faster than we thought we'd go
(Smashing Pumpkins - 1979)

This song always reminds me of driving around the neighborhood during my teenage years with the window down, the music blasting and my head stuck out the window. That's the key to a great song. It captures a period in time and brings back waves of memories you would have never remembered on your own.

So I'm back in the Honger. I mean Hong Kong. Day 1 of 25. It's gonna be a long month for me. This will be the longest I've been away from my family and friends since the early 2000's when I moved to Virginia to live with uncle. Luckily Sonia is flying down to visit in 9 days. Something to look forward to. I do have some friends in the area as well so it'll be nice to catch up with them.

Saturday was the Halloween party and SD and I dressed up as Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon. I'll have to upload those pictures some time in the next week. Was a fun party but definitely felt rushed since I had to wake up the next morning and pack to leave. I really need to learn to cherish those times a little more. Live in the moment and not the future so much. I don't mind living in the past so much since reflection never hurt anyone. That is as long as you don't reflect and regret so much.

Sunday I got on the plane and bumped into Irene. She's here for work as well and she does this trip every other month she says. Is this the trend of our generation or is this just a trend within my circle of friends? It seems we're all jetsetting all over the world for work. I don't remember my parents ever traveling for work. Then again, they were never in technology/business. They were also married with children at a much younger age. My generation is all about career first, family second.

So if you're ever on a plane full of old Chinese people, try not to freak out at the really odd behaviour and poor manners. This one old guy kept leaning up and rubbing his groin against my shoulder as he got things out of the overhead compartments. He did this about 5 times during the flight and not once did he say "excuse me". There was also this lady in one of those face masks who kept getting up in the aisle near my seat and doing stretches for 10 minutes at a time. I'm sorry lady, it's not a pilates class. When we landed, I think I opened the door for at least 5 people at the airport and hotel and not a single thank you. Such a culture shock for me but I'm learning to deal with it one awkward moment at a time.

I just hit the 7/11 here to stock up on snacks and supplies. There's a 7/11 on every corner and they're very convenient. Especially convenient for a jetlagged North American who just woke up from a 5 hr nap in the evening. The terriyaki chicken with cucumbers and instant noodles definitely hit the spot. Now time to do some reading and back to sleep so I can be semi-conscious in front of the client tomorrow.

Good afternoon N. America.