Adjusting with Helping Hands

I've always been quite Independent. But lately, everything has just been out of my control. Hong Kong is efficient, Hong Kong is fast. However, Hong Kong is excruciatingly complicated. And for all its efficiency its complications seems to get the better of it. I've also had pretty next to nothing to do at times which is so uncommon for me as I would be running around back home, meeting people, doing things, getting business done.


This city runs on its bureaucracy and getting things done both at the University and the city is a nightmare for any person. The long queus and the 5 million different procedures can give you a migraine. I've been running around, literally running to get things done here. I've been applying for student records and faculty application stuff and I've literally run out of breathe getting to places. The most annoying thing was when I had missed one step in my application they said they would wait for me. However, lunch time means lunch time here and they CLOSE THE FREAKIN OFFICE! Yeah, wow, thanks for waiting. Yesterday I had a quick registration for my social science faculty. This was the most head splitting information session on course registration ever. Please don't complain back home at UBC about our registration and course selection, it's a breeze compared to the headache they've created here. So I'm only allowed to add drop courses in the first two weeks. However adding a course doesnt mean I've been approved for it. I have to wait for approval from my department before it is officially confirmed that I can take this course. This approval takes two weeks. Yes, yes THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME I CAN ADD OR DROP, which means if I dont get approved for the class I'm fucked. So what happens here is that students take like 10 courses in the beginning of the term to see what they like and hope for the best in the add course period. How they juggle this? I have no freakin clue. It doesn't sound complicated but when you need to complete a certain amount of credits for your home institution or for your own graduation plan this is an unnecessary obstacle. BTW they have no waiting lists for courses if its full. You just need to constantly check the damn sight.........


On a lighter note. A bunch of us foreign kids went out for dinner today near LKF ( the bar district). We were joined by a friend of mine who was a friend of my exchange buddy. She met us up at a Cha Chang Teng called Tsui Wah, which is a HK style cafe(diner) that serves up metropolitan fare(HK Style). You'll learn that HK style means incorporating every kind of food style and making it their own. Drinks are alot sweeter ie: Milk Tea, Iced coffee, Lemonade. Food is a lot tastier in the sense that their is alot of seasoning, sodium, msg, etc etc. The food tastes good, but you have to be careful of what you'll eat as there is little vegetables in the meals unless its home cooked. I've been watching everything I've been eating as I don't want to bloat up like last summer. Saving money is also very easy if you know where to go. So we had dinner, there was about 10 of us and after dinner went to a bar in LKF called Oysters. I've been around the area before. Last summer I went to a sheesha bar/lounge called Jem right next to it. We had a drink or two and a good few puffs of the sheesha. This was the most relaxing moment I've had all week. We headed home around 11.

Our friend Shirley has been really helpful, showing us around and introducing us to the local eats and haunts. She took us to a foot massaging place in our second day here at causeway bay. Really appreciate some of the local's hospitality.

When I got home there was a real comotion going on. The local freshmen where having their orientation camp all week and they were in a for a treat tonight as they went from floor to floor or our residence doing tasks and biddings of the seniors. It was slightly juvenile and kinda innocent compared to the hasing done over in North America but it was all good and fun. The locals seemed to have fun, though we were never really offered the same kind of opportunity for integration. I went to bed after witnessing 1 group do their initiation.

Hailing from Hong Kong; My new hellish hectic home!

I am landed!
Boy does it feel good.
For all of you that haven't been following up on my blog or my life I just flew to Hong Kong on Sunday 12pm Pacific time from Vancouver. Why am I here you may ask? I'm here for exchange studies at the University of Hong Kong for a year and continuing on to work for UBC's Asia Pacific Regional Office also located here in Hong Kong for another year. Yes that's right two years! And yes I am a crazy bastard.
I think that in the end though that this will be an opportunity of great growth. capitalizing on the unfamiliar has always been my motto and I have gained much from this life long learning process. I want to keep the banter to a minimum to a minimum this time around so I can update you on what I've been up to.



So on friday night before I left for Hong Kong my friends helped me set up a great send off party. I reserved tables for dinner at Ebisu and promoted the night at Fabric as my going away bash. Dinner at Ebisu was awesome. Alot of my friends came out, some I haven't even seen in awhile. Stash and the guys were out to get me sloshed before I could even get to the club. From what I can recall I had a Sake-bomb, some kamikazes, some other rediculous shots, bear fuckers, and a whole lot of shit I shouldn't have downed before eating my first bite of food.


After dinner we got to the club and it was rediculously packed. So I took my girl and her friend to the front and told one of the Koo guys that I was here and he says to me, "OK, I'm doing this as a favour." I look at him like "WTF?!" and he puts me in the front of the line and not even pulling me in with the bouncers. MY NAME WAS ON THE FUCKIN TICKET! IT SAID WELDON's SEND OFF PARTY! I get in and finished swiping my ID and these to ugly mother fucking taiwanese fobs stop me and tell me to pay cover. I tell them I'm promoting and that I'm with trist. They ask me if I have a name card. "WHAT FUCKIN NAME CARD?" They said they don't have my name on the list so I ask for their manager and they tell me to CALL him myself! I grab my wallet and rip out 45 bucks for my girl, her friend and my cover and slammed it on the table and tell the fag with the stamp to give them fuckin stamps right away. I get in PISSED AS HELL! I tell all my other friends promoting that night what happened. My friend finally tells Eric the Koo manager for that night what happens and he takes me to the front to get a refund. He only gives ME a refund and not for my girl and her friend. I look at the two fags who made me pay and I point at their ugly face and said, "YOU REMEMBER MY FACE! I TOLD YOU FUCKERS! I TOLD YOU I WAS WITH TRIST PROMOTING AND YOU FUCKIN MADE ME PAY!
" They replied, "Hey man, not our fault, we didn't know!" That pissed me off even more and I said, "FUCK YOU, YOU FUCKIN MORON!" and waved my hand at them like the fuckin pansies they are. I get some drinks and danced with my girl and I felt alot better after that. We go outside for a breather and I learn that Chris actually told the bouncers that "Trist" promoters weren't welcomed tonight and put my friends at the back of the line. We were beyond belief and choked at their attitude. We spent most of the smoking outside because of the rediculousness of the situation. I brought my girl home and went home myself. Other than the Koo Party fiasco I had a great night with my friends and it was hilariously fun outside the club. Nat and her friend Erica were giving us some great entertainment.

Saturday night I spent at twinkle with some friends and I will miss playing the nose game with them soooooo much. This is when I get my best laughs through the duration of my week. They gave me a surprise and I will definitely put their gift to use. I got home at 230am and finished packing and was hoping to watch the closing ceremonies of the olympics but was too tired to survive.

Sunday morning was the big day and I woke up early and zipped up my luggage. I was feeling groggy and dazed and not fully understanding what was about to happen to me. This day seemed so surreal to me. I was actually going to leave. I was off to the airport with my parents. These were the last few moments in Vancouver for me for a long time. I checked in at the JAL counter by an efficient lady. It took less then 2 minutes to finish my luggage check in and boarding pass. Vanessa came to see me off =) and we had a bit of breakfast together before I left. Boarding this plane has probably been the hardest for me. I never thought I'd say this but I will definitely miss Vancouver, because of the people that are there, the fresh air, and of course the food! I said bye to my parents and went through International departures security checks.

After various security checks I went to the departure gate of my flight and waited for about an hour. I was already feeling antsy and this never usually happens when I fly, but this time had a totally different meaning for me. My restless flight gave me signs that I was about to have 2 hard days ahead of me. I transitted through Tokyo for 3 hours and had a quick bite of Yakisoba. The Yakisoba was microwaved and full of msg but it was tastey enough to get me through. It reminded me very much of the meal I had with my God sis. No better time to reminisce than now I guess. My flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong was a bit of a nightmare and lets just say my stomach wasn't agreeing with either the flight or the yakisoba. Getting off the plane was a relief and it was great to see a friendly face as my exchange buddy, Charlotte met me at the airport. We got acquainted with each other and had a friendly chat from the Airport express MTR to Hong Kong station where we took a taxi to my hall of residence, Swire Hall. We got up the stairs and into the lobby and were greeted by a dark somber looking man. He avoided talking to me at all cost and directed most of his inquiries towards my local buddy. When I received all the paper work necessary I went up to my room. Surprise surprise someone is still in there with his stuff all over the place. I was then warned that my room mate was still in residence and that he was actually leaving for Vancouver soon. He finally showed up after awhile and I introduced myself. We got off well and helped each other up. I gave him advice about Vancouver and UBC and he helped me get started with things at HKU. I tried to get my stuff all settled down and unpacked. Took my first shower in a dorm and headed off to bed.

Today was the most hectic day in I've had in awhile. I woke up early and showered. A friend I made the night before and my room mate showed me where to go for breakfast in the morning and we all made a quick trip to the canteen. After that I went off with my friend daniel to the computer lab and soon after my buddy met us up at starbucks with her friends and her friend's buddies from Korea. We went around campus finishing our registration and picking up orientation packages. I had a fustrating moment trying to open a bank account. After that was all done we headed to Causeway bay for bubble tea and some quick shopping. We practiced our cantonese on our way their and had some hilarious moments trying to pronounce things or corrent my pronunctiations. Once we got to Causeway we went to RBT to meet up with Charlotte's friends and her buddies. We split up again to go look for cell phones for my new friend from Colorado, Daniel. He settled on a phone from Smartone. I have to tell you that cell phone plans in Hong Kong are rediculously cheap! After that rallied at Sogo Department store, a major landmark at Causeway bay and headed to a massage parlour to get some foot massages! I couldn't join them but watched as they delighted because my uncle was going to pick me up for dinner. I was picked up by my uncle in a vast street of stores and people. My uncle and my aunt took me to dinner at a Japanese restaurant that is part of the same chain of my favourite Japanese restaurant there, Itamae, but this one was called Satochi Sushi. I had my first satisfying meal in Hong Kong and from there went on to pick some goods up from my relatives. Now I'm sitting here in a boiling room writing into the wee morning. I still think of Vancouver and especially Vanessa. There were a few moments on the airplane when I was listening to an Above and Beyond song that talked about home and being half a world apart, the irony. Well for better of for worse I'm here in Hong Kong and hopefully I'll bask in it as it has much to offer me.

PS: I will be getting a blackberry here soon, so I will pin you all and we can get connected there.

From Hong Kong to Vancouver; Half a world apart but not a memory disjointed.

Welcoming the World to the Nest: Beijing Olympics Welcomes a world both anxious and ignorant

A change of topic during a remarkable time in this world as China broadcasts to the world its history, language, culture, and art. And yes, it is still the same regime we know of as the People's Republic of China. What this country has done within the last decade is surpass any imagination or pessimism to shock and awe the people of the world with their ability to grow, change and lead the global community to a new era. I will not deny that there are certain "freedoms" withheld within China, but the ability for a country to host a coming out party that shouts as loud as this after a century of turmoil and chaos. I've decided to reflect upon this change within my blog though it is a far cry from my usual banters on food (though I have written papers on the changing politics of food within China). As IOC Chairman Jacques Rogge puts it, "The Games are a chance for the rest of the world to discover what China really is".



Why am I promoting this Olympic? Firstly, because it is the most debated Olympics since the 1980s boycotted Olympics in Moscow. Secondly, this is a test of China's control and the ability of China to adapt to a harshly critical western media (at most times unnecessary). Thirdly, this Olympics is something symbolic for the people of China to unite and show solidarity within a world that misunderstands China. Finally, I believe the west is still ignorant of the leaps and bounds this country has made in most aspects of its citizens' lives.

China unveils itself to spits on the face.

China and its people wanted to open the world to its history, culture, art, and power with a grand show. Many will say that this is excessive, that they are merely flexing their muscles like body builders, and like body builders they are weakest at the moment the perform and are judged. What has the criticism so far been by Western media? The pollution, the human rights, the sudan genocide, the tibetan rights, and great firewall of censorship. None of these other than the pollution and slight exception of the firewall has ANYTHING to do with what the Olympics are about or what the Chinese want to offer the world. Face is one of the most important points of respect within the Chinese culture. What some ignorant and self-righteous groups have done is offer Western media slanted opinions on the very things that they should question their own part of the world about. In my opinion the greatest disrespect these groups have done already is to attempt to snuff out the Olympic torch, a symbol which is held dear to global athletes and the Chinese which have symbolized it as their leap forward into global intergration.

This blog here offers the some insight into the Torch as a symbol for the Chinese people: http://thechinabeat.blogspot.com/2008/07/why-were-chinese-people-so-angry-about.html

The following is an important passage within the article. .

"In my classroom re-enactments, I am often surprised at the effect on myself, and in Deyang I experienced the sudden insights into my own culture that Turner says are a potential of ritual (a product of "liminality"). Against the background of the furor over the international torch relay, observing the reverence and emotion for The Torch and The Torchbearer made me suddenly see how cynical we are, more often than not, in the West, as a product of our secularized, rationalized society in which there are only small spaces in which it is acceptable to express reverence for symbols. A picture appeared in my mind which is an exaggeration but perhaps with a kernel of truth: In China, the majority of public expressions take place in a vast field of rituals and symbols, while the protest zones that were recently announced for the Olympic Games are the small, circumscribed spaces where critical analytical thought is expressed. In the US, the majority of public expressions take place in a vast field of critical analytical thought, while ritual expression takes place in small, circumscribed places like churches and, arguably, sports events. I realized that at least part of the anger that many Chinese people felt at the disruptions of the international torch relay was the result of the (to them) appalling and uncivilized lack of respect for a nearly-sacred object.

In the West the Olympic Games have struggled with a loss of idealism due to challenges like commercialism and doping.

The ChineseOlympic organizers and many Chinese people held an idealistic faith in the transformative power of the Olympic Games, believing that they could facilitate China's integration with the world and benefit its future development. The West duly regarded this with skepticism. According to Turner, a balanced social process requires rituals. The global village needs its ritual and the Olympic Games are currently serving that function. But also according to Turner, ritual has the potential to either increase solidarity or initiate irreparable schisms.
In Deyang it was possible to foresee the closing of this cultural gap between China and the West. Everyone agreed that our final performance at the elite Foreign Languages Middle School in Deyang was the "most orderly" – and all but myself and the artist Sun Yiyong considered this a good thing. The children did not mob The Torch or me. They spoke very good English and they paid 40,000 yuan per year in tuition. Apparently for such privileged children The Torch and The International Person had already lost some of their lustre."

For most Westerners who have little introduction into Confucian ideology and neither live it in any instance of their lives this concept of respect for such a thing may be hard to understand, but for many Chinese this symbol is the binding that keeps the national nuclear unit together. The cleave between China and West is increased at every moment a group attempts to smother the Olympic flames or to place a "free tibet" banner on the Great Wall or on any national symbol. This disrespect is not so much a message or liberating act within China but rather a spit on the face. They will question, "why are these foreign devils attempting to destroy our nation, our culture, and our pride?" It is self-righteous to attempt such demonstrations before looking upon your own side of the world with its many injustice and unrighteousness. Confucius says, "Respect yourself and others will respect you." Does China criticize or question us on; the Quebecois? the Basque? the IRA? The oppression of Native Americans/Canadians? The massive effects of Colonialism in Africa? I live and grew up in the West but my Chinese background gave me special identity in a Country that is accepting of muti-culturalism, but my experience here has taught me that the friction between Western individualist values and Chinese Confucian Familial values were great. I applaud the attempt by many of my friends and colleagues in attempting the understand and respect these values but in general the ignorance and misinterpretation is still there.

The Boycott of the Beijing Olympics by Foreign Officials

This Olympics has been hotly debated especially by Foreign Officials. Most of the officials calling for a boycott against the Olympics because of China's Human Rights records. Other than the hypocratic statements made by many of these officials the mis-information fed to them is more important. What exactly are the human rights records they speak of? What are the specific examples? Are these examples more damning then the own happening in their country.

One supporter of the boycott is Mia Farrow, her article may give you a better opinion on the issue:
http://www.miafarrow.org/genocide_olympics.html

Please view the NBC video on linking the Sudan crisis to the Olympics in Beijing naming it "The Genocide Olympics".
http://www.miafarrow.org/editorials.html
Her article that claims linking Chinese to genocide in Sudan.
http://www.sudanreeves.org/Page-10.html

A website urging the masses to "shame" China for their role in Sudan.

http://www.straight.com
Read the article on China's contribution to Genocide.

I will let you decided whether or not the claims by Actress Mia farrow and her Hollywood comrades are correct or legitimate. I do ask the readers to critically read and assess each media source. Where are these articles written? Where are the academic and scholarly sources to these claims?

The Tibet Incident
This was a most devestating blow to the PR of China's Olympics. A riot happening within it's own territory with massive media attention. However, for better or worse this was a chance of China to adapt to Western media. I as a Westerner will admit to our use of Media as a propagandic tool of what is the "in" topic for liberalists and self-righteous Western Celebrities. The domestic situation of economy for the US was at an all time low, what can we do to draw attention to another issue in the world? Well you know the rest. I'm not making an excuse for the Chinese government. Some of their tactics are harsh by Western standards but in my opinion necessary. However we must question the seeds the Tibetan government has placed within western media and sollicitation with our officials through the propaganda they use towards celebrities calling towards their so called compassion.

China has stated that Tibet is an internal issue. Why do people no heed this? Because the west is fixed upon this pedestal complex that it must step into issues not of their own. What about our issue with the Quebecois? The Basque? Are these seperatist movements not "Internal"? Confucius says, "What you often attempt to find in others are found within yourself". The contention of Tibet being a territory of China has been in debate for over centuries. Tibet has always been a tributary nation since the Yuan Mongol Dynasty of Khublai Khan. Even now the Dhalai Lhama has accepted the sovereignty of China within Tibetan lands and only hoped for a dialogue of cultural and historical preservation. The Tibetan government in exile are working externally without the guidance of the Dhalai Lhama. He has called for repeated peace while the Tibetans rioted. He even wished the games well in China and praised China as a fitting host. What this "Free Tibet" movement has become is out of his control.

Also some interesting reads for a better understanding of China is the "Serfdom debate before PRC regime sovereignty in Tibet".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serfdom_in_Tibet_controversy

Controversies Aside

Let's now remind ourselves what the Olympics are about. It is about the athletes who compete in a world stage to represent their nations. It is about a global harmony, one which China has hailed in it's slogan "One World, One Dream". Never before has a country under authoritarian rule look so keen to lead the world in technology, economy, arts, and environmental issues. These games are touted the greenest games with the least amount of waste produced through its extensive infrastructure that re uses most of its waste. The amount of monies inserted into this project amount up to $40 billion including a $100 million on the opening ceremonies alone. Over thousands of Chinese have flocked to the capital hoping to volunteer and view the competitions. These games should be a guiding example of what the Olympics should be about and not what extra political concerns created by media propaganda is spinning. I implore my fellow Vancouverites to come together to meet the standards the Chinese have set for us. I ask for all walks of life in this city to come together to support our Nation's dreams of hosting the world.