What does a traffic light mean again?

Almost settled into my apartment... It has been a major hassle dealing with realtors here. They are all young (22-27), unorganized, and smell like cigarettes. I have been in a huge bind because my boss wants me to live close to work; this translates into "there are many brand new apartment complexes with small studios for high prices!"...

Once I settled on one of the pricey little studios and found myself sitting with the landlord, realtors, and new friends that don't speak a word of english, I then discovered there were many many extra fees that came with this apartment: manager fee, community cleaning fee, water, electricity, gas, and a big fugly couch. Soon what I was told to be only 2900RMB a month quickly turned into 3400RMB+ and the landlord won't take the big fugly couch because he doesn't have storage space...??? I'm not a very happy customer... To continue the disappointment, the previous tenant failed to clean the apartment before moving out and busted the lock on the back door. I have spent nearly two (2) full days cleaning dust and weird debris and sleep at night with winds a blowin' and a busted door a openin'-and-shuttin'...

The biggest downfall is that the nearest Plaza for me to shop at (clothes, household items, FOOD!) is a fun 50min walk/40min bus/10min cab ride away. I believe I am only beginning to understand how troublesome this is...

On a happier note, eight (8) English-Chinese translation revisions later, my contract is good to go! I want to thank my lovely lady for helping me through all of this. I would most certainly be in a pickle without her! Love you boboi!

Now for the highlight of the post... TRAFFIC LIGHTS? Yes, you heard correct! TRAFFIC LIGHTS! One could say while visiting in Xiamen, "Hey! Where are all the traffic lights?" and would only hear the sweet response of car honks as they blaze through intersections in all four (4) directions. Actually more like six (6) directions, I forgot about the cars traveling in the opposite direction on the wrong side of the road. Oh wait there's more! One must also be weary while on sidewalks because they can drive on sidewalks too! You can only find traffic lights 'downtown' and other random intersections...

To be short, it's been crazy. Despite the lack of English anywhere - aside from the pinyin of Chinese signs - the people in Xiamen are very friendly and inviting.

Until next time,
T.E.T

Curious Son

Jessica flew home to Hong Kong, so today was my first day going out into the city on my own. Seeing that I had an agenda of apartment hunting only at one community, it doesn't leave much time to go out and do other things...

The day started off with a delicious breakfast from Cafe 85*C. It was the same staff as the day before. Jessica had always ordered our drinks, so the staff had a slight face of confusion when I approached them. I ordered my usual drink (in Mandarin), and a sign of relief came across the barista's face. hahaha He continued to ask where "your lady friend was" and I responded that she had returned home. While I was waiting for my coffee, a mother and son (age 6-ish) were standing beside me during my conversion with the barista. The son asked the mom why a foreigner was in the Cafe and why he spoke Chinese. The mother said that he listens well, and at that point I looked over at them. The mother smile and said to her son, "See! He understands." The son was ecstatic. He began questioning me faster than a rapper after 2 cans of Redbull! hahaha He asked me why my hair was brown, how was it standing up, and if he could touch it. A fun day indeed!

I'm on my way out now to view apartments. Hopefully when I come back, I'll actually have a place to live!

Until next time,
T.E.T.

T.E.T. Spotted in Xiamen

Today is my fifth day in Xiamen, Fujian, China. I would have to say, if Jessica wasn't with me... I wouldn't be able to get around this city at all. No one speaks English and signs are only in Chinese...

Today is also the first time I have decided to do something American by going to a 'local' Starbucks (星巴克）for a coffee - my main objective was the free wifi because it seems to be the only place on the entire island that offers free wifi.... When ordering my drink - one tall soy vanilla latté - it took some time for the staff to understand what I meant by "soy." In the end I did receive a soy vanilla latté; however, the soy was the Chinese soy that you get in drinks like this:

It was a definite surprise nonetheless, but tasted interesting... Should've added one more pump of vanilla.

Yesterday, was an amazing day though. Jessica and I traveled to the famous island GuLangYu - the island is only 0.77sq miles. We walked most of the entire island in three hours. This gorgeous island is smaller than Boston University campus, yet I dare say contains more stairs than the Great Wall of China! (Possibly a slight exaggeration, but seriously has a ton of stairs) Here is a panorama from the tallest peak on the island:

The city you see in the background is Xiamen.

On the island, there is a piano and organ museum - both of which are amazing!

For more pictures, check out my Facebook.

Until next time,
T.E.T.

Cha Chaan Teng

Hi everyone!!!

Today is going great! Normally while driving in cars around HK, I have had the worst car sickness troubles; however, today has been smooth riding! Jessica and I had lunch at a Cha Chaan Teng! Our "Ja Leung" should have looked something like this

However ours was double fried, burnt, and extremely crunchy... YUCK!

On the good side we had "Siu Ngo" (Fried Goose) 

To continue the tasty greatness, one of my favorites... "Siu Yuk" (Roasted pig)

Until next time,

T.E.T

Did I mention food?

One thing I love about Hong Kong (HK) is the food. Every time I come here, I am introduced to many new restaurants and street stalls, along with many new delicious dishes! Every dinner has consisted of 9-12 courses. I have trouble after part 8 and find myself within a zen food coma while I trudge through the remaining course meal wishing I wasn't stuffed so I could fully appreciate the taste. hahaha

Another thing I appreciate about HK is how the people here maneuver on the side walk and the road. It's very agressive, but everyone is productive in keeping things flowing. No one is stalled or just 'zoned out' following the car in front of him/her - unlike LA where traffic most of the time never moves. Here in HK, although the traffic is always thick, it is at least constantly moving! #goHK

Until next time,

T.E.T

Hong Kong Arrival

I arrived in Hong Kong (HK) two days ago! My flight was, unfortunately, a very long one. There was a child who sat behind me that was kicking my chair almost the entire trip... and YES I did tell him and his father - in English & Mandarin - to stop kicking, but it didn't help!!! To further the fun of this plane ride, there was a lady that sat next to me, and she kept falling asleep and... spreading her legs - like a man... she had her entire leg and foot in my space. I paid a large sum of money for this little space on the plane, so stay out of it! grrrr

Until next time,
T.E.T.

Visa & Contract... CHECK!

I received my Visa shortly after my post yesterday,  ANDDDDD I received my contract today!

Looking over all of these official terms and pulling my hair out really makes me realize that I am just meant for tech work. :^) Anyone know how to translate these documents into normal English?

I must also say that am very grateful for my girlfriend, Jessica, and my best friend, Kian How, for helping me during this entire process. You two are the best!

Until next time,
T.E.T.