The cold spell

What to do in a city without central heating? Drink lots of soup, roll into a burrito and stay in bed.


- The Man Hong Kong Literary Festival, where I volunteer once a week, is coming up soon in March (as well as our 3-day Fulbright China Research Forum). Some of the authors include Ian McEwan, Yan Geling, Anne Enright, and Yiyun Li. I'll be participating in an event entitled "A Sense of Home". At least with my experience, “home” is an exceptionally foggy idea, which is interesting since it’s often thought of as a foundation where we can place ourselves. Yet, because of my upbringing and where I am now, “home” does not denote a place. I can't pinpoint “home” on a map; instead, “home” is a murky sense of something I desire and must create. If anything, my experience living abroad in Hong Kong - a city with an identity crisis, I think -has further complicated that created space...

- Chinese New Year is quickly approaching and I'm looking forward to spending it in Hong Kong. It's the year of the rat (that's me)! Just a few days ago, Dan bought me a cake in the shape of a rat. I was originally planning on visiting family in China, but it's crazy hectic now and I'm waiting until mid-March. I am so glad that I'm not stranded at the train station in Guangzhou, lost in a massive crowd of people and suitcases. On the news, it showed tens of thousands of people stranded there. Everyone's trying to go home for Chinese New Year. It's a mass migration. Here's an article about it in TIME magazine.

- Two of my friends and fellow Fulbrighters are planning on showing a photo exhibition at the Fringe Club. If it all works out, I will be writing some "Non-Portrait" poems to accompany the exhibition. Collaboration is always fun!

- Thailand dates: February 12-19!