The reason why I’ve been MIA for the past week is because I’ve been busy rearranging text, translating and refining my people cutting skills on Photoshop. I’m proud to say that I finally figured out an easy way  to cut out hair without it looking too unnatural thanks to this blog post!

I’m pretty much happy with my final product, except that the brochure may be lacking a bit of the “wow factor.” We are still trying to figure out what that may be. And is it just me, or do the fact boxes look more aqua than light blue to you? Because on my Photoshop screen, it is definitely light blue. It is just when I upload it onto the web that it seems to look different. Could it be because I used the CMYK color scheme instead of RGB? I’m told that if I want it printed out, I should use CMYK….

But yes, other than that, any thoughts on the “wow factor”?

Today I left my phone on a cab AGAIN. This is the fourth time since I was old enough to have a phone. I didn’t even realize until a hour later! Panicked, I frantically called my phone, hoping that I’d just misplaced it in my pockets. But alas, it wasn’t hidden away in any mysterious pocket. After calming down and recapping the events of the night, I concluded that I must’ve left it on the cab.

I frantically called myself some more hoping someone would pick up while I kicked myself for leaving it on silent. When no one picked up, I sent myself a text offering a reward for bringing my cell back and posted a call on the Road Co-op Lost & Found 24 Hours Free Hotline for Lost Property on Taxis (it is 1872920 if anyone else needs it) offering a reward as well. I even struck up a conversation with another cab driver, who said that yes he does listen to that hotline, but that it really isn’t about the reward but whether the cab driver actually picked it up. In 80% of the cases, the next passenger usually picks it up and then it’ll probably end up in the black markets. Knowing Hong Kong, I knew it was true and that my chances of getting it back is slim. That’s probably what happened to left-on-a-cab cell phone #3. It is a mercenary world after all- Hong Kong being more so than most.

Images of my parents telling  me how clumsy I am again and never letting me live it down for the rest of my life started to reel in my head.  Just when I was about to admit defeat, and getting ready to cut off my SIM card in case the person who picked my phone up decided to make some obscene international calls and rack up my data plan, we received a call from the cab driver. He has it and he’s willing to drive it back to us if we’d cover the fare. I was more than happy to do so. And half a hour later, I had my phone back! He joked that he was giving me the phone back because Brazil lost to Netherlands in the world cup tonight and he made money from it. But it made me feel  all warm and fuzzy inside anyway, to know that even in a mercenary city like Hong Kong, there’s still some good in the world. At least I think he was joking, if not, than thank god that Brazil lost!

Last night, my girlfriends and I went to an Anti World Cup event held at an exclusive night club by a social and lifestyle group for girls. The event wasn’t quite as exclusive as the club’s usual. All you had to be was female to enter. There were free champagne, makeovers and manicures with like minded girls who were also tired of hearing about the World Cup all the time. Sounds like the perfect night, right?

Not quite. Upon entering the club, we were all taken aback by the scene as we tried to recall the last time we saw a club full of females. Obviously, we were not one of the first 50 girls to arrive and be rewarded with a goodie bag. As we wandered around looking for a space to sit, we encountered many “this seat is saved” and “someone’s sitting here.” When we tried to figure out how the makeovers and manicures worked, we were told that  “Oh, we’re in line and the line stretches all the way around this couch,” when obviously they just happened to be sitting there and wanted to save places in the line for all their friends too. We were quickly reminded of how bitchy in general our gender was- especially when it comes to free things. We travel in packs. We talk amongst our exclusive little cliques and we look out/fight for our own, whether it is saving them a seat or a space in a line. It almost felt like high school again, except we were all sipping champagne and dressed better.

I’ve always thought of myself as a girl’s girl. But for once, I actually missed the boys and football.

I’m sure some of you have read my many rants about how none of the froyo in Hong Kong tastes right. By right, I mean like the ones in the States. After trying out most of them, I concluded that it must not be because they aren’t capable of making froyo that taste exactly the same as Pink Berry but because after extensive market research they found that Hong Kong people simply like sweet and milky tasting froyo more.

Indeed, I consulted with my friend Leo who happens to be a froyo expert, and he confirmed my suspicions. He explained that the tart and refreshing taste we’re all so used to in the States is due to citric acid, which is not found in regular supermarket yoghurt (not unless you keep it a few days past expiration date, in which case lactic acid will develop and make it taste sour). He suspects that these places use a higher ratio of milk solids and sugar to water than in the States, which usually produces smaller ice crystals and gives a more creamy mouthfeel and milky taste.

I had my hopes up that I can get Red Mango with a quick visit to S Korea, but I have it on good authority that it is no longer “the trend” anymore and so they’re not there anymore. I guess I’ll just have to adapt. 

For readers in L.A. do drop by Blanc at Beverly Hills and give it a try.  I have it on good authority that they try to keep everything as natural as possibl, and the owner is super cute!