I have had an unbelievable few weeks. It feels like
time has stood still.
Where do I begin?
I went to a supper Sunday a few weeks ago after
toying with the idea of going home straight after church. I met with 7
individuals, 5 of whom had recently launched their own company, or were just
about to. I was inspired.
I bumped into one of the dinner party in Wan Chai
market and told him my dilemma I wasn't happy at work and I didn't know what to
do. We arranged to meet for lunch.
I woke up on the morning of the meeting and decided
that I was going to show my vibrancy and put on the most colourful outfit I
owned. Bright pink and turquoise. I felt fabulous. I meet with Anthony and his
business partner, Matt and talked about their brilliant business plan. I was
delighted to hear they were looking for a female representative. I had recently
had new business cards printed with my new business information, which I
proudly handed over.
I bought a watch that I had been eyeing up for
almost a year. Matt commented, and it turns out my new purchase was the core of
their business. We talked through ideas and they explained their plan. It was
remarkable, unique and I was excited to get started on a new project. I have
realised that when I have a non-work related project, adjacent to my job, work
becomes easier and less stressful. Suddenly work becomes a side-project and has
more meaning as it contributes to the out-side of work projects.
It was the 4th July and I headed to a BBQ in the
building next door to my office on Queens Road East. My new business partners,
both of whom are American invited me to join their family and friends to
celebrate. I thought it was only us Brits that drank that much. Buckets of
punch were produced and we drank late into the night. It was a chance for me to
meet with the team properly and find out about their plans for the
business.
The following Sunday I headed to the early 9:15am church
service and then hopped in a taxi to Aberdeen and to join some friends at the
Jumbo, floating restaurant for brunch. I had been once before, almost a year
ago. Brunch in Hong Kong is 'the done thing'. Everyone gathers to enjoy food
and champagne on a Sunday. It was a chance for me to get better acquainted with
some new friends.
I have recently been studying chromotherapy, colour
therapy. Reading everything I could find online. Last Saturday I made my way to
Lamma island to meet with a friend, go for a run, relax on the beach and have
some lunch. It was a glorious day, if not a little too hot for a run. I bought
some fresh cherries and mango at the market stall and sat talking with my
friends drinking tea and enjoying the fruit. I left and ran to Lo So Shing
beach, roughly a 30 minute run over the island. It was mid-day and over 35c. I
actually thought I was going to perish but I arrived at the beach, throw my
bags down and instantly jumped into the sea. After a swim I settled down to
read all about chromotherapy and enjoy the afternoon of timeless nothingness.
Recently I have been making the effort to eat colourful food, bought fresh from
the markets, and wear bright colours. Reading all the studies and psychology
experiments on the beach established that colour has a dramatic effect on your
health, well-being and emotions. It is fascinating to hear the power of colour
and it has certainly lifted my mood recently. After soaking up the sun for a
few hours I made my way to the Rainbow Seafood restaurant at Sok Kwu Wan, and
ordered scallops and prawns. I sat and watched the world go by and thanked God
for how luck I was to be so happy and content. I left Lamma and headed for Wan
Chai. I wanted to buy a few things and run a few errands. I walked form Central
to Wan Chai via Hong Kong park, one of my favourite walks.
I met with a friend for coffee and when he had to
leave, sat and read my papers on chromotherapy. I made my way home to prepare
for the day ahead.
It was a glorious day but sadly I had only achieved
3 hours sleep following a night of excitement. I was like a child waiting to go
to Disney. I had known of TED talks for years, but over the past few years had
really began to seek inspiration from them. As an event manager, I was inspired
by the global events that spread innovation and ideas. There has been many an
occasion I would be recharging my batteries, and watching an entire day of Ted
talks. The boys at PhatRice (http://phatrice.com) had invited me to join them and help out on PR. I
was more than excited to accept the invitation.
I went to the 9:15am church service and met the
team at the Flying Pan to have breakfast before heading down to spread the news
of PhatRice.
The day was divided into sections with a chance of
networking during coffee breaks. Networking is THE core of Hong Kong.
Everyone is linked to everyone in this city. The 7 degrees of separation
reduces to 2 maybe even 1 in this city. We got down to business. I talked
openly with all my heart. From 11am-8pm we talked, shared, complimented,
smiled, listened, and shared our hearts. People poured out their stories,
struggles and journeys.
I could hear my negative voice creeping in 'you
shouldn't have done that, you should have done this', 'you shouldn't have said
that', 'you could have done more'. I blocked it out and focused on the
positives.
People said 'love your outfit', 'fabulous', 'I love
how you shine', 'let's meet up', 'lets talk', 'can you help with our project',
'stay in touch'. Not once was I standing alone, and not once did I feel like I
wanted to hide. I smiled all day as I talked to people from charities, blogs,
social responsible companies, environmentally friendly businesses and churches.
Companies that has distributed solar lights to 4.1million people in third world
countries, giving them the chance to be more productive and support their own
communities, musicians who had fought all the odds and started charities to
help the homeless play the piano. It was an inspirational day, and a dream come
true.
With my sense of achievement and feeling happy I
began another week. I went over to a colleagues apartment in Soho after work
one evening and enjoyed some wine and nibbles. On Thursday I met with a friend
and we talked about our experiences in Hong Kong. How the challenges can
improve our lives and how the highs and lows are much higher and lower than we
could have expected. In one weeks time, marks the anniversary of one year
living in Hong Kong. This is a momentous achievement for me. I, who had never
lived away from home, never lived outside of Hampshire, never lived in a city,
never been truly independent, has managed to move to a huge city, on the other
side of the world, find a job, build a home and build a community. I have such
a lot to be thankful for.
On Friday I left work a little early to go to the Open Forum at the Hong Kong Book Fair. Jung Chang, the author of Wild Swans was
talking about her book and I couldn’t miss this opportunity. David Tang, and William Shawcross were also
on the panel.
I was very lucky to meet her and have my book
signed.
In a few weeks time I fly back to Australia. In
October, my inspiring mum comes back to Hong Kong and then I return home for
Christmas. There is so much to look forward to, and that's not even considering
the surprises that are around every corner.
Much love to you all. I have decided I'd like to buy my apartment. Hong Kong real estate is the 4th most expensive in the world. I'll need a cool HK$4 million!!!!!!!! I'm going to do some investigation..........Maybe I'll find an eccentric billionaire who wants to buy it for me :D
