I know it’s been awhile since I’ve written anything. If you are like my little sister, Sara — and do checks to see if I had any updates (THANK YOU, SARA!!!) then, I do apologize and thank you!!
I’ve been meaning to write for awhile now…I have. There is lots to report. Really.
Why? Gourmet? Why???
First and foremost, I am so sad to hear that Gourmet magazine will end its run.
It’s like seeing a great restaurant shut its doors after serving great meals. It’s been a reliable friend for me . . . . way back when I was an undergrad in college and decided to try and learn to cook!! Me, a poor college student was living vicariously through Gourmet magazine!!! I still have all my old issues from way back (ahem) since 1991. My husband even has a “signature dish” that he cooks for me only on special occasions!!! And where do you think he got the recipe and learned to cook it to perfection?? Gourmet.
Apartment Hunting in Hong Kong
Second thing I have to report is that we have to move apartments! What a drag!
I haven’t had to deal with housing issues for so long! It’s like a nightmare from my undergraduate days coming back to haunt me over and over again. (sigh)
Packing. Unpacking. Packing. Unpacking. Packing. Unpacking. Hell.
And apartment hunting here in Hong Kong is the weirdest experience — ever!
In the States — you have one agent (if you need one at all) and you stick with that
agent through good and bad viewings of places.
Here, in Hong Kong — uh, not quite like that!
Here, you gather as many agents as your little book and cell phone can handle!! And…you have to keep them all straight in your head as to who showed you the apartment first so you can be fair when it comes to paying half their commission.
A Hong Kong friend tells me — Oh, don’t worry! It’s just like lunch! You just have to think of the agents as the different lunch places and every place has a different menu!
But. But. But…..there’s so many lunch places to choose from?!?!?!
It’s awkward. Yes, yes, yes it is. It seems not all agents here have the same information on what is available and that is why it’s done the way it is done.
Just like, not all noodle shops here are the same. Nope.
Finding a Book in a New Section
(Neither fiction or nonfiction. Discuss.)
I wanted to read the book “Julie & Julia“, by Julie Powell. I went to the biggest English bookstore near my neighborhood. I looked under non-fiction…by author. I couldn’t find it.
I looked and looked again…under P for Powell. Still nothing.
I decided to ask for help. Maybe they sold out of the book since the movie was just released here in Hong Kong a couple of weeks ago. ( I haven’t seen the movie yet!)
The sales clerk looks at me and says. Oh, yes.
I follow her.
Actually. No, I don’t.
I go back to where I was…in the non-fiction section, near all the “P” authors.
The sales clerk is not there.
Am waiting.
I see the sales clerk down the aisle in a completely different section.
I approach. I was thinking, she’s in an area that is where they keep their “stock”.
But. No. No. No. No. No. It just can’t be?!??!?!
I look up and the section is called: Books Made Into Movies.
(WHY?? OH, WHY???)
And that’s my life in Hong Kong right now…..







