1/5/18:
To say that today was exhausting would be an understatement. Severely jet-lagged but uncharacteristically sanguine, I made my way to the lecture hall and sat down for my first class. 9:30am, bright and early. While my memory of the orientation itself was dominated by admonitions against alcohol and love, the rest of my day captured my attention in ways I had not expected. Harry, one of the Lingnan students, led us on 
a tour of the main island, where I was able to witness firsthand the hustle-and-bustle of a modern metropolis steeped in history, a modernity juxtaposed against tradition. The ferry ride was embellished with the Hong Kong skyline, behind which stood mountains that supported buildings with less Western influence. During our walk through the city center, my sleep-deprived self bumped shoulders with many an aged man, perhaps symbolising the friction that inevitably comes with each new generation. In a 
city where change is constant and everyone’s rushing to get from one place to another, and where construction of new, taller, and more modern buildings forces the government to take down older structures, I experienced close encounters that taught me that we owe it to ourselves to think about the ramifications of rapid generational change, and not just in a city like Hong Kong. With that in mind, I, revitalized by a newfound curiosity, look forward to learning more about this mysterious and exciting city.