My Blessing

Dear Pipsqueaks,

He had always been a serious one with relationships. Not unless the girl is of marriage potential, he wouldn't bother at all. So brings me to write this as I had once been that girl for him.

It had been years since we had gone our separate paths – seven years to be exact (wow, it had been that long!?) – and that was how long I had not seen or heard from him. He had insisted it was best that we remove ourselves from each other’s lives completely to make the process easier. Of course, I completely disagreed with him because, at least, we were best friends for six years. It would be difficult to lose a best friend, and true enough, those times were tough. I would stare at my finished texts only to delete them right after as I had also promised to try his ways. I guess after breaking up – possibly breaking his heart – the least I could do was allow him the distance he requested.

So years passed, and no news of him from any of my friends. Then again, he was always good at staying away from people and keeping to his own business. When we were still together, those times would have been the most that others had seen him. Otherwise, he was a typical introvert. It was only on my recent trip visiting home that someone finally had updates of the guy.

Summer Vacation Detour: [New York]ing

Dear Pipsqueaks,

So, we’re on our way to New York.

You ask - how in the world did we end up on a flight to New York when we’re supposed to be en route to Vancouver from Hong Kong? Well, things happen. In Chinese, there’s a saying, “計畫趕不上變化”, which essentially means, no matter how well one plans, it will never catch up to evolution of events. In complete understanding of that statement, we had decided to just go with the flow.

You see, initially, we were supposed to be on the 4.25pm flight from HKG to YVR. Except, as we were on standby, it really depended on the load of the flight in terms of booked seats and the priority list of the standby. Unfortunately, neither of us made the cut as the flight was overbooked to begin with. So, we tried our luck with no avail, then walked away from the counter rather disappointed that our Vancouver trip had begun this way. However, I’m not normally up for pouting and in strong belief of “if there is a will, there is a way.” 

As expected, the overflow of standbys from our flight would most likely wait for the next direct flight at 12:30am. So, we started to investigate alternatives. How else can we get to Vancouver? The considerations were as such that we could either keep waiting for the direct flight, which meant we would always be reshuffled into the newest priority list per flight. Ultimately, it will be a waiting game. Well, I’m not really a person to wait for something so uncertain.

Instead of wasting time, Apes had discovered another route: via New York (JFK). No seriously, I laughed quite hard when she put up the suggestion, because this was definitely not how I imagined my first visit to the Big Apple would be like. Then again, this is what it takes to be a traveler, I suppose. Things don’t always happen according to plan, so the best way is to stay adaptive of whatever the situation may become. Logically speaking, it makes better sense than to wait. How? By going to New York on the 6:45pm flight TODAY, we will arrive in the evening on the same day. After taking a good night’s rest, we have approximately 10 hours – if we wake up for early breakfast – to roam around New York before our 9ish pm flight to Vancouver! How cool is that?! I mean, yes we do have to consider the extra cost for that one night in New York, but that sure beats waiting around all day in HKG crossing fingers that we MAY luck out and board a flight within the next two days. Forget it – not for me. I’d rather be on the move than to stay stagnant. Even if it IS only one day in New York…I’ll take it!

Not to mention, the flight from JFK-YVR was 10x more promising than HKG-YVR. So, we’re going to be two days late, arriving 1am on the 14^th instead of 1pm on the 12^th. Meh. We’ll get there eventually, AND drop by New York for a day. Sounds perfectly dandy to me! Can’t wait for an adventure – taking my bite of the Big Apple along the way.

See y’all in New York in no time, and Vancouver in two winks!

Summer Vacation Part I - [London & Leeds]

Dear pipsqueaks,

It certainly didn't feel like it had been two years since the last time I was in the UK. Okay, Birmingham doesn't count because I was here for a meeting and when I was out of the hotel, I was mostly at the stadium watching All England matches. That trip brings back horrendous memories of a bloody photographer who “threatened” to throw me out of the venue not knowing who I was. Now come to think of it, I really should have just let him TRY to throw me out of one of our own tournaments. Of course, I’m not going to start stereotyping but UK peeps haven’t really impressed me of late. Therefore, another one shouldn't be a surprise.

Anyways, SUPER off-topic. This time around, you could say I had a very relaxing time just following a friend around. We landed in the bustling London Heathrow, which by the way I must mention - I’m not sure what the mentality of the immigration process is, but at least the officer I met seriously didn't make me feel welcomed.  Okay, I get that they have a very important job of manning the security of the country, but they are also the first faces upon arrival. Even the way the questions are asked can be tweaked in such a way that people don’t feel interrogated. I mean, what part of my passport and my person hint you that I could be a potential threat? No, really. Do tell me. Honestly, I don’t agree that anyone should be treated this way unless there are reasons to believe otherwise. Anyhow, it was definitely two worlds from my landing for the London Games as a member of the Games Family two years ago. Let’s just say, as much as I enjoy the look and feel of UK, I can get the same if not better in Canada without having to deal with some snobby locals.