiance (and the mini-quiches, just sayin!)

Sixth, I have no idea how to decipher the score board for these races. I was thinking about the way Scott says ppl bet on football sometimes with for example a 15 pt spread or lead that means not only will that team win but they'll win by at least x number of points or whatever. I have no idea. In any case, the scoreboard made no sense to me, but I want to show you guys it so you know I'm not as clueless as I sound (and yes, I realize I sound quite clueless right now). It's confusing!



All in all, it was a super fun night out. I'll def take you guys there if/when you come visit!

Strike!!!

Had my first team off-site and true to EF tradition, we went bowling! (I don't know if that's really the tradition but I did it in the Boston office too!) Made me think of my old team and how we had lunch at Sonsie on Newbury St on that sunny afternoon and then spent the afternoon bowling at Kings. This wasn't quite the same but fun nonetheless!

Some observations....

Some people were really good...


Some didn't quite get it...


And for some, it didn't matter!


Overall, it was a success. Everyone got to know each other and we all had a great time. And, in true Chinese tradition, we all posed for a group shot! Here's Englishtown!

Dinner with the Low's

Sunday night, I met up with the Low's for dinner. They're family friends that I've known since I was a baby and it was nice to see them all in HK. They're here for a couple of weeks visiting all of their extended family and invited me to their family dinner in Lai Chi Kok. I'm glad I went as I became their official photographer when they posed for their extended family photoshoot. Here's a photo of the Low family that I grew up with (plus their two little ones and po-po ie grandma).


Since I didn't know where the restaurant was, Joanne's uncle and Joanne came to meet me at the MTR station. He knew it was me the second he saw me. Guess it was the shorts and tank top. I don't know how everyone else was walking around in long pants and t-shirts. It was over 80 degrees out! And it's funny b/c I knew I should have dressed more "conservatively" since I was going to be around all HK locals. So my idea of more conservative was to wear a blousey type tank top versus a spagetti strap tank top. Jo and I laughed about that as she too was stared at since her arrival for her "provocative" clothing decisions. (She's in the upper left hand corner) hehe.

So the food was delicious as I knew it would be. Here are just a few of the things we had for dinner. First up was the roast pork! Do you love or hate that you can see the piggy's face?


Then we had some shark fin soup - it's not a proper chinese dinner without some shark fin soup (Although I wouldn't order it on my own. I like sharks - they're cute in their own scary way!)


And then we had these things. Can anyone guess what they are? They knew the name in Chinese but no one knew the English translation and I guessed several things. They weren't oysters, mussels, clams, sea urchins or any other sea animal that I could think of, but they were ok-la.

Here's a close up of one if you're really trying to help me figure out what they are!


And of course dessert came with freshly baked baos! They were awesome.


I also got a chance to get my baby fix in since Preston and Kaitlin were there! Kaitlin was feeling shy last night so I just have pics of Preston. He's too cute!


Ok, one more!

A peek of Victoria's Peak

This past weekend was one of the first nice weather weekends since I've been in HK. Most of the time, it's been very cloudy with lots of overcast so I thought it'd be the perfect day to check out Victoria's Peak which is THE landmark to see in HK. So I met up with my Aussie friend Daniel to head up to the peak. For a city that's as busy and populated as HK, you would think that they'd have, I don't know, a line or something so that there's a systematic way to board the tram that takes you up to the peak, but no. It was the typical push and shove your way until you get near a door entrance method. Check out the madness.


And that was after we stood in a line that swooped around and around the entrance of the building. Once I got to the area where the tram was finally coming to bring us up the mountain, I was excited!


Once we got to the top, the view was/is breath taking. It really was worth the wait. Doesn't it look like I'm standing in front of a backdrop?



When you get to the top, not only is there a beautiful view, but there's also tons of shopping, restaurants, walking trails, bike trails and much more. It's like a little city up there. People in HK LOVE to shop and there was tons of that going on. I personally enjoyed the view the best and the little trails that were all around. It's a nice place to go when you want to get away from the city and just clear your head. I also heard it's a good mountain to hike but takes a couple of hours. Not sure I'm up for that challenge yet.

Me and Daniel!