Dear friends, I have a confession to make.

During my 5 months on exchange in Hong Kong, there was a lot to adapt to and deal with. Laundry to do, meals to settle, people to socialise with, room to clean, roommate to communicate with, a whole new language to decode...the list goes on.

So, naturally, I needed an outlet for the stress. And to keep myself warm in the 12-degree weather.

I offer my sincerest apologies. I know that most of you thought I would know better, and vested your hopes in my seemingly immovable integrity. But I am very, very sorry. I have let you all down. If it is any comfort, it was a moment of extreme weakness that forced me to succumb.

The following pictures bear testament to that moment, and the series of events that followed. (Credits: Sara-Jean for uploading them, and Sheryl for taking them) I am putting them here because it is true what they say. Once you start, you can't stop. And so I hope that coming out of the closet will help.

Once again, know that I am sorry. *deep bow*

It all began with this little guy. Believe me, they are dirt cheap in HK compared to here. I know this is not an excuse, but it certainly didn't help.

The moment of my shameful betrayal - to my own body, my friends, my very beliefs.

I tried to decrease my guilt by getting Sara-Jean to speed up her mortality with me. She refused.

But only at first.



Ohh believe me, we knew we were doing something wrong. But after the first, it was impossible to stop.

With one vice comes another. Very soon, I found myself upping the stakes and "showing hand" with my Doraemon Monopoly money.




You can guess who was on the losing side.

Losing money at gambling and smoking is a vicious cycle. Which, incidentally, leads to a third vice. Desperation knows no bounds.

Having already taken up 2 other vices because of her losing streak, she finally became serious about her game. It's time to turn the tide, her expression clearly says.

Easier said than done, pal, my expression (strangely reminiscent of Stephen Chow) quickly retorted.

At the end of the day, we were all losers, with 3 vices each under our belts.

I stand before you, ashamed and remorseful. Will you forgive me?

Labels: egomaniac, Memoires of Dimsumland