I am feeling down. Missed a whole day of lessons today. No apparent reason for this feeling, or I think so. I had enough sleep, got out the one side of the bed available.
Maybe it is the project deadlines looming and I cannot prioritize them in anyway, not by grades, cos I dun need 'em. No particular time difference in submission dates.
Maybe it is when I start making a video, or at least shooting it, I cannot stop for anything before I am at least done with it.
Maybe it is the time where I wanna be alone. And not return to a room, a hall of irritating people.
Maybe it is the time where I wanna be surrounded by friends, many of them. Talk to them, have someone listen to me. Laughing is a leisure I used to not get, and when I get that gratification, the world looks brighter. Now, laughing no longer cures the woes. But I don't even know what woes I have.
Maybe, or maybe, I am just home sick. Family, friends, the world I am used to.
Last Saturday. Yes, you heard it. Pubbing. NOT Clubbing. Well, you're in Hong Kong, where the city supposedly never sleeps. And people club, people pub. So why not? And guess it just reaffirmed myself about why I do not like to go to such places.
Since I got into the mood the previous night and the weather looked fine on Sunday, and I wanted some "me" time, so i decided to head out alone for a round of night photography.
AIA World Carnival Though I didn't go while others did, since I think I ham ji and basically won't dare to try any rides so I just wanted to take some photos...
Victoria Harbour And then I basically walked along the harbour promenade (which is now non-existent because they are doing reclamation works and ruin all my chances of seeing where TVB drama usually goes to) from Admiralty to Wanchai where HKCEC is and just in time to catch the laser show in action...and I think it's more dazzling from this side of the harbour, and you can still see the TST side...
Oh yah, after taking the Star Ferry to TST for dinner, I saw some filming going on at the harbour. The female lead is 曾宝仪, and I thought the male lead is some korean guy. But things got funny. They told me not to take pictures; the camera is not film nor DV, but something like Betacam and script was in Chinese..hmmm...and I stuck around (noticing the light set up and so on) until the guy sprouted mainland chinese...eeewwwww yucks! And I left...haha
The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping...and the bugs are OUT! Yes, I have bees flying outside my window and bugs dying on my window net because I sprayed insecticide on it. And the weather is getting really weird..temperature varies but the sun is hard to predict but at least at night, it is still natural air-con.
And... Nah..it's due to bed bugs, but some are mosquito bites though. Hope this doesn't spoil you appetite..haha
Stanley..two weeks ago Oh yah...another update, forgot about this trip with YS's roomies to Stanley. Bought a jacket and two shirts there, there do cater to big sizes there =) Yah..was drizzling throughout the day..but nonetheless the scenery was still stunning.
Scandalous sia...hahahaha
听海
HK's Next Top Model!
And we had barbecue HK style! They hold the skewers directly over the fire instead of putting things on a wire mesh; they bbq thing like bread (and with honey it taste heavenly); and their pits are along the sea and other scenic places. And this BBQ was special because (1) it was raining throughout but luckily we had a tree to shelter us; (2)this was the first time I had fully-cooked food throughout; (3) I actually ate till I was full..very full!
We were in complete darkness but didn't want to rent a light, so a torch was all we have. It was fun to mistake the skewers for sausage and the exclamations when we finally realise that our food is burned (when placed under the light)...
Yvonne's Birthday 16 March - She turns 22! After spending some time in the music room, where the photos definitely looks much better than hearing the cacophony in there (lolx), we headed to her hall (enduring the mosquito bites while YS does the wrapping) to give her the Bday prezzie - N72! (Damn, I am jealous..haha)
And then there was the dinner...guess which were the dishes that I cooked? Haha...
On Saturday, ET finally bought her new Canon EOS400D and since the news reported as though Queen's Pier is gonna be demolished soon (which is not true as the conservation parties are still negotiating with the government on this issue, but since I didn't understand the news in Cantonese...) so we headed out to Queen's Pier. Actually, it was more like a desire to head out and the fact that I wanna use my tripod, so yah...hehe
Had dinner at Langham before heading out for photo shoot. Head Pseudo-Singaporean food which made us miss home even more, 'cos the laksa tasted real bland; the chicken rice is damn salty; the roti prate look-alike is damn tasteless as well. And we saw a live band performing, though god knows who are they =p
Queen's Pier by night
We even met a group of pro-photography enthusiasts, and ET chatted them up immediately! Hahaaaa...
Star Ferry...Gone Ok, this may be a repeat of what I took before, but this is (1) taken using my digicam, not my cellphone; and (2) taken at night! Haha...but they have already cleared up a lot of the things (banners etc.), maybe because they got really messy and the cleaning aunties just had to do their job...
Arghhh..before I update on the happenings this weekend, I must say how damn suay I am ...I blew HKD120 on a taxi ride from Mongkok back to CUHK!!!
Why?
Argghh! And my stupid train from E. TST stopped at Mongkok. I called Angie who in turn called Ann and Patrick for help and despite asking around all the minibus drivers, I still couldn't find the minibus that comes back to CU. And so I had to take a cab, but well, it did save me the walk up-slope which I am thankful for. And after I switched on my comp to watch Cable TV, the train has resumed service before I boarded my cab! Damn suay...
Like my mum said when I was showing my photos during CNY, I don't look as though I am studying here. Yes, I don't think so too. This week, more assignments just got added to the never-gonna-be-able-to-finish-doing list and I overslept this morning and missed a lecture. Yes, I came here with the aim of losing that stress over grades and being super-bothered by projects and presentations. However, I don't seem to be able to put it all down. I got my average-rating grade for my midterms which is common for modules back home. And I am getting that must-buck-up-for-exams-in-order-to-pull-up-my-grades feeling again. Damn it.
Putting it all aside. This is what I do every weekend. For the last weekend, we went Yum Cha again on Saturday morning, but this time we had more people and the place was still bursting with people that we had to split into two tables. After we had our fill (and it sure filled our stomachs), we roamed about Central again and I finally got to see that HK Police Station up close. This was followed by shopping at factory outlets in Kwun Tong. I got a size 14 pair of shoes for only S$60! Haha...but everyone was tired and we didn't really shop much (only 1 out of the many buildings there). It was such a desolate place and all. Now I know why filmmakers never run out of locations for filming in Hong Kong.
There are some things in life that are meant to happen in a certain way. Things finally got worked out, and I am totally enjoying myself in Hong Kong again. Anyway, am swarmed by 3 final papers, 1 video projects, 2 quizzes and 1 more final exam in the coming 1.5 months. And I fared pretty ok for the midterms last week (read: if I get this kind of score in NTU, I will be depressed like shit...lol)
Anyway, a week ago, New Asia College (my college) had a small carnival to celebrate 元宵 (belated) but it was raining like pretty seriously. So Alvin played in the rain trying to get that Tamama for Yvonne (aw....) but didn't succeed, while Angie was trying hard to read 繁体字 in the NA canteen..haha...later was joined by SQ and YS and we bought chocolate flavoured 汤圆 and SQ fed Alvin (awwwww.........) hahahahaa. Becos of the rain, we adjourned to my hall (since they closed the stalls anyway) and played German Bridge at the lobby and that was the first time I stepped into the 小卖部 of my hall.
Pool was next at Daisy Li Hall, and Angie was fierce sia..haha...look at the photos. And I got stomach cramp laughing over fus ball with SQ. That was so hilarious..and everyone made funny noises playing it...hahaaaa...it was so damn tiring...
This video which I fell in love back in 2004...was an idea created by my lecturer!!!! And the angmoh in the film is one of the prof in CUHK's School of Journalism and Communication!!! Wow wow wow! I can't believe it!!!! Lolx...
Anyway, was looking back at the Channel U farewell video...and it kinda reminds me what kindled by interest in the broadcast industry...now that this beacon of hope has dimmed, I have no idea where my interest lie. Do I want to do research for life? Be an academic? Or do I want to go into production, living a life which I think I will enjoy, but is gonna drain the hell out of me (unless I stick to the safe side and work for you-know-who), or should I try to chart the course of Singapore media? I am not sure. At all....
Have been feeling touristy these few days and today was no exception. Despite having a midterm tomorrow and have only READ through the readings and all ONCE over, I went out to visit Sham Shui Po and Ap Liu Street Market. Before that, we had the signature ham and cheese rolls from NA canteen. I can't start to describe the tastiness of it all..haha. Anyway, we finally took our 1st 小巴 today! lolx...cheap thrill...
Sham Shui Po is similar to Sim Lim in Singapore, prices of majority of the stuff there are on par..except for the thumb drives and flash memory which are quite cheap...even compared to Bangkok. Ah well, had the worst dinner at a 茶餐厅 somewhere around there. And yea, when YS, Yvonne and me go out we always end up in the worst possible eating places. We should start sticking to fast food when we go out..haha And Ap Liu Street (鸭寮街) is just like in the TVB drama..all the audio systems (haven't seen all my babies for a long time) but well...see no touch..and there were whole street of phone shops..and confusion over 行货 and 水货, and there's even parallel imports of Nokia N72 from Singapore (yes, Singapore! haha..shouldn't we just buy it back home then)
The weather has fall back to comfortable temperatures now, but it's raining though. Btw, whoever is on exchange now please give me your contact number if you are in the following countries..I have free IDD calling...will only cost HKD0.25 per minute for me..=)
To all lines: China, Singapore, United States of America To fixed lines only: Australia, Taiwan, United Kingdom
Spendings in Jan: HKD4720.90 Hostel Fee Payment: HKD3910 Caution Money: HKD1450 (hope can get back in full) Spendings in Feb: HKD2739.40 ===================================================== Nonrecoverable spendings: HKD11370.30 ~ S$2256
Plus the air tickets! SQ: S$801 Jetstar: S$382
===================================================== TOTAL SPENDINGS IN 2 MONTHS: S$3439!!!! OMFG....I have already spent up my entire Nanyang Scholarship!!! Damn....should I still go on tour during Easter???
It has definitely came as a shock. But well, life tends to throw things at you, but I am at the receiving end ever so often that it gets really sick. I find that I really need to release my pent-up frustrations, be it talking to someone or simply hanging out, enjoying myself in Hong Kong. Life goes on, and I shalln't let IT ruin any part of this wonderful experience. And to those back home and elsewhere in the world, I really miss you guys, especially when I stared up at the full moon tonight...
With 2 midterms coming up this week and a whole lot of deadlines coming up, I am trying to play hard and work hard (fingers crossed).
Mar 1: Dinner with YS's flatmates. Played +2 -1 with Angie, SQ and Yvonne at CC while passing time and damn was it crazzzzzie...haha..got some videos but I dun have permission to upload them..lolz...and we headed back to the same stall at Fo Tan last time to enjoy a sumptuous dinner/supper
Mar 2: Movie Day! Had a wonderful dinner at 鱼米王 which served up huge portions of delicious fish and seafood noodles (the fish head noodles in Singapore completely pales in comparison..must try!) and made a mad rush to the movies, afraid that we will miss out on important parts of the story. Well, the cinema was cool, wide seats with plenty of leg space and the aircon was cool. Just that we were in such a rush I didn't get my popcorn!!! Arghhh..haha...the Protege is well, overrated in my opinion. Lousy plot, unnecessary humour but if you wanna drool over Daniel Wu then go ahead..lolz..kinda disappointed since you know I am not the kind that will spend money on going to cinemas...haha...and we paid HKD50 for the tix!
Mar 3: Kai Tak, Wong Tai Shin Temple, Hard Rock!! Originally wanted to go Stanley, but Angie's friend will bring us around next week. Then, suppose to yum cha, but they played mahjong through the night and wanted to sleep. So kena pangseh...damn pissed actually. Fly me aeroplane...you wait ar...hahahaaa... so decided to drag Alvin out despite him just recovering from a fever...and headed out to TST for lunch. Found a weird cafe that fries vegetable with rice...forgot to take pictures...but yea..it sucked.
Anyway, ventured to look at the old Kai Tak Airport. Nothing much left. Just barren land waiting to be redeveloped. Called the HKTB hotline to find our way there and their instructions were all confusing and finally on the advice of a security guard and a poilcewoman passing by, we took cab. My first taxi ride in HK for this trip..hahaha..and boy does the meter jump fast.
Wong Tai Shin Temple was on the same MTR line and so it ended up as the next on the itinerary. Alvin thinks that he missed a goddess-on-earth trying to sell him joss sticks. I say she simply went home after a day's work. Anyway, the number of devotees is really huge. I didn't pray because I didn't know what to pray for. Serious. Things happen, and I think nature will takes it course.
Finally bought my pots and pans (HKD80 for 3 pots and 1 pan, split with Alvin) and we later roamed TST with Yvonne and Angie trying to find a place for cheap dinner. But alas, we splurged on Hard Rock! My first time in a Hard Rock Cafe! Damn..was it expensive. I think I need to eat instant noodles for this week (and I just bought them today...ahhaha)
And finally today, well, everyone was to go out and couped themselves inside school and so I joined in. Did a little studying for my midterms but nothing seems to be going in..oh well...
We are easily recongnisable by our accent. Trust me. Though sometimes we can get mixed up with Malaysian (I dunno what the hell those people are thinking but...) we are unique. No culture of our own? I don't think so. Do you seriously feel comfortable not speaking Singlish for a prolonged period? I mean we can be proper, formal, some of us can even have the American or British accent. But when you are with your own people, shouldn't we use our own language? We have been recognised through it before, and I love the feeling of seeing or hearing things Singaporean. Don't get me wrong, this is not patriotism, especially when it comes to Singapore as a country with its governance and all.
But it is nice to be in Hong Kong, not so far from home and no cultural shock per se. We see Singapore stuff here everywhere (we don't need to go to some remote Chinatown to get frozen Roti Prata or spices, even Ba Kut Teh packs) but the feeling when you see people you are is really good. And it helps that many CS peepz are around this region. Met up with Shuiling and Khaiyan who were enroute to Fudan. Man, it feels different and you can really strike up a conversation like instantly? I have not spoke a word to Khaiyan before...hahahaha...and to think she said I could speak Cantonese...haha....damn..that was funny. And yes, they were trapped by the touristy stuff here. Not that all of them are bad, I still have yet to explore everything and I really want to, but the more famous ones like Avenue of Stars and the laser show is really well....crap.
Got 2 quizzes (or midterms) next week, both MCQ style, and I really don't feel like studying, still. Anyway, I wanna go Staney this Saturday, and hopefully that would energize me to study on Sunday. Dotz...haha
