Hello
Sorry to do this, but I've moved to another site...still learning to use the new site which is easier than this one, but bare with me in these new changes with a not so savvvy tech person.
http://journeytoasmilingheart.wordpress.com/
Hope to catch up with you over there!!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Bits and Bobs
I must apologize for the lack of writing as of late, I've seen to have hit a few speed bumps and have reverse jet lag. I'm now back on North American time again. Go figure. I didn't get jet lag when I got here but in needing to deal with a few things back in Calgary I've had to stay up till the wee hours of the night in order to catch everyone during the day there. As things come to a wrap hopefully I can get back to enjoying my trip and experiences again soon.
Things that make you smile: a bald man standing in a doorway of a hair salon
I've noticed that as long as you wear tights it doesn't matter how short your skirt/dress is. Seems to be the fashion here. Tights, boots and a sweater dress or short skirt. It's alluring to want to fit in but after trying on some tights and having thoughts and feelings of when I was a child and had to wear those thick tights where the crotch hung to your knees left me feeling a bit awkward. Besides, who wants to be a 'honger' I'm proud to be Canadian! I went into THE store today. Manolo Blahnik. I've been searching for the perfect pair of of mary jane stilletos for a long time now, and suddenly right there, gleaming under the bright spot light as if from a shining beacon of light perched the shoes I've been searching for. Kid in a candy store is all I can say. ~sigh~ does life get any better!? The strap is in the perfect place, the classic black patent leather pump with the perfect length of heel that I could walk a marathon in. My epitome of cute, playful, stylish and classic shoe. How could any man resist, I was drooling myself. The man is a sheer genius and architect of shoes. His creativity astounds me. I apologize to the men who are reading this, but I do know some of you can appreciate this and fashion as well. I see all of you metrosexual men grinning already..you KNOW who you are!!!
Ok, ok, onto other things!
Ngong Ping 360 is located on Lantau Island and is also home to the Tian Tan Buddha Statue the world's largest seated outdoor bronze Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery. I have always wanted to go see this, but never had the opportunity until now. Unfortunately the day we chose to go was quite foggy and misty so the view of the statue and on the Gondola ride up was not as spectacular as I was hoping for. I get vertigo so needless to say I was quite content with it being a bit foggy due to the fact we decided to take the crystal cabin up which meant the floor of the gondola was clear and you could see all the way down to the ocean and then some. You hike through Ngong Ping village to go to the path of the Po lin Monastery when you can delight in a meal of what the monks eat. All vegetarian, and deliciously delightful. You'd never realize you're missing meat at all. Plates of fragrant Taro root mash with a delicate crispy coating of tempura batter surrounding it to add texture, delectable, crunchy lotus root cooked to perfection along side oyster sauced Chinese mushrooms atop Choy Sum (Chinese Cabbage), coupled with root vegetable stir fry paired with cashews. YUM. Those monks sure know how to eat! Further past the Po Lin Monastery you can also go up to the wisdom path and see the arrangement of 38 giant wood columns complete with Calligraphy. They stand approximately 26-32' tall and are amazing to see.
Onto climb the stairs to see the giant statue of the buddha. We had started our day out late being that organizing an infant and a toddler is quite some work and we are Chinese after all. I was the only one out of our group that hadn't been to the top to see the statue, and since we started late and we still wanted to go to Tai O I ended up practically running up the several flights of stairs to the top. The fog provided just enough ominous mist to surround the statue. When I arrived at the top several visitors had incense and were kneeling in front of the statue praying for a good life, to heal whomever is sick, and to pray for what is needed at the time. It's amazingly spiritual, even if you're not Buddhist, just to be in the presence of the statue.
From there I met up with my family at the square and finished our late lunch with some Tong Sui (Sugar water - direct translation; Chinese dessert). Freshly made Dow Foo Fah (Tofu Dessert) topped with ginger simple syrup or orange sugar, a traditional Chinese dessert and the perfect compliment to any meal. The best Dow Foo Fah's are the ones that are the smoothest in texture rivaling the creamiest of yogurts. I've never tried making it, however in remembering my grandfather and whence I was a young un, it was quite the arduous, time consuming task. Steaming bowls of freshly scooped tofu with just a hint of sweetness melts in your mouth.
We then alighted (they love that word here, such proper English) our bus onto Tai O, which is a fishing village where my cousin's wife grew up and her family still has a little place there. It's the oldest fishing village in Hong Kong where all the houses are on stilts and it's famous for it's shrimp paste and dried seafood. Interesting to see and I'm sure I'll be seeing more stilt houses on my tour yet!
It's just past new year's here and it's freeezing. I think some northerly wind blew in and it's about 9 degrees. Now all you Canadians think it's not cold, and it's not if you're wearing a jacket etc, but it's about the same inside as out with no central heating...So needless to say I'm hoping to go somewhere warm soon.
New Years was a great celebration. Fireworks, red envelopes and many traditional Chinese dishes. The Chinese are a very superstitious bunch. There are many traditions that you have to follow in order for your year to be prosperous, lucky, healthy and happy. You can't wash your hair on New Year's day, you're not supposed to wear new shoes, you're not supposed to sweep your floor..all beliefs of sweeping money away or suffering for a hard year. First time in my life receiving Red envelopes from so many family members. Rule is, if you are married you have to give everyone younger than you are two red envelopes. One from you and the other from your significant other. In return you wish them a prosperous, wealthy, healthy and youth and in return they say a few things to you. GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!! Happy New Years...
I'm setting up to leave to Vietnam next! Warmth, so hopefully in a few days I'll be on my train into Nam! Stay tuned, and again I apologize for the lack in writing...
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Macau - Monte Carlo of the Orient
If at any time during this entry, you hear a nasally sound it's because as of the past few days I've caught a cold and have a slight sore throat. I apologize in advance and I'll keep my sniffling to a minimum!
Last Friday was the start to a flurry of activities. I went up to HK's Victoria peak to see the view of HK from a top the mountain. You take a tram that takes you straight up, literally, the mountain in all of eight minutes. 1817 feet above sea level, so needless to say it's a pretty quick tram. It was bloody cold. All jokes aside, and I do realize I am from Canada, and worst of all, grew up in Yellowknife in where I think the term "when hell freezes over" originated, it was ccooold. Not only was I not prepared in my small sweater and jacket, I wasn't thinking that we were going to be so far up (Sometimes logic doesn't kick in quick enough!). This was supposed to be a year of summer, hence I didn't quite pack for cold weather, but my gluttony for delicious meals and great experiences kicks me in the butt again!
Needless to say the view was spectacular! You could see the harbour and a great panoramic view of all the huge skyscrapers. Definitely a must when in HK. Of course being with cousins who live here they wanted an experience as well. Eating as you may or may not have noticed is definitely a part of any travel experience and a big part of mine. We had just arrived shortly after 2pm, seems we're not morning people, and we hadn't had lunch so we were deciding on a place for lunch. Well my choice, being that I am in HK would be something Asian. Well for my cousins it's something North American. Being that they may not get out as often as I will over the next while I relented and let them chose. We ended up at Bubba Gumps. I eluded this chain restaurant in Maui, and here it was staring me in the stomach boldly laughing that I was in HK and was going to eat here! I hate chain restaurants. If I'm going to go out and eat I never chose Earl's or restaurants that serve generic food. What's the experience in that?! I'm more about supporting the mom and pop's restaurants which tend to have better quality of food and pay attention to details and cook their food with love! Never have I felt so out of sorts...I was after all in HK - the mecca of all things delicious and I'm sitting in a booth listening to country music, Reba Macintyre to be exact, and ordering onion rings, caesar salad, shrimper's delight, ribs and speaking to the waiter in English. (No that wasn't ALL for me, we shared!!!) Never mind, the way you ordered food was to lift up the 'license' plate with run Forrest run when you're ready and put the stop Forrest stop sign up when you don't need service. Chain of all chains, and here I was atop Victoria Peak in HK millions of miles away from restaurants such as these, so I thought.
~Sigh~ When in Rome/HK do as they do...eat at crappy chain restaurants. None the less I can check that off the list, albeit it's not even on the list of things I want to do.
We took our pictures and being that it's quite the tourist attraction there were many people there from all over the world! Madame Tussauds wax museum was a brief thought as well only to be kyboshed immediately seeing is that the main Chinese celebrity was not present. Apparently he was changing his attire and needed a waxing...waka waka! I know, a bad comedian in the works.
That evening I had arranged to meet another one of my cousins for a few drinks. Keep in mind I have 27 cousins all ranging from 39 to 13. My youngest aunt is only 4 years older than my oldest cousin and we all get along quite well. He came out to Kowloon to meet us and we went to some random lounge in Mong Kok. Well ordering single drinks here in HK is expensive so the thing to do here is order a bottle. It's still expensive, but seeing is that most Chinese people lack the enzyme to break down alcohol, many only have one or two drinks therefore it makes ordering a bottle that much less expensive. Tequila was the bottle of choice, and away we went. Taught them the NA way to shoot tequila - lick the top side of your hand where your thumb connects with your index finger, pour salt over it, hold a wedge of lemon in the same hand. Lick, shoot, suck...err, well those are the adjectives you use right?! OK - so being in HK, all the lounges have these half beer coozies filled with six dice each. You're never at a bore in Chinese culture. Have you been to one of our weddings and all the games we play!? So, we played several dice games, very simplistic drinking games, similar to our "spoons". Each person guessing how many 6's are in everyone hand and calling bluffs etc, you get the just of it. 3/4 of the bottle done and we decided to be responsible adults and call it a day. We were after all supposed to be on a boat to Macau at 11am.
Ah - through customs again the next morning and onto our boat to be ferried across to Macau. It's been a long time since I've been on a boat, and I forgot how rough and choppy the water could be. It wasn't a bad ride there, the ride back was awful. I hate roller-coasters, and I'll admit at 29 I was extremely scared and almost bawled like a five year old who dropped my ice cream, on the boat ride that swings back and forth, but the ride back was sort of like that. I had to make myself sleep so I wouldn't throw up. Great image I realize...sorry I digress.
When we arrived, we checked into our hotel at the Venetian. I've been to Vegas and seen the Venetian there, but this was pretty impressive. Macau is the Monte Carlos of the Orient. It is one of the largest gaming cities. Went to Vegas and only played the slot machines and well, let's just say I did the same here. I was going to get the gumption up to play a little blackjack but alas the big chicken in me decided to just have some fun and kill some time!
During the day we strolled the streets, taking pictures along the old historic buildings and parks lined with gorgeous tulips of bright reds, yellows, purples and pink. Walking through the old cobbled stoned streets, you find the signature of the far east - a brand new M5 BMW parked beside a decaying building adorned with a sign screaming from the 70's with the browns, and oranges exactly like the couches our parents had. I know you know what I mean, we ALL had them! We stumble onto a street that is considered a tourist area - we pass a 'tavern' and it's only filled with caucasions. Yup, tourist area it is. It even had a chopper parked outside...ok, smaller version. As we walk further the smells slowly lure you in, as if being enchanted by a seductress of sorts waving her kerchief as your eyes roll to the back of your head and you succumb to her mystery. The smells of fresh baked ginger candies, and cakes, and Chinese jerky and soups. We came across this very famous bakery called Koi Kei, and it's signature is the peanut and ginger candies but by far my favorite was the almond cakes. MMMM....so delicious. It's not the cake you think as in birthday cake, it's cake as in not quite a cookie, but not doughy like a cake. Descriptive I know..They are made of Mung bean powder, almonds, some vegetable oil and a tiny bit of water, and the crumbly mixture is poured into a mold and baked...out come these delectable, scrumptious cakes that are crispy to bite into while warm and melt in your mouth texture leaving the bits of crushed almonds to crunch on. My favorite of all time, although by the time they are shipped over to Canada they're all stale and old and not as wonderful. But we all know fresh is always best!! Here's the link - http://home.macau.ctm.net/~jos3xm/KoiKei/about.html
I never realized but the second official language in Macau is Portuguese. We ended up going to this very famous Portuguese restaurant, yeah not great with names, but it was quite quaint. Felt similar to that of Italian, but I'm completely uneducated in all that is Portuguese. Had an Italian flair to it but distinctly not Italian of course. Different, not sure I loved it, but different.
Upon killing a few hours before we had to leave a few of us headed back to the casino to test our luck again. While I'm watching some roulette table, my male cousin comes up and asks if I've noticed all the 'call' girls last night? Perhaps I'm a bit naive when it comes to things like this or maybe just distracted by trying to figure out the average ratio of how often the red vs black comes up on the roulette table. Not that he's into that kind of stuff, but growing up at his mom's fruit stand here in HK you learn a lot of street smarts. My curiosity got the better of me, I'm not good at gambling anyway. We stood, while discreetly watching everyone that passed as he pointed out which ones were and which ones weren't. Definitely a distinct look these women. It's quite common over here, this industry and trade. That I'm familiar with, I just didn't think it happened so much and blatant at the Venetian Hotel Casino in Macau. The most obvious was of course the older men with the younger females, then you can narrow it down to the way they dress. Now being that Chinese is a bit more of a conservative culture, they're not quite dressed how you would think they would be. Still fully clothed nothing to extravagant but not quite dressed the same as a tourist. After all it is in a hotel full of tourists. I'm still not sure exactly the distinction but I'm sure you could differentiate them from others. Street smart, book smart, a little bit of both!
Oh - The circus has made it to the Orient! Cirque Du Soilel was at the Venetian. Yes, I'm still proud to be Canadian and that our circus is amazing and worldwide! Zaia - the dream of girl in space. I was very tempted, I love the circus, but our schedules were too tight.
Alas I ended up catching a cold, and sore throat so the next day I stayed in bed for a well needed rest. Can't push on like I use too, but that's also what this is supposed to be about. Listening to what my soul, spirit and mind needs and nourishing it with all the resources I can give it and best of all to just relax....and enjoy!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
City of Plenty
Have you ever had the epiphany one day that you were not living life anymore and that you were just going through the motions?
This happened to me this past Aug. I was at home in my latest home and I realized that I had moved into this home almost a year ago which made me think about what I had accomplished that past year. Turns out, I had been working a whole lot and not much more than that. As we all know, the economy in the past two years had changed and of course I was one of the only people who resigned, not from just one position but two. Both of which I was asked to stay, but at the time it didn't seem to make sense, nor were they what I wanted. I was asked to move from the design department to Sales. Thought it was time to make some changes and push myself to grow some more, so I asked myself "why not??!!". Turns out, I have ethics and a conscience which doesn't prove to be all that helpful in a slowing housing market where everyone is trying to make a living. I fared well enough even in the slowing market and was asked to stay but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I then thought being a broker would be a good idea, I could always do this at home as well which again I thought was a great idea. I like numbers, and there are plenty of people to work with, it's not that underhanded of an industry. Got my license and liked it well enough, but just wasn't the stimulation I was looking for either. I know, I know....
So hence the epiphany, and I thought for kicks, I'll list my house thinking in this market I'll have a few months to plan something. Well in 17 days I sold my home and in two weeks they wanted possession. I guess something was telling me NOW is the time to go and travel, I've always talked about it and everything lined up perfectly. I sold and gave away everything I had, (all my furniture that filled a 2000 sq. ft. home) in the same two weeks, and have minimized my life to about 15 boxes, mainly consisting of filing boxes.
That's the epiphany I had.
I realized I was chasing money, and I had always hated being that materialistic person, the one who always had to keep up with the Jones'. I had nice things, a nice home, a nice little audi to drive but what happiness did it provide me? I was in a position that didn't fit my needs of career growth, and was dating a guy (for far too long) that I thought I could grow to love. Don't get me wrong, he was a great guy, just not a great guy for me, there IS a difference! What was I doing?? A whole year of my life had passed, and what 'fun' had I had? People would ask what I do for fun, and other than the one night a week volleyball league I was in which was the highlight of my week, I wasn't having fun. I don't recall having hobbies or interests anymore other than reading finance books, how the housing market was slowly recovering, and learning new ways to market myself and network. FUN I know!
I thought HOW did I turn into this person? What happened? Have I been TOO money oriented and forgot that life is supposed to be about living..not living to work?! If I continued down this path I was going to be miserable. So I sold everything and decided it was time for a long sabbatical. I wasn't happy where I was living and thought why make a decision on where I was going to live for the next 10 years based solely on only what I've experienced. Let's pack things up, travel THEN decide where I wanted to live. I called my ever supportive and loving brother about my changes and he asked "are you going through a pre-mid life crisis". I LOVE my brother...LOL. I do plan on living past 66 so I'm thinking it's definitely not that. I like to think that I'm crossing off items on my bucket list. I stopped for a year so I might as well get that year back and go full speed ahead.
Ok - so fast forward to today - Jan 7th 2010 and I'm here in Hong Kong. I left everything behind as of Oct 1st 2009, went to visit my wonderful brother and then my family and stayed with some amazing friends in San Fran before I came here. Let's just say SF was great and right now it's my top choice of places to grow roots when I'm finished. You'll have to purchase my book to read about the beginning of my journey, once I finish writing it AND have it published. Next on my bucket list!
I've labeled this the "Journey to a smiling heart" as I felt these past two years for myself just hasn't made me smile inside. The big grin you get inside when you're immensely happy. You know the one I'm talking about. I don't know if it was a compilation of everything, job, place of residence, and relationship that took a toll but I had to make changes. I've heard courageous, brave and all other adjectives of that nature but to live the life I had been, simply putting one foot in front of the other, not living, would be more courageous than to move forward and grow. I just couldn't be THAT person. I found success in my career and now was the time to find and foster the other side of that and find a balance in the end. The nail in the coffin was in having lunch with a friend, he just had his third daughter and we were talking about family, I mentioned I would love to start one sooner than later, and he looked at me with this puzzled look on his face. I asked him what he was thinking and he said to me...I never thought you'd be one to want to stay at home with kids. OK time to find the happy median.
That was me a few months ago.
Hong Kong is a juxtaposition of old and new, rural and urban. I'm sure a few of you have been here, maybe even more than just a few, and you can understand what I mean. I love how they are such geniuses as saving space. Walking down any street here and one glance at the buildings/architecture and you'll know exactly what I mean. There are so many old, almost decrepit buildings with laundry hanging out the windows amongst huge towering new building covered in metal and glass. It's incredible. If they can't build out, they'll build up. We are geniuses I know! Ha ha. I love the character it brings. You get a little bit of everything when you come here. It's still a culture shock to me every time I come, and I've been here 14 times now. It's this huge city with bits of shi shi amongst old school, nothing similar to anything else I've experienced. Of course I haven't experienced that much hence the year long trip! It's definitely a place of abundance. If you love shopping, eating, drinking and people watching this is your place. There are wafts of fresh bread and buns around every corner. There are people everywhere, and a bargain is to be had everywhere you go. It's ridiculously inexpensive here when you're used to paying a lot more for the same items back in Canada. This is also definitely a place where you will ever be hungry...as long as your adventurous! Don't get me wrong there are still things I certainly don't try or eat either!!!
I was at the IFC mall today, (International Finance Center), one of the more shi shi places to go. Met my cousin for a delicious, spicy - not a tongue numbing spicy, but more of a tart spicy, warm bowl of rice noodles not far from the mall. She and her husband love this little joint and go all the time. For about $4.50 you get this giant bowl (ok giant for me, which is still pretty big) filled with noodles, some veggies, meat of your choice - I had pork which was ridiculously tender, and some bean curd AND a drink was included in that price. What I have never ed experienced before today either was waiting for a table. Not your traditional waiting at the front where the host/hostess takes your name and you wait, you choose a table whom looks like they are almost finished and you stand beside their table waiting/hovering until they finish. When in Rome... there isn't a waiter/waitress, only someone who goes around after your finished to collect your bowl and cleans the table. It really is about getting what you paid for. You pick up your bowl of noodles at an opening attached to the kitchen and bring it back to your table yourself. When you're done you leave it for someone else to pick up. Ok, so there isn't a maitre D with white gloves and a bow tie in a suit seating you but it sure was delicious.
My cousin had to go back to work so I ended up heading to the shi shi mall only a few blocks away to kill an afternoon. How malls work here is the higher up you go the more expensive the stores are. Three story building, with Zara on the bottom, Prada in the middle and some ridiculously expensive stores at the top. We're talking $1500 for a pair of flip flops. Albeit they were nice flip flops!! This has been quite the shopping experience for me already. One would think being in HK where they make things my size you would think I'd have no problem finding things that fit me. I've always hated shopping due to the fact that I always had to hem, fix or tailor all the clothes I buy and rarely could I ever wear off the rack. Yeah, not so much, turns out everyone here is my size therefore there are no more sizes left in my size! To top it all off, being that I'm traveling for a year and on a budget, a budget that really doesn't allot funds for shopping, I've had to pass up shoes/clothes that I normally wouldn't have to think twice about purchasing. I was spoiled I know. But c'mon if YOU found a really HOT pair of shoes/jeans/dress you didn't have to alter and it fit like a glove you would splurge too, although these recent years far more than I should have. If you know me, you know I love shoes, so needless to say it's a fairly extensive collection. Don't get me wrong, I don't have Jimmy Choo's or La Boutin shoes (yet) but I do have a nice collection, which I miss more than a normal person should. It was a pretty big decision to not bring any heels on this trip. I know who am I??!!! LOL.
It's taken me awhile to unwind from this whole not working thing, but I think I've started to finally enjoy. After some extensive window shopping I grabbed a glass of wine, it was 4:30 after all, and a blueberry flaky crust desert thingy and sat in the little cafe along the large glass window staring out at the pier watching the boats and ferry's crossing from one side to the other. It was a bit smoggy out today as it usually is here with the immense amount of people and pollution, but it was nice and relaxing. Had the ipod on, pumping some tunes and enjoying life as it should be. I even took a walk down to the pier and picked up a news paper, financial news, I felt out of touch and couldn't succumb to the smut, and really enjoyed myself. This is what life should be about....enjoying.
Alright, now you have the background of how I got to where I am the next blogs will be shorter. Figures why I'm good at sales, I like to talk...I have had the comments that I write a lot. That's the start of my trip, and I'm beginning to love it....
This happened to me this past Aug. I was at home in my latest home and I realized that I had moved into this home almost a year ago which made me think about what I had accomplished that past year. Turns out, I had been working a whole lot and not much more than that. As we all know, the economy in the past two years had changed and of course I was one of the only people who resigned, not from just one position but two. Both of which I was asked to stay, but at the time it didn't seem to make sense, nor were they what I wanted. I was asked to move from the design department to Sales. Thought it was time to make some changes and push myself to grow some more, so I asked myself "why not??!!". Turns out, I have ethics and a conscience which doesn't prove to be all that helpful in a slowing housing market where everyone is trying to make a living. I fared well enough even in the slowing market and was asked to stay but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I then thought being a broker would be a good idea, I could always do this at home as well which again I thought was a great idea. I like numbers, and there are plenty of people to work with, it's not that underhanded of an industry. Got my license and liked it well enough, but just wasn't the stimulation I was looking for either. I know, I know....
So hence the epiphany, and I thought for kicks, I'll list my house thinking in this market I'll have a few months to plan something. Well in 17 days I sold my home and in two weeks they wanted possession. I guess something was telling me NOW is the time to go and travel, I've always talked about it and everything lined up perfectly. I sold and gave away everything I had, (all my furniture that filled a 2000 sq. ft. home) in the same two weeks, and have minimized my life to about 15 boxes, mainly consisting of filing boxes.
That's the epiphany I had.
I realized I was chasing money, and I had always hated being that materialistic person, the one who always had to keep up with the Jones'. I had nice things, a nice home, a nice little audi to drive but what happiness did it provide me? I was in a position that didn't fit my needs of career growth, and was dating a guy (for far too long) that I thought I could grow to love. Don't get me wrong, he was a great guy, just not a great guy for me, there IS a difference! What was I doing?? A whole year of my life had passed, and what 'fun' had I had? People would ask what I do for fun, and other than the one night a week volleyball league I was in which was the highlight of my week, I wasn't having fun. I don't recall having hobbies or interests anymore other than reading finance books, how the housing market was slowly recovering, and learning new ways to market myself and network. FUN I know!
I thought HOW did I turn into this person? What happened? Have I been TOO money oriented and forgot that life is supposed to be about living..not living to work?! If I continued down this path I was going to be miserable. So I sold everything and decided it was time for a long sabbatical. I wasn't happy where I was living and thought why make a decision on where I was going to live for the next 10 years based solely on only what I've experienced. Let's pack things up, travel THEN decide where I wanted to live. I called my ever supportive and loving brother about my changes and he asked "are you going through a pre-mid life crisis". I LOVE my brother...LOL. I do plan on living past 66 so I'm thinking it's definitely not that. I like to think that I'm crossing off items on my bucket list. I stopped for a year so I might as well get that year back and go full speed ahead.
Ok - so fast forward to today - Jan 7th 2010 and I'm here in Hong Kong. I left everything behind as of Oct 1st 2009, went to visit my wonderful brother and then my family and stayed with some amazing friends in San Fran before I came here. Let's just say SF was great and right now it's my top choice of places to grow roots when I'm finished. You'll have to purchase my book to read about the beginning of my journey, once I finish writing it AND have it published. Next on my bucket list!
I've labeled this the "Journey to a smiling heart" as I felt these past two years for myself just hasn't made me smile inside. The big grin you get inside when you're immensely happy. You know the one I'm talking about. I don't know if it was a compilation of everything, job, place of residence, and relationship that took a toll but I had to make changes. I've heard courageous, brave and all other adjectives of that nature but to live the life I had been, simply putting one foot in front of the other, not living, would be more courageous than to move forward and grow. I just couldn't be THAT person. I found success in my career and now was the time to find and foster the other side of that and find a balance in the end. The nail in the coffin was in having lunch with a friend, he just had his third daughter and we were talking about family, I mentioned I would love to start one sooner than later, and he looked at me with this puzzled look on his face. I asked him what he was thinking and he said to me...I never thought you'd be one to want to stay at home with kids. OK time to find the happy median.
That was me a few months ago.
Hong Kong is a juxtaposition of old and new, rural and urban. I'm sure a few of you have been here, maybe even more than just a few, and you can understand what I mean. I love how they are such geniuses as saving space. Walking down any street here and one glance at the buildings/architecture and you'll know exactly what I mean. There are so many old, almost decrepit buildings with laundry hanging out the windows amongst huge towering new building covered in metal and glass. It's incredible. If they can't build out, they'll build up. We are geniuses I know! Ha ha. I love the character it brings. You get a little bit of everything when you come here. It's still a culture shock to me every time I come, and I've been here 14 times now. It's this huge city with bits of shi shi amongst old school, nothing similar to anything else I've experienced. Of course I haven't experienced that much hence the year long trip! It's definitely a place of abundance. If you love shopping, eating, drinking and people watching this is your place. There are wafts of fresh bread and buns around every corner. There are people everywhere, and a bargain is to be had everywhere you go. It's ridiculously inexpensive here when you're used to paying a lot more for the same items back in Canada. This is also definitely a place where you will ever be hungry...as long as your adventurous! Don't get me wrong there are still things I certainly don't try or eat either!!!
I was at the IFC mall today, (International Finance Center), one of the more shi shi places to go. Met my cousin for a delicious, spicy - not a tongue numbing spicy, but more of a tart spicy, warm bowl of rice noodles not far from the mall. She and her husband love this little joint and go all the time. For about $4.50 you get this giant bowl (ok giant for me, which is still pretty big) filled with noodles, some veggies, meat of your choice - I had pork which was ridiculously tender, and some bean curd AND a drink was included in that price. What I have never ed experienced before today either was waiting for a table. Not your traditional waiting at the front where the host/hostess takes your name and you wait, you choose a table whom looks like they are almost finished and you stand beside their table waiting/hovering until they finish. When in Rome... there isn't a waiter/waitress, only someone who goes around after your finished to collect your bowl and cleans the table. It really is about getting what you paid for. You pick up your bowl of noodles at an opening attached to the kitchen and bring it back to your table yourself. When you're done you leave it for someone else to pick up. Ok, so there isn't a maitre D with white gloves and a bow tie in a suit seating you but it sure was delicious.
My cousin had to go back to work so I ended up heading to the shi shi mall only a few blocks away to kill an afternoon. How malls work here is the higher up you go the more expensive the stores are. Three story building, with Zara on the bottom, Prada in the middle and some ridiculously expensive stores at the top. We're talking $1500 for a pair of flip flops. Albeit they were nice flip flops!! This has been quite the shopping experience for me already. One would think being in HK where they make things my size you would think I'd have no problem finding things that fit me. I've always hated shopping due to the fact that I always had to hem, fix or tailor all the clothes I buy and rarely could I ever wear off the rack. Yeah, not so much, turns out everyone here is my size therefore there are no more sizes left in my size! To top it all off, being that I'm traveling for a year and on a budget, a budget that really doesn't allot funds for shopping, I've had to pass up shoes/clothes that I normally wouldn't have to think twice about purchasing. I was spoiled I know. But c'mon if YOU found a really HOT pair of shoes/jeans/dress you didn't have to alter and it fit like a glove you would splurge too, although these recent years far more than I should have. If you know me, you know I love shoes, so needless to say it's a fairly extensive collection. Don't get me wrong, I don't have Jimmy Choo's or La Boutin shoes (yet) but I do have a nice collection, which I miss more than a normal person should. It was a pretty big decision to not bring any heels on this trip. I know who am I??!!! LOL.
It's taken me awhile to unwind from this whole not working thing, but I think I've started to finally enjoy. After some extensive window shopping I grabbed a glass of wine, it was 4:30 after all, and a blueberry flaky crust desert thingy and sat in the little cafe along the large glass window staring out at the pier watching the boats and ferry's crossing from one side to the other. It was a bit smoggy out today as it usually is here with the immense amount of people and pollution, but it was nice and relaxing. Had the ipod on, pumping some tunes and enjoying life as it should be. I even took a walk down to the pier and picked up a news paper, financial news, I felt out of touch and couldn't succumb to the smut, and really enjoyed myself. This is what life should be about....enjoying.
Alright, now you have the background of how I got to where I am the next blogs will be shorter. Figures why I'm good at sales, I like to talk...I have had the comments that I write a lot. That's the start of my trip, and I'm beginning to love it....
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