Books 2022

A good friend asked me about books that I have been reading.  That caused me to look up a representative sample of the books that I have read/re-read in 2022 - more or less in that time frame.  These are books that I read from cover to cover, not including those that I have only flipped through, or read only a small part.  I probably missed some, but hopefully not too many.  But there are also many that I left out for various reasons.  

Most of the books I read are written in English, but there are also some that are in Chinese.  After so many years of reading in English, I feel I still read faster in Chinese, perhaps because it is my first language?  There are books on China/Hong Kong - culture, history, current events.  What is happening in Hong Kong/China these days?  What are the historical/cultural factors behind them?  What is going to happen now, given what we know? 

I enjoy reading about science, technology, justice (or the lack of it), fish, history, economics, human behaviour, faith, …

The main theme lately, however, is centred around the brain.  I want to know how we think, feel, dream, remember, make mistakes, decide. Generally I prefer books written by reputable scholars, backed by serious research.  There has been tremendous advances in understanding the brain - in neural science, computer science, psychology, philosophy, behavioural economics, …  What has scientists discovered about our consciousness?  What is it and how does it work?  Can people create it?  

Everything is anchored by my faith.  Is consciousness the same as our soul? If not, how are they related?  What is life really about?  How then should I live?  My reading is always driven by the desire to know.  

Korean Food

It is said, from Psychology, that people tend to like things that they are familiar with, and yet somewhat different.  Familiarity assures and comforts, while exoticness excites and challenges.  But people may differ widely as to the degree of each.  Perhaps that is partly why many Hong Kong people like Korean food.  They share a lot of commonality with Chinese food. Yet differ subtly in the use of spices, cooking methods, combinations, etc. 

We enjoy very much the aromatic grilled beef and pork.  

Many parts of a tuna, raw, served on its head. 

Pork belly wrapped in vegetables. 

Cow’s lung. 

Blood sausage.

Hand-cut noodles with dumplings. 

Pickled fish roes. 

And so much more.  All at reasonable prices. 

The De-Militarised Zone in Korea

The visit to the DMZ was the highlight of our trip to South Korea. We have to thank our daughter E for booking us on a local tour to visit the place. It actually took two tries. The first time, we went there, waited at the entrance for 2 hours, and was then told by the South Korean military that the DMZ was closed for the day, because of heavy snowfall.  We could just give up and receive a refund.  But we decided to try again the following day and our persistence was eventually rewarded. 

The DMZ is a 4 kilometre-wide strip of land straddling the demarcation line dividing South Korea from North Korea.  From an observation tower at the edge of the DMZ, we would see, towards the north west, the Imjingang Railway Bridge crossing the river leading towards North Korea.  In parallel and to the east (to the right in the photo) of the railway bridge is what was left from the old railway bridge which was destroyed in the war.  

Birds (Kites, I believe) can fly freely above and across the DMZ.  But not us humans. 

A memorial/altar was set up, in line with the bridge, looking towards the north.  People come here to pay respect to their ancestors, or to remember those who are presumably alive in the north.  Not only can they not go to the north, all communication with the north are cut off.  

Many people tie ribbons to the fences.  For a similar reason. To pray and hope for peace and reunification. 

At an observation tower inside the DMZ, we can look across the actual demarcation line into North Korea.  There is a South Korea flag at a small village just south (to the right in the photo) of the demarcation line.  There is a North Korea flag at a small village just north (to the left in the photo) of the demarcation line. 

Large scale fighting of the Korean War stopped in 1953.  But the hostilities has not really ceased.  No formal peace treaty has been signed.  Technically, they are still at war.  Both sides keep large standing armies. The people long for peace but no one has any ideas when it will come.  The war is ubiquitous in the lives of the people, even 70 years after the fighting had stopped.   Even though South Korea has become one of the most advanced, vibrant, hard-working, creative and friendly places in the world.  

 

Service-Learning Alumni

A student went with us on one of the early projects in Cambodia, when we piloted a home-stay program in a village just outside Phnom Penh. That was 10 years ago. Subsequently he also went with us to Rwanda, when we installed our first set of solar panels at a primary school. He has remained in touch ever since.  Earlier this month he defended his doctoral thesis at University of Oxford.  In his thesis he acknowledged that service-learning experience taught him the importance of social responsibility, which influenced the choice of his research topic related to security on the Internet. 

He reminded me of another SL student who went to Cambodia with us, who remained involved in many projects, who is now a professor in engineering at a university in Hong Kong, having obtained his PhD at another prestigious university in the USA.  And another, who went to Gansu in north-west China, who is now a professor in Canada. …

One who has taken another degree after graduation and has since become a social worker in Hong Kong.  One who was in the first batch who went to Cambodia who works in information technology for a non-profit organisation.  One who went to both Cambodia and Rwanda who worked in corporate social responsibility.  One who did really well in Rwanda now working for a non-profit who travels frequently to foreign countries for projects.  

The many who worked at our office for some time after graduation, and then moved on.  And some who stay.  

And the many many who have become professionals in their own discipline, who remain active in volunteering, donate to worthy causes, and otherwise engaged with the community.  

They are the reason why we are in this business of service-learning.  They are the evidence that service-learning works, if any justification is still needed. We are so proud of them. 

Breakfast Alfresco - Hong Kong Style

Eating outdoors in the traditional way at a Dar Lai Dong used to be the norm, for common folks.  

It is affordable for many.  The food is freshly prepared and reaches your table literally seconds after it is prepared.  It tastes so good because the coffee is hot, the toasts is crispy, and the noodle has not become soggy.   

It is also because you feel free and unrestrained, sitting on the sidewalk, watching the world around you.  

But Dai Pai Dongs are becoming more and more difficult to find.  The government seems determined to kill them off, for whatever reason, despite the popularity.   The vendors and their customers feel helpless.  Unfortunately, the government’s power does not derive from the people who run or eat at Dai Lai Dong.   

In the mean, time, enjoy the food and the scenery while you can.  Because they may not last.