East Coast

Blocked sinuses, sore throats, heavy feet. It's been a long East Coast tour. From New York, to Boston, to DC to Chicago. Meetings in the middle of the night at coffee shops, restaurants and bars. Good exposure to the overseas client base, good quality time with colleagues and even some sightseeing. Looking forward to getting back to Hong Kong.

New York

One thing that still stresses me out, are mandatory events during the school semester. I've touched on this point a few times, and the anxiety that takes places leading up to the event is something I still haven't been able to manage. From weddings to work obligations. What happens, if there's an assignment due that week? What happens if I can't finish it in time?

Each time I've been abroad, there's been something due and it ultimately comes down to just better time management. This time I would be traveling during final project submission and one week before final exams. Yes, there's some apprehension, but changing how I approach school as optional study, versus mandatory study has shifted my own expectations and allowed me to deal with it a little better.

First stop, New York City. Good to meet the US team that I have been working with for the last two years. Caught up with New York folk and even a sneaky Rick Ross concert.

Bloomberg Square Mile

New fitness tracker, morning training sessions, nutrient timing and active recovery planning. I miss having to train for something - there's focus and a a reason to do things even though you might not want to.  Kind of like studying for an exam. Admittedly, a 1 mile run through a winding circuit in the evening isn't something that warrants a serious routine, but you do have to start somewhere. Our firm submitted two teams, the "serious team" and the "not-so serious team". I was in the serious team. I say serious, in the sense that we were looking to be competitive. Historically speaking, the winning teams were stacked with middle-distance runners who have run their entire life, this was a team made up of runners who consistently ran the mile under 6 minutes (a sub six minute mile is considered respectable).

At the helm, we had an iron man, who routinely ran marathons and managed to whip us into decent shape with morning runs and training plans. Overall, we performed well coming in 10th our of a total of 124 teams, with a time of 61 minutes, 53 secs. This year's winning team ran the event in 55 minutes, 23 secs and the fastest lap clocked in at 5 minutes, 4 seconds! Blindingly quick! For me, it was 6 minutes and 20 seconds - next goal, sub six minute mile.

London

Flight back from Jeju to Hong Kong, the switch of the suitcase and straight back to Hong Kong Airport. The red eye flight into Heathrow, the black cab through the centre of Oxford Street, the swift hotel check-in in Shoreditch and a brisk walk into the office. It's a cool 7 degrees, that's cold in my language. Everything feel so foreign, the Liverpool Street area has changed, but has the same feel. It's like a new car model, familiar but different. Everything from the Old Street kebab stores to the storefronts on Bishopsgate, same same, but different. Highlights include: Dirty Chinese food with Isa, morning run along the Thames, dinner at Gauchos, visiting the London office.

There is an overwhelming sense of nostalgia, I really wish I could have spent more time here. It almost feels like not having enough time at a school reunion. Productive work trip, plenty of networking, product strategy and plans for 2019 dominance. I forgot how much fun London can be. Would I move back? Could I move back?

Currently reading "The Dark Forrest"

Korea

My first trip to Korea - Well technically, my second but who's counting the layover in Incheon in 2008. Me and Korea go way back. There was a period when I was fascinated with Korean culture. The line between fascinated and obsessed, was a fine line. My best friend in tenth grade was Korean, I dressed like a Korean (think baggy jeans, polo shirts, a baseball cap pulled down to the eyes), heck I even listened to K-Pop!

The Hong Kong Family are under the impression that when it comes to Korean Girls, I am nothing more than a deer in headlights. A dumbfounded doe paralysed in white light ready to be struck down by the vehicle. Women aside, the food was another thing that got me excited about the trip.

The reason for the journey to Korea was for a wedding. This would include a short stay in Busan, followed by the wedding in Jeju. The highlight was the groom's entry. Running down the aisle as "The Final Countdown" blared over the speaker. In comparison, the bride gracefully walked down the aisle to "The Blower's Daughter".

"Will things ever be the same?" - The Final Countdown

Singapore F1

In Singapore for the weekend - worked out to be good timing as we avoid a T10 mega typhoon. Unfortunately halfway through my trip I receive a message from my neighbour (who never messages me). "You're not at home are you?" and the proceeds to send a photo of my bedroom window open. What luck ...

Seven Years later

I have been officially working in Hong Kong for seven years! Technically, I've been here longer than that as it took me a while to find my first job.

I'm eligible for Permanent Residency. I'll get around to it eventually...