although i havent finished blogging about China,

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!

im currently in hong kong right now and its grand. hong kong is beautiful, developed, clean, very densly populated, and poppin.  Theres so much food everywhere and just a lot of consumerism.  The buildings on hong kong island light up every night at 8 pm and man, hong kong is just full of life. It's a little odd spending my christmas in hong kong rather than at home. I miss my bed (my back hurts all the time. i'm old!), the trails, warmth, and not looking like a freaking hobo. however, im with clara and its nice just walking the streets, exploring a new city, and spending some time with family. 

We arrived in hong kong on december 23 and had the pac rim christmas eve party the next night at the YMCA. it was the nicest YMCA i've ever been to... anyways we had great food and exchanged gifts.  It was actually like a dance. People were taking pictures, everyone looked nice (finally) and it was just really grand. i cant believe that the semester has gone by so quickly. We watched a video that the media group made and it showed clips from every country and it was just an adventure. so nostalgic. its insane how much we've done over such a short period of time. its also wierd how we have a break for 2 weeks. i've been really excited but as today is christmas day and i have just separated from the people i've been living my life with, i'm feeling a little lost. i bet that'll pass though.

BECAUSEE i'm going back to the motherland for winter break and its gonna be great. Despite the fact that its like 10 degrees farenheit right now and i have no clothing for that, i'm so pumped to eat food that doesnt make my stomach hurt, be with people who wont assume im chinese, be with great friends and family, and i'm going to get a freaking massage. i'mma TREAT MYSELF. winter break 2011-2012= TREAT YOSELF TO __________.  i've been itching to spend the dough and interestingly my prioties have changed drastically. now if i have to spend more than 5 dollars for a meal, thats too pricey. yet im so down to buy clothing that is overpriced. and get massages. but hey you only live once, make it count.

anyways I just wanted to say merry christmas and happy holidays.  i hope you guys have a restful and righteous break! Live it up.

Its the end of a really intense and unforgettable year and the beginning of a hopefully even more memorable year. It just keeps on getting better!

Love

C