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"Goodbye, weekly poke."

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A HUI HOU, HAWAI'I

I am writing this while sitting down in the newly named Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu

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I feel nothing but excitement now that I am finally embarking on this journey. The only thing that is really pushing me to tears is the lack of poke (which is a weekly meal for me). I know, I know--leaving my family and familiarity of home should be doing that to me as well, but, with technology, I can easily FaceTime them. To celebrate my last full day on my island home, I drove over to Diamon Head Lookout to eat a bowl of the classic spicy ahi poke from Ono's. It was a bit cathartic to know that the warm ocean breeze and views won't be just a ten minute drive from home; the beach won't be so accessible--I usually sit there to just chill and relax while watching the sunset. I guess grey skies and skyscraper skylines will have to do.

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ALOHA, HONG KONG

I am writing this while on the taxi ride from the Hong Kong International Airport after an approximately 14 hour flight with a layover in Guam.

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I almost missed my connecting flight for which I only had one hour between landing and takeoff. There was construction at the Guam International Airport and the signs took us out through immigration so we had to go through security again and my gate was on the other side of the structure. I guess my weekly sprints at Ala Moana Beach Park paid off.

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Henry (another Freeman scholar studying with me at CityU) and his aunt have graciously provided a place for me to stay until we officially move in on Monday (the week before we start school). It is nice to have a full family (despite not knowing any of them) greet me with open arms. Grandmother was especially sweet to make sure I wasn't hungry; she fed me endless fruits. The food that they cooked throughout my stay was a great reminder of my mother's cooking which even made more comfortable with them. I am really thankful for Henry and his family. I made sure to bring some boxes of Hawaiian Host for them to enjoy.

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MOVING IN

Welcome to the City University of Hong Kong

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Just got dropped off at the Hall Residences with Henry. Ready to move in! We went to the Multi-Function Hall in front of Residence Hall 1 to sign in. We needed our passports as well as the email we received a few monthsago that included our student ID numbers. We signed a form then we were given our necessary cards: 

 

(1) Residence Hall Card used to open our dorm rooms as well as to store money (like a debit card) to scan to pay for the AC (about 10 hours for 10HKD  depending on the strength of the AC) as well as pay for the washing machines (5HKD per load) and dryers (1HKD per 4 mins). It is important to not lose or forget your residence hall card! You willbe charged 20HKD for the security guards to open it for you! 

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(2) Student ID Card used to open the main door of your assigned residence hall (Hall 11 for me) as well as to sign in at the counter where the guard remains. It is used to use the campus printers as well as access the library and other facilities.

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After receiving my welcome packet, I could finally go to Hall 11! It is the newest building that is especailly recognizabel because it has a giant orange hole in the middle of it--there is an sky garden accessible by all CityU students for events or to hang out. After a long and sweaty hike up the hill (Hall 11 is at the top), I finally settled into my dorm 601A. I am also looking forward to the IKEA outing set up by the college of business toget more hall necessities.

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ORIENTATION & EXCURSION

for all business students

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The Student Exchange Club from the College of Business creates events for the 300+ incoming business students (CityU has an extremely large international exchange student population). We had an orientation day to meet the Assistant Dean, exchange coordinators, and student representatives as well as become familiar with the campus through a scavenger hunt. It was quite fun to meet new people and learn a bit of Cantonese! We also had time to go to IKEA to shop for hangers, cups, laundry basket, etc. The exchange club also offered some events to meet more international exchange business students; I signed up for the Tian Tian Buddha trip in Lantau island early. Hong Kong is already so hot but climbing stairs in this heat is not so fun--I made some new friends at least.

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Overall, my first week in Hong Kong was filled with preparation and new people. Seeing my dorm room fully set up to my liking and making new friends throughout the orientation and excursion events is really charging me up for the next few months here in Hong Kong. I just really hope that it gets cooler soon. 

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