Hong Kong is evidently brimming with history. One piece of history is in the Yuen Long district of the New Territories in a village at Ping Shan, and involves the historic Tang family clan. The Tang had moved into the area now known as New Territories from approximately the twelfth century, surviving past all the rest of China's ruling dynasties. An old british police station was converted into a small museum, detailing the clan's life through the ages. The surroung area is filled with ancestral halls, old architecture and small shrines. Ping Shan is one place that definitely interests my liking of Chinese history and culture. No, I did not plan the entire trip, lol.

Speaking of places to see, the Ngong Ping on Lantau Island is a must. Known as the place of the 'Big Buddha', Ngong Ping features many 'touristy' attractions including theatre shows, many souviner shops, among others. The island itself holds the International Airport and its landscape is ripe for camping and tramping. Although there is definitely nothing wrong with the Cable car to reach the village

Festivals are afoot!

First off is National Day. Celebrated in China and it's regions on the first of October, it also happens to be one of the only times in HK that fireworks are allowed (the other obvious one being Chinese New Year).

I did, however, get the Friday 'break' to get uni stuff done, then.... Mid-Autumn Festival!

For many, it is a time to get together on the public holiday, eating mooncake, lighting lanterns and admiring the full moon. For some it is a time to hangout with friends and have a good time. It also happens to be near the National Day of the People's Republic of China, making for one messy timetable that week (catch-up lessons on Sundays anyone?).

Note: Is this in NZ yet?

When it comes to summer job searching for students, it is often a case of “who” rather than “what” you know. This maxim has worked great in the past, landing me many a job in between semesters. However being in New Zealand, I (predictably) know mostly students who are also looking for work and not willing to give me their jobs or the money made at said job.

Luckily, there are many other options available to a student looking to work through the warm summer months. For me, the most available of these is the Student Job Search option. The SJS has both an office on campus and an easy-to-use website. It takes almost no time to set up an account with them, and once you do, they work as sort of a middle man between you and potential employers to ensure you can get paid this summer. They also offer services for part time, casual, permanent, and what is called “one-off” jobs down here (one time only jobs like promos, etc).

This may seem like a plug for the SJS, but in fact this is just what I have observed so far. I know quite a few people who have gotten jobs through this manner, and find that the “guidelines” for employer/employee expectations helps to make SJS a reliable, trustworthy course of action.

Additionally, Trade-Me also has an employment section, as well as the usual and almost outdated newspaper classified ads. As of yet I still haven’t found myself a summer job, but its officially open season on the hunt…

So far I’ve registered with the SJS, began checking the site and TradMe, looked through the free papers all around campus, and hassled friends and acquaintances for leads.  This is Act 1 of the hunt, which I have aptly, unofficially, named the “beginning”.  Act 2 is soon to follow. Happy hunting….

Heres some random pictures of my brothers back in Canada... notice the snow =)

  Well, I recently came to the conclusion that perhaps I should write a new blog or two. I had a little AWOL vacation, in which many good times were had, but none recorded for the history books... This self entitled “return” also happens to coincide with the completion of my final internal assessment for the year (coincidence?). This creates a mixed reaction: a good feeling because I am so close to being done for the year... and for exactly the same reason, a bad reaction. See it means I have to write 7 cumulative exams.

But enough about that for now, there’s plenty of upcoming time to devote to the joys of exam studying. In the last few weeks I have managed to continue my participation in extra-curricular activities, despite my best efforts.  Some highlights include,

camping in the Northland at Mangawhai Heads, trip to Raglan, watching the All-Blacks test match and the Cameron-Tua Fight, the Great Gallagher Race (we beat Oxford, talk about creating school pride), mountain biking in Rotorua, enjoying the hamilton Night-Life, and just because if I don’t school will be left out, a moot for my legal method class. 

I was curious before the moot because I am inclined towards the litigation side of law, and this was my first sort of taste of the “courtroom” experience. Luckily, it went smashingly and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, confirming my previous inclination. Anyways, duty calls (read: school work) however in the interest of informing those who are interested, hopefully these entries will become slightly more consistent for the rest of the school year, as I plan to chronicle the joys of studying for the equivalent of the first half of a law degree in one year.

Here are some random pictures, enjoy =)