To be in Hong Kong or not to be that is the question???

I first went to Hong Kong in 1999 to live but then it lasted just a few months, then Canada then Korea for a year then back to Hong Kong for two years then Korea, then Canada, then, then, then! Well there’s some boomerang effect with Hong Kong and myself as each year I find myself back here with a different experience from the last. I'm only here for a couple of days, as I seriously need a refresher, some shopping and time to chat with my dear friend Cherie. I also have the opportunity to move back here and walk straight into a public school position along with the previous teacher's two-bedroom apartment in September.

As some of you may know that I've been having a tough time in Korea, mainly due to my job as it's seriously disorganized and stuck in the conservative patriarchal world that leaves me stressed and pissed off. I’ve also been dating one guy; it's an on/off relationship/friendship. However the most positive thing has been my art, I am currently in a show that opened on Saturday, which received positive feedback. My art has helped me deal with some of the stress as well as my loneliness.

Moving to Hong Kong is no easy decision unlike before. It was easier for me to pick up and leave when I was younger, but these days it’s real headache, as I now long to settle and have a home. I really am unsure of the next move or I should say the next step. However if I stay in Korea I have also been presented with the opportunity to open an art academy along with a friend who is willing to help as much as she can however I need to commit at least three years in Korea. It seems my art has a future in Korea, as I'm surrounded by artists who motivate and support me in so many ways. That is something that I would have to give up if I move to Hong Kong.

To be honest I would really love to move back to the UK, but I have several fears; I am used to a lifestyle that I cannot afford over there and I feel that I need substantial savings to back me up and help me settle in. However saving money in Korea seems to be my weak point. Hong Kong salary is higher as well as legal part-time work andI should mention that while I stay in Hong Kong in preparation for the UK I could also study as there are numerous courses offered here that are not available in Korea.

I consider myself lucky to have all these choices and opportunities. But I feel dumbfounded just like you do when you walk into MacDonald's and stand in front of the vast menu like a deer in the headlights; frozen and unable to move, then order combo number one! Speaking of which, Cherie and I ordered two lunch combos in some Hong Kong fusion restaurant that had no English but did have pictures, to our horror werealized that we ordered noodles with tripe and a side dish of cow tongue! We ended up having two lunches in two different restaurants!

I will be MIA for a while!

Well once again my iBook is in for repairs and let's hope things will go well now that my warranty has finished. At the moment I'm using the classroom's computer and let me tell you ~ some things in this school needs some serious updating! I will be on vacation from next week, no please don't get excited I'm not visiting anyone :( In fact I'm not going anywhere this vacation which really breaks my heart and don't worry as I'm not going to even go there with more details.

The only thing I plan is painting as I'm in a group show starting January 27th in Anyang so for those that can please do come. Oh and I'm going to the gym which will be the highlight of the vacation.

New year's is still going well, a little quiet as all my friends are busy with the show and ah-hem I may even have a date or two.

That's all for now!

Man I wish I was here again!

shazzbazz

Good Times!

Well so far so good. December is finally over and let me say, phew! It's been a roller coaster ride with way too many surprises around each corner ~ I need a rest from all the shock!

So Christmas was cool, had some friends over on the night before the eve, or the eve of the eve, he he he! Anyway, got some turkey and all the trimmings and for the first time some eggnog thanks to Mark! We did a secret Santa which was the first for most but fun nonetheless. I managed to get some soap and shower gel from Lush my favourite place. People left and other people came but most people left earrrrrrrly in the morning.



Christmas Eve I got to go to my friend’s concert along with another friend that I hadn’t seen in a few months. It was fantastic to see someone you know up on stage performing, this is when you really realize the effort that goes into a concert. He really got the hall up from their seats clapping and dancing!




New years was great too. Spent it with the same people, started off with a Thai meal at Buddha's Belly, then down to B One Lounge where we had a few interesting drinks as the bartender needs to go back to bartender school to realize that not every drink is supposed to be made with Lemon Time! We then went to Mark's fancy place in Italy House ~ oohh la la! He provided the champagne for us to cheer along with a countdown show with the happenings of Seoul downtown, however most people didn't drink it all and I ended up finishing the bottle. The next hop was to Hong Dae for more drinks where the tequila shots were flowing getting a few people ready for the dance floor at M2. Once 6am rolled around it was finally time to head home and admit enough is enough. Yep, it was a great night and thankfully I didn't have a hang over.

I'm currently busy with another show that is to open January 27th in Anyang Lotte Department Store Gallery I currently have a piece there already that opened last Wednesday. But the new show; I have about a quarter of the large gallery so I got to get me arse in gear! Also I'm teaching some winter classes which are going well.



Happy New Year!