Day 52

Okay.. That fire was not a big deal at all. The girl who told me about it was exaggerating as girls will do. When I got back to CKM at the end of the day everything was chill; I'd expected it to be a lot more severe/dangerous than that. I think it's something about money that keeps these people from really fearing for their lives in the event of a fire, if braving it means they can make some cash.

This weekend I'm going to visit with my friends from the Mainland who came to stay with me (as exchange students) when I was in high school in 2010. I think we'll go to Lantau Island to see the Buddha there. I'm really looking forward to hanging out to them... Better if I don't have to work on Saturday. After that I'll still have a week and a half in Hong Kong, and then I'm going to Qujing to attend a wedding, and then going back to Hong Kong by the 8th for my flight on the 10th.

The last thing is a short bit about my work. My assignment abroad may have broadened my perspective on what I want to do in the realm of international affairs from being a liaison for a large company to starting my own company to take advantage of the commercial opportunities between the US and abroad. Alternatively, I've been considering working for the government's foreign service. I think that working out here has affected me personally, but the change is as yet impossible to sense. When I get back is when I'll really be able to select the differences. My lifestyle is certainly much different here. I expect home to be as I left it (almost) when I return. I know that, from this experience, I plan to spend the next summer near home, in order to be closer to home and family. I've probably changed; I've definitely learned a great deal more about the export and manufacturing business, but it's difficult to say what's changed without looking back. In reflection, I know Hong Kong now; that's more than I could say when I left. Hopefully over the past 7 weeks I've helped my audience get to know it a little, also.