Jan 14-16 2008: It Commences...

So for those who don't know, my name is, um, Alison Koh, and I am going to Hong Kong for one semester to study at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

I got to the airport around 8pm and met up with the others who were with their families just waiting around until we entered the gates. My parents left me right away, which was good because I got it over and done with, quick. No waterworks. Nada. I was clean.

The 5 of us Joce, Ktran, Dav, Wes, and me entered the gates before 9:30ish and just loitered around the airport. Our flight officially departed by 11pm and thus, began our HK journey =] Overall, the whole trip was 20 hours, with a one hour stopover in Alaska, however, we were not allowed to get off the plane.

We arrived in HK around 7:30am (HK time). Crystal (a girl I met over Facebook because she is a Xiao Zhu lover too) came to get us and we went to UST in the vans she booked. They’re very sketch…like the ones where ppl get kidnapped in dramas…but we got to school safely. However, we did not get dropped off in front of our residences, and so we had to lug all our luggages across campus for a good 15-20 mins to find our buildings. After that, we checked in and stuff, showered. Us 4 girls all got the same rez, except for Wes.

Then we met a French girl, Juliette, who lives on the same floor as me and Joce and she had to go to HSBC and I told her that our buddies were meeting us soon that day and that she could come with. And my roommate, who also checked in the same day as I did, her name is Emily and she goes to Queens, also came along with us. We met up with May and Chris, who did their exchange term in Schulich last term, and they brought us to lunch, and then IKEA to buy bedding and other necessities. Lunch was quite retarded, because I ordered cold noodles with ice cubes in them—it was absolutely unintentional—but yes, the shaftedness continues overseas as well as you shall see.

Buying bedsheets and comforters was fun, everyone bought the same comforter except for Joce. So all 4 of us have the same, bright yellow/black dot one. I was so going to buy this pure black one, but um, it was expensive and I didn’t want to buy something I was just going to chuck right after this trip. But the yellow is seriously so bright and happy. So not working for me. But whatevs.

And then we all came back to UST and made our rooms. Later in the night, Kin & Demps came over to see the campus and we all chilled for a bit. I was so exhausted that night. Seriously, it felt like we haven’t slept since Monday night, and due to the time change, we lost a Tuesday, and magically, it was Wed night already. I never felt so tired in my life. The plane ride was kinda :S and it was very uncomfortable to sleep. So I think I only slept well for a max of 5-6 hours. Oh well. I love HK :) UST is seriously a beautiful and gorgeous campus. Walking to class everyday will be such a pleasure, well hopefully. Our rez is friggin far, but hopefully all the walking will do some good in the end.

HK is a busy place, and the crowdedness is overwhelming, but I somehow almost feel at ease knowing that there’s just so much…life…at this whole other side of the world. So much I don’t know about, so much to see and explore. It’s a very unique feeling…and I can’t wait to experience it all.