Made in Japan, Outsourced Globally

For the lack of a better title, I used my lunch to fulfill that role. It was yummy (Chicken Masala Curry and Malaya Vegetable Curry).

My colleague and I were not in the mood to learn Mandarin with the Monday blues. But if there was one thing, nay, two things we learned today, it was that the laoshi smelled of McDonald's and that the Chinese have invented many ways to say "think."

Juede. Renwei. Xiang. Xiangnian. Kaolu. There's probably more. I could come up with some in Japanese. Kangaeru. Shian suru. Kouryo suru. Omou (spelled in 2 different ways).

Some languages are better equipped with vocabularies. They are just more expressive and subtle in the differences. But who am I to judge, when I only know a few. I sincerely hope that I get to learn a really cool language (and somewhat useful beyond African borders) when I go to the intensive training later this year.

I am suffering a minor 3rd degree burn right now, and it's all my fault (nothing serious). Heating packs are great inventions. In fact, the Japanese went one step further and invented stick-on heating packs. I have now had these heating packs on my back for over 24 hours (except in the shower). It keeps me warm. I even have some inside my shoes. Mmm... warmth... (HK is in 10C weather right now - it's cold for us spoiled children, and I always say coldness is relative)

My childhood friend, Cortney, sent me pictures of us when I used to live in Long Island, NY. Technology revives old memories - I just hope it won't revive the old hairstyle (yes, go ahead. laugh all you want).



Enough is enough. I need to get my mind off the tsunami thing at some point. It's just so hard when it's in your face every day and every corner you turn. I need to find my sense of balance or I'm bound to fall flat on my face.