Its so true, especially in Asia and judging my current performance I am barely scraping an F!
So bit of another nightmare day for me today haha. Went down to the bank to FINALLY pick up my ATM card for my HSBC account firstly queued for ages only to be told I was inn the wrong line, NOT a good start… got my card and was all excited about finally being able to access my HK cash. Went to the machine to change my pin, over here they have 6digits and needed a waaay easier number to remember except then I accidently entered it wrong 3times and we all know what happens when that occurs! Back to stage one! I also filed a change of address but when your card is swallowed the new card is sent automatically to your registered address so by the time my change of address is processed it will have already been sent to my hk address… nightmare with extra nightmares and other scary things on top also! So back to the credit card… by the time I am able to access my money I will have to use it all to pay my Barclaycard off, never mind the interest… waaaa!

After the bank incident I was planning to go shopping to spend money I don’t have on things I don’t need but had to scrap that plan. Decided instead to head for Shenzhen early. Was supposed to have my 1st Mandarin class today, please note the use of the word ‘supposed’. Firstly I went to Coco Park which is a big shopping mall to kill some time. Found a Starbucks and I thought yes! I can sit down and have a nice cuppa and chill for an hour. Discovered that I had not actually mastered the phrase ‘wo yao cha ching’ (I want tea please) as I had thought! I honestly thought I had that one down, cue lots of pointing and demos of me drinking imaginary tea and we finally got there! Think he thought I was an insano!

Headed over to my class, got off the metro (after being copiously stared at… felt like a giant freak!). Had my directions written down after me and Erin went to find the way earlier in the week… despite using the correct exit it didn’t look familiar at all… minor panick, tried the other 3 exits, phoned the school asked them ‘dui bu chi, ni shor ying yu ma?’ (excuse me, do you speak English) and she replied, ‘yes I do’ so she understood me (bizarre!). Gave me directions but could still not find it. At this point I decided to call it a day and head home instead. Once I was back on the metro realised that I had got off at the WRONG stop… duh what an idiot!

So that was my day, back now and drinking whiskey and coke, smoking a cigarette, listening to Jimmy Hendrix feeling a whole lot better about life (funny that!).

Wanted to quickly mention a couple of other things whilst I still have your attention (if I do?!). The Chinese walk SO slowly its almost backwards, frustrating… its so unlike being in London where if you do not maintain warp speed you get filthy looks and tutted at! Although Paula and Linds, you would be loving it!

Also forgot to say that last week went to works sample sale… A-MAZ-ING! For those who do not know, sample sale is where we sell all of our development samples and production leftovers. Bought so much stuff for $100 (under a tenner!). Bought a Guess denim waistcoat for $10 and a Volcom skirt for only $20 plus loads of other stuff too. Having another sale at the end of this month at the Sz office, going to plan ahead and probably buy all you lucky people some xmas pressies… also anyone need baby clothes let me know, the Sz mostly deal with baby brands so there is a ridiculous amount of cheap clothes going!!

Off out tonight for dinner / dancing as it is my last weekend in Hk and probably wont get to see the guys again for a while. Paula/James: was thinking we should book a cheapy hotel in Hk one night on the weekend when you come over so I can show you a decent night out in Lan Kwai Fong?? Let me know.

Thank you everyone for all your emails… its great I go to bed and wake up and have so many emails awaiting me… its like xmas morning every morning! Miss you all like you wouldn’t believe, but not really missing the Uk, just wish I could bring you all here! Tx