Happy Happy Joy Joy!

Even though I'm really excited to be heading back to the US next week, I still have the somewhat dreary task of getting everything arranged for my imminent return. Such mundane issues such as:

- do I leave a bunch of clothes here? I'm not sure if it makes sense to lug them all back to the US, just to lug them back again-again to Hong Kong. Maybe I'll just leave them in a box in my office or something.

- same question, only with my kitchen supplies. Should I just chuck this peanut butter or hang on to it?

- what do we do about luggage? If I take all the luggage, what will AC use when he comes over? Safeway plastic bags?

But, earlier this week I got the best bit of news ever! There was the issue of housing. I'll be back in another service apartment when I return, but I really didn't want to come back to Luard on the Park. The quality is okay and very close to the office, however, this little apartment has felt more and more like a prison cell lately. I think that all of the apartments here are studios, so I really just want a door (other than the one for the bathroom). Just a door.

So I went out on a limb and asked for my heart's desire. They told me that the waiting list was very long, and there was a good chance I'd have to stay elsewhere. "Maybe the Four Seasons?" my broker offered. Now who would have ever thought that I'd be poo-pooing staying at the Four Seasons? But I had my eyes set on a prize, dammit.

I got a call the next day. "Good news!" she proclaimed. "I got you a one-bedroom apartment at Pacific Place!" Yes folks, the only thing that I have not done at The Great is, well, lived there. I realize I've been using Pacific Place and The Great interchangeably, but actually Pacific Place is much more than just the grocery store. I will also have access to an AMC movie theater, two Starbucks, 11 restaurants, an MTR (subway) station -- all in the same building. I'll also be in a building with a gym (I actually have to use the gym of a neighboring hotel, which is fine with me), a full pool.

But most importantly, I won't even have to leave the comfort of my home to shop at The Great. I wonder if they deliver? No no, that would run the whole social experience. I just can't face a day where I don't get visually undressed by the cappuccino boy, or stare with wonder as they shave meat off some strange animal's leg. While they've stopped calling out to me with Christmas carols in March, they are now luring me in with a German Food Festival! I swear this place was made just for me.

"I have one small item, however that you may be unhappy with," she broke into my wiener schnitzel-infused daydream. "I must truly apologize, but there is no separate shower. The shower head is over the bathtub. Will this be acceptable?" My God they must get some real prima donnas if this is what they are apologizing for. "No issue," I warmly replied. Ahh ... back to the schnitzel ...