To begin with, I know it's been a while since my last update so I'd like to apologize to my friends and family back home (and other places abroad) who read my blog. Honestly, though, there hasn't been much to write about. A little down-time can be a good thing, and I like to enjoy it when I get it.
Last time I updated, I mentioned registering for classes so here's my results: MGMT371 (cohort class), MGMT250, MGSC291, Chinese Language Course (level to be determined later), and a Social Science. As I mentioned before, the lovely Ms. Yammy Lai advised me to sign up for 2 classes of this type in case one of them would not work for some unforeseen logistical reason, in which case I could drop the class in September. I signed up for these 2: "Political Economy of Asia," and "Magic, Myth, and the Supernatural." Both of them are right up my alley so I don't mind doing one or the other. Regrettably, though, I will be taking only one. I think that it would be interesting if I took "Magic, Myth, and the Supernatural" just because Sarah's assistant-teaching a similar class this coming semester at her college. Coincidence? Yeah, probably.
After registering for classes, the next event worth noting was my venture back to Shatin in order to return my proof of address to PCCW. I quickly got there and settled things (although I found out today that the PCCW employee forgot to copy my Hong Kong ID Card so I have to go back another time), and I resumed my effort to find a birthday present for Mom. I'm sorry, but it's so difficult to find any good CUHK paraphernalia, and other than that I have no good ideas. Needless to say, my effort was, again, fruitless so any and all birthday gift for Mom ideas are welcome. When I got back from Shatin, I finished my homework for Monday so that I could safely say that on the 7th day, I rested. Amen to that.
Well, maybe "rest" isn't the best description. It would be more accurate to say that I had a good time. Chris had mentioned last week that he wanted to start coming to church with me so we both went this Sunday. From what he told me, he understood enough of it that he feels it's worth it to come back. I wholeheartedly agree. The sermon this week was about love and fellowship, which I find very appropriate for the occasion. You see, after church a lot of the congregation had planned a get-together to celebrate all the birthdays for a certain period of time (I'm still not sure if it was from January to July or from June to July). Corinna had invited me last week (thank you, Corinna!). During the week, she sent me a text message saying that she wasn't going to be in church that morning so she had asked one of the sisters to make sure I got there. Once again, I'm glad for that because I never would have found my own way there.
After the church service, Chris and I enjoyed a little bit of the post-church tea time while I waited to see if someone would show up to get me. Chris got bored and a little hungry so he left early, but I stuck around a while longer. Eventually, I was found and I met several more nice people. Apparently, I had misheard about a church minibus because what was actually said was that we would take the bus to Ma On Shan and that everyone who needed to return to CUHK would ride the public transportation's minibus back. OK, I misunderstood, but no harm no foul.
I went with 5 other people to eat lunch. Unfortunately, the Chung Chi Staff Canteen (aka Orchid Lodge) is still undergoing renovation. However, I believe that it reopens this Friday and will be available for our dining pleasure by this coming Sunday. We lunch-goers had gotten off at Ma On Shan Plaza and tried to eat at a French restaurant, but it was way too crowded. Instead we went to another place that I didn't catch the name of. I also didn't catch most of the conversation, but as always, people were kind enough to translate for me from time to time, or even use a little Mandarin. I'm finding that I need translation less and less (though still a good bit) here in Hong Kong--even when the language is Cantonese--because it's amazing how much can be understood through tone of voice, hand gestures, and so on and so forth. It also helps that many Cantonese and Mandarin words sound similar. Language isn't nearly as large a barrier as I once thought.
Once we finished lunch, we went to the largest Park 'n' Shop I have been to yet. It seems like they keep getting larger and larger. Anyway, we had to buy food for the party and especially for that night's dinner: Chinese Hot Pot. We got a bunch of chips (including "Indonesian Shrimp Chips," which I know my dear sister would have enjoyed), M&Ms, Hershey's bars, something called crunchies?, and all the good hot pot ingredients.
I'm just now beginning to appreciate the meaning of hot pot. Previously, Han Laoshi had been kind enough to provide us poor American students with some hot pot ingredients and instructions on how to cook them. However, I think she had given us only what she thought we would like, and she didn't mention anything about sauce. That first hot pot was satisfying, but it was exciting just shopping for the ingredients for Sunday's meal. We bought all kinds of fish balls, pork and mushroom balls, tofu, fish cakes, udon noodles, pumpkin juice dumplings, sliced beef, cabbage, tomatoes, and little pieces of squid. Plus, we bought a jar of Sa Cha Sauce, a name which I'm keeping for future reference.
I think about 14-15 people ended up at Heidi's flat, and I hope every one of them had as good a time as I did. I met more people, and re-met others. I still haven't learned how to play Mah-Jong, but I learned how to play with a Wii. By the way, it was really fun but I'm not so good at it. I was really only decent at the bowling game. We also played UNO and, maybe it was wrong of me, but I couldn't help laughing at the fact that my hand of cards had three 6s all in a row. It was fun, but let's just say I'm not quite the UNO-whiz I once was back in elementary school. Veronica and Kitty even tried to show me how to play "Arguing with the Landlord," but like all card games, the rules went way over my head. I've found that my head is good for a lot of things, but when it comes to card games I am completely hopeless. I probably wouldn't even be able to remember "Go Fish" right now if I tried.
So we played a lot of games, chit-chatted, watched a little bit of "Ghost" on TV, and eventually enjoyed a good hour and a half of socializing over dinner. I'm now convinced that, if you want to promote fellowship, the best way to do it is over a meal of hot pot. Everyone picks up different ingredients with their chopsticks and cooks it in the boiling soup. Add a little spicy sauce and it all tastes delicious! What's best, though, is that everyone gets to be around each other and have fun. I know I did.
Still, like all good things, the party came to an end, and I was, admittedly, rather tired. About 6 of us took the light bus (name for the public transportation's minibus) back to CUHK and I rode the shuttle bus back to my dorm. It was around midnight when I was finally able to get settled. So here's the important question I've been asked all day: Did I watch the World Cup finale? The answer: Absolutely not! In Hong Kong, the World Cup games air on TV at 2:30am. As far as I'm concerned, I can check the results in the morning. By the way, I was rooting for Spain in this match. For once, I picked a winner.
Of course, everyone was ridiculously tired in class this morning because many of them had actually watched the game. Others who didn't were just plain tired. Still, Han Laoshi was sympathetic so she wasn't hard on us today. We had a fun and interesting class, and afterwards she asked to speak with me.
Mom, Dad, you're going to laugh (but in a good way). Do you remember how I told you the Level 2 Putonghua class seemed a lot easier than I thought it would be? Well, as soon as I got up so my teacher could have a word with me, she complimented my Putonghua rather highly and said she thought the class might be too easy for me. She also said I had demonstrated that I was truly interested in learning the language and the culture instead of just putting forth the minimal effort. Therefore, since she feels that I'm not being challenged enough, she's giving me extra assignments. It's not a punishment so don't misunderstand. I'm actually glad to have the opportunity. Once a week, she wants me to give her a small essay in Putonghua with the topic being whatever I choose. Since I really do enjoy learning the language and I enjoy a good challenge, I happily accepted. My first piece of writing is due on Thursday, and will be due every Thursday from now on. Of course, the due date is a formality because--even though she will proofread, edit, and perhaps even grade my essays--they are extra work and will not be able to count against my grade if I do poorly. Han Laoshi, I am honored to accept your challenge.
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