Reading a post from a girl who believes she's an alien because she doesn't fit in anywhere, I realize I had the same struggle -- perhaps I'm still struggling to find my place. Growing up I feel I'm a mixture of things but I never really fit in anywhere.

I have lived in HK most of my life. However, there isn't another place that I shun so much. The shallow views of life is about climbing ladders, and success is equivalent to the size of your flat or the no. of titles on your business card.

In Canada, I was always the FOB and visitor. I love the environment, the culture and the freedom, but still I always feel like a passerby. It feels sinful to stay in a place that entails all the luxuries that the world would want, when I know at the opposite end of the globe, there are people slaving over a piece of bread and having free time is only something to be attained when they retire.

Kazakhstan shrunk the world for me. Actually it shrunk life for me. I've seen rapid development that changed a desolate area into an imitation of a world class city. I've seen the property prices go up by 400% and I've taught daughters whose fathers owned gold mines.  I've also seen the other spectrum where a 5 cent tram ride is problematic and lunch consisting, regularly, of a cup of tea with sugar and a tart the size of a toonie. I've seen offspring of shattered families trying to piece their lives back together by marrying prematurely and end up in a divorce within a few years. I've also seen the power of a functional family and how real contentment can come out of a small plot of land the size of a basketball court.

Having seen and felt so much, how can I fit back into a world where the focus is on the self and possessions? But then, is there a place in the world where life is not about the two? Is there a place for those who seek something different? Or do we forever have to be aliens?

Reading Ed's cancer updates made me want to blog again.

Never have I thought that being able to sleep soundly is a blessing, or being able to breath normally is something that takes determination. I am blessed. I should remind myself daily.

Talking about equality in education, I went to a careers' talk with my students at CUHK, and at CU they prepared two coaches (not the crappy school buses) for the students, got a 'tour guide' to explain to them about the campus. Then for 3 full hours, professors from the few most sought-after departments came in and explained exclusively to our girls about their programs. I heard they don't do that for many schools, but it was obvious they were trying to lure our future 20-something EAS students into their school. The battle of universities begin a year before the girls even approach AL... it's crazy!