Last month was hectic pretty hectic and I thought I wasn’t going to be home at the beginning of this month. But there was a sudden change in my schedule and the Hong Kong trip was pushed to the first week of November. That was great because I needed to pass a pre-qualification examine that before taking a security course in Tokyo.

So that first week involved studying about PCI DSS. I’m one that wants to learn everything, so rather than the 7 required hours of education, I spend four days at about 14-16 hours/day studying, doing homework, and learning everything I could to get a perfect score in the exam. Why so crazy? Well… let’s just day old habits from University + I still have some ADHD going on around in my head, so I do get fixated on trying to do the best I can and really end up pushing myself more than I should.

Anyway, my final score was a 97% and after going through my answers, I discovered that the mistakes I made where actually silly – all because I rushed through without reading the questions properly. It’s been awhile since I’ve really had to do any time-limited type of exam, so I was a little anxious. Uhmph… serves me right!

Well regardless, the passing grade was only 70%, so that put me into a more intensive instructor-led course in Japan. But before that, work took me to Shenzhen, Dong Gong, and Hong Kong. A 14-hour flight via business class (yeah) allowed me to catch up on other security-related work and to get ready for a new ‘business’ chapter in my life.

After landing in Hong Kong, I took the ferry straight to China by-passing HK immigration all together. Since I have a 10-year entry Visa for China, it was a breeze to get through customs and take the 40 minute boat ride in the evening to Shenzhen.

Without going into too much detail, my work basically takes me to different companies involved in the payment industry where I’m responsible for examining the security infrastructure (both digital and physical), interviewing key personnel, accessing competency, and providing a ‘gap’ analysis for the risk of cyber attacks and breaches.  Needless to say, things need to remain conferential between clients, but what I can say is that I did have an interesting time visiting manufacturing plants at Foxconn (Shenzhen) and Foxlink (Dong Gong).

What amazes me the most is that there are no elevators at these locations and we needed to walk up 5-7 stories in order to get to the manufacturing floor – not to mention putting on our pink lab coats (which are waaaay too small), blue booties (which are also too small), and a blue hat (which actually fit)! With all the climbing and walking around that needs to be done, no wonder everyone is so fit!

Then of course I haven’t been to China since March, so I really missed being able to drive in 5 lanes of traffic on a 3-lane highway when the odd person is trying to walk across with lots of packages.

– Okay, I’m being a little sarcastic here. Anyway…

Shenzhen has really grown and when I looked out of my hotel window, all I could see was building after building. When I looked to the south, I saw lush green pastures and a the river that divides us from the Hong Kong territories.

Hong Kong has also grown immensely since my last visit in 1997. Unfortunately work only allowed me to enjoy a bird’s eye view form my hotel room along with (an excellent) breakfast buffet, and an evening in the lounge before heading to Tokyo.

Ah… Tokyo…
This is a place I can relate to more readily. Having lived in Japan for a number of years, I get a sense of familiarity and home – I feel safe and I actually enjoy walking the city. The security course (PCI QSA) was at the Prince Hotel. Ayano was also enrolled in the same course and went a few days earlier while I was in China. She got us an amazing room facing the Tokyo Tower and since I arrived on a Saturday, we had some time to visit a few local parks and enjoy the serenity that Japan is so good at… right in the middle of the city.

After the course was over and we took our exam (passed – yeah!), took a few days off, and headed south to an Onsen around Izu. It was just the relaxation I needed after a few months of go-go-go.

We visited some amazing waterfalls, bathed in the hot mineral waters of Japan, and partook in some delicious Japanese food, hospitality, and service.

After that, we retuned to Tokyo via a 2 hour bullet train and back to the Tokyo Tower Hotel. This worked out well since we kept the bulk of our luggage at the hotel while we where in Izu. That’s one thing I like about onsens, the only thing you need to bring is yourself. Everything else is supplied – and that includes my favorite Japanese clothing… a ‘Happi Coat’!

Next we met up with Ayano parents as they stopped in Tokyo on the way back from Thailand. I was hoping we could walk the ground of the Palace, but we were turned away at the gate because I was caring a bottle of wine in my knapsack (No, not for me – a gift for Ayano’s father). Rats!

But things ended up just fine as there are so many amazing places around Tokyo. In the long run, we just spent time walking around a few other locations, checking out some stationary stores around Ginza, and enjoying each other’s company.

We also got to see Ayano’s brother along with his family. It’s been a long time since I last saw them and the kids are all growing up so quickly! Wow time flies so fast. And even though timing only permitted us to only enjoy a quick meal at a restaurant one evening, it was great to see and and talk with each of them.

Monday it was back to California and two days later we headed off to Atlanta for American Thanksgiving. Ayano and I had a site visit on following Tuesday, but we flew in on Thanksgiving because flights were almost 70% cheaper! We spent a few days in downtown Atlanta visited the Human Rights center, and then spent the weekend a few hours north in Helen.

Helen is such a relaxing little ‘Christmas’ town just on the outskirts of the smokey mountains. If you ever get a chance to get out into that area for the country, I recommend taking a little detour up into that town.

We also spend some time hiking the Appalachian trails with our friend Paddington, before heading back to the city for work and finishing up the month.