Where in the world is Tsim Sha Tsui?

Currently Watching:


American Me on DVD


We pulled out of Hong Kong today. I had a great time there, once again. While there this time, I visited a couple good shopping spots I hadn't been to before (I had focused solely on Stanley Market before).



I spent the day yesterday traipsing around the Kowloon peninsula, visiting spots I had been informed as good shopping spots. I visited the Golden Computer Arcade and the Ladies' Market. The Golden Computer Arcade was a huge collection of booths/stores selling computer/electronic goods at unbelievably cheap prices. I stocked up there on an external hard drive, wireless mouse, and a pack of 100 DVD-R discs. At the Ladies' Market, they had everything that Stanley Market had and may have even been bigger. I bought t-shirts, a hat, and another shirt there. I capped the day off by getting some bubble tea. If anyone's had bubble tea before, you know there's usually tapioca eggs/balls (whatever the term may be) in them. Here however, I was enlightened to find them with jelly and fruit pieces in them. I got one that was mango, with manjo jelly in it instead of the tapioca.

As the days go by....

Currently Watching:


Four Brothers DVD

Days left of deployment: 137
Days left on the ship: 204

As I write, the ship is still underway for a month long period, turning circles around the Western Pacific...awaiting our first international port visit in a couple of weeks.

I have still been watching movies constantly to occupy my free time. However, our mail service resumed yesterday, after being kept for a week and a half, and I received books!!! These included the books I ordered to read more about Che Guevara (three different books), and also a box of books from home that my dad sent out.

I started something today to occupy my time in a more constructive way (maybe!), but less enjoyable. I am now enrolled in the ship's ESWS program to earn a warfare pin. This is an exhaustive study of all the ship's systems and departments. After finishing the qualifications books (going through and being instructed on everything), one is required to take a test, take a practice board with questions being asked on every department, and then a final board with the same information. It can take a lot of time, but can be done as quickly as one desires (and as large as one's commitment is to the study). For me, personally, I hope to complete all of it within a two month span of time.

That's it from the far seas. I shall try to write again sooner rather than later!

Current News of interest:
Shell Oil doing corporate good in moving their employees back to New Orleans (done by way of buying 120 houses and condos for them!!).

We've been underway on deployment for a week and a half now, and so far so good. It was busy for the first several days, but now it's calm and relaxed for the most part. I've been spending my time watching movies and studying for my upcoming advancement exam. My exam is early in the day tomorrow, and I feel I am about 75% prepared for it. Either way it goes, is not too important to me. On these exams I regularly do well based on my studying and my head knowledge (that one covers the bulk of the answers on exams, or good guessing). I say that it isn't too important because if I do get advanced, it'll only be for 1, 2 or 3 months, till the time I separate from the Navy.

In packing for this deployment, I didn't have the time to pack up any of my books...so I have none along. However, now in the last week, I have found 3 different sources that are going to be sending boxes of books out. So, I should get those at the beginning of April.

That's it for now. Hope all is well with everyone. Feel free to e-mail back and forth with me to give me some hometown company or messages from where ever you are!