I just got back home yesterday - and I have to tell ya, driving to work this morning to my familiar beats was extremely enjoyable. =) Is it crazy to say I'm happy to be back at work in San Jose? It was great to see JT's face again!!! =) - we barely had a chance to talk while I was away because of the time difference and because I was so busy. Lucky for me, he's not still mad over it =P sorry babe!
It's so good to be home, though I'm not exactly done traveling yet. JT and I are flying in to Seattle tomorrow morn to visit Em and Ryan =) yay. I'm very excited about that. Until I get back - my blog will be a bit backed up. But I still have a lot to share about the rest of my India trip, and then Shanghai. Shanghai was aweeesooome btw =) so anyway, stay tuned - and I will have lotsa pix to post too.
-s
Friday, May 23, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Day Two in Chennai
The work days were long, with giving presentations in the mornings and holding workshops in the afternoon -- but it was very rewarding, because they were all really involved and interested in what we were talking about. We all had a lot of fun with the projects and group activities.
After work, our driver would take us around to go sight seeing. Pete had been in Chennai before so it was more like him showing me around. We went to Mahabalipuram where there's this giant rock called the butter ball, and a lot of temples and carvings. There were goats and cows roaming freely (like everywhere) but also had monkeys. I didn't get to see any monkeys close up, but last time Pete was there, the monkeys were everywhere.
On Tuesday night, i had another 'malaria pill' episode. It was horrrrriiible!! I seriously hallucinated. I was getting all paranoid in my sleep that i was being attacked by mosquitoes... so I kept swatting at my face - and then i opened my eyes and saw a GIANT hummingbird-sized green mosquito, that kinda looked like a cartoon. I kept blinking my eyes to make sure i was seeing it properly hovering towards the back end of the room. Then it all of a sudden flew at me really fast and i screamed and covered my head with the blankets. I had to sleep like that for the rest of the night - all throughout my hot and cold flashes. After that, I decided in the morning that i would not continue taking those crazy pills.
After work, our driver would take us around to go sight seeing. Pete had been in Chennai before so it was more like him showing me around. We went to Mahabalipuram where there's this giant rock called the butter ball, and a lot of temples and carvings. There were goats and cows roaming freely (like everywhere) but also had monkeys. I didn't get to see any monkeys close up, but last time Pete was there, the monkeys were everywhere.
On Tuesday night, i had another 'malaria pill' episode. It was horrrrriiible!! I seriously hallucinated. I was getting all paranoid in my sleep that i was being attacked by mosquitoes... so I kept swatting at my face - and then i opened my eyes and saw a GIANT hummingbird-sized green mosquito, that kinda looked like a cartoon. I kept blinking my eyes to make sure i was seeing it properly hovering towards the back end of the room. Then it all of a sudden flew at me really fast and i screamed and covered my head with the blankets. I had to sleep like that for the rest of the night - all throughout my hot and cold flashes. After that, I decided in the morning that i would not continue taking those crazy pills.
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Paranoia
I was already really paranoid about India before coming because of all the warnings I got from friends, the travel nurse, my manager, etc about being careful about the water, ice, food, being robbed or cheated, the mosquitoes, getting sick etc. So it didn’t help that the malaria pills heightened my paranoia.
Pete and I were talking about how one of our co-workers got really sick the last time she was in India, and I had to be hospitalized.
They say: “If you wait until someone tells you that you look really sick, it’s usually too late.” Haha . we laughed about it, but then later on that day I started feeling REALLY sick.
So after our first day of presentations and training, we went straight back to the hotel, take some cold medicine and take a nap. I was getting major hot and cold chills, so I decided to put a sweatshirt on. Halfway through my nap, my temperature got really high, so I was kinda sweating it out I guess. I forgot to put the ‘do not disturb sign” up so the maid entered my room.
When I woke up, I experienced some weird vivid dream, where I felt really disoriented and thought I was in a cave. I yelled down the cave “HELLLOOO??” in a very frantic manner. The maid rushed in and looked at me and said “OH MY GOSH you look sooo SICK! Should I call the doctor madame!?”
It was almost funny that she said that… since just earlier that day, Pete and I were laughing about how it’s too late when someone sees that you look sick. LOL. I said "no thanks, I think I'll be ok" and that’s when I thought to myself ... hmm, I guess it wouldn’t be so bad if I died...I mean.. I've lived a pretty eventful life, have really lived it up, worked hard... accomplished a lot, loved and loved ... seriously I have no regrets.
But even then, I think it was the malaria pills talking.
The maid stuck around for a while in the room, i guess just to make sure I was going to be ok. Eventually the facade of the cave went away and I realized where I was again.
Pete and I were talking about how one of our co-workers got really sick the last time she was in India, and I had to be hospitalized.
They say: “If you wait until someone tells you that you look really sick, it’s usually too late.” Haha . we laughed about it, but then later on that day I started feeling REALLY sick.
So after our first day of presentations and training, we went straight back to the hotel, take some cold medicine and take a nap. I was getting major hot and cold chills, so I decided to put a sweatshirt on. Halfway through my nap, my temperature got really high, so I was kinda sweating it out I guess. I forgot to put the ‘do not disturb sign” up so the maid entered my room.
When I woke up, I experienced some weird vivid dream, where I felt really disoriented and thought I was in a cave. I yelled down the cave “HELLLOOO??” in a very frantic manner. The maid rushed in and looked at me and said “OH MY GOSH you look sooo SICK! Should I call the doctor madame!?”
It was almost funny that she said that… since just earlier that day, Pete and I were laughing about how it’s too late when someone sees that you look sick. LOL. I said "no thanks, I think I'll be ok" and that’s when I thought to myself ... hmm, I guess it wouldn’t be so bad if I died...I mean.. I've lived a pretty eventful life, have really lived it up, worked hard... accomplished a lot, loved and loved ... seriously I have no regrets.
But even then, I think it was the malaria pills talking.
The maid stuck around for a while in the room, i guess just to make sure I was going to be ok. Eventually the facade of the cave went away and I realized where I was again.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Singapore to Chennai…
I was so happy to see Pete at the terminal. The smile on his face immediately revealed that he had experienced a completely different mini-vacation than I had. We were both given the option to take a few days off before our India trip, and he had chosen to go surfing in Bali. Here I was, all hung over and exhausted from my action packed time in HK… and Pete comes sunburned, smiling ear to ear, with such a refreshed and glowing aura. Ahhh I became green with envy all over again as he shared all the lovely pictures of the beautiful scenery… hahaha.
Anyhow, believe it or not, I was really excited to get to work in Chennai.
Anyhow, believe it or not, I was really excited to get to work in Chennai.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
HK the steep hill and uneven roads
I totally packed the wrong shoes. I didn't know HK was gonna be one big slope. I wore heels on the first day and it was kind of a disaster - so I stuck with flip flops for the rest of the stay there. haha.
On the first night I was in HK, my bro's friend Eddy took me to the LKF area where we ate and got a few drinks... just a really chill night. On the way back there was some plastic on the ground that Eddy kicked in front of me and I slipped and fell pretty hard. My elbow was bleeding and I got a huge bruise on my knee so I had to wear pants for the rest of the time there even though it was super hot. I didn't realize until later, but the jeans I wore that day had ripped too!!! My $250 jeans!!! NOoooo!! owell. lesson learned.. no more high heels in hk - dunno how some people do it.
On the first night I was in HK, my bro's friend Eddy took me to the LKF area where we ate and got a few drinks... just a really chill night. On the way back there was some plastic on the ground that Eddy kicked in front of me and I slipped and fell pretty hard. My elbow was bleeding and I got a huge bruise on my knee so I had to wear pants for the rest of the time there even though it was super hot. I didn't realize until later, but the jeans I wore that day had ripped too!!! My $250 jeans!!! NOoooo!! owell. lesson learned.. no more high heels in hk - dunno how some people do it.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Hong Kong Models
We were going to check out this place called Dragon-I on Wednesday since it was their ‘model night’ which would be pretty interested to see…but ended up just having some drinks at a nearby bar.
But on Saturday night, my friend Patrick took us to a pool hall called RACKS which was swarming with models. Honestly some of the girls were so beautiful that I couldn’t stop staring hahaha. To quote Raylene, “They HAVE to be models because they’re just too pretty to be doing anything else.” Hahahaha.
I actually know a girl who came to model in Hong Kong (now she’s modeling in Singapore) … the lifestyle is so interesting to hear about…they’re put up in an apartment with bunk beds with other models, basically like in the movie zoolander. And they’re given an allowance of basically a hundred bucks a week, just to get by – and they go on castings until the book jobs, and when the do book jobs, they have to pay the allowances back. Then they have the party scene… here’s an excerpt from her blog:
But on Saturday night, my friend Patrick took us to a pool hall called RACKS which was swarming with models. Honestly some of the girls were so beautiful that I couldn’t stop staring hahaha. To quote Raylene, “They HAVE to be models because they’re just too pretty to be doing anything else.” Hahahaha.
I actually know a girl who came to model in Hong Kong (now she’s modeling in Singapore) … the lifestyle is so interesting to hear about…they’re put up in an apartment with bunk beds with other models, basically like in the movie zoolander. And they’re given an allowance of basically a hundred bucks a week, just to get by – and they go on castings until the book jobs, and when the do book jobs, they have to pay the allowances back. Then they have the party scene… here’s an excerpt from her blog:
the thing i like the most here though is one of the clubs out here. everyone who's a model goes there. why? well...in order to keep the place poppin they figured that they should have models around all the time. so the way that they attract us is by allowing to get in free all the time as long as we call ahead of time (normally it's $300 HK just to get in...that's about $50 US dollars i believe). once inside they then sit us down along with other models so we can socialize. then...once situated they ask us what kind of four course meal would we like. we get to choose our own appetizers (salads, soybeans, miso soup) our own sides (sushi, green beans, etc), then our on entrees (sweet and sour pork, sauteed chicken, broccoli, chow mein). i love it. then....after the dinner they pull away our tables to make room for a bigger dance floor. turn on some music then bring out the alcohol. they reserve a table for all of us models and and use it to give us an endless amount alcohol (red and white wine, vodka, some dark kind, and pitchers of red bull and many different juices). it's great.
Hong Kong part 1
So, although I’m just traveling to India and Shanghai for work – my manager suggested I could take a couple days off work and check out HK on my way. Best idea ever! I have never been to Hong Kong, or India, or Shanghai… I’ve never been much of a traveler because I’ve always had jobs that kinda locked me down. I never did the backpacking thing or the study abroad thing… other than family Taiwan trips, the furthest I’ve gone on my own is Toronto. So yeah, this is much much more to me than just a special treat.
My days in Hong Kong were really eventful… It was pretty surprising to see how many people are out and about on a Wednesday night. People in HK sure know how to enjoy life. My first night there was really chill. It was nice to just kinda hang out, have a couple drinks and soak in the atmosphere. My brother’s friend Eddy is temporarily living out there, and it was really nice of him to let me stay at his place even though he was going to Taiwan for the weekend. Very nice pad he has… they have these things in HK called serviced apartments. Every afternoon the maid would come in and clean – so it’s sorta like a hotel but more homey.
My buddy Justin was also visiting HK at the same time, so it was awesome to have him here and hang out.
I spent the first day checking out the city alone, wandering around, taking pix with my spiffy Canon EOS 5d. I went up the peak tram and took pics of the city. SOOO beautiful. I went shopping, of course.
Justin got in on Thursday night, and Eddy’s friend took us to this “members only” restaurant that was REALLY good. We went to his bar and drank a ton of wine, and then went back to the LKF area to check out some clubs. Thurs night was sooooo fun! It wasn’t too crowded and the music was awesome. It was one of the drunk buzzes that made everything feel a little bit too perfect and surreal. I will elaborate further on that thought in a sec…
My days in Hong Kong were really eventful… It was pretty surprising to see how many people are out and about on a Wednesday night. People in HK sure know how to enjoy life. My first night there was really chill. It was nice to just kinda hang out, have a couple drinks and soak in the atmosphere. My brother’s friend Eddy is temporarily living out there, and it was really nice of him to let me stay at his place even though he was going to Taiwan for the weekend. Very nice pad he has… they have these things in HK called serviced apartments. Every afternoon the maid would come in and clean – so it’s sorta like a hotel but more homey.
My buddy Justin was also visiting HK at the same time, so it was awesome to have him here and hang out.
I spent the first day checking out the city alone, wandering around, taking pix with my spiffy Canon EOS 5d. I went up the peak tram and took pics of the city. SOOO beautiful. I went shopping, of course.
Justin got in on Thursday night, and Eddy’s friend took us to this “members only” restaurant that was REALLY good. We went to his bar and drank a ton of wine, and then went back to the LKF area to check out some clubs. Thurs night was sooooo fun! It wasn’t too crowded and the music was awesome. It was one of the drunk buzzes that made everything feel a little bit too perfect and surreal. I will elaborate further on that thought in a sec…
Monday, May 12, 2008
Singapore Airlines and Singapore Airport
this was written on 5/7 while I was at the airport:
The food court was bustling with all sorts people and noisy chatter – mainly in Chinese and English so it didn’t feel too foreign to me. Kind of felt like I was in one of those Chinese food courts in LA.
What did feel foreign to me was the feeling of being alone. Being at the airport lugging around my cart full of luggage and buying food to eat by myself made me realize how much I miss JT already. I’ll have to admit, I didn’t have a chance to miss him much while I was enjoying my nice comfy business class airplane ride. I was sleeping like a baby in my little capsule, and ate the best airplane food I’ve ever had.
A lady caught my attention from the Taiwanese food stand in the food court as I passed by. I ordered what JT would have ordered. It’s what he likes to call “five meat rice” hahahaa. It’s not really five meats, but it SOUNDS like that in Chinese when he mispronounces it. So that’s what he thought it was called. His Chinese is so funny sometimes…anyways….
Back to Singapore. I ate my five meat rice, and watched people as they passed by. Only a few more hours and I will be headed to HK!
The food court was bustling with all sorts people and noisy chatter – mainly in Chinese and English so it didn’t feel too foreign to me. Kind of felt like I was in one of those Chinese food courts in LA.
What did feel foreign to me was the feeling of being alone. Being at the airport lugging around my cart full of luggage and buying food to eat by myself made me realize how much I miss JT already. I’ll have to admit, I didn’t have a chance to miss him much while I was enjoying my nice comfy business class airplane ride. I was sleeping like a baby in my little capsule, and ate the best airplane food I’ve ever had.
A lady caught my attention from the Taiwanese food stand in the food court as I passed by. I ordered what JT would have ordered. It’s what he likes to call “five meat rice” hahahaa. It’s not really five meats, but it SOUNDS like that in Chinese when he mispronounces it. So that’s what he thought it was called. His Chinese is so funny sometimes…anyways….
Back to Singapore. I ate my five meat rice, and watched people as they passed by. Only a few more hours and I will be headed to HK!
prelude: btw, I'm on meds...
A week before departing to my first destination, I had to pay a visit to the travel nurse at Kaiser to get all my vaccinations. Basically, she printed out my itinerary (SF -> Singapore -> HK -> India -> Shanghai), and then printed out a bunch of packets on diseases you can get while traveling to each location.
Pretty much every disease ended with something along the lines of "and you could die from it..." I don't know if part of the objective was to freak me out, but it did. So I ended up getting 3 shots: tetanus, polio, hepatitis A, and also had to pick up some prescription malaria pills.
O the malaria pills =/ After going through a whirlwind of physical and emotional chaos this past week, I decided to do some extra research, and found out I was prescribed the worst kind of malaria pill out there: Mefloquine!
Here are some of the side-effects:
and they failed to mention that there are other medicines with less risk of severe side-effects and which are equally effective for malaria prevention are available like Malarone and doxycycline... the daily ones that my colleague is taking.
Damn you kaiser!
She definitely didn't mention the suicidal part, so I actually didn't read about that until this morning -- and I have to admit that the thought weirdly crossed my mind yesterday when i was breaking out in my hot and cold sweats... in a very non-melodramatic way like oh... I guess I wouldn't be too upset if I died today.
Anyway, sorry if this entry is getting a little too creepy in any way, I promise you I am feeling more than fine right now and I don't want people to get the impression that I'm going crazy, cuz I'm not. I am definitely still having a VERY positive experience here. Work is going REALLY well, and really the only time I feel it is generally when I'm alone at night.
It's a weekly pill, and I'm supposed to take my next one today. Should I? Do I take my chances with malaria and death... or do I continue on in feeling all messed up inside? it's a toughie...
Pretty much every disease ended with something along the lines of "and you could die from it..." I don't know if part of the objective was to freak me out, but it did. So I ended up getting 3 shots: tetanus, polio, hepatitis A, and also had to pick up some prescription malaria pills.
O the malaria pills =/ After going through a whirlwind of physical and emotional chaos this past week, I decided to do some extra research, and found out I was prescribed the worst kind of malaria pill out there: Mefloquine!
Here are some of the side-effects:
Mefloquine may have severe and permanent adverse side-effects. It is known to cause severe depression, anxiety, paranoia, nightmares, insomnia, seizures, peripheral motor-sensory neuropathy,[2] vestibular (balance) damage and central nervous system problems. For a complete list of adverse physical and psychological effects — including suicidal ideation — see the most recent product information. Central nervous system events occur in up to 25% of people taking Lariam, such as dizziness, headache, insomnia, and vivid dreams
and they failed to mention that there are other medicines with less risk of severe side-effects and which are equally effective for malaria prevention are available like Malarone and doxycycline... the daily ones that my colleague is taking.
Damn you kaiser!
She definitely didn't mention the suicidal part, so I actually didn't read about that until this morning -- and I have to admit that the thought weirdly crossed my mind yesterday when i was breaking out in my hot and cold sweats... in a very non-melodramatic way like oh... I guess I wouldn't be too upset if I died today.
Anyway, sorry if this entry is getting a little too creepy in any way, I promise you I am feeling more than fine right now and I don't want people to get the impression that I'm going crazy, cuz I'm not. I am definitely still having a VERY positive experience here. Work is going REALLY well, and really the only time I feel it is generally when I'm alone at night.
It's a weekly pill, and I'm supposed to take my next one today. Should I? Do I take my chances with malaria and death... or do I continue on in feeling all messed up inside? it's a toughie...
So the blogging begins...
As most of you know, I am traveling in Asia this month.
I've been trying to keep up with emails here and there to update ppl on my whereabouts and experiences, but finally decided I should really share what's going on in my blog. I really should document all this... so here we go. =)
I've been trying to keep up with emails here and there to update ppl on my whereabouts and experiences, but finally decided I should really share what's going on in my blog. I really should document all this... so here we go. =)
Friday, May 09, 2008
Saturday, May 03, 2008
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