Day Twenty-Three

I'm really thinking these supervision meetings are a time for me to vent. That is what I end up doing every time. Venting about my dorm. Venting about my colleagues. Venting about my sessions. After talking about what happened at the first two sessions, I really wanted to know what the problem was. Is it because I wasn't prepared enough. I always prepare as much as I can. I prepare for things that I think could possibly happen. I prepare for the worst situations. I guess you just never what could happen. I can't control or predict everything... However, my field instructor did point out that at my center I don't work with social workers. With my group, they may not know or understand what to expect and how to help. In order to prevent the chaos that happened yesterday, we listed solutions to the issues that I had. Possibly checking out a laptop from the university. Asking someone to specifically watch and manage the children that are not in the group. Asking someone to manage the flow of the children coming in and out of the center. There's no way that I could do all of these things and hold a workshop. I can't wait until this internship is over. It is too frustrating. I can't wait until my internship at Texas Children's starts. I faxed my paperwork and emailed it just in case! I am ready to be a sponge and learn everything I need to know to be a successful medical social worker!

[edit] I got lucky. There was a meeting today with my preceptor who is a social worker and the workers here at KYK. I updated her with my workshop and the issues I've been having. I gave her the cliff notes version of course. She was able to take charge and help me by giving solutions to manage the extra children. She will be providing me with a volunteer to keep watch of the children and the traffic.

Food pictures time!! I had tom yum noodle soup for dinner. It was delicious! I also learned how to order KFC deliver to my dorm! DANGER... I ordered a feast. I have a feeling I'll be eating KFC for a couple of days...

KFC feast!

Day Twenty-Two

The second day of my workshop was chaos. Six of the kids came for the session but at different times throughout the session.... And KYK is too small for the kids to all lay their bodies on their floor to draw themselves jumping for joy... The support from the others in the center was lacking as well... I was literally sweating and panicking. Luckily, with the kids coming in at different times, the ones who came first finished and the next group of kids had space to get their bodies drawn. I'm glad more kids showed up for the session, but it opened my eyes to why projects at the agency aren't as effective as they could be. I realized I need to vocalize what I need rather than expecting the help when it's needed. The next two sessions will have seated activities, so there won't be a need for a bigger space for the children. Hopefully, my supervision with my field instructor tomorrow will help me process these first two sessions of the workshop. 

I had a wonderful Sunday! I started my day with brunch at Tim Ho Wan, the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant. To be honest, I've had better dim sum. Maybe there's a certain location I need to go to? It wasn't horrible. It was good dim sum, but I guess I need my soy sauce, vinegar and chili oil. There was a dish I've had for the first time. Fried lychee with meet inside. I would not order it again. It is not my cup of tea.

After brunch, I headed north to Sha Tin. I went to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum where the Bruce Lee exhibition is held. It was amazing to read all about his history. I didn't realize he died at a young age. I didn't even know he was married and had two children. I wanted to take more pictures, but there are so many people... that and certain areas don't allow pictures to be taken........

Then it was time to meet friends at Harbor City. To kill time, I went to 1881 Heritage that has a Victorian feel to the area. There was also giant ice cream sundaes in the middle being displayed! That's what I am taking a fake bite out of in the selfie. I knew I was getting closer to the harbor when it started feeling and tasting salty. I spotted people fishing and others jamming out on their violins. There was a lot going on there. I will definitely go back and wander around some more.

The reason why I was going to Harbor City was for the Moomin Cafe!!!! One of my wonderful students during my time in Shinyokohoma introduced me to the Moomins. So cute! And when I discovered that there is a cafe here in Hong Kong, I knew I had to go and check it out. On my way to the cafe, I was surprised with all the Neko Astume cats all over!!!! I am guilty of playing the game on my phone, and I have all the cats I took pictures of and with. Hehe. Hong Kong is just filled with cuteness. It was an overload of cuteness this evening!!

Finally made our way to Moomin Cafe. Super cute on the outside. Super cute on the inside. And a super awesome view where we sat. We were faced the harbor and could watch the light show. I kept rubbing my eyes thinking my contacts were getting dried out and blurry, but it was just the window. HAH! I really like these cafes that have stuffed animals you can sit with. I sat with B. Duck at Izumi Curry, and tonight, we sat with some black thing and Moomin. But I am seriously so glad I was able to convince the waitress to let me the kid's meal because all the other food seemed mediocre and over-priced for such mediocrity. Who doesn't want Moomin shaped pasta at a Moomin Cafe? The other main dishes weren't Moomin themed at all! I told the lady I wanted to get a small meal in order to get the pancakes for dessert!! And that is what I did. 

Day Twenty-One

Working on a Saturday!! Yaaaay.... It's actually not that bad to work on a Saturday. I was able to be here for a tour for a group of people visiting the community. There was a great presentation of facts and statistics of the ethnic minorities here in Hong Kong. There was also henna! It was my first time getting henna, and it was kind of interesting... The smell and the texture... The process of it staining my skin... The color changing!

The henna design is drawn on. 

The goop is then washed off, and the design is orange.

I kept it on until it started cracking and falling off.

After work, I decided to explore a different part of Hong Kong. I went to Mong Kok MTR station to find my way to Langham Place. It was super busy, and I'm so glad I was having dinner by my lonesome. There are perks to eating alone. Less waiting time! I printed out my number for Ippudo with the help of some stranger, and they called me right in! I treated myself to an extra serving of noodles and BOGO beer! I then wandered around the shopping center and found Monster Popcorn, and I got myself a box of strawberry popcorn! Not the same as the strawberry popcorn at Tokyo Disney Sea... Sad times.

I got myself a mango mousse cafe in the shape of Pompompurin. Because I can.

Day Twenty

The first day of my Expressive Art Workshop!!!....was a dud... SO SAD! Only one kid showed up somewhat on time. I thought that have sets of brothers would at least bring two kids in at a time, but I was wrong! I asked him where his brother was, and he said his brother went somewhere with his mom. I asked him why he didn't go, and he said he'd rather be here. So funny! I can tell this kid really likes art. We waited for awhile, hoping the other kids will show up late, but we couldn't wait any longer. I started the slides, asked questions about different emotions, and played music. The kid was great. He is the one student every teacher hopes to have in the classroom to get the discussion going. I definitely don't miss being a teacher. That's for sure. Hopefully, the other boys who signed up for the workshop will show at the next session!

Let's backtrack a bit. I started my morning earlier than usual. I had to help with translations again for the same client's second appointment. However, when the project lead showed up, (and of course she is late as usual... one of my pet peeves!! I don't think she has ever shown up on time once for any of her outreaches. SO UNPROFESSIONAL!!!) she tells me that she asked someone from the community who speaks both Cantonese and Vietnamese to come. She was using me as back-up because she was not sure if the man would be dependable. When we did find him, she then tells me I can go. EXCUSE ME?? I start my working day two hours earlier than usual to just be sent to my center that doesn't open for another two hours... I am so relieved that I am not working with her every again. I want to help out the Vietnamese community here, but when the person in charge is unprofessional and unorganized, why use up my time and energy? There is a list of other things that she does that makes me question the level of professionalism of social workers here in Hong Kong. Maybe it a language barrier? Cultural differences? I am trying to understand, but I feel if you want to be taken seriously in your job, you need to be professional and serious. 

A plus from starting my day early, I am able to use the OT time to take some time off a day later in the month.  And another plus, I went to the McDonald's close the MTR station to get the rest of the Hello Kitties I need for my collection!! Mission completed!! The apple crumble McFlurry tasted too outlandish for me. I would not order again. But I would obviously order another Summer Sweet Sharing Box!

Day Nineteen

Moved and settled in my new home for the rest of my time here in Hong Kong!! A wonderful friend of my came to help and brought an extra helper! Thankfully she did... I thought two people could bring over what I had left, but I was wrong. After I moved in, I had to check-out of the last room, and there were a lot more steps than I expected. I went to the 24-hour security office, and then I went to the old hall, and then I went back to the security office again... But it's done!! 

So, for dinner last night... I had McDonald's. I know. I know. I should be eating authentic Chinese food, but since I'm still feeling a bit homesick, I really wanted to eat a Big Mac. Hahaha! So, I went to the McDonald's and ordered my food on the big touch-screen machine. But then.... I saw an advertisement about Hello Kitty toys that will be for sell starting TODAY!! So, of course, I had to get McDonald's again for lunch! But as I did research about how to collect all the Hello Kitty plushies, I realized I had to get McD's delivered to me for the ladybug and bumblebee.... Thankfully, I could order it online! I did not want to call, and it ending up being a disaster trying to get my food. However, I felt a bit bad for the lady who was delivering my food and toys to me... She had a hard time locating the center... The address to this place is a bit confusing, but I find that's how the addresses are here. Confusing. But here are the yummy treats and toys I got from McDonald's!! Hello Kitty fruit drink. Hello Kitty Summer Sweet Sharing Box just for myself. Hello Kitty pineapple pie. And of course my Hello Kitty toys: Cinnamoroll, Keroppi, Gudetama, bumblebee and ladybug!~

As you can see, my day was so productive...  Figuring out how to order McDonald's delivery, Collecting Hello Kitties, and now.... trying to catch all 250 Pokemon! Got my starter Pokemon, SQUIRTLE!! Now, let's see if Hong Kong has any Pokemon for me to catch.

[edit] Just wanted to add picture of my new view from my new dorm. I'm on the fourteenth floor, and it's AMAZING outside my window! I can see the light show from my window! It's tiny, but I see it!

Day Eighteen

HOORAY!!! I picked up my new key to my new room this morning!!! I received an email yesterday about my new hall!! I was so happy that I couldn't wait to get home and pack my things. It took me less than an hour to get my things ready and rearranging the furniture back to where they were. SO READY! Before I could start packing, the hall tutor, AKA an RA, came to visit me. I guess he heard that I filed a complaint. I told him what happened, and he apologized for not helping sooner. He asked what he could do to make things better. I told him there's nothing to really do now. I'm moving halls! He looked shocked. I guess it's not common for things to process so quickly. I'm surprised myself. I find things run pretty inefficiently from my observations here and there. He asked if I needed help and when I was moving. I replied with tomorrow. Another shocker!! He even asked me if I wanted to get any follow-ups after he talks to the troublemakers. HAH! No thanks. I'm out, homie! Peace out!

I can't wait to go home and move out of my room. I started moving some things already, and the security lady at the door was super sweet and helpful this morning. I feel like things are going to get a lot better. I've already experienced the worst! It can't get worse than that... Knock on wood...

All this craziness with the hall has made me somewhat homesick. I've been craving for food that reminds me of home... So, I tried stir-fried flat noodles today. Not better than Mama's.... But I love that it's lychee season here!! So yummy and sweet! I just need some vodka to make some martinis! WOO!

Today is a lot quieter at work than what I expected. Today is Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, and I expected to see more of a celebration in the streets. A few kids came by the center, and I saw some really pretty dresses and henna. That was it. I sure hope these kids don't forget about the workshop starting on Friday. I'm getting really nervous... I can't believe it's about to start. It's almost the end of my internship here in Hong Kong! 12 more days.

Day Seventeen

I had supervision today, and I am super nervous about how my workshop is going to go. Lucky me, I have four sets of brothers that have signed up for my session. It will be a bonus to have them work on coping skills together and practice them at home together!

I also brought up the issue about my "wonderful" living situation with my field instructor. I received another lovely note from the girls next door when I got home last night, and I... just... can't. After discussing it with her, I told her that I got in contact with the a hall master that is part of the social sciences department, and that I would like to meet her in person if it was possible. It was possible. She was super sweet and nice! I wish she was here on the day I arrived, but traveling around Africa for a month is pretty awesome reason for not being here. Africa is on my bucket list now. The hall master apologized and mentioned how Hall 6, the nightmare hall, is infamous for its rowdiness and that they should have not assigned me a dorm in that hall. She also said that hall is in between hall masters now which gives them even more freedom to act like wild animals. I asked WHY? Since, I'm a masters student, why was I put in such a crazy undergraduate hall? Why was I not originally in a postgraduate hall?? Reno-freaking-vations. Just my luck. I will not take my parents' safe and quiet home for granted again.  However, there is some luck on my side, the board that is in charge of the student residents were in a meeting as we were speaking, and the hall master told me that they will fix the issue. Fixing the issue = me moving to a better hall. But hopefully my email and what she emailed was enough, and there won't have to be any more pushing for them to fix it. I guess I will just have to hope and pray that an email will get sent my way with my living arrangements soon! Like TODAY...

So on my way to work today, I passed by Maxim's Bakery. I've been putting off getting these super cute Sanrio friends that have dessert inside them because I don't want crazy hallmates to steal them... I've read some really furious notes on the fridges and the white board about food thieves... But since I'm going to work where there's a fridge, I thought it would be the perfect way to keep these cuties cold and safe.