I am sitting at the Society Cafe in Terminal 3 of Changi Airport as I type out this entry, on transit back to Melbourne, after a wonderful trip overseas. Besides the truckload of Chinese New Year money I received from relatives in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong (with even more waiting for me on arrival back in Australia), the main objectives - catching up with family members and inquiring after English teaching jobs in Hong Kong - were successfully achieved.
I obviously don't have time to go into detail about what I got up to during my time in Hong Kong, but I will briefly talk about just some of the highlights of my time in Asia's World City:
- Of the various places Auntie Patsy took me around Hong Kong, I enjoyed most of all the nature spots such as the Botanic Gardens, Noah's Ark and especially Ocean Park. It was so exciting getting to see real giant pandas, and I even purchased a panda toy as a playmate for Figaro.
- Catching up with relatives such as Uncle Seng Chong's son Puay Ing, who is working in Hong Kong, and two of my grand-aunts: my mum's youngest aunt Amoy Ong, and my grandma's youngest sister Huang Yuan-Feng. In fact, Auntie Amoy was able to get me an interview at a primary school she used to work at, and although teaching primary school-aged kids is not my preference, I'm sure I can learn to be flexible in my approach.
- This last one may sound sentimental, but I asked Auntie Patsy if I could pay a visit to the church where my parents got married way back in 1984. This is the church where Auntie Patsy and my father grew up, and although she goes to a different church now, she suggested we attend a Sunday service. And so last Sunday we went to the Chinese Christian Church of Amoy in Kowloon. It was quite a surreal feeling with Auntie Patsy introducing me to her old friends as her brother's eldest son.
In light of my trip to Hong Kong and ambitions for the rest of this year, my immediate priority once I return home - besides paying the rent for my graduation gown - is completing my TESOL certificate as soon as possible, as well as familiarizing myself with the terms and conditions of working under the Native English Teacher (NET) scheme.
Before I sign off, I have some people to thank.
- First of all, thanks to God and Jesus Christ for making this trip possible and providing me with a wonderful extended family.
- Thanks to my uncles, aunties and cousins in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong for giving me a place to stay, cooking nourishing meals and also showing me round. Special mention goes to the families of Uncle Seng Chong, Uncle Seng Yao, Auntie Irene and Auntie Patsy.
- Thanks to the staff at Singapore Airlines for ensuring a safe and pleasant journey.
- Thanks to Miranda at Flight Centre for finding me such a cheap flight at such a busy time of the year in Asia. I'll be back soon to book my next trip.
- And last but not least, thanks to all those who prayed for my safety and success in job enquiries. Your prayers have definitely been heard and answered!
And now I have to go eat some dinner before my flight takes off at 9 p.m. local Singapore time, expected to land at Tullamarine Airport at 7.15 a.m. I hope I can get some sleep on the flight home!
Cheers and God bless
Jeremy
