Richard.H’s Blog

Haven’t updated my life here for almost 20 days, but it was all post-exam parties and happiness. Here are a few highlights.

1. A trip to York
Went down to York with Jenn, Ruby and Yuk about a week ago. Jenn posted some photos already and I’ve got some in my Flickr (sadly, it seems to be blocked in China). The Bettys Tea Room was classic, I like the atmosphere a lot, but not quite a affordable place for students like me.

2. Working in Studioduplo
It was nice to spend a week at studioduplo helping with some websites and hang around with James, Tom and Mike. It’s good to do whatever you want to do, especially when you are young enough. – that’s what I felt most when working there. Hopefully one I will start a business that fit my interest and enjoying going to work everyday like them.

3. Moving house
Yes, again! The accommodation in Shoichi Hall finishes on 22nd and I will move to Giles Gate. I will spend my summer in Durham, try to find a job while working in the restaurant and do something that I like to do.

There are a lot more to write about, but once you passed that I-want-to-write-it-down moment the motivation will be gone. But do check out my twitter and mlog though, I become lazier these days so just update from mobile. But it’s closer to life.

I haven’t mentioned about Studioduplo before, it’s a design company ran by three cool young entrepreneurs (James, Mike and Tom) in Durham.

I just had a chat with James this afternoon. Actually I met him at the beginning of the year and very interested on what they are doing. Just give a brief descriptions on their current achievements: they have earned their trip to Japan for two weeks from their designing business, and recently found a new office in the center of Durham which will be moved into soon!!! A typical teenagers start-up business, but quite a successful one based on what they have achieved. I enjoyed chatting with James, because we’ve got the same mind-set. But he are luckier because they are doing what they want to do.

They are going to Tokyo tomorrow and going to experience a totally different culture for two weeks. They have created a blog to write about their travel and venture in Tokyo and hopefully will receive some advices and as it goes on. So it’s worth to give it a advert here, remember to check it out a few days later.

Good luck and hope them make the most of their journey!

I’m writing this post in word and will publish it when I get back to Shantou this afternoon. It’s 5:10am (13th Dec) now, although I’m tired but can’t sleep anymore, jetlag. So instead of rolling around on the bed, I want to write something.

Fly with Virgin

Long before I came to England, my friends who study abroad told me Virgin is a good airline and they always fly with them. For some reasons I didn’t have a chance to fly with them in the last four years, more often with BA. But after this journey with Virgin, I think I will go with them next time.

The service is better then BA. Not sure I was lucky or not, but the one took me home was Airbus A340. All the facilities were very nice and well designed. But what I like most was a plastic bag they provided with all the little items like toothbrush and a pen. A pen was important for people who need to write a landing card, but this is the first time I got one from the airline, before I always need to borrow from somebody or claim myself up to the shelf to get a pen. Such a little thing shows a lot caring, and that’s what a good service should be!

I didn’t get much sleep in the fly. There were several babies around me, one cried after another. Also, the seat was too small for a guy like me. They have a new class call “premium economy” which cost a little bit more but the seats are bigger and more comfortable, I may consider that next time. I did watch quite a few movies. I might write some movie reviews after this post, haha.

In Hong Kong

My friend Martin came to pick me up from the airport, and took a coach back to Shatin. Martin’s parents are closed friends of my parents, they always take good care of me every time I am in Hong Kong. It’s like a family now and I always refer them as my relatives.

Last night was the same as before, uncle (Martin’s dad) cooked me a very very nice family dinner. He is a good cook. Then a few cups of tea after dinner and I showed them some photos and caught up with each others about life. It’s life my other family and I do feel like home every time I stay in their house.

Going to Shantou

My direct coach back to Shantou is 7:45am today. It takes 56 hours. It’s going to be a long journey again. But my parents are very happy and looking forward to see me back, I can tell from their voice in the phone last night. So am I :)

To Jenn

A little message to Jenn.

We can still communicate with text. She said she feels very lonely now because all her good friends are left and I am not with her neither. I know how it feels, because I spent my last Christmas in Durham by myself, all the friends were left and family is miles away. Imagine Christmas Eve, being alone with a computer screen, it was sad and lonely. But life sometimes needs a moment and time like that, they makes me appreciate more when I have friends and family around.

I hope she can handle it well and I will call her once I got back home in Shantou.

I’ve been working for the last four days, earning for Christmas gifts. I’m very tired now, but still have to pack and prepare for the flight tomorrow. After not being home for almost a year and a half, I’m really looking forward to see my families. The webcam in my house was broken so I haven’t seen their face for like 6 months, although we still talk through Skype. I’m quite excited now.

I will travel down to London tomorrow around 2:00pm. My flight is around 9:00pm, so hopefully that much time will be enough for British train to delay if they want. I like take night flight, a meal with a bottle of wine and a movie can put me into a sweet dream for most of the journey. I should be arriving in Hong Kong at 5pm on the 12th (HK time). I will stay in my relative’s home for one night, if my jet lag allows me to sleep. Then I will take a coach the next morning (7:00am, 13th, HK time) back to my hometown, Shantou! The whole journey it’s about 25 hours, very tiring but I’m still looking forward to be back home.

My next post will be from China, I will try to update on MyShantou.net as well while I’m in Shantou.