CURRENT MISSION

Be the 'connector' of anything & everything!

ABOUT ME

I am a true native to Hong Kong.

When I was 12, my parents sent me off to an all-girls boarding school in UK in which I completed my GCSEs, A Levels and picked up my drinking skills. I came back to my hometown to do my tertiary education.

I found my first job with a legal publishing firm before moving on to organizing seminars for lawyers. Later on, I knew that I need to equip myself with a groove for speaking Putonghua, so I packed my things and off to Shanghai. Now, you would ask, why didn't I choose to go to Beijing instead, with the better known language institutes? Well, after some thought (though it really didn't take me that long!), I still decided the party scene, the mingling with the big cats of the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai to be the better language and social classroom! So in 2003, I spent nearly a full year meeting people, reaching out for friendships with people from all over the world. They were a class of people, like myself, who shared the belief that China held much opportunities and perhaps a rewarding future for them.

Back in Hong Kong, I got a position with a legal conference organizer responsible for organizing events across the whole Asia Pacific Region. It was a great job for me, it gave me the opportunity to travel monthly. This work also allowed me to integrate all my skills and passion; for networking and meeting fascinating and remarkable people.

So much did I enjoy networking and meeting all these new and interesting people, I then jumped to my next project, which was fulfilling dream of opening a private social lounge. It really taught me and many of good friends that, to have a good time out, doesn't necessarily entail hanging out in bars and clubs and losing it all, in fact - its all about winning! Winning friends, social contacts, learning new insights, etc.

After realizing my dream of opening my own successful social lounge, and having too much fun along the way, I felt I was a crouching tiger ready to face the corporate world again! I immediately grew fond and passionate about the business of recruitment, legal recruitment to be exact! Through the years of working in Hong Kong, I have made and kept many friends and close contacts with people in the legal field. I finally found a career that combined all my skills, experiences, passions & expertise.

After doing it for three years, it's about time to be on the road again. I decided to give myself a gap year for my 30th b'day present. It was the most memorable and adventurous experience!

Having been back after my travels, I decided that I need to start a business again. It's connecting people to opportunities; it could be helping one to find a new client, supplier, job or even a spouse...

I love to meet new friends, get newcomers to my hometown settled, put together parties / dinners / hikes / barbecues. You name it! I am your international friendly party organizer for all occasions. I have a plethora of hobbies, nightlife, outdoor sports and traveling being my favorites!

PHILOSOPHY

You may not be the best but you can always try your very best.
This is your life. Do what you love. And do it often. If you dont like something. Change it. If you dont like your job. Quit. If you are looking for the love of your life. Stop. They will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love. Stop over analysing. Life is simple. When you eat. Appreciate. Open your mind, arms and heart to new things. And people. We are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is. And share your inspiring dream with them. Travel often. Getting lost will help you find yourself. Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them. So go out and start creating. Life is SHORT. Live your dream and wear your passion.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I went traveling for a year in 2010 and I used couchsurfing throughout my journey.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Couchsurf in almost every country I visited in 2010 (35 countries in total) - meeting fabulous and extraordinary people along the way!

I have to say 2010 is by far the best year that I have lived. I started off the year by having a 'G' party in Hong Kong with my family and friends. In 2010, I have been travelling around the world and have covered more than 30 countries in 5 continents.(Check the map). This is an incredible experience! I met people from all ages,countries, races, religion and profession. I have enjoyed each and every single person I encountered and learnt a significant amount from all of them. I have been very fortunate to have crossed path with all these individuals. We had lots offun: eating, drinking, talking and most importantly sharing our work / family / relationship/ travel experience. I gathered some of the pictures and created a couple of albums on Facebook just to share my joy and happiness with you about my adventure and who I newly met and others that I caught up with in 2010.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=587767&id=587360474
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=587788&id=587360474

I wanted to express my greatest gratitude to all the old / new friends and family. I have been the luckiest person to have met you all. I am overwhelmed by people's kindness and generosity.

Deepest thanks to:

1. Travellers I met on the road seeing the world
2. Friends / family / colleagues that I haven't seen for years and lived overseas - we met up!
3. People that joined me travelling from their home country
4. Travellers that invited me to their home country to stay
5. Couchsurfers who open and share their house / family / friends / time / life with me
6. Special functions I attended; wedding, baptism, work function, birthday parties

This trip has been eye opening for me and I reckon people should take an extended trip outside of their own country. This is the only way to really have a sense of how the world works. It can be a career break, after your studies or even retirement. It is a good way to learn about yourself. You can find out what it is that makes you tick by spending some time travelling alone. I learnt a few things from this trip that I really would like to share.

1. It is not where you visit but who you meet that makes all the differences to a travelling experience.
2. Learn to say 'YES. Saying Yes to something can completely transform your life. Its crazy to think such a small word '3 letters' can have such effect and impact. My point is that often we hesitate when we really don't need to. But of course, listen to what your gut and if it feels wrong, don't do it but if it feels good, say 'yes'
3. Accept and learn to appreciate others regardless of race / religion / political views / age. You can always learn something if you open your heart.
4. Travelling is simply amazing because you are experiencing life. You are learning new things about a different country, their economic and political environment, culture, traditions, cuisines and languages.
5. Don't just take but give. Sharing is very important. People are mostly kind and generous. Just because they are generally good doesnt mean you should take advantage of them.
6.'Couchsurfing' is the best way to travel, meeting amazing people from every corner of the world. Check it out! www.couchsurfing.org ... My profile: 'gloz'

I don't know how to thank you all but simply by the few words I learnt on the road in different languages.

THANK YOU, DO JEH, XIEXIE, MERCI, GRACIAS, DANK U WEL, EFHARISTO, MAHALO, KAM SAH HAMNIDA, DOMO ARIGADO, TESEKUR EDERIN Looking forward to catching up in the New Year. For those living aborad, keep your promises and come visit soon.

P.S Have a fantastic Christmas and my best wishes for 2011! (Yes, the year that I make money instead of spend money.)

Links:
Travelling route http://www.facebook.com/photo.phpfbid=10150328752415475&set=a.333193545474.353914.587360474

All the best,

Gloria

Interests

Sports - tennis, squash, netball, swimming, wakeboarding, scuba diving, ski-ing, outdoor hikes. Not to mention I very much enjoy nightlife: partying, drinking & eating, karaoking (even though I can't sing). Organising activities, get those who are new in HK to settle, making new friends, travelling, taking photos (millions of them).......

• cats
• culture
• singing
• beauty
• education
• environment
• nightlife
• partying
• drinking
• clubbing
• traveling
• socializing
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• scuba diving
• skiing
• wakeboarding
• sports
• tennis
• racquetball
• swimming
• netball
• business
• teaching
• languages
• law
• religion
• squash

Music, Movies, and Books

Favorite Music: Canto Pop - Grasshopper, Fama
English Bands - Oasis, Blur, Red Hot CHilli Peppers,
Others: Jazz, Latin, started with Reggae music
To be honest, I listen to anything!
Film : The Bucket List

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Every place is different and has its beauty. It depends who you meet and what you create with them. Hope to discover more as I go travelling further. Highlights - Bolivia, Argentina, Istanbul Santorini

Teach, Learn, Share

Happy to share my experience and my skills. Laugh, Eat, Drink, Travel together.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, China, Qatar, United Kingdom

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