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
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Saturday, 23 January 2010
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
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
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
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
Saturday, 16 January 2010
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
Thursday, 14 January 2010
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
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
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Is That Curry or Curry?
Dear Diary,
Have you ever sat down in a restaurant and ordered something only to have the food not quite be what you had anticipated? Have you ever ordered a dish you expected to be sweet turn out to be rather spicy? Or vice versa? If you’ve ever eaten curry, this may have happened to you.
You see, the problem I’ve found with curry is that there are two basic kinds of curry, Japanese curry and Indian curry, or sweet curry and spicy curry. Obviously, these are two very different tastes, yet they share the same name. Why is that? I’d like to petition whoever is in charge of the English language to come up with a new name for one of these curries so that confused restaurant patrons like myself can start getting what we thought we were ordering.
Of course, this isn’t so much of a problem if I’m eating in a Japanese restaurant. I know if I order curry it will be sweet. Nor is it a problem if I’m eating in an Indian restaurant. I know if I order curry it will be spicy. But what if I order curry in a local Chinese restaurant? What am I going to get? It’s always a mystery.
I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen
Have you ever sat down in a restaurant and ordered something only to have the food not quite be what you had anticipated? Have you ever ordered a dish you expected to be sweet turn out to be rather spicy? Or vice versa? If you’ve ever eaten curry, this may have happened to you.
You see, the problem I’ve found with curry is that there are two basic kinds of curry, Japanese curry and Indian curry, or sweet curry and spicy curry. Obviously, these are two very different tastes, yet they share the same name. Why is that? I’d like to petition whoever is in charge of the English language to come up with a new name for one of these curries so that confused restaurant patrons like myself can start getting what we thought we were ordering.
Of course, this isn’t so much of a problem if I’m eating in a Japanese restaurant. I know if I order curry it will be sweet. Nor is it a problem if I’m eating in an Indian restaurant. I know if I order curry it will be spicy. But what if I order curry in a local Chinese restaurant? What am I going to get? It’s always a mystery.
I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen
My Mong Kok Dream: Episode II
Dear Diary,
On a cold winter day it’s a good idea to try some indoor activities. In Hong Kong (if you don’t want to sit in your apartment all day) that means just one thing — shopping. And there’s no better place to do that than Mong Kok.
Our story starts at a Japanese restaurant called ‘Summer Snow’. There I enjoyed curry chicken and some of Steph’s sushi. I also had a huge glass of cappuccino! Yeah!
Next, it was time to get to the actual shopping. Most of the shops in Mong Kok are inside these little ‘malls’. The aisle ways in these malls are narrow and most of the shops are probably smaller than 100 square feet. I generally stick out like a sore thumb to say the least. In fact, most of the clothes there would never fit me, but I can find the odd little trinkets.
For example, today I found a neat little pocket watch. I think I look so smart when I pull it out to check the time. I also got a new ring. It looks pretty cool and it was fairly cheap really. Steph got a new pair of shoes and some headphones and I picked up some computer things and some treats for Lando.
This is my Mong Kok dream!
I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen
On a cold winter day it’s a good idea to try some indoor activities. In Hong Kong (if you don’t want to sit in your apartment all day) that means just one thing — shopping. And there’s no better place to do that than Mong Kok.
Our story starts at a Japanese restaurant called ‘Summer Snow’. There I enjoyed curry chicken and some of Steph’s sushi. I also had a huge glass of cappuccino! Yeah!
Next, it was time to get to the actual shopping. Most of the shops in Mong Kok are inside these little ‘malls’. The aisle ways in these malls are narrow and most of the shops are probably smaller than 100 square feet. I generally stick out like a sore thumb to say the least. In fact, most of the clothes there would never fit me, but I can find the odd little trinkets.
For example, today I found a neat little pocket watch. I think I look so smart when I pull it out to check the time. I also got a new ring. It looks pretty cool and it was fairly cheap really. Steph got a new pair of shoes and some headphones and I picked up some computer things and some treats for Lando.
This is my Mong Kok dream!
I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen
Thursday, 7 January 2010
Japanese Food and Poetry
Dear Diary,
Despite the frigid Hong Kong temperature, tonight was a night out on the town for me and Steph.
I boarded the bus in the late afternoon for the long trip into the city. One hour later, I finally reached my destination, Central (that’s basically downtown).
First, we went to a lovely Japanese buffet. The price was very decent and the food was delicious. We enjoyed lots of sashimi, sushi, grilled mackerel, grilled shrimp, grilled beef, grilled scallops, crab roe salad, shellfish and some green things.
After that, and almost falling out the window to my death, we went to a poetry reading. It was in this place downtown called the Fringe Club. I was invited by my colleague Mary who writes poetry. Although I sometimes write poetry myself, I felt a bit out of my element as I honestly had no idea what most of the poems were about. Anyway, my friend asked me to come back next time and read something. What should I read I wonder?
I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen
Despite the frigid Hong Kong temperature, tonight was a night out on the town for me and Steph.
I boarded the bus in the late afternoon for the long trip into the city. One hour later, I finally reached my destination, Central (that’s basically downtown).
First, we went to a lovely Japanese buffet. The price was very decent and the food was delicious. We enjoyed lots of sashimi, sushi, grilled mackerel, grilled shrimp, grilled beef, grilled scallops, crab roe salad, shellfish and some green things.
After that, and almost falling out the window to my death, we went to a poetry reading. It was in this place downtown called the Fringe Club. I was invited by my colleague Mary who writes poetry. Although I sometimes write poetry myself, I felt a bit out of my element as I honestly had no idea what most of the poems were about. Anyway, my friend asked me to come back next time and read something. What should I read I wonder?
I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen
Monday, 4 January 2010
Predictions for the Next Ten Years
Dear Diary,
I must admit that years and dates confuse me a bit. Back in 2000, people kept saying that it was a new century, a new millennium. However, 2001 soon rolled around and other people started saying, no, 2001 was actually the start of the new century, the new millennium.
Now, it’s 2010, and people are talking about how it’s a new decade. In 2011 are people going to start claiming that it is really the new decade then? It all just makes my head spin to be honest.
Instead of trying to figure that out though, I’d like to now list my predictions for the next ten years, new decade or not. These aren’t going to be any cryptic, Nostradamus-like clues, just straight, no-nonsense predictions. Ten years from now, I will dig up this old entry and see how well I did.
So here we go. Sometime in the next ten years:
5. A major celebrity/political figure will have an affair. The media will talk about nothing else for a month. Everyone will hate that celebrity/political figure. Six months later, the celebrity/political figure will make a comeback, reach the pinnacle of his/her career and everyone will love him/her and have forgotten their past indiscretions.
4. The academic left will begin pushing for a change in the way we count years. This already began with the push to change BC/AD (Before Christ/Anno Domini) to BCE/CE (Before Common Era/Common Era). This move has been somewhat successful, and having separated it from Christian tradition, there is no logical reason for the Common Era to begin when it does.
3. There will be a successful or unsuccessful terrorist attack against the United States. Having failed miserably to stop the attack, the U.S. government will then overreact to show that it is in control by installing new “emergency” security measures that would do nothing to protect anyone.
2. Al Gore will commission a film about climate change. The film will claim that if we don’t act quickly, the entire world will be covered in ice. There will be pictures of sad giraffes. We will do everything we can to stop the pandemic that is Global Cooling.
1. Americans still won’t care about soccer, the rest of the world still won’t care about American football, and the Cubs will win the World Series, which will be followed shortly by the implosion of the universe.
I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen
I must admit that years and dates confuse me a bit. Back in 2000, people kept saying that it was a new century, a new millennium. However, 2001 soon rolled around and other people started saying, no, 2001 was actually the start of the new century, the new millennium.
Now, it’s 2010, and people are talking about how it’s a new decade. In 2011 are people going to start claiming that it is really the new decade then? It all just makes my head spin to be honest.
Instead of trying to figure that out though, I’d like to now list my predictions for the next ten years, new decade or not. These aren’t going to be any cryptic, Nostradamus-like clues, just straight, no-nonsense predictions. Ten years from now, I will dig up this old entry and see how well I did.
So here we go. Sometime in the next ten years:
5. A major celebrity/political figure will have an affair. The media will talk about nothing else for a month. Everyone will hate that celebrity/political figure. Six months later, the celebrity/political figure will make a comeback, reach the pinnacle of his/her career and everyone will love him/her and have forgotten their past indiscretions.
4. The academic left will begin pushing for a change in the way we count years. This already began with the push to change BC/AD (Before Christ/Anno Domini) to BCE/CE (Before Common Era/Common Era). This move has been somewhat successful, and having separated it from Christian tradition, there is no logical reason for the Common Era to begin when it does.
3. There will be a successful or unsuccessful terrorist attack against the United States. Having failed miserably to stop the attack, the U.S. government will then overreact to show that it is in control by installing new “emergency” security measures that would do nothing to protect anyone.
2. Al Gore will commission a film about climate change. The film will claim that if we don’t act quickly, the entire world will be covered in ice. There will be pictures of sad giraffes. We will do everything we can to stop the pandemic that is Global Cooling.
1. Americans still won’t care about soccer, the rest of the world still won’t care about American football, and the Cubs will win the World Series, which will be followed shortly by the implosion of the universe.
I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Stephen Dennis — Farm Boy
Dear Diary,
My little “garden” is growing more and more every day. As of now, I’ve got two cherry tomato plants, some flowers and a cactus all in my tiny apartment. The cherry tomatoes are starting to blossom and soon I will be able to enjoy eating them (although one of the plants isn’t doing so well it seems).
I’m also considering trying to grow some strawberries as well. I’ve seen them growing at a local garden shop so I think I should be able to do it. The only problem is where to put them. I don’t have a balcony of any sort, and window space is tight. I’ll try to figure out something though. Pretty soon my apartment may even look like a little jungle of sorts.
I guess I’ve got some of my father’s farming blood in me after all!
I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen
Friday, 1 January 2010
Is It Twenty Ten or Two-Thousand Ten?
Dear Diary,
I keep hearing people saying that twenty ten is coming. It’s making me feel a little confused to be honest.
You see, when I was growing up, we always said what year it was by saying two numbers. For example, I graduated high school in nineteen ninety-six (1996).
Suddenly, about ten years ago, though, this way of referring to years changed. No longer did we refer to years with two numbers, now it was just one number. For example, I graduated college in two-thousand (2000).
This has been the way we’ve referred to years for ten years now, but suddenly, it seems we’ve decided to change back to the two number system. Why isn’t it two-thousand ten? Why twenty ten? Did I miss the memo? It’s all just so confusing!
I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen
I keep hearing people saying that twenty ten is coming. It’s making me feel a little confused to be honest.
You see, when I was growing up, we always said what year it was by saying two numbers. For example, I graduated high school in nineteen ninety-six (1996).
Suddenly, about ten years ago, though, this way of referring to years changed. No longer did we refer to years with two numbers, now it was just one number. For example, I graduated college in two-thousand (2000).
This has been the way we’ve referred to years for ten years now, but suddenly, it seems we’ve decided to change back to the two number system. Why isn’t it two-thousand ten? Why twenty ten? Did I miss the memo? It’s all just so confusing!
I remain respectfully yours,
Stephen
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