The Find:Space Elf
Final price: $15
Where found: Home Life Goods, 62 Electric Road, Tin Hau

Being more of a Sesame Street kind of girl, I never got into the Teletubbies, with their freaky television stomachs and strange head-antennas. Nor did I ever understand the appeal of Furbies – they were simply creepy. But this hybrid abomination, dubbed the Space Elf, caught my attention. As the box so proudly proclaims, the Space Elf dons a “chapeau” (French for ‘hat’ – perhaps the translator got a bit overexcited and picked up the wrong dictionary?). That touch of French might even lend it a certain European sophistication… that is, if you overlook its Shrek-green hue, the smattering of yellow stars and the irritatingly repetitive stream of Kiss (Where the Sun Don’t Shine) by the Vengaboys. Its wiggling ears as it dances in circles to the song are entertaining though… for the first five minutes. Then the temptation to throw it against the wall until its ugly chapeau breaks off becomes irresistible.

It doesn’t bode well when you ask a station attendant what there is to do around a station and he looks at you funnily before replying, “Absolutely nothing.” Nam Cheong is not old, decayed or dirty – many buildings sport new paint jobs and no suspicious looking people skulk on street corners – but neither is there much to sing and dance about. There are housing estates, a wholesale market thoroughly inferior to that of neighbouring Sham Shui Po, a ‘mall’ comprising little more than a McDonalds and a ParknShop, an abandoned police station and assorted industrial buildings. Wholly unremarkable. Of course, to actually get out, you first have to suffer the confusion between ‘exit’ and ‘transfer’ gates which divide the West Rail from the Tung Chung line. So, if you ever do get the urge to visit Nam Cheong, forget about even leaving the station. It is big and empty: perfect for slipping and sliding around in socks. Take some friends and make a day of it.

1.Charleen, Student
Find myself a boyfriend.

2.Susann, Events Manager
Have a little farm with my dogs, horses and boyfriend.

3.Celine, Student
Start a new job.

4.Evelyne, Recruitment Consultant
Find my new apartment in Brisbane.

5.Jean-Luc, Internal Auditor
Spend less time at work