This post is dedicated to Liztoya...
If you were only there, Toyz. Chinese punk rock band. The sound was ok, the music was decent, sounded like Nirvana/Pearl Jam type music, but it was all in Chinese. What a change from Lollapalooza to these guys. Darn! I forgot to take a picture. The house was packed and everyone was rocking out to them. I didn't get their band name either. I could've looked for them on Myspace or something and downloaded their songs so I could rock out to Chinese Alternative Punk Rock music. Maybe next time. Toya, I'll get you tickets to go see them with me. I know you'd love them. Anybody else?
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
"Let me clear my throat...ahem! ahem! g'dam!"
DJ Kool is in the house! Did I mention that DJ Kool spun at both clubs that we went to last weekend? Well, he did. I don't think anyone knew who he was...nor did they care. I was slightly excited...only because it was funny how the crowd didn't really care what he was saying. Poor guy. He'd say, "All the people out there, get your lighters out or your cell phones out." Those are pretty clear instructions right? Yeah, well, nobody followed them. I don't think it's because they don't understand English because half the crowd were Ex-pats and the other half definitely know English. They just don't respect the DJ's out here. What a shame. Must've been rough on DJ Kool. I respect you DJ Kool...I took out my lighter...to light up my stoge.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Turn the light bulb...
This post is dedicated to Viniqua and Lauriah...
So I mentioned that I signed up for a yoga studio in my last entry...the studio that I joined is "traditional" in the sense that the instructors are "Indian Yogi Masters". Anyway, they offer Indian dance classes as well as different types of yoga classes. I joined partly because of the dance classes. Thinking that since I learned Indian dancing when I was younger I'd be a guru. Not the case...
I walked into class with about 40 Chinese women of all ages ready and eager to dance. The instructor was this good looking, early 20s Indian guy ready to groove. The moves started...it was so Bollywood...then the music started...I started cracking up because it was just a funny scene of Chinese women of all ages grooving to Indian pop-dancing.
Loud, heavy pop-indian music began to blare in the studio and all I could think of was Riah and Viniqua at their bday party dancing to that Indian-like song...viniqua saying "turn the light bulb, that's right Riah, turn the light bulb". And riah twisting her wrist in the air and doing her little twirl.
Furthermore, these older Chinese ladies were dancing like it's a Chinese dance. Not sure if anyone knows the difference but I noticed it. It was a mix of traditional chinese movements to Indian pop music. With the exception of ONE girl, the rest seemed like they were getting ready for a Chinese dance performance. And me? I was doing my American, ghetto, hip-hop version of the Indian choreography. "Smile-La", the cute instructor would say....I was smiling alright...cracking up even. OH if only Riah and Viniqua were there, we'd be on the floor dying of laughter. You had to be there...
So I mentioned that I signed up for a yoga studio in my last entry...the studio that I joined is "traditional" in the sense that the instructors are "Indian Yogi Masters". Anyway, they offer Indian dance classes as well as different types of yoga classes. I joined partly because of the dance classes. Thinking that since I learned Indian dancing when I was younger I'd be a guru. Not the case...
I walked into class with about 40 Chinese women of all ages ready and eager to dance. The instructor was this good looking, early 20s Indian guy ready to groove. The moves started...it was so Bollywood...then the music started...I started cracking up because it was just a funny scene of Chinese women of all ages grooving to Indian pop-dancing.
Loud, heavy pop-indian music began to blare in the studio and all I could think of was Riah and Viniqua at their bday party dancing to that Indian-like song...viniqua saying "turn the light bulb, that's right Riah, turn the light bulb". And riah twisting her wrist in the air and doing her little twirl.
Furthermore, these older Chinese ladies were dancing like it's a Chinese dance. Not sure if anyone knows the difference but I noticed it. It was a mix of traditional chinese movements to Indian pop music. With the exception of ONE girl, the rest seemed like they were getting ready for a Chinese dance performance. And me? I was doing my American, ghetto, hip-hop version of the Indian choreography. "Smile-La", the cute instructor would say....I was smiling alright...cracking up even. OH if only Riah and Viniqua were there, we'd be on the floor dying of laughter. You had to be there...
Hong Kong
9/1 - 9/15
And I thought LA smog was bad...Hong Kong wins that test hands down. Bus fumes, taxi fumes, mo-ped fumes....I can barely breathe here.
Aside from the air quality, Hong Kong has been good. It's somewhat like New York...or any big city. It's interesting how international Hong Kong is. So many Chinese people from different countries with different accents, i.e. UK, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand. But when they speak Chinese...there's no accent...quite shocking to me.
At times I pretend I don't speak Chinese here. It's easier. Speaking mandarin causes confusion and questions. I think they all prefer that I speak English since my Mandarin is not the best and neither are theirs. I feel like such a fake though. Anyway, everything is pretty convenient here. There are buses that go to all areas, the MTR (train system) is clean, fast, and air conditioned, there's a Wellcome, Mannings, 7-11 on every corner, and some type of eatery every other store.
The past 2 weeks consisted of finding a travel agent to get me to Tibet and Nepal and getting my China Visa passport. Thanks to my brother, I did only minimal research on travels to Tibet and wasted much time gathering information here. Other than that I joined a yoga studio (more stories to come) and went sightseeing to the Peak, the big Buddha, Mongkok, Gui Lin Nunnery, a Monestary, and Causeway Bay. Oh and a lot of partying with my brother.
The clubbing scene is interesting...in order to get into these clubs you need to be a "member"...meaning you basically pay for a monthly membership to walk right in but you have to buy like a bazillion bottles for the table. It gets quite expensive as you can imagine. It's also a huge pick up joint....like most bars and clubs in the world...but I feel like it's more so here. The attitude is much like "don't even bother talking to me unless you're going to go home with me". Well, with Big Bro Ed watching over me and being over-protective, I might as well put a bag over my head and dance with myself in the corner. Eh, he's lightened up some, seeing that I can hold my own. He obviously doesn't know how I operate in these environments.
I was also able to hang out with a friend that moved out here but she had to leave early to NY :(. Oh and another friend just so happened to be in HK last week. More partying and eating and shopping. Seems like outside of banking, the city surrounds itself with food...or maybe that's my impression at least. I was informed of all the great food and the fantabulous chefs that come out of Hong Kong and became more aware of it.
So this will be my homebase for the next few months. I'm happy that Hong Kong is more Westernized and I don't feel THAT out of place...like if I were to stay in the remote areas of China. I'll be calling Hong Kong my home for now.
And I thought LA smog was bad...Hong Kong wins that test hands down. Bus fumes, taxi fumes, mo-ped fumes....I can barely breathe here.
Aside from the air quality, Hong Kong has been good. It's somewhat like New York...or any big city. It's interesting how international Hong Kong is. So many Chinese people from different countries with different accents, i.e. UK, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand. But when they speak Chinese...there's no accent...quite shocking to me.
At times I pretend I don't speak Chinese here. It's easier. Speaking mandarin causes confusion and questions. I think they all prefer that I speak English since my Mandarin is not the best and neither are theirs. I feel like such a fake though. Anyway, everything is pretty convenient here. There are buses that go to all areas, the MTR (train system) is clean, fast, and air conditioned, there's a Wellcome, Mannings, 7-11 on every corner, and some type of eatery every other store.
The past 2 weeks consisted of finding a travel agent to get me to Tibet and Nepal and getting my China Visa passport. Thanks to my brother, I did only minimal research on travels to Tibet and wasted much time gathering information here. Other than that I joined a yoga studio (more stories to come) and went sightseeing to the Peak, the big Buddha, Mongkok, Gui Lin Nunnery, a Monestary, and Causeway Bay. Oh and a lot of partying with my brother.
The clubbing scene is interesting...in order to get into these clubs you need to be a "member"...meaning you basically pay for a monthly membership to walk right in but you have to buy like a bazillion bottles for the table. It gets quite expensive as you can imagine. It's also a huge pick up joint....like most bars and clubs in the world...but I feel like it's more so here. The attitude is much like "don't even bother talking to me unless you're going to go home with me". Well, with Big Bro Ed watching over me and being over-protective, I might as well put a bag over my head and dance with myself in the corner. Eh, he's lightened up some, seeing that I can hold my own. He obviously doesn't know how I operate in these environments.
I was also able to hang out with a friend that moved out here but she had to leave early to NY :(. Oh and another friend just so happened to be in HK last week. More partying and eating and shopping. Seems like outside of banking, the city surrounds itself with food...or maybe that's my impression at least. I was informed of all the great food and the fantabulous chefs that come out of Hong Kong and became more aware of it.
So this will be my homebase for the next few months. I'm happy that Hong Kong is more Westernized and I don't feel THAT out of place...like if I were to stay in the remote areas of China. I'll be calling Hong Kong my home for now.
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