Settling in

I actually wandered around the streets of Wan Chai today trying to find somewhere to buy a mug. I needed tea to get me through my day of research and reading. It's amazing after two months in Hong Kong how I still get lost in Wan Chai and how I still don't know where to buy such a thing like a MUG. I felt like a mug.

My temporary room has no window so it's nice to get out in the sunshine all the same.

I bought some fresh rolls from the bakery for my lunch and found a mug for a cup of Earl Grey tea and settled down to an afternoon of reading, note taking and researching. I have a few days to catch up on emails and prepare for my new job. I am meeting my new managers for lunch tomorrow and picking up the keys for my new flat. I'm looking forward to having somewhere of my own and to finally unpack after two months of living out of a suitcase!

My windowless room in Hong Kong is no different to my last room, except there is no natural light. At around 5pm I hear the sound of a piano being played. It reminds me of Poppa playing and coming down on a Sunday morning and hearing my mum playing. It is beautiful. The only thing is, we're on the 8th floor, which makes me wonder, how does one get a piano up eight floors? I'm tempted to knock on the door and ask. I like the image of small Chinese men trying to put a piano in a lift, though it has been mentioned that they may have delivered it through the window! It remains a mystery.

A lovely feeling of independence has come over me in the last few days and I am getting excited to start my new job. I have been busy reading and researching and had a lovely lunch with my two new managers who were very positive and seemed to be gearing up for my start on Wednesday. I've been told to go in for 10, which means I can exercise and have breakfast in a leisurely manner. I do like a long morning with no rushing around.

I headed to the beach after my lunch meeting, as it was a beautiful hot and sunny day. I used to dream of living somewhere hot and sunny. Hong Kong stays like this till December! I feel very lucky to be enjoying sunshine in late September. I will be embracing the beach all the way through to December when the temperature starts to drop.

I've been thinking about necessities recently. What is considered a want and what is considered a need. I went for lunch today, which came to $215, and yet I debated for over 24 hours buying a jumper that was $79. I debate whether I need a new pair of trainers and yet spend a similar amount on dinner. I've come to the conclusion, socialising is expensive, but it is necessary, so therefore I will see it as an equal investment to new shoes, work clothes and mugs.

With a pay cheque around the corner I can afford to treat myself, although I still find this a challenge. I tentatively peruse the shops, debating purchases and tend to walk away bearing nothing; instead I make lists of things I would like to buy when the time is right. This debate is set to continue, to buy or not to buy and when?

I spent the afternoon on the beach. It was beautiful and I certainly felt very lucky to be able to enjoy some sunshine, top up my vitamin D and breathe some fresh air.

I came home via my office to collect my visa and dropped in to my landlord to pick up the keys for my new apartment. I am getting more and more excited about settling into my very own space in Hong Kong. I will spend Monday making it homely, putting pictures up, unpacking and arranging my very few belongings.

In order for my work visa to be valid, I will need to leave Hong Kong and then re enter. This means a trip to Macau is necessary before Wednesday. I'm in two minds whether to hop on over and then come straight back, or head there and enjoy an afternoon of food and wine in the quaint little square in Coloane Village. It's a bank holiday in Hong Kong so whenever I go will be busy. If I don't go tomorrow, I will head to Lamma for a morning of reading and researching and some afternoon sunshine. I want to have an early night on Saturday as I plan to go to church early Sunday ahead of the big move and then there is a dragon dance festival in the evening. Hong Kong is currently celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, which by the looks of all the posters, paper mache and mooncake advertisements is something to do with dragons and fire. I will go and check it out and see what it's all about. It must be good if the whole of the city gets two days off to celebrate.

Monday night there is fireworks in the harbour, which we plan to watch from the Peak, and then Tuesday will be either Lamma or Macau, depending on what I lean towards tomorrow. Looking at the weather, tomorrow looks like the better day for Lamma.

Hong Kong is certainly starting to happen for me. I am feeling more settled as the days go by, missing home less and looking forward to a work routine and having a purpose here. If the next few months continue to offer such amazing sunny days, then I am sure to be happy. I can't say I'm missing the autumn. I never was a fan of grey days and shorter day light hours. Looking forward to a bright October.