Only an ocean away

I've been finding myself more defensive and irritable at home as of late over tiny things (like mom complaining about how the washing machine isn't strong enough and how everything smells like wet mud.) Good things are happening in my life, like meeting great people and discovering new things in HK and I feel that I've settled down somewhat...but I suppose change is still stressful at some level!

The next little while may be filled with difficult decisions and moments, as for most of everyone else my age. There's been a lot on my mind...so many random things that I don't know what/who I'm concerned about anymore. But I know God's in control even when I don't understand (or at least I remind myself!)

I was listening to "Only an ocean away" by Sarah Brightman. For the longest time I didn't know what this song was about, but now I think I kind of understand the lyrics! In any case, it's a beautiful song.

I see a shadow every day and night. I walk a hundred streets of neon lights,
Only when I'm crying. Can you hear me crying.

So many times you always wanted more, Chasing illusions that you're longing for.
Wish I wasn't crying. Can you hear me crying.

There's an ocean between us. You know where to find me. You reach out and touch me.
I feel you in my own heart. More than a lifetime. Still goes on forever.
But it helps to remember You're only an ocean away.

Was there a moment when I felt no pain. I want to feel it in my life again.
Let it be over now. Oh Oh over now.
'Cause I remember all the days and nights We used to walk the streets of neon lights
Oh I want you here with me. Oh be here with me.

Picture Roll:
It's blurry because the pants-with-legs are spinning. I think this exhibit, located in the middle of a mall, is to promote differences in sizes or acceptance of one's body. I think.


The very colourful KCR, colour scheme not unlike that of the DC library at Uwaterloo


Green bread-like somethings... green tea muffins? (saved in my mental to-try queue)


Panthalassa, again. To help you appreciate how fat she is. And how she is magically suspended in the air.


Make your own yogurt and ice cream kits!!




A very green birthday cake slice.


A very precarious game of Jenga.


Sign in the washroom at a cafe not far from the Maid Cafe.


"Clolur". Also, I think they gave up on the English halfway through the sign. Not particularly funny, but just another example of bad english, which prevails all over HK.

Finding my way back home

Some essentials to carry around in HK:

- octopus card (debit card to all means of transportation except for taxis. for waterloo-ers, think watcard)
- cash
- mobile phone
- oil blotting paper - never been compelled to buy in Canada. Now it's a necessity.
- tissue - you never know when you're stuck in a stall without TP
- pen + agenda - again, I can't live a productive life without this
- umbrella

One night, I didn't have cash, and it was late at night! But let's back up a bit.

After work, I went out with a friend who was staying in HK for the summer. We ate super yummy wonton noodles at a place that was super difficult to get to (so difficult that I don't remember the name anymore). But with the help of three random strangers, I finally found my way to this huge outdoor escalator lined end to end.

We had new york cheesecake and cappuccino at lan gwai fong (where expats hang out a lot), then spent the rest of the night at the arcade, hurting our hands on Bishi Bash and the drum equivalent of DDR. I eventually ran out of cash but of course, that's not a problem, because there's the octopus card! (or so I thought)

At 12:10 am, I found the bus stop. After 10 minutes, I read the info on the bus stand and realized that

1) I was standing on the wrong side of the road, and
2) my bus doesn't run after 12:30 am
3) my phone was low on batteries

I felt so helpless. It was raining too...

I ended up popping back into the subway and getting my dad to pay for the taxi when I arrived at the door.

Moral of the story. Never leave home without adequate cash. And, even if it's HK, transportation isn't 24/7.

Picture-roll of the week:
Sorry for the fuzziness, but it was a little difficult to take this with so many people around. What you see is a masked person holding a red baton. This person's job is basically nudging people into the subway.


Japanese curry at the food court at Olympic station, where I also watched a preview of Mr HK, which was a bit disappointing. What I saw were not particularly fine specimens of the male species.


The octopus is telling you to hold the handrail when going down the stairs on the bus.


Sushi bobble head and a really RED hello kitty. The box says something along the lines of "hello kitty in love".


My newest creation, a super fat rabbit I named Panthalassa, for my manager's birthday! (of course, it's much cuter in real life) The body is recycled off of a moogle-in-process, cuz I was too lazy to crochet a new ball.

(import - may 23) cherry is employed : )

I got a job that I wasn't originally interviewing for. When I came into the room, the woman actually spoke to me in ENGLISH! It was like a breath of fresh air after all the canto-interviews (and especially that interview with the Swiss guy...) She asked me if I was interviewing for something something relationship officer? But I actually applied to the wealth management trainee position.

After awhile into the interview, I asked, "can you tell me more about that other position?"As she also saw that I was more suited for the other position, we started to discuss that instead.

And I got an offer! It was part time, involved lots of English and good organizational skills.

I was very excited. Part time enables me to settle into HK easier and pursue things like mandarin lessons or a part time master's degree. Also, the manager gave me an excellent impression. She strikes me as a successful but humble and kind person.

Roll of random HK sights:

I got stuck at some floor for the longest time because inside the elevators, there were no buttons. Just open and close. Instead, you had to input your floor from the outside:


I love how there's fresh beverages around many corners in HK. I had coconut juice. The whole thing was made of real coconut!! Very creamy...


Three escalators going up, one going down and another set of stairs to move masses during rush hour. Fortunately, I'm part timing for now so I don't need to get squished by crowds.


Here's an example of a discrepancy between 'old English' and Canadian English! Without the Chinese, I don't think I'd understand what "Post no Bills" mean.

(import - may 20) Another Interview Story

When I first came to Canada, I barely knew any english. The language barrier made me retarded in the classroom at school. Maybe the same thing is happening here. The secretary of a hiring manager shoved a personality test into my face as I waited to be interviewed. I'm like, "can you please give me the english version?" and she looks at me like I just grew a plant from the top of my head. Em, lady... for your information, English is an official language here and just cuz I'm yellow doesn't mean I automatically know chinese.

Anyway, I was there only because a headhunting agency told me to be there. Basically, it was for a somethingsomethingsomething (whatt????) position and I should go the following day ASAP in case they already found someone.

Okay.

There were two interviewers, and two interviewees.

The other candidate was a guy from Swizterland who DID NOT SMILE throughout the whole thing, and spoke normal chinese. And I came from Canada who smiled too much and spoke strange chinese that was interspersed with random english and made up words.

I was asked "do you know why we hire University graduates?" or "do you know why we invest $$$$ in you before you even do work for us?" and "do you know the difference in mentality between the east and west?" (and their answer was arrogant as well) and "do you know where we place in our industry? that's right. NUMBER ONE" and "do you know what our market share is??? " and "are you ambitious?"

Do I want to work for a bunch of arrogant asses? Did I want to be there in the first place, pitted against an unsmiling swiss guy (he reminds me of a bull cuz of his answer "I had to work in harsh physical conditions for 18 hours straight and I DID IT. I don't mind hard work. I can do it.") against tame frail me who just smiled a lot and BSed about things like helping society and long term vision?

No my friends. No I did not. I just wanted to get out of there and eat dinner.

Then they made me watch a video. It was about how amazing their company was. The music had a lot of trumpets. I tuned it out at that point, thinking what kind of dinner I was going to eat after this cuz I thought the questions were over. BUT NO!! Interviewer A asked us what we noticed about the company's direction and strategy.

Swiss guy answered in a heartbeat. And before long, all heads turned to me. About 5 seconds later...

I made up something. "Global expansion and reaching out to more markets with more offerings."

"All very nice answers."

Thank God for the marketing course I just took...

The interviewers shooed us out as it was the end of their work day and the two of us stood in stony silence staring at the elevators until I broke the silence and we had a short conversation before we went our separate ways.

(import - may 19) Random HK sights

I went to the arcade at the world trade centre building in causeway bay this weekend. It was quite impressive! They had a smattering variety of games: smack 3 large buttons according to instructions on screen (I don't know how to explain it... it's "bishi bash" but with other varieties too.), music-related games, clamp stuffed animal, shooting games, racing, pick-out-the-differences game and others I do not know how to describe. Two people played for at least 45 minutes with $8 cdn worth of tokens.

Then I had yummy jap-style crepes : )

Man missing hands does chinese calligraphy to earn a living.


Yummmy~ Avocado salad! Tastes like california roll.


Random guy on bus reading dragonball. HKers love manga : )


What does it mean 'to hawk'? (I think in chinese it says, don't spit on the ground?)


FOBBY snacks in vending machines!!! (exchange rate is ~ $6.4 hk = $1 cdn)


I'm not sure if this is supposed to be decorative or to discourage people from walking over it? It's a piece of ground that's been walled off with railing.

(import - may 17) Give me Money, I am Hungry

Just wanted to share the article I was asked to write on "any current issue in HK" for a potential employer. I was inspired by something that happened in Wan Chai yesterday on the street. An old woman grabbed my shirt sleeve and asked for money. Since I heard the best way to get rid of random people harrassing you on the street (such as those viscous surveyers who have speed walking and fast talking capabilities and don't let go of their victim once they latch onto you) is to speak to them in English, I instinctively spouted, "Sorry I don't understand chinese." To my surprise, this old woman cackled out, "Give me money. I am hungry."

Here it is:

"Give me money. I am hungry"
an Introspective on the widening poverty gap in Hong Kong

It is a bright Sunday morning. Hong Kong residents are seen going to church, milling around in the streets and obsessing over freshness at wet markets, protected from the sun by their UV umbrellas. Some are seen littered on the ground poring over betting cards and newspapers near the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC), an organization that enjoys monopoly in horse racing, sporting and betting. It is the largest taxpayer in Hong Kong, reflecting its sheer size and involvement in Hong Kong society. Many of these people seen hanging out at HKJC are old, as are those seen picking up cardboard boxes for a living.

My observation this Sunday corroborates the facts. The gap between the rich and poor is greatest in Hong Kong amongst developed countries in the world. The tragic reality is that this gap is still growing in our affluent country. In the 1997-2003 economic downturn, salaries were slashed, and unemployment rose to around 9%. In 2005, the economy improved and salaries rose along with it, but not for the unskilled and semi-skilled workers. This is an issue because Hong Kong is primarily service sector (especially financial) driven, requiring skilled labour; the service sector makes up over 90% of Hong Kong's GDP. Poverty issues seem to be left to the individual or the individual's family to solve. For instance, my grandfather is mostly supported by his three children, including all of his health care needs. Since the population in HK is aging, this places a huge burden on the next generation, who is probably taking care of their own children. By the time this "sandwich generation" hits retirement age, they may find themselves having to accept minimal living standards, be forced to continue to work, or rely on their children. Faced with costly life expenses such as marriage, childcare and elderly care, they did not have extra resources to plan for retirement.

In Canada, the elderly praise their pension plan, old age security and especially their health care benefits. Canada provides universal health insurance. That being said, Canada has its own issues. It is not as capitalistic as Hong Kong; government intervention distributes equality at the expense of efficiency and competitiveness in the global market. Social services also mean high tax, encouraging talent to drain across the border (aka the brain drain).

The HK government has instigated MPF, but it does not protect housewives or those who are not on the scheme. Comprehensive social security assistance does not seem to be providing enough to help people lead decent lives. This stinginess is because of the Donald Tsang government's emphasis on building wealth for businesses and increasing their efficiency and competitiveness. I believe that the government should take bold, courageous action and instigate effective social welfare programs. A free market protected by law is important for a society to remain competitive and developing in this world, but I believe that capitalism should not have to happen at the expense of increasing poverty. Affluent Hong Kong citizens have a responsibility as well. As human beings, we should be involved in philantrophy and help a fellow member of society in need. Large institutions should take social corporate responsibility to help the masses directly such as providing insurance services in honesty and good faith, and indirectly, through education.

All that being said, the government or society as a whole should not bear all responsibility. I believe that each individual is ultimately responsible for their own future. Organisations such as the HKJC are so popular because people are in desperate situations and want a miracle--a hope that they place in their gambling. To put it bluntly, people should save money and live within their means.

It was both heartbreaking and scary when yesterday, along the streets of Wan Chai, an elderly woman begged me for money, hanging onto my shirt sleave. I instinctively spoke to her in English and she replied in English, "Give me money. I am hungry." A person was reported to dump acid into Sai Yeung Choi Street from his window, hurting pedestrians. They did not catch this criminal yet, so I don't know his motives, but this piece of news reminds me that people actually go insane and commit crimes because they lost their life savings. We need to teach people how to budget and encourage them to use their time for more productive activities than spending time at HKJC or speculating in the stock market.

(import - May 14) Interviews and Sunny Days

I interviewed for a job I was actually interested in. It was however, conducted in Chinese. Completely in Chinese, because 'we are in Hong Kong'. Imagine me trying to describe how I implemented an electronic system on hospital units within a formal multi-disciplinary project team through consultations with clinical staff in one of my co-op terms. I'm perfectly fluent in Chinese and can hold many decent conversations. Unfortunately I just don't talk about conception, implementation, evaluation of projects in my daily conversations.

They asked a lot about my past, which shouldn't be surprising considering behavioural interviews are now the norm, but I have a horrible memory regarding my own life and I don't think I took enough time reviewing it beforehand. I can remember facts very well, but when it comes to myself, I don't remember what I ate last night or what time I got let off in high school. In fact, I often read with amazement at my own old journal entries, as if the events happened to another person. It was hard dredging up my past as ridiculous as that sounds. Sure, I have those moments where everything I've regretted doing suddenly floods into my consciousness in rapid succession like flashbacks in a movie, but generally, my decisions and outlook in life is based on the future. Anyway, back to the topic of interviews. I'm sure I *looked* like a local--I'm chinesey enough in that aspect although I might have been slightly larger than the average female here.

I sounded energetic and excited, because I really wanted the job. I smiled a lot throughout too and looked calm and confident. But the interviewers were both relaxed to the point of lethargy and talked about half my speed. I was afraid I wasn't clicking. When I walked out of that interview, questions flashed through my head and I could think of much better answers, in better Chinese. "What is your long term goal?" Because it was a position within a super small healthcare firm, I decided not to disclose my desire to go into management (and aim for an MBA) or desire to enter the food, pharmaceutical, biotech, or environmental industries. I stuck to healthcare and project work. I didn't mention my 10 year long term goal of entering into Administrative Service because I wanted to serve the public once my Chinese is good enough. Basically I sounded like someone who didn't know where I was going and had no goals.

I didn't even talk about my personality and track record with adapting to change when they asked me if I was scared of working in HK as I had no experience. I think I gave some sort of lameass answer, like "No, I'm not worried. I just need to plan for things in advance" or something incoherent and unthoughtful like that.

By bedtime, my brain was a symphony of interview-answer cacophony.

Fortunately, I can trust my poor memory that within a week, I would have forgotten about this. It would still linger around at the back of my mind, but it would be passive and no longer an issue. Hopefully.

Also, I was desperate for an agenda. 2 weeks without in agenda in Hong Kong was brutal. I felt like I was about 30% less efficient as a person. Same with email. If I don't get to check it, I also itch like a cigarette-addict for his nicotine.

On a bright note (pun intended)...

It's getting sunny and everyone is out with their UV Umbrellas.


And drying their towels and linens in public

(import - may 12) Some Direction

Thank you to those following my blog... I feel less far away from everyone because of you.

Today, I met with a career placement manager from Baptist University. I'm sosoososo fortunate to have found her as she's been really helpful and encouraging. I've been advised to aim for postgraduate studies, as it will help me get used to local HK life and also give me a chance to learn chinese and potonghua (Maybe I can put myself through school via PT piano teaching). But I can still continue to apply for jobs, as she expects the job market will get better in two months after HK U students graduate, and when the government unleashes a scheme to help graduates find work.

oh, I got an offer : ) but it's far from an ideal job, which may actually be a relief, because it gives me time to do other things and explore some more before settling down in anything.


ANYWAY...
Back to fun things! Like food... this GREAT AMAZING meal was $6 Canadian no tax/tip. The salad is cubed salmon roe. It was SO GOOD!!!! I was really full.


And unlimited wasabi and ginger (hate ginger though):


More food items. 'Slightly fired emperor' or 'the hall burns the conch shell piece' anyone?



Here's a fat cat for those interested (from the cat cafe)


I saw a HUGEEEEEE escalator today at Mong Kok! (crazy tall building)


It's SOOSSOOO pretty at the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront. A bunch of people were snapping postcard-worthy photos. Obviously not me as I suck at photography.

But the smokiness isn't me; it's the smog.


So in two days, I walked quite a lot and also saw a lot as well. My feet hurts like crazy and I have a new understanding of why HK people tend to be on the skinny side. As public transportation is so convenient, while owning a car is very expensive and requires uber driving skills, most people get around by foot. The incredible shopping facilities encourage much wandering around, and the heat makes you sweat (which for some reason I'm convinced leads to enhanced weight loss).

(import - may 10) stop and smell the flowers

I’m still in the interview process and meeting potential employers, but the feeling of “urgentness” in finding a job is wearing off and I’d like to give myself a break until my ‘formal convocation’. To be honest, I haven’t stopped thinking about my future since landing here, so I’ve been putting myself through a lot of stress assessing the job market and trying to determine my short term career strategy. I suppose it was especially hard as the interviews were conducted in chinese, and also simply the fact that I’m away from everyone and everything I'm familiar with. But the jet lag has long worn off and I’m getting more comfortable with HK. I’ve decided to stop thinking that I must absolutely need to land something ASAP. Maybe the excessive newspaper reading is making me nervous....

I’m still going to spend time on job hunting, but it won't be the main focus anymore, or I’m going to miss out on life! There are so many things I want to stop and experience , but because there’s ‘stuff I need to do when I get home’ or ‘people I need to call’ at the back of my mind, I can’t fully enjoy the present.

I visited my late grandmother over the weekend at the crematory burial up a mountain. The roads were twisty, narrow and often one-laned with "pass" locations where you can evade direct oncoming traffic. I caught the phenomenon of backing as a car is moving towards you head-on, on video but deleted it accidently >___<

Bus drivers talk really loud, probably cuz they have to, above the blur of traffic. When I asked which station I should get off at, the man belted out the answer and then yelled, ‘can you hear me???’

And speaking of buses...

...examine the below picture:


So what is it that I wanted you to notice? That blur is not my bad photography skills. It is an oil spot that can sometimes be found on the windows of buses when people sleep against the glass.

But generally, cleanliness is highly encouraged:


I saw an "antibacterial carpet" today at the entrance of a mall.

This is quite impressive as well but for an entirely different reason:


Did you know Britney Spears had a line of perfume called ‘Fantasy’ that smelled like chocolate??? It actually smelled pretty good but I didn’t think it was desirable to go out smelling like chocolate… or maybe it is since that product is clearly on the market.

Met some really nice people this weekend as well. They took me to the CUTEST café residing in an obscure hole up a rickety elevator not unlike that of the ones featured in Japanese ghost movies. You open a door manually to get into the elevator. The café was cat themed, so there were a bunch of fat cats lazing around the place acting like royalty. And they were probably treated as such… no doubtedly well fed and showered with attention.



The candystore was particularly exciting. After happily pinching marshmallows and gummies into a pretty plastic bag with a set of tongs (the plastic bag also came with it’s own mini-tongs), it all came up to just $20 HK!! So much variety of candy too! What should have been disgusting was the carrot looking candy that actually tasted like carrot. However, it was good in a strange and exotic way. Then I took a bus from Causeway Bay to where my mom was, and we had dinner together for mother’s day.

This, I found to be absolutely HILARIOUS. As it is a blurry picture, I've transcribed the text. Note the number of times the word 'face' is repeated.


1. wash your FACE, and put a water skin on the FACE
2. Spread the mask evenly on your FACE and stick it fast to the FACE
3. Your FACE starts absorbing highly concentrated nutrition. Take off the mask from your FACE after 20-30 minuts
4. If contents are left on your FACE after taking off the mask, tap your FACE for being absorbed completely into your FACE
5. If you do make up base or paint your FACE after taking off the mask, you can feel fresh all day long.
When using it coolly: keep it coolly in the case status and use it
When using it warmly: Put it into 30-60 C water for 2-3 minutes in the case status and use it.

I’m like cracking up as I’m typing this…

(import - may 8) Dilemma

First, this picture is for a certain coffee-addict (you know who 'you' are). This was the heat insulating wrap on the coffee my interviewer treated me to.



I walked up many many flights of stairs in heels to get to my first interview (wyndham road). After the huge walk to the building, the building itself had a bunch of stairs! Fortunately, it was a pleasant day with some light wind so I didn't sweat too much! My interviewer must have treked the same path as he came in with a few beads of sweat on his forehead. lol



WOW Precarious Parking!! (wyndham road)



I won't say anything in detail here about the two interviews today... but I just wanted to say that I miss the simplicity of Jobmine in my co-op days. Including the situation I was faced with last week, job hunting right now has gotten rather complicated.

HK's advertising is really cute! It says "Fly like a Paper, High like a Plane." Tell me if I'm weird to think that's amusing...


On a similar note, I also think the government does a really good job in educating its citizens on being a socially responsible and hygenic.

I don't know why anyone would, but for those interested in the Hello Kitty merchandise as of late:


View from my apartment




A lot of things here remind me of Canada. Like Starbucks, cats, and candy... all associated with certain people.

(import - may 7) Praying hard...

I'm super excited but also apprehensive! I'll report more tomorrow (and reply to those who commented) cuz I don't want to spoil anything...

Today, I saw this pretty, tall lady walk past me. Then her heel got stuck in a crack on the sidewalk.... I have a feeling one day that's going to happen to me one day. HK is full of random bumps and steps. Last year, my mom tripped on a tree root and fell on her face. She tripped today too on an elevated sewer grate but saved herself in time. Again, I have a feeling one day that's going to happen to me.

Random step at the wet market. Not a good place to trip.


Step up to get to the door, and step down two more after the door


Weird steps that aren't uniform:


Hole in the ground washroom:



Saw two more orange cats in two days. Maybe in HK, they only come in one colour...

Oh, and because of my Hello Kitty merchandise purchases, I'm now a Hello Kitty brand (Kilara) member. My mom's especially happy because that means she'll get discounts on whatever hello kitty thing she wants to get for my cousins.


Here is my current wardrobe. I should stop buying black and white....


Anyway, gotta get a good night's rest!!