Lazy Sunday

As much as I love TGI-Fridays and Party All Night Saturdays, I have to say, Lazy Sundays are probably my all time favorite. It's a day to just relax, spending it however you want. It's a day where you're justified to be lazy, hence Lazy Sundays.

On this particular lazy Sunday, I visited a new part of the island with my friends. Starting off with Dim Sum at a 5 star resort hotel, we sampled all the foods they had to offer. A little bit of this, a little bit of that, it was all delicious. Besides all the wonderful food, the scenery was just as great. The resort itself was beautiful. It was like being in Tuscanny or some place in the Mediterranean with the architecture and warm climate.

After the resort, we went to the old that was just down the road. We climbed all the way to the top where the view was incredible. With the sky was so clear and the water so blue, you could see for miles and miles, even to the next island chain. And being up so high, with the wind blowing through my hair and the sun shining down on me, the feeling was just liberating. So free, almost like flying. After climbing down from the top, we romped around on the surrounding cliffs, enjoying the simplicity of just being outside in the sun which was definitely a nice change from being stuck in an office all the time. To add icing on the cake, we even got ice cream.

As a closing to this Lazy Sunday, I find myself typing up this post while lounging on the couch, watching a movie. Truely a lazy, but wonderful Sunday.

I wonder what Monday will have in store for me...

A Little Island Called Okinawa

So it's been a while... what can I say? I've been busy which is no real excuse but it's the truth.

Anyway, as the year is coming to an end, let me sum up what has happened since my last post (and pretty much the entire year):

• Graduated Tech School and FINALLY left Texas... I was kind of torn here because it was both good and bad- good because I got out of Texas and got to get on with my real life/job; bad because I had to leave all the friends I made... But I guess there's always Global :)
• Went to lovely ol Maxwell where I made even more friends and learned how to play an interesting game of "Icarus"... And as a not so fond memory, the early demise of my poor car... *tear* For those who don't know, Alabama drivers are CRAZY!
• Went home on leave and got my motorcycle license... yes, that's right. I'm a BA
• Packed up my stuff and moved to Japan but went back to the States for another month of training the week after I arrived on island
• Got back to Japan and finally started settling in... which seems to be a work in progress that may possibly never end. Who knows at this rate!

But yes, that's the whole last year in a nut shell... well, at least most of the significant events that I can remember. I'm sure there are some other details in there but you know how the saying goes: "If I told you, I'd have to kill you."

Perhaps at another time soon in the future, I will post some pictures of my new place but until then, you can use your imagination. As for now, I've worked a long day and it's time to veg out and eat dinner. Ciao!

I could use a hug...

Sometimes, at the end of the day, all I want is for someone to give me a hug. Not one of those awkward little "do I even know you" hugs but a big bear hug. No words required. Just hold me tight for a little bit. It's not too much to ask for is it?

We dont hug each other nearly as much as we should... and that is very unfortunate...

...because sometimes, a hug can make everything seem better...

Chinese New Year prep...

It's been a while since my last post (what can I say... I've been booked!) but I just realized that the Chinese New Year is right around the corner! So to prepare myself for the festivities (and to wish you all a happy New Year!) I started cleaning my dorm. You may think I have some time before February 7th, but you haven’t seen my apartment (or the crazy schedule we have going on here). Anyway, this got me thinking of my childhood during the New Year when Mom would not let us shower or cut our hair on Chinese New Year (or get in fights...). Additionally, all house cleaning had to be done before the that day. Talking to some of my classmates today, they asked me about some of the other Chinese New Year superstitions that we follow... so, below is a list of superstitions I found on about.com.

1. Dirty Doings
Put your feet up and relax. Certainly the most enjoyable of the Chinese New Year superstitions, sweeping and cleaning is strictly forbidden. The Chinese believe cleaning means you’ll sweep all of your good luck out the front door.

2. Time to Come Clean
Before you can enjoy number two, you need to give the house a full spring clean, before putting cleaning tools in the cupboard on New Year’s Eve.

3. Read Between the Lines
Be sure to stock up on reading materials before Chinese New Year, as Hong Kong’s bookshops will be padlocked tight. In Cantonese, book is a homonym for ‘lose’.

4. Choppy Waters
Make sure you avoid rough seas in the new year by not buying shoes over the holiday period. In Cantonese, shoes are a homonym for ‘rough’.

5. Balance the Books
If you’re in debt, it’s time to dip into your pockets and pay people off. The Chinese believe that if you start the new year in the red, you’ll finish it the same way.

6. Ghostly Conversations
Caught round a campfire over the holiday period? No ghost stories. Tales of death, dying and ghosts is considered supremely inauspicious, especially during Chinese New Year.

7. Lady in Red
Chinese New Year is packed with colors, and while all the colors of the rainbow bring good luck, it’s the color red that is considered the ultimate luck bringer.

8. Sweet Year
Hong Kongers have a sweet touch at the best of times, but Chinese New Year offers the perfect chance to raid the sweet shop, as eating candies is said to deliver a sweeter year.

9. Feel the Breeze
Welcome in the New Year with a blast of fresh air, opening your windows is said to let in good luck.

10. Get to the Point
Sharp objects are said to be harbingers of bad luck, as their sharp points cut out your good luck, pack them away.You should also avoid the hairdressers or you’ll have your good luck chopped off.



PS. Mardi Gras is also that weekend so it's going to be a great party weekend!