Attitude of Gratitude

Well, it has been a while since I last wrote. I have a lot on my mind, but I think that I’m very clear, and muddled, about where I am and where I’m going, which may contribute to me not blogging.

I am currently flying to Hong Kong and then on to China, and Australia for a total of three weeks. I am a bit overwhelmed by all the travel I have upcoming (but it should make for some good stories!), which I think is playing a role in where my head is at. I’m really excited about seeing a bunch of people I haven’t seen in a long time – old Chinese and American friends in China, the girls in Australia, and Dan my old boss in Oz, etc – but flying around the world in three weeks is a bit much. Especially when I have a bunch of travel coming up for the rest of the year – 2 weeks in Amsterdam, a week in Mexico and Brazil, and a week in Bahrain. This is the beginning of the home stretch of the year for me and I’m already feeling tired just thinking about it. And that is just what is planned now. Whew.

At the same time, I’m pondering what I’m doing. I have been living back in the USA since the end of March and I have been frantically busy since my return. I have been on the road a lot, probably 60% or more, and then pile all the extras that have gone with this move on top of that – finding a place to live, buying all new furniture, and having to get a car (which I *still* haven’t been successful at yet). I am feeling overwhelmed with everything going on since I moved back, self imposed and work related.

And now I feel like I want to start dating. But who can fit in date with this much going on? It seems like the singles market is ripe in Boston. I’ve read a lot of articles which claim that Boston is one of the best cities to be in if you are single, however nothing indicates that these odds apply to wonderful, attractive, passionate, career-minded thirty-somethings. We will see.

One thing that has gone surprisingly well which I didn’t expect so quickly is I have found a great group of expats that live here. I met a great British guy who has introduced me to literally hundreds of people from all walks of life and cultures. That has been a godsend. Without that I would still be wondering what the hell I’m doing back in this country. (And that sentiment will be magnified 100 percent if McCain and the Alaskan gun-slinging lack-of-experience city-of-100-people mayor mama get elected. I will promptly be moving to Canada. But I digress). Nick, if you are reading this, I owe you for a great deal of my happiness in Boston, so thanks, babe!

But my main thought right now is how do I slow down long enough to enjoy what is happening and make sure I’m living in the moment – right here and now – instead of worrying about all the overwhelming amount of work I need to complete over the upcoming months. This is something I am not very successful at doing. (Are any of us?)

So, my thoughts are focused around taking some time to think about what works for me and what doesn’t. Taking time to get to know my new city. Taking time to get out and date some interesting guys. And taking some time to find my next big thing. It is out there… I can feel it… but I can’t see it. Is all that too much to ask? I am now opening myself up to the universe for assistance.

I hope she massages my meet-a-great-guy pressure point!

Last night I arrived to a very hot and sticky Hong Kong after 24 hours of travel door to door. Even after not sleeping on any of the flights, I felt pretty refreshed and excited when I landed, having not been to HK since 2000. What I remember of HK is shopping, shopping, shopping.

Today I decided to go see if that was still the case, given that I won’t have any time over the next three days straight of meetings. I’m staying at the ostentatious The Luxe Manor hotel, which is conveniently located in the heart of Kowloon within walking distance of Victoria Harbor and the shopping district.

Walking outside is like walking into a humid bathroom after a shower. But I braved it, strolling along Nathan Road where you can find numerous perfumeries, designer clothes shops, and electronics stores. I was hassled by shopkeepers at every turn, but surprisingly they were Indian instead of Chinese. They wanted me to buy custom suits, leather purses or watches. I was drenched in sweat and would duck into various air conditioned shops to get some momentary relief from the salespeople and the heat.

I made it to down to the Intercontinental Hotel which 1000 Places to Visit Before You Die says has “one of the most visibly stunning lobbies in the world”. After walking in I soon realized it isn’t the lobby that is impressive but the view. One side is completely glass with uninhibited views of the impressive Hong Kong skyline. Too bad it was misty outside, but I imagine on a clear day the view with be amazing.

I walked along the Avenue of the Stars, the Hollywood Boulevard of Chinese actors, which also has a great view of HK. I don’t know if it was the heat or jetlag, but as I began walking back I got hassled by one too many Indian salespeople and was very irritated and felt like I needed to immediately escape.

Mr. Chan has small hands

What's that? Do I see an oasis in the middle of HK?

It is called: The foot massage.

There was only one word to say: "Word."

My mind was instantaneously flooded with memories of Thailand where I got a foot massage on the side of the road for $2. Could this be the same? I was sold. I went straight inside.

The first thing I noticed was that I was not on the side of the road, but instead in a dimly lit, air conditioned, zen filled room that was decorated with dark stones, running water and soft music. I immediately assessed that the price for this foot massage was going to be nowhere near $2, but I didn’t care. I was in air conditioning and away from the pesky sales people. I was in heaven!

At Top Comfort foot massage at 45 Carnarvon Road, I was given a restaurant style menu of options to pick from. I immediately said I wanted just a foot massage. They had one for 50 minutes for 218 HK dollars (US $28). That was what I wanted. But wait – today’s special included a 10 minute foot soak, 15 minute neck and shoulder massage, and a 60 minute foot massage for only 358 HK dollars (US $46). I thought about that poor woman having to massage my smelly feet after I’d been walking all day in the pea soup outside. Done – I got the more expensive one.

Before we started they wanted me to get into some shorts so my legs would be exposed. The very nice Chinese man picked out one pair of shorts for me, but the little Chinese woman immediately put those back and dug around for the larger size. You know, for the fat American woman. I hung my head in shame, and shuffled into the bathroom to get changed.

The 10 minute foot soak was in one of those pedicure chairs that you find at any nail salon… except it was the super hero of all pedicure chairs! It had purple neon lights, heat, and massage balls that rolled into every crevice in your back. It was awesome. (I cannot believe I’m writing about the chair.)

But it gets better! The 15 minute neck and shoulder massage was on one of those standard sitting massage chairs at every mall or airport. But that woman massaged, poked nerve endings, and twisted me up like a pretzel in ways I didn’t even know I could move while in that chair. It was pure delight.

And then the foot massage. It wasn’t so much as a focus on the feet as it was the entire leg area. I’ve never had so much attention focused there, and it was absolutely divine.

I left there walking on water, feeling completely relaxed and did not even notice the crazy salespeople on the way home. I’m still basking in the relaxation now. I once had a psychic tell me that this time around on earth my soul is here to live the good life. I am beginning to believe that is true, and for that I am eternally grateful…

Check out those teeth! I wouldn't want to meet him under water!

Me promoting peace at the Paralympic games

I’ve been to a couple of places over the last few weeks to Hong Kong, China, and then Australia – I’ve had a mixture of business travel and some holiday as well. I have had lots adventures to write about, and will start with having the incredible opportunity to visit the Paralympics while in Beijing. It was a wonderful opportunity and such an amazing experience it nearly had me in tears a number of times.

China was hugely proud of sponsoring the Olympics and Paralympics in 2008, and it is easily seen across the city. Olympic flags line every street, enormous banner drape buildings, and huge statues are strategically placed all around the city. And as just about everyone on this earth knows, they spent millions upon millions of dollars on just the opening ceremony.

Beijing buildings show their Olympic pride

The Korean team was staying on our hotel, The Wenjin Hotel, which was fairly close to the Olympic complex. Our hotel housed a fancy Korean restaurant, which is why I think the Koreans chose it as their Paralympic headquarters. Throughout my week stay there, there were Korean Paralympic red carpet events and the Korean team wheeling around. I tried to get into some of the events, but they didn’t let me in. I don’t know how they could tell I wasn’t Korean.

But I was lucky enough to meet one of the Korean world champion’s while in the lobby with most of the Korean Paralympic planning team. They were very friendly and happy to get some pictures with some crazy red headed American.

Me and the Korean Paralympic Team

But seeing the Olympic complex for the first time takes your breath away. It is so grande that it would take one at least an entire day to wander through it all. I had not expected it to be that massive, with several uniquely architected buildings covering miles and miles of ground. In my mind, the complex only held the Bird’s Nest and the Water Cube. No way… there are remarkable buildings in every direction as far as the eye can see. Each building held different sports arenas, from wheelchair tennis, to ping pong, to swimming, to running. The Bird’s Nest is HUGE and reminds me of the futuristic time travel machine out of the movie Contact. All of it was spectacular and the excitement in the air that was nearly palatable.

A small section of the Olympic complex

Chinese stick figure guarding the Olympic complex

The Water Cube

As you wander through the park, there is also an entire section of large tents dedicated to each of the provinces in China – 22 all said, I believe. They show the special things from each region and some of them were spectacular, showing painted caves and carvings, bright paintings, and interesting dances and traditions (like the frog dance, where people dress up and hop around like frogs – still not sure about that one).

And the tents cover was just a small area of the huge complex. There are other areas that had cool looking car displays, different sports clothing ads – oh, and the food for the champions was sponsored by none other than McDonalds. That’s right, only the best for our Olympians! We only offer the highest quality in nutrition and sustenance, starting with double Big Macs and supersized fries and ending with an extra large shake. The food courts were strategically located throughout the campus, and the one we went to was the largest McDonald’s I have ever seen in my life, with two floors – just for good measure – which were both bursting with people.

Olympic sized McDonalds

And I was fortunate enough to obtain tickets to a wheelchair basketball game where South Africa played Sweden. It was incredible – that is all I can say. And you feel so happy for the players – you just want all of them to win!! They are incredibly agile, racing expertly around the court (with wheelchairs that have up to 6 wheels). And the way they maneuver, not just when wheeling around, but when they fall over, and somehow manage to bounce right back up.

Sweden vs South Africa wheelchair basketball

But all too soon it was over. I could only stay a few hours because I had to catch (another) plane. No rest for the weary. I can tell you that it was an unbelievable experience and one I won’t easily forget.

Dawn - The Pilot

On my flight back to the USA from Australia I sat in the hump on a Boeing 747. Before we took off, I went to the toilet, which is located right near the cockpit on this aircraft. I poked my head in to say hello and they invited me to take a quick look around.

Apparently there are at least two of every button, and in some cases up to 4. Nice to know there are several backups! One of the pilots also mentioned that if one of the four engines were to go out we wouldn’t even know it in the back.

All the buttons

Upstairs in a 747

Luckily, we landed safely in the USA after 13 hours in the air. No backups needed, I hope.