in my last blog I bitched because my check was not overnighted, but
it arrived, late, but it arrived

SORRY POST OFFICE

I've arrived.

I'm standing on the stone staircase

my suitcase in my hand.

I do have another online diary,

but the pictures are prettier here.

Colour me in the shades of fall,

and lets see where it takes us.

 

I arrived in Hong Kong, pretty exhausted after a 21 hr or so journey (including layovers) and then spending the "night" (0:00 - 05:30) on a bench at the Hong Kong airport -- the budget and mid range hotels were all full-- and have yet to reunite with my luggage (which will be sent to the address i'll be staying at over the next couple nights in Macau, by China Eastern) since their flight from LA to Shanghai was late and i, and a girl from HK, returning from a summer internship to Disney World Orlando, FL, barely managed to catch the flight to HK, even after jogging the whole distance and being sped through the corridors and security by helpful China Eastern and Shanghai Security Staff -- so we did catch it but only just, with only a couple min to spare before the gate closed! --20 min after we landed on the LA-Shanghai flight which was about 2 hrs late-- it also arrived late in LA for unknown reasons). 

The image for your mind: after the security check point (didn't have to remove my boots but did remove the laptop from my backpack, the 3 security personel saying in Chinese "quick", "run quick" and one of them miming running motions, while another one helped me put on my heavy backpack i told them (in Chinese) that i understood-- due to fatigue i also kept saying "yes" in Japanese-- after effect of my month as an uchideshi Aikido student throughout last May and once said "thank you" in German for no reason other than fatigue) i was half jogging-running to the gate, came across some free baggage carts a few meters out of the way, grabbed one, put my plastic bag (of Denver postcards, T-shirt, Broncos cap and old down coat) in the cart and kept --running now that i had the extra stability of a cart to lean on-- as soon as i came to one of those moving walkways, stopped (while moving) and took off my super heavy backpack, threw it in the cart and went back to running a little faster now, until i got to the gate!

Therefore, however, there wasn't enough time for the luggage to be transfered so they'll bring it to my address at a Friend's place in Macau which is where i'm heading off to right now!  (Via high speed catamaran water-jet Ferry)

Hey everyone!

 

Mid-Winter Break has finally arrived, but I'm still not stress-free.

We still have that contest thingy majingy and its making me sooo stressed out.

I was appointed "planner girl" yet again (no joke yo ) so tonight I played secretary and called everyone

Gawd.

I am soooo tired.

But I can't sleep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When this thing is done, I am taking a loooong nap. And if anyone wakes me (not you guys... my family) they're dead to me.

Yesterday (which continued into today) was awesome! It started at 0700, however that is not what makes it awesome in the slightest. I arrived at the bus station (thanks go to my mother for transport) at about 0830. I met Julian's brother there and shortly afterwards we were headed to Sydney.

Once we arrived we were met by Julian and then headed to the park for a few drinks. Drinking in the park with good friends of mine is a favoured pastime. From the park we headed back to Julian's house and passed the time there in good spirits, raising our blood/alcohol content all the while. Short story shorter, we arrived at the line for the concert. Saying that the line was long might lead some to believe that we waited there for up to a half hour. I wasn't checking my watch, but it was much longer than that!

Once I got in I didn't care at all how long I had waited. It was Gigantour, and it was was awesome! First up as Caliban (sp?) who I'd never heard of. They were enjoyable, and got us our place in the mosh. Next up was Arch Enemy, I'm told the lead singer was a hottie but I couldn't see her. I was impressed with her "death growl" (I think that's the term) as it sounded just as tough as any other I've ever heard. She's a small woman! I was pretty pumped for Arch Enemy as I'd been listening to a few of the songs they played while ont he bus up to Sydney. We Will Rise, baby! Then, my friend, there was Soulfly. Allow me to say "Rock ON!" No more need be said. Simplicity is often more appropriate.
The final act was what I had really been waiting for. Megadeth live. They weren't everything I had imagined, but singing along to Symphony of Destruction along with hundreds of other moshers was damn good fun! It really made my night. Although, that's not were it ended.
I did nearly get into a fight with some guy who pushed me aside, and then decided he'd like to hold my arm (a gentleman offers the lady his arm). I don't know what that was about, but I did hit my fair share of people. Some guy kept hip grinding me from behind, which I felt was unecessary, and another was all over Julian's back so I encouraged him to leave as well. I'm fine with the casual roughness of the mosh, but being a dick isn't something I take kindly to.

Did you know that buses in Sydney still run from the Hordern Pavillion to Town Hall every fifteen minutes at 00:00? You think that's cool? Wait 'til I tell you about The Bakery. I capitalise it because it's the single greatest foodery I've ever come across. This bakery opens at midnight. It opens at midnight! I ate three pies, egg & bacon (egg cooked in a pie!), bacon & beef (you had to be there), and apple. The fruit content was necessary, but the awesome took it above and beyond the call of duty!
So good. Best. Bakery. Ever.

The night ended with me passing out while watching Family Guy. An excellent finish to an excellent evening.

-Mitch