Greetings - September 2007
 FAA Annual dinner |
Dear Family and Friends,
How are you lately? The summer is almost over, we trust that you had a great time. We didn't do as much hiking as previous years, because it has been a very hot summer in Hong Kong and we have been travelling quite a bit in Asia for many weekends to Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Meleka and Seoul for work and leisure. Hiking resumes in October.
We continue to have our weekly French lesson, and we've also started our weekly Japanese lesson. It's pretty interesting (and confusing!!). We enjoyed watching an old Japanese Cartoon called "Touch", details shown below, very positive attitude and touching story about a girl and two twin brothers who play high school baseball.
We became committee members of the French Alumni Association in Hong Kong, good way to practice our French and more organize fun events.
We wish you and your family a happy Mid-Autumn festival, don't have too much mooncake!!
Irene and Dominic
September 2007
What is Irene up to? On the work side, it is the usual routine of helping client on the marketing, sales channel, and setting up new retail electronic stores (most recently, a store at the departure hall of Hong Kong International Airport).
On the leisure side, I have found several language exchange partners (French/ Mandarin) for us to practice our French. I have also found a private tutor for our Japanese lessons. We were fortunate that we have found a room on an expedition ship called Lyubov Orlovafor for an Antarctica Cruise in January 2008, operated by the Quark Expeditions.
What is Dominic up to? Working on a few projects as usual, during the last few months. I have been making quiet a few business trips to Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai and Seoul and took the opportunity to meet up with some old friends (from the McKinsey days and Cambridge days) with whom I have not seen for many many years! Catching up on the good old days like we have never left whatever stage of life we were in. Starting a project that involves travelling to Taipei and Guangzhou.
Attended and organized quite a few alumni events in the last few months, McKinsey alumni lunch, Cambridge buffet dinner, boat trip, Prince Philip scholarship award ceremony, annual dinner with undergraduates, drinks with Dr Sir Michael Atiyah (Field's medalist, PRS, my former college master of Trinity College), dinner with Prof. Ian White (my former lecturer).
 Former McK team mate, Seoul |  Former McK team mate, Seoul
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 Cambridge alumnus, Kuala Lumpur |  Cambridge alumni gathering, HK |
 Cambridge alumni boat trip |  French Alumni Association |
On the social side, I am probably spending too much time on Facebook (look me up, search for "leglessbird"), but it is a great platform, got reconnected with classmates from boarding school in Jersey, my former students from Cambridge Chinese Community School (who are now graduates!! they identified themselves by informing me that I am a friend of their parents!!!!). I use it to organize events and groups. For those who don't know or don't use Facebook will soon find there is a huge communication gap.
Mongolia travel diary by guest writer Queenie Lau
Street children in Mongolia are placed by the Mongolian government in countryside camps each summer, out of sight of tourists. These children generally have families, but have had to take to the streets because their families are too poor to keep them, or because the situation at home is so bad (perhaps due to abuse) that the streets are preferable...
Read full article here
Cartoon Series: Touch
Type: Cartoon Drama, Japan 1984-1985
My rating: 5
Key characters:
Minami Asakura, Tatsuya Uesugi, Kazuya Uesugi
Story:
Based on the comic book by Mitsuru Adachi. Kazuya (younger) and Tatsuya (elder) are twin brothers, Minami is the girl next door, the three of them were born in the same year and grew up together. Both brothers love Minami. She has a wish which becomes the common goal of the twin brothers that is to go to Koshien Stadium to play baseball. To do so, they must represent their high school and win the regional competition. Tatsuya doesn't want to compete with his brother and thus he quits baseball...
Read more
Restaurant: Sosam Tea House
Cuisine: Fusion in Kowloon
My rating: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 2
Price per person: HKD 350
Address and tel.no
Shop 10, G/F Mega Building, 1 Maidstone Road, Tokwawan, Kowloon
+852 27143299
D and I's Review:
Introduced by friends of ours who really know where to find excellent food. Not a well known restaurant nor is it at a popular spot (in fact, it is rather hard to find). The fusion food is really delicious, creative and cooked with heart. The husband and wife team are very keen chef who are also photographer and journalist. The normal menu is good deal (dishes below $100), but you can create your own menu by pre-ordering.
Read more and see more photos
Reunion with a Malaysian friend at Nippon Tei, KLCC
Tze Meng and I were both at Trinity College, Cambridge years ago and we have not seen each other since 1990.
Suzuki cafe, Causeway Bay
Cuisine: Western in Causeway Bay
My rating: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 3
Price per person: HKD 90
Address and tel.no
Shop No.2 G/F, Chinachem Leighton Plaza, 29 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay
+852 2893 2666
Review:
A nice mid-end coffee shop place to hang out. There is free WiFi access. There are many types of coffee to choose from.
CLSA Academy
CLSA Academy is a unique programme that brings exceptionally talented individuals from diverse professional backgrounds to CLSA to train them to be future leaders of our business. Those who succeed in being accepted into the CLSA Academy are trained in all areas of our business: research, sales trading, investment banking and private equity. It is a rigorous programme that demands the best of individuals but, for participants determined to build a career in finance, flexible to travel, and are adventurous, this is an opportunity you must not miss.
CLSA Academy is an extremely rewarding experience. It is an executive-level induction into the world of finance for typically non-financial professionals. The programme drives CLSA's talent development and we spend considerable time and resources teaching, mentoring and training our Academy Associates. Our participants are exceptional individuals who have excelled in their chosen field. They are natural leaders, sharp, ambitious, motivated, and creative.
Participants do not need to be in a financially related career currently.They are probably in their mid to late twenties, with a solid degree from a recognised university and generally speak a second language, preferably Asian. Importantly, they are strong at problem solving, planning, organising, presenting, communicating, are numerically literate and able to digest large volumes of information quickly. Last but not least they have a sense of adventure and know how to have a good time!
Applications are open now at www.clsa.com.academy
Marriage according to kids
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY? (written by kids)
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. -- Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.
-- Kristen, age 10
WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.
-- Camille, age 10
HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
-- Derrick, age 8
WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.
-- Lori, age 8
WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough.
-- Lynnette, age 8 (isn't she a treasure)
On the first date, they just tell each other lies and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.
-- Martin, age 10
WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns.
-- Craig, age 9
WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.
-- Pam, age 7
The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.
- - Curt, age 7
The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do.
- - Howard, age 8
IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them.
-- Anita, age 9 (bless you child )
HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?
-- Kelvin, age 8
And the #1 Favorite is........
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a dump truck.
-- Ricky, age 10