Tip 95: Optimistically look for blue skies

I touched down at Hong Kong on 19th October. This is my first time at Hong Kong, besides the virtual immersion through the Hong Kong culture throughout my first 2.5 decades watching Hong Kong movies and TVB serials in Malaysia. Yet, I have always kept my Cantonese language exposure intact while being abroad by visiting the Chinatown in Honolulu, Hawaii and speaking to hawkers there, speaking to Hong Kong colleagues working in Tokyo and now finally, refining it to the right local nuances in Hong Kong itself and getting all the phrases right. Yes, I have officially relocated to Hong Kong and would make this my base for a while till my children grow up. Though, these days decisions are not as easy as previously when I was a single, as there are more family considerations. In travelling and in considering change, there are always fears and initial misconceptions based on badly constructed impressions. For instance, many told me about the bad air quality in HK, but as it turned out, the first morning in Hong Kong was a day with clear blue skies. There are always fears when we leave our comfort zone yet God is good to always encourage us with good signs along our paths. A great start to good things to come and may this new chapter reveal more tips and lessons for me and my family.
























Optimism vs pessimism. Open to ideas vs. Determined to make things happen. Which should we hold as our outlook in life? For me, I am personally more inclined to be optimistic most of the time (though sometimes I naughtily offer some pessimistic concerns to others to make situations more rich and complex), and also I am more open than determined. Living in Japan have led me to be more pessimistic of my abilities as the Japanese often have a high standard of excellence. As I am given more responsibilities, I have also been led to believe that determination sometimes plays a more important role in success, than being just open to work with others and open to changes. Yet, is there just 1 way or 1 outlook that works all the time? Nope. The dynamics of change that spans accross cultural differences, age differences, gender differences, personality differences are just too difficult to predict. It simply means that once we move out of our comfort zones, we simply need to be determined to understand these differences with an open mind. Often times, the differences may overwhelm us. Yet with faith, we continue our journey till the end and constantly recollect memories of clear blue skies and rainbows and give thanks.
























Photos show (Top) the harbour view of Victoria Harbour at Hong Kong just from the windows next to my office seat.
(Bottom) A sumptious dinner treat by my company at Jumbo floating restaurant which is only accessible by a 5 minutes ferry ride from Hong Kong.