Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, a precursor to a new year and a chance to look back on the one that will soon be history. It is extremely cliché to say things like time flies or the older you get the quicker things happen, but these phrases are overused for a reason; they are completely accurate.
I recall being very excited last New Year's Eve because I was going to celebrate it with my friends in Yantai. However, what had me even more enthusiastic was my upcoming holiday, which was 2 weeks in Vietnam, followed shortly thereafter by almost 2 weeks traveling around China with my friend Tiff, who was flying in from San Diego to visit. Both trips ended up being some of the best moments of my life and I will never forget a single moment of them.
I was also happy for 2008 to come because I did not know where the year was going to take me. Coming to China had been an opportunity that presented itself under sudden magical circumstances. You might even say it was a bit of a prelude to divine intervention if you knew all the details and were so inclined. My teaching contract would be up in June and I had no inkling as to where I would end up next.
That next destination would be Hong Kong. In the middle of all this I took a weekend trip to South Korea, met an unbelievably amazing girl in Yantai, went back to the U.S. for the summer to see my family and friends, and turned 30 years old. On top of all this I witnessed monumental events in both my home country and my new place of residence; the election of the first black president in U.S. history, the Sichuan earthquake, and the 2008 Beijing Olympics just to name a few.
So I am here in Hong Kong and I have my sights set on the future again. My plans are not concrete, but they are there in fluid form, waiting to harden and be molded into something tangible. 2009 promises to be another adventerous year. At least I hope it does. Looking ahead with optimism definitely dulls the fact that you will turn another year older.
As for resolutions, everyone makes them, hardly anyone keeps them. I include myself in that list. Instead of modifying myself slightly, I would always attempt to give myself a complete make-over. An overhaul of epic proportions. I have learned my lesson. I will take gradual steps to become the person that I want to be. I realize that you cannot just wake up on January 1st and be a completely different entity; Gregor Samsa I am not.
So here in the last minute of the last round of 2008, I give thanks to my wonderful family, who have supported me in all my endeavors, no matter how auspicious or asinine, and also to my great friends all over the world. Let's have a healthy, happy, peaceful and prosperous 2009!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
A Brief Intermission
About 2 weeks ago I added a little counter to this page, to track the number of visitors I was receiving. I should have done it right when I started the page, but at the time, it was the least of my concerns. However, it is now installed and hanging out over there on the right, a little gray box sticking out like a diminutive sore thumb.
I installed it because I was curious to see how many people found their way to this insignificant mass of words, and I am pleased with the results. I have been averaging about 7 viewers a day! That's right, 7. This pleases me because there are only 5 people in my immediate family and I know they are not on here everyday checking up. Which means on any given day I have a handful of visitors who are either friends, students, or even better, strangers!
So if you're reading this, spread the word. As 2009 approaches, I want the readership of Dead Sea Fruit to increase to double figures. I'm looking for at least 10 readers a day. With your help and support we can make a positive change!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
I installed it because I was curious to see how many people found their way to this insignificant mass of words, and I am pleased with the results. I have been averaging about 7 viewers a day! That's right, 7. This pleases me because there are only 5 people in my immediate family and I know they are not on here everyday checking up. Which means on any given day I have a handful of visitors who are either friends, students, or even better, strangers!
So if you're reading this, spread the word. As 2009 approaches, I want the readership of Dead Sea Fruit to increase to double figures. I'm looking for at least 10 readers a day. With your help and support we can make a positive change!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
Monday, December 22, 2008
December Despondency
Earlier today I finished all my grading so far for the semester. Classes ended last week, and I don't have to think about school until January 2nd, when I must invigilate the final examinations. For all intensive purposes, I should be in a wondrous and joyful mood. I'm not.
Christmas will arrive in 3 days and for the first time in my life, I feel nothing. I am not looking forward to it in the slightest. This will be my second Christmas in a row away from my family and I am starting to feel more and more detached in my thinking towards the holidays.
Last year was my first year away from home during Christmas, and not surprisingly, it was a little difficult. However, a few factors made it more tolerable than I had anticipated; Opening up my presents on Skype while my family watched from back home, a great group of friends to spend the day with, a climate that was similar to that of Pennsylvania winters. While Christmas is not widely celebrated in mainland China, there are still Christmas decorations and Santa Claus greeting cards to be found. I spent the day with my fellow expat friends who were also missing their holidays back home, and together we made the most of the day.
In Hong Kong, it is a different story. The temperature on Christmas is supposed to reach 75 degrees. The other two teachers here with me have left Hong Kong. My computer at home does not support Skype. It has the capability of being an extremely boring day. I don't mind missing Easter, or Thanksgiving, or having a quiet New Year's, but Christmas is the one day out of the year where family and close friends are absolutely essential, and for the first time in my life I will have to make do without either.
Christmas greetings and salutations are welcomed and extremely encouraged. Phone calls would be an added bonus. I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday. Enjoy your family and friends. Let's prepare for the year ahead!
Christmas will arrive in 3 days and for the first time in my life, I feel nothing. I am not looking forward to it in the slightest. This will be my second Christmas in a row away from my family and I am starting to feel more and more detached in my thinking towards the holidays.
Last year was my first year away from home during Christmas, and not surprisingly, it was a little difficult. However, a few factors made it more tolerable than I had anticipated; Opening up my presents on Skype while my family watched from back home, a great group of friends to spend the day with, a climate that was similar to that of Pennsylvania winters. While Christmas is not widely celebrated in mainland China, there are still Christmas decorations and Santa Claus greeting cards to be found. I spent the day with my fellow expat friends who were also missing their holidays back home, and together we made the most of the day.
In Hong Kong, it is a different story. The temperature on Christmas is supposed to reach 75 degrees. The other two teachers here with me have left Hong Kong. My computer at home does not support Skype. It has the capability of being an extremely boring day. I don't mind missing Easter, or Thanksgiving, or having a quiet New Year's, but Christmas is the one day out of the year where family and close friends are absolutely essential, and for the first time in my life I will have to make do without either.
Christmas greetings and salutations are welcomed and extremely encouraged. Phone calls would be an added bonus. I hope everybody has a wonderful holiday. Enjoy your family and friends. Let's prepare for the year ahead!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Pride of the Philippines
This morning I found myself leaving my apartment at 9:30 in the morning so I could go to the bar. My purpose was not to get completely inebriated before Sunday lunch, but to watch the Oscar De La Hoya/Manny Pacquiao fight live and in full Filipino glory. Anyone who follows the sport of boxing knows that Manny Pacquaio is the pride of the Philippines. In addition, Hong Kong has a very large population of Filipino workers, most of whom have Sundays off. The only place I could see this fight being more entertaining to watch is in Las Vegas, where it is being held, or the Philippines.
I ended up arriving at The Devil's Advocate, a sports bar in Wan Chai that is situated amidst cheap restaurants, trendy bars, and disreputable night clubs, right at 10. When the sun goes down the streets are teeming with drunken expats, prostitutes wearing neon skirts that end right below the ass, and working class Hong Kongers who are always on the move. On this particular Sunday morning, the streets were void of everything.
I arrived right as the telecast began for two reasons; I am a ravenous boxing fan and like to watch as many fights as I can, but more importantly, I was not sure how dedicated the Filipinos in Hong Kong would be when it came to watching the fight. Would they arrive before the bar even opened and stake a place in line? Would they get all the good seats, in turn, forcing me to stand for 3 hours? I would soon find that they are a dedicated and loyal group of fight fans, but I still managed to be the second person into the bar, thus securing a prime location to watch the events unfold.
After an undercard which featured 3 mismatches, 2 Carlsberg's, and a Tuna Melt on Foccacia bread, it was time for the main event. The bar was filled with at least 100 people, 90 of which were Filipino. There were even Filipino workers watching through the open doors of the bar from the bed of their pickup truck, parked directly in front on the street. It is said that in the Philippines, when Manny Pacquiao fights, all 90 million people will stop what they're doing and watch. It is also reported that there is absolutely no crime at all when one of his fights is televised. Such is the length that Filipinos will go to support their countryman and hero.
My table, that I had occupied for the previous two hours by myself, quickly filled up with Pacquiao supporters. At first they were confused by me. Who would I be rooting for? To the untrained eye one might say I even slightly resemble De La Hoya (or in any case, a Mexican). It's a good thing I had every intention of rooting for Pacquiao. It might have been uncomfortable going against the grain in that atmosphere.
This fight was being billed as "The Dream Match," a matchup of the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world in Pacquiao against the most marketable/popular in De La Hoya. A great little man in the prime of his career moving up 2 wight classes to take on a great bigger man nearing the end of his. Pacquaio is a tornado in the ring, a whirling dervish of unbridled ferocity and movement. However, he was the underdog because many believed De La Hoya was just too big for him. De La Hoya had the height advantage, reach advantage, and the technique (sound fundamentals and left hook) to take Pacquiao out. For this reason, it was frowned upon by diehard boxing fans. While the average fight fan who can only name a few boxers would salivate over the prospect of these two hooking up, the boxing "fraternity" scoffed at the size differential. There is a reason though why fights are fought in the ring and not on paper.
Filipino national anthem, Mexican national anthem, American national anthem, Michael Buffer and his "Let's get ready to rumble." It was time for the fight to begin. The fighters touched gloves, the bell rang, and for 30 seconds the interior of The Devil's Advocate was silent and still. Then Pacquiao landed a straight left hand right up the middle and the screaming and cheering began. Every time that Pacquaio landed a decent punch the patrons would go crazy. In between the first and second round, a man at my table started a "Manny, Manny!" chant. A small Pacquiao doppelgänger walked into the bar and everyone shouted in Tagalog to him and applauded. He smiled and joined the festivities.
Every round that went by, the cheers became louder for the Filipino hero. The two outspoken De La Hoya supporters (Westerners obviously) became more quiet and subdued. Pacquaio looked great. De La Hoya looked old. Midway through the fight it became clear that Pacquiao did not care about size differential. His speed and footwork were too much for De La Hoya, and his power shots were doing all the damage. And just like that, after 8 one-sided rounds, De La Hoya quit on his stool, and Pacquiao made an entire bar full of patrons erupt in a celebratory frenzy.
There is an old boxing adage that says "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog." No fighter more clearly exemplifies this than Manny Pacquiao. When he fights, he says he does so for his countrymen. He says he feels their support when he steps into the ring. He is fiercely proud of his country, and in return, his countrymen are extremely loyal to him.
After the fight Pacquaio said to De La Hoya "You are still my idol," to which De La Hoya replied "No, you're my idol."
With that statement, Oscar De La Hoya has joined at least 90 million other people who share the same belief.
I ended up arriving at The Devil's Advocate, a sports bar in Wan Chai that is situated amidst cheap restaurants, trendy bars, and disreputable night clubs, right at 10. When the sun goes down the streets are teeming with drunken expats, prostitutes wearing neon skirts that end right below the ass, and working class Hong Kongers who are always on the move. On this particular Sunday morning, the streets were void of everything.
I arrived right as the telecast began for two reasons; I am a ravenous boxing fan and like to watch as many fights as I can, but more importantly, I was not sure how dedicated the Filipinos in Hong Kong would be when it came to watching the fight. Would they arrive before the bar even opened and stake a place in line? Would they get all the good seats, in turn, forcing me to stand for 3 hours? I would soon find that they are a dedicated and loyal group of fight fans, but I still managed to be the second person into the bar, thus securing a prime location to watch the events unfold.
After an undercard which featured 3 mismatches, 2 Carlsberg's, and a Tuna Melt on Foccacia bread, it was time for the main event. The bar was filled with at least 100 people, 90 of which were Filipino. There were even Filipino workers watching through the open doors of the bar from the bed of their pickup truck, parked directly in front on the street. It is said that in the Philippines, when Manny Pacquiao fights, all 90 million people will stop what they're doing and watch. It is also reported that there is absolutely no crime at all when one of his fights is televised. Such is the length that Filipinos will go to support their countryman and hero.
My table, that I had occupied for the previous two hours by myself, quickly filled up with Pacquiao supporters. At first they were confused by me. Who would I be rooting for? To the untrained eye one might say I even slightly resemble De La Hoya (or in any case, a Mexican). It's a good thing I had every intention of rooting for Pacquiao. It might have been uncomfortable going against the grain in that atmosphere.
This fight was being billed as "The Dream Match," a matchup of the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world in Pacquiao against the most marketable/popular in De La Hoya. A great little man in the prime of his career moving up 2 wight classes to take on a great bigger man nearing the end of his. Pacquaio is a tornado in the ring, a whirling dervish of unbridled ferocity and movement. However, he was the underdog because many believed De La Hoya was just too big for him. De La Hoya had the height advantage, reach advantage, and the technique (sound fundamentals and left hook) to take Pacquiao out. For this reason, it was frowned upon by diehard boxing fans. While the average fight fan who can only name a few boxers would salivate over the prospect of these two hooking up, the boxing "fraternity" scoffed at the size differential. There is a reason though why fights are fought in the ring and not on paper.
Filipino national anthem, Mexican national anthem, American national anthem, Michael Buffer and his "Let's get ready to rumble." It was time for the fight to begin. The fighters touched gloves, the bell rang, and for 30 seconds the interior of The Devil's Advocate was silent and still. Then Pacquiao landed a straight left hand right up the middle and the screaming and cheering began. Every time that Pacquaio landed a decent punch the patrons would go crazy. In between the first and second round, a man at my table started a "Manny, Manny!" chant. A small Pacquiao doppelgänger walked into the bar and everyone shouted in Tagalog to him and applauded. He smiled and joined the festivities.
Every round that went by, the cheers became louder for the Filipino hero. The two outspoken De La Hoya supporters (Westerners obviously) became more quiet and subdued. Pacquaio looked great. De La Hoya looked old. Midway through the fight it became clear that Pacquiao did not care about size differential. His speed and footwork were too much for De La Hoya, and his power shots were doing all the damage. And just like that, after 8 one-sided rounds, De La Hoya quit on his stool, and Pacquiao made an entire bar full of patrons erupt in a celebratory frenzy.
There is an old boxing adage that says "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog." No fighter more clearly exemplifies this than Manny Pacquiao. When he fights, he says he does so for his countrymen. He says he feels their support when he steps into the ring. He is fiercely proud of his country, and in return, his countrymen are extremely loyal to him.
After the fight Pacquaio said to De La Hoya "You are still my idol," to which De La Hoya replied "No, you're my idol."
With that statement, Oscar De La Hoya has joined at least 90 million other people who share the same belief.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
December Decisions
At what point in our life do we make the transition from child to adult? Or more specifically, from a quasi-adult to full fledged adulthood? Obviously the answer varies, depending on the person asked and the criteria involved in determining what exactly constitutes being an "adult." I have thought at many points during my life that I was a grown-up, but looking back I realize I was grossly mistaken/naive/stupid/misinformed/fill-in-the-adjective-of-your-choice.
When I turned 18 I decided to celebrate my legal entrance into adulthood by getting a tattoo. I felt that by inking myself up I would shed my juvenile skin and leave all traces of immaturity behind. It occurred to me sometime later that not only did I pick tribal flash off the wall to get tattooed on my arm, but I was also working back drive-thru at McDonalds at the time. Not exactly the epitome of a modern man.
I though that moving to New York on my 24th birthday would be the next logical step, and for awhile I was on my way. I secured an internship/job at Now or Never Records and was paying over $500 a month rent sharing a tiny apartment with 2 others. Surely this was it. However, the label soon went under and I found myself working full-time as a waiter, partying with other like-minded people, and shirking responsibility to fully better myself (notwithstanding the internships at Star Boxing and Virgin Records).
After graduating university at the slightly unconventional age of 28, I found myself on a plane heading to China to teach at Yantai University. Without a doubt I would mature beyond my years. And while I did find myself accumulating life experience, knowledge, cultural appreciation, and subsequently showing my mettle and fortitude, I still did not feel like I had hit that plateau. This partially stemmed from my actual "teaching" experience, which seemed to me to be more of an exercise in mentoring the students, helping them with their grammar and pronunciation, and devising games for them to play so they would find themselves interested in learning English. 99% of the time I succeeded, but deep down I had a feeling that most people could have done what I did, if they had left their security blanket behind them and travelled across the world.
So I upgraded. I continued on to Hong Kong, where I now find myself at a much more legitimate university, teaching proper English courses, and simultaneously, finding myself even closer to "adult" nirvana. The reason for the change is, I believe, having a job in which you are respected, in which colleagues look at you almost directly instead of down on you from upon their soapbox. I have my own office and my own businesscards. On top of that, I find myself doing strange things like buying Italian silk ties and dress shirts in every color or thinking of what pair of wingtips would look best on me.
Though I find solace and happiness in where I am at this point of my life, I am now even more concerned with my next step. I have found myself stressing a bit too much as I plan for next year. Once again, as per usual with me, I can think of a few different paths I could take in my life. However, at this particular moment, I cannot stand behind any with complete conviction.
Decisions of the adult variety.
When I turned 18 I decided to celebrate my legal entrance into adulthood by getting a tattoo. I felt that by inking myself up I would shed my juvenile skin and leave all traces of immaturity behind. It occurred to me sometime later that not only did I pick tribal flash off the wall to get tattooed on my arm, but I was also working back drive-thru at McDonalds at the time. Not exactly the epitome of a modern man.
I though that moving to New York on my 24th birthday would be the next logical step, and for awhile I was on my way. I secured an internship/job at Now or Never Records and was paying over $500 a month rent sharing a tiny apartment with 2 others. Surely this was it. However, the label soon went under and I found myself working full-time as a waiter, partying with other like-minded people, and shirking responsibility to fully better myself (notwithstanding the internships at Star Boxing and Virgin Records).
After graduating university at the slightly unconventional age of 28, I found myself on a plane heading to China to teach at Yantai University. Without a doubt I would mature beyond my years. And while I did find myself accumulating life experience, knowledge, cultural appreciation, and subsequently showing my mettle and fortitude, I still did not feel like I had hit that plateau. This partially stemmed from my actual "teaching" experience, which seemed to me to be more of an exercise in mentoring the students, helping them with their grammar and pronunciation, and devising games for them to play so they would find themselves interested in learning English. 99% of the time I succeeded, but deep down I had a feeling that most people could have done what I did, if they had left their security blanket behind them and travelled across the world.
So I upgraded. I continued on to Hong Kong, where I now find myself at a much more legitimate university, teaching proper English courses, and simultaneously, finding myself even closer to "adult" nirvana. The reason for the change is, I believe, having a job in which you are respected, in which colleagues look at you almost directly instead of down on you from upon their soapbox. I have my own office and my own businesscards. On top of that, I find myself doing strange things like buying Italian silk ties and dress shirts in every color or thinking of what pair of wingtips would look best on me.
Though I find solace and happiness in where I am at this point of my life, I am now even more concerned with my next step. I have found myself stressing a bit too much as I plan for next year. Once again, as per usual with me, I can think of a few different paths I could take in my life. However, at this particular moment, I cannot stand behind any with complete conviction.
Decisions of the adult variety.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)