The Little Things.: 2014

Friday, September 19, 2014

Do you know what this fruit is?

Hey Everyone,

I hope you are all having a wonderful day. Today, I had the opportunity to try something new. I would like to introduce to you to.... drum roll please... the Custard Apple!

The Custard Apple

The Custard Apple is a fruit generally grown in subtropical climates. The skin covering the fruit is thin, bumpy and almost has a leafy sort of texture and appearance. When a Custard Apple is ripe it will turn a yellowish brown colour, and the fruit under the skin will become soft. The texture reminds me of a pear. It was slightly grainy and slimy, and had a similar taste; with after taste that I can only describe is nutty.

Peeling off the leafy looking skin

I had purchased this particular fruit after dinner with friends. They had both eaten the Custard Apple before and encouraged me to give it a try. While waiting for the bus, stories of bugs, or orange worms being found in the fruit were being told. I mean, who doesn't want to find extra protein in the fruit? (by the way, this is extreme sarcasm)... but look, no worms! I'm good!

Eat the flesh of the fruit and watch out for seeds

This fruit was different, but in a pleasant sort of way. I'm glad that I tried it, and enjoyed it. I encourage you, should you ever find yourself looking at one of these fruits, pick one up and experience it for yourself. Live a little and try something new.

Anyway, until next time... Take care!

Friday, September 12, 2014

Mid Autumn Festival 2014

Hey Everyone,

It has been a while. I hope you all have had a wonderful and restful summer. For those of you starting a new school year, good luck! And for those of you, like myself, who are in their final year before graduating,... we can do this! One more year to go!

Over the last few weeks, I have returned to Hong Kong from my month long visit back home. I have just started settling into my new routine and am happy to say that I have managed to hit the ground running. I have signed up for all of my classes and have
been very fortunate to have received my first choices in my elective courses
and my studio group.

As some of you may know, this past week was the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. Last year, I introduced you to some of the traditional aspects of this holiday: spending time with family, wonderfully prepared dinners, and moon cake. This year, I decided that I would share with you how the rest of Hong Kong celebrated.

A small section of the Festivities

Other than eating dinner and spending time with family, I decided to visit Victoria Park and take part in the festivities. Victoria Park was one of the many venues made open to the public to enjoy cultural performances and buy souvenirs from the Moon Festival. There were a lot of people present at this particular location and everyone was
decked out in glow stick bracelets, flashing decorations and carrying around
paper or plastic lanterns.

Hand paintings sold during the Festival

Among the souvenirs being sold were hand drawn paintings, and traditionally made paper lanterns. The craftsmanship of many of the paper lanterns were spectacular, some were handed painted,

while others were composed of wire, and tissue paper like material and sometimes even a silk fabric.

Professional Lantern Maker
explaining how each lantern is hand crafter

Not all paper lanterns were collapsible, and there are many different shapes and sizes. The plastic lanterns that were available in some of the small shops, equivalent to a dollar store, were inflatable and illuminated with LEDs. Below were some of the paper flower lanterns available for sale at the carnival.

Beijing Lotus Lanterns

It was a pleasure being able to catch another glimpse of such a festive holiday. I am happy that I was able to participate and experience another Mid-Autumn festival in Hong Kong. If you ever manage to make it all the way here, be sure to check it out.

Thanks again for taking the time to view my blog,
Until next time, take care!

Saturday, September 6, 2014

100 Happy Days Challenge: Second Half

I now understand why so many people have failed to complete a consecutive 100 Happy Days Challenge. It wasn't for the lack of trying, but rather choosing to prioritize and living in the moment. I will not apologize for the incomplete second half of my challenge, but rather acknowledge the fact that when push came to shove, I made it through the tough days and managed to smile.

The last few months of my M.Arch 1 program were the most gruelling weeks of school I've ever encountered. I was sleeping four to five hours on a good night and was physically and mentally exhausted. The pressure I had placed on myself was holding me back, and the anxiety I felt was responsible for a fair share of those sleepless nights. By the time the school year had finished, I was too drained to continue, and before I knew it my challenge was over.

I'm not going to go back to fill in those blank days, because frankly, I don't remember and I don't care. What I took away from this challenge was that despite the fact that I can't remember all the little things that made me happy, there were enough fragmented moments that brought a smile to my lips everyday. Regardless, of whether or not I can recall these moments, I would be a fool to say that I wasn't happy at least once, even during the worst day ever. I realize that this blog is for those of you reading, but at the same time, it's for me as well. What is the point of filling in for the days where I was too tired to upload a photo anyway... what does it really matter?

At this time I would like to thank everyone who did their part in checking in on me once in a while, and say that your words of encouragement meant a lot to me. Thank you.

Day 51- April 24

Curry noodles, definitely sated my hunger
conversation of favourite books and movies

Day 52-April 25

Day 53-April 26

Conte Drawings
Made a mess but it was worth it

Day 54-April 27

Day 55-April 28

Day 56- April 29

Day 57-April 30

Day 58-May 01

This is how I feel
and the accuracy of this comic made me laugh

Day 60-May 02

Found a building on campus that we've never been,
Went to the highest floor,
Got onto the fire escape,
and then yelled at the top of our lungs.
With friends like this, it's hard not to smile on a horribly stressful day.

Day 61- May 03

SQ sent me this, and it made me smile

Day 62- May 04

Skype date with the sibs
There's something to be said when we prefer to be invisible
and sport glasses and moustaches

Day 63- May 05

Another album that got me through the working day

Day 67- May 06

"Jump off cliffs and build your wings on the way down"
-Ray Bradbury
Sent to me by Ze

Day 68- May 07

Spending another all nighter... this time at school,
at least I have take out desserts to keep me company.

Day 69- May 08

Managed to finish my model for studio

Day 70- May 09

PRESENTATIONS ARE OVER!!!
My boards at the end of this semester
Not too shabby for a one man job.

Day 71- May 10

Mango/Grapefruit Dessert

Day 72- May 11

Found this little guy right outside my room

Day 73- May 12

Fresh fruit in the Fridge

Day 74-May 13

Happy Hour, Dinner, then drinks at a new bar Ping Pong

Day 75- May 14

A walk by the koi pond and HKU,
a half an hour well spent

Day 76- May 15

Day 77- May 16

Day 78- May 17

Day 79- May 18

Fish and Chips by the Harbour

Day 80- May 19

Trying a new sushi place with CL, ZC, CG

Day 81- May 20

Day 82- May 21

Day 83- May 22

First day as a summer student at AGC

Day 84- May 23

Day 85- May 24

Day 86- May 25

Abandoned space at Wing Lee Street

Day 87- May 26

Office pet that was showered in a lot of food today

Day 88- May 27

Day 89- May 28

Opening night for our studio exhibition on Wing Lee St

Day 90- May 29

Day 91- May 30

Tour of a church in Wanchai

Day 92- May 31

Day 93- June 01

Day 94- June 02

Dinner with my Aunt

Day 95- June 03

A small accomplishment
helping my BAO glue together her screens

Day 96- June 04

Day 97- June 05

Day 98- June 06

Day 99- June 07

Day 100- June 08

Went to the Peak via the Tram
with ZC and CG

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

100 Happy Days Challenge: Second Quarter

Our lives have revolved around schedules, the next deadline and often we forget to take a moment and breathe. There seems to be less and less time to enjoy life and appreciate the moments that help get us through the day. According to 100happydays.com 71% of the people who attempt this challenge are not able to complete it, failing because of the lack of time. Well, I'm an architecture student. I'm here to say that despite the fact that I lack sleep, and sometimes resemble a walking zombie without my caffeine, that it is still possible to find the little things that make us smile.

Hey Everyone,

I'm glad to say that I've been able to keep up with the 100happydays challenge. The last few weeks have not been easy. As school has become more demanding, I have found it more difficult to stay optimistic, especially with the lack of sleep. You'll notice that there are quite a few food pictures in this post. I've come to the realization that it isn't just the food that makes me happy but the company that I share it with. I want to thank those of you who found the time to call me, eat with me, and share the lovely experience, and absurdity of what it means to be an architecture student.

I hope you enjoy the second quarter of my 100happydays challenge :)

Day 26- March 30 2014

Breakfast: granola, pieces of banana, and yogurt

Day 27- March 31, 2014

Treated myself to egg tarts after a very long day
(I know they don't look that appetizing,
but let me assure you, they tasted great)

Day 28- April 01, 2014

Popcorn at ifc mall while watching a movie.

Day 29- April 02, 2014

New work shoes, and no buyers regret!

Day 30- April 03, 2014

Studio Buddy brought in cookies

Day 31-April 04, 2014

GC brought me dessert
and yes, you can eat the jewel

Day 32-April 05, 2014

Woke up this morning, saw the sun, and thought to myself,
"Today seems like a great day to walk up to The Peak. I'm going to do it."
and I did.

Day 33- April 06, 2014

Laughed so hard when I read this
because it sounds so familiar.
Thanks Ze!

Day 34- April 07, 2014

Blackberries were on sale at the Park and Shop

Day 35- April 08, 2014

Individual Vegetable Hot Pot

Day 36- April 09, 2014

Locked Myself Out
It was going to happen sometime
Slightly surprised it didn't happen sooner

Day 37- April 10, 2014

Field trip to ZCB-Zero Carbon Building
Think I may have found my next boyfriend.
Photo by Ze

Day 38-April 11,2014

Street Vendor gave me peanuts with my groceries

Day 39-April 12, 2014

Fish n' Chips at Sai Kung

Day 40- April 13, 2014

The equivalent to Afterbite but doesn't sting as much
I am happy every time I apply it :D

Day 41- April 14, 2014

Very Productive Working Day

Day 42- April 15, 2014

Watercress Soup

Day 43- April 16, 2014

What you see is a parkade.
What I see is a space that I had access
to for my studio project.

"Yes, we have four floors...I can't tell you how many
parking spots there are, that's private."

Me in my head: That`s okay I walked it already
and know exactly how many there are!

Day 44- April 17, 2014