So another day at work done, don’t start my official training until next week so at the moment it is a lot of HR stuff and reading up on the company history and structure etc… trying to remember everyone’s names etc.

For lunch today my team took me to lunch at a Japanese sushi bar, bizarre experience! You sit at the bar and in front of you is a moving conveyor belt with different mini dishes going past…whatever you fancy you just grab… so cheap about £4 for 6/7 dishes. I tried raw salmon rolls, steamed egg and prawn panacotta style thing (!), squid, and clamfish. The best part was that there is a tap next to your seat that dispenses Chinese tea on demand… it’s the DREAM COME TRUE!!

Since there was not a huge amount for me to do at work this afternoon, Cherry took me shopping to get some bits I need for the flat…found an IKEA in Sha Tin! I asked her to take me to some camera shops to look for a new camera since I broke mine big time at my leaving party (I blame the tequila shots!). In HK electrical shops you are allowed (and encouraged) to haggle for a better price. I was not intending to buy one today but she told me that often westerners will get ripped off so maybe I should get one today while she was with me! I managed to get a new sony cybershot bad boy plus loads of extras (1gb memory card, mini tripod, case, screen protector etc) for about £120…bargain!

So far the shopping malls I have visited are all full of designer boutiques (westwood, Armani, mui mui etc etc) waaay out of my budget…maybe they think I am rich (ahem… not even close!) or maybe they wanted to show me all the nice shops. Next time I think I will head to some markets to try and pick up some bargains!

The Chinese women here have an amazing sense of style, lots of very cute dresses/blouses. No-one seems to wear short shorts though - and I have been advised to keep mine for going out only… do they not realise how hot it is… maybe not considering most people wear jeans!!

After shopping we headed to a nice restaurant and I had a cactus and lime smoothie and green tea ice cream….mmmm! I wanted to pay to thank Cherry for showing me around but she insisted on treating me… could get used to that! Everyone in the office seems concerned about me eating, they are always asking me about what I am doing for dinner and passing me treats in the office… I feel impolite to decline so will soon turn into a giant Helga hefferlump!

Managed to get the right bus this time and got home pretty early (about 7.30). I have been told to expect long hours once I start work, and once I join the merchandising team later in the year could sometimes be working until 10/11 in the evening!! This is because we deal with a lot of US clients and the time difference means we have to stay late!

Once back at the hotel went to the supermarket which has a wide variety of eastern and western food and drink. Managed to get hold of some bizarre fruits…and peanut butter!
Had a complete disaster in the shower tonight, bought a facial exfoliating sponge and underestimated its strength… basically scratched my face to pieces… not pretty! No make up for me for the next few days, mind you I have noticed that hardly any Chinese women wear make up –it is too hot, and maybe they are not as vain as me!

I have a few social outings lined up, on Friday CFL are having a basketball match with a local bank and I have somehow been talked into cheerleading for our team… I have to learn some Cantonese chants! Should be hilarious… or a disaster, will take some pictures on my new camera! Also, Joyce who is a girl on my team who has also recently graduated has invited me to Ocean Park (rollercoasters/zoo etc) with her friends next weekend for a big party that is happening for a Chinese national holiday (another one!).

As of next week I start my Mandarin language lesson course too, looking forward to that… the HK office all speak Cantonese, which means so far my Mandarin efforts have gone unnoticed! When I start at the ShenZhen office however everyone speaks Mandarin.
Also have a flat viewing lined up for next Monday… looking forward to moving in and getting unpacked and settled.

Right, probably have bored you all long enough with my ramblings!! Have found a tv channel showing 24… excellent news, a bit of Jack Bauer before bedtime! Also have to go try to sort out the disaster that is my face!

As always I miss you all but thank you for all the email updates I have received!
Tomorrow I have to find my own way to the office, should be interesting!!

Lots of virtual love coming your way!! X Mwah X

Tx