Phew!

Now I know what it's like to have to stay at the office working until 4 am. Amazing how the day flies by. I also understand what people mean when they say that on days when you're working late, when you finally get home you can't just go to sleep.  You want to seize a tiny part of your day for yourself!  At least they don't expect me to be in the office by 9 am tomorrow.

Dragons

Will have left before the actual Dragon Boat Festival, but was able to see the practice races this weekend. So much fun!

View from Stanley beach:

Race lineup:

Sweet boat:

Gnome Country

Went on what was probably a 17-km hike along the Hong Kong Trail, where we encountered some gnomes in their natural habitat - tree houses decorated with disco balls. So delightful!

Gnome garage:

 Trail map:

View from the top of the Peak, although was a fairly cloudy day today.  Not too great for taking pictures, but nice when you're going on a 5-hour hike!

Non Sequitors

Or are they... Hilarious combo gift from my father.

Awesome

My IP professor just sent me an email saying I should submit my paper on China's trademark system for publication. Feeling pretty great right now!

So busy

And I love it! Maybe it's just that this is all still new, but I'm loving working as a summer associate in a firm. Who said the law isn't interesting? Am currently feeling pretty good about my chosen career path.

Korean Invasion

Watch out, HK.

Irony

My busiest law school semester has turned out to be my best. Just adds to my belief that I work best under stress, sigh, wish that weren't the case!

Name Change

Apparently I am now going by "Kathermine" - logical mistake because Katherine is so uncommon it couldn't possibly be a real name...

72 Hours

Since Friday, I have:
1) successfully made my flight to London, despite the combined efforts of a Phillies baseball game, 76ers basketball game and Villanova graduation;
2) went on a Harry Potter walking tour, where I learned lots about constellations (e.g. stars being the origin of Sirius and Bellatrix), subway names (e.g. Charring Cross comes from the warped pronunciation of "Chere Reigne" Eleanor of Aquitaine's funerary procession crosses), and film location inspirations (e.g. where JK Rowling may have been inspired to think up Diagon Alley);
3) arrived in Hong Kong, unpacked, dealt with my phone, bought groceries, and went out to dinner with friends and family;
AND
4) had my first day of work for my summer internship!

Requisite London picture of Big Ben:

When in London, at Trafalgar Square, I also learned that although Admiral Nelson (at the top of the monument) died far from England, he was too important to bury at sea and they had to transport him back.  Since the trip would have taken 3-6 weeks, they preserved him in a barrel of rum...WHICH THE SEAMEN DRANK ON THE TRIP BACK!!!  Gross, but awesome.

Brillz

Love.  This.

Survival Skills

Mango smoothie from Philly's Almaz Cafe on 20th and Walnut. So clutch.

Frattastic

Storing a friend's foozball table makes me feel like my apartment is turning into a frat house.

Six-Pack Summer

Going to the barn today and seeing how green everything was FINALLY made me feel like summer is (almost) here.  Then heard this song on the radio: I'm so ready!

Favourite Purchase

While I wish I had been genius enough to come up with a wine bottle sock monkey, I'm consoled by the fact that at least someone else thought to produce and sell it for me to buy.

Television

People are always surprised when they find out I don't have cable, and haven't for several years.  I like watching movies, but could never understand how people liked TV so much they would plan schedules so they could watch their favourite shows.

Today, I was reminded why I don't need cable - my life is so ridiculous that I don't think anything on TV could even begin to compare.  I was supposed to fly to Hong Kong, leaving at 6:30.  I've been flying since before I could walk, and in almost 25 years I have never missed a flight.  Until today.  The Phillies were playing a baseball game and traffic was horrendous; instead of the usual 10 minutes it takes to get to the airport, it took an hour to get halfway there.  To make things better, my summer employer had booked the flight, so I had to call them and inform them that I wouldn't be making it and would have to reschedule for another day.  They were gracious about it, called it an act of God, and advised me to make myself a stiff drink.

But, that couldn't have been the end, because apparently that wasn't enough absurdity for one day.  After going to see Dark Shadows with some friends, I'm standing in the street as it is thunderstorming waiting for a cab.  I see one and flag it down, and mercifully it is free and pulls over before it starts raining.  Except, there was a police car behind it, which decided that it had nothing better to do but turn on its sirens and scold the cab driver for "unsafely" pulling over and cutting off the police car that wasn't moving.  RIDICULOUS!  Dear life, thank you for giving me laughs for days.

Thought

Exams are over, I don't start work for another week and now that I've had a moment to think about the past year, I'm suddenly extremely aware of how happy and content with my life I am. It's so easy to get swept up with the stress of exams and law school generally, and law students sometimes seem like we've made a pact to complain as much as possible, but in reality I have very few complaints! I have amazing, supportive friends and family, and it's a beautiful day, can't believe I ever pretend to need anything more.