Mall Christmas

So here are some photos from two malls that we were at this past Christmas. It's interesting to see how they see Christmas and envision snow or snow themes. There is also a few shots of Stanley at night during the festive celebrations.

I hope that everyone has been having a wonderful holiday season so far. The New Year is around the corner and with that we will be moving to a service apartment until our more permanent place of residence is ready for us. So good-bye Stanley, and hello Aberdeen. We're going to be trading the open tourist spaces for a more old school urban lifestyle for the next little while. Think Chinatown in any major city and you'll get an idea of what I mean. Rest assure there will be photos about the area.

So without further ramblings, here are the photos.

Taikoo Shing - Cityplaza


Causeway Bay - Times Square


Hong Kong Tidbit: The area that you see with the decorations was declared a public space, so all decorations must include seating areas. Besides typical benches people have used their designs to incorporate this requirement. You'll also notice that unlike many places around malls in other places, planters and other makeshift seating is designed to discourage people from doing just that. In fact those at Times Square a slanted for that purpose.

Stanley

Asia Game Show 2009

So what am I'm going this Christmas? No where, but come Boxing day--The Asia Game Show baby! I'll be picking a little something up while I'm there and will of course take photos for you all.

Weird Food Stuff of the Week

Ginger ale flavoured Kitkat



Did it taste like how it sounded? Sort of. Without the carbonated part of the ginger ale, this just didn't sell it for me. Still, it's an interesting thing to try out.

Script Monkey King Logo

First off major thanks to Jessie Lam! You so awesome girl!

This is how it came about: I was talking with my friend and super talented artist pal, Jessie Lam (go to her website, now!) about needing a logo for my blog. I gave a small description (a take on the Monkey King where his crown curls up into a light bulb to reflect creative ideas, and instead of his staff we have a pencil to show the writer aspect) and she turns around and delivers it with a BAM!

From Script Monkey King

Seriously, that's what she wrote in her email to me. I tweaked the light bulb with some slight lens flare (yes, that's right lens, flare), as well as the clouds too (Please don't kick my butt Jesse). Not crazy about the text, but for better or for worse this is what the logo will be for now.

From Script Monkey King

I may set up a competition for different renditions of the logo, so stay tuned!

Hong Kong Venture Show 2009

With news of this event from my friend Mark Torres, I was able to finally meet Ashley Wood. Albeit for a moment, but it was great to learn that he is indeed a nice guy who tries his best to give everyone time with him. I missed the chance at speaking with Jeremy Geddes, which was a shame. He seemed to be a genuine nice guy as well. I was there on the first day of show, where near the end he gave away free figures. Alas, I didn't get one, which if I did would have been mailed to Mr. Torres. Though I did get a very rad poster signed for him regardless.

Golfer's elbow. Time to find a Kung Fu Master.

So what does one do when you got golfer's elbow? See a friend's kung fu master. After twisting, grabbing and making me tell him where it hurt (as though my squirming in my chair while practically yelping wasn't a clear sign), he perform the age old tradition that is very popular here.

Tieh Ta.

They wrap the injured area with a paste made of bashed up herbs. The smell is distinct, but not unbearable. The look of it when you open the wrappings--well, I'll leave that to your imagination.



Hong Kong Tidbit: I grabbed this description from Wikipedia: Die-da or Tieh Ta is usually practiced by martial artists who know aspects of Chinese medicine that apply to the treatment of trauma and injuries such as bone fractures, sprains, and bruises. Some of these specialists may also use or recommend other disciplines of Chinese medical therapies (or Western medicine in modern times) if serious injury is involved.

A Place to Call Home

We still seek what we will call home here in Hong Kong. Like all things in life the choice is about balance--kids, work, play, etc. For now we are in between homes. We're living in a walk up, that in itself has challenges, but for what it gives us is worth the daily climbs; decent space, peace and quiet, accessible to food and places for the kids to play--and the view! You just have to see it for yourself. Wish we could afford this long term. Oh well.



Hong Kong Tidbit: When buying or renting you are given the regular information, like square footage. Here, they calculate "usable/liveable" space. That is, when you're given the square footage of an apartment (or flat. They follow the British ways of things here), they'll include space like window ledges, handrails, windowsills, etc. So always ask what percentage the usable/liveable space is to know the actual space you can really use. I hear good ranges are 80% - 70%. I can only imagine what could be worse.

Here's some photos of the area that we're living in until the New Year.



It's tourist attraction where you can see the ocean and buy loads of name brand clothing like Oakley to Gap, as well as typical Chinese trinkets that people bring home as gifts or for themselves. Don't worry about not having enough bags to carry them all in. They have shops for that too. Stanley Market is in itself an interesting place to roam around. Many nooks and crannies to get lost in, but that's part of the adventure being here.

I'll talk more about Stanley with more detail later.