Seeing as I'm leaving for Hong Kong tomorrow, and my flat there currently has no internet, I think it's time for me to update right now.

So a holiday ends, a new life begins, and I haven't even given it much thought; I've been busy enough sorting out the PCLL business, bugging those incompetents, taking test after test to complete all the prerequisites for them. And then I've been struggling to meet up with friends, spend time with the family, do up a new house, enjoy my bf's presence, sort out a flat in HK etc etc and it's been one big hectic whirlwind. Now that I've settled down and had time to ponder (just a little) on my situation, this is my current state of mind:

HK is going to be GREAT but damn I hardly know a soul and I speak no Cantonese.

That's as far as I've got. By the time I arrive there, however, I'll be able to drown my coming trepidation in dim sum and Chinese Tea (which I can't even order in Cantonese. Curse being born in this monolingual generation). And I'll have a cosy flat with a gym and a clubhouse, with a lovely flatmate, waiting for me.

Anyway, back to packing. When I've pulled myself together a little I'll have more to say; for now, adios!

P.S.: look out for pics of Dionna's birthday party, my bro's birthday cum housewarming, and general pictures of home sweet home.

Present location: Bangkok, pretend-honeymooning with my lover. At least that's what we tell the dodgy pimps to get them to buzz off.

Ahhhhhh Bangkok what a fantastic city; as the taxi-driver said tonight, 'Bangkok has everything New York has'. Now before you scoff, I warn u to test the truth of that statement; before long u will find that it has its truths. Bangkok is not QUITE the same city as New York, but the heavy traffic, fantabulous shopping, vibrant nightlife, are traits not uncommon with some of New York's most winning charms; but on top of all that, Bangkok has this wonderful culture and this sexual unabashedness which in some strange way is a tad endearing, something only Thailand could accomplish.

I've been here many times before, but this little 3-day getaway with my man is a real new treat by itself. Riding in a tuk-tuk in the midst of pre-9pm traffic, going to the dodgiest of the dodgiest Tiger Show - where we got a 'souvenir' of our names written with a pen wielded by a girl's pussy - getting ripped off at seafood restaurants, shopping at MBK, Siam Square and the new Siam Paragon, and enjoying the hotel gym and pool; sheer BLISS.

Now, photos to come, be patient me darlings.

After a hectic last week, this week I have cooled down marginally as I knuckle down on this company law course I'm doing. Next night out: tomorrow, with Harleen and possible Others, and goddammm have I deserved it! Today I shuffled between reading the company law book (and rolling my eyes at some of these cheesy American judgments - 'This SPICY case originates from a pleading by a company dealing in Jamaican Red Peppers...'), sitting on my couch channel-surfing, checking my emails for the important mails that never seem to come, going to the little girls' room, contemplating going swimming, and like unproductive activities.

But back to last week. That was slightly more riveting. Last week, after putting in my solid 6-hour study days, I rushed out for a half-hour jog (yes, every single day, CHECK ME OUT) and then got dressed for some serious Singaporean socialising. I finally hit Zouk, where I met the usual hordes of ex-schoolmates and established that I was officially BACK for summer. I got to take my visiting friend Laura Gannon out for a good night, got to show her some synchronised dancers at Mambo (a mix between pride and utter shame) and buy her copious amounts of lychee martinis.

Other nights - catching up with old friends over wine, going for friendly dinners, having xiao long bao punctuated by frenzied window shopping and on Friday night, a most glorious night of Karaoke. Put spontaneity, Karaoke, Martell Cognac and good company together and u have the recipe for some knee-slappin' throat-dryin' fun. With Willy serenading us in out-of-tune Cantonese, our little room filling up with crooners by the hour, and Nick getting piss drunk out of nowhere, I went home amused and happy.

By the way, my eyes are great - after I wrote the last post, I got this flood of concern from people who thought I was blind and in agony. Cheers madears, I am now contact lens-free and lovin' it.

Anyways, I'm off for my jog now, maybe if I'm lucky I'll get to ogle at some cute dogs.