Gone to dimsumland: An Undergrad’s 131-Day Sojourn in Hong Kong

They always say an exit is an entrance to somewhere else.

Therefore, as Gone To Dimsumland makes its final curtains call, a new beginning dawns for Coffee Napkin Sketches.

Farewell and thanks for reading.

So this is it.

The time has finally arrived for a final closure to this remarkable and most splendid episode in Hong Kong. So many things have happened during the last four months- much more than I can possibly or am willing to share. One thing for certain is that SEP is undeniably an experience that I will look back and smile with fond memories and without a single trace of regret.

This entry is the last post (no pun intended please. *touch-wood*) and it is apt now to do the customary closing reflection. It’s going to be a spontaneous post…so it might possibly be erratic in organization and odd in expression since I’ll write it as it pops up, so as to keep it as authentic from self censorship as possible. So without further delays, here goes to ramble.

Hong Kong- hailed the Jewel of the East and Pearl of the Orient. Alternatively, affectionately labelled Dim Sum Land by yours truly. Sure, on a superficial level, it’s pretty much a sister-cosmopolitan city like Singapore: a hybrid mix of Western modernity and Asian tradition, a shopping/culinary haven, and being surrounded by familiar oriental-looking Asians made it easy for me to fit in and assimilate easily. Being of Chinese ethnicity, most people will normally assume that I’m just another typical Hong Konger. That’s until I give the blank stare when they rattle to me in Cantonese.

Truth is, the element of culture shock is still undeniably there. Primarily, language is still a huge obstacle and challenge. Cantonese is indisputably difficult language to learn. Yes, I said language because contrary to what we Singaporeans think, Cantonese- according to linguists- IS NOT A DIALECT but considered a language by its own right. Four months on, I’m pretty satisfied by how I went from a total non-speaker to one who can order food in Cantonese and give directions to a taxi-driver and reply to their further queries. Still hardly enough to sustain a conversation, yet enough to survive fairly well in day-to-day transactions.

It’s here that I also started to truly appreciate how useful and strategic LKY’s bilingual education policy is for us. Indeed, that was great foresight and today, I’m greatly thankful for that. Looking at how some of the local CUHK students struggle stringing coherent English sentences makes me rethink the advantage that billingual education in SG did for us. It’s like quite a blessing to realize that Singapore is actually the ONLY country in Asia with English as its primary medium of communication. The foreigners were pretty surprised that we can speak English pretty fluently and that ease in switching between Putonghua and English so swiftly and on reflex is something that some of the locals and Ah Tiongs are impressed with too. So, kudos to the Old Man for his foresight in this.

On the another front, foreigners really find Singlish interesting and they actually enjoy watching us converse in Singlish. They seem highly amuse and interested in learning the intricacies of how to use the “lahs”, “lehs”, “lors” and “mehs” as well as how normal English words can have completely different meanings (i.e “aarow”). In the early weeks of Hong Kong, there was this Asian-American girl who was keenly trying to learn Singlish from me and she’d go, “say it again! say it again!”…like as if it’s some sorta circus show. During the film shoot, Lucas was always trying to mimic the Singaporean accent (failed miserably unfortunately) and he thinks we talk too fast, which is definitely a valid point.

Well, as much as the government or NUS might frown on us being bad ambassadors by using “improper” English, on the contrary! I think we’re being GOOD ambassadors by spreading the authentic local culture that is TRULY uniquely Singaporean! So use it, flaunt it and be proud of Singlish!

If you ask me, the best thing I love about SEP I must say is the freedom. Freedom to do what I want, when I want it and how I want it. I mean, my mom gives me lots of freedom OUTSIDE home (love you mom for that)…but not AT home: she’ll nag at me to “throw your clothes in the laundry”, “don’t shower too late”, “don’t stare at the PC for too long”…yada yada yada. For four months, there’s a void of that. And wow, how liberating that is.

Some people’d say that SEP teaches one to be independent. Well, I’ve been pretty independent since a kid so I figure this is more like an extension of that. For one, it’s a good time to stretch that independent and self-reliant aspect in me, like, taking time off to be quiet and to learn to enjoy the company of oneself. That’s something that I did very often in HK. I used to always want to have company when I want to do something or go somewhere- like I find it quite dull going alone. Yet HK taught me that, if I want to do it and no one else wants to, heck, I’ll just go ahead and do it by myself and have fun anyway. Yes, while company makes activities more fun, doing stuff by oneself can be quite fun and gratifying as well. Like Tokyo…5 days spending in the company of myself. It’s nice to have a little peace and quiet once in a while- something that I trust everyone should try at least once in their lives. Sometimes solitude is really great to get in touch with the inner soul….and too much company can sometimes be more bad than good.

One thing I’m very thankful for is the rare opportunity to work on two film productions with professional directors, actors and other specialists in the field. It was truly an honor to be able to work with Henry, a highly-sought after cinematographer who was the Director of Photography for The Leap Years, for Someone To Love. Truth be told, I got dressed down a couple of times for fumbling and being blur but he was hard because he said he wanted me to learn the ropes and honestly, he really taught me alot from that one week- more than I can learn from any film college. Sam, the fresh-out-of-film-school Canadian, was also really nice in telling me little tricks and trades that they didn’t teach him in film school but are the little nitty stuff which he picked up as he went along. It’s humbling to also learn that something seemingly easy as pushing a dolly isn’t as simple as it seems. At the end of the day, on the job experience is always the best teacher.

More than a networking opportunity, the whole experience offered me a whole new paradigm shift and an opportunity that I dare say few other exchange students can possibly have- to see your own film come to fruition. Writing a script, seeing the film develop from start to finish and seeing your ideas coming alive has a highly satisfying WOW feeling. The new skills I picked up from both Someone to Love and The Other End of The Gun as well as the new friends I made really opened my eyes to how there are people out there who really do sacrifice much to pursue their passion. And to see that passion can be a driving force for people like Kate, Michael, Roger, Lucas, Hiromi and Leena to simply help out for free simply because they love what they do. It shows that there’s hope out there rather than the clout of “practicality” and “realism” that is so prevalent in our Singaporean context.

Which brings me to the main high point of my time in Hong Kong: a renewed paradigm shift that is now more certain about taking that leap of faith and following my heart’s pursuit.

By His grace, God somehow brought several individuals along the way in different times throughout the four months that have in their own lives, decided to take the risk and jump into the unknown to pursue their passions: Lucas, Sam, Philip (a wushu-exponent/actor), the 3 guys from Alive who gave a talk at one of my class, Patrice, Roger, Will, Seamus and that Turkish guy I met in Tokyo as well as in a certain way Chong Giat (some Singaporean guy whose family I met during the Mt Fuji Trip). I had the opportunity to hear from them and ask them about their own personal journey as well as their fears and concerns. In return, they gave me advice and shared their experience which greatly encouraged me to follow what I want to do rather than going through the motions just because people/society expects you to do so. I can go into a long ramble into that…but well, that’s not the point in this post. So, i won’t.

Before I went to HK, I asked Him to use this trip to help me see things anew and to be renewed. And God honored that throughout the four months- its too much to explain but it was a quiet , hard road as well. On many days I struggled, having to go up to the roof and seek Him for strength and grace to weather through the trial. I questioned alot, mulled alot, prayed alot and reflected alot about here, now, the future, the past. So many things bombarded my mind and the voices that screamed within all screaming different things. It’s so confusing and tiring at times.

The last two weeks I spent in Hong Kong was perhaps a good time of reflection and finally the way is so much clearer. After four long years, I finally have a clearer picture what I have to do and broke through that self-created wall of inhibition by fear, timidity and indecision. And ultimately, all it took was persistence and courage to tear it down. Actually it’s simple- just do it- yet mustering courage is the one that is the hardest task. In the end, I learned that I think and analyze too much for my own good that it inhibits me and stop me from doing anything- over-analaysis leads to paralysis. So in the end, as Best Friend said, “Don’t think so much, just do it and be done with it”. And I did.

And boy, was it a liberating emancipation to break the boundaries of my own comfort zone.

Notice I never said anything about academics. You can see how school was a low priority on the list. To me, I put more emphasis this exchange on the journey of reflection, new awareness and learning to step out more of the comfort zone. That to me is more valuable than mere grades and academic credentials (besides, all i have to do is pass).

The Hong Kong episode played a crucial role in helping me find myself. In the big scheme of things, I figure it’s all part of God’s perfect timetable as he brought me through this four years of doldrums and deep-seeking and finally light came in through the crack through this time in Hong Kong. Quite nicely to, as it rounds a conclusion to my 24th year and finally it gives me a renewed vigor and commitment to do what I need to do as I hit quarter of a century in 2009.

So as I round this up, I will say that SEP is indeed been a blessing in many way. Granted there’s the fun element and the much-needed time away from the dreaded CAP-worries. Yet to me, I think it was the inner-journey of reflection and epiphany for me that was of the most valuable part of this whole experience. It gave me more time to think and look at the last 25 years of my life and to shift the rudder as I sail away into the uncharted waters with a new compass and thirst for adventure down yonders.

If you have stayed on till this final line, thank you even though I know the second half might not make sense to 95% of you since you’re clueless to the context.

So now, it’s time to say goodbye to gonetodimsumland. Adieu, sayonara as I close this chapter of of life.

And now with 2009 ahead, as Buzz Lightyear says, ” To Infinity and Beyond!”

Here I am leeching on the free wi-fi services outside the departure gate for my ride back home.

Parting leaves me abit emotional. I don’t know why but the last 12 hours have been a very nostalgic,  heartwarming episode. In a sense, it offers a nice closure for the time here in HK.

4 hour HTHT talk with Patrice and Nikki, cam-whoring session in the editing room, watching our rough cut of  The Other End of the Gun again, rummaging thru the rubbish on the table that accummulated from the first week and then, a final breakfast at NA canteen as I said good bye to the nice smiley auntie.

The ride out was…..nostalgic. Wistful and yet satisfying.
Okay, boarding call is on now. Time to go!

So finally, 18 weeks of sojourn to Dimsumland is finally coming to a close. In all hearfelt frankness, it’s been one helluva ride and a humbling yet enriching eye-opening experience.

I still vividly remember how during the first week I was  visibly annoyed by the idiosyncracies of the Hong Kong society- like how they always knock into my shoulders or my backpack and walk of nonchalantly without apologizing; the dripping air-con units from above that always succed in landing on my face; the cacophony of old folks yakking loudly into their mobile; the herd of rush-hour crowd that always leaves me feeling claustrophobic and oh, who can forget day 1-  the loud screech of the railway trains as they speed by.

18 weeks later, I’ve grown reasonably accustomed to these things. And just as I’ve gotten localized and starting to speak more Cantonese, it’s time to displace myself and adapt back to the Singaporean way of life- again. A very surreal realisation that 24 hours from now, I’d be again back in Singlish-speaking SG where people stand on the left of escalators rather than a right. I guarantee I’d unconsciously make that mistake when I get back to Changi Airport.

Pareto’s 80/20 rule describes how the best results is usually garnered from primarily 20% of the inputs. And correspondingly, it applicably applies to the last few days in Dimsumland-  eating, shopping, exploring and  simply living like there’s no tomorrow. It’s also the last few sentimental moments of visiting my favourite joints one last time before I’d never see them again for a foreseeable period in time.

Wei Cheng and his sister are currently in HK for family vacation. So it was really heartening to see them in person again- although strangely, it doesn’t feel as if I last saw them four months ago. They still look pretty much the same to me…although Wei Cheng said, I’ve become distinctively “trimmer”- double-chin is gone. Awwright, mission accomplished- that positive remark made my day. However, I think with the last week of binging, I figure it’s all being redeposited again.

We went to Fan Ling today to explore the rural side of HK. I realised that throughout the four months, this is actually the FIRST time i’m travelling up north and visiting the rural charm. It’s great to escape the noise and visit the wall village that was erected 300 years ago. And it’s cool to know that those folks living there are the modern descendents of a famous Tang-clan which is related to the royal family.

Other than that,  brought them to Chau Inn (which they really like), Honeymoon dessert and recommended Triple O’s chocolate milkshake to them. Oh yeah, it was a foodie escapade. They were actually nice enough to offer me to stay with them in their hotel room since I need to move out by tomorrow (which is why I’m going home tomrrow) so that I can still stay on  till the 2nd. Yet I figure I didn’t want to be imposing. I  just decide that, yes, it is enough. Besides, officially I’m in imminent red in terms of funding ( i.e- I don’t even think I have enough for taxi to the airport tomorrow).

This is NOT an excuse but I decided that there’s no point bringing back the little excess HK dollars I had left. Hence, I invested (note: it’s investing no splurging. heh) whatever remainding funds I had on lao po bing, a new pair of jeans and tada- what better way than to visit my favorite bookstore PageOne again- with 3 new books. This bring the total number of new books/magazines  I bought in 4 months to 15- I’m such a nerd.

I’ll be meeting up with Patrice for one final time later…and followed by Nikki for one final time too. It’s going to be weird saying “bye” but well, friends will always end up going their separate ways one way or another.

Nothing much to pack since I came with a pretty light load (12kg). Perfect- I managed to compact everything into 1 trolly luggage and my backpack. No more no less. Except perhaps the load of lao po bing which is pretty much a necessary formality.

All set and ready to go.

The first Christmas spent 3000km away from home is an odd experience. It is fairly quiet and admittedly sometimes even lonely that I’m here by myself now. It is odd not to be having X-mas eve dinners with the usual suspects- the JC Clique & the Brudderhood- and that I didn’t find myself at that 24 hr roti-prata joint after X-mas eve service with the church people.

Then on the other hand, I felt maybe the change was a nice one after all. Experience Christmas in a different setting; simply visiting and revisiting Central and TST again for daily dosage of retail therapy and DAILY pilgrimage to Starbucks or Pacific Coffee. The weather is fantastic this few days leading to Christmas. The temperature somehow took a dive 2 days ago and the wind brings in the winter chill- which I really delight in. In a way, the last week of solitude has been a good time to catch up with myself and quieten down and drown out all that external noise and just….chill. =) Which is a good thing too…because I think my brain is overloaded with too much thoughts for its own good.

Yet being alone doesn’t mean I’d sit in pity in my dorm room and sulk. Actually, the last week has been nothing but self-pampering and leaving a selfishly-gratifying life– something which I’m never really used to do in SG. Like, I don’t really buy clothes in general…but woot, somehow the last few days I come back with at least an article per day. Well, the X-mas sale is really great here- like up to 70% off? Was browsing around Central when I found a vest that was tagged at HK$259 (SG$55). It’s a habit of my to never spend more than SG$40 on an clothing item but I really like it. So i decided to get it anyway. Alas, when I went to the counter the sales girl apparently told me that the vest is actually only HK$50 (SG$10)dollars. Apparently, the sale price tag kinda dropped off or smthing. I left feeling very happy and satisfied that day. Wow, 10 dollars. What a steal! Now that’s a sale. Not some piffy 20% off you find in SG or crap like that.

And Disneyland. Ahh, the little bright-eyed boy that resides in my soul is really delighted and happy. Disneyland was great. Yeah, so it was a little small…the rides weren’t very exciting and the duration was too short. But being able to recap nice familiar memories of childhood is a really delightful thing. The familiar tunes, the familiar characters and gee, the kids. I love the kids in Disneyland. I mean I love kids in general…but in Disneyland, the kids are just so natural, carefree and happy. I Now that’s something that I find so joyful- the bright-eyed innocence of childhood. Even the adults- hell some of them were really reliving their second childhood I’d say, wearing those Mickey ears-headbands and taking the carousel rides. Okay, I admit, I’m guilty as charged- I did the carousel for fun too. I truly think Walt Disney had foresight and a great heart to come up with a place where people can connect with their inner child.

Only 2 things annoyed me yesterday- damn stupid Ah Tiong party who tried to cut my queue and embarassingly a bunch of Singaporeans/Malaysian(?) family and kids who were so bloody noise and unable to keep their kids in check. Ok, Christmas is supposed to be a time for love but I guess I wasn’t feeling so loving yesterday at the Buzz Lightyear Astro-Blaster Ride. Apparently queue-cutting is the norm in Disneyland. A few times someone will simply move into a space in front of you from nowhere and pretend that that’s their rightful place. I figure I was very nice and accommodating for most of these but a man has limits and so happen, the Ah-Tiong found me in a less-than-nice state. Damn Ah Tiong man acted ignorant and stealthily slotted himself in front of me. For a moment, being the nice guy, I was like, “okay ,nvm. just one person…i can live with that”. Then he called his entire kah-kee to come in front with him. Now that I cannot take. In all annoyance, I said to him in a clearly offended tone, “Excuse me I came first, line starts from the back”. He gave a sheepish grin (really wanna slap his face crooked) and said something like “oh, I didn’t know the line started from behind.” Please la, the fucking line is so long and you can happily cross the barricade into the middle and deposit yourself in? When his cronies arrived, I can see that they were still reluctant to go back to the back so I simply stepped forward, elbowed in and take the spot and purposely propped myself in a way that they can’t get thru. Even when the queue started to move, they were still trying to infiltrate the line and I tried foiling their attempts by positioning myself in front of them to stop their advances. Okay, so it was a little trivial…but there are principles that are being violated and they oughta keep themselves in check. If they won’t, then I will do the honors of being a meanie. Immature, maybe. Satisfying…oh yes. That’s so not Christian-loving in Christmas- then again, I’m merely a sinner saved by grace.

Had a good catch up meal with Patrice at some fancy Moroccan restaurant in LKF. First time eating Moroccan food but hell it was fantastic. Figured it’s pretty much the same style with Greek and Turkish (i love Mediterranean food) but stronger on the cinammon (which I hate) and cumin. Harrira Soup with pita bread, Couscous Lamb Kebab, champagne and some sorta sorta chilli-like spice. And you wanna know what’s splurging? Spending a HK$1264 (SG$258) between the both of us for dinner. Actually we were both shocked when we saw the bill. But well, what the heck, it was Christmas anyway and we decided to be hearty about and have a fun Christmas. After all, it’d be a long time before we can both catch up again. It’s been a privilege to get to know Patrice. I learned alot from him and he’s a true mark of a French gentleman. I foresee his passion for film will drive him really far down the road.

Super Nice Moroccan Restaurant Deco

Vegetable Harira with Lamb

Couscous with Roasted Kebab and Moroccan Sausage

Patrice- (em)mon ami(/em), will see him as a famous film director someday

New Hair Cut...which pretty much look the same.

Sante to friendship and a splendid 4 months in Hong Kong

5 Days more to go. I’m so going to miss Hong Kong so much.

Have a blessed X-mas everyone!

A dream that took 24 years to fulfill.

I’m going Disneyland tomorrow!

Whee!

I feel like a little wide-eyed boy all over again.

(Ok, so it isn’t THE real disneyland. But at least it suffice for now.)

Meiyi was in Hong Kong over the week and she was telling me about all the good food she ate. She highly recommended me to try a certain restaurant in Lan Kwai Fung, well-reputed for its roast goose and other assortment meat called Yung Kee. Extolling it, she was adamant I give it a try and apparently it’s so crowded that you usually have to make a reservation.

Okay, fair enough. I realised throughout the four months I have yet to actually try all the roasted stuff in HK yet, so I thought I might as well. So I popped by Yung Kee today in LKF. It’s quite hard to miss it- with a zhao pai that big anyone can spot it from a mile away. The nice waitress was very polite; she ushered me to a table and served me some tea as when went to grab the menu. Truly the place was pretty crowded. While I scanning the other tables, I was pretty convinced the food look pretty good. I continued to sip my tea as I waited for her to come back with the menu.

I figured that was quite a good tactic on their part. Because when I flipped open the menu, I realised I was obliged to stay and couldn’t really leave since I’ve drank the tea- everything in the menu is in the 3-digit range. Want to leave also feel pai seh….so I decided I might as well just spend what I have. My comfort thought, “last week in HK already….don’t care la. Just enjoy.”

Unfortunately, there wasn’t roast goose available because it was sold out. So I settled for yang chou chao fan and suckling pig instead.

Definitely by far the most expensive lunch I have yet in HK….could have bought that nice maroon pull-over I was eyeing at H&M. =/

But honestly, I think it was pretty good. The suckling pig was really crispy and tasty. Every bite has that ka-cha ka-cha sound, although I think I’d put on like a whole load of cholesterol from that.

A waste I couldn’t get to try the roast goose. I figure if I have enough $$ left by next Monday, I’ll go back and try the roast goose with Wei Cheng when he comes over. =)

Yung Kee- a three-floor restaurant. You can't miss it in Lan Kwai Fung

Probably the most expensive dish I ever ate in HK

Painfully expensive yet heartily gratifying

In other news: Okay, I’m officially flying back to SG on 30th Dec so that I can go for New Year Eve’s Watchnight Service. That means, it’s 9 days more before I leave HK for good.

I really feel very reluctant to leave, especially after somehow I’ve gotten adapted and used to the way of life in Hong Kong and actually starting to feel comfortable with it- even the stuff that used to annoy me. I’ll definitely miss alot of things very much….but well, what to do? A honeymoon never lasts forever….nine more days before this experience comes to an end forever and ever.

Pok kai ah!