Year of the Ox

It's Chinese New Year time again, which means many things here. The most important thing for me is that I get another week off and am heading to Laos via Bangkok. Today, at school, all of the kids dressed up in their Chinese clothing and we had an assembly. All of the students take Mandarin classes here, starting in Kindergarten. The Mandarin department put on a great show with dancing, singing traditional songs, inviting an award winning performing school group from China, and lai-see (red envelope) gift packets for all of the kids.

Here are three of my second grade American students in their outfits.

students performing onstage

traditional lion dancing

Here are three of my second grade students from New Zealand, Sweden, and the US.

Today in Hong Kong

This is an email I got at work this morning:

Dear All,
The API continues to be over 100. Children on the API list should stay indoors. Persons with existing heart or respiratory illnesses are advised to reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities. Please remind all students to drink water, they sometimes forget when it is cold outside but we need to keep them all well hydrated. Thank you for your attention.

I tend to forget things like this now, that used to really strike me when I first arrived. API is the pollution index, and when it's over 100 (as it has often been lately), some students can't go outside for recess. We have an "API list" of students with asthma or whose parents request that they stay indoors. As beautiful as Hong Kong is, the pollution from China is part of daily conversation, like talking about the weather. I think this email also shows the concern and properness that Hong Kong people show when dealing with children. Of course it's good for kids to drink water, but in the US, I never received email reminders about things like this!

Here is an excerpt from the Hong Kong Observatory website, where I check the weather:

As Hong Kong is being continuously affected by a cold winter monsoon, people are advised to put on warm clothes and to avoid adverse health effects due to the cold weather. You must also ensure adequate indoor ventilation. If you must go out, please avoid prolonged exposure to wintry winds. If you know of elderly persons or persons with chronicmedical conditions staying alone, please call or visit them occasionally to check if they need any assistance. Make sure heaters are safe before use, and place them away from any combustibles. Do not light fires indoors as a means to keep warm. Whatever the temperature, please ensure that there is plenty of fresh air in your room when you are using an old-type gas water heater.

I just find this kind of weather warning with its description, language, and concern for things like this very typically Hong Kong. It usually just makes me roll my eyes now.

AsiaLearn

This year, I've also had a part time job as the Resident Director for AsiaLearn. I was connected to this organization through a friend, when they decided to open up a program in Hong Kong this year. AsiaLearn arranges study-abroad programs for college students, and they just started working with Hong Kong University. Last semester, 6 students piloted this program and this week, 14 more came from Universities all across the U.S. It's a simple job really; I'm sort of "on call" in case the students have any questions or run into any trouble, and I also give them a brief orientation when they arrive and meet with them three times throughout the semester. Last semester, I really enjoyed hearing about Hong Kong and expat life through new eyes and from college students with a fresh perspective. I guess it hasn't really been all that many years since I was that age myself, but it's been interesting for me to reflect back on myself as a college student and realize how different I was during that time. I am a bit jealous of their opportunity to travel and live abroad so early on into adulthood. I have always wanted to live in a different country and have this experience, and I am now grateful that I chose a vocation where there are plenty of opportunities, and where I can grow professionally as well. My job with AsiaLearn has made me all the more grateful for the place I ended up and the experiences I've had so far.

Here is a link to the Asialearn website if you're interested: http://www.asialearn.org/about/the_asialearn_team/in-country_support_team/

christmas in hong kong

I have never celebrated Christmas so much as I have this past year. I didn't have time to post any pictures or blog before I left for the States, but better late than never (too busy celebrating the holidays, I guess). Working at an elementary school (and at a Lower Primary school in particular) is a good way to celebrate the holidays...staff and department parties, kids' programs, construction paper decorations, teacher presents (my best teacher gift year ever!), and carol sing-a-longs. That's just at school. I had a few Christmas parties with friends, went to a tram party, sang and celebrated Advent at church, and tried to get a bit of shopping done. Trying to maneuver around Hong Kong is exhausting and tiring enough on the weekends, let alone during Christmastime. I definitely welcomed the open spaces of America for a couple of weeks!

The Christmas tree at New Town Plaza...always overdone, Hong Kong style.
I won the "best Christmas sweater" award at my friend's party (um, not mine, just borrowed from my middle-aged teacher colleagues...no offense to you if you fit that demographic).

Some of my colleagues at our Christmas party for the Student Services department.

I went to see The Nutcracker with friends Christine and Mike. This is my third year in a row seeing it...it's become a tradition for me and Christine to go the last week before break.

One of the Christmas festivities in the mall...not sure what is happening, but any sort of costume or special display always draws a big crowd here. I'm also not sure how this is related to Christmas at all, but it didn't seem to matter to anyone.

decorating cookies at a friend's Christmas party

again, after the Nutcracker, in front of the harbor

I was serenaded by one of the 2nd grade classes...pretty cute, huh?