Hong Kong Chronicles - The Pictures

Here is a link to my pictures. The password is: italia.

http://latonjab.shutterfly.com/

Hong Kong Chronicles - The Long Journey Home

I have reached home. The flight home was shorter than the flight there. The layover in San Fran was longer.

I left the sunshine of Hong Kong to the rain and fall weather of Seattle. Many leaves have fallen and most of them are in beautiful fall colors.

I forgot to mention that Alice has two cats. An older female named Usagi, which is Japanese for rabbit, and a younger male named Michiro, which is Japanese for lucky child. She actually is getting a third.

Here are some pictures. Michiro is the cat in the outfit.

Hong Kong Chronicles - Homebound NO!

Yesterday, I did nothing during the day but read. It felt nice.

I met Alice at her job and we took the ferry to Hong Island Island. We took the tram (the locals call it ding ding) down to Causeway Bay. We walked around their Times Square and some of the backstreets. We went to this yummy Japanese restaurant for dinner.

Well friends, my plane leaves in three hours to head home. I bought three smutty romance novels to tide me over. I just didn't let myself do the conversion to USD. I am not allowed to purchase romance novels at full price no matter how tempting ;). I will share my secret shame of two baskets of romance novels hiding in my closet with you. SHHHH, don't tell anyone. LOL!

I don’t really want to go. Can one just abandon their life? Tempting thought but alas not very realistic. Though one day maybe I just won't come back. Well back to collect my stuff ;). Ireland felt like home to me. Maybe I should have just stayed there. WAHHHHHHH. I'll be off the ledge when I get back and reality slaps me back into the here and now.

Oh well. Ready or not here I come.

Another summer day has come and gone a way in Paris and Rome but I DON’T want to go home.

Hong Kong Chronicles

I found myself in the New Kowloon area again yesterday. I took the subway to the Lok Fu station. I decided I wanted to see the Kowloon Walled City Park. I have seen plenty of parks this vacation, but the history of this one intrigued me. The area around New Kowloon seems a little depressed. It’s not as vibrant as the areas around Prince Edward, Mong Kok or Yau Ma Tei.

The park used to be in a fortress in 1847. Apparently a legal oversight left the park in Chinese control after the British leased the New Territories. During WWII, it was leveled and a ghetto called the Walled City was built up. It was a draw to triads, drug dealers, heroin addicts, pornographers, and large rats (allegedly the size of small dogs). In 1992, it was torn down and replaced with a park. It still has a sketchy feel to it, which isn’t surprising with all that history.

Since it was near, I also went to the Hau Wong Temple. It was built in 1737 during the Qing Dynasty and has had renovations done sporadically between 1822 and 1988. It was built to honor the emperor Ping’s most loyal advisor.

I then took the subway back a few spots to Mong Kok and walked around that area again. I saw the Gold Fish Market, which I hadn’t seen. It was pretty crowded when I went.

Alice and I will go to Hong Kong Island tonight for dinner since we didn’t go last night.

I woke up and got organized. Ready or not, I leave tomorrow. Funny, I was longing for home when I left, and now I am not ready to go back. I guess it’s always like this. It’s nice having nothing to do. I wake up each day and decide then what to do. At home comes responsibility.

I have a good life. At times during the trip, I felt like I was one of the “privileged.” It’s not really a comfortable feeling for me. No way am I in the top 1% being battled at home, but in the overall scheme of life in the universal family of humans, I have it good.

Hong Kong Chronicles

Last night, Alice and I went to the ladies market. I had been to the market during the day, and I must say I enjoyed the experience at night more. It felt like there were more people, and the energy was pretty cool. I also like that area a lot. It feels like I imagined Hong Kong would feel.

It's about 1:30, and I am trying to motivate myself to leave and do something. Tomorrow is my last full day. I fly out Friday late morning. Since the museum is free today, I feel like that is where I should head. But, alas, I don't really feel like doing anything. Tonight, we are going to take the ferry to Hong Kong Island for dinner and sightseeing.

Must leave building. LOL!

Hong Kong Chronicles - Yum Yum Dim Sum

I met Alice for lunch for Dim Sum. Her friends Aster, Hilda, and Lavender joined us. I was so excited to have dim sum in Hong Kong. The place we went to was Jade Garden, which made me laugh because that is the name of the place I mostly go to in Seattle for dim sum. I can't wait to share this with my coworkers. The food was good. Before I left, I found out that the dim sum items in Seattle are frozen, not fresh. So it felt good having some "fresh" dim sum. It was also nice meting some of Alice's friends.

I decided to come back here and finish blogging. Tonight, we will go to the Ladies' Market if the weather holds. It looks like it might start pouring down any second. I feel like I need to accomplish one thing a day and dim sum was on my list of things I wanted to do.

Week 43 - Regular Programming

As I mentioned earlier, I love the Banyan Trees. There roots are so incredibly thick and they seem to be endless. For my devotion, I decided to use Jeremiah 17:7-8, which talks about trees and roots.

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and who hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

I'm not sure I am completely there yet. There are times when I feel firmly planted, but times when I am moved by things that happen around me. Normally things that shouldn't really move me. Interestingly enough the big things don't really phase me. It's the little things that add up and send me over the edge.

Hong Kong Chronicles

Yesterday, I slept in and was engrossed in a book. I finally left the hotel around one-ish. I took the subway to the Diamond Hill stop in the New Kowloon area to visit the Chi Lin Nunnery, which was quite beautiful. Allegedly no nails were used to build it. There were different openings with statues including one that was a Sakyamuni Buddhist. I don’t know much about the Buddhist faith. I noticed a lot of bowing and incense burning. There was a tape of chanting playing in the background. The nunnery is a replica of a house of worship from the Tang Dynasty, which was from 619-907. It opened in 2000. To get into it you enter a Lotus Pond Garden, which I loved. It was a very peaceful square. There was also another nice park adjacent called Hamma Hill Park. Across the street (and connected by a bridge) was the Nan Lian Garden, which was quite nice. I’ve seen quite a few nice parks this visit. It’s nice to get away from the concrete jungle and enter into the serenity of parks.

I then took the subway back one stop and went to the Wong Tai Sin Temple. There were a lot of people there praying and burning incense, so it was quite smoky. It opened in 1921 and is named for a person who was originally called Huang Chuping who was born in 328. He was said to be able to see the future and make wishes come true. According to my guidebook, worshippers from Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism visit. Again, not sure what the tenets of belief are for any of them. There are a lot of fortunetellers around the area. There was a very nice garden in the temple area.

It was hotter yesterday than it has been. I walked around New Kowloon some, but I didn't find it as inspiring or interesting as the area around the Prince Edward, Mong Kok, or Yau Ma Tei subway stops, which has been my favorite areas so far. I did catch some glimpses at Lion Rock, which basically does look like a sitting lion. No attempt was even made to even think about climbing it.

Came back to the hotel and read some. Then I had dinner with Alice and then read some more.

This morning, I got up and read and then got ready. I am meeting Alice for dim sum for lunch. Yay! Today, I'm not sure what I will do. I might just come back to the room and read after lunch. Or, I could just hop on the subway and see where it takes me. Tomorrow is Wednesday, and I plan to go to another museum. Thursday, I will certainly take it easy. Friday, I fly home. Ready or not.

Hong Kong Chronicles - First Glance at China

This picture was taken from Fortaleza do Monte. Across the river was my first glance of China. I didn't realize China was so close to Macau, or vice versa. The area of China is the Pearl River Delta.

Hong Kong Chronicles, # 18, 19, 20

It is currently Sunday evening in Hong Kong.

On Friday, I took the ferry to Hong Kong Island and walked around. The first thing I did was walk along the waterfront. There are a lot of ferries that go to the outlaying islands. My next visit, I will stay longer and visit some of them. I’m learning not to try to do it all in one trip. I visited St. John’s Cathedral, which was very peaceful. It was built in 1849 and is the second oldest building in Hong Kong. When the Japanese occupied Hong Kong from 1941 to 1945, it was changed into a club and much of the original fittings were taken out. I spent some time walking around Hong Kong Park. I was going to take the tram back up to the peak for the day picture, but the line was too long. I didn’t feel like waiting! In my time here, I have learned that the best way to cross busy streets is by using the subway and was able to navigate around without getting turned around.

While I was walking through Exchange Square, I came across a bunch of men glued to a TV. It turned out that they were watching the Australian rugby team play. It was unexpected and funny to hear them groan and cheer. I have since learned the rugby world cup is going on right now.

As I venture in this area, I realize that there are some cultural differences at play. People don’t cover their mouths when they cough, and I find myself pursing my lips and nose all the time. My sister used to do this, and I hated it. I feel like yelling cover your freaking mouth. Yuck, yuck, and yuck! People also freely pick their nose. I don’t mean the flick across, I mean digging for gold, which wouldn’t be so bad if a tissue was used. Also, the concept of personal space seems to be missing. A few times, I wanted to elbow folks in the stomach. Seriously, get off me. LOL. The concept of forming an orderly line seems to be lost and people try to cut. They then get offended when called out. They don’t understand or didn’t know were already there. Um, no. Get to the back of the line. Finally, there is a lot of spitting, which is so gross. Oh, and a lot of smoking. Double gross.

When I was in the park, I was thinking about this trip and how I didn’t plan anything. Normally, I have everything I want to see outlined with cost and notes like days closed. For a long time, I contemplated going to some island and being a vegetable. It would be great to take two vacations. One vacation that is all planned and outlined, and I do my running around and one that is just a sit on the beach vacation. I’ve also been thinking about life balance and trying to determine what it is exactly. I keep trying to figure out what having it all looks like. How do you balance family, career, etc? Everything has a cost and I guess how much cost am I willing to sacrifice to have it all especially seeing as I have no idea of what it means.

I keep meaning to mention the gambling ship that is docked near my hotel. The ship goes to international waters and people gamble in high stakes. Alice said that a lot of the Chinese think that life is a gamble so why not. There is also this really nice hotel called the Peninsula Hotel. I think Alice said it starts at $10,000 HK a night. It’s an 8 to 1 ratio HK/USA so even with the conversion it’s pretty pricey!

After Alice got off work, we caught the ferry to Macau. It’s about an hour away. Macau is 200 years older than Hong Kong. In the 1500s it became the first European enclave in China. It was under Portuguese rule for 450 years until being give back to China in 1999.

The fist thing we did was eat at a restaurant that was Portuguese / Macanese. I love the Portuguese buns. Yummy. We walked around the casino area near the Wynn and MGM. There are so many lights. The weather is warmer in Macau.

We stayed at the flat owned by Alice’s family.

Saturday, we did some sightseeing. We went to Senade Square. St. Dominic Church, the Ruins of St. Paul’s, and Museum in Monte Fortress. St. Paul’s was built by Jesuits who arrived in Macau around the 16th century. The church was built between 1602 to 1640. In the 18th century the Jesuits were forced out of Macau. The building was turned into barracks, and it was destroyed by fire in 1835. The only part that is left is the façade. The church was originally called Church of Mater Dei (Mother of God). Next to it is the Na Tcha Temple, which was built in 1901. It was supposed to illustrate the harmony amongst faiths as east and west met. We also walked around some side streets with Alice’s Uncle George. I felt like I saw where real people lived and shopped. Oh, and we had some more yummy buns for breakfast. I had two. One warm with just butter, which I think is the best way, and one warm with butter and Spam.

We also went to a Buddhist Temple for a ceremony for Alice’s nanny who was also her great aunt. Alice’s mom and brother met us and her uncle. I had never seen the service before. The priest said a prayer, and they prayed and offered food for her and some other stuff. I felt privileged to witness the ceremony.

I also got my first glance at China because it was across the river. I didn’t realize it was so close to Macau. The region in China I saw was the Pearl River Delta.

I loved the long bridges that connected the difference parts.

We also went to the City of Dreams Casino and saw a pretty cool dragon show called Dragon’s Treasure. It was well done and felt very real. There were times when it felt like a dragon was looking right t me. There were also times when it felt like we were moving down or up depending on the direction. I allowed myself $20 HK dollars to gamble, which is less than $3 USD. I played twice. Once before the show and won $2+ HKD and then after the show and lost it all. Between this and Vegas, I am down $11. I don’t believe in playing big, but I think it’s fun to play the slot machines.

Today, Sunday, we went to Shenzhen, which is located in China’s Guandong province. We took the rail. The ride was around 40 minutes.

I was offered watches, purses, jewelry, clothes, electronics, etc. People called us “missy” as they tried to get us in their stores. Some were aggressive, and it’s like no.

I did see the funniest pair of undergarments for men. They were basically designed like an elephant and the penis goes in the trunk part. It was just too funny not to mention.

People were like spitting in the mall and smoking in the mall. Gross. It was good first glance at China. There is still more I want to see. I’ve always wanted to see the Great Wall. My visa is multi entry and good until September 2012 so who knows what could happen in the next year.

Also, China was country number twenty that I've been too. Some coworkers and I are all trying to reach the goal of visiting 100 countries. My preference is to spend at least a few nights (3 is ideal) in each place. I would rather spend quality time in each place than go for quantity.

My passport has gotten a lot of action as I have been in and out of Hong Kong several times.

Hong Kong Chronicles

At the airport in San Fran, I was asking myself why I was traveling 14 hours away for vacation to a place in a different time zone. In case we haven’t met, the answer is simple. I want to see as much as the world as I can. My desire to travel is huge. While I have the time, money, and resources, I will go. When I retire, I may end up being on a fixed income or my ability to be mobile might decline. I don’t know. What I do know is that I must “work while it is day…the night cometh.” Okay, that was a paraphrase.

Plus, I can completely unplug from the Matrix!

I was thinking about my life. I am very grateful and thankful. I have made some bad choices, and those choices could have ended up worst than they did. I was thinking how different life could be if I hadn’t made those choices. But the truth is choices good and bad make us who we are. I have to belief I am who I am supposed to be.

I should tell you a little more about Canton Road and the mall. Any name brand you can think of has a store. Dior. Prada. Chanel. You name it; there is a store. It’s quite overwhelming. As you walk down the street people are offering you foot massage services and tailoring services. It’s hectic.

I ended up taking the subway from Tsim Sha Tsui to the Prince Edward Station. Every time I hear “Please mind the gap,” I smile. My goal was to get to Boundary Street and walk down Nathan Street to get back home. I would venture off to other streets to see things along the way. When I exited onto Nathan Street at the Prince Edward Station, I was in Hong Kong. Not the Hong Kong of Tsim Sha Tsui, but the real Hong Kong. I thought to myself, you are not in Kansas anymore. I forgot my water, and I had to get some water and the teller told me the amount in Chinese. It made me smile.

Anyway, I started at Boundary Street and made my way back. This street marked the border between British Hong Kong and China from 1860 to 1898. In 1898 the border was moved to include the New Territories for a 99-year lease that ended in 1997. It was of interest to see. Nothing earth shattering, but interesting. I may sign up for a day tour up to the New Territories.

I walked through the Flower Market to get to the Bird Garden, which was kind of sad to see all those birds in cages. It wasn’t quite what I expected. The guidebook said that locals take their birds there for fresh air. So, I was thinking of a park where people take their pets for air. It seemed to me that it was a place that mostly sold birds, but the guidebook made it sound like that was a small part of the novelty of the place. The birds were confined but singing so prettily. It reminded me of the sad song of Sirens. It was interesting to see the free birds there eating food from the edges of the cages.

I then walked back through the Flower Market and gave it some attention. It reminded me that I need to start buying flowers once a week for myself. There were some very pretty flowers. I then walked down Nathan Street and took in the sights and went down side streets that looked interesting. I took a lot of pictures of buildings that looked interesting. I realize that I take lots of building pictures when I travel, but they do tell a story. People’s lives are often displayed in their laundry and open windows. It’s hard to resist peaking in. Buildings also have character. Even ones that are seemingly in decay have a poetic sense of survival.

I walked through the Fa Yuen Street Market, which is part of the Ladies Market. There were streets of vendors sellings things from fruits, vegetables, meat, clothes, etc. I love taking pictures of the stalls, but try to be mindful that the vendors might now want to be in my photos so I try to aim for their goods.

I then cut over to Shanghai Street and walked through some of the Reclamation Street Markets, which had a lot of foodstuff. One of the markets was called Yau Ma Tei Market. I also went to the Jade Market. Basically, there were a lot of markets. It was fun to watch people haggle prices and go about their lives. Having suffered through the tourist at the Market at home, I try to be mindful of things that bother me. Like stopping in the middle of the sidewalk oblivious to the fact that people have things to do.

What I noticed was around Jordan Street, I moved from Hong Kong Hong Kong to tourist Hong Kong. It was disappointing to once again see all the tourist trap stores. Funny how the guidebook had the Golden Mile as the number one thing to do in the Tsim Sha Tsui area of Kowloon. Basically, it’s a bunch of stores for tourist to shop in, which I get. Tourism brings big money to cities.

I then spent some time in Kowloon Park, which was quite beautiful. There was a Chinese Garden, some sculptures, a bird sanctuary, tennis courts, a swimming pool, which I guess is a big cruising spot, and more. I totally love the Banyan Trees. Their trunks are so big and firm and their roots are firmly grounded. I did a lot yesterday and more than made up for the two days when I chill-axed.

I then returned to the hotel and read before going to dinner with Alice. We went to this Canton restaurant. Went home and read and then went to sleep.

Got up, read and then got ready and am now on the Internet. We leave for Macau tonight, and we will stay the night there. I am trying to figure out what I will do today before meeting Alice after work.

Hong Kong Chronicles

Yesterday, after I blogged, I headed to the art museum. Two of the galleries were closed for repairs, which was a bummer. Wednesday is free admission day so I couldn’t really grumble over that fact.

In case you don’t know, I favor oil paints and marble sculptures. I am deeply drawn to sculptures of the (male) human form. Amazing that someone can take an empty canvas if you will and create such powerful forms out of it. One of my favorite pieces is an uncompleted work by Michelangelo called The Prisoners. There is just so much strength in the muscles of the men struggling for release. It’s quite powerful and breathtakingly beautiful. There wasn’t much of that at the museum, at least the floors that were opened.

There was a room dedicated to calligraphy, which was interesting. There were also some etchings and lithographs. They also had a lot of artifacts. In fact there was some pottery from the Neolithic Period that was dated from 3600 to 3000 BC, which is quite old. In truth, I don’t always pay attention to artifacts. It’s only when I take the time to think about the people who used them that they become of interest. Unfortunately, they tend to be displayed in ways that I find overwhelming because I can't quite focus on one piece. If I can focus my mind, I appreciate them. I also appreciate them when someone I know in history used them.

One thing that is clear is that humans have been pretty consistent over the years. I was chuckling at the B.C. purses, bracelet, earrings, etc. Women have always adorned themselves with pretty things.

There were also some paintings. Two that stood out were an oil painting of a storm on a river and an oil painting of a Tonka boatwoman. There was also porcelain from different dynasties like Ming, Yuan, etc.

After the museum, I sat and enjoyed the sun before taking a short walk. I was going to Kowloon Park, which I still haven’t gotten to yet when I went to the hotel and read until time to meet Alice. I just wanted to relax. If I accomplish one thing each day, I’m good. LOL!

We took the ferry to other side and met her mom for dinner. Alice's mother likes me a lot because she said I was always happy and smiling. Okay, you can stop laughing now. Alice's mom is very sweet and has only seen me in small doses. I think two or three days at the most when I stayed with them in Vancouver. Her parents live in the mid-level of Hong Kong. Along the way, Alice pointed out the U.S. Embassy, go USA. Hee-hee. We went to this really great vegetarian restaurant. Her parents live in the same area that she grew up in before moving to Vancouver. She pointed out two other places that they had lived.

We went back to the bottom of the hill and took the tram to the peak. It was an amazing view. I loved all the lights looking into the harbor. I’m trying to decide if I will go back during the day. It would have to be timed for the setting of the sun otherwise the pictures will have reflections. Plus, with the pollution, the pictures could end up hazy anyway. We had ice cream and walked around the area that was filled with tourists.

Today, I will head out in a few. I’m still trying to decide what I want to do. I might walk around Kowloon, or I might take the ferry to Hong Kong Island and walk around. Decisions, decisions!

Hong Kong Chronicles - Picture from the Peak

I had dinner with Alice and her mom. After dinner, Alice and I went to the Peak to enjoy the night view. Here is a picture!

Hong Kong Chronicles

Yesterday, which was Tuesday, I slept in and then got up and was on the Internet in Alice’s room when she came home for lunch.

While I don’t remember when I met Alice, I have known her for over ten years. It may be around 12. We actually met through the port. She was working in Hong Kong at the time, which is where she is from, and she had been trying to get some information from one of my coworkers who was not responding, and she ended up being told to contact me.

When she received the information she requested, she sent me a thank you email and mentioned she was raised in Vancouver BC. It just so happened that I was going to Vancouver for the first time in the near future, which was my first international trip. I asked her for suggestions on things I should do. When I returned from Vancouver, I reported back and we just corresponded back and forth.

Somewhere along the way, Alice moved back to Vancouver, and we decided to go to vacation together in Jamaica. People on my end were sketchy and people on her end were sketchy too because we had not officially met each other in person. Pre-trip Jamaica she came down to the U.S., and we met on the waterfront. She had sent me a picture of her so I know whom to look for. Long story short, we’ve been friends every since. She moved from Vancouver to Victoria for a while, and then she moved back to Hong Kong to work for this hotel.

Alice lives in the Kowloon side of Hong Kong in the Tsim Sha Tsui area, so it’s pretty crazy down here with the tourist stuff. She lives on Canton Road, and her hotel is connected to these shopping malls, which are called Harbor City.

So, back to yesterday’s events. I went to check out the Hong Kong Tourist Board, which is located near Star Ferry to ask about one of the Duk Ling Rides. They are every Thursday, so I may do one tomorrow or the day before I leave.

I ended up just walking along the promenade and kept going and going until I came to the end, which was a building called Fishermen’s Wharf. I was thinking San Fran Fishermen’s Wharf, but this was not it. Then I walked back.

Along the way, I saw this really pretty Clocktower. The Kowloon-Canton Railway and the Orient Express used to end here. I passed through their Avenue of the Stars. I took pictures of the two names I recognized, Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Jackie Chan’s star was busy with people having their pictures taken with their hands in his imprints. There was also a Bruce Lee statue that was pretty busy with people taking pictures struck in the pose of the statue.

There were a lot of fishermen also. As far as I know, the seaway is pretty polluted so not sure what is done with the fish. I saw one man catch a fish that was pretty tiny, but he kept it.

Speaking of pollution, the smog. My goodness. Alice says it blows over from the factories from China’s Guandong Province. It looks like there is a fire burning somewhere and there is constant haze. The air quality is Seattle is perfect, trust. I have to say the red sunset was pretty amazing, which is what smog does.

I also sat and wrote and thought.

I met Alice for dinner. We ate at a Vietnamese restaurant, which was really good.

Today, I plan on going to their art museum. I wasn’t planning on going but some of the banners displaying the art caught my eye. The museum also had some outside sculptures, which I thought were nice. It is also free today. I will also try to get to Kowloon Park, which I didn’t get to yesterday. I must have walked for five to six hours yesterday, which felt good. I am meeting Alice at six and we are taking the ferry to Hong Kong Island to meet her mom for dinner. We are also getting the keys to her parent’s home in Macau. We will go their Friday and come back Saturday. We are going to Shenzhen on Sunday, so it will be a pretty busy weekend.

As I was watching people yesterday, I was thinking about how life isn’t always black or white or good or bad. Things get complicated and our choices aren’t made in those terms. There are things that are morally wrong that seem like the right thing to do at the time, which brings me back to love. “Love and Happiness. Something that will make you do right. Make you do wrong.” But wouldn’t love for the person…well never mind. Another conversation all together. What exactly is doing the “right thing?” I could ask who decides but I know the answer. As a society, we have decided that certain things are wrong. While it is morally wrong for me to go to Safeway and steal bread, this statement could be tested if I had mouths to feed and no money. Yes, there are other ways to get the bread. For example, I could get the money by selling myself, but isn’t that just as wrong? Again, I digress.

I was thinking about success and happiness. Who defines these things? Through my lenses I could look at people and see a “hard life” written in the lines of their faces and their weary gazes. What I realize is that I only notice these things when I am on vacation. At home, I am so busy getting from point A to point B that I don’t really see people and that made me sad. I realize I am part of the problem, not part of the solution.

And, life is so random. We don’t pick our families, color, country of birth, family class or any of those things that could give us an edge up or edge down. I say this knowing that every family rich, poor or whatever has problems, but at the same time, having food on the table is one less hardship. Having clothes on one's back and heat and shelter. Again, I digress. I am supposed to on vacation, sigh.

I was reading about the fact that there are a lot people here from Indonesia and the Philippines working as domestic help. They send money home. Alice saw a documentary about the children of mothers who move to other countries to work because they can’t find work at home. So, the children grow up without mothers – or with mothers who raise someone else’s child. As adults, their mothers are strangers to them. This hit home to me because my mother didn’t raise me. So, in my head I ask what is better. Better to stay at home and live in poverty or better to leave home and see your kid maybe once a year but be able to send money home for your child’s education and nutrition. It’s actually a question I can’t answer. I can’t decide what is best for anyone else. I can barely decide what is best for me. And what about these kids whose parents are there but leaving their care in the hands of someone else. Life is like web.

Anyway, I must be off. Excuse any typos. I will edit when I get back.

Hong Kong Chronicles - Now, back to special programming.

Last night (Monday night), I gratefully laid my head down on the pillow and went to sleep around 11 p.m. I woke up off and on throughout the night, but I rested a lot better than I thought I would. I do feel a little out of sorts right now. My body knows it should be sleeping and is lethargic, but I will get through the day.

Today, I plan on going for a walk. It’s about 1:30 p.m. here. I’ve been up since 10 a.m. but unpacking, getting cleaned up, and getting organized.

This vacation is going to be different than my recent previous vacations in several ways.

First of all, I plan on getting some rest. No days packed with rushing from here and there. So, there will probably not be many long drawn out history lessons of what I saw and why I saw it. So, it may be a little boring. I will be doing the equivalent of a beach vacation in a bustling city.

I have set no agenda. I have not made a list of places I must see. I will take each day as it comes. Alice works from 9 to 6 so I will amuse myself during the days before meeting up with her at night. There may even be a day or two when I don’t venture far from home. I am almost tempted to avoid any and every area that even suggests tourism, but can’t commit to that. LOL.

I may do a harbor cruise at some point, though riding the ferry to Hong Kong Island may count. I will go to Macao and China (Shenzhen), but not sure when. That’s all I know for now other than I want to go to the Peak (yes it is touristy), go to a night market (okay, more touristy), and have dim sum (which may or may not be touristy). Okay, okay. I will be a tourist.

Week 42 - Regular Programming

Once a year, my blog becomes a travel blog, which I will call special programming. This post is part of my regular programming for 2011. Once a week, I do a day of devotion and then blog about it. This entry is one of those. So, if you are only here to read about my travels, feel free to skip on to the next entry. Or, read on (smile).

I normally fast on Monday, but since I would be in the air and a little confused on timing, I decided to fast on Sunday. The subject on my mind was love because I went to a wedding on Saturday. During the ceremony, there was a part where the bride and groom said words they had written for each other.

The groom said something about the bride along the lines that she had:

Loved the unlovable

Gave hope to the hopeless

It touched something in me, and it made me think about what exactly is this thing called love. I am so convinced that love can heal people. There is a song that says, Love lifted me. Love lifted me. When nothing else could help, love lifted me.” I like this song because I know the words to be true.

The funny about this word love is that it’s a word I hear often. I often wonder if people realize what they are committing to when they say it? If you tell me you love me, it should mean something and it should result in something. Should there not be evidence in the declaration? When I don’t know everything about love, I don’t think love is easy come and easy go yet it seems so transient nowadays.

I certainly don’t have all the answers. I know how I think it should be, but I have to wonder how much of my belief in what love is has been clouded with romantic notions. I don’t think love is something that can be easily turned on and off, yet I wonder about how seemingly easy it is to transfer emotions. I think love should be unconditionally, which gives room for forgiveness. I don’t think love should take advantage of that or find excuses for hurtful behavior.

People are more interested in having someone serve them without any desire to serve the other person. People want to have all their needs met without every considering the impact their needs have on the other person. I can go and on, but I decided to find a scripture that talks about love and meditate on that. I do think that a big part of the problem is that people seem more interested in taking than giving.

I used 1 Corinthians 13:4-8m “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth.”

You know weddings have away of doing something. It is an awesome thing to see two people commit themselves to each other. It brings a longing that someone would feel that way about me to commit their life to me. That someone would declare to the world that I am the one they want to commit to, be with, cherish, and love. It’s more than a schoolgirl notion. In the end, love is about being willing to sacrifice something of myself to another person.

Queue the song “Ready for love.”

Hong Kong Chronicles - Hong Kong or Bust

I am in Hong Kong!

I left my house around 4:40 a.m. Sunday, which meant setting my alarm for 4:00 a.m. I actually woke up around 2:00 a.m. and drifted in and out until it was time to get up.

The trip to San Fran was forgettable. I was tired. I think my layover was around three hours, but I spent it texting, reading, and journaling. The 14-hour flight to Hong Kong felt long, and my butt was hurting (okay TMI). Although I knew the length of the flight, I forgot how it actually felt. The total flight time was 13 hours and 50 minutes. We went over Alaska, Russia, and China. The only other time I flew to Hong Kong was with Desiree on our way to India. Having a companion made it pass by quicker. I read, watched some movies, drifted off to sleep twice, and waited for time to slowly pass by.

When we finally arrived, I went through immigration and customs and waited for my bags. I normally don’t check bags, but I was bringing some stuff for Alice so I had to bring a big suitcase. Then in Seattle they were looking for people to check in their larger carry on. Since I already had a bag checked, I checked mine. I forgot how annoying it is to wait for your bags. Though it was nice not having to lug it around in San Fran and not have to worry about finding space in the overhead bin. Because of Murphy’s Law, my bag is always one of the last bags off. I was a little bitter that they took one of my locks off never to be seen again.

Alice told me to go out Customs Hall B, and I did. I was so happy to see her face in the crowd of people waiting. We took a train and then taxi to the hotel that she lives and works at (actually she works in the hotel down the street but it’s the same hotel family). I got settled. We ate, and she took me on a short walk to point out some landmarks. Now I am getting ready to hit the sack. My body is confused and with a 15-hour difference, who can blame it!

More later.

Week 41

Psalm 8:4 is one of my favorite scriptures. It reads, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”

There are times in life when I am very aware that God is mindful of me. I am currently in a season of awareness. So, this scripture was a good one to think and meditate on.

Earlier in the year was a little rough on me. I felt really uncertain in myself, relationships, and life. It didn’t really feel like God was mindful of me. I say that lightly because by now I am aware that even my darkest hours have always worked out for my good.

I am extremely thankful for God not forgetting about me and my desires. No, I don’t have everything I want, but I mostly have everything I need and that is a lot to be thankful for.

I am thankful for the little things. I need new tires and they are buy three get one free. That is a blessing. My job was recently upgraded. That is a blessing. I am going on vacation soon. That is a blessing. I have more to be thankful for than I can begin to write. Far more than any complaint I can register. I have more than enough “evidence” that God is mindful of me.

Week 40

Luke 10:25-28
King James Version (KJV)
25And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

Matthew 22:36-40
King James Version (KJV)
36Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38This is the first and great commandment.
39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

I find myself looking for elaborate answers, and often than not, the answer is pretty simple. Basically, I tend to complicate simple situations, which probably isn’t unique to me.

I find that when it comes to my walk with God, I complicate that too. But, I think when it comes down to it; it really boils down to love. Love of God, and love of my neighbors. Imagine how much easier relationships would be if love was the order of the day.

My pastor and his wife did a series that was geared towards the singles at my church. One thing they said about marriage is that you have to go in wanting to give to the other person, as opposed to going in wanting/needing your needs to be met.

So, my goal for the rest of the years is act out of love, which is easy to say but hard to implement.

I choose the scriptures above myself to remind myself to go back to basics: Love.

Volume X, Issue IV PCC Scroll Article

Article that will be published tomorrow in church blog.

When I was a child, I remember going through safety drills at school. These drills were never quite taken seriously by me or my classmates. As an adult, I go through similar drills at my job. These drills are not quite taken that seriously either. People roll their eyes and some don’t even bother going through the motions of leaving the building or ducking and covering.

Then, there are the occasional real, unscheduled fire alarms. They are followed by the anti-climactic discovery that nothing was seriously amiss. Normally, the café had burned something. In an odd way, it’s actually disappointing. It is Much Ado about Nothing. It is like we are rehearsing for a play that we do not really believe will ever have an opening night.

During the real drills that turn out to be dress rehearsals, I have a coworker who comes out to our meeting area with a duffel bag that contains his emergency supply kit. He is prepared.

The theme of this issue is preparing for what is to come/preparing for challenges. When I began thinking about my article for this issue, my coworker came to mind. The more I thought about him and his duffel bag, the more I realized he is the only one that is prepared. It reminded me of the Parable of the Ten Virgins.

It is a familiar story. Ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. The bridegroom was delayed, and they slept. They were awakened by a cry in the night that the bridegroom was coming. Five were wise and had enough oil for their lamps, but five were not prepared. Though the parable refers to being ready for Christ’s return, I would like to use it in relation to being prepared in a natural sense.

In the work scenario, my coworker with his duffel bag is the lone wise virgin. The rest of us will no doubt, like the unwise virgins, plead with him for water or food. And he, like the wise virgins, will have to decline.

We have been told that a big earthquake is expected in our area. Yet, how many of us have taken the time to prepare for it? It is better to be prepared for a disaster and never need it than to try to scramble to get supplies together amongst the chaos of the aftermath of an actual disaster.

The economy is sputtering, yet how many of us have an emergency savings just in case. Yes, God will take care of us, but God expects us to be good stewards and prepare.

Tomorrow is not promised, yet how many of us have a will in place?

Of course, our spiritual preparation is extremely crucial, and knowing God’s word and voice is so important. Disciplines like fasting, prayer, and Bible study are a huge part of our preparation.

I would like to encourage you to prepare. We don’t know what is going to happen in the next hour, week, or month, but we can prepare ourselves both naturally and spiritually.

Week 39

Okay, so I am VERY behind in blogging on my Monday fast. Rest assured that I have managed to fast every Monday of 2011. However, I am sometimes delayed in actually blogging about my experience.

A few things have kept me from my checking this item off of my list.

One is that I have been working on the PCC Scroll. It goes to print tomorrow. I did my final edits and hit send on yesterday.

The second thing is that I left Tuesday for a trip for my job. I am actually on the plane right now (Saturday) heading home.

This trip could have been all about temptation, but God has a way of, as I like to say, protecting me from myself.

The first temptation was involving my fast from alcohol this year. I knew that there would be opportunity all week to indulge. As expected, I was tempted several times, but in the end, keeping this goal is more important than the desire to partake. I find that I am in a point where I really want to follow-up on decisions or goals I make. It’s too easy to talk and talk about what one is going to do.

The second temptation involved my abstinence. This temptation was actually removed in May, and I very thankful for it. It would have been too easy to go on that date and get caught up in the moment. Funny how in my head these type of trysts end up pregnant and STD free. Reality, who knows?

So, I decided that James 1:13-15 would be a good scripture to think about before I left.

13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

The thing is that is that I have never gotten caught up in the moment. The choices I have made regarding sin have all been well-thought about executions of plans I had decided on previously

I recently saw an article about people getting drunk and doing outlandish and wild things. The article basically said that even when intoxicated, people know what they are doing. They just use the alcohol as a crutch and excuse. So, this week was all about consciously making choices. Knowing that temptation doesn’t just sneak up on us. Well, maybe it does. But, the temptations that sneak ups are aligned with things we have thought about and in some crazy way drawn to ourselves.