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January 4th 2009

Published: January 4th 2009

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Nathanho7

Green Cabs in New Territories

In HK and Kowloon they're red.

Hello Family and Friends!

Let's just skip all the "Sorry I haven't been on in a while"-"Remember me?"-"I promise to write more" bullshit and carry straight to the good stuff you've been waiting for.

So, what have I done since my last post?

Well, Christmas holidays!!! I hope you've all eaten to your hearts content and were able to spend the precious time with family and friends, merrily listening to carols, sitting by the fire roasting chestnuts, took the time to do some skating or played ice hockey, baking baked goods, and enjoying the smell of fresh pine.

What can I say other than the only time you'll miss home is Christmas time. This year, I really did miss home and it's normal Christmas happenings. During the holiday season, there really is no place like home. Sooo true and I felt it this year. Yes, I did have some friends, family and many family friends who eased my sense of emptiness (it sounds worse than it actually was) but it just wasn't the same.

I am now learning and beginning to understand and even appreciate how important family and friends are to me in my life

Hot Hot Hot

Careful, the forest has a high chance of burning down today (December).

with this experience. No matter how independent you want to be, how far off the beaten path you'd like to discover, how many new friends you'd like to make, life just isn't the same. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I'm crying myself to sleep every night (although that probably would help with sleep cause there are two dogs living above the apartment who seem to bark a lot). All in all, it's just the special family times when I feel the distance between me and Toronto the most - but that's only normal.

How is everything you ask? Things are still great after about 2 and a half months living here in Hong Kong. I've been still really active - playing soccer, not so much basketball as its colder outside, running (I actually ran a 4km race and won my agegroup! I haven't won a race before...this one was for charity and was probably a highlight of my holidays), doing P90X workouts in my room, eating a lot of great Chinese food, going out and dancing the night away in clubs (it's actually pretty fun here too!), and spending time to go to Hong Kong South (Repulse

Kodak Moment

I caught this moment just by a glance.

Bay, Stanley, etc.) to enjoy the natural beauty of the beaches and surounding mountains - I'm still blown away everytime I go, been hanging out with Shawn and other friends, beginning to form the habit of Sunday morning soccer with my boss, and just work during the weekdays.

So far so good people! What with the weather change, it's just been difficult to adjust how much to wear so I've gotten a cold a few times. There is no central heating, so sometimes it's normal, sometimes it can get warm in the afternoons, and nighttime can be downright chilly.

Otherwise, I hope you all have a great start to the year 2009 and let's see some changes and updates!

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