Finally in Hong Kong!

It has been a long week. I'm still a little bit jet lag from Houston time, but I think it should be gone by Sunday.

I am excited coming back to HK (Hong Kong) after 3 years ago. I am actually glad that I have relatives here because I get pretty homesick really easily, and I'm going to meet my grandma's sister and her nephew whom I love a lot later today. Coming into this program, my expectations were a little bit dif than what i thought. There's actually only 4 people in my specific program (altho one is in a Master's program, so i dont think it's the same as the 3 of us). Also, class is nowhere near the HKU or affiliated with it, so our class is from 6-9pm on fridays after work... Not sure that was in the syllabus i read, but ok...still not comfortable going home that late tho. Plus, i think they're changing up the assignment. A.g.a.i.n. Oh well, i have a pretty big tolerance, but once i realize something's not going to work, i gotta say something. 

Anyway, here goes my other first impressions:

1. Hotel room is small. I swear, they took a queen size bed, split it in half and separate it by only a foot, as described by my roommate. But, as you can c in the pics below, there are a lot of tall buildings and apartments here. HK is like 70% full of green stuff, you name it: mountains, grass, parks, etc. So everything is cramped and there's always somebody around the corner. It's actually pretty safe cuz of this type of living environment. You can't get away from committing a crime. 

2. WiFi is slow af. I can't even Google search something without waiting for like 5 mins or so. >_> I try to stay connected as much as i can on my free time, esp when i ride on the subway train to go to work and going back home. Plus, it seems like everybody is on their phone doing something. They do that or stare into you like you did something wrong. >.<'

3. Lots of skyscrapers. My neck hurts every time i try to sight-see the city from the ground. But, it's still pretty eye-boggling with all the designs.

4. Humid and rainy. Right now, it's typhoon season, so it has been raining often since i came here. As a matter of fact, it's sprinkling right now.
5. Everyone is doing something. No time is wasted. Literally HK island oozes productiveness everywhere. Plus, the people are very observant. Like, a seat would get snatched away quickly on the subway and people can tell when they leave. And the elevators here, omg, they're so sensitive that you can just touch it lightly to light it up. If touch it longer it will undo the action, meaning, if u pressed the wrong floor, u can undo it. *.* man, if only things here were like this back home in Texas. 

Ok, so maybe there are more complaints than compliments right now, BUT i'm sure i'll get use to this lifestyle quickly. I haven't really explored the city at all honestly, so what i just said before are mostly technical things which i pay more attention to. I'll post something with more interesting stories next time. Until then, here are some pics i took:

Alright. Ciao. 

A month before I leave for Hong Kong

I'm anxious and excited at the same time.

I'm not sure what i'm feeling anymore honestly. it seems like a dream come true but the thought is also making me uncomfortable knowing that i will be away from home for two months. Even though it may not seem as long as some people might think, it would be my 2nd time away from family and friends that long.

The first time was with my club members to Kansas City, Missouri, and it was awesome experience. I really liked the feeling of doing something out of Houston. I didn't know what to expect, and for my first trip it was cool. Altho it wasn't exactly the same becuz it was for club work, so most of my conversations were about club work. When I think about how my internship in Hong Kong will be like, it's a lonely feeling. I've felt a little bit homesick, but more so of missing my grandma. Whenever i see her, it feels like home more than anything else. Of course, i want to travel, but seeing her as much as i can before she goes to a better place is what i want more for now. Before i graduated high school, i was anxious whether or not she would make it to my graduation. I am a first-generation student in my immediate family, so it's a first time for my parents and Grams to see someone go to college who will mostly away from home. That's mostly why i wanted to stay in the city for my undergrad while i travel here and there for short periods of time.

Not eating homemade food really made me think how grateful i am for my Grams. She cooks everyday (with occasional eating out sessions) and, boy, she cooks EVERYTHING, including tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, etc. Stuff that I would like to eat somewhat more raw? lol, but yeah after eating out for the whole 4 days without her being by my side to lecture me about eating raw food, i realized how much i missed her voice and face. Welp, I'm coming back to houston in about 3 hours anyway, so i'll see her soon ^_^

Until then, ciao!

Busiest Month Yet

Haven't felt this stressed or busy since high school.

Bros, like, i've been writing lots of essays (plus editing them) for study abroad scholarships, 5 senior classes, officer duties, volunteering, and working part-time. Now that i've completed a lot of stuff, i can worry about my exams now. Oh well, it's good stress. I considered it as productive instead since there aren't any negative feelings. I still make time for dramas, variety shows, and anime.

Let's see...i don't really have anything to update except of the 'good' stress i'm handling right now. OH, uh, well it's not really an update, but more like, MY ALLERGIES ACTING UP AGAIN. UGH.
T___T literally, every minute i'm sniffing, sneezing, snoozing, and feeling foggy. Medicine barely last me for an hour or so, then i forget to bring them to school the res to of the day >_>
I never had allergic reactions until recently in the last two or so years. I wonder if my immune system is getting worse....i haven't been exercising as much as i wanted to either, so that could've contributed to my condition now. Ah well, i can deal with it (if i remember to bring my medicine).

Alright, gonna continue editing my Gilman essays. GL to me. Ciao.

I'm getting sucked into...

the world of khiphop. A new genre to my diverse music playlist. Yay!

First of all, first week of school of the year is over and i'm really excited. Although my classes are harder, i think i can absorb the material now better. Before, i took classes that were completely just doing tests, and i'm really bad at conceptual questions, too. Now, there are more project-based things to do, which i'm excited and anxious about. What if i don't work well with my team members? I'm kinda an individualist, so it will be a challenge for me, but i hope to do well.

Next topic: Sherlock. So i finished watching the last ep of the 4th series. And idk what to think anymore lol....uh...you can see what i thought in Tumblr (honeypoohbear) for that. But, i loved it nevertheless. No matter what, it still triumphs over other shows i have watched.

Anyway, back to the title. So, I was watching Hip Hop Tribe: Game of Thrones season 2 (a korean celebrity rapping competition show), and i learned a lot about some artists in the korean hip hop world. You know how US hip hop originated from NY and the Bronx? Well, i started to get interested in how hip hop is being cultured there. Really interesting. And you can already guess it, I'm a huge Big Bang and YG stan. My first hmmm..you could say R&B/hip hop song I listened to was Wedding Dress by Taeyang. My interest grew after watching Show Me the Money and a few hiphop artists on korean variety shows like Running Man. So now i'm listening to other artists, such as Dok2, Changmo, Simon D, Jay Park, BeWhy, and recently E Sens and a lot more. I think i am getting too turnt these days xD I even added one of these videos in my blog playlist. Check them out (even though i may not understand some of the lyrics sometimes) Wish there were more translations T.T

Ok, gonna do some hw now...byes

First Day of School of the Year

Happy New Year~~~ Year of the Chicken!

Seems like this year is off to an okay start. I didn't go out to do fireworks as I usually do with my friends since i wanted to hang out with my fam. So, it feels dull so far. But, today was the first day back to school, so i'm excited and anxious >.<

Ofc, that big headache came in again as usual. Back-to-school days are always like that, but i at least i feel more motivated. Spring semesters are better than fall ones since i'm already used to it with only a month-long break in between. Hope to learn a lot this semester before summer begins. I just need to find the motivation and the right people to support me.

I probably won't write much in the meantime, so, hopefully, the next time i come back here i will feel better and have much to write about :)

Until then, bye! gonna go now and take a nap.

The nerd addiction is too real

Bruh, it's that time again when i get back into the anime and kpop/drama world. This past week, i wept over the news of Running Man ending and rewatching anime eps like Yuri on Ice. The hype is realllll. Man, the anime is a really nice rom-comedy, one i haven't watched in years. Nothing awk about the fact that it's based on a gay relationship which i totally support in real life as well. Definitely on my list of top fav animes of all time

As for Running Man, i can't believe it's ending next year #7012forever :'(
After watching something for 5+ years, especially a reality comedy show with the same 7 members throughout, the feeling runs in you pretty deeply. I love the family atmosphere of the cast members. There's so much dynamic b/w them that the relationship is much stronger than a cast in a show just making gags. You can literally see their real personalities and feel like you're're in there, too. I thrive in that kind of atmosphere in real life, too. I love to laugh around my friends and talk about random shiz/life topics. It just makes my whole day better when you let your feelings go.

Alright...i really need to sleep now. Eyes starting to sag even tho school ended.

Productive Winter Break

As the title suggests, it really does seem like i'm working during winter break. 

So, finals ended last friday, but it didn't really bother me that I faltered a bit on my grades. Meaning, I finally got my first B in college. I knowwww, it sounds petty, and it really is. From this point on, i don't really care much about my GPA as i do about getting work experience. That was last year's goal, although, it shouldn't have been my only goal. I should've seriously applied for other things, like research, internships, volunteer work, etc. I did not bother to really try them out because i was so focus on homework and working part-time that i did not notice the bigger picture. Now that i'm a junior and have a full-ride scholarship (hallelujah), i realized this late how important it is to be more well-rounded than focusing on one aspect. Whatever, i can't really change the past, so i need to move on >_>

Anywayyy, this thinking resulted in me deciding to intern abroad in Hong Kong next summer. I'm currently working on the app, so i really hope it would be worth it. My main goal was to intern anyway, but when i thought about studying abroad, i was like "Why not?" I always wanted to travel and my parents wanted me to go back to China to work on my Chinese (I speak Cantonese rather than Mandarin so yeah). So, including the program app, i'm applying for more scholarships to help cover the cost (all due in Jan-Feb). SO YEAHHHH lots to write. 

And you know what sucks even more? I realized how i should've talked and connected with my teachers = more recommendations. Literally, i'm asking my faculty advisors instead becuz i'm more close with them from being involved with my club and classes (not with the teachers). I never even though about asking my volunteer supervisors or employers either. I was very shy and did what i was supposed to do, but i didn't had the courage to actually ask them, and they were all nice too. UGH where was this advice in high school when i needed it?? TT.TT alright enough of me ranting and time to start writing. Ciao!

Made a Tumblr

I'm probably late to this, but I made a Tumblr! It's titled Honeybearftw, but it will probably change. Trying to see if I can reach a different kind of audience in that social media platform. I'll still use this one for longer posts. Tumblr just gives me more options to choose from so yeah~
Here's the link: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/honeybearftw

So much to learn in so little time :) But at least it's winter break now (with one more final to go).

I miss...

my childhood. Watching princess Disney movies, reading the Series of Unfortunate Events (don't rmbr much tho...gonna re-read and re-watch the movie over the winter xD), and sleeping all day.

A few minutes ago, i was watching the trailer for the Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson, and I got very nostalgic when i heard the theme music. I used to watch the Chinese version of the animated movie (including Neighbor Totoro and Cinderella), so i kinda know the basic story line. i don't really know the details though since i never watched the dubbed version. I'm anticipating it very much. OH, and you can't forget about Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. OMFG i'm super hyped up for that one, too. All these feelings from your childhood surfing into my adulthood gives me rejoice and the thrills.

Looking back at the fun things i've done as a child, there wasn't much actually. I was mostly cooped up at home and watched tv after coming back from school. Both my parents worked most of the time, so whenever we hang out, it's for lunch/dinner or a shopping spree with my mom (which is a marathon-length long). I wished i did more as a child. be it talking with more kids, go out and play some light sports, or read more books.

Well, now that i have a car (and can finally go past my curfew), i can explore my options. The only problem is my motivation. it's not more so just about my budget, but not being lazy and being afraid to go out and explore on my own. I feel more comfortable if i go to places with my close circle of friends. but now, I'm changing that habit and starting to branch out from my group. I still keep in touch but nowadays, i spend more time with my club members than my friends. I don't see it as a bad thing since i'm developing myself to become more open-minded.

So, hopefully, this change will help me get one step closer to my goals :)

I watched...

Dr. Strange last night and BOYYYYY, it did not disappoint me.

I absolutely loved it. 9/10 Lost one point cuz the villain was meh. But, other than that, everyone was was just so charismatic especially the Ancient One. She was so memorizing even though she had to do some stuff others may not have liked. I admired that quality of hers; it's something i want to have as a grow up.

I remember last yr, my chinese teacher said i was charismatic cuz i was able to convinced my lazy team member to do his part of our class project. We had to make a video and unfortunately, and I got paired up with the laziest student in class along with another girl. But, as i gradually got to know him better, he started to do his homework and got more involved with class activities. Apparently, my teacher was able to noticed his transformation and she told me during a class dinner how charismatic i was (thank goodness my team member wasn't there otherwise i would've been embarrassed af). So yeah, i liked that feeling of being a good role model for others. Even now, I still struggle being a good leader.

Anywayyy, I'll talk about that in a later post since i'm pretty tired. I just wanted a break from all the responsibility i had to handle today. I even got into a little argument with a friend the day before. Sometimes, i get pretty moody and i think that's how some ppl perceive me, too, which i don't want. But, it's harder to move on from old habits than i thought it would. Like, i look at how i act in a Snapchat, and i cringe at myself for doing this or saying that. Even though my friends and peers say other people's opinions and thoughts of you don't matter, part of them do, at least in the professional world. No matter if it's offensive or interesting, whatever they say or do will always stay on my mind for a while.

Alright, gonna sleep now...i'll definitely post some posts later on. Til then, Ciao. (^_^)/