Author Archives: peh5024

Pet Peeve with my dorm

AAHHHHHHHHH!!!!

I hope the living conditions in the rest of this building change quickly. The bathroom has no soap dispensers, wooden planks where mirrors should be, and the showers do not have any doors. The common room still has cardboard covers on the tables, there is a hole in the counter top, the windows are still boarded up and the elevator is still in its wooden phase – as well as last night being BROKEN……. I had to climb up 10 flights of very steep stairs that were 40 steps a piece for each flight. I hope this is rectified soon. I do not like waking up to construction 6am in the morning. The place I lay my head should be as peaceful as possible with all the chaos that may take place outside and in class.

Location: Morningside college, Shatin New Territories, Hong Kong SAR

Finally Getting Adjusted

I am finally settled in to my permanent dorm. Although I do not like that it is barely finished because it is still under HEAVY construction, I like my room. It is very spacious, and I have room to have ME time. My roommate is nice, but very shy. I do not know how to approach her sometimes, but when we do get a chance to talk, it is very pleasant. She offered me a pineapple cake from her home country Taiwan. I will let you know how it taste soon!!

I am very excited for classes to start! I moved to 3 different places since I’ve gotten here. Now since I am finally adjusted, I would like to get started!! J

Location: Lady Ho Tung, Clinic Road, Shatin New Territories, Hong Kong

Mid-Autumn Festival

Today was one of the 3 day series of the mid-autumn festival that I celebrated! I received some mooncake, had fun with the cohort, and had a chance to see the fire dragon dance in Causeway Bay. It was very exciting and very packed!! I wished there was more, but I enjoyed what I did get to see.

I also had a chance to write down a wish and place it on their wish wall in the open park area. It made me long for home because this festival was meant to bring families together and enjoy the reunion. It was a good feeling though… No sadness approached my heart. Only happiness, wishes to keep them safe, and for them to feel my love so far away was all that ran across my mind.. The Chinese culture stresses family and respect everywhere and I am glad I got to be apart of it and understand how they feel out here.

Location: Soy Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

The BIG Bargain

YAY!!! So listen… Or read… You know what I mean!!

I got a chance to go to the Lady’s Market in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. It was amazing! I loved the atmosphere and the thrill of bargaining. I try to ignore the scorching heat sickle of an area because the trip and experience is worth it!! There are so many things I wanted to buy! I have to spend wisely of course because it is better to save money. BUT that’s the beauty of it!! You get what you want, and it is because you have more power over what is leaving your pockets!!

What is very ironic is that I thought about myself last looking at everything they are ready to sell. My mother quickly came to mind, as well as my brother, sister, and boyfriend Jason. That is all I wanted to buy for. So far I got two silk Chinese dresses for my mother. Im looking to get her pearls, and shoes to match. They have a lot of counterfeit things, but if you don’t mind or would like nameless brands to be safe, you will be just fine. There are a couple other gifts I am planning on getting, but I don’t want my family to read this blog and find out!!! J Yes I already told my mom about the Chinese silk dress, so it is okay! LOL

Shopping is so exciting, but at a bargain – it is every woman’s dream! For instance, one of the silk dresses cost $180 HK dollars ($23 US dollars). I bargained my way down to get two of them for around the same price ($180). I shopped for a purse today, and they didn’t have the one I wanted. The woman offered me the bag for $360 HK dollars ($46 US dollars) for being “pretty” because it was initially $680 HK dollars – about $87 US (sweet talking doesn’t work when it comes to money, especially with a bad pitch). Long story short – walking away does something to them, which makes them lower the price. Don’t let them bully you or make you get less of what you want! It is your money and always go with YOUR price. I got my bag with the help of my good friend Shanttel for $120 HK dollars!!! That’s about $ 15 US dollars. I already put my stuff in it to wear it tomorrow… LOL

Location: Lady's Market, Tung Choi Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Got beef? Turned out to be pork Intestine.

Soooooooooooo……… Side street restaurants are NOT for me! The food cooked on the side streets are in a more raw form or isn’t cooked the way I thought it would be. Everything tasted like pork no matter what I ordered or tasted. The beef has a very awkward smell and flavor (if that is possible to say), and the outside layer of the meat, (which I feel is most important) is neither appetizing nor inviting. I can say that the pictures are true to advertisement! No conning over here!!! I am trying to be adventurous as possible, but growing up; taste, texture, aroma, and presentation played a huge part in the meals I consumed! The side markets are not concerned with smell or presentation. WHY? Because it is cheap food and it is what their country has grown to love from child hood. They are also more involved with the more mushy side of the texture spectrum than crunchy or crisp. In the more refined and wealthier areas, it is the exact opposite, but it comes with a price. The food smells way better, the textures are more diverse, the presentation is GREAT, and the same foods offered at the street food vendors are available. It would just be tooo expensive to eat their every day. Street vendors are more convenient and cheap for being on a budget. I have enjoyed many meals such as, lamb, fish balls, noodles, and rice, but I also had my fair share of “I will never try this again” moments. There are many things to observe here, but in my case food and scenic locations are always at the top of my list!

Location: Campus Canteen, Hong Kong

Missing Home Already

Today was a really good day, but for some reason I missed my family and boyfriend tremendously. I felt rejected because everyone I called didn’t pick up and no one had the chance to pick up his or her international phone cards to call me in Hong Kong. I got over it eventually when I got to speak to everyone. I was just extremely worried because so many things have been happening since I left the U.S. Before I left, we experienced an earthquake, then on my way to the airport hurricane Irene was heading toward my home city – New Jersey and also New York. Now there is flooding everywhere. I just wanted to know if everyone was okay, and thank God they were. They mean the world to me. Without their support, this trip would have been a lot harder to manage. I don’t feel like I was over reacting. L I am just a family person. I know some of you can agree with me. But yea hopefully this is one of FEW depressing blogs!!! LOL It is a sad story with a happy ending.

Location: Morningside College, Shatin New Territories, Hong Kong SAR

Can’t Sleep, Let’s Talk

All I can say is, “WOW, what a flight!!!”

I can’t complain because it was an estimated 22 hours, cut into 16! It’s only been my 3^rd time flying, NEVER for this long though. My first flight was to Atlanta, second was to Puerto Rico (ranging from 2 – 4 hours respectively). Now it was to HONG KONG! It still hasn’t hit me yet, or has it?! It is 4 in the morning and I CANNOT sleep, LOL. I don’t mind though. It is giving me the chance to jot down my thoughts!

So……. I didn’t really read much on the plane, I thought the movies were much more interesting and made the time go by a little faster. Economy class sleeping wasn’t so great until I found the perfect position! Ahhh , I laid the open seat’s tray out beside me and put my head right across it! Nice way to think of the idea with only 4 hours left, ey!? Come to think of not so bad things – The food was pretty all right too. Not the GREAT breakfast my dear mother cooked me before leaving 5:30 in the morning, but still good! I enjoyed every moment of it!!

NOW to the hard stuff! J I know experienced travelers told me to pack light, but hey I am an over packer by nature! I thought I did pretty well with my two suitcases, backpack and large purse.

DON’T judge me! Haha I put a lot of things back that I thought I would need……….. okay want. I did wish I packed less traveling from the airport to the University, but when I think about it I rather have everything I need and not have to worry about buying things right away – then scramble for it when I get there. But back to my point – if you have patience and strength, the train and bus aren’t impossible; they just require lifting and great steering. If you don’t have patience and have limited strength take the taxi! Our route was off plane at 230pm HK time (go to immigration, pick up bags, get HK money, then buy bus ticket), bus, then train, then shuttle to guesthouse on campus arriving around 530pm HK. It was quite a ride, but when you have people to talk to it flies by! It funny because after all of that, I wouldn’t even call that a journey. That was the short trip. I would call the campus we finally arrived to an EVERY DAY journey. WHY? Because we are up in the mountains with steep hills, water surrounding us, and buildings not so close together.

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This campus and country will change me for the better. I already envision great things! Talk to you guys soon!

Location: Guesthouse clinic road, shatin hong kong

Introductory Entry

Hey.

My name is Porsche and I am going to the CUHK (Chinese University of Hong Kong) as a senior for the Fall 2011 semester. I am 21 years of age and I am excited, but very nervous.

I expect to learn a new language while I am over there. I believe it is important to communicate with other people in their type of environment and in the way that makes them feel comfortable. I also expect to learn more about their traditions, values, social acceptance, government, and political views of the U.S. I know people believe you can learn this by reading, or taking a class. On the other hand, I believe immersing myself in another country physically makes the experience much more memorable, more effective, and hopefully FUN!!

This will be my first time leaving the country, so……. Wish me luck! Flight leaves in 1 month and 3 days.

Location: University Park

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