Life in Hong Kong is moving on and I have been too busy to blog! (sorry..)
I have started school and many other things that I want to update you all!
Unfortunately, that will have to wait until next time, because I should be getting to bed..
Well, for now, hopefully this will suffice,
AFS sent all of the exchange students in Hong Kong an email with set questions we needed to answer.
This will possibly go into a local newspaper, if I understood correctly. I find that quite exciting!
Keep in mind, this probably isn't going to be in the published post.
Full name: Jordan Hoy 許逸仙
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Seattle, Washington
United States of America
Home country school: Roosevelt High School
Star Sign: Aquarius
1) Please describe the weather in your country.
The weather in my country differs between which region you are in. I live in the Northwest where the weather is usually very brisk and refreshing. The city I live in is known for its rainfall because it is trapped in between two mountain ranges. During the winter, if we are lucky enough, we receive a substantial amount of snow.
2) How would you describe the city where you live?
I live in a metropolitan city where different cultures are united. My hometown Seattle is located by the water and the mountains. The city life is focused on business and industry. In contrast to this, there are neighborhoods of houses and apartments that have a close bond of community. There is no subway system where I live and everyone pretty much drives everywhere.
4) How would you describe your school life?
My school life is decent. In my school, there are many subjects and electives that I get to choose from. The curriculum allows me to expand my creativity. However, I must admit that sometimes I feel that I am not challenged by the workload. Within the schools, teachers are often bitter and unenthusiastic to teach because their salaries are very low. Most students do not look forward to school and the only reason why they go is to see their friends.
5) How much time do you spend on your homework?
On average, I spend about an hour a day on homework. However, American schools often like to give the students large projects. With these collective assignments I, like the majority of the students, procrastinate until last minute. This results in an all-nighter of project work.
6) What’s your first language? What other languages can you speak?
My first language is English. I learned Spanish in school and I can hold out a conversation. My family originally speaks Toisanese and Cantonese, but over the generations our native tongue was lost in our family. Some of my aunts still speak Chinese, but I do not. (I am 4th generation Chinese and drastically Americanized) One of my motives for coming to Hong Kong was to regain my culture and language.
7) Where do you hang out with friends and what do you do with friends?
The typical ‘hanging out with friends’ normally consists of me coming over to my friend’s house or vise-versa. American teenagers like to go to the movies, go shopping, sports, etc. The life of a teenager is pretty universal. Occasionally, we like to go to school dances (formal and hip hop), which are usually followed up by a party. American parties are held either at someone’s house or in a local park.
8) What do you do in your free time?
During my free time, I study Cantonese, exercise, watch TV, friends, family, internet, sing karaoke, and other nameless things. When it comes to free time, I do not have much of it. I am usually preoccupied with housework, school, and babysitting my nephew.
9) Where do you go for holidays?
For the holidays, my family stays at home. I know that a lot of families in America have cabins or second homes for the holidays, but my family believes that the holidays are all about appreciating home and your family.
10) What do you eat for dinner? Do you have to cook?
For dinner, my family loves to eat out at restaurants. This is different from the typical family that always eats dinner at home (usually pasta or something). When we do eat at home I help my mom to cook. We usually prepare Chinese food (we are Chinese), but my mom also specializes in Creole(southern) and Japanese cuisine. Occasionally, I like to cook dinner for my family.
11) Do you have to do any housework?
Everyone in the house has their own job. The mom determines the duties of the house. My chores include dishes, yard work, babysitting, cleaning my room, watching after our dog, etc. Whatever my mom asks me to do, I do it.
12) What kind of clothes do you wear? And do you buy your own clothes?
I like to follow the trends of both Asian countries and western countries. Whatever I see as stylish, I’ll try to rock it. Right now, my style is skinny jeans and simple V-neck T-shirts. In America, plaid is all the rage (and often over worn). My mom often buys clothes for me, but if I am shopping with my friends, I purchase my own clothing.
13) Do you have any pet?
My family loves dogs. We use to have five dogs (I know, that’s a lot!). Now, we only have one. His name is Pinkerton (my sister named him) and he is three years old. He is a fat “Pug”.
14) Who��s your favorite idol? Why?
My favorite idol is my mom. She is so strong and she taught me everything I know. Her values are core and she always thinks of others. He attitude is selfless and her outlook on life is smart and realistic. She has always believed in me and has pushed me to reach my dreams. Throughout my decision to come to Hong Kong, she has been nothing but supportive. I know that when I return home I will be grown up and a stronger individual to make my mom proud.
15) What��s your favourite sport and why?
I have two favorite sports; soccer and running. I like soccer because I enjoy working as a team. I feel accomplished when we make a goal and it was all because we worked as a team. I enjoy running very much because it helps me relax and forget all of my worries. I use running as a type of therapy and it helps me focus on what really is important.
16) What do you like most about your country?
The thing I like most about my country is the diversity. America is a country composed of immigrants. Just like my great grandparents, different families migrated to this land of promise. They brought with them their culture and traditions. When these cultures and traditions are combined, then you get harmony.
17) How would you describe your personalities?
I would describe myself as outgoing and positive. My friends would say that I am a very funny person, but I do feel that it is necessary to be serious sometimes and focus on your goals.
18) What kind of music and movie do you like?
I like all kinds of music. Of course, I listen to the newest music on the radio, but the new music in America is repeated too many times. Lady Gaga was cool at first, but now it is just annoying. If I hear “Poker face” one more time, I’ll go crazy. In contrast to this, I enjoy my mother’s generation’s music. I like the 1970’s soul music.
At school dances, we mostly dance to hip hop and rap music. This type of music is not really my favorite, but it is fun to dance to.
19) How would you describe teenagers in your country in general?
Teenagers in my country are individuals. On the most part, they enjoy being different than one another and have their own personal style. Each and everyone of us has a different cultural background.
20) What do you want to do in the future?
I do not entirely know the answer to this question, for the future changes. After I get my education (from university and such), I want a large family and I want to live my success through my family. I want to pass down my culture and love to my children.
21) What��s the most important festival in your country? How do you
celebrate it?
The most important American festival is Thanksgiving. We usually make a lot of food and have a family dinner. This celebration is to be grateful for what we have and to celebrate family.
22) Have you travelled to other places?
I have only traveled to the US neighboring countries. I have been to Mexico and Canada. Within the US, I have stayed on the west coast and I have visited Hawaii once. Each place was beuitiful in its own way.
23) Have you been to Hong Kong? If so, when was it? What do you think
about HK?
I have never been to Hong Kong.
So far, I LOVE it here. It feels like a really really really big authentic China town.
