Front page news for sale.

As I walked by the newspaper stands today. I saw something that only happens in Hong Kong.

I saw that at least 3 main Chinese-languaged newspapers shared the same front page. It was the the logo of the newspaper in the tiny top right corner(with fine prints of today's date, and the price), and the rest? ADVERTISEMENT! NO news. Whatsoever! NADA! ZIPO! Most of these advertisements were probably about a new residential property for sale.

Gave me a slight disgust of these Hong Kong newspapers when commercials prevail ANY relevant news to the public. Ads first, news second. arrggghhh.... disgusting. Might as well call it Adspaper.

Well, another reason for me to keep on reading English newspapers in Hong Kong, where there is relatively less non-emphasis on international news.

Is it only Hong Kong that can have advertisement as their front page news?

sweet addiction.

don't know where this chocolate addiction is coming from. but i'm eating my 4th chocolate ice-cream today.

my mom is gonna be bitter when she finds out I ate her share of ice cream =P

cooler weather? biological response to fatten up? for hibernation? what should i tell her? jejejee...

Plastic please.

So the Hong Kong Supermarket Giant Park 'n' Shop has quickly switched directions on its 'no free plastic bags' campaign.

Under the campaign, on which they claim to be 'environmental-friendly', they decided not to give out plastic bags to customers for free anymore. Instead, they would be charged a small fee (20 HK cents)per bag. However, if the customer refuses, they would still be offered a free bio-degradable bag.

But within 5 days of carrying out the campaign, with the apparent loss of business, it is abruptly cancelled, and the plastic bags are now given to customers for free again.

The original idea of the campaign seems to give a CSR-face to Park 'N' Shop, by supporting an environmental friendly direction. However, a further look into it reveals two things: Next year, the government plans to implement a mandatory 'green tax' to all major supermarket chains of 50 HK cents per plastic bag. This can be seen as a move to transfer the fee towards the consumers. Secondly, there is not enough transparency in where the money profited by this campaign goes to. Spokesmen for the chain has said this would not translate to cheaper goods for consumers.

This all created an uproar of complaints from residents during the past week, and within only 5 days, this campaign is abandoned across more than the 200 stores across the territory.

So what does this all mean?
This abrupt 180 degree turn in the direction gives a lot of doubts on Park'N'Shop's commitment in a 'Green campaign' for good. With its dominance in the supermarket business in the 6.9 million inhabitants of Hong Kong, it should have expected this 'negative' reaction from the public. Hong Kong people (busy, city residents) are human, and we all want convenience. Unlike many other countries, the majority of the population does not use cars to upload a trunk full of groceries once a week. People shop after work, or when they pass by a supermarket on the streets, it is a challenge to find people readily who have old, used plastic bags on them.
Moreover, this mistake by ParkNShop worsens the image for other money-hungry giants in Hong Kong who intends to create a CSR-face or environmentally friendly moves.

I originally thought this would be a win-win situation for Park'N'Shop if they could be transparent on where they would handle the extra income generated by 'donations' of plastic bag fees. On the otherhand, disguising this as 'green' move sounds positive, right? However, it seems they not only have created a major social blunder, but any future moves by this corporate giant would be under the harsh surveillance of the Hong Kong microscope. In the meantime, other smaller supermarket chains would only need to play sheep to see how they would tackle the green direction.

I believe how the future can be changed is to change the people who will be in them in the first place - the younger generation. I remember clearly how 'normal' a recycling activity was done at lunch time when I was an 8 year-old in an elementory school classroom in Canada. Recycle bins were all around, and we had designated classmates who carried the recycle bins around the class at lunch to collect our flattened juice boxes. And that definately extends to weekly recycling days outside our houses. And it had become a habit when living in Canada, no matter what a hassle recycling came for us, especially as university students living as, emmm, as students, =) we still had to follow the law. (cardboard days, newspaper, paper, plastic, bottles in blue boxes...etc)

Such environmental issues must be an important part of a HK child's upbringing, otherwise, the city will just become worse and worse on its notorious reputation as owning one of the world's largest per capita carbon footprints.

Connecting

Recollecting the dots of why I decided not to live my 20s pursuing a career in medicine. 4 years ago, when the life-dream took that decisive turn, I asked myself:
'Why is it my dream to be a doctor?'.
I answered: I want to help people.
'Is being the doctor the only way?'
No.
I wanted to spend time with my future family, with my wife, with my kids.
'Can I do that as a doctor?'
Not so much.
'Do I want to spend my entire 20s studying?'
No way. =P
'What do I want to do then?'
Don't know.

By remembering how I answered the first question: 'I want to help people', I am graduatlly connecting some dots during my introspective days here in the warm autumn of Hong Kong.


I was walking back inside the classroom today, after I took the toddlers out to pick some autumn leaves. My boss, with 2 kids holding her hands, asked me jokingly behind me: How many kids will you have when you get married?. Looking down at my side, I found myself holding the hands of 3 other kids. I smiled, glanced at my boss, and kept silence as I tried to behave unembarassed. Yes, I have to admit: I love kids! =) Maybe it's to compensate for the fact that I was the only child and always wanted someone to play with.

I started teaching a few weeks ago a new student, an adult. And next week, I will start with a pair of foreign highschool students. I am remembering the joy of being a teacher, an educator: When a student comes up to me at the end of the course, and thanked me and asked me to be their teacher again in their third consecutive course (even if it was university's policy to have the same teacher for 2 courses), when I received positive and encouraging comments through my university boss, when my newest student thanked me repeatedly, and told me she was actually learning...these moments bring satisfaction in my work.

Just this evening, I had two amazing individuals I worked with in the past...who MSNed me separately, thanked me and wrote me such sweet words on how I have impacted them. =) This is what keeps me going in AIESEC.

And the connected dots?
-Attending United World College before my university has changed my worldview for good, and led to my passion of multicultural experiences.
-Two years later, I joined AIESEC coincidentially the semester, when I decided not to pursue a medical career.
-Who recruited me? A United World College classmate who was a member of AIESEC at Queen's.
-Another two years later, the AIESEC internship I worked at was directly working with teenagers in a highschool. (though my role didn't involve teaching)
-The highschool? The 11th United World College in the world, which opened the semester after I was there.
-I started working on the MC of CAS, and because of lack of finances, I eventually found the teaching job at the University on the side.
-Fast-forwarding one year, working in the Southern Cone, despite brief, it was a strong, and powerful experience, and connected me with various individuals.
-2.5 months in Hong Kong, started to 'teach while I think'. - used to be a 'drink while you think' game, jeje... ;)

Though I am not satisfied with the scale, I feel I have made at least some difference in where I was, in 'helping people' through education, in an international environment, to kids or to adults through teaching, to members of AIESEC. I am definately not satisfied with the small individual impacts, but it's a sign that I'm on the positive direction.

I have to admit, I am going through some relatively challenging times to self-motivate. Need to remember to celebrate each dot I connect. What's the whole purpose of self-reflection anyways? To have a clearer mindset, right? Looking forward still continues to be foggy, but looking back, it is definately clearer than when I first met the ones who were holding my hands today.

Make a wish...

My birthday this year was spent a bit differently than in previous years - firstly, I was in Hong Kong! The last time that I spent my birthday in Hong Kong was back in 2000 when I was still studying at the United World College. Good times.

Like my usual Thursday afternoons, I was with my kids. And this time I was teaching them 'Circle'. What really was nice about the class was that, there were two new kids, both 2.5 years old. And not only were they not shy around me, (the moms mentioning they were usually shy kids), they fit in the group very well. What was special about that class was at the end of it. After singing the 'bye-bye song' with them, the 8 kids climbed on me, and gave me a huge 2 layered group hug! That gave me a huge 25 year-old smile as I walked out of the classroom. =)

I then returned to Hong Kong island, and met Chen on her last day in Hong Kong of her business trip. Thanks girl, for coming over to Admiralty even if it was meant to have your lunch at 3pm! It was great to see you after so many years, and out of all places, in Hong Kong! Where next?



My afternoon continued as I went to meet my mom. Eventhough it was brief, it was very nice to be with her on my birthday. We had a quick dinner, before I went off to the conference premeeting. As I arrived in the university, I saw Freddy waiting for me at in the hall. I then entered the room of darkness, and it was then accompanied with a cake with candles and the birthday song sung by the whole FACI team of SOLAR. What was especially nice was when they sang the classic Birthday song in Cantonese after the international version. I think that maybe the first time I have been sung that song.

Making my wish



After the premeeting ended, a small group of us went to Georgi and Olga's flat. For me, I enjoy spending quality time with a close group of friends. And admittedly, I have not known any of them just two months ago, but it's through the Spanish movie nights, the sleep-overs, the BBQs, and mostly the open conversations we have overnight about our first, second, third love stories, about our view on life and death, about our dreams, and failures, that connect us as a group. Thank you Freddy, YK, Clara, Georgi, Olga, and Karman for such a memorable evening, full of chocolates, and laughters in a warm 'Finland'. =)

*cultural note* - According to Chinese tradition, I was told when cutting the cake, that if I touch the bottom with my knife, I would not get married! (however I believe it applies to girls rather than guys, but I am not sure!)



And for those who were not physically with me, I thank you for all your kind thoughts and actions! Each of your sweet wishes, no matter which way it was through, brought a bigger smile on my face!!! I appreciate you guys very much, and I truly miss you guys. You know who you are!
=) Love you!!!!

25

=)

5 nights-3 days

Just had the first premeeting for the SOLAR (LDS) conference last night. Great to meet such a FACI team of 23 people!!! Will be involved in the leadership track.

and as Cyrus put it, for the FACIs, because of the nightly premeetings this week, it's going to be a 5 nights-3 days conference ;)

My 3rd AIESEC Hong Kong conference coming up. =D Should be more adapted to AP-style conferences now!

Looking forward to NIGHT 2!

Breaking Stereotypes.

A conversation this evening with Georgi and Jonathan about multicultural relationships of Asians and Westerners, led to some thoughts on some Asian stereotypes.

It's an issue that I have lived with throughout most my life, when I am not in Asia...in various environments. Where there are less prescence of Asians, the stereotypes seem to be stronger.

Now looking back at the commercial I was on in Costa Rica, there was a big story behind it when I first met the director. The director himself was not Costa Rican, he was Argentine, in fact. During my second interview with him, he had the idea of me speaking in Chinese in the commercial, and then blurted some quick Spanish lines. I was immediately quite furious with this idea, especially because he was imitading on how he thinks the Chinese language should sound...and even acted that I had an Asian pushcart in my hands. I was quite angry, and immediately told him I would not be comfortable playing with the stereotype. It was a stereotype which I had to live with each day I was away from Asia. He insisted on me at least to try out a few takes on the camera... I reluctantly did it, as I knew it was just an interview.

I then got selected to be part of the commercial. And in the days leading towards the shoot, I had a huge dilema on what to do. I was not told how he wanted my scene to be. I made it clear before that I would not want to speak in Cantonese, and feel more comfortable in speaking Spanish, or even English on my lines. I had some talks with other interns, and especially with Chihiro, who's a Japanese American....and completely understood what living through those stereotype each day meant. I decided that even, if I had no money to pay my rent for two months, I would never contribute to this stereotype.

And at the set...right before the shoot, I talked with the director. Told him, I was never going to do it in Chinese. His face obviously was not pleased, and was angry at me. Well, he had no choice but to play with what he's got. So he filmed in speaking my lines in Spanish.

And now thinking back...that was the reason he had completely cut me in any speaking lines in the commerical. In the end, I was happy that was the decision I made, especially my landlady when I paid her - who was incidentially a Chinese. =)


An interesting video on Asian stereotypes in the US:

On the other side.

I saw the sea today. Not that I don't see it often from buses when crossing around Hong Kong... I was actually touching the sea, by a small beach. And there was the great sea in front of me. It was not the direction of the Ocean, but it was enough to make me realize the importance of water in my life. Staring at great sea 1 metre in front of me, sitting on the sand...I was able to revive a bit of beach memories I have had in the past 2 years. santa teresa, jacó, puerto viejo, flamingo, manuel antonio...

I remember my mom telling me that I had my 1-month old celebration on a giant floating restaurant in Hong Kong - JUMBO. (It's a Chinese tradition to hold a big Chinese dinner when a baby is 1 month old.) And since then, I've realized ALL of the places I have lived in has Water closeby, South China Sea, Lake Ontario, Carribean Sea, Lake Geneva, Pacific Ocean, Río de la Plata...

So thanks to an invitation to Georgi and Olga's welcoming event today, where some of their host LC members organized a HK-style BBQ trip by the beach, I was able to not only to have my first HonKie BBQ in years, but I was able to be by the sea, sitting on sand, and watching the glowing-red ball descend into the background - Just like I used to watch it many times, though this side of the pond has more people speaking Cantonese than Spanish... ;)

volveré

canción: Fonseca - Te Mando Flores /te%20mando%20flores.mp3

Estos dias pasados, he visto unas peliculas en español. Para re-vivir la cultura, y el idioma que he aprendido de mi experiencia latina. De re-sentir el ambiente donde estuve por dos años de mi vida. Dos años que he vivido lo maximo que uno podía vivido. Dos años de alegria, de conocer gente, de conocer la cultura, de sentir cerca, de sentir comodo, de fallar, de extrañar, de dolar, de llorar, de hacer amigos, de aprender, de sonreír, de vivir...

Ahora que estoy en un lugar familiar, literalmente en otra parte del mundo. En una cultura tan distinta. Ya no hablo español cada día. Ya no escucho el español en la calle cada día. Ya no escucho palabras como 'mae', 'vaina', 'po' o 'che'... Ya no siento la emoción y la curiosidad cada día que salgo de la puerta. Es re-dificil esta vida de integración, especialmente cuando no era planeado...ni era mi decisión...ni era algo que quería.... Tenía un plan de mi vida...paso a paso...y de repente todo se cambió. Yo me descubrio en una parte del mundo familiar, pero a la misma vez, no tanto.

Aunque haya sido 2 meses, mi corazon no pudó cambiar tan rapido y adaptar y querer lo que ve...mi cuerpo ya está acá...pero mi corazon todavía está por otro lado del pacífico. Es cuando pongo la musica latina, veo las peliculas latinas (no de España), escucho musica de fonseca o de winsin y yandel o lo que sea que siento más cómodo, siento más en mi hogar, siento más yo.

los extraño mucho... y yo los prometio que volveré. No sé cuando, no sé como, pero sé es pronto más que luego...nos vemos 'ahorita' ;)

breeze and drizzle

the drizzling drops softly on the skin.
refreshing sentiments, thoughts, memories.
moments of energy
an unstable balance of the positives and negatives
triggers drips of saltiness...

as the memories surface, and seep through the shell
the soul breezes with the chilled air

unwillingly hides the labelled shame
passing a pair of reality.

easing of the approach towards the door
open. closed.

a familiar sight of comfort.
a familiar sound of discomfort.

swimming in the unexplored ocean of reality.
the ocean of drizzling drops
without sight of promise nor a beginning.
Just trusting...

When you can feel the future, you are able to close your eyes, and reach towards it with a smile.