Finally, finally got back after a grueling day of traveling. It’s much faster (about six hours) to fly east home than it is to fly west to Hong Kong, something about wind currents. It feels weird to be leaving Hong Kong at 1:30 pm local time, and then arrive home at 2:30 pm local time.

Got caught at customs, although I feigned extreme ignorance, played it cool, and the customs guard let me off pretty easy. I still had to pay tax on the things I bought, although at a reduced rate, and got a warning. Actually, I still ended up sneaking a bunch of (non-illegal) things in anyway. Now I’m $200 wiser.

It’s a funny feeling to get “caught” at something like this. There’s no persecution, worst case is just a heavy fine. Yet being challenged about how honest I am just makes me feel bad anyway. I’ve always hated, hated, getting in trouble (or caught at least), even if the consequence is just a lecture. It’s completely opposite of John; he would just pay the fine, admit that he’s wrong, and think nothing of it. I think that I just can’t stand the idea of someone not liking me, whereas John has absolutely no problem with that.