So I changed the sidebar layout a bit to accomodate the Plurk widget. I’m going to give this microblogging thing yet another try…

Feel free to mouseover and click and marvel in its Javascript-goodness. Oh and do sign up if you haven’t yet, you may find it quite fun to use. Special shout out to you, Tommy - try it and witness Web 2.0 at its shiniest ;)

I am moving into a new flat in a few days time, but until then I am staying at my landlady’s apartment which is an MTR station away. She offered me to crash there on the interim while they do some touch-ups (paints, etc.) on our flat. I think it’s quite nice of her to offer.

My landlady has a friend, who is the actual owner of our flat. He does not speak English very well, but has been very helpful and friendly despite the fact.

She also has a young son, also very friendly, and when I first saw him it was like looking into myself! That is, when I was 12. The resemblance is uncanny. (I know: please restrain yourself from those nasty suggestions.)

The family employs a Filipino helper who hailed from Batangas City. It is always very pleasing for me to converse in native language, especially after weeks of absolute English. And as usual, fellow Filipinos are always nice.

They also just moved into this wonderful apartment, so there’s still quite some boxes and stuff everywhere. I offered to help in whatever, and was designated to check/fix some of their computers and maybe(?) try to improve the network. I’d be glad to do all those - friendly neighborhood IT guy at work!

I came here for temporary lodging, but it seems like I stumbled upon good company. Excellent stuff.

I find that Hong Kongers in general are very nice, warm and accommodating. I guess this is a big part of what attracts me to this country (er, city). In the US I always get that vibe that I am on my own - it very much feels like every man for himself, and people do not extend their help as often as I hoped they would. Of course this is coming from one who has only been a tourist. But my point is still there: here in Hong Kong, I felt right at home even during my very first months.

And did I mention that the food is great? Pick a mall - any mall - then pick a restaurant - any restaurant (cheap or expensive, doesn’t matter). Chances are, you are in for a marvelous/unforgettable treat. Hong Kong is gastronomic heaven.

NO!!

I just could NOT get enough of

Dr. Horrible is a superhero supervillain musical extravaganza. Featuring songs of contemporary pop/rock sensibilities (WARNING: Infectiously catchy!), and a story told in the form of classic Shakespearean tragedy.

As usual, brilliant stuff from master Joss Whedon and crew. Extra (and extreme) admiration goes to his brother Jed who co-wrote as well as arranged and orchestrated the entire music. I sure wish I could do some awesome project like that!

Earlier tonight, I watched the live broadcast of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremonies with friends here in the dorm (side note: I am temporarily living in campus which is great). You have to admit, the torch lighting part was impressive in its drama and grandiose-ness.

I met with my professor yesterday. My project is due next week. It was sad that the original objectives will not be met due to time constraints (and the fact that it would probably take at least two students an entire semester to pull off what was intended). I am now left with trying to finish the models and rendering them as photorealistically as possible. On the upside, the professor agreed to give a grade based on the outcome of the model renderings.

I am quite disappointed about this project as I was really looking forward to doing some interesting programming work. I would have to deem this one a failure. (Although not totally because I developed some nifty 3D modeling skillz.) I guess I would have to try to learn 3D programming in my spare time - doable, but there’s less motivation to do so.

Back in Hong Kong. Back to schoolwork, back to responsibilities, back to being grown up. Groan… and it does not help that the USA trip was a blast.

Oh well. I am thankful for my parents for, erm, financing the entire thing - I wouldn’t have gone anywhere if not for them. But I am most grateful to them for the experience. I did learn lots of things which would be potentially useful in evaluating my long term plans. And by future plans, it implies, what do I want to do when I grow up?

But not only that - it also brings up the age old existential questions: What is the meaning of my life? What does it take for me to be happy? My brother just migrated to Cincinnati (we helped him set things up), and I bore witness to The American Dream being fulfilled in a span of two days - all the luxuries one could need, materialized in one fell swoop! My brother had it made merely by the fact that he snagged a good job in the US (and I am proud of him!). Amazing country, that.

I’d love to have that kind of success - but I’d like other things too, such as being with my close friends, working with them on things where we share common passions in (music, film, etc.). Unfortunately, they are all back in Manila, and no amount of money could make me move them in one Playboy Mansion-esque community. And there are the things in the middle… it’s a mad juggle between companionship and prosperity. Can’t have one entirely without sacrificing the other.

Happiness is such a compromise, you know?