Tsunami Relief

Nice. When 9/11 happened and I was managing the team of web developers that supported the Amazon Gateway (aka HP), we had to scramble that day to take down all the content on the gateway and replace it with a big red cross message asking for amazon customers to donate to the red cross for efforts to support the families. I was really proud of that effort as we had raised a ridiculous amount of money in a short period (and considering we had capped the donation to $100 per user), it was incredible to see the number of donors. I was even more proud when I saw a mention of the website on various news programs as a source for donating money.



I was wondering if, with the recent tsunami disaster, if Jeff would decide to pull off a similar effort--and it seems we have. So, please donate to the Red Cross!! In the time it took for me to write that last paragraph, the number of payments went from 8880 to 9124. Spectacular. I hope that this is as successful as our efforts from 9/11.

purple hair

i died my hair a deep purple yesterday. eeks. getting used to it.



under normal, indoor lighting, you can't even tell--it just looks very jet black. however, outside, under sunlight, it looks pretty darn purple. i like to think that it looks very anime like.



the weather got suddenly cold today in hong kong...wasn't quite prepared for it as the weather forecast predicted mid-70's weather the whole time I'd be here. It's 50-degrees now.



if all works out, i'm going to spend new year's eve in shenzhen, china with my friend Ben. have to make sure i get the visa details worked out--supposedly, i can just apply at the border and get one in half an hour. or i can take the safe route and get a visa through my hotel now...but it's going to cost $$$.

Coffee in Hong Kong

I must say, coffee is really starting to take over here in Hong Kong. When I was here two years ago, there were a tiny handful of Starbucks here. Now, there seem to be Starbucks everywhere I go--the airport, the shopping mall, the streets, etc. As a result, I've noticed many more coffee shops around here...specifically, the main competitor with Starbucks here is the Pacific Coffee Co., whose shops tend to be much larger in scale and typically equipped with online computers. There's also more food offered at Pacific compared to the typical small pastries offered at Starbucks.

Yesterday, my family paid respect to past relatives at the cemetery. It was a really nice, sunny day fortunately since we'd be outside the whole time. It always still spooks me out a bit when I go to the cemetery here in HK. For those of you who've visited Bruce Lee's grave in Seattle, you will have noticed his picture on his tombstone--that's pretty normal for Chinese tombstones. So--when visiting the cemetery in HK, where there are literally thousands and thousands of tombstones, you'll walk by pictures of each dead person. Creepy. We remember where our relatives' graves are by the markers of various people's pictures. Even the section of cremated people, there are pictures all along the wall.



Hung out with Ben last night--yay! He's doing well--busy applying for B-school right now...if all stars align, he'll be back in the States next fall. He took me out to dinner at Knutsford Terrace at this Turkish restaurant called Merhaba, which was quite delicious although the service was somewhat slow and forgetful. We had some yummy bites..like spinach, cheese & mint "cigars" with mint yoghurt to dip...and lamb pizza. The best part is you can rent a hookah for $50HK (about $7US) -- we got apple flavor and it was awesome. Sitting outside in the cool night breeze of Hong Kong, smoking shisha was the best.



After dinner, Ben took me to this Russian style restaurant and bar called The Balalaika. He talked highly of this Vodka ice bar, a popular tourist destination. I had images of a really large bar made completely of ice---instead, upon arrival, I saw that it was instead a small freezer with a window that looks out at the restaurant. It was still fun. The restaurant lets guests borrow huge fake fur coats & hats Russian style to step into this freezer, which is lined with all sorts of different types of vodkas. Man, it was absolutely freezing inside--we ordered a shot of vodka, chatted with a couple from Manchester that had just moved here and were on our way. A short, fun worthwhile thing to do if you're in the area.



This recent 8.9 earthquake is crazy. I wonder how Jigna and Matt are doing in Mauritius--there are definitely news reports of Mauritius getting hit by tidal waves. Man, and they're supposed to have their big beach-side wedding celebration today. I hope they are okay. I can't believe it stretched out that far west---I thought it would stop at India. I feel like Hong Kong is much closer to the epicenter (Indonesia) and we didn't feel anything...but I guess the land mass of Indonesia and Malaysia prevented it from really affecting the waters surrounding China or HK. It was perfectly sunny and warm yesterday. My friend, Rod, was supposed to head to Phuket (per my parents) for New Year's, arriving sometime this week from what I hear. It doesn't loook like there's much left after the earthquake. Wonder if he's left yet...and if not, if he's still going.

Merry Christmas y'all!



While saying "Merry Christmas" seems to be a faux paus nowadays in the U.S., the Chinese have absolutely no problem blasting those 2 words everywhere. You see it on windows, signs, on people's shirts, hats, on big buildings, etc. It's just a big party.



After spending the day shopping on Hong Kong Island, we had a delicious Christmas meal at the Phillip Starck-designed Felix Restaurant at the top of the Peninsula Hotel..yum yum. Of all dishes for me to pick, having traveled all the way to Hong Kong, I choose Boston lobster on top of mushroom risotto.

Just finished dinner and walked through the madness that is Christmas Eve in Hong Kong. Think Times Square New Year's Eve--that's what Nathan Road looks like in Hong Kong Christmas Eve. The streets are closed off to pedestrian traffic only and flooded with more people than you can imagine. People walk about with silly santa hats donned with blinking lights and shouting Merry Christmas to everyone. I even walked by a big Hare Krishna mini-parade. It's funny how different it is from this time of year in the U.S., where everyone tends to be inside with their families, snuggled by the fireplace or opening up presents. Here, it's time to go out and party with your friends. I just wandered around shopping with my mother for a bit (retail shops will stay open until 11 or 12 on Xmas Eve as well---there's no closing early whatsoever here)...and now I'm back at the hotel again.



It's amazing how quickly I've adjusted to time here. I even got a decent full 8 hours of sleep last night, uninterrupted. Typically, I adjust to time coming out to Hong Kong..but have a hell of a time adjusting once I'm back in the States.

I just had a scrumptious Japanese lunch with family and grandma at the Imasa Restaurant in the Peninsula Hotel. I had this set lobster-sake set lunch with tempura mushrooms, steamed egg custard, etc. Yum yum. Such fresh, non-greasy ingredients.



I forgot to mention---the day before leaving, Eric and I stopped by Swedish Hospital to visit Nadine, who just gave birth to Alexa Sophia. She was only a day old when I saw her--the first time I've ever seen such a newbie newborn in person. She was soo tiny and soft! Oh so cute! Congrats Nadine!



Hmm...what gadgets to buy while in HK...