Hong Kong #15: First Semester Abroad Summary + xVideos!

My first semester studying abroad at CityU Hong Kong has finally finished. It's been a wonderful experience and I've learned a lot from this journey, which I decided to pursue at the beginning of this 2013.

Hong Kong #14: Phuket, Thailand Trip. + xVideo!

Phuket, Thailand Trip.

The Phuket trip has been one of the most fantastic and satisfying traveling experiences this semester, if not the most. Like I mentioned on one of my recent blog's entries; friends are the most important and who take the experiences to the next level. I'm thankful for such a wonderful group we've gathered this semester, in which most, if not all, get along really well with each other. Thank you mates! You're all awesome! :)

Hong Kong #13: Dialogue in the Dark. LKF Carnival +Video. Ame's Farewell. Kwun Tong.

Dialogue in the Dark.

We sometimes live our lives and take for granted so many things that we forget to appreciate our abilities and our senses. Coming to Dialogue in the Dark was an extraordinary way of experiencing how an visually impaired person lives. We were inside a complete dark room with a cane and all our other senses but eyesight.

If you're in Hong Kong, you should check it out!

Hong Kong #12: Venezuela Presentation. Central Photographies + Video.

clichèlongexposures.jpg by Alan

Do you remember all the kinda free weekends in which we traveled and were stress free? Well, that does not happen anymore right now. I've been dealing with writing and editing papers, practicing and presenting projects, and preparing for 50% finals. The past week has been one busy week and I haven't been able to do too much outdoor activities in Hong Kong. Hopefully, this changes in the coming weeks.

Hong Kong #11: CityU Expo. Mr. Wong. Sai Kung.

CityU Expo.

The CityU Expo - The Galaxy Journey - is held annually and is organized by the Exchange Student Club of the College of Business. It's a cultural event in which international and exchange students  from all over the world set up their own country's booth and show famous things related to their countries including food, famous places and people, quizzes, games, dances, music, and traditions.

Hong Kong #10: Shanghai Trip. Halloween. + Special Note. xShanghai_Video!

Shanghai 2013

Shanghai Trip.

One of my friends told me that fun moments require the right friends...and that's certainly right when you're doing activities like traveling.

Hong Kong #9: CityU Photo Session. Intra-Hall Football Competition.

It feels like it was a long time since I last posted here, but I guess it's because this has been a longer and busier week than normal. Midterms' period is now over; however, projects, paperwork, and presentation period is coming soon.

Hong Kong #8: Real Estate. Hong Kong Marathon. Gourami. +Poem

Gourami's Fall/Winter Collection

Hong Kong Real estate.

Have I ever told you my interests in architectures, designs, and real estate? Well, that's one of the reasons I took the opportunity to work with Coldwell Banker, the number one real estate company in the United States, when the opportunity was presented a couple years ago. I enjoy looking at properties and planning possible development opportunities. This week I had the chance to take a closer look at some real estates in Hong Kong as well as how realtors show apartments to their clients.

Hong Kong #7: Happy Valley. Macau Trip.

Ruins of St. Paul's

First of all, let me give a huge thanks to all of you that wished me a happy birthday last week and a bigger thanks to all of you who celebrated with me  before, during, and after this especial day. It's been another incredible week in Hong Kong, in which I've enjoyed its daily activities, deepen some friendships, and of course traveling :)

Hong Kong #6: Guangzhou-Panyu Trip. Chimelong Water Park. Beijing Road. Birthday.

It's all about the water and the good time you spend here with friends

As I write Hong Kong #6, I'm still inside the bus on my way back to Hong Kong from mainland China.

Guangzhou-Panyu Trip.

This weekend we've decided to take a trip to Panyu, Guangzhou, where one of the biggest water parks in Asia is located. Everything started during Friday evening when our group got together and went to the bus station that is behind one of the malls in the Kwai Fong MTR station. Buses from here normally depart every 10-15 minutes after 6:00 p.m and you need to make sure to buy tickets beforehand inside one of the malls' travel agencies. For us, we decided to buy tickets some days before Friday and as we were buying them, we got a group discount ( tickets are HKD 110 each one ).

Hong Kong #5: Football. Academians' Night. China Consulate. Boatzilla. + TED Talk!

The CityU Fam

Hey everyone! I hope you guys are doing as good as I am. This will be my post "Hong Kong #5" since I arrived in Hong Kong for my study abroad. Thanks for checking my blog and leaving comments and votes. Keep it up! :)

Despite the departure of Mona back to California, the week has been relaxing yet interesting and tiring. This week I've finally written my first paper for my Process Innovation and Change Management class, which was simple and straightforward. Other things during this week have been the football training with the CityU HK team, Academians' night, and a [ wild ] Boat Party during weekend.

Hong Kong #4: Mid-Autumn Festival. LKF. Typhoon #8. Special Note.

Bonne Chance and Bon Voyage

It's been a long week as well as weekend. I trained with the football team and ever since after that moment my mid-autumn festival started off ( on Tuesday ) when I had both a birthday dinner and a moon cake dine with the To family. However, I had actually began eating and enjoying moon cakes ever since I arrived to Hong Kong, so it's been basically a mid-autumn fest month for me :]

Hong Kong #3: Football. Government Services. Victoria Peak. Early Birthday Lunch.

Victoria Peak

Although classes have started already, things have been slow these first two weeks. Hong Kong has been all about exploring, loving, enjoying, and getting lost so far.

Football

I started training and trying out with the CityU football team this past week and I cannot lie that I am enjoying like a child while playing during these more serious games. Even though I have played football most of my lifetime, it's somehow difficult to get the adequate rhythm, adapt to a new system in which the ball and game transitions don't depend on the defensive midfielder so much, and to new teammates. Needless to say the language barrier. Of course this is nothing to be complaining about.

Hong Kong #2: Orientation Week. Classes. Big Wave Bay Beach. Lantau Island. Avenue of Stars.

Orientation Week @ City University of Hong Kong

Orientation Week.

Orientation week here in City University of Hong Kong is way different than orientation day in San Francisco State University. Why and how different? Orientation week means having a lot of diverse activities organized by the Exchange Programme Club, which is run by students. Some of these activities are Campus tour, Ikea tour, Orientation day, Academic advice, Victoria Peak night tour, ICC rooftop + LKF night, and finally Lantau Island One Day Trip. These are some activities created for exchange students and some of them are paid.

Hong Kong #1: Flight & Explore.

Street Art + People

Flight.

Definitely, one of the best things about flying long distances ( i.e. SFO to HKG ) is being seated in first row where you can stretch your legs, bend back your seat, and get off for a walk without the necessity of asking your neighbors every now and then. My flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong was a relaxing experience.

Personal: What did San Francisco teach me?

Every time I travel to a new place I try to be a sponge and absorb as much as possible from people I spend time talking with, from places I go to, and from the culture I get into. And it hasn't been different with San Francisco.

I believe this city has shaped my early young-adult personality. Similar to most international students, I’ve been through tons of different situations in which I had to react quickly and take decisions based on my own perspectives. I appreciate that my parents and friends have always been there for me with their continuous support, but I’ve decided that taking my own decisions was an important step for personal growth.

I first arrived in San Francisco with some luggage and one dream. No more, no less. However, along this exciting journey of my life when everything was new to me and I was one more individual in San Francisco, I decided to take actions and quickly started writing hundred of personal goals. And I must say I’m thankful for being healthy and able to achieve the majority of them.

For example, I never thought of running a marathon, but in the end I ran three of them; I never thought of studying abroad in Asia, but I am on my way to do it; I never thought of having such a strong connection to all the people I have met during my journey in San Francisco, but for some reason life has brought us together, and I completely love all of you guys.

I’m thankful for having such an awesome group of friends; all of them excellent people who I can trust and rely on, which is the most essential thing in a relationship/friendship. I can brag about this continuously, but it’s because it’s true and I’m being completely honest here. Thankfully, I can say I need more than my hands to count all of you, my friends. You guys are priceless. Not because you don’t worth anything, but because your friendship worth more than any money in the world.

Thanks to you and to everyone who contacted me and made a space out of your precious time to hang out during summer. Thanks to those friends who made time and organized a “last meal” together. Thanks to you who have always been cheering me up all the way. Thanks to all of you who commented on my Facebook statuses and photos with tons of good vibes, energies, and lots of good wishes.

For all of you, THANKS because life without your friendship would not be the same. Thanks for being awesome!!!

Now it’s time to stay foolish and stay hungry in my new adventure.

Until next time!

Adeu :)

rc~

Final Days in San Francisco before Departure #5: Jump Outta Airplane ( Skydiving ) !

Today's post is one to the last before I leave to Hong Kong as there would only be less than one week left prior to my departure. Enjoy!

When it comes to skydiving most people might tell you, "You must try skydiving at least once during your lifetime!"

However, I will tell you that you should jump out of an airplane as many times as you possibly have the opportunity.

Final Days in San Francisco before Departure #4: Camping Donner Lake '13

It has been four days of camping and being out in the nature with almost none technological devices and having contact with people, maintaining real face-to-face conversations, and living a simple life.

First of all, I have to thank Kevin and Siew Choo, who run the International House in San Francisco, for organizing and preparing the entire camping event and also taking great care that everyone was enjoying and having a good time during their first camping trip. In addition to that, thanks for the ice cream after hiking to the top of Squaw Valley even though we did not meet the time :)

Soccer / Football / Futbol

Teamwork

Teamwork is a powerful word. In fact, teamwork is a powerful action. It is what drives human beings to gather, create teams, and do the impossible ( impossible until it is done - then it becomes possible ).

For me teamwork is how James Cash Penney describes it, "the best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison." Teamwork is what makes a person to think about the group while performing the best way he or she could perform on his or her job whether it is a group project, sport team, music group, or even a friendship or a marriage. Teamwork is what makes life enjoyable. It is what life should be about. Teamwork.

Up to Date - Episode #1

This video was while doing rock climbing with David during weekend. I must say that I got sorta addicted :)

Final Days in San Francisco before Departure #3: Los Angeles Photo Session with Claudia Serven and Mona To

In a recent road trip to Los Angeles, Claudia, Mona, and I met to shoot a photo session and below are some photos. Enjoy! :)

Richard and Claudia - Jungle / Photo by Mona To ®

Timeline: Running Adventures

Some of my friends have asked me, "How can you run a marathon – 26.2 miles – without stopping? I cannot even run two miles. You are so crazy!" And my most frequent answer is, "You should start taking more walks instead of buses and driving, running one mile, then three, then go back to two miles, then do a long run - probably four or five miles - during weekends, and so on... You will see yourself running more miles if you do this." This is certainly true.

Final Days in San Francisco before Departure #2: Running, Rock Climbing, and Surprises!

It's been a long time since I have woken up so early in the morning to go for a run; however, running with my running group – Run 365 – and seeing so many familiar faces and meeting new friends make everything relatively easier. Running and hitting a mile after another mile is much more fun when you are doing it with people surrounding you. It's just as in life. When you have people you love around yourself, you feel much better, happier, and loved.

Final Days in San Francisco before Departure #1

It's been three days of full entertainment, outdoor activities, soccer/football/futbol, meetings, and learning entrepreneurial lessons and new ideas.

Support My New Adventure

Hi everybody reading!

I have created a GoFundMe fundraiser website so that friends, families and even strangers and acquaintances can help me cover part of my international tuition fee, housing & meals, college supplies, and health care insurance during my study abroad experience in Hong Kong.

Getting Personal: Is It Just Me?

Is it just me? Probably not, probably yes.