Finally in Hong Kong. I didn't think I would ever get off the plane. Things didn't start well at the airport. They had to pat down my left ankle. Which was weird. They didn't find anything suspicious and then it was off to the gate. I met up with the other China Horizon people going to San Fransico from Salt Lake City. Everyone was super nice and we had some good laughs and played Scum. (And for once I did not end up as Scum!) Our flight was delayed for an hour so we got to San Fransico at 1:13 and the plane to Hong Kong left at 1:22. Luckily there were enough of us that they held the plane but we had to book it to the gate which was naturally no where near where our flight came in. The flight to Hong Kong was the longest flight of my life. I might stay in China so I never have to fly that far again. The food was pretty good at least. And I was sitting next to this hilarious boy so we had a good time.
My first thought when I saw Hong Kong is that it was very foggy. But then someone mentioned that it wasn't fog. Gross. Hong Kong money is so pretty and colorful. I almsot don't want to spend it! I exchanged $41 American dollars and they gave me two 100s! I realize the money isn't the same but it still felt good. It was very strange to have everything written in Chinese first but luckily the English translation was underneath.
The people here drive crazy! We rode on a double decker bus and I ended up at the top very front row. It was like the Wild Mouse ride at Lagoon. When we stopped at crosswalks we stopped in the middle of them almost taking out the pedestrians. Eventually we made it safely to the temple housing. Then the fire alarm went off for 10 minutes. We started evacuating but then we stopped. Not sure why. It finally got shut off and now everyone's working off jet lag. It's supposed to be breakfast time for my body and it's not enjoying this switch.
Tomorrow we go to the Hong Kong temple for most of the day. Hopefully we're not all exhausted from not sleeping tonight!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Weight Matters
Tomorrow is the day! I finally leave for China. I can hardly believe that it's here.
I have a fantastic mother. I was taken off the car insurance on Monday so I haven't been able to drive myself anywhere since then. Was I even slightly prepared for that? No. Did I slack off and still have lots of places to go? Why yes. My fantastic mother took me to all these places. It's been a busy week running places with her that's for sure! If that doesn't take the cake she also helped with my packing today. That was not easy. Trying to fit your life for six months in one suitcase that had to weigh under 50 pounds? It had me rethinking what was absolutely necessary and what wasn't. I can live without more things than I originally thought.
We began with a suitcase. (A very fine place to start). It would not zip once I got my things in it. Obviously that wasn't the right choice. The next suitcase everything fit and it just took my mom and I sitting on it to close it. Then the real test came. To the scale! I get one free checked bag as long as it weighs 50 pounds or less. Let's just say it was more than 50 pounds. We removed some more things (After that neither my mom or I had to sit on it to get it to close which was a relief) and weighed it again. Close but no cigar. I began really thinking about what was in my suitcase and realized there were some things that I really actually probably wouldn't need. So, I lost some clothes out of the suitcase and they went back into the closet. After much deliberation and pondering we took it back to the scale. Success!! It was less than 50 pounds. That was the best feeling in the world. Now I'm all packed and just waiting for tomorrow morning... Hope I can sleep tonight. Although, maybe it would be good to not sleep tonight, then I would have an easier time sleeping on the long flight!
Next step: China!
I have a fantastic mother. I was taken off the car insurance on Monday so I haven't been able to drive myself anywhere since then. Was I even slightly prepared for that? No. Did I slack off and still have lots of places to go? Why yes. My fantastic mother took me to all these places. It's been a busy week running places with her that's for sure! If that doesn't take the cake she also helped with my packing today. That was not easy. Trying to fit your life for six months in one suitcase that had to weigh under 50 pounds? It had me rethinking what was absolutely necessary and what wasn't. I can live without more things than I originally thought.
We began with a suitcase. (A very fine place to start). It would not zip once I got my things in it. Obviously that wasn't the right choice. The next suitcase everything fit and it just took my mom and I sitting on it to close it. Then the real test came. To the scale! I get one free checked bag as long as it weighs 50 pounds or less. Let's just say it was more than 50 pounds. We removed some more things (After that neither my mom or I had to sit on it to get it to close which was a relief) and weighed it again. Close but no cigar. I began really thinking about what was in my suitcase and realized there were some things that I really actually probably wouldn't need. So, I lost some clothes out of the suitcase and they went back into the closet. After much deliberation and pondering we took it back to the scale. Success!! It was less than 50 pounds. That was the best feeling in the world. Now I'm all packed and just waiting for tomorrow morning... Hope I can sleep tonight. Although, maybe it would be good to not sleep tonight, then I would have an easier time sleeping on the long flight!
Next step: China!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Preparing for the People's Republic of China
Ni Hao!
(American translation: Hello. Literal translation: You are well Pronunciation: Not sure)
If I could skip this preparing and waiting part I would in a heartbeat. It is very stressful to try and figure out what I need to pack in the one suitcase I can take. I have made dozens of lists with all the items I need to take. Then I made another list from the previous list of how I would acquire these said items. Can I find it in our food storage/convenience store downstairs? Or will I have to shrink my wallet a little more and actually buy the item? So far the buying list outweighs the already own list by far.
The anticipation of waiting is driving me nuts! I cannot wait to get to China and to not hear everything second hand. To experience the...different cuisine, getting looks because I have red hair, and the general touring and picture taking that will occur. It can't come soon enough.
Fun fact about China: The Chinese address each other by last name and then occupation. This includes things such as president, doctor, general, captain and such, which isn't that unusual by English standards. But this also includes things like manager, chief engineer, or hospital administrator. Were I Chinese I would be addressed as Green Laoshi since I am going to be teaching while there. (Well my last name would be something cooler than Green like Li, Xang or something like that).
And the waiting continues.....
(American translation: Hello. Literal translation: You are well Pronunciation: Not sure)
If I could skip this preparing and waiting part I would in a heartbeat. It is very stressful to try and figure out what I need to pack in the one suitcase I can take. I have made dozens of lists with all the items I need to take. Then I made another list from the previous list of how I would acquire these said items. Can I find it in our food storage/convenience store downstairs? Or will I have to shrink my wallet a little more and actually buy the item? So far the buying list outweighs the already own list by far.
The anticipation of waiting is driving me nuts! I cannot wait to get to China and to not hear everything second hand. To experience the...different cuisine, getting looks because I have red hair, and the general touring and picture taking that will occur. It can't come soon enough.
Fun fact about China: The Chinese address each other by last name and then occupation. This includes things such as president, doctor, general, captain and such, which isn't that unusual by English standards. But this also includes things like manager, chief engineer, or hospital administrator. Were I Chinese I would be addressed as Green Laoshi since I am going to be teaching while there. (Well my last name would be something cooler than Green like Li, Xang or something like that).
And the waiting continues.....
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