Scheduled for take off... JUNE 19th

I've finally made the decision on when I'm going to fly out to HK... after trying to figure out when I should go, the decision basically came down to the fact that I'm going to be gone for 2 years, so why not stay as long as I can here before taking off? That way I can spend some more time with friends and family that I won't see for such a long time... unless of course there are those of you that would be willing to come and visit me =) cause I know ya'll will miss me tremendously. haahaa

My plans are to move out of my apartment on June 14th and back home to my parent's until the night of the 19th (I'm sure Gromit would love it), then to the airport we will go!!!

I will arrive in Hong Kong on Saturday morning, hopefully I can check into my serviced studio then giving myself 2 full days to roam around HK before reporting into work on Monday. I'm so glad the serviced studio is only 2 blocks from work and not have to worry about the transportation into work, just need to make sure I remember how to put my left foot in front of my right, then continue from there =P

Man, working in HK, sometimes I still can't believe it...

401K and Pension with AT&T...

Oh dammit, so apparently since I'm going to be in HK and on HK's payroll, I've got to figure out what to do with my 401K and Pension... after talking to the Fidelity's "retirement" representative, I think I've got a good idea as to what I wanna do. I thought it was funny that I was being transferred to a retirement representative... "OH you bet I'd like to retire at the age of 31" I said.

401K:
I'm going to have to find out where I'll want to roll this money over to, anyone know of where I should go? I have a roth IRA with Vanguard right now, perhaps I'll rollover to an IRA there... hmm, but then again since I do plan on coming back in 2 years, I may just leave it with Fidelity and not do anything with it... Yes, there we go, that's my plan!

Pension to take at age 65:
$776.35/month, every month for remainder of my life
$114,496.10 Lump Sum

Hmm, not bad... but then again when I'm 65, $776.35 might not be much anymore... oh well, can't do nothing with it, so it'll just have to sit there.

When should I leave the States?

Ahhhh, the ultimate question...
I've gotten final word today from my supervisor that they're going to transfer my payroll company over to Hong Kong on June 1st, and that I can make my move date anytime after that, but it'll need to be in June, either early or late?

Is there an advantage to staying here longer? Hmm, are there things that I should do which I'll miss when I'm in HK? Gahhh!!!

I'll have to think about this within the next week, cause I'll need to put down a deposit for the serviced studio so that I can make sure I get their largest room, which is 230 sq. ft... haahaa

Empire Studios!!!

YAY!!! Finally found a place that's a good value and it's within close proximity to work (2 blocks) in Causeway Bay!!! So for this 230 sq. ft. gem, which they so called deluxe plus room, I'll be paying $10,000 HKD ($1282 USD) a month... holy shit, that's 'how big?' you ask? Yup, it is a cardboard box, but this little cardboard box comes with a microwave, separate bathroom (apparently some places have the bathroom in the room, separated by see-through glass ONLY), double (full size) bed and a sofabed, that's right a sofabed. This means if anyone wants to visit me in the first month, you can sleep on that sofabed! I'm really curious as to how they can fit all of that within 230 sq. ft... LOL
What? you're thinking about visiting me and crashing at my place? sure, provided you do my laundry while I'm at work. =)

Here's the link to Empire Studios (I think it's the name of a record company in the US???):
Empire Studios
Apparently they've got daily rates as low as $400 HKD/night, which is a great deal since most hotels in Causeway Bay runs for around $1000 HKD/night!

Here are the other options I've looked at which after extensive research are the best bang for your buck.
Regents Heights in Causeway Bay starting from $8,500 HKD/month
eTech Center Wan Chai starting from $11,000 HKD/month
Emperor Hotel in Happy Valley starting from $12,000 HKD/month

What can't I get in Hong Kong?

Haa, so over the last week or so I've been wondering what are the things that I cannot get in Hong Kong. Since my company will pay for the shipment of my belongings, I can technically bring whatever I want, right? Well, then there's that restriction of how much stuff I can bring. So to make things simple, I figure I go with the things that I use on a normal basis that I'm accustomed to, which would be mainly toiletries items such as:
Sensitive toothpaste
Reach Flosshead refills
Facial Wash
Facial Lotion

LOL, that's all that I can come up with?? Well, I'm sure I'll come up with more items in the next few weeks, which I just might make a Costco run for...

Where to live?

One of the hardest thing with my move is trying to figure out where do I want to live for the next 2 years. HK Island side or Kowloon side? Who can tell for sure where will be better? I think I've finally made a decision, and that will be to live on HK Island side, the reason being that I'm only going to be there for 2 years, so I should embrace and really experience what it's like to live in HK. Albeit that it'll be a little expensive, but I think I'll enjoy it more, who knows if I'll change my mind once I'm there? We'll have to see... =)

Moving my stuff...

The relocation company sent an agent to my apartment in Los Feliz to take an inventory of what I want them to move for me to HK. There's not much really, only a sofabed, coffee table, dishes, glasses, computer stuff, luggage, books, CDs, clothes, shoes.... damn, there's actually quite a good amount of stuff now that I think about it... LOL Well then, I guess it's good that the company's paying for the shipment!! =) But how do I bring it back? grrr

One funny thing the agent said was "are you going to make a costco run?"
There I was scratching my head and can't figure out why she'd ask that question since I'm trying not to accumulate more stuff, right?

She goes on to explain they're relocated some folks from Disney and they always make a costco run to buy stuff like detergent and soap and such, since those things are expensive in HK... there I stood still scratching my head... "um, ok..." I didn't believe that, so I kindly said "hmm, I'll have to take that into consideration".

Later that day I talked to my mom and a friend in HK about it, they both said that stuff is really cheap in Asia, shouldn't have to do a costco run and bring those heavy items over... so I just chalked that up as "wtf are those people thinking?"

Earlier today I found out from the moving company that they're going to provide me with 2 crates for the move, each measuring 7 feet by 7 feet, and 3.5 feet high. So one crate can carry my sofa and coffee table, and miscellaneous stuff. The other can carry anything else, perhaps even a bed if I want to bring one over, which I don't think I am since that means I gotta go out and buy one... and HK friend says beds may even be cheaper there since everything is made in China anyways, and everyone provides free delivery.

Ahh, now to the decision on what are all the things I wanna take with me... OH yeah! My snowboard!

Living arrangements

Here's the plan for living arrangements:
When I first arrive, I'll be staying at a serviced apartment/studio (fully furnished with weekly maid service), then during that first month, I'll look for a more permanent arrangement, which will be through a real estate agent. Apparently the inventory is very dynamic, so if ya find a good diggs, ya gotta snatch it up pronto! I've been searching on one for the last 2 weeks and it's getting tiring, but I should be able to make a final decision on it soon!

Give me the money!!!

Hmmm, wonder why I didn't think of it myself...

I was talking with the company's HR person about the move and wanted to know how much they've allocated for moving my belongings from US to HK, that way I can gauge how much stuff I can take with me. Even before I finished my sentence, she interrupted me and said "if you're going to ask whether we can just give you the money, the answer is 'NO', we will pay for the move but won't give you cash".
I was stunned and offended at the same time and though to myself "that wasn't what I was going to ask at all, how rude!" So I proceeded to ask my question and she indicated there should be enough money to move everything I want to but won't give me a dollar amount.

Later in the evening, as I was thinking over the conversation, I realized that would've been a good question to ask! Because if they would just give me the money, I wouldn't need to worry about what furniture to bring and just buy new ones there. It would be great if I could just have the money and buy new stuff there, but I am however, curious as to how much it would cost to ship my stuff over. Why wouldn't they just give me the money!!!

Hong Kong here I come!!!

Woot woot, it's final! I'm going to Hong Kong for work for about 2 years!!! I received my offer letter last week, they're willing to pay me about the same amount that I make here in the States, so it is enough for me to go and have an experience of a lifetime =)

It's unfortunate that they're only going to pay for my one-way airfare, yup you heard it right "ONE WAY"... LOL and the cost to ship my belongings over from California to Hong Kong. It's unfortunate they won't pay for temporary housing, but heck, since I was the one who requested the move, I should be happy that they're paying for anything at all?

fyi... I actually started this blog on April 15th, and I'm slowly filling in things that have happened prior to that date, which won't necessarily be in any order, nor will they be the actual dates that they took place on... =)