Watch out! or I'll Bruce Lee Ya!

Bruce Lee and my karate skills on Avenue of the Stars. Looks like his hand is stopping my foot.

- Catherine

In the void of Tarheel Basketball

I accidentally stumbled into this gym to find UNC's next recruits and the hide-out of Chinese University of Hong Kong's taller scholars. Although MVP may not be in my future, I have a running for MUCF: Most unexpected caucasian fan. They were a bit frightened of me when I whipped out my laptop to capture the moment through my webcam but alas they saw I was technologically savvy and athletic so they let me chill in the gym.

Please note the score is 2nd quarter: 11 - 15... Whooo we got some high-scorers here! Sorry about the video ending with my sweaty/just worked out self I had to stop the laptop from recording some way. Also it gives you a good reference of how vertically challenged* the fans were (I guess they weren't on the court for a reason). *This is simply a statement of observation not a slam against any culture or ethnicity.

Few things can match rushing Franklin St. last spring. So being abroad for the year, I secretly am relieved its not another repeat winning season (although baby, there is still March so don't look too gloomy Tarheels). But I doubt I'll be putting Cheung Chi College as my top pick either.

Somethings Never Change

Like Good Mexican Food.

What could be more difficult than returning from vacation to exams? Returning to chinese Canteen food... blahhh. So I treated myself last night to Mexican in SoHo (South of Hollywood Rd.) A bunch of us went to get our fix and explore the city a bit. Soho is the greatest area with a posh vibe and fantastic restaurants. We went to Caramba and enjoyed enchiladas, nachos, and burritos (not all of them personally)

It felt like Chapel Hill again with quality Mexican food and great company! Ahh, the little things in life, like cherishing black beans. Something I haven't seen since August believe it or not.

Well, now I know where to go for the good stuff and I hope to explore SoHo more - it had a promising vibe about the place.

Hasta la vista!

Panda-monium

It doesn't really relate to me in Hong Kong or my financial management exam, but it's still pretty cute.

Lil' vicious furballs.

Here's the article on the 16 New Pandas!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1248678/Panda-monium-Sixteen-panda-cubs-pose-class-shot-day-nursery.html

- Catherine

Greatest Find Yet!

If you were wondering why I always mention how much of a pain it is to transport into the city from University, maybe this little jingle will help you understand its complexity and a bit of Cantonese humor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEs4yB63U5I




Feel free to watch the other versions for more of a view into the MTR!
- Catherine

Daily Giggles

Regardless of whether I can't solve a duration problem for my investment portfolio class or if my atm card just feels tempermental, I can always rely on finding amusment in the grocery stores. Success was found with a White Chocolate ad and energy goo:

White Chocolate: How about stopping for a moment to feel the wind? You will find the awesome nature there. What wind are they talking about?

"Energysuppy Jelly: This jelly beverage that can quickly replenish energy. It is best for life in a busy contemporary. Please before it does sports." Quick! Quick! It's about to waterpolo.

- Catherine

Mam, Sir, Massage!

BORACAY, PHILIPPINES.
The beautiful white beaches may be cluttered with sunglasses salesman and massage ladies but what a view! More updates from my week in Paradise.

For now, here are the TOP 10 Things I did in the Philippines:

1. Sunset Sail with Jack, Andrew, Chris, & Jacob and Jackie our captain

2. Snorkeling with the whole Globe crew (about 12) + Krissy and Tatiana

3. Pretending to be Maverick and play some serious beach volleyball into the evening


4. Bjorn finding the resort for sunset happy hour and Ian, our Filipino friend, and his crazy cocktail recommendations

5. Fajitas and Business chatter with Chris on how we can make our first million

6. Flying Fish with the Boys into the sunset

7. Seaweed fight that then escalated into a sand fight out in the water with the Boys

8. Dining on real chicken breast, angus beef, fresh fish, and Filipino Adobo

9. Riding in a Jeepney in Manila through life-threatening traffic

10. Watching Chris Hartle accidentally pour his chocolate shake into his lap after exclaiming, "This makes up for it all!" in reference to the awful luck we had with Cebu Airlines (a 2 hour delay, then a fuel leak while in the air, which meant for a turn around to Manila, then a cancellation due to mechanical issues, then another delay)

Just teaches us not to take life to seriously. And take great vacations with great friends.

- Catherine

Beautiful Boracay

The Gang. Priceless Photo:

This may help provide a view of the beach - shops, walking beach, trees, real beach/all you can eat buffet, water.

- Catherine

Happy Chinese New Year! Feb. 14 - 15b

Starting off the celebrations with a Chinese New Year dinner (of course Brian, Jack, and I have to sit together to keep us entertained enough to distract from the growling bellies and hunger - still can't get around to enjoying the sharkfin soup or chicken feet)

Year of the (Little) Tiger!
Our Chicken Foot throwing up a peace sign to the crowd.

Brian, Jack and I probably getting into trouble - Sometimes the tea just gets to concentrated for us to concentrate.

Nicklas, Vma, and I holding tightly onto our red envelopes for Chinese New Year - filled with $$$! Not sure why Nicklas has so many Coca-Colas around him, the radish cakes were sweet enough for me.

So it might be no longer the year of the Ox, so instead of grabbing a bull by its horns, just hold onto its nostril ring.

Mickey and Tigger made it feel like home on Nathan Rd. And I know I'm bias, but really, they had the best float of the entire Chinese New Year parade.

Here are the wonderful fireworks!

Gung Hai Fat Choy!!

Happy Chinese New Year (and Valentine's Day) to the greatest year yet - the Year of the Tiger!

Feels like Home

Wow! What a packed 5 day trip back to Memory Lane (even with the changes made after 2 years away). Heading back to Singapore felt so good. Weird thought: In the past 3 years I have spent more time in Singapore than my hometown... Perhaps I should put an asterisks and say consecutively.

I was in Hong Kong, Monday, and saw one of my favorite shops Toast Box from Singapore located by the Jordan MTR - had dinner there and was in complete nostalgia (bought a jar of kaya) and thought I can do this Hong Kong thing as long as my Kaya is close - who would have thought within 72 hours I would be back to taste the authentic stuff!

So Jacob [of Copenhagen, pronounced Ya-cobb] and I, on a whim, booked flights based on a Tuesday night tweet that Calvin Harris, a UK 26 year old DJ, was spinning at Zouk, a club in Singapore. Zouk was one of my hangouts nt he Summer '08 with UNC buds Caroline Fisher, Luke and Angelo, and Angelo's boarding school tennis partner and Singaporean local, Ming. Arriving Thursday, we started off with Clarke Quay and walked along the Singapore River to see Robertson Quay as well. I give a gold star to Jacob for listening to all my random "Ah!" and "Oh, This one time" exclamations. Predicting the locations of 7-11 along the riverside validated my memory skills. And not going to lie, I was impressed with how much I remember as I had scribbled down my "Musts & Locations" (prioritizing, Dad.) Funny that the "Musts" was just a 3-page list of foods.

With limited time in the Lion City, I made sure to hit the ground running. Maxwell Road - Hawker Center was our first stop for food with Black Carrot Cake, Rojak and Teh Tarik. My first meal back in S'pore was the same location as my last meal in 2008 - pretty neat! With over 50 stalls to choose from, I looked more like a hunting dog irrationally retracing my steps and following my nose until Ah, Ha! I found it.

Two plates of odd-shaped items covered in what looks like tar produced the most unexpected glee from Jacob, who had been missing spicy food while in Hong Kong. With little expectation of Singapore and its food, he did not know the Foodie Adventure I had in mind.

Clean palms deserves a thumbs up after scarfing down this Indian lunch of Briyani and Dota.

100 plus + Jalebi + Kickapoo Joy Juice = 100% Joy

How can you not agree with their policy? Sounds like world peace to me.


Banana Prata and Sugar + Egg and Onion Prata with Curry

Rojak and Black Carrot Cake (the one that has the forks on it)

Rojak is slang for a mess in Singapore, and you wonder why: "typically of cucumber, pineapple, benkoang, bean sprouts, taupok (puffy, deep-fried tofu) and youtiao (cut-up Chinese-style fritters)...The dressing is made up of water, belacan (shrimp paste), sugar, chili, and lime juice. Ingredients vary among vendors with some also using hae ko prawn/shrimp paste, tamarind or black bean paste in the mix." Thanks wikipedia for that delicious definition.

Black Carrot Cake on the other hand is another mess of radish and taro cake cut strips stir fried with bean roots, garlic, fish sauce, chili paste, and onions. Yum!

Best advice for Singaporean food - don't describe to person eating it by using the ingredients, describe the happiness one will have after consumption.





- Catherine

Advertising Enigma: Part 2 Singaporean Marketing

Okay, observe:
1. This is the same ad that was there 2 years ago in Little India, Singapore.
2. Please note that Federer is shaving his face, but Tiger is shaving his ...Back?

Fusion Power: multi-blade, multi-purpose. Three Cheers for the Year of the Tiger!
(3 Giggles for the irony).


- Catherine

Advertising Enigma: Part 1 Chinese Marketing

Really no comment necessary. Please observe:
1. Bearded Caveman rowers
2. Smoking robes on Businessmen with Scottish tassle hats
3. Infinite rowers
4. Peppermint Stick batons
5. UPS man with paper bag over his head attacked by the bow.

- Catherine

It's a bit Fishy, but it's the Truth

So I'm walking down the road outside the Sheung Wan MTR and this uhh, awful awful stench overwhelms me. I look up (or look at eye level) and the street sign says, "DRIED SEAFOOD ROAD." AHha I could't help myself online in China would this exist. Makes me hate shark fin soup even more. It was like the Costco of dried seahorses! - Catherine

Cultural Comparison

The MTR (Mass Transit Rapid) is quite an efficient beast. Although it takes 38 minutes to go from University to Sheung Wan (the end of the blue line on the far side of Hong Kong Island), it is pretty efficient. The inefficient thing is the people. Unlike NYC, the people are not seeming like they are in a hurry. Where New Yorkers push and weave around people, Hong Kong is full of slow moving people just idling in the queues. It is quite a contrast to the pulse of the city and is a bit frustrating. This is definitely one thing that I will need to get used to. Dodging around people doesn't even seem to get you anywhere. So perhaps I just need to chill out and ride the MTR at their pace.


- Catherine