a long ass entry for memory's sake

It is so nice to spend time with some of my relatives, sans parents. I've learned so much simply walking around the city with my aunts and uncles. Today my Uncle and Auntie 6 took me to eat wonton noodles in Central. I haven't been alone with them since I was maybe 7 or 8, when they used to live with us in California, only to move back to Hong Kong. Anyway my Aunt is great to talk to. I've discovered that many of my aunts are really personable and quite chatty. My Uncle seems to be stuck in the old days, though. Like how everything used to be, 10-15 years ago. Do you ever notice that you adjust when you communicate with different people? With some all you do is reminisce; usually with people you met abroad or at a summer camp or something that was temporary and away from home, a unique experience you partook with a few select individuals who are the only ones that hold the precious memories of that experience. With some you constantly stay in the moment, doing things by the clock, engaging in activities when the time calls and nothing more. No real depth, just hedonistic pleasure. With others you find it difficult to stay in their time frame, because it seems like all you're doing is informing them of how things are not the way they used to be. I realize this is a bit shrewd and wrong, to try and "correct" people's worldviews and what not, but when their conceptions of my life and my world is skewed, I find it only the right thing to do to let them know how my life really is. Otherwise what's the point of even communicating with another person when you don't try to know where they're coming from? The best I think, is a mixture of everything. Reminiscing, enjoying the moment, grabbing from past present and future, transcending time even, and reaching ideas that take you to another place. But I digress.

So it was a little disappointing that my Uncle, who I want to love so much (more), is a certain way that doesn't exactly jive with my ways... but it turns out he has other endearing qualities. Apparently the 6's are obsessed with organic stuff and fascinated with new organic brands that appear in supermarkets and whatnot. It's so cute. They also knew about all these cool places to visit in the older areas of Central and we ended up at the "yummiest" milk tea joint of all, where they make "stockings" milk tea. So good! There was even this amazing traditional style French toast. We stumbled upon a temple too, which had these peculiar incense things hanging from the ceilings in concentric circles. Will post pictures later.

And Auntie 2... so adorable. A lot of times in restaurants when I'm trying to talk to her across the table she doesn't hear me. Once she told me to yell at her because she's kind of deaf. Today we went to buy tea for my dad and my uncle so I finally got to spend some time with her. I love her a lot.

Actually all of my relatives are wonderful. They are the nicest, most generous people I know. I can't imagine them harming anything. I wonder if other people feel that way about their relatives. Maybe we regard them differently than other people. I mean, what if an asshole steps on me in the street or harasses me in a store? That asshole may very well be somebody's uncle or aunt. Do their nephews and nieces see them as saints, too?

Heh. Anyway I'm rambling as not to forget. Last night my cousins took me out to where the cool kids hang out. The arcade! No joke. Fully grown men (okay maybe somewhere in their 20's) dressed in business suits go to the arcades at like 12. Also some people go on dates there. Sooo random. I had such a blast playing around as if we were all 10 again, without a care in the world, only to win in Mario Kart. Which, by the way, is hella tight! So you sit in those race-car seats and you can all race against each other, and you can take a PICTURE of yourself, so when you're racing and you see the Mario characters in front of you or behind you, you'll see the face of your opponents. Amazing!! PLUS sticky pictures have totally evolved. It's so complicated. There are bleachers inside the booth, plus bars to hang onto up top, and afterwards you cancor draw and decorate the pictures to your liking with these digital devices.

After the arcade we had midnight munchies at My Tokyo which is this really trendy Japanese place that's half price after 9. Plus drinks! There was this deliiicious roll with salmon and mango involved. I don't even know man. There were 4 of us, plus multiple drinks, plus too much good sushi, all for 10 dollars/person. Everything is right with the world!

I love my cousins. I kept thinking it would be majorly awkward but not at all. Not in the least bit. <3