When I see disasters on TV, I always feel kinda sad, but more detached, you know? It's like, you know it's real, and you feel sorry, but it doesn't really click that these are real people, with real friends, and family. Maybe it's just me, but my mind can't really wrap around it.

In my whole life, I think there's only been two times that it really hit me that someone was really, actually dead. The first time was the week after a hurricane, when I found out that one of the teachers around campus had been on holiday when it hit, and was killed.

The second time was a few days back, after the Philippine hostage situation. Twenty two Hong Kong tourist were held hostage by a former policeman wanting his job back. It took them eleven hours to resolve the situation, and by the end of it, eight of the Hong Kong tourists were dead. The youngest, Jessie Ng, was fourteen years old, and a friend of a friend.

Putting a face and a name made it real, in a way. Knowing we had a mutual acquaintance made it worse.

Or, sand. Whatever. So, I spent the weekend in Macau, celebrating chinese new year. One of the best things about Macau was the fireworks. Here in Hong Kong, fireworks are a big, fat NO, so we go to Macau instead. This year was even better than last year. We spent two nights playing with fireworks and firecrackers. There were your usual “rocket on a stick” fireworks, the ones that would fly up and sparkle, firecrackers that were basically noise wrapped up in paper, huge boxes that, when lit, would spit out dozens of explosions, and little blue sparklers.

It was pretty dangerous though. Every once in a while, a firework would go off with out flying, a “Christmas tree” fireworkA conical shaped fire work that sent out sparks would explode, something would catch fire, the ashy remains of a firework would hit someone in the eye, ect. Once, I saw a man stand too close to a hornet fireworkA piece of paper shaped like wings attached to a fireworks. It would spin, fly up, and burn. and it burned a hole through his jacket and shirt. Another time, some one shot me with a cannon fireworkA tube with several pellets in them. Similar to a gun, but far less dangerous .

The price tags on the fireworks are ridiculous though. “Christmas trees” would cost over a hundred for three at best, and and 150 for one at worst. The fireworks got pricier as we approached the entrance. This is probably for those people who come in and buy something at the first shop they see. Lucky for us, we have a secret weapon on our side; my sister. She is a master bargainer in training. She managed to get prices down from $380 to $2508HKD/RMB/MOP=1USD. The prices aren’t that ridiculous. It’s only natural. She learned from the best; AKA our grandmother.

Well, that’s all. Pictures below.



[ Continued ]

At long last, the email has arrived! The one I've been waiting for my whole life! I haven't been living until now!

OK, I'm being overly dramatic. But this means that I'm going to summer camp to study probability and game theory. Whoot! (Yes, I'm a certified nerd. ) The best part is that my parents aren't allowed to come. 4 weeks without my parents. Good enough for me.

And, I'm starting online classes on Wednesday. We've paid in advance for 6 months, so if I finish it earlier, I can do cryptology free of charge.

This is why I really, really like the CTY program.


On a side note, I've made the debating team. This is a good week for me IRL.

OK, Terrible pun. Still, that makes me the youngest mod (or assistant mod) I've ever met. It's overwhelming.

Still, I'm really glad it was on a site where I can have a hands on experience with the PCs.

So..... I'm not to sure what else I'm supposed to put here.