Hong Kong is cheap when you are able to order/speak in Cantonese.  For the past couple of weeks, one of my mentor took me out to dinner at local restaurants; very Hong Kong-like, nothing I’ve  experienced in the States. You need to rinse your dishes and utensils with hot tea into a bowl that is placed in the center of the table. Interesting, no? Needless to say, the foods were delicious and greasy and CHEAP! US$10 meals for the size and quatity of orders..I can hardly fathom how it is possible! Comparable to the Chinese restaurants in the States, the cost would have easily been US$50-100 meals! Seafood included.

Speaking of cheap, apparently it is cheap-ER in Tianjin, China. I spoke to a fellow exchange student who has currently been studying at TUFE for a few years now, and he mentioned I will be surprised. How much cheaper can it really get? I can hardly wait and see. Except its FREEZING in Tianjin ….and I am no where near prepared. I’m still in short-sleeves in Hong Kong where everyone else is bundled up in jackets! Yes..they think I’m crazy…I heard.

Great news! I will be teaching English during my time at TUFE! I know. Me? Teach English?? Crazy talk!! Heres the catch. I’ll just be speaking to my 15 students in English. Just someone for them to conversate with. Easy-peezy?! I hope so!

But I must remember…Chinese before English. Sorry, I have my priorities!

So! This past weekend was the annual Education and Careers Expo that I helped coordinate. It was an overall success with what we could have done, but definitely plenty of room for improvements! Unfortunately, I won’t be here for the improvements, but I did what I could for this year’s. The seminar which I helped recruit students and parents concluded with the largest turnout even with it pouring cats and dogs outside. Funny thing, there was a pet show held just above our hall. ha.ha.ha.

So at the show, students of the ages 17-19 resembled those aged 12-15. A couple of people mentioned I looked25-26…I’m only 22. Thanks. Oh how I hate the sun now! Damn you sunny California! You made me old!

Since it seems I’m just blurting out random thoughts with no real filters…I’ll just leave it at that for now. Hopefully I don’t need to put a “Gone Fishing” remark here as I do on Facebook once I hit China.

Oh yes.

Dear Hong Kong,

My self-esteem has been shot to the ground multiple times ever since I entered here.Your opinions are not needed. I don’t care for it. I am happy with myself and will continue to be happy just the way I am. I will not change to a superficial, starving person for you. Sorry.

And yes, I understand, that is apart of your culture. Its just in my thoughts.

Sincerely…

Same goes for deadlines…I’ll be sure to use ALL the time I’m given to complete it.

Thanks for the times!  Cheers!

-NH

Times has changed. People do change. It is just a matter of time.

I am who I am. I rather stay true to myself, than a lie. I am selfish with a heart of ice. But think of it this way, ice do melt.

Don’t get me wrong.

I guess I’ll have to see how 2010 pans out.

I want to think the best in everyone I meet. Well actually, that’s somewhat a lie. I have low-expectation of everyone I meet. I despise disappointment, in myself and in others. I’d rather be angry then disappointed in anyone and vice versa. At least I get over being angry.

I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I don’t like wasting my energy being angry and emotionally affected by anyone… its too tiresome…so I forget it all. Forget it all.

Time to time, when I do think back… I considered the “what if’s”. “What if” I never met that person? “What if” I didn’t open that bag of chips? “What if”…things were like it once was, when laughter was in the air, comfort was just jumping through the window and a movie and dance was the time of our lives? Sometimes it isn’t so easy to forget…

…but I realized, those “what if’s” are just illusions because all I have is what is in front of me.

I thought about it…forgiveness…

…i just saw it.

—

I didn’t realize how different I look with and without glasses. Apparently a great deal. Five times to be exact, was I re-introduced to friends I’ve already met and my colleagues to look twice to realize it was me. Funny, I feel like superman haha

—

So I finally decided to stop being a complete hermit at home and decided to meet some friends and new friends for some casual drinks last night. After the guys left to the bar, I had some alone time with my new female friends. The first question they asked me was, “Do you have a boyfriend?” I smiled, a grin of a smile and responded “No”. They looked at each other with a lean and a shocked face and said “How come? You are so pretty.” I gave a small laugh and thanked them for the compliment.

Oh Hong Kong, your holidays can be depressing.

If you know me personally, you’ll know why I posted this. Humorous. No flattery. ha.

—

As I’ve mentioned before, HK is too expensive for me (at the moment) Even if the cost of living is less than that of the US (definitely enjoy no taxes/tips for the most part), I feel the only thing you can do in HK is spend money: on food, shopping, etc. Then again, that goes for all major cities. I guess its just because I am no longer earning my own money that I am not too excited to spend. Anyways, on a brighter note, in the past I’ve always dreaded a 40-hour workload…it seems I’ve found my calling card. I’ve been working full time, unpaid and am absolutely loving it. I’ve basically almost done it all…almost. I had the opportunity to join in on a two-day business trip around HK and Macau (I must say it was a nice feeling to be on the VIP, top floor of the ferry to Macau…and  for the fact it was free was a bonus). No wonder people don’t enjoy business trips. It is draining. I got home at 7pm and didn’t wake up until the next morning to do it all over again. Quite the experience. Oh yea! I was also able to try shark fin soup and noodles while I was in Macau. It was DELICIOUS! Needless to say the internship is incredible. Endless opportunities.

I’ve just accepted the task of establishing a whole trade show. The Education Expo 2010. Pressures on.. I love it!

—

Other than work, I am sad to say I have yet to establish a home in HK. All that I have met has already departed. Back to square one… I am most grateful to have met them and learned from them..and wish them all the best.

—

For the past week, I got to thinking…and thinking. I never really considered what I want in my life, personally. I left the states with a selfish mindset…in terms of my career goals. I want to go global….on my own. That is what I know I want to do….but I never really included the thoughts of having a family in those plans…never: marriage or children for that matter. But after living in HK for over a couple of months, I’ve come to a realization of the difference between HK and the US. I feel the single girl cannot survive in HK. And if they do, I feel the culture pities them the most and wonders what is wrong with them for them to be single. I realized I don’t see many groups of friends going out as much as there are couples.

Coming from a single gal from the states and away for the holidays…it sure is lonely….or at least when the holidays are still around. I sure do enjoy the single life, regardless. I guess I can’t knock on love until I actually experience it.

My mind is like scramble eggs…somehow I started mixing my career goals with a previously non-existing personal goal…I wonder how that happened? I guess because being abroad sure opens my eyes to things I’ve shut out.

Ironic.

I’ll leave it with some gorgeous photos not taken by me haha. BUT! I was there for all of it …A couple of things I wanted to mention about the photos:

1. I almost got trampled over by all those people while watching the fireworks! I was PETRIFIED! I was afraid to be the person who fell and died….may they rest in peace…

2. HK is very extravagant. Amazing how much they could afford for decorations and lightings during this time.

]]> http://huynhnth.wordpress.com/2009/12/21/a-mind-of-scramble-eggs/feed/ 1 huynhnth Gorgeous entrance to one of the high-end malls Great Company One of HK's best Fireworks: East Asian Games 2009 Fireworks: East Asian Games 2009 Fireworks: East Asian Games 2009 Sunset HK Christmas with a Modern Twist http://huynhnth.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/tweet-tweet-bird-or-man/ http://huynhnth.wordpress.com/2009/10/28/tweet-tweet-bird-or-man/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:35:23 +0000 huynhnth http://huynhnth.wordpress.com/?p=30 ]]> I came to Hong Kong with the mindset that I’ll be abroad for X amount of time. There was no deadline (minus the minimum of two years). After following up with the markets of both the US and Hong Kong, in comparison, the first thought that crossed my mind was “so, I think I am going home after all”. haha. The salary for entry-level/post-grad jobs in Hong Kong  are significantly less than that of the US. My part-time job paid more…No wonder people still lived at home with their parents and siblings in a cramped two-bedroom/one-bathroom apartment (if they’re lucky).

In Hong Kong, it seems you are either filthy rich or dirt poor (and some in-between…some). In the news today, there are people living in…cages. Yes, you read it right, cages.

I still absolutely love Hong Kong. So lively, so city. Definitely, Asia’s business hub. Definitely prosperous for businesses in every industry…despite the recession.

…

Exciting news! Yesterday, I met General Counsel Cameron Kerry (Dept. of Commerce), John Kerry’s brother! We’re going global . Tomorrow, (hopefully) I will be able to attend the EcoExpo Asia. Expo for promoting Energy Efficiency/Going green/CP3 and all the other good stuff. Also, for the Wine Expo and Medical Expo next week! Winery is definitely the market to be in for Hong Kong since there are no longer any tariffs AND the 40% taxation was removed in 2008! I am uber excited! Yes, I wrote it… UBER excited! And of course, save the best for last, I get to attend COSMOPROF!! Ladies, it is our reality’s heaven. Cosmetics, toiletries, accessories, hair products, the works, all being showcased. Unfortunately, it is only open for trade and not for the public. Any requests?

…

In terms of my Hong Kong adventures…for starters, I’ve gone to the amazingly small Disneyland, the exotic Bird and Flower Market, and the doubt-able restaurant called Modern Toilets.

Disneyland is definitely smaller than those in the US, however, the fireworks are utterly breathtaking. Not being a big fan of Disneyland (sorry babs) to start with, I absolutely fell in love once I saw the fireworks. You have to see to believe it. Definitely, a different vibe compared to the ones in California (a lot nicer) One thing I did notice, a lot of the souvenirs sold were in a set. Couple key chains, phone chains. Everything were for …couples. yea…what a downer.

The Bird and Flower Market are as the names that are given. Hundreds of caged birds ranging for a variety of birds, big and small were being sold as cheap as US$20. It was a bit saddening. However, on the bright side, the flower market was absolutely GORGEOUS. I have never seen such a perfect rose. No ruined petals or discoloration. Just the perfect deep, beautiful red. Amazing. I wished I had a boyfriend…for a second.

And the last worth notable place to mention is the restaurant called Modern Toilets. You literally sit on a toilet seat (clean) and eat off two sinks that has a glass over them. It was designed to look like a bathroom. Apparently, it originated from Taiwan. What were they thinking when they decided a restaurant such as this, I wonder…The waitresses then proceeds to give you food in another toilet basin and your drinks off a urinal shape cup…appetizing isn’t it? It actually was pretty…delicious. (made me think of you cami) haha.

…

Well, that sums up some of my adventures and thoughts of what is going on in HK … It’s time for dinner (not in the bathroom this time) ha. Good company. Good times.

<3 NH

P.s. I love and miss you all!

Hong Kong is a gorgeous city filled with new, modern, sophisticated and old, broken-down skyscrapers. Pictures wouldn’t do it justice. That, and I forgot to bring my camera along. Arriving into HK without knowing a single soul is difficult, but I was not going to let that discourage me. The only downside of working abroad is that it can be difficult meeting new people versus studying abroad. I figured the best way to explore a new, unfamiliar city is to simply get lost and know how to flag down a taxi (just in case).

As for the reason behind me being here in Hong Kong, is my AMAZING internship. There are no words for the experiences I’ve had within just one week! I’ve already had a tour around the Consulate, sit-in at an AMCHAM meeting, board meeting, and met Anand Chulani (previous Simpson/Borat writer and now comedy coach). There is truly no typical day. I’ve met so many people I never thought I would. I’m excited to see how the rest of my semester turns out. Also, I’m on the top floor of our the building…so nice.

This week was a shorter work week since it was China’s National Day and also, today is the Mid-Autumn festival (yummy moon cakes). Parades, fireworks, it is quite a festive city when it comes to holidays.

Well, that is all for today. Until next time!

Attached images: Moon cakes (Häagen-Dazs ice cream moon cakes and cold moon cakes unavailable in the States), Work (where anything happens), Fireworks (National Day)