Squid fishing, only in Hong Kong.

Dear friends, 

Last night, I got a chance to go squid fishing in Hong Kong! I mean I heard about this activity before but I were not too interested. But since my friends/colleagues are going, of course, I've tagged along.  

So having to be in Seattle for quite some times. When I think any kind of fishing. I think BIG. Big size, big boats, big equipment. I think "the Deadliest Catch" (Yes! I really thought). Well, I know...that isnt really pragmatic. And I thought about different more realistic scenarios for HK waters. It was involved lots of like random equipments and really churning water (I remember watching the perfect storm when I was younger, that image of the big waves turning the ship over is quite traumatizing really).

But the experience was much less dramatic but definitely was as much fun as I thought. The satisfaction of catching just one damn squid is much more than you think! (Yes, even if it's smaller than a palm size. 

The group first met up in Sai Kung to board the boat at around 7pm. Squids are typically caught at night because they are attracted to lights. I recalled seeing all these fishing boats with ridiculously BIG bulbs in Taiwan earlier last August. Then at night during my visit, I also saw a lot of bright ships over the sky line. 

Sai Kung piers are the most crowded on Saturday night. "Ah, I guess the locals do this a lot too!" I have seen lots of groupons but have never really thought about buying as I have mentioned. Anyway, we hop on the boat and off we go..!

One of the batches that we've got that evening.

On the junk boat, heading off to our "squid fishing" spot.

The apparatus that we used to catch them squids!! Just hooks and strings!

After one hour of moving my arm and throwing out the hooks over and over again, and complaining out loud. I successfully got two squid!! Woot woot!! Anyway, my colleague is a pro, she got 13 (grrrr...!!). It was fun and a good experience. The squids were delicio as well! ngum ngum ngum.

oh yeah, we've got enough for four dishes.

Anyway, this should really sum up the experience. Wheee! More to update about my upcoming birthday weekend!

Lots of love,
Emily

Things I'm grateful for..

My dear friends, 

This is a much.. overdue post. To be honest, part of my new year resolutions was to do at least one post per month, and yet.. here we are, 6 months later. But I am here to tell you a quick brief updates about my life. It has been a little difficult and stressful lately. Nevertheless I would like to devote this post to tell you guys about things I am grateful for. 

Over this past 6 months, there were times when I was idle and bored (yes, out of my mind). And, there were times that I was overwhelmed (yes, again out of my mind). But here now thinking back to those times, I really a lot of people. I mentioned in the last posts that I don't want to take things for granted, and I wish to do this reflection every once in a while, to be a better person and to grow a bit by bit from the self-reflection. 

And since I love making list.. (here we go again, another damn list!)

1. A couple of things that I signed up for earlier this year when I was feeling rather idle were: (i)  volunteering with the "School-Company-Parents (SCP)" with Young entrepreneurs Development Councils (YDC), and (ii) my Putonghua class (woot, woot! 我是中文棵的学生! ). Both of them are going great at the moment, but the things that I would like to mention here is the SCP program. Since I moved to Hong Kong, due to language limitations, I have also limited my opportunity to volunteer locally. Through this program, however, I managed to work through those language barrier and get involved again. These guys here are the kids that I worked with. Teaching them about "Career Choice" makes me reflect upon my own. Thinking about why I have chosen to study Economics and Biology, and also how I ended up here in Hong Kong, and most importantly being able to guide someone with that experience are quite rewarding. These guys remind me of how much how much I have grown.

Note: SCP Program is started with YDC organization and technically we were to guide these secondary school kids to face the business world and the reality of job hunting and career planning. 

2. I've also got a chance to travel a bit. Explore unknown space. Though I am not going to discuss much about this because we all know what I am talking about (Explore, explore, explore, and never say no to an adventure!), I've learned that we can always do the smallest things like explore a park on a rainy day, watching the sunset and eating cold cakes. Yes, that makes the best memories. Indeed, the best.

3. My dearest. He gave me so much support. I ranted and ranted everyday, mood swings and all those emo moments. He was there. Supporting me and making me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Really, I do feel that way sometimes! I am forever grateful. I really hope I am the same to you. You keep me silly. You are keeping my young.

4. Family. When I am at my saddest moments, I long for them. And I have not felt this way in a long time. Yes, there are times that I am homesick. But I am been on my own for so long that I forgot what it is like to feel like you can depends on someone.  They give me so much more than I thought I am receiving. Simplest words. would lift me up. I miss them so. I really do.

5. Sigur Ros and cute puppies (yes, cute puppies).

Sigur ros first.. Their musics, their epic concert. (not so much the ticket price, but hey, it is Sigur Ros afterall). I finally got the chance to go see them live. Jonsi again did not disappoint. Went to their concert at Asia-World Expo on May 21 (long-awaited since the beginning of the year!) Listening to them live reminds me so much of why I am so attracted to their music. Ah.. 2009 till now, I am very happy I have learned about them.

Secondly, puppies. I can not not give them credits, for I am very much grateful for their cuteness! These babies lift up my spirits a lot. When I'm down, when I'm bored, when I'm stressed. But look at those puppies, they make me smile big every single time. soo cute! 

6. Coursera.org This online class platform has helped to remind me of how much I am learned from moving here in Hong Kong. It's not just about learning new things, I realized how much I can contribute and that, honestly, build up my self-esteem again. Currently I am taking Professor Henry Perry's class on Health for All through Primary Healthcare with John Hopkins! My first public health related class after undergrad career! Let's see where this class lead me!

So that were the lists of things that I am recently very grateful of. Of course, a lot of it has sounds quite depressing. I have to admit that over the pass few weeks, I was unhappy and stressed and therefore, these things are quite crucial and more significant to me that you might understand. Anyhow, I hope again to update the blog more regularly since this proposal preparation madness! Of course... after I catch up with my putonghua class, my online class, the traveling scrapbook, and a lot of other things... hehe I am a busy girl ;).

Don't forget to stay silly!

Till next time,
Emily

Another day in Hong Kong

Dear friends,

Today is indeed another day in Hong Kong. A laugh-out-loud "epic fail" day. So let me tell you my story...

This week my mind has been occupied with two main things: (1) the fact that I am sick, and (2) making a home-made pop-up birthday/congratulations card (thanks, mini-eco for the inspiration!) f for one of my best girl in Seattle. As I have already failed to find an appropriate birthday gift that can be shipped internationally, this card better happen.

So Friday night art supplies hunt started (I actually need cutting mat and x-acto knife). I figured.. I took off the night from my Hockey class as I am not fully recovered.. I should take this time to go find the supplies that I need i.e. cutting mat and a actually cutter. So.. I thought I saw a good one while hunting for birthday gift two nights before, so I went back to the store in Sha Tin.. I did not find the ones that I have imagined. So I went to the same store in another district (2 stations away in Kowlong Tong). I did not find it there neither. But I did not give up because.. I figured I'm already out, I should use my time wisely.. So this is where my epic fail moment started.

I never know finding the most simple stuff can be this difficult until I moved to Hong Kong. So I went to the nearby bookstore knowing I would find it... And there's none there. I am still optimistic, so I remember googling "art supplies Hong Kong" and I came up with a good store in Mong kok. Since I am already out, I figured my journey should continue (so I can spend tmr working on this card). So I kept going.

Another station away.. I was certain that I was going to find it as I have only find good reviews! I was very certain. AND..... after walking blocks and blocks looking for the stores. I found a whole lot of them!!! They are all in the same block!! BUT... (yes, "BUT") most importantly.. they are all CLOSED as well.

"dim dim dim" indeed.

Well, I actually remain positive. I got something that I've been meaning to buy on a random store while on a hunt for art supplies. And now that I know where it is.. I could always go back anytime (aka tmr as her birthday is coming up soon). So tmr I will be back again. Until then!

So I went home, disappointed but it really was not too bad. So back at my home station I was thinking.. "hmmm what am I going to cook when I get back home?" Walking out of the train station, that is when I saw it... This girl carrying a huge canvas (one of those you can only buy at art supplies store) and a canvas stand.. (again, one of those you can buy at art supplies store).

"dim dim dim" x2 indeed.

And... that is the story of my "Epic Fail" today.
I laughed very hard when I saw the girl.
I know there should be an art supplies store nearby I just... I am just a foreigner who does not know her way!!! :p

credited to Postsecret

To live up to the postcard, three things I've planned to do this weekend:

• Update my Flickr account and upload some of my latest photos.
• Made the homemade popup card, AND while on another art supplies hunt in Mong Kok, go on an exploration photoshoot with my macro lens! 
• Think about my living situation next year... Keep telling myself, "Find or roommate or get a new apt, you don't want to be homeless."

I think I've written enough for the night. I'll upload some of my exploration photoshoot tmr.

Peace!!
-Emily


P.S. here's another one of my favorites on Post Secret this week.

I hope so too..

Dimsum Land turns Outdoor Land

Dear friends,

Coming to Hong Kong, I was under the impression that I am coming to live in one of the most crowdest place in the world (apparently that is not true, although sometimes it seems like it could be), one of the best food in the world, but a claustrophobic would just die living in HK apartments.  At some point earlier, I just know that I would never live in Hong Kong. And I remember saying that.

Although it took me some time to ease in to Hong Kong lifestyle, now I really have grown to love this city. Its accessibility and its systematic transport system. Many of my friends actually told me that the "honor system" tends to works perfectly well here, but not things have changed for a bit. Although coming from the absolute (and not relative, since I have never lived in other Chinese-speaking city) perspective, HK people are rather rude.

Hey, hey.. this is not a blog to rant about HK but rather I want to express how appreciative I am that I chose to come to HK. I met many good friends and I have learned a lot of these great people around me this year. It's going to be approximately 1 year next Saturday since I arrived in Hong Kong for this job.

So... back to my point on being appreciative. I have recently becoming more active, and start hiking and playing hockey. I have realized and am very much impressed by HK people's activeness. They are always busy doing something, playing sports, going to the beach, hiking, BBQ-ing, etc. But I have fell in love with HK outdoors. It's like a hidden gem. Almost like Seattle Summer as the Northwest secret, just almost though. But this recent eye-opening completely alters my perspective of HK and I recalled the last time I went home, my mom said "you really do travel like a local." Yes, I am proud to travel like local. Spending time outside in HK is.. one word... Epic.

My colleagues/ex-colleagues hiked up to this beach yesterday, Ham Tin Beach. This is claimed to be the most beautiful beach in HK, and it surely is (see picture below). Took this picture with iphone, sorry for the bad quality and my scribble on the photos. But well if you want the better version, go find me on instagram (@mzkaew).

 

Despite the obvious sign. We went out there anyway, just to see how scary it is.
Well I go there for taking a picture, but my friends are probably not there just to check how cool it is.
Credit to: Pauline Chan

My intention is to explore HK outdoor a little bit more while I am here. Finish the HK trail by the end of this year. And appreciate HK a little bit more each day. Perhaps even fall in love with it like I did with Seattle.

Okay, I should go now! Hope you all enjoy the picture! Ciao!

Best,
Emily

Golden Kiwis

Dear Friends,

Today marks an amazing discovery. That is why I decided to make a once-in-a-while post on Thoughts of Emily. Actually, Emily hasn't been around much ever since we left Seattle. But hey... I am Emily, right? (Oh gosh I sound super creepy).

Anyway, my discovery. Yes, I made an EPIC discovery today here in Tai Wai, HK. I encountered my FIRST "GOLDEN KIWI"!!! (yes, indeed you read it right...!)

I'm not sure whether you would understand. BUT I had never seen a golden Kiwi before. Yesterday I bought a pack of kiwis on discount. (because I am a poor AEC.....) and after dinner today, I was thinking hey, I should have some before I forgot about them. I figure this kiwi looks kinda funny. BUT THEN....!!!! When I cut it open! It's GOLD!!! 

Okay, now I think I'm overreacting....... But I was actually very excited. It's like seeing yellow watermelon for the first time. :p (yes, they do actually exist!)

Anyway, since I plan to write about my unforgettable encounter... I should update you all about my exploration in this new territory. Here are some pictures:

Well, actually.. these pictures are not so much just HK island. They also include other adventure and journey I made elsewhere as well. But here, let's continue for the time being.

ประตูชัย เวียงจันทร์, สปป.ลาว (Patuxay, Vientiane, Lao PDR)

another one of my self-proclaimed epic discovery :) Tintin Bar aka Chokdee Bar in Vientiane!

I'm gonna end it as this. Since I have some important reading to do! :)

I'll be back soon (I hope)!!

Best of my love,

emily alexandreta

The City I Will Learn to Love.

Dear Friends,

In a few days, I'm moving to Hong Kong. For those of you who haven't known, I have left Seattle. I've received an offer in Hong Kong, and finally I'm heading there to start working. I've been to Hong Kong a couple of times, but simply as a tourist, visiting family or just for shopping. But this time it is going to be different. I have to learn to love this city. I mean I'm originally from Bangkok, how different could it be right? :)

I think I'll be fine, but I can't help but being nervous. When I moved to Seattle, there was someone there with me, to support me, here it's completely new. I do have family there, but it is rather a different feeling. I am sure I'll adapt to the city soon enough! But wish me luck.

gotta learn to love the crowded scenes, the busy streets, the people, the languages and the culture.


Hong Kong, originally uploaded by d.r.i.p..




Sincerely,
Emily Alexandreta