Rain Rain Go Away.

For the past few days we have been plagued by rain and storms from a tropical cyclone. We've had pretty intense storms almost every night and some rain during the day. Apparently the a record number of lightening strokes was recorded two days ago during one of the storms. Usually each storm would start out with a lightening show, then some thunder would be added in, then the skies would open and it would pour.
Life has been pretty uneventful. Because of the rain, it wasn't very fun to go out. Probably the most exciting thing I've done is buy a new, giant, lavender suitcase. I ran into a random suitcase sale when Sophie and I were at Tuen Mun Town Centre for dinner at Euro Gogo.

My new suitcase and windbreaker

We didn't expect to go shopping, but both ended up finding good sales at this giant everything store called Jusco. As an American, prices here are much cheaper for me. I ate a meal today for about 3 US dollars. Apparently minimum wage is about the equivalent of 4 US dollars an hour. Plus there are people here who do every job imaginable. When you eat a fast food restaurants, you don't clear your tray (which is what I am used to doing in the US). You just get up and leave and there is someone who comes and takes your tray. I still hesitate and start picking up my tray before I realize that I am not supposed to do it. I do believe there is also a huge gap between the rich and poor people. I wonder if there is a real middle class here. I guess that is something I should investigate. I really need to start keeping notes of all the little cultural differences I have noticed here, some of them so small I forget about them.

Today we ate lunch at a really popular Japanese sushi restaurant in Tuen Mun Town Centre. I didn't eat the sushi but I have some fried cheese rice balls. They were pretty good. Then we managed to take the confusing lightrail back to school without anyone who could speak Cantonese with us! What an accomplishment... hehe.

Here are a few photos from around campus. I will add more another time (once I take them).

View from my room

Another view from my room

Do you see the little lizard?

Walking from my hostel into the main part of campus.

Still walking

Weird tree.

Kitties!

So cute!

Academic buildings.

Main part of campus - the library is on the second floor (which is actually called the first floor...)

See that symbol? That's Lingnan's official symbol.

I just realized after writing this that I've already been away from home a month!! Time really does fly. When I got here I was feeling hopeless. I thought time would never pass and I would never go home. I will be home in less than 4 months. I better start planning all my side trips... !