Tuesday morning. On the rooftop with an insta-coffee I picked up at the market around the corner. I am taking a break from the coffee shop in case that crazy Aussie guy comes back.

Sometimes I sit here and look around and think, “Wow, I can’t believe I’m just out here living in Hong Kong.” Wild. Pre-pandemic me could have never conceived of this, like ever. Most days I can’t believe it’s real.

Overall, I love Hong Kong! It’s a great town. So vibrant and full of life. Somehow there is still hope for a better future in the air. I love the Fragrant Harbour, my little neighborhood cafe, walking up and down the steps, and taking all the escalators in between.

Vibes.

I remember when I first came here and I was totally overwhelmed by everything. I totally had a meltdown. Since then I’ve learned how to find my own way through SEA. Now I get to chill for a bit and just enjoy living here. I feel like I’ve finally adjusted to the Hong Kong Lifestyle now. Maybe. Sort of. It’s very fast-paced and I still get lost sometimes, but somehow I’m managing to survive.

Okay, the rent is paid up for two months now. I am ready to get down to business and write. I have two pieces I need to work on ASAP. Both of them have to do with Ireland. One of them is my story “The Four Irishmen of Bangkok,” which is going to be sent off somewhere very special. Obviously, the title speaks for itself on that one.

Hopefully things will go according to plan. I really want to go to Ireland. I can always come back to find a new job in Hong Kong. I am here now, so I will use the time I have left to keep doing what I’m doing.

What am I doing? I don’t know. I’m just going with it. Can you believe I’ve been abroad for almost 10 full months now? Crazy. I always believed I could, but I never expected to split my time between Hong Kong and Bangkok. Nor did I expect to study yoga in India and Bali. Now I feel more like someone I can take seriously when I look in the mirror.

Must get to work now. I need to get both of these pieces done by the end of the week. The creative one is still stewing, so to speak. The other is a personal essay, which I should be able to just bang out considering I’m in the habit of writing every day.

Wish me luck!