So today I find myself sitting in my dad's office, at the AISG Science Park campus reading the news. I find that when I have nothing else to do, and the only access to facebook is on a very slow bandwith, I tend to read the news. By 'news' I tend to mean the BBC. I typically will look at the headlines and then keep up with the Premier League, now that it has started. Watched part of the first game: Tottenham v. Manchester City. Tottenham – oh boy what a GREAT game. Manchester City, a disappointment. No joke. Yeah, the owner forked out a ton of money to buy some really world class players, but those players are all used to being the star, not sharing the ball and working it out with everybody else.
I've kind of been trying to ignore the business about the mosque near where the world trade center was, because honestly, there are so many opinions that who really cares about mine? I just think that it's sad how people get so riled up. Suddenly it's 'America vs. Islam'. Ok, yes, the terrorists who flew the planes into the World Trade Center towers were Muslim, but why do they suddenly define all Muslims in the world? After living in Saudi for three years, granted awhile ago, I was exposed to Islam – the majority, non 'I want to kill infidels' side. It really frustrates me when people want to politicize everything, even something as simple as building a mosque. What if someone wanted to build a church? Nobody would care. A Synagogue? Now, a sikh temple might be too 'close' to Islam in the American view, so there might be some people against that. There, off the soap box now.
Other than my days being filled with news, I have been having a very varied schedule. When I first flew out to Hong Kong I was able to spend some time wandering around Causeway bay and Stanley, a couple of my old 'haunts' as my mother would call them. Seeing how the city has changed is INCREDIBLE. Driving over the mountain on the 66 bus, I was just kind of daydreaming out the window when I saw this brand new building, probably 60-75 stories tall, that was definitely not even in the works when I last visited. I also had the opportunity to go and see HKIS and how it has changed, as well as quite a few of my old teachers. After some good conversation, about three hours of it, I went back out to the curb, hopped onto the 16M and headed toward Stanley and eventually back into the city where I met Cherie and Jo for dinner at the American Club in Central. Also, random meeting of the day – passing JJ in the big crosswalk in cwb.
The next day I made the decision to head up into China to Guangzhou that afternoon, rather than waiting another day. I figured if I head up early, I'll be able to spend some more time with family, and come back down here early to see Sai and a few other people. And I'll be staying in town so I can stay out later :) So I spent the rest of the time with Cindy and the girls, taking Vi to school and then spending a wonderful two hours in conversation with Cindy. Sometimes talking is a wonderful balm on the soul – especially so before heading back to school.
Since taking the train (in which I was the only guailo in the car) up to Guangzhou I have gone to the eyeware market where I have been able to get two pairs of new glasses (one sweet pair that is PURPLE and shiny!) and contacts for the year. Then we proceeded to go on an adventure to find this market that my mom had heard of, who from, she didn't remember. A bus later we were at the fabric market where my mom and dad introduced me to Shirley, their tailor. I told her what I wanted made: a winter pea coat and two dresses, she told me how much fabric I needed and I went to buy all of the fabric in the market. We came back and she took all of my measurements and we were set to go! Now, just remember, this is all done in incredibly broken English with many, many hand signs. We ended the day with a foot massage and then dinner at a Turkish restaurant. Such good, good food. In fact, I saved my Baklava as long as possible and just finished it off as a mid-morning snack today. Yesterday I stayed at home to spend a tiring day of reading and watching movies.
All in all, many wonderful adventures! And I've only been here for 6 days. This evening has a manicure/pedicure combination to look forward to, as well as a visit to Decathalon (a sporting goods store, I think) on the way back to Ersha Island. If not the trip to Decathalon, perhaps a massage? I won't say no to it.
Until next time!
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