The Epicenter of Being
September 20, 2005

I often use the term “Brown” to refer to myself. Most people are initially confused at the description, but over the past few years I’ve realized it’s about the only way I can pinpoint, or blur into, who I am. My ethnicity, residency, nationality—they’re all random mixtures, none of which I feel are accurate enough in a conversation. “Brown,” on the other hand, is what you get when you mix up all the colors under the sun. Appropriate, no?

Much of this correlates with the fact I don’t completely fit in anywhere. I am aware this is not a unique situation—there are those who are adopted, orphaned or had military/diplomatic parents—but it does bring to the forefront the idea that much of my future will deal with the search of a place where I feel definitively comfortable.

Leaving Hong Kong, I realized that it may be the only other place on earth, aside from New York, where I can mesh into the crowds (or get lost, if you prefer). The city is a haven for those who want to meet new people, gather a new, asymmetrical circle of friends. Everyone here wants to say hello because they’re from somewhere else as well. Obviously, much of my exposure is limited to the expat community, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Hong Kong should be a stop once in everyone's life, and it's only a matter of time until I have my extended stay.

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HK is one of the very few cities in the world where being completely identity-less in the huge smorgasboard of people actually gives you identity.

Perhaps people like you have an identity that is more than what colour your skin is, where you come from, etc...Universal...I find it strange how we always try to fit ourselves into some identity...I'm still working on my identity :P

With an income tax rate of 17% and virtually 0% capital gains tax, HK *IS* the place to live in Asia. That's right! A reminder for anyone thinking about moving to Singapore.