Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

I am dedicating this post to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. I want to thank the Gilman Scholarship Program for choosing me as a recipient of the Gilman Scholarship. If it wasn't for the $5,000 that I was awarded, I might not have been able to study abroad in Hong Kong for a whole school year. I am truly grateful for this scholarship--much more than words can ever say.

And... I want to say thank you to my readers for following me throughout my journey. I hope you will find/found this blog useful. :)

Again, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me at jenninhongkong[at]gmail.com. Sure this post was written in 2013, but I'll still answer you if you email me in 2015... 2020... 2025. I mean my information might be a little outdated by then, but I'll still be around. :)

--

If you're wondering if you should study abroad or if you should apply for the Gilman Scholarship, my biggest advice to you is to just do it. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity that you really shouldn't miss out on.

You might say... well, I can just travel there later. But, that's not the same as living there, even if it's just for a short period of time. Living there allows you to fully immerse yourself into the culture. You might have to learn how to quickly adapt to a foreign country that doesn't speak your mother tongue. But, that's just part of the studying abroad experience.

You might be forced out of your comfort zone, but that's how you grow as a person. You might worry about not being able to adapt to your new living situation. You might worry about not making any friends. You might worry about ten million other things... but that's perfectly normal. Trust me--you and 90% of the other students, who are thinking about studying abroad, share the same fears. I mean... I sure did.

But, hey... you will adapt to this foreign country. You will make friends in this foreign country. You will not be alone in this foreign country... How am I so sure of this? Because I adapted... I made friends... I was not alone... I am certain this was true for me... and all the other exchange students that have participated in a study abroad program.

Don't be afraid. Take a leap of faith. Take this opportunity to create beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.

Jenn

Home

After what felt like a century on my flight back home from Japan, I finally landed at LAX.

I think the whole duration from HKIA to NRT to LAX was a total of 19 hours. I never want to do that again, LOl. -___-

I sat next to a Japanese girl, who was participating in a homestay program. I think she was staying in Hollywood? I tried to talk to her during the flight, but her English was really limited. :( Oh well, I'm just grateful that I sat next to a nice person. ^__^

Anyway, after retrieving my luggage, I was trying to get out ASAP. But, of course, I would be chosen to put my luggage through the x-ray screen machine thing. Everyone else was fine. JUST ME... and a few other Asians.

I'm guessing that because I had a large amount of luggage, they're afraid that I'm smuggling illegal stuff in. Hello. I'm a law-abiding citizen. I would never. I am seriously offended........... Just kidding. It was just a bit VERY inconvenient. Do you know how heavy all my luggage is?! I had to throw my two suitcases AND big gym bag onto the conveyor belt... then I had to put it all back onto the stroller with zero help.

Then, when I finally got out, I couldn't find my parents. I had no way of communicating with them. I tried to get wi-fi on my iTouch, but... that was so unreliable. -___- I kept trying to email my mom (LOL), but it didn't work. For the record, she has a smart phone with a data plan, so she should have been able to get my messages... I guess the airport wi-fi was really shoddy because she never got my emails. How frustrating. -_-

I ended up getting change to call my mom with the payphone. It's funny because I had a few dollars and like a nickel in my purse before I left to HK. It came back to LA in the same position... untouched. Eventually, my parents found me. ^___^

I landed in LAX safe and sound. I got home safe and sound.

Time to start adjusting to the time change.

Jenn

Layover in Japan

So... I had a connecting flight in Japan (Narita International Airport in Tokyo, Japan). Stayed there for four hours before I was finally able to board the flight back to LA.

My parents wanted me to book a straight flight back home, but it was REALLY expensive. $1000 (one way) vs $600 (one stop in Japan). I didn't think a four hour wait was too bad, so I opted for the cheaper option.

The flight to Japan wasn't bad at all. I slept through most of it because I woke up really early for my flight in HK. I think my flight was either at 7:40am or 8:40am... Gross. @___@

This was the first time that I had a connecting flight, lol. Some airport employees were in the front of the gate where I got dropped off waiting for me. Then, they took me to the place where I was supposed to check in. I probably walked like a mile or two to get there, which I usually wouldn't complain about...

Except, I was carrying a BIG Nike gym bag (as my carry on luggage). I had to find ways to make all my luggage fit, you know? That thing was like 20 pounds... It doesn't sound so bad until you're carrying it for a million years... across your shoulder with a full backpack that was probably also 20 pounds.

I was in so much pain. T_T I was so desperate to find one of those strollers for your luggage... but I never found one... until I got to my check-in location. -___- Um.

During my four hours, I was just visiting the shops in the airport. I also had lunch/dinner. I chose to have ramen because... I don't eat raw fish.

Lunch/dinner

My view from the restaurant

Souvenirs(?) from Japan... Cherry blossom, strawberry, and matcha flavored Kit Kats

Not much to say about my short stay in Japan, LOl. I was just happy to board the plane back home!

Oh, and don't carry a gym bag as your carry on luggage................... unless you want to break your back and/or shoulders.

Jenn

Leaving Hong Kong

I spent my last few days of Hong Kong with family.

The night before I left, I had dinner with my grandpa, step-grandma(?), uncle, and cousins at my grandpa's apartment in Choi Hung. My cousins actually took work off and came down from China to see me off. :(

Anyway, I woke up, had my last breakfast in HK with my family, and headed off to the airport via bus. It was a nice sunny day, which I was really happy about because it was raining all week. -__-

If it weren't for the rain, I would've gone to a few more places.
1) hike on the Dragon's Back trail which would lead me to Shek O Beach
2) go to Mammy Pancake, which is apparently where the best egg waffles are made
3) go to Macau
4) go to Lamma Island

But, of course... there was rain and typhoon warnings and gray skies that made people not want to do anything. Yes, I am extremely bitter. :(

--

Pictures of the road to the Hong Kong International Airport...

There are actually a few ways to get to HKIA
1) Bus (most economical option, cost me about $20HKD)
2) MTR - Airport Express (ranges from about $100-200HKD)
3) Taxi (price will vary depending on your starting point, but HKIA is kind of far from civilization... so chances are it'll cost quite a bit)
4) Walking (Um... I'm gonna say this is impossible, but I mean... if you're up for the challenge...)

Arriving at the HKIA

--

I'm not sure if it's because we kind of lagged in the morning... or if we underestimated how long it would take to get to the airport, but when I arrived, I had less than half an hour to check-in and everything. Actually, I just realized that international flights have to check in one or two hours before your scheduled flight. For example, my flight was at 10:40AM... so assuming I have to check in two hours earlier, then I'd have to check in by 8:40AM. Be sure to check your check-in requirements!

Anyway, it was super chaotic. I didn't even have time to say good bye properly to my relatives. :( I wanted to thank them for taking such good care of me while I was here in HK.. It wouldn't have been the same without them. I actually choose to study abroad in HK so that I could connect with my family.

I got really close to my uncle during my stay in HK. We always had dim sum and dinner every weekend... sometimes weekdays too. Every Sunday rain or shine (unless I was busy studying). He'd give me allowance (LOl). For some reason, he always thinks I'm starving and have no money, so he gives me money to make sure I'm well fed. -___-;; 

I got really close to my cousins too. There was sort of a language barrier at first because only one of them spoke Cantonese and the others spoke Mandarin. They thought I didn't speak any Mandarin at first, so they didn't know what to do with me. LOL. Awkward... I do speak Mandarin, which they realized later. It's just not as fluent as my Cantonese... They also didn't think I read very much Chinese. -___- I am mildly insulted by that, but I guess that's the stereotype (that Chinese-American's don't know a lick of Chinese). 

I really miss them. LOL. It was nice being the second to youngest cousin there. ^__^ Everyone was older than me, so they all felt obligated to take care of me. I'm not complaining. :) ... Except, I won't get that in America anymore. Sigh.

That was the last picture that I took before leaving Hong Kong. LOL. -___- It really should've been a picture of my family or something.

Please make sure you leave to the airport a little early so that you can say your good byes properly. Don't be like me! :(

Jenn

Typhoon Warning Signals / Finals / Packing

So, I'm scheduled to leave on May 24... but something really interesting happened.

On the day that I was supposed to take my last final, May 21, there was a freaking potential typhoon warning. I couldn't even confirm it because no one was picking up the phone anywhere. I didn't get any emails regarding the cancellation of the final. But, apparently, when there's a typhoon warning above 3, no one is supposed to go to work/go to school/go anywhere. So, I guess that was my confirmation...

--

The levels of typhoon warning signals
Mild typhoon warning signals (level 1) - expect some strong winds and rain - you still go to class/take finals but... prepare for the weather to get worse
Semi-urgent typhoon warning signals (level 3) - strong winds and heavy rain - no one supposed to be outside because mother nature is starting to do some light damage in some part of HK, thus no work/school/anything
SUPER urgent typhoon warning signals (level 8-10) - strong winds, crazy rainstorms, and maybe even a hurricane - mother nature is on the loose doing crazy damage in some part of HK - do not go outside - this is not a joke.

Instead of having levels 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. They've all just become various level of 8 (i.e.: 8SE, 8SW, 8NE, 8NW). I don't even know what happened to level 2.

So... the levels of the typhoon warning signals are 1, 3, 8SE, 8SW, 8NE, 8NW, 9, 10... 10 being a hurricane.

--

Sigh. My final was then rescheduled for the May 24th, 12:30PM. UM. My plane ticket home was booked for May 24, 10:40AM. -___- Thank god after ten million phone calls and emails to ten million departments in CUHK, I was finally able to get in touch with someone that could reschedule my final to the... 23rd. -____-

I was planning to go to places from the 21st to the 23rd, but things never go as planned... do they?!? The typhoon warnings and rescheduled final pretty much ruined my last week in HK.

But anyway... during all that typhoon warning signal madness, I was packing the remainder of my luggage.

I already packed one of my suitcases prior to taking this picture.

DONE.

Right after I took my final, I took my remaining luggage up to the lobby to check out of my dorm... and trekked to the MTR station for the second time (with luggage)/the last time (in HK).

I actually took one of my suitcases to my uncle's apartment earlier. United College (where my hostel is) is NOT close to the MTR station at all so taking a big suitcase from UC to the MTR station is a really big hassle. You will have to get on the bus, but chances are that your luggage will be super heavy... and unless you're super strong, you will need someone's help to lug your things up there. The bus does not only have one door, but it also has a very narrow walk way... so your stuff will probably take up 70% of the space in front near the door. This is something equivalent to a fire hazard... but on the bus. Yes, that is right. All the other people trying to take the bus risk tripping over your stuff. But, what can you do?! You need to get to the MTR station too. :[

Thankfully, it was not raining the day I had to take EVERYTHING down to the MTR station. I had a patient bus driver and a nice fellow offered to take my luggage (a big suitcase, a big plastic Ikea bag, a big gym bag, and a big backpack) up the stairs of the bus for me. I AM SO THANKFUL. Let me tell you though... the bus ride was not pleasant at all. The bus is basically going downhill the whole time and braking half of the time. All my stuff was at risk of falling 90% of the time because once I got onto the bus, I had to hold onto all of it myself. :(

But that's not so bad. I mean... I could have had a really mean bus driver that said something like "omg, look at this annoying girl causing a scene with all her big luggage. she can't even get it onto the bus herself. why does she have to be on my bus"... except it sounds ten times meaner in Cantonese. I might or might not have witnessed something similar to this happening...

The big IKEA bag was a nuisance. There was no way to actually close the bag, so I had to kind of tie the handles together with strings to create some sort of a closure. I wasn't actually bringing any of the stuff in that bag back to the States. I just didn't want to just throw it all away, so I gave it all to my uncle.

Apparently, he didn't need any of it. LOL. If anything, I just cluttered his small apartment with more trash. He called my mom and said something like... what the heck, why didn't she just throw all these random things (packages of noodles, soy sauce, clothes hangers, blanket, freshly washed bed sheets, etc.) away at school, LOl. I don't like to waste things, okay!

Anyway, my cousins were meeting me near the MTR station, so I no longer had to lug all this stuff by myself. Thank heavens. HALLELUJAH x 10000000000000. Three of my cousins were there, so one took my suitcase, one took my gym bag (and regretted it quickly after), one took the IKEA bag (and quickly found it to be a great nuisance as well), and I just had my backpack. ^___^ They offered to take my backpack too actually, but that's um... not right. I had to contribute somehow. :D

Jenn

Chi Lin Nunnery (志蓮淨苑)

Chi Lin Nunnery "is a large Buddhist temple. Covering a space of more than 33,000 square meters, the temple complex includes a nunnery, temple halls, Chinese gardens, visitor's hostels and a vegetarian restaurant. The temple halls have statues of the Sakyamuni Buddha, the goddess of mercy Guanyin and other bodhisattvas. These statues are made from gold, clay, wood and stone.

The Chi Lin Nunnery was founded in 1934 but was rebuilt in the 1990s following the style of Tang Dynasty traditional Chinese architecture. The present-day buildings are wood frame buildings built without the use of any iron nails. This construction is based on traditional Chinese architectural techniques dating from the Tang Dynasty that uses special interlocking systems cut into the wood to hold them in place. The Chi Lin Nunnery buildings are the only buildings to be built in this style in modern day Hong Kong. 

The temple halls and the Chinese garden in front of the nunnery are open to the public daily free of charge. (Wikipedia)"

To reach Chi Lin Nunnery, you will want to stop at Diamond Hill if you're on the MTR. I think you'll be able to find it if you follow the signs.

This is a map/picture of the whole nunnery

I think this was the entrance

After walking in a circle (in the garden), I think you reach another set of stairs that will take you to a temple hall.

This is the hall.

A hall in the hall.

It's a really, really pretty garden. Please go if you can. I went to this after I went to Wong Tai Sin. It's only a few MTR stations away! I love the set up of the whole place. It's so... zen. :) It's a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of HK.

Go there on a day when you can leisurely walk around and really take in the beauty of the garden. You won't be disappointed.

Jenn

Wong Tai Sin (黄大仙祠)

Wong Tai Sin temple is a Taoist temple--not to be confused with a Buddhist temple.

There is a Wong Tai Sin MTR stop, so you will find this place very easily.

Entrance to the temple

That is the actual temple

Most people to "kau cim" (求籤). Kau cim is a fortune telling practice that originated in China in which the querent (person asking the question) requests answers (in the form of a bamboo stick) from a sacred oracle lot (I think this refers to the bamboo cup with bamboo sticks). The practice is often performed in a Taoist or Buddhist temple in front of an altar (Wikipedia). Keep reading to figure out how this thing works... because I made a mistake. :(

This is where you kau cim.

The bamboo sticks are at this little place to the left of where you kau cim. You can borrow them for free. Just remember to return them. 

This is what the bamboo cylinder/sticks look like. I got number 30...

So... I thought that after I go my bamboo stick that I am done... BUT... no.

Here is the actual process:

1) It would be good to have a question in mind before you actually go to the temple... It could be about something that's bothering you or it could be another your future... the sky is the limit!

2) Ideally, you'll have some sort of devotion (incense, flowers, fruits, etc.) for the main deity

3) Take the bamboo cylinder and revolve t around the incense burner three times and mix the sticks around by hand

4) Kneel in prayer, hold the cup between your palms, and ask your (specific) question to the deity.

5) Shake the cylinder until one stick falls out. If multiple sticks fall out, then it does not count.

6) The stick will have a number. This number is your answer.

THERE ARE MORE STEPS! I stopped here, and I think I got an inaccurate answer. -_-

7) CONFIRM the answer by tossing two jiaobei/moon blocks.

These are moon blocks. You only toss two.

"There are four possible answers that the jiaobei blocks can produce:

1) Shèngjiǎo (聖筊, divine answer): One block flat and another block round is a 'yes' answer. (This confirms your answer!)

2) Nùjiǎo (怒筊, angry answer) also kūjiao (哭筊, crying answer): Both blocks round is a 'no' answer. It is said that the gods are displeased by the question, and is shown in the way the blocks directly fall flat on the floor. 

3) Xiàojiǎo (笑筊, laughing answer): Both blocks flat have different interpretations; either it can be an emphasized 'no' answer and a sign that the gods are laughing at the question, or that they are laughing because the querent knows the answer to his or her question. One characteristic of this answer is when the blocks sway back and forth when dropped, a symbolic show of laughter. 

4) Lìjiǎo (立筊, standing answer): One or both blocks fall but stand erect on the floor indicate that the deities do not understand the referent's question, therefore the question is nullified and the procedure must be repeated. 

Say you get stick #1. You will want to confirm this answer by throwing the moon blocks. You will want to see one flat block and one round block. If this does happen, it is your answer. If it does not, it is not your answer.

Since it is not your answer, you will want to put the stick back, ask the question again, shake the cylinder, and wait for one stick to fall out. Then, you will want to use the moon blocks to confirm whether or not this is your answer.

Repeat this process until you get one flat block and one round block. It shouldn't take too long to reach the final answer, lol.

8) After you confirm your answer with the moon blocks, make sure to remember the number. I think there is a place to pick up fortune telling papers (pictured below). You will take the one that corresponds to the number on your bamboo stick.

Fortune telling papers

This is what my fortune telling paper looked like... except, it wasn't really the correct answer to my question since I forgot to do the whole thing with the moon blocks. -____-

9) Take the fortune telling paper to a fortune teller so you can get an interpretation.

As you can see most of the stalls were already closed... I keep going to places when they're about to close. -___- Answer, the closer the stalls are to the front, the most expensive the interpretation will be. English interpreters are usually really pricey. I am pretty fluent in Cantonese, so I just chose a random stall.

I think I paid 100HKD for an interpretation that wasn't even accurate. The interpreter was so impatient with me. He looked at me like I was an idiot because I forgot to do the moon block thing. -___- He said there was another way to confirm the answer... He scrambled some blocks with Chinese words and asked me to choose a few. Sketch...

Anyway, I got #30... and it's a bad number. :( There are good, neutral, and bad numbers.

My question to the deity had to do with how my job search will go... and the answer I got from the interpreter was... "Tomorrow is a good day for looking for a job. Search between 1PM to 4PM. You will be able to find a job, but you may not like it. They will work you like a dog."

................ WTF. Yup, that's a bad answer alright. However, that is obviously irrelevant to me. It wasn't like I was looking for a job in Hong Kong or anything. I didn't take that answer to the heart since I didn't even do the whole kau cim process correctly.

Anyway... that was that...

Here are other pictures from the temple.

Leaving the temple

Kau cim is a really popular activity. Please go try it for yourself! It's so interesting. I mean I did the kau cim thing all wrong and I think I got scammed by an interpreter (you will probably feel that way too)... but hey, it's part of the Wong Tai Sin experience, I suppose. I think if you go during earlier, when all the stalls are open, there will be a lot of interpreters that will try to convince you to go to their stall... so, be prepared for that. I mean, I wouldn't really know who to choose either... Just go with your gut feeling, haha.

Jenn