Dimsum Monkey

Hi, I thought I'd start a new blog to document my life in Hong Kong because I realized the "labels" are a lil messy. I want to own just one journal for my life in Hong Kong. I'm so sorry but I got to ask you to update your RSS feed.

Here's my new blog - http://dimsum-monkey.blogspot.com/ Cheers!

Food in Hong Kong

I wanna jot down some lovely places I've been to before I forget about it.

Caffe Habitu at Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Road of Central serves really good coffee and pasta. The pasta is actually al dente and goes really well with the fresh coffee. Cost around HKD 65 for a pasta and the coffee's around HKD 38 to 45.

There's a ramen place opened by Japanese that I like as well. Turn left from Causeway Bay MTR, Exit B. I've tried fish soup base and they are really generous with their servings. Cost around HKD 50 - 70 per bowl, depending on how much toppings you want to get.

Okay, this is more a note for myself. Enjoy the remains of your weekend!

Random Thoughts

There's always something going on in Hong Kong.

On the 2nd day I arrived, I saw a man being pinned down on the floor at the North Point MTR station. He was accused of molestation and he was peeing in his pants. No kidding.

At work, during lunch hour, there're always some protestors outside the government house at Central, hurling insults at both the government and the banks.

At home, there's always Bryan to talk to, or we'd be busy doing the laundry or cleaning the apartment. On Friday nights, I'd play poker or have drinks with friends. There's always something interesting on TV. Or I have How I Met Your Mother to catch up on. I do noticed that I'm always at Lang Kwai Fong every weekend though.

At work, our finance lessons are one of the most intensive classes I've taken in my life. 2 days on Corporate Bond, a day on Government Bond, just an afternoon on Municipal Bond, 1.5 days on Mortgages...then bam, you gotta take a closed book exam, passing grade would be 75%. My worst scoring subject till date? Equities. It's supposed to be the most straight forward subject of the lot but we are just not friends.

I always feel that I could barely stop to reflect on my day or to just sit here to record my experiences in Hong Kong.

I've made some really great friends at work too. People whom I really admire because they are so smart. It's really nice to be surrounded by people who are smart because that's how you grow. Especially more so in an area that you're not familiar with, but you're surrounded by helpful people who know what they are talking about and are willing to teach you.

Most importantly, we click well and I'd say some are more like friends than colleagues. I mean, in the afternoon, Andrea and I were busy drawing penis emoticons. It's Saturday morning at 2 am right now, and we are continuing out artwork over Facebook....

Because I'm not trained in finance, I have to put in the extra effort. I would stay behind till 10pm to study and familiarize myself with the terminal. It's a 'lil hardcore but to be honest, it doesn't feel like work. I really enjoy the learning and expanding my comfort zone. In a way, I'm really proud of myself that I've taken the plunge into something that I try to avoid at school.

Tomorrow, I'm going running at Happy Valley, along the racecourse. The route is the diameter of where horses race. That's another first for me.

Like I said, something always seems to be happening here. I really feel that I'm living life to the maximum in Hong Kong. Need to pen down all these thoughts before they slip away.

p/s 8====D ~o ~o ~o {()}

We Are Unique

The syllabus has been getting harder and harder. Equities and I are not friends. I haven't been getting enough sleep since I normally hit the sack past midnight, but my alarm rings at 6 am. It's really challenging for me to sleep earlier because a) I need to clean up a lil b) I really do want to talk to Bryan and c) I need to read up. Sleep, is more luxurious than a panda-fur coat. Other than that, I'm having a good time at work because I really like the people so far. It's so dynamic and the pace is so fast.

Perry just came last night but he's moved to the hotel. Lian's popping by tonight, but she'd be working on Sunday. There's some plans made to go drinking and clubbing at TST. I'm arranging for all my friends to meet up and cross paths. I don't have much friends in Hong Kong to begin with so I supposed no harm bringing everyone together.

So, I just went to Burgeroom at Causeway Bay. Ordered a chilli burger and it's really, really yums. What I like about Hong Kong is its surprises. There's always some really niche boutiques/eateries at some random lil street, hidden and silent. Only some would know where it is. It's like finding gems. I used to not like Hong Kong much, but I guess I haven't been spotting those gems 'cos I don't even know they existed.

Also, I noticed I'm really proud growing up in Singapore. I got made fun of my Singapore accent but I'm really proud of it and with much pride in my voice, I would reply Kan Ni Na. But at work, I do have to switch to a less Singaporean accent because I noticed it's really difficult for people who have been growing up overseas their whole lives (that makes up 99.999% of my colleagues) to understand what I am saying. An American told me that I could sound really American. Thanks to exposure to much American TV. Also, I noticed we've been exposed to heck a lot more cultures than anyone from other parts of the world. Put it this way, name me somebody who would know all Wu Zhong Xian jokes AND can sing at least 1 Korean boyband song AND knows who Phua Chu Kang is AND watched at least 5 TVB shows AND knows the plot of 99% of American TV shows AND have seen British's Top Gear AND actually knows Bruno/Borat AND knows who Siti Nurhaliza. Must be either Singaporean or Malaysian. Yeaaaa, Sg Pride siah.

Last thing, I always got asked, which I prefer - Singapore or Hong Kong? Well, I like both. They are different. It's like asking me, who's hotter - Daniel Wu or Jin Chen Wu. Different, but equally good, you know what I mean?

Being Active in Winter

I want to get to know winter more.

Besides eating heck a lot and trying not to get out from my warm duvet, I'm not clear what else I'm motivated to do in my spare hours.

I've been feeling really inactive but I hate running in the chilly cold winter wind. Normally, tightening those shoe-laces excites me. I don't even have the motivation to walk to my gramp's place these days. Today's the Stand Chart run in HK. Maybe it's all about will. I just need to will myself to get out of the house in a windbreaker and wiggle those legs.

Day In The Life Of

It's been a week since the start of my new job in Hong Kong. I'll be spending the first 2 months like a good ol' student, taking classes and having exams. I've backpeddled in my career a bit to join a completely new industry and I really think it's great that my new company has such a good training program so that finance noobs like me could play catch up. I thought it's a good thing I've the habit of reading vastly, so I actually have a vauge idea of everything said though I've never learnt it in details when in school.

B and I have fallen into some sort of routine at our apartment. Every morning when my alarm rings at 6 a.m, I'd jump out of bed and he'd stir a lil. I used to take 30 min to get ready in the morning but I take almost an hour here 'cos the cold weather makes motions much slower. I'd commute to work for 40 minutes and get coffee with breakfast (company gives a good breakfast spread of toasts and cereal). My classes end at 6pm, so I'd usually reach home at 7. I get to chat with B a bit, and wait for him to finish whatever he was doing. We live in a lil condo at the top of the mall, so we'd head down for dinner as there're too many cafes and restaurants to choose from. It's around 9pm ish after our meal. B would chat with his parents on skype, and I'd shower and read a lil before I end the day. It then become my favourite part because B tucks me in bed, we'd hold hands a chat a bit while I fall asleep. He'd continue with his stuff when I'm prancing about in slumberland. Sometimes I get caught up with my life (like checking work schedules and emails from home) that I completely ignore everything around me. But I try to stop at home and appreciate how fortunate we are, living at our own place, having new experiences in Hong Kong.

Well, it's a Saturday. He's gone out with some friends and I chose to stay in to finish up some online courses and tests I have to complete by tomorrow. I hope I could finish up soon, so we could drink some wine together before bed time tonight.

2011. Hong Kong Adventures.

I really need to document my 2011 adventure as everything's so fresh and new. On the 19 Jan, I flew to Hong Kong for the start of my adventure. It was a cold, windy Wednesday night. I knew I was frowning for most of my plane ride because there're so many uncertainties and I have so many questions that I don't have answers to. The next day, I was a mad man on a mission to house hunt within 3 days. I viewed 9 flats in 2 districts I've shortlisted, like 1 of 'em very much and started bargaining. Negotiated the rental down to my budget and there, I put down my deposit, just like that. All done within a day.

I thought I'd have it easy once I've found my apartment in Hong Kong but hell no, next come furniture, then curtains, then the mattress, then the pillows...basically, every nitty gritty things I've taken for granted in my life. I hunted for the best valued items and it's not an easy feat. It never ends. Till now, we don't have forks. Or a pot. Thank God, Bryan flew in on 30 Jan to be with me. I picked him up from the airport. We spent the night sleeping on the cold, hard floor because the mattress couldn't be delivered then. We spent next 10 days or so sorting out the house, cleaning, getting our broadband (got HKBN for $189, comes with cable tv) and getting everything else we need (never knew we would fight over our limited hangers).

It was also the first time I celebrated Chinese New Year with my gramps. It was...different. Most of my Chinese New Years have been quiet. Here, there're lots more visiting and fuss (must get box-gifts, not just 2 oranges). 1 day was more than enough so I squirmed my way out 2nd day onwards and visited Cheung Chau Island with Jason & Bryan. I have been taking the time to explore Soho, Central, the Peak and our neighbourhood with Bryan past days.

I'm very excited about the year. There's really loads more to look forward to. Just last year, I never thought Bryan and I would get our own place, out of Singapore. Things always work out by itself, no matter what. Just one step at a time.

The Road Less Travelled

It was a tormenting 5-rounds process and I didn't think I would stand a chance. Especially with some questions looking like these -

• Tell us about the bond bubble
• Sell me this mug for $50
• Who's the Federal Reserve Chairman?
• What's happening to China? Tell me what's going to happen to the yuan.
• What's 30% of 35?
• What's been happening to the Euro?

So I'm really stepping into a new chapter of my life now. I'm letting go all I am familiar with - friends, food and culture. I never thought I'd be going off to live in a place I'm not that familiar with. Heck, I have never even lived alone, paying my own rent and utilities. I have never been away from my tight group of friends.

I'm feeling really excited, but yet really scared. Would I like the new lifestyle? Would I like the new pace of life? I'm super looking forward to meeting new friends, but yet I am so going to miss the old friends. I'm super looking forward to experiencing four seasons as well.

I talked about wanting to expand my comfort zone and growing new experiences as one of a key focus in life. I felt that I have actually done it. 2010 was the year of fresh perspective. I got a lot of time working alone and thinking things through. 2011 is the year of...freshness. Fresh set of people, fresh perspective, fresh life. Whatever it is, I know it's not by pure randomness. I'm really on the lookout for fresh experiences.

I shouldn't let the old hold me back, but look forward to the new. I am going to miss you all. But I really do look forward to the person I have become when you next meet me.

Shut Down Mode

I really must eat more fruits and supplements.

Been sleeping for more than 15 hours past 3 days because I've been having the fever, the flu, sore throat...the whole package. It feels like crap and it's just not worth going through the pain. Being sick is the most unproductive thing ever. I don't have the energy to do anything and we could avoid it by just taking care of ourselves a lil better.

Hence, more resolutions for this year :

1. Stop having instant noodles for lunch

2. Drink lots of water and juice

3. Take Vit C. Loads of it.

Movin' Into 2011

This year, I want to document my life so I that I could flip through this blog and look back at all the great memories.

So on the last night of 2010, Bryan and I visited Wensi at her place. Teddy made a yummy pasta dinner for us. After some red wine, games and chatting, we headed to UE Square to start the party. It was a night of foam, mad hats, poppers, crooning, noisy whitles, almost puking, talking and whisky. At 1 am ish, Bryan and I couldn't take the late night anymore (we were playing poker the night before), so we ended the night early and went for bak kut teh. Normally, we would spend some time chatting before we sleep. But on that night, we just crashed immediately.

I spent the first day of 01 Jan 2011 with Bryan's family. Shaun made us lunch and we played Monopoly City (which was a torment for me because I'm not really good with boardgames). I used to wish that my dad doesn't work in the F&B industry because he's the busiest during festive seasons. My mom trots between Hong Kong and Singapore so sometimes I get really bored at home during Christmas or Chinese New Year. I'm glad that I have the opportunity to know Bryan's family because they always celebrate the festives with family dinners & games, and it's always good ol' fun being with them.

So that's my final night of 2010 and first day of 2011. I hope yours have been great too! (: