I mentor youth, a really fulfilling job. Everyday, I have the opportunity to teach kids how to create artistic graphics, websites and so much more. If you know any Middle or High school students interested in learning multimedia arts FOR FREE, let them know about CYC’s Computer Clubhouse program.

www.cycsf.org/clubhouse

27 out of 64 list items.. i need to live more. If i keep at this pace, I just might finish the list…. then its time for my own

But when I’m abroad. I’ll be sure to share more of my experiences and with it… a new layout.

Random Warning:
Below is a picture from my friend Julie who studied in Spain. Next to it is my picture from Hong Kong. See any resemblance.

Julie's photo in Berlin

Thomas's photo from HK

After sitting on the plane for nearly 6hrs, I was ready to get back into my bed and sleep. it took us 5+ hrs to fly from Beijing to HKG… our plane cannot fly due to bad weather. so we just sat there in our seats, located in the last row. sigh.

Got back to City U at around 3am and slept at 5am.
Woke up and it was time to get some fancy dress shirt for the Exchange Dinner.

Special thanks to my good friends Cathy, Daniel, Doris, and Karen for the intimate b-day celebration before dinner. You guys are the best. That cake was so rich & filling. mmmm.

The exchange dinner celebration was eventful. Got a chance to have steak & a second slice of cake…it was bad cake. but good steak. Got a chance to say good bye to all the people I’ve met. Hey look its SF people.

After the dinner it was off to LKF for a unforgettable night.

climb aboard out engine boat from Thomas on Vimeo.

do the island hopping in Cebu, Philippines. from Thomas on Vimeo.

Life at the resort was not too shabby. Although we paid top dollar for everything, from mixed drinks to western food Tambuli Resort, we enjoyed our stay knowing that we are safe and well feed. Outside out resort was a whole ‘nother story. Lets say sketchy is how i would begin describing the location. So taxi was our only choice of transport. We haggled every driver to make sure we get a good meter rate. Most taxi drivers would disregard the meter and demand 3x the reg. amount. But there wasn’t much around the resort unless we travel 45mins into Cebu city. So we would go to the mall 15mins away.

THOUGHTS:

The taxi ride was eye opening. Life outside the resort was a dramatic contrast. We saw seas of makeshift markets, miles of homes that resembled shacks along side huge mansions, witnessed children playing basketball on dirt with a single wood scrap hoop, and experienced the disparity of children begging for pesos.

There is no doubt that manicured beach resorts like ours are fantasy lands designed for foreigners and the rich, only to be admired from a distance by the poor. The tall compound walls conceal it from the outside and strong doors shuts out the masses. Heavily armed security guards at Tambuli resort, ensures no one seeps though the walls that divides the classes.

We exited the taxi and passed by a series of small shacks before entering the local shopping center. Passing by one of the shacks, a young girl asks me, “Sir, a few pesos please?” To me, She was one of the many young kids in Cebu City trying to cross the walls to a better life.

This encounter really made me think about myself. It was a moment to reflect upon my fortunate upbringing in a blue collar family and the simple pleasures I take for granted. I thought about life had I been born into poverty. It was the moment when I fully realized how lucky I am to be raised in a land with infinite opportunities, where no wall can stand in my way to living the good life.

Today is the 99th day since we’ve started our stay in Hong Kong and it so happens that TONIGHT is Hall 9‘s banquet dinner. A celebration we’ve prepared for since Mary asked us to sign up (3 days ago). Tonight was a night for us to dress up and share the moment with friends over a nice bottle of wine. A night filled with laughter and cheesy smiles (throw up da Peace sign). It was a night to celebrate the friendships we have formed and memories we have made.

Everyone had something new and glamorous. Tonight was the first time I tried on my new suit, fresh from the tailor. It fit perfectly. The ladies were dressed to the 9‘s. From head to toe, the ladies immersed themselves in HK fashion. Have a look for yourself.

One course after another we chatted throughout the meal. Start us with a mixed salad with a side of smoked salmon and we begin to discuss our encounters with salmon. Like it or hate it… we have all seen it. From the Sushi One binges after 10pm to Norway’s food booth at the World’s Local Fest, we have learned to enjoy it or give it to Doris. Pass a basket of bread and it reminds me of my aunt’s baked buns I would pass out to friends. Take a sip of the creamy soup and Dan begins to discuss which way to spoon your soup. This coming from a guy who is a fan of soup and a guy who knows more random facts than you and your friends combined. Be around him enough and you will learn all the MTR pre-recorded announcements…random. If you’re still wondering about your soup, the spoon should scoop away from you so it doesn’t splatter at you. Cut into the chicken and our days at Garden Café gets thrown into the conversation. The rest, is where we get our fix for Western foods. We’ve been there so often, the cashier remembers our faces. Lastly, we chipped away at our chocolate fudge cake, alternating between sips of coffee. What can be better than sharing good memories over a good meal with friends.

Cheers!

When we finally settled down, we got down to business. We came to Singapore to explore the taste of new and interesting foods.

First stop: Little India

The area was very quiet with few people roaming the streets. But our craving for roti oiled our drive to find good Indian food. We came across this open air rest. that had a wide spread selection of Indian food. I had the yummy Chicken Marsala with rice and interesting sides. One of them was a tapioca pudding that had lots of spices, didn’t quite fit my pallet.

Next stop: Chinatown

I’ve been to several Chinatowns, in the US and abroad, this reminded me of the Chinatowns in the states. Most of the merchants sold the same old souvenirs I can find in SF’s Chinatown. Nothing noteworthy other than the newly built temple (very vibrant and colorful).

Next stop: Where’s the Merlion?

We got off at the City Hall MRT station and walked through the scenic part of the business district. One building across from a WWII memorial had a UFO like saucer atop its roof. Interesting. The Merlions was a perfect end to our day in Singapore. The waterfront view of the Singapore skyline was amazing.