Daily Prompt: Study Abroad

Daily Prompt: Study Abroad.

Me Eating a Tiny Scorpion in Beijing

I did actually study abroad in Hong Kong for five months. I would have stayed longer if I’d been able to. I stayed in residence and though I met some great people and had a lot of fun, I’d probably like to have my own place to live. I think I drove my roommate a little batty the last time, though we are still good friends, right Kristel?

If I could do it again, I’d do Japan. I’ve always loved the Asian countries and it’s definitely on my bucket list. I’d ride the trains, eat sushi as much as possible, train in the same martial arts that I do here and finally pick up the Japanese language.

I’d visit Mount Fuji and the shrine of the 47 Ronin. I’d travel to Naha, Osaka, Nagasaki and Okinawa. It would take me probably years to do it, but I’d do it all. Might still do it, just as a travel. But who knows what the future holds?

 

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Growth

Weekly Photo Challenge: Growth

One of the first nights in Hong Kong for the exchange program, a few of us wanted to go for karaoke. Amazing how the group grows when you tell a few friends. It was 5 years ago today that I went on this trip.

The first night of karaoke in Hong Kong

The Update – December

I think I finally have a chance to breathe!

It has been a long time since I wrote, partially because there hasn’t been much time and partially because there is nothing to tell except “studying”.

I can tell you that I’ve never studied so hard in all my life. I think this experience has strengthened a few wise words that have been imparted to me over the years:
1. Trust no one.
2. If you want something done right, do it yourself.
3. Don’t reserve a place in a party reservation unless you have the money in hand.

Group work here is extremely painful, with locals or otherwise. I’ve also decided just now as I write this, I need to spend more time on my own. I haven’t done nearly enough. Even if it’s finding a little hole in the wall bar, having a drink and reading a book. This may not be entirely by choice since everyone else is leaving.

My adventures the other day have helped me to come to this path of thinking. Last night I had dinner reservations with some family friends and ended up there quite early. So I took a walk around exploring an area of town I had never been in, Soho and the Mid-Level escalators. You can see those photos in my December album in facebook (http://ryerson.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2132409&l=15e2c&id=172002597)

Tonight, I spend my first night alone in the room. No roomie, no neighbours. It is a nice feeling for a change. I know it won’t last, but it is peaceful.

Part of me just wants to sit here for the next few weeks, just making day trips out as the fancy takes me while the other part says “you’re in China…go and see the rest of it.” I know that the latter will be the result, but I’m having trouble finding the motivation. Maybe it’s just a temporary burnout. Tomorrow, I’ll go to Monkok, do my search for the books I want, Ravi’s gift and get some ideas for my shopping in Shenzhen on Monday. Go on Monday to Shenzhen, get my clothing, my shopping done and a massage! Then do New Years in style. Pick yourself up and git ‘r’ done! Going to get started on it right now as a matter of fact. See you all in a couple of weeks!

Tai Choon – Follow up

It turns out that contrary to my belief that no one witnessed our midnight training session during the typhoon in September, that someone did in fact see us doing tai chi. I talked with her a few nights ago and we started talking about the workshop that I am going to be running in a few weeks and she begins to tell me about this crazy thing that she saw during the storm a few weeks ago. “Was that you? I thought I was seeing things!” Guilty as charged. I think she might even sign up for the workshop. 😉