Week 4 (August 23 - 29, 2009)

How to Choose a Baby Name: General Guidelines

First off, who would have thought choosing a name for a baby could be so difficult? The person receiving the name definitely doesn't have much say in the matter. For some reason I doubt that would make a good business model for life in general. However, I did see an ad for a restaurant recently something to this effect: you pay whatever you want for the meal. The catch? You don't get to order it and are thus at the mercy of whatever the chef dreams up. Perhaps I could start a business to sell "baby-name" insurance which will handle legal and administrative fees and processing if the baby later on decides he or she is not as keen on the name received as the parents were at the time their little darling came forth into the world.

So in essence, the underlying quandary stems from the relative permanency of one's birth name. With that in mind, parents are then tasked to give it their best shot and bequeath a name upon a child that will serve throughout life. Below I've put together some of my thoughts and findings as I sifted through census data and name lists to try and come up with the "perfect" baby name.

Baby-Naming Guidelines:

1) The initials have to sound good and be "make-fun-of-me" repellant. Probably want to avoid initials like JRK, MUT, DUM, etc.

2) The initials without middle name(s) have to sound good and be laugh-at neutral as well.

3) The name and middle name(s) have to sound good. This requires a proper balance between boring, original, and flat-out cheesy, not to mention probably should be something most people can pronounce and spell...you know, something like Quetzalcoatlina.

4) The name, middle name(s) and last name combination has to flow (it doesn't necessarily be poetic but that wouldn't hurt) and make logical sense (e.g. is it too long that it won't fit on exam bubble sheets? is it natural fit for schoolmate jokes, like Ima Terd?)

5) The name has to have either 1) significant meaning (positive of course - not like naming your kid Adolph or Osama) or 2) interesting origin (emotional ties, great story, etc. - like Bertha or Moby)

6) There must be buy-in from all key stakeholders. (primarily both actual parents but also grandparents, other family members, godparents, debt collectors, etc.)

7) The name must pass the "first impression" test at birth. What if he just doesn't look like a Gargamel or what if he turns out not to be a HE? This calls for risk mitigation strategies and backup plans (Note: random intuitions by mothers-to-be in online discussion forums place the possibility below 5% that the gender declared at 20 week ultrasound will be incorrect - but that reminds me of the one of my MBA professor's famous lines: "Remember that 80% of statistics are made up on the spot.")

Those are just a few guidelines. I'm sure there are more but my analysis paralysis only got me that far. No wonder I haven't ever written a novel - I don't think I could ever get around to giving the characters names and simply granting them ID numbers would not be that facilitative to the reader.

Still, the clock is ticking for the little one...some of the possibilities are

Middle name = Yi (all but confirmed)

First name (the most recent super abridged short list)

Joshua (the obvious narcissistic choice) [Meaning: Jehovah is Salvation; Initials: JYT, JT]

Miles (for the hidden Jazz fan inside of me or just obsession with the absurd English measuring system) [Meaning: (Unknown origin); Initials: MYT, MT]

Lucas [Meaning: From Lucania, Luke in the New Testament or for the Star Wars connects Luke Skywalker or George Lucas; Initials: LYT, LT]

Mojag [Meaning: Native American for Crying Baby (literally never silent)...ok so maybe not but had to throw it in there, thanks Dad]

Feel free to suggest additions or cast a vote.

This Week's Adventures

One can only take so much of wandering around in steamy 90+ degree weather. These are the days that makes one think of cold lemonade, people sitting on their porches fanning themselves or struggling not to move at all so that no additional body heat is created thereby worsening the already oppressive heat. It's almost like reverse-hibernation where mammals will find a place to flop themselves for the summer, not to conserve energy to survive through the winter, but to avoid spending energy to survive the brutality of summer.

So I could do that, or I could just visit places with air-conditioning. In fact, there are areas of the city where one can walk around through many buildings and cover a large area without leaving the comfort of the air conditioner's hum. Most of these are interconnected pathways between shopping centers. No wonder, shopping is one of Hong Kong's major past times (the other two are eating and hiking).

However, since I would rather not spend my weekends wandering aimlessly through a labyrinth of malls, I headed to the other large buildings with air conditioning, the museums.

First stop, the Hong Kong Science Museum.

Naturally, the design focuses around activities for school-aged children. Yet, there are still enough interesting things for adults to do an learn as well. The current special exhibition was about candy.

As soon as you walk in you are greeted with the following tower:

So what's the significance of a few thousand bags of sugar? This is the estimated amount of sugar the average "American" (I wonder why the pick on Americans) will eat during their lifetime. I estimate just under 5,000 bags from a quick calculation and assume the are 10lb bags (no markings so just guessing from size). Perhaps my assumptions are off but that puts the average American at a good 50,000 pounds of sugar or 25 tons of sugar during their life time.

More than anything, it made me think of this Video. The photographer presenting in the video aims to help visualize things we normally don't think about by bringing it to a macro scale to try and thus emphasize important issues we ought to be thinking about (but aren't).

Of course, there was much more than just candy and more than I could take in during my few hours there...but I moved on to the next air-conditioned event, the Museum of Art.

Unfortunately, about half of the museum was under renovations and the museum itself is not extremely large. Yet, for the admission price of $1.29 it is hard to complain when there are still some fascinating works of art can be taken in without the inconvenience of frequently wiping humidity intensified sweat from one's brow. And depending on how next weekend's weather forecast turns out, there may be even more exciting museum gossip (and if you don't find that interesting, trust me it's better than photos of me poolside).

(Courtyard outside of Space Museum and Museum of Art)

(Sculpture Court - Over the Harborfront Promenade at the Museum of Art)

(Wooden sculpture of GuanYin or Avalokitesvara closing in on its 1000th birthday; Asexual Bodhisattva and key figure in East Asian Buddhism...For many the Bodhisattva is a She and referred to as a the Goddess of Mercy and especially venerated by women. In Tibetan Buddhism, on the other hand, Avalokitesvara frequently chooses to reincarnate Himself as the Dalai Lama.)

More of this Week's Photos

Week 3 (August 16 - 22, 2009)

An Anniversary and A Birthday: Attempting to Celebrate ~13,000 km away

So what do you get when you cross a wedding anniversary, a birthday, and an one ocean and one continental land mass between the primary parties in question?

Homesickness? Frustration? Sadness? Happiness? Renewed perspective on life? All of the above?

Well thinking how that situation may have played out 25 years ago, I can imagine a couple of carefully planned letters sent weeks in advance, a few expensive international phone calls of questionable quality, and with enough foresight perhaps some gifts from a mail order catalog or something wrapped and tucked away hidden somewhere in the house a month before the actual occasion.

But today is not 25 years ago. An additional answer the question posed above would be, a profound appreciation for the internet, Skype video conferencing, and Amazon.

As a token of celebration of these events, I gave away my wedding ring. Well, not really gave away, but left it at a jewelry store. In fact, it just so happens to be the company and city where it was purchased years ago when Eliza and I tied the knot here in Hong Kong. They have been charged with restoring it to its original splendor and glory.

So while I cannot be there in person, I can be virtually. Furthermore, of all the places I could be, I happen to at least be in the one of most symbolic importance with access to the same jewelers that originally forged the wedding band she placed on my finger years ago.

I did ask if they could also add the invisibility feature as they serviced the ring this time, but they said the guy who can do that passed away a few years back at the hands of a couple of short people. Figures.

Tuesday, August 18 9:00 A.M. Eastern Time- 58,400 People All Trying to Access One Site at the Same Time

I can't claim all of them were trying at the same time, but, as I was one of them, it sure felt like it. The fact that the server was hosted on the other side of the earth probably didn't help my chances. Yet, there I was at 9:00 P.M. hitting my refresh button for 28 minutes until slowly but surely the login screen appeared. I frantically typed my name and password but the "submit" button still had yet to load. I waited, nervously tapping my fingers against the desk as if subconsciously hoping the vibrations would magically speed up the process. Finally, the button appeared. I had already seen the pass rate: 41%. So what were my odds? Did I really want to hit submit? Was I ready for defeat if I was among the 59%?

I clicked...swallowing down the nervousness lodged in my throat and had been building for 28 minutes.

There it was...the CFA Institute Logo...the date...Joshua Tomsik...and then in big bold letters the verdict:

Level 2: Pass

Relief. Rapture. Joy for the reward of many long hours of preparation over the course many months. Approximately 16,000 people around the world passed level 2 of the ~39,000 people who took the test (the other 19,000 assumed to be accessing the web site had taken the final test, level 3).

Now I must celebrate while I can...Level 3 registration has begun and the exam is now less than 10 months away. I can feel the butterflies already.

Explorations

So I figure I might as well try to get as much exploration in as I can before the changing of diapers, the feeding, the burping, and hitting the books. First stop this week, the White House.

Ok, so it's not called that. It is known as the Government House and served as home to British Governors for over 100 years. Now it houses the "Chief Executive" of the SAR (Special Administrative Region) of Hong Kong. Obviously, Sir Donald Tsang was not out waiting for me that day (in spite of my test results). Could it have been the 90+ degree weather and drowning humidity (oddly no one else was around on the street)?

Off to the west, nestled between high-rise apartment buildings sits the Man Mo Temple. The temple is over 150 years old and dedicated to two ancient gods: one is the god of literature and the other the god of war. The temple is frequented by those searching for prosperity and good fortune.

One feature that sets this temple apart from many other in the region is the distinct incense coils. The coils range from small to large. Some of the large ones shown below are rumored to burn up to 3 weeks! I suppose that smoke carrying one's wishes to heaven for 3 weeks instead of just an hour or so can't hurt one's chances.

Down the hill a few blocks is the HSBC building which is renowned for its architecture. One element is the free standing escalators to the main floor. Rumors online say that these may be the world's longest freestanding escalators...however, I think the CNN building in Atlanta actually holds the ownership to that claim. Regardless, they are quite remarkable going from the concrete into the glass above. Furthermore, the direction and angle adhere to the tenets of proper Feng Shui in case you were worried.

In spite of my best efforts to get lost and wander aimlessly, I always seem to find my way back home. I guess my strategy of randomly jumping on a bus or subway and seeing where it goes makes for good adventure but I always know I can jump on the same bus or subway back to where I came from. Perhaps I could try not looking at the bus number and see how that goes...either that or get in a taxi and randomly say some Cantonese words hoping the driver will understand it for something and then just nod when he repeats to confirm the location. Maybe next weekend.

One of the places I ended up was on the Kowloon side. There numerous streets look like the one below.

I can't help but think to myself each time I see streets with a thousand signs all competing to get in front of one another whether I can actually find the store I'm looking for. Here I wandered around looking at shops, finding a restaurant with no English, walked in, threw the hostess and a few waitresses into a frenzy as they tried to see if anyone spoke English. Eventually the chef came over to me to try and begin what he supposed was going to be a communication adventure pointing to menu pictures. Luckily I just said what I wanted and he chuckled taking my order and turning to his coworkers declaring they could let go of their panic since the gwai lou (or "Gringo" loosely translated) could speak mandarin.

On the way to the next adventure I encountered a magic tree in the middle of a luxury shopping court.

Still wondering whether they built the whole shopping plaza around the tree, whether it was transplanted, or whether it grew from magic beans because the complex is too new to have it grow from a small sapling in such a short time. I tend to go with the magic bean theory as it is the most logical.

From there it was onto another bus and off to a small port town called Stanley. Here I enjoyed the ocean view, a beach, a quaint market, a group of modern dancers and some mediocre nachos.

After watching the sunset, I jumped on another bus, hoping to find my way home.

More of this week's photos

Week 2 (August 9 - 15, 2009)

A.M. - The Rain Comes Crashing Down, Noon - The Pummeling of the Rain Breaks, Evening - The Sun Pierces the Clouds - Thursday Aug. 13.

Such a series of events draws forth a variety of images. First, seas of umbrellas and so many in fact that everyone has to stand in line for a few minutes to leave the subway station. As one leaves, one must carefully avoid being jabbed by the synchronized pop and expansion of a rainbow of nylon. The good news is, if you forgot your umbrella, are too lazy to take it out or simply an opportunistic fiend for efficiency, you hunch a little and just walk with the crowd. The canopy formed by the throngs surrounding you, literally, has you covered.

Second, we must realize what starts must stop and what goes down must go back up. The heavy rain has drowned the air with humidity as as the sun rises behind the cloudy ceiling it heats the air creating the wonderful sensation we call muggy. However, this particular afternoon, an auspicious breeze gently prods the cloud cover and stickiness away. The sun breaks through thick clouds just as people are punching out of the office. These are the kinds of moments when the pollution and haze is swept away. These are the kinds of skies that give rise to spectacular evening imagery.

It was in that poetic moment of reflection that spontaneity attacked me. I raced to the historic tram (which made its first journey in 1888) and shoved my way through the crowds (ok gently made my way but shoved sounds more dramatic). I did so that I could experience and share with you the following:

Oh, and they have a mall at the top of the mountain too. No not a monastery (we'll get to that soon) but a mall.

Ngong Ping, Lantau Island - Saturday A.M.

Off to the mountains again it was. I journeyed on the one of the subway lines to the final stop. When I got on the subway was pretty full. At each stop more and more people poured in...after 15 minutes or so the sardine effect had begun.

"There is no way that all these people want to go to the same place I'm going," I thought. And yet the doubt had entered my mind that I had picked a common weekend getaway for what I thought would be a rather peaceful excursion.

Luckily, I was wrong. The ever growing multitude suddenly dispersed just one stop before mine. As the doors opened, the throngs of eager people squeezed out as the recorded announcement proclaimed..."This station is Sunny Bay. Transfer available to the Disneyland Resort Shuttle."

So no, I didn't get off and take the shuttle with Mickey Mouse shaped windows. Instead I exited at the next stop and then took a cable car for 30 minutes...over the ocean, up mountains, past hilltops and waterfalls, into the mist of the clouds.

(There is a steep hiking trail up these two hills and beyond if you want to take the adventurous route)

At the top beyond the tourist village and gift shops lies a the Ngong Ping Monastery (with a nice vegetarian dishes) and Giant Buddha surrounded by lush vegetation and mountains. The wisps of clouds tickling your face, the sound of running water, chirping birds, and the leaves blowing in the breeze create the serene atmosphere ideal for getting in touch with higher forces...except all the noisy tourists with cameras. Still there is imagery that inspires awe and peaceful corners for introspection.

Avenue of the Stars - Saturday P.M.

Instead of calling it a day after hiking stairs in the humid 90 degree weather...I stopped one subway station before my destination to explore the touristy side of Kowloon. I ventured down Nathan Road where hundreds of stores line each side and tourists from far and near go to buy luxury brands, local brands, and fake Rolexes from the guys standing on the corner.

Beyond that buzz, is a long walkway along the harbor which also serves as home to the "Avenue of the Stars" (the HK equivalent of the Hollywood Walk of Fame). Here you can find handprints in the concrete from most of the Hong Kong stars. The most popular of these, with people from all nationalities bending over to place their hands in the cement, belongs to Jacky Chan. Yet, in my opinion, the founder of it all guards the starred walkway with his legendary kung fu. So legendary that he gets his own statue while everyone else gets handprints. Give it up for Mr. Bruce Lee.

The "Avenue" also provides great views of the Hong Kong Island skyline and the diverse sea-bound vessels that inhabit the harbor.

What?! Contractions?!

As I made my way down the mountain I received a phone call. Eliza was on her way to get some pain checked at the hospital. Yeah, just pause a moment and think...what would you do when you got that call? Luckily, after monitoring for a time the contractions stopped and Eliza was sent home. From what the doctor's said, these weren't just Braxton-Hicks contractions either...these were the same type that come later on only not nearly as powerful. Just keeps one on their toes...I can say that after that incident my suitcase now no longer remains safely tucked away and the airline booking office number is no longer foreign to me. Still, I don't think even with that preparation, one could book a ticket, travel to the airport, fly 16 hours, and arrive in time to actually be useful. So I am starting to ask the little one to wait. But to be polite, the little one needs to be properly addressed.

Yo Yo, The Little One

Huh? Yeah. We've picked a name. Well not a real name yet but a nick name (Chinese tradition for kids). Yep, Yo Yo. So you're probably thinking of the toy. Well that's not it, that's spelled yo-yo. So now you're thinking Yo Yo Ma right? Well, not really but not a bad association, right? World's most famous Cellist...I could go for that. If not, then is it short for Yoda? Again, I would not wince at the suggested significance (though would not want to deem my child to that height for all his earthly years).

Technically it would be spelled You You but then you may get confused. The pronunciation is Yo Yo, but the Chinese is spelled You You which You means superior or excellent. So there you have it...we've picked a name but still just need to pick a name. Hopefully, no he has at least a nickname we can convince him to hold on in that cramped, noisy environment for several weeks longer.

(More photos from this week's adventures here.)

Week 1 (August 2 - 8, 2009)

A Brush with Fame - Sunday 7:45 AM - Terminal 7 - JFK International Airport

After placing my laptop in the worn gray bin, I reached down to remove my shoes paying little attention to the conversation in front of me. As I looked up to walk through the metal detector, I experienced my first up-close celebrity sighting since coming to New York City over two years ago.

And so there he was, King Leonidas himself jovially chatting with the TSA agents. However, this time clothed in modern casual attire, a leather jacket and going for the sexy scruff look (which I'm guessing, for him, probably works). After looking up Mr. Gerard Butler on IMDB was also floored to discover he was the man behind the mask in the 2004 cinematic rendition of The Phantom of the Opera.

In the end, he walked to his waiting area and I walked to mine...just two guys about to get on a plane (albeit one much richer than the other).

(For more thoughts on this encounter, visit my other more contemplative blog Deliberations)

Sixteen Hours in a Flying Bus - Cathay Pacific Flight 841

All I can say is, good thing they have like 100 movies to chose from...I only got through three.

The Scent of a City - Monday 3:00 PM - Downtown Hong Kong

The translation of the name Hong Kong literally means "Fragrant Harbor." I didn't expect to actually test whether this name is accurate, but for some reason, the first impression I have when I step out of an airport is the city's distinct smell. Perhaps it is the dry, recycled air that starves the nerves in my nasal cavity thereby magnifying the effect of odors upon the first burst of outside air. Regardless of the cause, I wouldn't call Hong Kong "Fragrant" in the strictest sense of the term; the strong scent of the nearby maritime mist, the heaviness of the 90% humidity, the odors released from the microscopic organisms and vegetation that thrive in a hot and wet climate. Whether that conglomeration qualify as a "sweet or pleasant smell," I'll leave that up to you.

Hi-Ho, Tai Koo, It's Off to Work I Go - Tuesday - Friday

Wandering through double decker buses, taxis, shuttle buses, subway stations and thick crowds of people, I eventually successfully arrived on the other side of the island to my office building (on the right a few blocks from the Tai Koo station). After two years of emailing many of the people working here, I finally had the chance to start putting face to names. I know they say virtual and remote work environments can work, however, there is a transformational aspect in a work relationship when the voice or text becomes flesh and blood (at least I'm pretty sure none of them are hi-tech robots...this is Hong Kong not Japan [see what I mean here]) and the non-verbal now becomes visible and meaningful.

Still waiting for video conferencing in companies to become low cost and ubiquitous. Until then, I'll still wonder why it is so expensive and fraught with technical difficulties when Skype gives it to you for free with relative ease.

"Closing time - every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end" (Semisonic) - The Weekend

With each minute that passes, a male fetus in New Jersey grows bigger, stronger, and kicks harder; Eliza's honey-dew-like abdomen becomes more and more watermelonesque. People think we're crazy but in this economic environment, burning bridges is not the wisest of activities. Yet, to get my mind off the numerous "What ifs?," it is easiest to keep engaged in other activities. Thus, I venture to harder to reach corners of Hong Kong and outlying islands.

Below are shots off the shore of Lamma Island. One from the ferry of a pavilion on the rocks, a beach, a small village and part of the Hong Kong skyline from the ferry ride back at night (think The Dark Knight sequence [link to trailer if you have forgotten or not enjoyed]).

More photos here

Stay tuned. More to come on the baby, Hong Kong, and working in Hong Kong while expecting a baby in a land far, far away.