Spring Cleaning

Dear Diary,

The Chinese New Year is right around the corner, and all of Hong Kong is a buzz. The shops are full of stuffed tigers (the new year being that of the tiger), tins of snacks and all things “lucky”. The Chinese people are also busily preparing themselves for this great occasion.

One of the traditions of Chinese New Year is that it is sort of something like a spring cleaning. It’s out with the old, in with the new — a fresh start, a new chance at catching some “good fortune”.

With that in mind, this weekend I headed to Steph’s apartment to repaint her ceiling (as well as fixing some floor tiles). Truth be told, I had no idea what I was doing, but I guess it doesn’t look half-bad now and Steph’s mom is happy so that’s good enough for me.

Now, it’s time to rest and relax before the big Super Bowl game (yes, I get to watch it this year). Then, it will be just four short days until the Chinese New Year celebrations begin!

I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen

LOST!!!

Dear Diary,

The weather in Hong Kong has turned and it’s been quite miserable outside, but that won’t dampen my spirit. What’s got me feeling so jovial? I’m glad you asked.

Well, for starters, my football team (not that kind of football) is doing quite well at the moment. Oh, and there’s also the small matter of LOST!

Yes, the final season of Lost is upon us. Bittersweet in a way, I suppose — the beginning of the end, if you like. I reckon there are two types of people in this world, people who love Lost and people who don’t get Lost. (Actually, even those of us who love it probably don’t really get it but maybe that’s why we love it.)

Now, here in Hong Kong, if I want to stay up-to-date with the show, I need to download it. So, that generally means I’ll get to watch it about 12 hours after my friends in the States. That means for those 12 hours, I turn into a hermit of sorts — No Facebook, No Internet of any kind really — heck, no contact with the outside world is really the best way to avoid spoilers.

With that little bit of news, I think I am going to sign off and rewatch the season premiere!

Namaste

Life is Good

Dear Diary,

I must admit that I’ve been rather lazy about my journal entries lately. You see, there just aren’t as many interesting things happening to me now that I’m at home most of the time — well, besides dogs constantly licking me and begging for attention.

Anyway, today is the last day of January, and spring has arrived in Hong Kong. The sun is shining, it’s about 25°Celsius, and Sai Kung is beginning to look more like Mong Kok (too many people!). It was nice to get outside with the dogs though. We went around to the less touristy areas of town. I can move to a new place in May — perhaps I will go live there!

While I’m thinking about annoyances, what is up with doctors? Am I wrong, or aren’t doctors supposed to be some of the brightest people around? Yet, with all that schooling, they can never seem to figure out a simple time table. If you tell someone you’ll see them at 12:00, see them at 12:00, not 1:15!

Well, that’s my rant for the week. I really shouldn’t complain too much after all. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, I’m healthy, the people I care about are healthy, and I’ve got a sweet beard. Yes, life is good in Hong Kong.

I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen

Stinky Tofu

Dear Diary,

The smell hits you and then you know … you are in Mong Kok.

Garbage, fried chicken, dog poo — left in the sun for a week — that is the smell, yes, the smell of a certain Mong Kok delicacy.

It fills the nostrils with a horrid repulsion that is strangely addictive. Connoisseurs line up for an entire city block for this most revolting of treats. Its name is an understatement if ever there was one — it is, simply, The Stinky Tofu!

You will cringe at the sight of it. You will cover your nose in shame. How can humans eat such a thing, you will wonder. And it is the wonder that will consume you. Why is it that I cannot eat such a thing? Am I not capable? Does not my tongue have the fortitude for such a feat? I am left in utter shame.

Stinky tofu, you are my kryptonite.

I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen


photo: Wikimedia

Hachiko: A Dog's Story

Dear Diary,

Last weekend I went to see a new movie called ‘Hachiko: A Dog’s Story’. If you’ve never heard of this movie, don’t feel bad, because I don’t think it had a big theatrical release, despite featuring Richard Gere. That being said, I felt that it was a pretty decent film.

The story (which is based on a true story) is, of course, about a dog — an Akita to be specific. Now, if you haven’t seen this movie and you really plan on doing so, stop reading now, because I’m going to spoil it for the sake of this entry.














You sure you don’t plan on watching it?















Last chance …


















OK, where were we? Right, Richard Gere finds this Akita puppy at the train station. He decides to take it home and take care of it until the master comes looking for it. Of course, no one ever shows up and he ends up keeping the dog. The dog is very loyal to his master and waits patiently at the train station for him each day after work.

One day, however, he never makes it back from work. The dog, though, never stops waiting at the train station. For nine years, the dog continues to wait faithfully for his master to return.

Crying yet? OK, I didn’t cry … something got into my eye, that’s all.

As I thought about this movie later though, something struck me. Amongst all the scenes of the heartbroken people in the movie (the man’s family and friends), I never really felt sad for them. I only felt sad for the dog. IF I was going to cry (which I didn’t, it was just something in my eye), I only would have cried for the dog.

What does that say about me?

I never really came up with an answer to that question.

I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen

Garden Growing

Dear Diary,

In Prince Edward, which borders Mong Kok, there is a place I will call ‘Garden Street’. Here you can find all sorts of things for your garden — plants, flowers, decorations, tools, you name it. Today I went there and bought three plants.

One of the plants is a little rosemary plant. I could use the herbs when cooking. It also smells kind of nice.

The second plant I bought was a cherry tomato plant. There are some tomatoes already on it and it puts the one I tried to grow on my own to shame. Hopefully it will inspire the one I already planted to do better.

The third plant I bought is actually three different plants in a lovely little container. According to Steph’s translation, the plants are Podocarpus, Buddhist Pine and Dragon Fruit seedlings. It’s sort of Chinese-looking to me and I thought it looked nice so now it’s decorating my dining table.

Steph bought a plant for her office as well. I’m not sure what that one is called, but it’s got big leaves and looks neat.

There are so many nice and cheap plants at ‘Garden Street’ really. My cherry tomato plant was only $12 (about $1.50 US).

Being so close to Chinese New Year, the little shops were really packed full of people, so it was difficult to really shop around leisurely. I’ll try to go back again another time and really take my time. But for now …

I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen

Honey Lemon Water

Dear Diary,

I’ve discovered something great recently (and here I mean discovered in the sort of Christopher Columbus way, e.g. loads of people already knew about it but I didn’t and maybe you don’t so I said I discovered it). The great thing I discovered is honey lemon water.

Basically, honey lemon water is exactly what it sounds like — a couple spoons of honey mixed with hot or warm water and fresh lemon. You can find this drink in pretty much any cha chaan teng restaurant in Hong Kong. It tastes great and it seems to have some health benefits. (Well I’ve lost 4 pounds since I started drinking it anyway).

Over the past several weeks I’ve begun to drink this drink at home as well. I usually have a cup right after I wake up on an empty stomach and then another later in the evening. Steph’s family in China are honey farmers, so I’m using pure, fresh honey. It’s great!

Now I’m going to stop writing about it and finish my cup!

I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen