Pre- 1st day at U.

Terrorism: the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.

And that has been the very depiction of my days. Iphone terrorism.

Terrorism to be described in terms of fear, should be directly related to hope. A transition of the hopeful to the hopeless, till ultimately the resistance to hope.

Over the past 2 days, my iphone have alternated between consciousness and comatose. Every time it comes around, when I click around the screen, when I put the ear piece on and the music fortify me against the crowd. I am filled with a sense of relieve, peace and security.

Then all comes crashing when the apple screen of death resurfaces. That happened like more than 20 times. Including the one time after my 2 hour wait at Causeway Bay for my iphone servicing.

The apple "genius"-es than told me that the fault was on the SIM card, which apparently survived the previous bag flood, but is faulty, causing the iphone to self-destruct. That possibility brought me the Three3 (a hongkie version of Singtel) for a 45 mins wait. So I now have a new SIM, a new phone plan, (but no network, the activiation takes 24 hours because they need to verify my visa. In case, I am a illegal immigrant, dumb enough to get a data plan).

Later back at the Apple Store, the people gave me a replacement for my previous replacement. Because I do think they, too, are not entirely convinced that the iphone replacement(the 1st one) was faultless.

The phone hasn't died. YET. But, I'm now so afraid of bearing the hope that it will survive. That trust I used to have in APPLE and my iPhone somehow dissipated the same way the americans lost faith in their position in the Iraq war.

And back on the impending state of my first university day. I have just 1 lesson tomorrow. Though I'll be sitting for a Global Ethics Class to check out if I should switch classes. So 4 hours in total. Starting from a very civillised hour at 3pm. Though I have to get to Central to get my French course books for Thursday.

The trauma and exhaustion (it took me 1.5 hours to get back to hall tonight in the jam, it usually takes 15 mins on the same route) have sucked my anxiety and almost all of the excitement from my being. But I still carry in my heart, this tiny torch of bliss and courage that is seemingly keeping me awake.



And though the coming workload, hall activities, social pressure will erode my spirit and eventually i might lose my sense of purpose and become like the massacred statue I see everyday on my way to campus.

Nothing. Not even pesky leeches from the past that stick around in the present AND fatefully are arranged into the same compulsory class AND eagerly takes the same french modules like I do (most of you should know this one), will extinguish this flame.

PS: I'm reading Voltaire's Satire on Optimism now. And like Voltaire, I do not agree with optimism, merely a believer of creation and purpose.

And did you find what you're looking for?

I wonder how many of you reading this post, have heard my recent self-promise to do this. "When I walk into a room of strangers, I will walk towards the guys instead of the girls".

What was that about? That's the self-challenge I set for myself in a desperate bid to even out my male-female friend ratio - a product of my 10 years nunnery and 3 years radical gay-school education.

I've not done it yet. Like Singapore, there seems to be a lacking of males in social activities. And thus far, in all the orientation and dinners, I've only met like male PRCs and EMPHASIS: "Annoying" "Childish" "Unfriendly" male koreans. And one other male local, whom affectionately (Do not read into this) reminds me of Wy's HIM-BO friend. And one other male arts guy from Norway. The others, while I sometimes cross their paths and they have been helpful remain as nameless strangers.

But, as usual, I've made a handful of pretty good female friends. Already programmed for: Gossip-ready.

Back to something more present. Today, I had my 1st high table dinner. In layman terms, I had first Harry Potter Dinner. 4 long tables of food, candles and people in cool green undergraduate gowns with a speaker who sits on the "High" table role-playing Dumbledore giving opening speeches.

I've attended quite a few inspiring speeches so far. Had umpteen time when the guest speaker says things that send multiple rounds of goosebumps up my being. A green gown donned only by HKU undergraduates. (my senior added: don't wear the black graduate gown before you graduate or you never will, very 'pan-dan' hkies. But I believe her anyway) Traditions like this that I would have scorned upon in the past, are now so important to me, is probably a sign of my premature-aging.

Other things I've heard (that I can still remember):
- "Have Fun." Skip classes if you must, go travel. And try everything that catches your eye.
- "You sleep when you're dead"

All these things that I've listed and wanted, I'm pretty sure is waiting somewhere for me in this university. "ALL", probably including a relationship.

I have three years to try everything I can possibly think of.
One year to figure out my future direction
One Sem to confirm my decision of a major.
One and a half months to settle in ON MY OWN. (Before the family visits.)
And TWO DAYS till my first lesson in University.

Need a better ruler to measure the passing of time slipping by. Quickly. Yet so slowly. I swear, in this past 10 days, I did more than I did in 30 days.

And though, I'm glad to be on my own here. I miss everyone back home, including daddy and mummy who just left (to my great relief).

Ps: Here's what I'm taking this sem.
French 101
Marketing (for biz minor)
Philosophy Intro.
Academic Arts Eng.
Canto for non-canto ppl
Modernity & Trad Chinese Thot.

These are not confirmed yet though. I'm still playing around with the possibility of doing Cogn Sci. Though I just realized that I could simply be more flexible and not minor in French (just take the Lang Modules, and leave some credits for Cogn Sci.)

P.PS: I have my iphone back. Well not really. Z-noir is officially dead. Resuscitation apparently did not work and they gave me Z-noir junior as a replacement for my $2220 HKD. Z-noir Junior, however, proves to be a little off the charts. It had a vibrating seizure today. Non-stop for like 20 mins...

P.P.PS: Meet Potter the bohemian tote, a perfect match for Cab the boots.

While you were looking for yourself out there

And tell me, did Venus blow your mind?
Was it everything you wanted to find?
And then you missed me
While you were looking for yourself out there
-------------- Lyrics from Drops of Jupiter.

I think my days here struck rock bottom yesterday (Wed) and I'm hoping that it's turning up again. So if I have to suffer 1 really bad day a week for 6 days of peace and bliss. I'll sign on the dotted line anytime, though I'm not quite sure how to draw the ferris wheel of fortune on those odds.

Because, I've probably told you in pieces and I'm sleepy now. Here's a quick update on EXACTLY what happened to Z-noir (yes. that's the name of my iphone).

(Note: Timing are for easy illustration and are not accurate. Since I can't read my DKNY watch and without the i-phone, I'm time-less.)

10.42 AM: Left hall. in FULL Suit of white ruffled shirt and black pants, with my blue heels peeping out. "William" by my side holding my card holder and keys, sunglasses essential pack with cramp med, amulet and stones, Z-noir and earpiece. AND WATER BOTTLE for med.

10.52 AM: In Campus area, frantically conquering stairs, with stomach cramping and heels clicking.

10.58 AM: Found the hall, with Faculty Reception.

----> "Bag's leaking"
---> "Phone's wet", Never mind. Everything's wet.
-------> Curse and Swear at the damn open water bottle.

---------> Curse even more.
------> "Shirt's stained" by William's interior.

---> "Z-noir's running a fever"

-----------> Gave up on Faculty Reception. (11.14AM)

-------> Back at Hall. Borrowed the smallest screwdriver the Hall Office have (Nice Aunty on Duty) But, it's not small enough :X!!!

----> Frantically panics. Google: "Wet Iphone".

-------> Skyped Van. Screams over Skype in panic.
---> Thank God for Company (VAN!!!), Jas and Jo contacted.

----> Emailed Senior. Updated FB.

-------> 破釜沈舟. Cut open dehumidifier Sachet and put Z-noir in Zip-lock bag with dehumidifier crystals.

----> Forget it. Change. Got the Servicing Address. Out to 銅鑼灣.

Then I ate my wonton mee, and after lunch and med. Went to send Z-noir to Professional Doctors, whom told me it's not terminal. But will cost HKD 2 220. Standard Price. So Z-noir should be waiting for me to pick him up on SAT.

That's about it. All I left out was the complete LOST-ness I felt the entire day yesterday, being without my phone, which meant maps, music and company. And you know when you just want to avoid contact with others and fiddle with the phone pretending to be busy. Well, I do that ALOT!! So that's like just a 慘字.

But all wasn't entirely bad. I still did met my senior, bought some stuff for the Harry Potter Dinner, this sun. (I owe you pictures for that) And I met more freshmen. Like about 10 more, including 2 in my hall. And the nice thing is the nicest people of the group are the 2 in my hall.

Putting together the numbers.

I've met: 23 People so far.
No. of Potential Friends: 8
No of nice people: 13.

So that mean's I have About 35% of making friends with people I meet. And if out of the 11,962 undergraduates. I have 4160 friends waiting to be discovered in this place alone. How's that for my latest skill training of looking on the bright side??

Ps: though I find most of the international students (Ah Tiongs included) and most HKies who speak English have this REALLLLLLYYYYY pretentious slang. And quite unfortunately, I'm picking up their influence. Oh dear, will I go back home and be disowned by my fellow Singlish-eans. I miss saying "Sor-li" instead of "Sor-re"...

But above it all and all, I'm falling in love with this new me. I wonder if you are too??

P.Ps: Will get back to the babble box soon. But YES!! There's a decent guy at every turn.

Laundry Nightmare

I left my mind somewhere. // and washed a hole in my T-shirt.

Here's what happen:
J decides to do laundry
-> left room (L4) for laundry room at L19 to check out the laundry room
-> L19: Stomach hurts, no toilet in sight -> Return to L4
-> Takes laundry basket, detergent and stuff, and wallet to L19
-> Oh dear!! Costs 4x $1 Coins to use the washer. Found only 3x$1
-> Return room on L4, hunt for 5 x Coins to L19 AGAAIN
-> Oh dear took $2 instead of $1 coins.... to Ground floor to change coins at recept instead
-> Back to L19. Finally, the clothes go in and start turning. (PS: no idea where the detergent and softener goes, so I experimented)
-> Back to Rm (L4), sorts out coins. All $1 coins go into a ziplock bag for future laundry.

After 1 hr plus

-> Back to laundry room to shift clothes to dryer. Found out that I brought along my wallet, which have NO $1 coins. They were removed to the ziplock bag, remember??
-> Back to Room. -> Back to L19, $1 for 5 mins of drying. Opted for 20 mins. -> L4

After 30 mins plus.

-> Back to laundry room, OH DEAR! Still wet. Forgot wallet. -> L4 to collect wallet.
-> L19, set for 30 mins this time. $6! -> Room

After 40 mins plus.

-> L19: Ok Dried. And I found a hole in my new T-shirt:( -> Rm 407. Set out clothes to cool on bed.

Yes, that's why I'm very tired now. And I think that's also why I went to bathe without bringing in a towel. Had to wear my T-shirt (Thank god it's really long) and come out it.

ps: I realized that the hall is killing my self-esteem. All the lights are yellowish and I perpetually look like I have a kidney disease.

it's 3pm. And instead of exploring the busy streets of hong kong, i'm back at hall, kept indoors by the pouring rain and my stomach cramps.

This early afternoon, I couldn't resist the temptations (despite yesterday's happenings) and got off the bus at Hollywood Road (which according to Mummy is Lan Kwok Fung. It looks perfectly lovely in the day. A eclectic selection of nick-nacks stores and exotic restaurant scattered all over the VERY STEEP slopes.

At every turn, you can pick off ang-moh tourists and european people. I got quite a few stares myself. So I guess, I too, reeked tourist.

As I walked around aimlessly, without a proper camera. I begin to wonder?

I'm alone.
With very little inclination to photograph every thing in sight.
NO plans to SHOP or buy any of the EXPENSIVE nick-nacks that will overload my shoebox.

Then what was I doing there? I wondered about the point of travelling, the idea of sight-seeing. But I enjoyed myself, very much. Just people watching, drinking my sugar cane juice (so much better than those back home), leisurely walking while the locals rush past you to nowhere.

And this popped up in my head as I got to Central. I suddenly remembered another point I wanted to make yesterday.

THE GUYS IN HK!! OMG! There's just so much a HIGHER chance of finding eye candy here than in Singapore. I'll give it a rating of 6 of 10 guys being on the passing mark of 7. Maybe I should seriously consider my KR's suggestion of getting a local BF. And let love conquer my poor progress in Canto.

Ps: Contrary to what travel guides say about locals being appreciative of your efforts to speak canto, I have been 嫌棄 for more times that I can remember and still prefer to use English. Which is BAD!!

p.ps: For my lovely extravagant buy! See below.. In the process of naming 'em. =)Can't wait for summer to end, so they can come out of the box and explore HK with me.

Day 5. A report of nothingness.

Things you see in Hong Kong - U, that seem out of place. (Quantified)


.... ... .. .

The theme of today was to do a quantified report of the above. But i got caught up with store directories, fashion sites and fb. And the numbers and items slipped my mind. One of the pts: 2 firefighting trucks spotted in the PokFuLam district in just 4 days. No wonder, they have shows like 烈火雄心... Firefight actually IS a professional unlike in Sg. That being said, HK probably is a more dangerous place. Mental Note: Read about fire escape details in hall.

So 公休. Pretty much nothing happened today except I got lost (which should not even be news anymore) and had dinner with KR in the neon canteen next to hall.

KR seems to be a pretty nice person and the conversations flow pretty well. While I continue to learn how to build my personal space with a stranger living less than 2 ft away. And most definitely she must be extremely smart or from an affluent background, studying in a Seoul highschool that has foreign language requirements.

I continue to be curious. And (ok I invaded her privacy), when I opened her wardrobe and saw (Mentally counting) 4 pairs of heels - include one in HOT PINK, and 2 Wedges, and 2 pairs of nike hip hop sneakers (like those in street dance and Step UP) AND 2 pairs of converse sneakers. No slippers though (she wears the 13 cm wedge in the room), and she never really bathes at night ( or in the morn i think).. So I'm really wondering what on earth is the korean living habits like...

But overall, no complaints from my end.

I forgot to mention this, ytd. I bought a pair of Grey Calf Boots. OMGGGGGGG!!! Ya. Can't take it out to photograph now, but this one is real cute. I promise a photo.

Experienced my first HK city rain since I got here tonight. Protected from it though, being in the building. I'm on a lookout for new experiences. Come what may.