Dear Family and Friends,
Happy New Year! As the pages of 2023 have swiftly turned, we find ourselves embarking on a winter adventure to Finland, Norway, and Estonia a bit earlier than usual, starting mid-December. Jin enjoyed his inaugural journey to Europe, where he experienced the enchantment of snow for the very first time. And what better place to immerse in a true winter wonderland than at Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland?
This shift in schedule has indeed compressed my time for writing this annual reflection, compounded by an unusual bout of illness that lingered intermittently for two and a half weeks since November 30. Thankfully, I am now on the cusp of full recovery.
Travel and Global Exchange
The year kicked off on a positive note, with Hong Kong lifting its quarantine requirement in November 2022, and the mask mandate was retired on March 1, 2023. Our family embraced the concept of "revenge travel," exploring destinations such as Nepal, Beijing (Jin's inaugural visit to the Great Wall), Taichung, Taipei, and Mongolia. The natural splendours of Nepal and Mongolia were the crowning moments of the year for Jin, who cherishes wildlife and the great outdoors. On the academic front, I've joyfully reinstated my student study trips, leading excursions to Cambridge, Berlin (twice), and Silicon Valley. The last program I've conducted was in July 2019. My corporate training sessions have also resumed, including recent engagements in Jakarta.
The return of exchange students to CUHK has been a particular delight, with my classes enriched by the presence of young minds from many countries. In playful banter, I challenge myself to see if they come from a country where I haven't visited; thus far, only Lithuania and Algeria have stumped me. (Here is the list of where my exchange students come from: Greater China, Mexico, Algeria, Morocco, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, UK, Spain, USA, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Russia, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, India, Italy, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, and Canada.)
給晉晉的家書 Home Letters to Jin
The awaited publication of "給晉晉的家書" ("Home Letters to Jin") finally materialised in August 2023! I'm eager to share a poignant review from a friend who also serves as Jin's and my assistant Hapkido instructor: "Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter once said, 'We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.' This book rekindled the timeless values my father instilled in me - values that stand steadfast despite the world's constant flux."
Work
Professionally, 2023 was a year of unprecedented activity. Both teaching and corporate training have scaled new peaks, surpassing even pre-pandemic levels. A recurring narrative across the various organisations I've collaborated with - spanning commercial sectors, NGOs, universities, and government departments - has been the significant talent drain due to emigration.
Green Initiatives
Our commitment to sustainability saw fruition as the solar panels installed at the end of 2022 were finally integrated with the grid in 2023. It's with pride that we declare our household carbon-negative regarding our electricity use.
Public Speaking
Among the highlights in public speaking was the book launch and, notably, addressing the Cambridge University Chinese Society (CUCS) annual dinner, which serendipitously coincided with Jin's birthday. While he may have found my speech engaging, his passion was clearly for enchanting guests with his magic tricks. As a former CUCS president in 1990, witnessing the evolving leadership of this esteemed society has been a joy. My speech theme, "Connections," intertwined with reflections from Prof. Dennis Lo, Former Chief Justice Dr. The Honourable Geoffrey Ma, and Ms. Louisa Mak (Miss Hong Kong 2015). I disclosed an unknown, yet special link between Former Chief Justice Ma, Louisa, and myself that traces back to an event on October 28, 2011 at Clare College, Cambridge.
Other public speaking included a talk at Hang Seng Bank on Intrapreneurship; a sharing organised by Esperanza on "Parenting in the digital age".
Jin's Magical Journey
Jin continues to thrive in his Waldorf education, now well into his third year at Island Waldorf School and taking up the cello. His passion for magic, fueled by self-directed learning through YouTube and books, is remarkable. His dedication to crafting his own magic tools and honing his skills has fostered a level of proficiency that leaves adults in awe and inquisitive about his techniques.
Irene's Path
With the pandemic in the rearview, Irene is advancing through her second tier of training with Life Academy in Taiwan, an experience she finds profoundly enriching. I am excited to follow in her footsteps with the same training come February. Additionally, her exploration into the art of tea, guided by an esteemed teacher, continues to be a source of joy and learning for both her and Jin, who also participates in children's tea classes.
As the new year dawns, we extend our heartfelt wishes for your happiness, health, and prosperity in 2024.
Live happily, and live well wherever you are, do not get stuck!
無論你身在何處，都要過得好，快樂地生活，不要被困住！
With love,
Jin, Irene, and Dominic
December 2023
PS Just in case you were wondering, this letter was written with the assistance of ChapGPT 4.0
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Hapkido
Jin and I continue to advance in our belt exams this year. We have been practising since summer 2020.
Hong Kong
All I want to say is to look at the numbers and indicators of all sorts of measures instead of listening to people's baseless claims and speculations: Hang Seng index, IPO figures, property index, government deficit, mental health issues, voting percentage, number of emigrants, serious crime rate, fraud related crime rate ...For me, I care most about people's physical and mental health, and our education.
Quotes
"We know they are lying, they know they are lying, they know we know they are lying, we know they know we know they are lying, but they are still lying." - Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn
"We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles " - Jimmy Carter
「成功無方程式，失敗一定有道理。」- 李嘉誠
Books
- Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth By: Reza Aslan
- Pricing Beauty: The Making of a Fashion Model By: Ashley Mears
- The Journey of Humanity: The Origins of Wealth and Inequality By: Oded Galor
- The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionise Everything By: Matthew Ball
- Winning the Right Game: How to Disrupt, Defend, and Deliver in a Changing World (Management on the Cutting Edge) By: Ron Adner
Happy New Year 2024
Finland (Dec 2023-Jan 2024)
給晉晉的家書 Home letters to Jin Jin
Hapkido Belt Exam June and Dec 2023
Beijing, April 2023
Highlights of book launch events
Speaking at Cambridge University Chinese Society Annual Dinner 2023
Jin entertaining the guests with his magic tricks
Taiwan (July, Oct 2023)
Nepal (Dec 2022-Jan 2023)
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