ATS Education (the living)

In 1966, I entered Aberdeen Technical School when I was 10, to the one and only class of Primary 5, together with ~40 other classmates.  In 1967, another 40 students entered, to makeup a second class of Primary 6.  In 1968, a small number of new students entered at Form 1.  Together, we graduated in 1973, roughly 80 of us, when I was 17.  

This was not the type of private boarding schools for the rich and privileged.  It was at the other end, a boarding school for the poor.  The living conditions were frugal, almost spartan.  We slept in a big dormitory with rows and rows of simple beds, as many as a 100 in one big hall.  We slept on a plain straw matt placed over 3 wooden planks, which we have to wet and clean every Saturday afternoon.  Looking for and then killing the bed bugs, which suck the blood from your body.  We learned to live simply, without relying on a lot of material comfort. 

Afterwards everyone goes on a hike for 2-3 hours.  A typical hike consisted of walking from Aberdeen to Stanley and back.  We also climbed up and down the hill that is now Ocean Park.  It was so steep we had to use both hands and feet to climb up, and slide down on our butts.  It was a miracle no one seemed to have died, or even seriously hurt.  It was a bigger miracle that the parents didn’t complain.  It is difficult, perhaps impossible to do that now.  In those days, we simply admired the view of the horizon from the top of Brick Hill (Nam Long Shan).  We called it Hill of the Cock (雞公峰) then.  It turned out to be an excellent way to learn dexterity, endurance, determination and perseverance.  

All of our clothes and other belongings have to fit into a small chest next to our bed.  We got up at 6 AM, attended mass before breakfast.  Then classes before lunch.  Then afternoon classes.  Followed by a compulsory soccer game for an hour.  Shower. Dinner.  Self study.  In bed and lights out at 10 PM.  We learned to live with the minimal necessity, and discipline ourselves.  

Soccer hour was another unique ritual.  In a normal soccer game, two opposing teams play with one ball.  The ATS way was that multiple games were played on the same field at the same time.  Because of the lack of space, presumably.  At any one time, several balls, all identical, flied around the field, chased by 100+ students.  It was great training for soccer skills, concentration, and team work (social) skills.  It was a rather difficult time for those who are poor at sports.  That included myself, with poor balancing due to bad flat feet.  Surviving that taught us ways to cope with difficulties.  

Shower time was the greatest ATS ritual, seared into our consciousness forever.  We did have privacy, each given a stall with door.  Inside the stall, however, there was no on/off control knob.  All 100 stalls were controlled by the one main on/off knob, in the hands of the father or brother in charge.  And the shower provided only cold water, even in winter.  Some of us developed the skill to stand very still in a corner, to avoid getting splashed by the ice-cold water in winter.  It was referred to as “taking the corner kick (斬 corner)” like in a soccer game.  When it was really cold, we were allowed to take half a pail of hot water into the shower stall.  But it was still difficult to avoid the icy water coming out of the shower head.  Some of us felt that cold shower training was great for developing mind-body control. 

Such are some of the memorable rituals of an ATS education as we experienced it.  We believed it had a great influence on our character while we were growing up.  In many ways it stayed with us throughout the past 50 years.  And I had not even mentioned academics and faith yet.  

 

Salute to a Salesian Education

In 1973, we graduated from Aberdeen Technical School, having just completed Form 5.  In those days Form 6 and 7 are “preparatory” for university, and ATS did not offer those courses.  There were roughly 80 of us in two classes in Form 5, one mechanical and the other electrical.  I was in the electrical class.  

Last evening we had our 50th reunion, and 40 of us showed up.  Some coming back from Australia, USA, Canada,  UK, Singapore and Mainland China.  At least 8 of us had passed away already.  So more than half of those who are still alive showed up.  Many of them I have not seen in years, even decades.  We also had some of the wives, and teachers, with us.  Altogether we had 60 people, occupying 5 large tables.  Consuming many bottles of red wine, donated by one of us.  

What brought us together after so many years?  Sitting on my right was one who went into business after graduation.  To my left was a chairman of one of the district councils.  We had very different interests and careers.  Yet we all have favourable views of our experience at ATS. 

In those days soccer was king at ATS. Our school team won many awards and sometimes played against the professionals. Those in the school team are the heroes, who enjoy privileges such as going outside and skipping classes.  I was one of the worst players, the last one picked - reluctantly - by the captains to form teams in the compulsory daily soccer exercises.  

The school was also very proud of our gymnastics team.  They wore nice uniforms  to perform in front of the whole school and important guests on important occasions.  For obvious reasons they are only for the strong and agile.  And I was neither, so I had no hope.  

The school band was also glamorous.  They played and marched in special festivals. Like the gymnastics team, they were the centre of attention.  I tried to learn clarinet, but was never good enough, so I gave up after one year.  

I was short and lightly-built.  Always in the front of the lineup, along with the other midgets.  I did not stand out at all.  At the same time, nobody bullied me, or paid me much attention.  That had the advantage of leaving me with a lot of time on my hands.  So I read.  Anything that I could get my hands on.  I couldn’t afford to buy my own books, so I read - textbooks, reference books, Bible, …, and maps.  I love maps.  I checked out books from our library: on animals, airplanes, sharks, novels, …  I stand in front of the bulletin boards to read daily newspapers, both Chinese and English, and the Catholic newspaper. 

What I learned particularly was the pursuit of knowledge.  I want to know the truth of everything - particularly anything related to faith.  What does the Bible day?   Was the Pope truly given the power to prescribe our behaviour?  Is artificial insemination wrong simply because the Pope said so?   Do I need to belong to the Catholic Church in order to be a Christian?  Can I believe in God by myself, without going to mass?  Who is God anyway?  What about other religions?  Is there truth in them?  What can science tell us?  

I also learned about justice and compassion.  If we are all created by God, why are some rich and other poor?  What are the obligations of those who are given much?  What happens to those who are selfish, who take God’s blessings to benefits themselves only?

I feel my whole life and career has been driven by these values.  The pursuit of truth, justice and compassion.  In many ways the same as “Faith, Hope and Love” - but from another perspective, in different words. 

It seems many of us there last evening also learned something very dear to them.  What they learned may or may not be exactly what I learned, but there are a lot in common.  That is what brought so many us together again, 50 years after we have left.  

Salute to a Salesian Education. 

Ap Lei Chau Excursion

Go to Aberdeen.  Take the ferry across to Ap Lei Chau, passing through the fishing boats and luxury yachts. 

One may encounter serious amateur fishermen returning with boatloads of fish, dividing their spoils among themselves.  

Some may even be willing to sell you some leftovers. 

The main target is a small restaurant where you can get delicious steamed fish for lunch.  

The place is small and you have to squeeze against other customers.  But the fish you get are not easy to find elsewhere.  

After your lunch, walk a few steps to find fresh-from-the frying pan-hot sesame balls.  

Buy a little shark from the fish market.  Or other catches from the sea.  

Have a look at dragon heads that adorn dragon boats at the Dragon Boat Festival races.  

Stroll around to discover other small pleasantries.  It is worth spending half a day there.  

Our Favourite Dim Sum Place, again and again

We went to our favourite dim sum place again - Steam Hut (蒸蘆). Often we go to the newer shop in Tsuen Wan, which is slightly bigger, with more selections.  This time we went to the original shop, in Shek Mun, Shatin.  The food is equally good. 

My wife’s favourite is shrimp dumpling. Actually, practically anything with shrimp in it. Such as dumpling stuffed with shrimp and bean shoot, steamed rice roll with shrimp in it, deep fried spring roll stuffed with shrimp, etc. 

I like practically the traditional Cha Siu Bao (bun stuffed with roasted pork) in the traditional fluffy white skin.  

There is also Steamed Spare Ribs, very flavourful and tender.  

And the ultimate sesame bun, which is better than those from any other dim sum place.   Something we order every single time we come here. 

They have excellent rice steamed in lotus leaf.  This time we picked rice noodles with tender chicken pieces.  Surprisingly, it was the first to arrive. The noodles are soft and infused with sauce, the chicken tender.  We finished it quickly.  

Their stewed soup is one of a kind.  High quality ingredients, generous portions, truly value for money.  This time we picked the pear soup, good for this dry, cool weather.  

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why we keep coming back (on top of the good food) is that we have gotten to know and like the people.  I can honestly say this is our favourite restaurant, bar none.  Even though it takes a good part of an hour for us to get to either place, from Hung Hom. 

GeoPark

Went to the GeoPark again today (Wednesday).  Specifically, we went to the East Dam of Highland Reservoir, to look

at the prismatic columns around the dam.  

100 million years ago, all of Sai Kung was a huge active volcano.  

In time, molten lava cooled and solidified into hard rocks.  

In the process, they contracted and fractured into hexagonal columns.  

Earthquakes and other movements tilted, bent and sheared the columns into fantastic shapes. 

A quarry was set up to provide the stones for the building of the dam to create the reservoir.  In the process some of the rock formations came to light, while others are buried by the dam itself. 

Enough remains for us to admire. 

 

Local Fish Farm

Went to a floating fish farm near Yung Shue O and learned a lot about fish farming on Sunday. First of all, the scenery is great, from the floating farm in the middle of the sea, as well as the boat rides to and from the farm.  That is one of the benefits of having a farm floating in the sea. 

It is fun watching the several different types of fishes swimming in circles in their tanks.  Snubnose pompano (黃立鯧).   Stone pomfret (石鯧).  Black rabbitfish (泥鯭). Cobia (懵仔魚).   Particularly spectacular when they go into a frenzy when they are fed.  

The most important lesson for me is perhaps that the fish taste so good.  We ate snub nose pompano and stone pomfret there, both steamed.  The flesh was soft, fatty, fragrant and tasty.   Just as good as those caught alive from the sea. 

This is farmed fish.  It was picked up from the pen, killed, cleaned and frozen.  Then defrosted and steamed.  I could not believe that farmed, frozen fish can be this good.  

We bought some home (frozen).  Then my wife defrosted one stone pomfret and steamed it.  It was just as good as those we ate at the farm.  We are convinced that it is doable.  

Apparently, the quality of the fish depend on the quality of the water in which they are raised, the food that they are fed, how they are killed, and how they are frozen and then defrosted.  If done well, frozen, farmed fish can be just as good as those caught alive from the sea.   Given that such care go into the fish, they are not cheap.  The good thing is, they are more sustainable, and locally raised.  That is something I can bite into.