Lack of Sleep

As I write this blog I have just worked 3 overnight shifts at my store in Hong Kong. These aren't just any normal overnight 8 hour shifts, but ridiculously long 6pm-7,8,10am shifts. Meaning, I have put in over 40 hours in just 3 days. Don't misunderstand me, I am not complaining about these shifts, but more wanted to make observations about how your mind functions and how your body feels when sleep is deprived from it.

I have done these overnight shifts a lot since I have arrived in Hong Kong. 2-4 every week to be exact. My brain starts to really go into alternative zoned out mode once I reach day 3. I am right now definitely feeling the side affects of no sleep. Reason why I know this is not because I am tired.. which I am... and not because my body feels funny... which it does.

No, the reason why I know I have reached this point is because at this stage I seriously start to hallucinate. These hallucinations aren't what you see in the movies/tv shows. Where your main character has vivid life life scenes played where at the end of it he realizes its not real but some how his subconscious has managed to tell him some hidden truth that he must learn to either... win the love of his life back.... defeat the villain... or just simply come to some sort of realization.

No... my hallucinations are freaky... I seriously see people out of the corners of my eye... not ghosts... or demons... or anything really dark... but people that may be currently in the same area as me but for some reason my mind is playing a type of rerun scene and i see them walk behind me... or move next to me.

To you, reader, you probably think I am just being oddly paranoid, but I can guarantee you that my mind does see these things which aren't there. I go to see where that person may be going but come to a corner where no one is at only to walk around and find that worker in a room on the other side of the store.

Truth be told this is really disturbing and I honestly hate it. Its like having my own personal haunted house but definitely not make me jump scary.. just kind of freak me out.

I would go to sleep now and get my 8 hours in... but I have to be at my manager meeting in 1 hour, so I will take a shower clean up and head back in.

Diversity is not a small wooden ship

When I saw this Chinese guy dressed in an Irish Kilt playing bagpipes it made me think...

I am 27 years old... I have a Jewish first name, Irish middle name, and a Jewish last name. I am not jewish nor irish. I am Korean born American who was raised in Texas currently living in Hong Kong. My second language is spanish, and I love italian food. I grew up in a Mexican neighborhood where I went to a predominately caucasian private school.

If you were to ask me a year ago if I knew what diversity meant I would have said yes. From my mini-biography I have just written I think you would have to agree I am very experienced with diversity, that was until March of 2011 when I flew away to Asia to become an expat for Abercrombie & Fitch.

Living in Hong Kong, I have grown deeper as a person to understanding what diversity really means. Hong Kong is the epic version of diversity. Chinese, Indian, French, Swiss, English, Hispanic... take your pick and you can easily find them in Hong Kong. Yes, Hong Kong has many Chinese who speak Cantonese; and yes, Hong Kong is now a Chinese territory. But to limit your thoughts to just that would be ignorant. In Hong Kong you can find any type of food you want, and meet practically any race you wish.

To me diversity is, yes, difference amongst people from color of skin to educational backgrounds , but being diverse means opening up your mind to these differences and realizing no matter how much you think you may know... you really have only touched the tip of the iceberg and that to really experience diversity means to travel and see it for yourself.

Life so far..

Ever feel like your life has become predictable... Mundane... Boring... ???

If you answered yes to any of these then you should become an expat. If you really want a challenge become an expat for A&F... I can't even begin to describe to you how every day is a new challenge and every day is a different challenge.

For myself I'm a manager at Hollister in Hong Kong. I can't even describe to you how strenuous every day seems to be. I feel like I am met with new challenges and new and larger steps to take on.

It's amazing to me how crazy it is. Somedays I am completely wiped out and burnt out.. But just when I feel like I have gotten my feet underneath me, another new challenge steps up. I can't wait for my next vacation. Ha!

sleep cycle

Sleep cycle's are funny. By definition we are told that the proper amount of sleep you need is 8 hours of sleep, yet if those 8 hours come in the middle of the day you still feel like you haven't slept at all. For those of you who regularly visit my blog have noticed that I haven't written a blog in probably over 3 months. This is because since I have been back in Hong Kong I have been working mostly over night shifts. I am not complaining because I know this is how I can greatly help out my store, but the sleep cycle I usually do is 6-8 hours but during the day. Generally this is 8am-4pm. Trying to sleep during this time of the day is probably the most confusing thing my body has ever undergone save puberty...

To me my days have been one huge blur, I have slept when most people are awake and I am awake when most people are asleep. Its a very confusing period of time in my life... again save puberty. Only similarity is that puberty and my job I think are definitely making me into more of a man.

new post coming... had to get this one out first though

I haven't posted many times how big the gay and lesbian population is here in Hong Kong because I didn't want to come off like I was discriminating against them, but....

I know when I'm in Hong Kong because I get more stares by men here then I ever get girls to give me a second glance. Trust me I don't want to come off arrogant or extremely full of myself, but I get either hit on or stared at by more men since I've been in Hong Kong then any other city, state, or country that I have visited.

Case in point, I come back to my apartment complex from working out at the gym. I have a cut off t-shirt on and I have worked up a decent sweat. The security guard for the apartment opens the door for me which he does for everyone.

He then smiles and says, "Did you work out" (with the motions of bench press because that seems to be the universal sign language for work out).

I reply back, "Yes I did."

Security guard, "You have a very nice body, sir"

My response, "Uh... thanx?" I then run into my elevator... without looking back at him.

This is how I know I'm back in Hong Kong... and this is how Hong Kong welcomes me back!

Yep! Just another day for me...

Hong Kong Heat...

I can't believe how hot hong kong can get. Growing up in Texas I definitely am used to heat and humidity but hong kong heat is for some reason in it's own special category.  Maybe I am just used to being inside during most of the heat waves of Texas and in hong kong I have to make it on foot everywhere, but the fact that I feel like I need to shower every hour definitely is an experience I could live without.

I don't know how else to describe it other than that it's like stepping in one of those dry saunas you would find at the gym. Except the smells of hong kong are so unique combined with the heat.. Ya it's like stepping in your car in a Texas summer with 3 day old panda express in your backseat..  Funny thing is I am getting used to the smells... Except for stinky tofu (seriously thats what it's called)  cause that smells like microwaved cat food. I'm all down for trying new foods but I'm going to leave that one to my cat back in Texas.

expat

The life of an expat. Being an expat is probably been the most growing experience I've ever had to face. Its not like something as simple as going off to college, which was hard at the time. Its way more complicated than that... its bigger than that... College, yes, was a huge step. Going from a small pond to a larger one not really knowing anyone, but it was still America. I went from Texas to California...

Being an expat is like your freshman year of college on steroids. You get thrown from a small pond (Dallas, Texas) to a huge one (Seoul, Hong Kong) where you know almost no one, and in most cases they don't even speak English. The culture is completely different, the foods are unique and sometimes odd, and the smells and sights differ every step you take. In my case, you spend most of your days outside talking to complete strangers and many times I am by myself wandering around the city.

I'm not sure how you would enjoy it... I figure since several different people read my blog I won't suggest you would hate it, or enjoy it. I do know that either way, it will change you. Just like your freshman college experience causes you to maturely grow so does an expat life. Its not something as simple as saying you grow because "mommy" & "daddy" aren't there for you. Its more saying that YOU have to be there for YOURSELF. Your basic survival of a new country depends on how well you can adapt.

I know many people who may read this will think to themselves that being an Expat is too scary or not something they would want, but you have to think about this... from when you started college to when you ended how much of a change ended up happening to you? I'm not talking about delayed growth spurts or clothing styles... but maturity-wise... what's different.

The differences you see in yourself, imagine that, on a larger scale.

Now i'm not saying that I'm super mature. Nor am I saying that I am a different person. I've only been here for 4 months, and for those that really know me.. I never really do grow up. What I am saying is that the experience of a lifetime is sometimes taking those steps out of your comfort zone and doing something that you never thought you would do. Only way you can grow is being forced to change.

apologize

Sorry for the non-posts

Hey to my readers... I know its been a couple of weeks. I have been super busy with work. I'm working on a new blog so I'll have something posted by tomorrow.

I hope everyone is doing great!

Its not a small world.. after all....

Today... I went to the Dragonboat Carnival in TST (Tsim Sha Tsui). I honestly don't understand the fun aspect of watching people race in a small boat to the beat of a drum. Just a couple of days ago the Dallas Mavericks won their first NBA championship. Now that to me is excitement. Alot more skill is involved in basketball then there is in dragonboat races. Yet, this is the 2nd dragonboat race I've attended and people fill the stands just to watch this.

My theory behind this is that because there is no significant sport besides soccer in Hong Kong that everyone turns out for these boat races. Now there are other sports that people play.... basketball, rugby, soccer, tennis... but none of these except soccer are huge sporting events in which everyone attends. I guess I just don't understand the excitement of watching these races. Maybe I'm just being ignorant.

At the races I met a new friend who was from France, its very enlightening meeting new people from all over the world. It helps put things into perspective.. So many times growing up in America I tend to think of America as the only place there is. I thought the world was backwards and different. After living in Korea & Hong Kong... I've come to realize that its America who are backwards and different. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying, I love America. Its my home, but truth be told we Americans live a very backwards and sheltered life. Here in Hong Kong many people are from other countries or finish school in other countries... in America we stay very close to our home towns and rarely leave the state except for vacations.

I find it amazing how little I really knew of the world. Even though I traveled all over the world back when I worked at a church I still find what I thought I knew a small drop in the bucket of what there really is. I guess what I'm trying to say is that for those who think they know the world and think they know what's out there.. until you venture out and see it, experience it, live it... you really dont know. Take a risk... see what's out there... it could change your life.

The tortoise vs the hare

When I think of big cities I think New York city... I think LA... The hustle and bustle of the bigness of the city. The people acting like an organism that functions at a high rate of speed with everyone in a hurry.... Running... Pushing... Always acting like they are late to the biggest meeting of their lives.

I arrive in Hong Kong on April 20th... And I have to admit beyond a shadow of a doubt... That is not the case here amongst the locals. As soon as I step out of my apartment my goal is to get to Point B from Point A as fast as humanly possible without having to actually run. Yet as soon as I step out of my apartment building I'm met by road blocks... And not objects and cars but by people who don't (evidently) have any particular place to be... Just walking.... Slowly walking... Very slowly walking to get to wherever they may need to go. Its insane! I don't get how a city of 7 mil people can run one of the largest cities in the world at the pace they go at. For those of you who come from Texas you know that even Texas in it's more chill laid back lifestyle still moves at a good clip...

The oddest part is that it works here... There are LV stores on every corner, Hugo boss in every mall, Armani in every major district, and money is thrown around as if it were monopoly cash. "$20k to buy that? k here ya go.."

So when it comes down to it...maybe slow and steady does win the race... Or maybe I just need to stop and look around... Maybe I'm the one missing something.

Well gotta go....

phobia

As I write this post I want to remind those of you who read it that I do not at all think negatively towards Hong Kong, but this is definitely my experience while I've been here.

The last city I was in was Seoul, South Korea... and as I'm sure I didn't get to really see it. There were not huge bugs. I know people have told me that Seoul does get very humid during the July and August months, but I'm sure it'll be very comparable to Texas weather.

Hong Kong on the other hand has been nothing but humid and very very rainy weather which of course breeds... Cockroaches! I can't begin to describe to you my phobia I

have for these bugs. Its not something I'm necessarily proud of... nor is it something I try and let people know the first instance they meet me, but th

ey scare the crap out of me.

So I was walking down the alley ways to get back to my apartment, and on any given night I'll see from anywhere 2-3 cockroaches scurry around in the dark corners. Even though they might be a good 10 feet away I like them to be a good 15 to 20 feet away from me. As I walking down this alley way on this particular night. I see a huge cockroach in the middle of the road. First instinct is to freeze. Thinking to myself... If I don't move maybe it'll not see me and won't attack.... usually this works and it runs away towards a dark crevice. This particular night the cockroach moved only slightly away from me. So I weigh my options... strategize... and conclude that running and jumping over this bug is the best solution... so I do...

Five feet past this bug I walk briskly down the alley way when another cockroach lands on my hand.... Now I'm not a screamer, nor do I panic in situations like this... but that bug caused every child hood nightmare to surge to the top of my vocal chords and I screamed louder and faster than I could sling my hand around to knock it off. Even as I type this blog I get the chills thinking about it.

WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD A COCKROACH LAND ON ME OF ALL PEOPLE!!!!

I know for a fact I'll run into another one before I leave Hong Kong, in fact, I had one run at me last night, but seriously... I have to be in the country that is infested with my biggest phobia... lets place me on stage with millions of people to watch and have me sing a solo in a closed dark box while we are at it.

This past weekend.... budgets can only be for those who can see the future...

Ever feel like no matter how much more you may get paid, or how many expenses you cut from your budget you still never seem to have any money in your account? That's exactly what this week was like. I'll get back to this opener paragraph in a bit...

Starting off... on Tuesday my Regional Manager from Japan came to Hong Kong to check in on the A&F team out here. I wasn't sure what to expect as I have had several RM's from A&F so far and each were very different in how they acted and how they managed us. I honestly thought she was pretty cool, and definitely was alot of fun to talk to any be around during the past few days. I wont get into details of what we did and where we went but basically we showed her around all of the major HK spots that we found were the busiest and coolest areas.

So that basically was what happened Tuesday through Thursday. Thursday I went to the Lane Crawford (for those of you who don't know what this is its kinda like a Nordstrom) Dinner party. This was actually alot of fun and I met several really cool people.

That's basically the most of what happened on the work side of things... so back to the beginning paragraph...on the personal side of my life... My computer crashed earlier last week. This was really a bummer mainly because I had to have a huge project for my regional to be done by Wednesday. I ended up working on it all from my iPad (whoever thought that the ipad was a waste of money can bite me) which took alot longer but I got the work done that I needed to get done.

So after alot of thought and careful deliberation... I splurged and bought myself the macbookpro 15".... and haven't looked back since. Now for those of you who read my blog please reference back to the blog "Today So Far" and you'll see why me needing to buy a new computer may be a bad thing. On the subject I have found that the more money you throw down on items the better service you get in Hong Kong. This may seem like a "duh" statement, but I can't tell you the last time I was in a simple little store in HK and received great service...

I know I probably could have gotten a PC for half the price, but in all honesty can't bring myself to buying a PC ever again. I'm a mac guy and forever will be one... Yes, Steve Jobs does own my soul, but as long as I got a Mac, iphone, and ipad... I'll be happy :)

RM coming to town

The Regional manager over Asia is going to be in Hong Kong later this evening... so ya... I'm gonna be very busy. If you guys don't here from me for the next few days.. that will be the reason why..

hope everyone has a great week!

Tom Ford

Last night was the Tom Ford Cocktail Party. It was quit an experience for me. First off let me explain some things to those of you who aren't familiar with my background. I was raised in Lewisville, Texas, which is a suburb of Dallas. My mom and dad both did not raise me with any ideas of name brands or to keep up with modern fashion. First time I ever wore anything that was considered cool was in college when I bought my first A&F polo.

I did not major in college in anything remotely close to fashion. In fact, my major was Theological Studies, which to most of you means nothing, but basically I studied to work in a church.... Again, far from fashion world and modern style. Although living in California for those 4 years I did begin to understand different designers and clothing just because of the type of people that lived in San Jose, Cali.

Four weeks ago if you were to ask me if I knew who Tory Burch was.. I'd have no clue... if you had asked me who Tom Ford was... I'd again have no clue... So for me to say that I have been invited to the Tory Burch Fashion Show Party... and the Tom Ford Cocktail Store Opening Party.. Means probably everything to some of you who may read this.. but if you grew up like me (which I highly doubt) you probably have no clue what that means... and even less of what exactly the dress code would be for such an event.

So that brings me to last night... I wore a suit and dress shirt to the event assuming I'd be within the ranks of what the dress code would (which I was thankfully)... As I approach the the store which was in ifc Mall in Central, HK, I noticed that there are literally 25 photographers lined up in front of the store taking pictures of everyone that walks in. I proceed to the lady who checks your name on the guest list... and as I walk in I don't know whether to stop and let people photograph me or just walk in fast and awkward like... So I chose the latter. I walk in... hardly no one is in the store except the waiters who have wine and caviar hors d'oeuvres.

Sooo... I put my best face forward and began to mingle and meet people. I will not get into the details of who I met because for most of you reading this you will have no clue who they are... Many were Hong Kong singers and movie stars... and the rest were Editors in Chief for magazines and newspapers in South China.

Its kinda hard to mingle with people who all are in their 40's and 50's and are the bosses for their respected companies and the rest of the people who were my age were ether popstars or supermodels. Of course, this sounds like me bragging which I am.. but again kind of awkward.

Well... that's it for me so far... I'll fill you guys in on my weekend on my next blog

Big City

Ok... so the major differences between living in a city like Lewisville, Texas and living in cities like Seoul, S. Korea or Central, Hong Kong is definitely, top of the list, the sounds. Typical morning in Lewisville when I would wake up would be maybe the sound of car horn.. maybe the sound of some one in the street talking annoying loud on their cell phone... but more than likely probably there would be no sounds... Hong Kong on a typical morning... Jackhammers... lots and lots of jackhammering... It doesn't necessarily wake me up in the morning but oh does it ever keep me away once I do finally open my eyes.

This, of course, is the trade off you get for living in a city with 7 million other people in it. On many levels I can appreciate the sounds... its the sound of progress and of a city that used to be just another UK property becoming a major focal center for the world.. Its a sign of growth and that even though the economy might be awful in America it definitely is on the rise in Asia. But on the flip side of it... it does make me appreciate the times I got to go to my grandpa's house in Minnesota and sit outside and hear nothing but horses and birds...

Maybe one day if I ever find myself living in the country I'll look back and miss the days of the jackhammers....


...but probably not.

Universal Healthcare for Asia!!!

So today I decided taking a sick day is the only and best viable option left for me. Its actually a first... I do not think in the 3 1/2 years I have been employed in A&F have I ever taken a sick day, but I really don't have much of an option.

First the GM here who is really my direct supervisor/boss is teamed up with me 8-10 hours every day 5 days a week. The DM who is here also is around me about that same amount of time. So the only option left for me is to take a sick day or else I'll infect the team. Kinda blows though cause I feel very unproductive just sitting at my Apt surfing the internet for recruiting ideas and answering emails.

I do however laugh at the fact that my Doctor's apt and my 'scripts were only a total of $32.00 (american). How can that be even possible? I'm going venture a guess and say that Hong Kong has some sort of universal health plan which makes that possible, but still. Its by far the cheapest dr. visit I've ever had which included 6 different medications which were given to me in the doctors office. Yeah, no waiting in line at a Rx store.. just sat there in the office for 10 minutes and was given my meds right then and there.

Ok... so as backwards and different as Hong Kong is from America I gotta admit that they seriously got this whole Doctors visit down to a science. I mean, in Texas, I'd first have to schedule an appointment a day in advance... sit in the waiting area (for an hour)... get to finally enter the room... then wait again for another 20 min... and finally see a doctor... 5 minutes later I leave with a prescription... just to go to a pharmacy and do the whole thing over again..

Hong Kong doctors office in and out in 25 minutes... I haven't had food service in Hong Kong that was that fast... I think I'm going to find something else wrong with me just cause I know it's going to be a fast and simple process to get it fixed.

Ok... so as you can tell that was my enjoyment of the day. On a final note I hate being sick because I have to sit around and do nothing... Lets be honest I have ADD and I can't sit still in a movie theater for 2 hours without getting bored much less sit in my Apt all day and not get bored.. Sick or not... this Asian boy needs stimulation to keep himself out of trouble...

Any ideas on what I can do???

Today so far...

Today felt like a pretty good success. I managed to work out, go to the doctor, get some clothes for this weekend (we'll come back to this), and get some extra work done that needed to be done... all of this before 7pm. Pretty proud of myself right now.

Funny thing is that the spending money on clothes was the easiest and yet longest part of my day. I guess that's not to funny especially if you're a shop-a-holic, but... I tend to not spend alot of time buying clothes yet I do spend alot of money on clothes. When it comes to shopping, I'm definitely your typical guy. I like to be in and out of the store before anyone has any idea what happened. The other side of me is the side that doesn't understand the word "budget". I may go into a shop and be out really fast, but at the same time I have purchased half of the entire store plus signed up for the e-newsletter and frequent buyer cards.

Its strange how I'm a sucker to salesmen. If you have a good enough pitch.. I think to myself.. "They are really trying hard.. I'll buy from them" I don't care if I need it or not... Yep... That's me.. 3 stores absolutely love me when they see me walk into the store...

1) Anything A&F.. that includes HCo, a&f kids, Fitch... even Gilly Hicks... I'll buy the perfumes as gifts, and if the models would ever try it I'd probably buy a bra and undies just because they're beautiful and I can't say no.

2) Apple Stores. Lucky for me there are no apple stores in Hong Kong... but there are plenty of electronics... I just avoid looking because once I pick it up.. I want it...

3) Car salesmen... My last car I bought was a 350z for those that knew me in Texas you've seen this car... I literally did no haggling... no real long test drives... no research... and bought the car in less then 30 minutes. I saw the car online.. emailed them... told'm I'd be there that evening.. picked it up... drove it to church... Yep... I made that guys week I'm sure of it.

Not exactly sure how I got on all this, but needless to say I did spend alot of money today on an outfit for the Tom Ford Store opening party. Definitely made that sales lady's day.

So for all of you salesmen that are reading this blog... please be gentle when you see me walk into your store..

Things to do today...

Its strange waking up in Hong Kong... You realize that the normal things you probably would do on your day off are pretty much the same... work out... laundry... dry-cleaning... go to the doctor... but yet these things are completely different than if I were to do them in Dallas, Tx.

Work out... I gotta get dressed (obviously) WALK through Soho and Lan Kwai Fong... and avoid getting hit by the crazy taxi drivers that stop for no one...

Laundry... is done in my building but on the 6th floor (i'm on the 18th floor) so gotta get my stuff ready... take the elevator... get to the 6th floor just to find that all the washer machines are being used... sooooo... I proceed to do redo these steps over and over again til I finally get my laundry done...

Dry-Cleaning.. not sure yet about this one haven't done it yet since I've been in HK.

Doctor... ya i got no clue where I'm gonna find this... especially since I have to find one that takes my insurance and speaks English... a double threat!

Soo... that's my agenda for today... oh ya.. I also need to shop for Saturday's party thing...

Sick... with Fashion...

So pretty much since I've been in HK, I've had this aweful stuffy nose. I first thought it was cause of the pollution, but it turns out that I now have a chest cold. My goal is to go to the doctor tomorrow morning. But we'll see how that goes...

Also in other news I was invited to go to a store opening for Tom Ford. If you know anything about me, I have literally no clue who these designers are, but I will go cause I think I'm starting to get the hang of this fashion scene.

If anyone out there has a suggestion on what I should wear please let me know. Its a cocktail party.. which again tells me nothing about the dress code. Its days like these I am in awe that I live and work in Asia... that I get to experience all these cool different things.

Well this cough is driving me insane... I hope its semi gone by tomorrow.

Stupid People...

Today was officially "Meet stupid people at different places that have no clue what their jobs entail." Seriously! If you work at a restaurant maybe you should know what's on the menu... if you work at an office maybe you should know what to do when your boss' are off. Stupid people need to all be sent to an island where they can't infect their stupidness to other normal people.... I'm done and good night