#hkpu

[sampriva-blog]

學海無涯啊啊啊！ #我好好學🤓 #一個地方比一個地方熱💦 #HKPU（在 The Hong Kong Polytechnic University）

[risebythesun]

Visit to the Elderly Housing Center

I don't talk about school that much .... lol, but today in my Bioinstrumentation class, we took a cool field trip the the Elderly Housing Center. It's basically a place that tests how the elderly are doing and promotes independent living. 

When we got there, we had a presentation given by the faculty and then a tour. A lot of the things were in Cantonese though, so it was easy to get lost for part of it. But a lot of the tests were really cool such as measuring their balance, eye sight, and cognitive ability. The tests were also very game-like and therefore fun to watch. The second half of the tour was showing different accomodations made to a home that would make it easier for the elderly to live independently. It was interesting to see the modifications to these assistive technologies so that they would fit into the small spaces that are Hong Kong apartments. I really felt like I was in an Ikea home! 

Anyways, it was a fun way to spend the afternoon with my class as opposed to being in a lecture. Glad my professor planned this! 

[littlemebigasia]

A first for everything.

Well I must admit, delving into the unknown did not sound too appealing to me as of late. I kept asking myself, 'What the hell did you sign up for, Olivia?! Are you serious?! You're making yourself go to Hong Kong by yourself?! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING.' But I'm here, and though I was more afraid and anxious to leave rather than excited as I should be, I think I'm going to be okay. Well I have to be because I'm here for a whopping four months and ten days. So here is my life at HKPU for the spring semester, every truthful bit of my adventure spilled out onto this screen through my nervous nail-bitten fingers for you to read and hopefully enjoy. I'VE NEVER FLOWN EAST. It was the coolest thing. It didn't quite click until I was flying over Alaska with my jaw dropped. Have you ever seen the ocean frozen over? I didn't even want to imagine how cold it was down there, but man it was cool (see below). And at sunrise too? I'm one lucky son of a bitch.

When I got here, it finally hit me. I'm in f**king Hong Kong, dude. Another thing, THEY DRIVE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE CAR AND ROAD. Ding ding ding, you aren't in Kansas anymore! I got to my room to see exactly what I had expected, but still with a tinge of disappointment. Hey, what do you expect when you're paying $200 Canadian a month and you're used to a brand new condo at home.

This is my beautiful front door. Glad I don't smoke, but I miss my kitty Alice, and I am definitely going to miss experimenting in the kitchen. Such rules.

Welcome to my humble abode. My roommate's bed is so close to mine that we could probably hold hands while we sleep (though this offer is most definitely not on the table). I thought I was the only one who brought two suitcases, being a fashion student and all, but my roommate did too! Hoorah for overpacking embarrassments. You'll notice my attempt at feeling more at home and at surviving this horrid 13 hour time difference with a Starbucks coffee in hand. Speaking of bedding (where were we?), I had the most hilarious troubles picking up my sheets at 'Japan Home' around the corner. Nobody at the little shop spoke English, so after many attempts, I left with a mattress cover sheet that is way too big, an overly expensive duvet, and a tempur-pedic pillow that, turns out, is hard as rock. Also my mattress is so hard, if I punch it, it hurts. Oh, and though I knew this, Asian people giggle a lot. It's adorable and I love it, but I have yet to discover how to respond when there is an excessive amount of it except an awkward smile. Help my poor awkward soul, please.

I know, my bathroom is beautiful. I even have a toilet stall. You're jealous. And who is on the other side of that door? A mystery, for now.

So I know this might be creepy... Okay, it is definitely creepy, but I took pictures of my roommate's things. Just a couple, to give you an idea, or me an idea. I have not seen her since I arrived here last night, but all her belongings are neatly stowed on her side of the room. So she is as much of a mystery to me as she is to you. My guess is that she is from San Antonio, TX (see postcards), but her odd trinkets amuse me. These polaroids will at least inform me that when I see a young lady like her in my room, I know we are not being robbed. I've been thinking of picking up fobby trinkets such as Hello Kitty and fringe-y red things or paper lanterns, pimping out my side of the room, and letting her think I am the most Asian person with the biggest language barrier she has ever met, but we will see. My room might end up looking like that anyways. When will you come home, mystery child?

Hello Kownloon from my dorm window. Nice to meet you, and I can't wait until we are close as ever. I promise you many adventures and bold new discoveries. XX Liv