A Magazine for the Women of Hong Kong • April 2017 the EXPERTS in INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE OPENING SEPTEMBER 2017

A Magazine for the Women of Hong Kong • April 2017 THE EXPERTS IN INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE OPENING SEPTEMBER 2017

DAILY OR BILINGUAL STANDARDIZED ACADEMIC STEMinn CHINESE MAP® TESTING PROGRAM

MONTHLY OPEN HOUSE EVENTS & INFORMATION SESSIONS

We are pleased to launch a new campus in Hong Kong, September 2017, following our huge success at Stamford American International School in Singapore, which today has over 3,000 students from 70 nationalities. We offer a rigorous standards-based curriculum for students from 5 to 18 years, graduating students with the International Baccalaureate Diploma* to 1st tier universities worldwide.

*Stamford American School Hong Kong will apply to the International Baccalaureate for program candidacy in December 2017. Individualized Learning Plans from Age 5 Secondary and readies them for their future careers as ST scientists, engineers and business leaders. PUTTING YOUR CHILD 1 Stamford’s Outstanding Results Our students at our Singapore campus consistently ACHIEVING MORE THAN THEY BELIEVE THEY CAN achieve above the U.S. benchmark in their MAP® assessments. In Elementary, our students’ scores in Reading and Math are greater than the benchmark by one year CAMPUS OPENING on average. Progressing to Secondary, Stamford students perform above the benchmark in Math and Reading by two SEPTEMBER 2017! or more years on average. In fact, the average Stamford Grade 6 student performs above the benchmark for Grade Every student at Stamford undergoes standardized 10 students in Reading, four grade levels above the norm. Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®) assessments These outstanding MAP® results combined with the in Reading, Math and Science twice a year, allowing International Baccalaureate Diploma Program have led us to measure their academic growth throughout 90% of our graduates from Stamford’s Singapore campus to the school year and from year to year. We deliver acceptance to their 1st choice university. individualized learning plans based on each student’s instructional level, ensuring every child is stretched and challenged appropriately.

Preparing Students for the Future Stamford’s unique problem-based STEMinn (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math & Innovation) Program challenges students from age 5 in these disciplines through critical thinking and real-world application. Laying strong foundations in these areas prepares our Elementary students for success in the highly challenging Physics, Biology and Chemistry courses offered in

Discover more at Open House Visit www.sais.edu.hk

www.sais.edu.hk | +852 2500 8688

Discover more at Open House Visit www.sais.edu.hk

www.sais.edu.hk | +852 2500 8688

*Stamford American School Hong Kong will apply to the International Baccalaureate for program candidacy in December 2017. APRIL 2017

The American Women’s Association of Hong Kong, Limited. Established in 1956 A volunteer organization of women of all nationalities supporting Hong Kong charities and schools through community service and monetary grants, while providing educational and social activities for members.

AWARE PRODUCTION TEAM 14 EDITOR Brooke Richter [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Tiki Sonderhoff Contents Michele Goulding Sally Kooser Rachel Parker Claudia Doherty Hong Kong Hosts Program 6 Francis Nicholls Simeen Lubin AWA Buddy Program, Making a Difference 8 Meet Helen, AWA Education & Scholarship GRAPHICS Jacky Ngan Chair 9 Fahima Ahmad Book Review 10 ADVERTISING MANAGER 6 Meet the Artist, Louise Saloway Chan 14 [email protected] Ada Ho, Aspiring to Inspire 16 Bye-Bye Hong Kong 18 PUBLISHED & PRINTED BY R&R Publishing Ltd. Four Days in Cambodia 20 2126 7812 [email protected] Calendar of Events 22 www.rrpublishing.com.hk 18

The AWA office is open from Monday-Thursday 9:30am-3:30pm. We are closed on Hong Kong public holidays.

VISIT THE AWA WEBSITE: www.awa.org.hk LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/awahk

Any opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author only and do not represent the opinion of the American Women’s Association. Any reliance by the reader upon any recommendation or opinion in this publication is at the reader’s own risk. The AWA accepts no responsibility for any loss which may result from such reliance. Copyright 2014. The content of the Aware publication is the property of the American Women's Association. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. Information from within the publication may not be distributed without the express written consent of the American Women's Association. WELCOME

From the President

In the U.S., we say “April showers bring May Flowers,” happily rushing in the springtime. But I think we skipped winter altogether this year in Hong Kong, so here’s hoping for something in the realm of nice weather in the coming month.

Rain or shine, the AWA carries on. And this month, we have our long awaited AWA Conscious Couture From the Editor Fashion Show. If you haven’t purchased your tickets, please do so. Spring is certainly in the air and it’s sure to be a busy You will not want to miss this. The season. But we like it like that! For some, their time in designers, the AWA models, the choreography and the after show- Hong Kong is limited, and even for those who have been shopping bazaar - I am without words here a number of years, there is often an end-date in for this high caliber Hong Kong fashion sight. Rachel Parker reminds us of that in her article “Bye event. A big “thank you” goes out to Bye Hong Kong,” a lovely tribute to her time here as she our diverse and talented Fashion Show prepares to return to California. I suspect all of us want to Committee headed by Ms. “Just Say be sure we maximize our time living abroad, both in terms Yes!” herself, Augusta Nichols-Even. of our travel adventures and the day-to-day things we become involved with. That’s one of the On April 20th, our general meeting will be held in the AWA office many reasons to cherish the AWA and, with pizza, wine and other drinks. This is an important meeting, as hopefully, AWAre Magazine. Month after we will vote on the new slate of candidates for the AWA Board of month, the organization and this Directors. Thank you to this year’s Nominating Committee headed by Sally Kooser, with Karen Whitaker, Wilma Wulff, Freddie magazine aim to entice and excite with Deegan, Cathy Furlong and Jennifer Kindel for their time and suggestions for travels near and far. dedication to making sure the AWA continues to be in good Locally, take an outing to the Sai Ying hands going forward into the 2017/2018 fiscal year. Please do Pun MTR station and see first hand the attend if you can. We need a quorum to be able to have the incredible artwork on display in the meeting and take the vote. Come, enjoy camaraderie, free pizza station that’s featured in Frances and wine. Please register on the website so that we can be Nicholls’ article about noted artist Louise assured a quorum will be present. If you are unable to attend, Saloway. Or travel to Cambodia with please use a proxy form and drop it by the office during the week Simeen Lubin who shares her recent experience with us. prior to the meeting. Our Local Activities continue to amaze me. Coming up, some terrific excursions are offered to Cheung Chau, If you haven’t been watching our Local Tours/Activities line up recently, I encourage you to do so. This group has put together Stanley, and Po Toi. I’m looking forward to visiting the most popular and well-attended slate of activities in recent Cheung Chau. Whenever I visit the outlying islands, I’m memory, and they sell out quickly. I missed the first Ding Ding struck by their natural beauty and the very different pace party, and signed up too late for the bicycling tour from Tai Wai to of life that co-exists with the frenetic life of many parts of Tai Mei Tuk, but I’m planning on Chuan Spa day, and I have it on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. So whether you’re high authority that there will be another Ding Ding party in the relatively new to Hong Kong or have been here for years, spring. Way to go Local Tours! join me in taking advantage of the chance to visit places you haven’t been and things you haven’t experienced Have a wonderful month of April all. Take time to enjoy being here before. There’s no time like the present to become more and doing as much as you can while you can. It’s a privilege and engaged with this wonderful city that is currently our a pleasure. home. Cheers!

Marcy LaRont Brooke K. Richter AWA President AWAre Editor

2 AWARE April 2017 MEMBERSHIP

The AWA (American Women’s Association) is a dynamic community of women of all nationalities, with over 650 members from 36 countries. We are sure you will find your niche through our diverse range of activities, events and opportunities to volunteer. All women are welcome – do join us!

Current members – you are our best ambassadors. Please introduce new arrivals and old friends to AWA – over wine at OWL, at a Neighborhood Coffee, a WOW event, or encourage them to attend CHAT. AWA’s vision is that all women can connect with us and develop a rich, satisfying and purposeful life in Hong Kong.

Joining AWA is easy via our website at: awa.org.hk or call 2527 2961.

Please note: Welcome New Members As of March 1, 2017, all memberships will be automatically renewed upon the end of your term. Stephanie Chan Christine Park We will send you two written reminders, 30 days Nancy Mitchell Faith Klein and one week prior to your renewal date after Frances Marquez Natasha Petit O’Connor which we will charge your credit card for the next year of membership. Please make sure you have Jean Cook Vivian Sheil included [email protected] in your contacts to Jennifer Kabana Avril York ensure notifications are received. No further action Monique Kozan Kaye Rodd is required by you unless you do not wish to renew your membership, in which case please notify us at Jacqueline Hirs Naho Udagawa [email protected] in advance of the charge date Suhasni Singh Kate Evans and/or up to one month after the renewal date.

April 2017 AWARE 3 MEMBERSHIP

CHAT (Come Have a Talk) SOUTHSIDE OWL (Out with the Ladies) WHEN: Thursday, 10:30am – 12:00 noon Come join us any week or every week - same time, same (except public holidays) place (except public holidays or the day before a public WHERE: Café 8, Rooftop of Pier 8, above the holiday) Maritime Museum. WHEN: Every Thursday, 5:30pm - 7:30pm COST: No fee (all beverages & lunches at WHERE: Chez Patrick, Stanley Plaza, Ground Level personal expense) COORDINATORS: Tyna Kirk, [email protected] COORDINATOR: Sally Kooser 9319 8710 [email protected] OWL (Out With the Ladies) Come join us any week or every week - same time, same Neighborhood Coffees place (except public holidays). If you live, work or play in any of the following neighborhoods, WHEN: Every Tuesday, 5:30pm – 7:30pm join others in your area for a monthly coffee. Meet new friends WHERE: Oolaa or catch up with old ones, discuss and plan new activities. 20 Bridges Street, Soho Contact your local coordinator for details of forthcoming COORDINATOR: coffees. Susie Edrington, [email protected]

HK SOUTHSIDE SAI KUNG Jean Han, [email protected] Katherine Fenton, [email protected] DB OWL (Out with the Ladies) Sandra Gallaudet, KOWLOON Come join us any week or every week - same time, same [email protected] Jane Buck, [email protected] place (except public holidays) POK FU LAM AND SHOUSON HILL HK CENTRAL/MID LEVELS WHEN: Wednesdays 5:30-7:30pm Annie Fifer, [email protected] Kathy Barber, [email protected] WHERE: DISCOVERY BAY 22 North Discovery Bay Izumi Ikeda, [email protected] COORDINATOR: Susan Putnam, [email protected]

AWA Monthly Vacancy Post If you’ve been wanting to get more involved in the AWA, we have immediate needs for the following positions:

AWARE MAGAZINE Graphic designer Contributing writers Please contact Brooke Richter at [email protected]

ASIAN TOURS Coordinator Committee members Please contact Linda Van Noy at [email protected]

ENGLISH TEACHERS TO VOLUNTEER IN LOCAL SCHOOLS Please contact Helen Carruthers at [email protected]

CHARITY BAZAAR COMMITTEE Chairperson Committee members Please contact Augusta Nichols-Even at fundraising@ awa.org.hk

4 AWARE April 2017 Save the Date

Lunchtime Social, AGM and Elections of the AWA Executive Board for 2017/2018

DATE: April 20, 2017 TIME: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 12:00 - 1pm, Social hour - pizza & wine will be served 1:00-1:30pm, Annual General Meeting and elections LOCATION: AWA office Sign up on the AWA website from 1 March 2017, free to attend

OTM AWA Half Dec 201.pdf 1 12//201 23 PM

April 2017 AWARE 5 FEATURE

Hong Kong Hosts Program, Greeting U.S. Naval Personnel for Over 30 Years

by Tiki Sonderhoff

US Navy Ships in Victoria Harbor! Sailors and marines milling about town in Wan Chai, LKF, and TST! What does that have to do with the AWA? A lot.

MORE THAN 30 YEARS AGO, the AWA started a program called the “Meals-in-the-Home” to provide a warm welcome to visiting navy and marine personnel who might be missing home after their long journeys at sea. AWA members would invite sailors to their home for dinner to show appreciation to the young men for the service they do for their country. The program has since morphed into the AWA Hong Kong Hosts program, which is now open to all resident community members, including non-AWA members, and the program now has hosts inviting sailors and marines (both men and women) on outings such as hiking, exploring the backstreets of Wan Chai, visiting the Big Buddha, or sharing a Hong Kong meal at favorite dim sum spots and other restaurants. The program is one of only three such programs in the world, the other two being in Australia and Italy. Since September 2016, we’ve been fortunate to host three visits and multiple crews. The ships that came to our shores were the USS Bonhomme Richard and USS Greenbay, both based in Sasebo, Japan; the USS Decatur and USS Spruance based in San Diego, USA, and, most recently, this past February, the USS Hopper which is also based in San Diego. How could you have missed seeing these huge ships in Victoria Harbor, you might ask? Although many years back the ships would dock at Fenwick Pier right next to the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, the

6 AWARE April 2017 FEATURE harbor is now too narrow to accommodate them. The ships now stay further out in the harbor, or, in the case of the USS Greenbay, right at Sheung Wan’s China Merchant Wharf. What is special about the Hong Kong Hosts program is that it is entirely volunteer-based from the standpoint of the hosts and the naval personnel. We know of programs where sailors visit schools, play sport together, or connect in some other manner with the community, but these are usually obligatory events. In contrast, the Hong Kong Hosts program is entirely for the benefit of the sailors themselves. This is what makes it such a special program, and the feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positivite. Another special feature of the program is that the outings allow sailors some time away from their crew. Living on a ship for months on end with the same people can be hard, so being able to go for a hike or a meal, or some sightseeing WITHOUT one’s fellow sailors is appreciated. Many of the sailors are quite young, and many have never been outside of the U.S., or even outside their home state! So arriving in a metropolitan city like Hong Kong, it can be a relief to be • Dinner with a view at the Grand Hyatt or Upper House guided around by trustworthy people with local knowledge • Historic dinner at the Helena May and experience. Some of the activities our hosts have taken the sailors on OTHER ACTIVITIES include: Sometimes sailors just like to be pampered a little bit! • Yoga HIKES: • Foot Massage Hikes are hugely successful for the more active sailors. They are flabbergasted by the hikes available here in the Hong We would like to thank the following men and women of Kong, though getting them to move along while they are Hong Kong for their gracious offers to host sailors and taking a million photos is not so easy! marines: • Hiking the Dragon’s Back to Big Wave Bay Kimberly Arth, Tony Basoglu, Mawgan Batt, Linda • Sunset Hike to Stanley Berman, Leslee Boyd, Tamazine Brooks, Amy Carrier, Karen • Urban Night Hike Cheung, Lupei Chou, Debbie Cruikshank, Nneka Cummings, • Stream scramble in the New Territories Rachel Davies, Jessica Duff, Susie Edrington, Anne Fifer, • Hiking in Lantau Etienne Fritsch, Margaret Gallagher, Roberta Hamilton, • Beach Clean-Up and Hiking on Lamma Island Caroline Ho, Rebecca Hoffman, Marcy LaRont, Kara and Chris Laskowski, Sabrina Xiaoxi Lian, Stacie Mounts, Phil SIGHTSEEING Nelson, Sheri Prasso, Manuel Enrique Reimi-Sipala, Janah Sailors love getting inside information from people who really Reynolds, Heather Ring, Amanda Rock, KD Schumacher, SK know the city. Shum, Harriet Stern, Leslie Stitt, Patrizia Tarallo, Sarah • Exploring the backstreets and markets of Wan Chai Vanica, Barbara Walton, Shiu On Yee, Arnold Wai, Alice (during the day!) Wang and Lara Buchner Wierner. • Hong Kong Off the Beaten Path – by tram or by foot You have not only offered your own kind effort and time to • Visiting the Big Buddha. Monastery and Tai O Village on show sailors a good time, but have put up with last minute Stilts on Lantau changes, cancellations, and the occasional no-shows without • Flower Market and other markets of Kowloon complaint! You are the heart of the Hong Kong Hosts Program! FOOD For more information on the program, or if you would like Oh, how the sailors love food – freshness being key. And to become a part of the Hong Kong Hosts program, please they have appetites! contact me, Tiki Sonderhoff at [email protected]. • Peking Duck and other Chinese delicacies • Local lunch at hole in the wall restaurants • Dim sum or ramen

April 2017 AWARE 7 FEATURE AWA Buddy Program, Making a Difference in the Lives of New Members

By Alison May

WHEN I STARTED the AWA in different circles with different Buddy Program three years perspectives and it was like a ago, I hoped it would add breath of fresh air!” - Simeen another layer of WELCOME to Lubin, member since October, the already rich array of ways in 2016. which we welcome new “We have only met once members to Hong Kong and to but our chat was wonderful...& the AWA. As time has passed, I Since we are both located am happy to report that the close to each other it makes it program has met and, in many easy to meet. We are planning cases, surpassed those initial on meeting again soon!” - hopes. I am ever grateful to the Saba Ahmad, member since many volunteers who welcome September, 2016. our new members. Many, many “I have a great buddy. We thanks, ladies! meet from time to time, have a Over the past three years, coffee and catch up or visit an over 100 volunteers have exhibition or discover new personally welcomed 240 new area/shops.” - Martine members to the organization! Humbert, member since June, They do this first by an email 2016. introduction whereby they offer “Yes it worked out well. I to answer any questions the Buddy Volunteer Sarah White with Rachel Parker introduced her to a couple newcomers might have, often more of my friends who she following up with invitations to has made friends with too.” - meet for coffee, lunch or an AWA activity. Time and again, I Frances Nicholls, Buddy Volunteer since May, 2014. hear how happy new members have been to have a point of “What I remember most from my buddy communications contact in the AWA. Here’s what some of our newest buddy was their gratitude that someone was reaching out...each recipients and volunteers had to say: was so appreciative to get my email and to be able to have a “I think the buddy program is a great idea and makes conversation and ask candid questions, as well as to have a one feel so welcome and not alone in a new country.” - Nicky local “go to” person if they needed one. I say with much Kay, member since September, 2016. confidence that this sort of program is an important one, and “It was a fun way to get involved...and I look forward to one which the AWA should continue to nurture and being a new member volunteer and share information to a celebrate.” – Marcy LaRont, AWA President and longtime newcomer.” - Jessica Greco, member since June, 2016. Buddy Volunteer. “It was great indeed to have a buddy! It is a very valuable If you’d like to become a Buddy Volunteer and help welcome initiative!” - Régina Tardy, member since August, 2016. our newest members OR if you are a member and would like to “This was a refreshing change to the usual coffee be assigned a buddy, please email me at [email protected] mornings and allowed us to meet with other expats roaming and I will happily welcome you to the program!

8 AWARE April 2017 FEATURE

Meet Helen, AWA Education & Scholarship Chair

By Claudia Doherty

Where did you grow up? Kent in Southeast England. My family moved to New Zealand (by boat) when I was 8 with the intention of emigrating but we went back to the UK after 2 years. What were you like as a kid? Very shy and under confident from moving so much. Do you have a family? Husband and three children: 26-year-old daughter and two sons 23 and 20. What was your first job? Library assistant for Readers Digest Typical Saturday night? Out to the cinema or to a play or a concert with my husband or stay home to watch ex-pat television What was the last photo you took with your phone? A mocktail with coconut water in a decorative glass I had at Sunday brunch at Tokyolima Last movie you cried at? Lion – it’s very moving as a mother and has fabulous cinematography A book that moved you? A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini and Trafficked by Sophie Hayes, both about the victimization of women What bugs you? People throwing litter on the streets and people spitting What are you afraid of? Losing a child. Also cancer – I had it and am fine but want to encourage everyone to get a mammogram which is how mine was detected. What’s the last TV show you watched and why? Poldark for the Cornish scenery and galloping horses. In your marriage, are you the flower or the gardener? Gardener - we’re both gardeners (he’s my soulmate) On a scale of 1 to 10, how happy are you? 8 Describe yourself in 3 words Lively, communicative and thoughtful What’s a song you love? Happy by Pharrel Williams – I have to dance when I hear it What is your perfect pizza? From Passion in Wanchai because it’s more topping and less crust What’s your middle name? Ivimey – it was a family surname from the French Huguenots What are your favorite foods? English strawberries and raspberries, lasagna, beetroot and goat cheese

April 2017 AWARE 9 FEATURE On the Page By Claudia Doherty

young son, visiting her sister in a mental institution, trying Book Review desperately to help in an increasingly helpless situation as After catching part of a BBC Yeong-hye has now become catatonic and just wants to be segment on translator Deborah left alone. Smith, I was excited to read The I finished The Vegetarian confused, wondering if perhaps Vegetarian, a Korean novel something was lost in translation. While it seemed to be translated by Smith, a 28-year-old aiming at haunting, the novel falls short and ends up just British woman who only began being strange. teaching herself Korean a few years ago. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, she and the author, Han Kang, were awarded AWA’s Afternoon the 2016 Man Booker International Prize for Fiction. The Vegetarian is a disturbing, erotic novel about a Book Club young woman’s descent into madness. The first section is Please join us at the AWA Afternoon Book Club from the perspective of her shallow and abusive husband who describes Yeong-hye as a nothing - no personality, not monthly, usually the very good looking, someone you wouldn’t even notice, When: second Tuesday of each month, “Completely unremarkable in every way.” Sprinkled in are 1:30-3:30pm brief, anguished snatches of Yeong-hye’s confused (and members’ homes confusing) inner dialog. They give the reader a glimpse into Where: select and discuss a mind wracked by pain and illness but it’s frustrating What we do: books in one of four categories -- because they don’t help us understand her. Perhaps that contemporary fiction, Asia, was the point; to involve the reader as a helpless bystander, biography/history and classics creating a raw frustration at our own inability to fully grasp her pain. It’s free and it’s really fun! Yeong-hye is virtually silent, a hard worker who escapes into books. She cooks and cleans and works until violent nightmares and physical pain begin to overwhelm her. Part Next month’s read: Beloved is a 1987 novel by the American writer Toni of this manifests with a visceral reaction to meat and, Morrison. Set after the American Civil War (1861–1865), believing it may be the root of what ails her, she rids her life it is inspired by the story of an African American slave, of it. Her vegetarianism becomes a source of anger and Margaret Garner, who escaped slavery in Kentucky in frustration by her husband and her family, culminating in a late January 1856 by fleeing to Ohio, a free state. violent outburst by her father that sends Yeong-hye to the hospital. The book club’s next meeting will be April 11th. For The second section of the book, “Mongolian Mask,” more information contact, Penny Van Niel at penny. details a bizarre obsession that Yeong-hye’s sister’s [email protected] or Linda Berman, lindaberman9@ husband develops for Yeong-hye. As she spirals down into gmail.com. a horror of despair, her brother-in-law crafts and films a bizarre, artistic sexual rendezvous with Yeong-hye which is then accidently viewed by his wife. The third section, “Flaming Trees,” is from Yeong-hye’s sister, In-hye’s, perspective. By this point, both of their husbands have left and their family has turned their backs on them. It chronicles the sad, drudgery of In-hye’s life as a single parent to her

10 AWARE AprilMarch 2017 2017 Look inside for your exclusive preview of our Spring fundraising spectacular:

The American Club Tai Tam April 26th 2017

Tickets on sale on our website: awa.org.hk

April 2017 AWARE 11 Rania Hatoum Bridal Modement Fibers extracted from the heart of Heritage Refashioned 100% recycled pineapple and banana Socially conscious Modement New life is breathed into these leaves are used to produce Pina or focuses on unisex wear; taking the sustainable fashion clutches made from abaca silk for this distinctive line. Hatoum best of men’s and women’s tailoring forsaken, forgotten and rejected is not only environmentally conscious, but to design clothes that are modern vintage Japanese kimono textiles. socially as well, providing women in the and edgy. Minimal cutting creates Made in Hong Kong, Heritage Philippines a way to make a living and great silhouettes that suit people ReFashioned consciously have a voice in a male-dominated society. of all shapes and sizes beautifully. provides a living wage to the women who expertly use every scrap of Classic Anew vintage fabric that Coy Collection Renee Kay would otherwise 100% Hong Kong in make and The playfully designed scarves Called the future classics of become waste. style, Classics Anew up-cycles of Coy Collection are manufactured contemporary Oriental style, ranee_k collected fabrics to incorporate using eco-friendly digital printing Qipao designs consciously honor the into unique fashion designs that techniques which consciously eliminate past in refreshingly modern Eastern celebrate and preserve the harsh chemicals, produce almost no cutting and patterns to serve today's nest traditional local Chinese water waste, and eliminate production woman. line waste making it possible to arts and handicrafts through aordably create limited edition designs. timeless fashion designs.

Tiphanie Yan Top quality textiles are sourced from Italy, Japan and India, handpicked to bring baroque style into contemporary fashion in Tiphanie's Hong Kong studio. Handmade techniques are incorporated to elevate quality and artistry. My clothes are mostly handmade in India, by women The American Club, Tai Tam APRIL 26TH only, to support women locally and help Emi and Eve to improve their lives. Emi & Eve jewelry is La French Cut carefully handcrafted of pure brass from bombshells French Allure Designed and handmade in Hong by Cambodian artisans, Infused with the artistic soul of Paris and Kong, La French Cut's custom-made consciously providing the innovative heart of Hong Kong, shoes naturally avoid waste and sustainable livelihoods, French Allure seeks to provide women consciously source recycled reclaiming land from with access to high quality fashion at an materials for re ned one-of-a-kind landmines, and in so doing accessible price point. The ethos of the and limited run shoes. contributing to freedom brand is to consciously give back on every from fear. sale, through NGO, to protect women and children of Asia. Sera by Raashi With Special Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors Cocktail and evening Bon voyage wear dresses and jackets. Balinese inspired Bon Voyage resort wear Made with natural bers - sources sustainable fabrics from the region, 100% silk lining. and uses limited production runs to Handcrafted with ne consciously create environmentally embroidery. Aordable friendly designs. Rigorous fair trade luxury. Workshop in standards ensure workers Wong Chuk Hang. earn a living wage. 12 AWARE April 2017 Rania Hatoum Bridal Modement FEATURE Fibers extracted from the heart of Heritage Refashioned 100% recycled pineapple and banana Socially conscious Modement New life is breathed into these leaves are used to produce Pina or focuses on unisex wear; taking the sustainable fashion clutches made from abaca silk for this distinctive line. Hatoum best of men’s and women’s tailoring forsaken, forgotten and rejected is not only environmentally conscious, but to design clothes that are modern vintage Japanese kimono textiles. socially as well, providing women in the and edgy. Minimal cutting creates Made in Hong Kong, Heritage Philippines a way to make a living and great silhouettes that suit people ReFashioned consciously have a voice in a male-dominated society. of all shapes and sizes beautifully. provides a living wage to the women who expertly use every scrap of Classic Anew vintage fabric that Coy Collection Renee Kay would otherwise 100% Hong Kong in make and The playfully designed scarves Called the future classics of become waste. style, Classics Anew up-cycles of Coy Collection are manufactured contemporary Oriental style, ranee_k collected fabrics to incorporate using eco-friendly digital printing Qipao designs consciously honor the into unique fashion designs that techniques which consciously eliminate past in refreshingly modern Eastern celebrate and preserve the harsh chemicals, produce almost no cutting and patterns to serve today's nest traditional local Chinese water waste, and eliminate production woman. line waste making it possible to arts and handicrafts through aordably create limited edition designs. timeless fashion designs.

MEET THE ARTIST, Louise Soloway Chan By Frances Nicholls

LOUISE SOLOWAY CHAN, who has lived in Hong Kong for Louise have to make sure the 280 kg panels were installed over 20 years, originally studied Fine Art at the Bath properly, she could only get them into the station from 2:00 – Academy of Art, but it was her travels and study in India 4:00am when the trains weren’t running. What a feat to get (MSU of Baroda, Gujarat) that inspired her love of Bas reliefs them from China by train into Hong Kong’s MTR station! (3D structures). I met with her in the Sai Ying Pun MTR station Made from resin, fiberglass and fire-resistant plastic, the (Exit B, Lift Lobby concourse level) to discuss her art work detailed designs were first painted in Hong Kong then “Inside, Outside – North, South, East, West” which is installed constructed in a factory in China where Louise and her Hong there in the form of 12 Kong assistant, panels based on typical Josephine, spent many Sai Ying Pun shop fronts, hours with a rotating the four directions and the team of artists to model seasons. in clay and then paint the The project has taken 3D panels. Louise six years to complete and likened it to a jelly mold, included designing them however it is slightly from sketches, building bigger! them and, finally, installing As you walk up from them. Installation was a the MTR station towards huge task! Not only did the lift at Exit B you see

14 AWARE April 2017 FEATURE the following panels: 1) Fruit Stall (a shop front/local market). Louise likens fruit stalls to jewels on gloomy days. Many of the items in this Shoes (looking north towards panel – the pineapples, noodles, walnuts, ginger, garlic, lychees and light bulbs -- were made from impressions of the sea in autumn). This panel real items. reflects Mid-Autumn Festival. 2) Shoes (looking north towards the sea in autumn). This panel reflects Mid-Autumn Festival. Louise modeled the Louise modeled the people on people on photos that she had taken. 3) Construction (looking east towards IFC in summer). This photos that she had taken. shows a street scene after the typhoon 10 signal was hoisted for Typhoon Vincente in 2012. Louise went out and saw the light coming through after the typhoon. Bins were stuffed with details are so amazing. Louise told me it is modeled on three blown-out, broken umbrellas, men were clearing the streets different teashops -- one on Queen’s Road West, one in Wan of leaves and drains were blocked with fallen trees. If you Chai and another in Shenzhen. Louise modeled the porcelain look on the right-hand side of the panel, Louise’s husband is on ones she saw in an auction catalogue. The customer the man with the glasses and blue umbrella. buying tea is Louise’s father. Also in this shop, you can see the woman from panel 8 going home with her two daughters after buying lanterns. 8) Lantern shop (shop front) – capturing a moment in time as you see the items that were popular that year, such as Angry Bird and cars. If you look closely, you can see a reflection of Louise in the Angry Bird lantern as she takes the picture for this panel. 9) Car Mechanic (shop front) - Capturing the morning light, this shop on 2nd street is well tended by the dogs that keep alert to what’s happening. 10) Hairdresser (shop front) – Women get their hair done by stylists Louise met at local shops. This panel is so much fun! You feel the vibrancy of life and, if you listen closely, you can almost hear them gossiping. 11) Dai Pai Dong and Noodle Place (shop front) – The women in the blue dress with her trendy, spiky trainers is Louise’s assistant, Josephine, and just opposite her is her husband using his apple i-Pad. Can you see the chopsticks pressed into the mold? 12) Fish Stall (local market) – Here, Louise used real frogs 4) Chinese New Year (looking west down Queen’s Road and crabs to make molds for the panel. The coins in the bowl West in spring). People are carrying orange trees for are real coins. Her son is in the orange t-shirt looking at the Chinese New Year. Don’t miss the snake on the tram (it was crabs blowing bubbles. the Year of the Snake) and the real wires. FUN FACT: Louise put a “gweilo” in every panel except the 5) Construction near the commuter escalator (looking south car mechanic shop. See if you can spot them. up the hill in winter). It’s Christmas with all the trees and These panels are like 3D time capsules of Hong Kong’s poinsettias and people wearing their winter clothes. You can past, personalized to include some of the people closest to almost smell the mothballs! On the bottom left hand side, you the artist. You can pick up a great brochure from the Hong can see a depiction of Louise (she has red glasses on the Kong tourist office called “art in mtr.” It even has a picture of top of her head) and her son (batman backpack) holding a Louise’s artwork on the front. This is great because it lists real Lego figurine. where all the artwork is in the MTR stations. If you’re an art 6) Chinese Medicine Shop – Everything looks so realistic, you lover, go checkout all the other artworks. In the brochure, it can almost smel the woody Chinese herbs and seafood. states that the art in the MTR “aims to enhance MTR Note the man with the water bottles who you also see in journeys.” Well Louise’s art has certainly enhanced my MTR panel three (Construction). journey! 7) Chinese Tea Shop – This is one of my favorite panels. The To learn more, visit her at www.louisesoloway.com

April 2017 AWARE 15 FEATURE Ada Ho, Aspiring to Inspire

By Michele Goulding and Sally Kooser

WHAT A PRIVILEGE to have Ada Ho as our guest speaker Young created My Voice, My Life about Ada’s initiative. at the AWA Women’s Forum “Lunch and Learn” program in The film was distributed by Walt Disney Films and had the February! Ada began her career as a banker and then highest box office performance for a documentary in worked as a management consultant. She pursued further Hong Kong. The film is currently being used in schools as studies at Harvard College, earning a Master’s degree in a motivational tool for positive character development and Public Policy at the Kennedy School of Government. On her in training workshops for educators. return to Hong Kong about ten years ago, she sought work Ada enjoys coaching and being coached. She that would create social value and make an impact. She relishes travel and the experiences it provides to open our founded as a social enterprise a knitwear manufacturing minds and to meet inspiring people. To that end, her company called Love Plus Hope (or L Plus H) that created social website called "Paxxioneer" (www.paxxioneer.com) jobs for skilled loom workers. It has the "double bottom-line" allows travellers to connect with locals for a meal, a of not only financial sustainability but also social mission. By cooking class, a tour, or a conversation. Ada believes that creating jobs for middle-aged workers and building on their our “homework is to discover ourselves, and everything is skills, she is creating a social good, and through effective an experience that we can use to grow and to learn.” management, she is creating a sustainable business. The Ada’s passion and mission to support underprivileged business is profit making, but not profit-maximizing so people is deeply rooted in the Christian faith. She thinks decisions take into account social values as well as financial it's important to have passion but also a good sense of considerations. reality. You should be able to assess where you are It was a difficult choice for Ada to become a compared to your goal. The task is then to "factory girl" with her Harvard degree. Many close the gap, step by step. people expected her to choose a more Ada candidly shared with us some of the lucrative line of work but she aspired to "do dark passages in her journey and good, not just do well" and she recognized “wilderness time” in the search for purpose that “dignity is always more important than and use of her skills. She highlighted the money.” In her view, poverty is not just book Leap Over the Wall that provided lacking money, but lacking opportunities. encouragement as it tells of the triumphs She believes that "given opportunities, lives and struggles inherent in our humanity. can be transformed.” Ada seems to thrive while working on Following the 2008 earthquake in many projects simultaneously. In addition Sichuan, Ada worked on a project to her knitwear business and her new of music therapy for some of the social website, she writes a column for a victims for which she was local Chinese paper. honored with a humanitarian We were impressed by Ada’s award. More recently, she resilience, persistence and creativity created a charity to provide in bringing a vision to life. “Inspired” underprivileged students with is how Ada hopes to leave her an opportunity to participate in audience feeling. I believe we could a musical and theatrical all agree that she achieved that and performance. Acclaimed so much more. documentary filmmaker Ruby

16 AWARE April 2017 FEATURE THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN HONG KONG

FAST FACTS

COMMUNITY AmCham celebrates over 45 years of promoting business and fostering greater trade ties and BUSINESS community service in Hong Kong NETWORKING

ACTIVITIES Members can access more than 400 programs, seminars, and conferences each year featuring top INFORMATION business and government leaders, industry experts and professional facilitators who address timely and relevant business issues. VISIBILITY AND CORPORATE MEMBERS EXPOSURE Over 1,700 members (40 different nationalities) from over 800 organizations, including multinational firms, small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations. ADVOCACY

COMMITTEES Our members can join and access up to 28 different committees covering industry sectors, professional ACCESS service sectors, and special segments of the membership.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong 1904 Bank of America Tower 12 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong T: (852) 2530 6900 E: [email protected] www.amcham.org.hk

April 2017 AWARE 17 FEATURE

Bye-Bye Hong Kong: It’s been great getting to know you

The city’s gifts extend well beyond its tropical weather, terrific dining, and shopping

By Rachel Parker

AFTER TWO AMAZING YEARS in Hong Kong, I’m being I’ve been grateful for how quickly we can move from drawn back to California to have a closer hand in supervising introduction to serious sharing and support. Countless times my mother’s healthcare and the construction of our new I’ve sat next to someone on a bus and within a few minutes, home. I have lots of things to look forward to upon my return we’ve shared something personal to one another. It could be – including summers that feel much like Hong Kong’s our concern for our kids, or our husbands and their winters. Yet as the day of our departure quickly draws near, I workloads, or our parents or families back home, a medical know there is much that I’ll miss about living in Hong Kong. issue, or our own sense of failure in the face of a foreign Perhaps the most surprising gift of my time here has been culture. These inner concerns might take months to uncover how quickly I’ve found friends, and all without the entrée of in other settings, but here we are swapping agonies, giving my kids’ school or sports activities. Most of my enduring support and advice, being open and candid about friendships in the Bay Area were connected in some way or something deeply personal with people we’ve just met. another to my children’s lives. Here, my own interests – This occurred to me as I was putting together a list of mahjong, travel, books, and even dragon boating – brought those I’d love to share a “leaving” party with. I’ve known most me in touch with a world of fun and amazing women that I of these women for less than two years, yet I know so many hope to remain in touch with when we go home. details of their lives, what gets us up in the morning and what

18 AWARE April 2017 FEATURE

We all marvel at the Hong Kong skyline, its tall, well-lit buildings and forest of skyscrapers. But there is more to behold in Hong Kong.

keeps us awake at night. Aside from their friendship, here are bulbuls. Their chirps, whistles, and songs are unlike the birds the other things I’ll miss most about Hong Kong: of North America and are a delightful morning alarm. The roar Public transportation – My husband and I have been able of busses and taxis are accompanied by another line of the to rely on our building’s shuttle bus (called a “chateau bus” Hong Kong soundtrack from the traffic signals – with “stop” by one of my husband’s colleagues) and the public transit sounding like a steady pulse like a heart beat (da, da, da) system. Outside my building, Repulse Bay Road is served by yielding to a quick-pace drumbeat for “go.” It reminds me of half a dozen bus lines and four mini bus lines. The South soccer parents yelling to their kids to “gogogogogogogo” or Island MTR line just opened, allowing me to get from my handheld Chinese drums with balls on strings. apartment to Kowloon, for example, in just over 30 minutes. Daily adventures big and small – Even on days when my And if I want to, I can get in a taxi and ride the same distance to-do list has such mundane chores as laundry and bill for about $15US. Fantastic! paying, I give myself kudos for learning to perform these What you see is … – We all marvel at the Hong Kong tasks differently from the way I’ve done it most of my life (and skyline, its tall, well-lit buildings and forest of skyscrapers. But you should too). There is a sense of victory that I’ve met there is more to behold in Hong Kong. The South China Sea these sometimes head-scratching challenges (why do I pay is broad and flat. Through the day, seemingly hundreds of my utility bills at the local 7-11 or have to empty my dryer’s container ships and fishing boats cruise across my living water reservoir?) Then there are the actual adventures room windows. In winter, the sky lights up with the sun outside my door -- learning about the cultural and historic backlighting the high, puffy clouds. Despite the noise and background of Hong Kong, the traditions and concerns concrete, elegant birds of prey dot the sky, cruising among about the future. I hope to live the rest of my life pursuing the skyscrapers and drifting on air currents. The many hills of adventure and gaining satisfaction from learning to do simple Hong Kong provide views of the fringy coastline in all things in a new way. directions. I’ve been on higher lookouts, but the Peak, A revisited passion - Finally, the opportunity to find and Dragon’s Back, and Victoria Hill trails make me feel as refine my voice as a writer. I thank the editors at AWAre that though I’m on top of the world. I’ve worked with – Brooke Richter and Lindsey Gordon – as The Star Ferry and the Ding Ding tram – Okay, these are well as president Marcy LaRont for having confidence in me part of public transportation, but they are more. For me, they to tell the 60-year history of the AWA. I can’t say that I’ve represent an everyday way to visit an earlier Hong Kong, reinvented myself, as writing is something that I’ve done most when life and business were slower and neighborhoods were of my adult life. But I have expanded the writing I’ve done to known for their unique markets. The Star Ferry isn’t fancy or be more personal and reflective. luxurious, and Hong Kong Harbor has shrunk thanks to land The AWA has been a terrific bridge to so many events reclamation efforts, but it is a calm, timeless journey from one and cultural adventures – from mahjong to the Jiao Festival of bustling section of Hong Kong to another. And the Ding the Tang Clan. I cannot imagine my life in Hong Kong without Ding? Watching the hustle of Central while lurching around it – and you – and plan to keep my membership current so I corners can’t be beat. can keep track of this confounding city from my quiet Foot massages – The normal routine of putting your feet into backyard. a wooden bucket with scented water and letting someone pummel your shoulders, feet and legs into submission is fabulous. My husband and I go at least once a month. And A note to Rachel from the Editor: many say it is good for preventing deep vein thrombosis – a Your creativity and skills as a writer have made my job real worry for frequent fliers. So this indulgence is actually easy! You will be missed by me and everyone on the one that is good for us. AWAre team, and should you ever wish to further your The sounds of Hong Kong – When the weather is pleasant, reflections on life in Hong Kong, I know just the place we sleep with the window open, and I wake up to the exotic for you to do it. Until then, safe travels westward! sounds of loons, starlings, magpies, koels, and Chinese

April 2017 AWARE 19 FEATURE Four Days in CAMBODIA

By Simeen Lubin

IN FEBRUARY, we ventured beyond our usual sun, sea and off by private car to visit the Angkor Wat temple site. The sand holiday to try something more cultural. Destination -- tour guide shared with us the bloody history of the Khmer Siem Reap, Angkor, the capital of 12th century temples! Rouge that wiped out over 20% of the population from The first day, we checked into the Angkor Miracle 1975-79. It’s a fascinating Angkor temple complex, one of Resort Hotel before taking a 7-minute tuk tuk ride into the largest monuments in the world, constructed in the town center for lunch. We selected a local Khmer 12th century as a Hindu temple and gradually restaurant and though it was a bit pricey, we liked the transformed into a Buddhist temple with more than 3000 spiced beef and chicken dishes served with rice. After, heavenly nymphs (apsaras) carved into their walls. we meandered through dusty streets lined with modern Stretching around the outside of its walls are lengths of cafes and heaving with foreigners milling about the shops intricate and bas reliefs – historical carvings explaining and stalls selling various consumable goods. From freshly historical events and stories from mythology. With its squeezed juices and ice creams wrapped in crepes to towers and various levels, be prepared to walk up steep one stand selling dead and dried tarantulas and stairs! After lunch, we visited the temples at Ta Prohm scorpions! When we started to take photos, the seller and Preah Khan which were spectacular. Temple stones kindly pointed to a signpost: “ 50c to take a photo!” merged with the jungle, trees spilling their roots around Everything has a price in Cambodia! We cooled off with the temples, engulfing them like a rich warm blanket, their some afternoon swimming and later enjoyed a festive thick roots entangling the walls. Our children were even dinner buffet, complete with a Cambodian dance captivated! performance. On our third day, we took a short tuk tuk ride to a The next morning, some of us woke up at 4:45am to group of smaller temples on the eastern side of the city. catch sunrise at the temple sites. Cloudy weather One site boasted a lake covered in water lilies that led to interfered a bit but after a Chinese breakfast buffet, we set a temple housing a Buddhist school and library just next to it. Others were miniature-worshipping sites, some in better condition than others. Later, we enjoyed eating at The Foreign Correspondent’s Club, a large, white colonial hotel with festive happy hour. Tucked away on a small backstreet, we sipped cocktails with friends. The perfect end to a rather perfect day! On our last full day, and with our children officially over temple visits, we got a massage and shopped for souvenirs. Along the way, we met a young Cambodian artist who sold traditionally inspired statues mixed in with contemporary design. His work was breathtaking! That evening, we went to the Shianti Club, another boutique hotel, and opted for steak and chips at its sister restaurant in the heart of the night market. Not very local but the hustle and bustle outside and the kindness of the waiters reminded us that we were definitely in Cambodia! Returning to Hong Kong, what I remembered most about the trip was not it’s rich temple history but the people - their warmth, kindness and hospitability.

20 AWARE April 2017

April 2017 AWARE 21 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 2017

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Bowerbird Home Series: Historical Walking Tour of Heritage Festival Series: Spring Declutter, Makeovers Stanley with Jason Wordie Tin Hau’s Birthday on and a Floral Workshop When: Tuesday 11 April Po Toi Island When: Thursday 6 April 8:45am – 12:30pm When: Wednesday 19 April 10:30am – 12:00pm 10:00am – 5:00pm (approx.) Club Tour Series: Register by 7 April. Chuan Spa Facial Beauty Workshop The Pacific Club Kowloon No refunds after this date. followed by High Tea at Cordis At When: Wednesday 12 April Langham Place 11:30am – 2:30pm Asian Tigers Warehouse When: Thursday 6 April Tour and Lunch 12:00pm – 3:30pm (approx.) NEW! Historical Talk with When: Thursday 27 April Jason Wordie: Hello, Kitty! 9:30am – 3:00pm Chueng Chau Island: Hong Kong’s Relationship Walk and Lunch with Japan Learn about Feng Shui Series: When: Monday 10 April When: Tuesday 18 April Walking Tour of Major Buildings in 9:30am – 2:00pm (approx.) 10:30am – 12:00pm Central When: Tuesday 25 April Beginners Cantonese in 10:00am – 12:30pm 8 easy lessons Register by Thursday 20 April When: Tuesdays 18 & 25 April 3:00pm – 4:00pm Sham Shui Po-Arts and Crafts Tuesdays 9, 16, 23 May Walking Tour by Emily Hoaglin Tuesdays 6, 13, 20 June When: Friday 28 April 9:40am – 1:00pm

MAY

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Cooking Demo and Lunch - Cinco de Mayo Fiesta When: Friday 5 May 10:00am – 2:00pm Register by Monday 1 May.

“Ding Ding’ It’s Party Time! When: Saturday 20 May 8:00pm – 10:00pm Register by Monday 1 May. No refunds after this date

Photos from pixabay.com 22 AWARE April 2017 LOCAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Bowerbird Home Series: Spring Declutter, Makeovers and a Floral Workshop

When: Thursday, 6 April Join Bowerbird Home and The Home Stylist for a fun and 10:30am – 12:00pm informative coffee morning as they share their insights on how Where: Bowerbird Home, to clear your home of clutter and make way for a fresh spring 8F Horizon Plaza, makeover. Their HOW TO GUIDE will include essential tips and Ap Lei Chau tricks on creating space, spring styling and achieving the look Cost: $60 member for less. Discover the latest interior trends and get seasonal $120 member’s guest inspiration from their interactive floral workshop. 10% OFF the Capacity: min. 6, max. 25 entire showroom on the day for attendees. Coordinator: Celine O’Connor 6383 2508

April 2017 AWARE 23 LOCAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Chuan Spa Facial Beauty is approximately 2 hours. This is a well- After exploring the cemetery, we will Workshop followed by High paved path and mostly flat, however walk back up along Wong Ma Kok Tea at Cordis At Langham we will encounter some stairs. On route Road to Stanley village. There we will we will have great views and stop at note the old Stanley Police Station. Place the Tin Hau Temple. After the walk, The group will proceed via Stanley When: Thursday, 6 April we will stop for a local lunch at shared Market Street and Stanley Main Street 12:00pm – 3:30pm (approx.) expense. Following lunch you are free to the Tin Hau Temple, and then, if Where: Admiralty MTR Station inside to either take the ferry home or further time permits, around the headland in front of Marks and Spencer explore the small town and area. to the small but interesting Pak Tai Cost: $590 member Please wear appropriate shoes (no Temple. Along the way to the Pak Tai $650 member’s guest heels) and bring your loaded Octopus Temple, we will see some wartime Capacity: min. 6, max. 10 card for the ferry. pillboxes located along the cliffside, Coordinator: Tracey Lee Hayes 9130 0851 and finally we will see the exterior of Historical Walking Tour of the recently-reconstructed Officer’s We will start the afternoon with a Stanley with Jason Wordie Mess, which stood in Central until the Kerstin Florian Workshop. This Swedish early 1980s. product is built around the four cornerstones embraced by ‘Kerstin Club Tour Series: Florian’ in her holistic approach to The Pacific Club Kowloon skincare: Proper Nutrition, Regular Exercise, Peace of Mind, Care of When: Wednesday, 12 April the Face and Body. The therapists 11:30am – 2:30pm will give you tips on the best way Where: Meet inside the TST MTR to take care of your skin. You will by Exit A1 receive a $300 redeemable voucher Cost: $260 member on all spa products. A high tea will $320 member’s guest complete the afternoon where you can Capacity: min. 6, max. 12 choose from a scrumptious Eastern Coordinators: Lisa Wallis 6715 0653, or Western Tea Set. The Cordis At photo from wikipedia.com Katherine Fenton 6708 3345 Langham Place is situated in Kowloon When: Tuesday, 11 April and is a short walk from Mong Kong 8:45am – 12:30pm The Pacific Club is located in TST, MTR. The workshop, High Tea and Where: At the playground/sitting out Kowloon on its own pier with the most service charge are included in your area just behind Stanley bus picturesque view over the Victoria fee. Terms and Conditions: 1) The station Harbour. We will first take a brief tour of offer is not transferable, refundable Cost: $425 member the club, which will end on the 3rd floor and exchangeable for cash or other $485 member’s guest where we will have lunch at the Island services, 2) Offer is not valid with any Capacity: minimum 10, maximum 18 View Restaurant. This restaurant is one other promotion service, discount or Coordinators: Susan Brooks 9628 7763, of four in the Pacific Club and is well membership privileges and 3) Chuan Susan Soskin West 9191 1503 known for the incredible buffet offering Spa reserves the right to amend or a wide variety of dishes: wonderful alter the terms and conditions without Stanley offers much more than salad and cheese bar, fresh shrimp, any prior notice. waterfront restaurants and its world- oysters, sushi, and international hot famous market. Join us today as Jason dishes, to name just a few, along with Cheung Chau Island: Wordie takes us on a fascinating mouthwatering desserts. So come join Walk and Lunch walking tour of what is one of us for a very relaxing lunch while taking Hong Kong Island’s oldest village in the beautiful sights and sounds of When: Monday, 10 April settlements. Extensive connections the Harbour. 9:30am – 2:00pm (approx.) remain to Stanley’s fishing and sea- Where: Central Pier #5 faring past, and to the various religious Beginners Cantonese: 8 Cost: $60 member groups that made their homes here, Lessons – 1 hour per week $120 member’s guest and there are still enduring physical Capacity: minimum 6, maximum 12 links to the Pacific War era. Today we When: Tuesdays, 18, 25 April Coordinators: Tracey Lee Hayes 9130 0851, will walk with local historian Jason 9, 16, 23 May, Lisa Wallis 6715 0653 Wordie to Stanley Military Cemetery, 6, 13, 20 June where we will discuss the significance 3:00pm – 4:00 pm Cheung Chau (Long Island) is an of this historically-important graveyard, Where: AWA office, Arion island 10 kilometres southwest of learn something of the wartime Stanley Commercial Centre, Hong Kong. Cheung Chau is mostly Internment Camp, which included Office 1105, 2-12 Queen’s a fishing village and at one stage had nearby St. Stephen’s College, and Road West, Sheung Wan more residents living on junks than on the European and Indian Married Cost: $1280 member land. Although small, Cheung Chau is Quarters at Stanley Prison (but not, as $1760 member’s guest a popular destination for short hiking. it commonly believed, the actual prison Capacity: min. 5, maxi. 10 We will do the islands short loop, which buildings) as well as the cemetery. (excluding coordinator) 24 AWARE April 2017 NEW! Historical Talk with Jason Wordie: Hello, Kitty! Hong Kong’s Relationship with Japan

When: Tuesday, 18 April 10:30am – 12:00pm Where: AWA Office Cost: $330 member $390 member’s guest Capacity: min. 12, max. 30 Coordinators: Lee Parr 5698 9163, Susan Soskin West 9191 1503

Rescheduled from January, you can be among the first to hear this brand new historical talk by local historian Jason Wordie! Some 75 years after Hong Kong was invaded and occupied by the Japanese, a curious-love-hate fascination for “Things Japanese” has evolved and remains a noticeable feature of local life. Hong Kong’s food and fashion habits, pop cultural influence and modes of speech and manners all contain discernible influences from contemporary Japan. This lecture will explore the historical roots of these phenomena in both pre- and post-war eras, and evaluate how Hong Kong’s emulation of Japan – both unconscious as well as deliberate – can be seen as a metaphor for embracing modernity without completely surrendering to cultural Westernization.

photo from pixabay.com

Coordinator: Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851 Where: Admiralty MTR inside in the historical background of this annual front of Marks and Spencer’s local tradition. Don’t miss your chance After the success of the practical Cost: $510 member to explore a guided local festival and Cantonese classes and by popular $570 member’s guest take advantage of some unique photo- request we have managed to secure Capacity: min. 20, max. 30 ops. Included in the price is the junk with Lester an eight–lesson course, Coordinator: Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851 hire and tour guide cost. You will need which will cover the following: a loaded Octupus card for the MTR trip - What is Cantonese? Join us for this much loved, to Aberdeen. Note: Please bring your - Cantonese phonics: consonant, vowel spectacular event. We will travel by own picnic lunch /snacks and drinks and tone, private junk from Aberdeen Pier to the to have on board. Don’t forget to wear - Daily expressions: greetings, polite fishermen’s village of Po Toi Island to comfortable walking shoes for our words, and other useful expressions. observe the birthday festivities for the excursion on the island. - Yes, no, and yes-no questions Goddess of the Sea, Tin Hau. We will - Basic vocabulary: pronouns, anchor among many fishing boats Asian Tigers Warehouse everyday nouns and verbs, and words and other kinds of vessels decorated Tour and Lunch for time and location. with colorful flags and also go on - Basic sentence structures land to explore the Opera Theatre, The cost includes all eight lessons. If which is built on a cliff right in front you are unable to commit to all eight of the temple. Worshiping groups will lessons, please contact the coordinator be returning to the temple’s huge “Fa as it maybe possible to sign up for a Pao’s” which are elaborately decorated few individually. structures containing the statues of the Goddess. Later they will engage Heritage Festival Series: in a scrambling game competing for Tin Hau’s Birthday on another “Fa Pao” which guarantees Po Toi Island Tin Hau’s protection for another year. This tradition is very rare to see as it is When: Wednesday, 19 April banned from most Hong Kong festivals 10:00am – 5:00pm (approx.) nowadays. Professional Chinese When: Thursday, 27 April Register by 7 April. photographer Kwok-Leung Paul Lau 9:30am – 3:00pm No refunds after this date. will provide insight in understanding Where: Meet at Central Hong Kong April 2017 AWARE 25 LOCAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Post Office Sham Shui Po-Arts and Po as a great place to open their Cost: $60 member Crafts Walking Tour by galleries, workshops and retail outlets. $120 member’s guest Emily Hoaglin Next came the eateries, cafes and Capacity: min. 10, max. 20 coffee shops. And several years ago, Coordinators: Lisa Wallis 6715 0653, When: Friday, 28 April the HK Wall Art groups identified Yelena Zakharova 6726 2378 9:40am – 1:00pm Sham Shui Po for one of their street Where: Meet Sham Shui Po MTR art endeavors. Our tour will give you Have you ever wondered where your station, inside at Exit C, a taste of what is available in Sham household shipment goes after it tour will start at 10 am Shui Po and plenty of information for leaves your flat and is loaded onto the Cost: $330 member you to continue your exploration. We container ship? Asian Tigers Mobility, $390 member’s guest will be visiting the Yen Chow Hawkers a leading provider of international Capacity: min. 6, max. 12 Bazaar (a wonderful sight which will relocation solutions, has organized a (excluding coordinators) soon be gone) and many other shops fun-filled day for our group beginning Coordinator: Lena Zakharova 9726 2389 where you can get raw materials for with a private tour of their warehouse sewing, jewelry, leatherwork and most that includes expert packing tips. A Sham Shui Po has evolved over the any other creative passion. We will friendly “How well do you think you years and continues to reinvent itself stop for a takeaway tea or coffee at a can pack?” competition will then and now has something for everyone. lovely little cafe. And we will visit some conclude our visit before we head to This district started as the wholesale of the Wall Art locations. I will provide City Gate Outlet Mall for a delicious fabric area for the garment industry. a map of our day for you to use at dim sum lunch courtesy of Asian When word started spreading about your leisure. Bring your camera, Tigers Mobility. After lunch, you are what was available there, a new retail wear comfortable shoes and join me free to shop the outlet mall and return industry emerged to cater for those for a journey into a fabulous part of home at your leisure. who do arts and crafts. Vibrant and Kowloon. young entrepreneurs saw Sham Shui

Learn about Feng Shui series: Walking Tour of Major Buildings in Central

When: Tuesday, 25 April 10:00am – 12:30pm Register by Thursday, 20 April Where: Exit K Outside, Central MTR Cost: $340 member $400 member’s guest Capacity: min. 6, max. 12 Coordinators: Yelena Zakharova 9726 2378, Susan Brooks 9628 7763

Feng Shui, the theory of tapping into the energy of surroundings to create prosperity, has long been practiced in Hong Kong. Companies big and small consult Feng Shui experts to determine auspicious dates for deals and launches and to create environments that will welcome good fortune. Feng Shui is also taken rather seriously before the buildings are built. We have a unique opportunity to walk around Central with a Feng Shui Business Consultant Susanne Schutz, the owner of Schutz Consulting, and learn fascinating stories about the architecture and more. Just a few items from our list: HSBC and Statue Square, Bank of China, and Cheung Kong Center. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water.

photo from pixabay.com 26 AWARE April 2017 LOCAL TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

Cooking Demo and Lunch - Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

When: Friday, 5 May 10:00am – 2:00pm Register by Monday, 1 May Where: Mid-levels apartment Cost: $390 member $450 member’s guest Capacity: min. 5, max. 7 Coordinators: Lena Zakharova 9726 2378

Even though we are far from Mexico, we can still enjoy a good Fiesta on Cinco de Mayo (Fifth of May). Tacos, guacamole, all kinds of salsa, and music are on the menu. Come and enjoy a morning of cooking with Lena, an avid cook and an Integrative Nutrition Health photo from pixabay.com Coach, eager to share her knowledge and passion for wellbeing. The best part? We will sit down to enjoy all this delicious food for lunch! Bon Appetit!

photo from pixabay.com

$320 member’s guest awa.org.hk for the most up-to-date schedule Capacity: min. 20, max. 26 and don’t forget to register early as many of the Looking Further events will sell out. Coordinators: Kim Rehmann 6039 2231, Ahead Heidi Rockowitz 9090 7909 Refund, Cancellation and Substitution Policies

Let’s party on the open top, double Every activity includes an administrative fee of “Ding Ding’ It’s Party Time! decker Red Antique tram. Indulge HK$60* Member/ HK$ 120 Member’s Guest. This base fee is not refundable at any time yourself in a spectacular 360-degree unless the AWA cancels the event. Charges view of Hong Kong’s nightlife as the in excess of the base fee are refundable if tram strolls leisurely along the track from cancellation is received by the AWA office at Whitty Street – Causeway Bay – Happy least one full week before the activity date. For example, if the activity is on a Tuesday, Valley –Whitty Street. Evening breezes, cancellation must be received prior to midnight light music, and catered food will make of the previous Tuesday. If the AWA cancels this a once in a lifetime experience whilst an event, the entire activity cost will be partying with friends, both old and new. automatically credited to you. Credit notes are Bring your favorite beverage (cheese not transferable and must be used within six months from the date of issue or by the end and crackers are included in your fee). of the AWA fiscal year (30 June), whichever is Spouses are encouraged to come (they earlier. You may request a check in lieu of a pay the same fee as members). Adults credit at any time before the credit expires. only, please. Owing to the popularity of AWA activities, many photo from wikipedia.com have a wait list and therefore substitutions cannot be accepted. If you are unable to attend an activity, please, inform the AWA When: Saturday, 20 May office to cancel your place and allow someone Time: 8:00pm – 10:00pm on the waitlist to attend. Register by 1 May. Registration Procedures *The $60 registration fee is purely an No refunds after this date. Local Tour and Activity (LTA) events are open administration fee. It is not donated to the Where: Meet at the Whitty Street for registration as of the first of each month in Charitable and Education fund. Tram Depot which the activity will be held. Activities being (Address will be emailed to participants) held in the early part of the following month are open for registration on the first day of the Cost: $260 member prior month. Check the AWA website at www. April 2017 AWARE 27 ONGOING ACTIVITIES

AWA’s Ongoing Activities

Of the many ways to get involved in the AWA, Ongoing Clubs and Sports are the most popular, and easiest, ways to make new friends. We offer something for everyone: from hobbies to languages, golf and dragon boat racing. Ongoing Clubs & Sports offer comfortable and enjoyable ways to keep busy and expand your network of friends. These activities are organized by AWA members for AWA members with similar interests and passions. One time registration is required in order to receive updates about scheduled activities. For more information and to register, go online to www.awa.org.hk.

ART LOVERS: Kumiko Matsushima, [email protected]; Cynthia Lackey, [email protected] PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP: To be announced STITCH: Laurie Ling, [email protected]; Sarah Brundan, [email protected] AFTERNOON BOOK CLUB: Penny Van Niel, [email protected]; Linda Berman, [email protected] SPIRITUAL LITERACY GROUP: Kate Weisman [email protected] MAHJONG MADNESS: Katherine Fenton, [email protected]; Christine Scullion, [email protected] SOCIAL BRIDGE AND LUNCH: Lisa Strunin, [email protected] GAMES GALORE-MAHJONG: OR BRIDGE: Beth Hall, [email protected] LUNCH BUNCH: Connie Albracht, [email protected] GALLOPING GOURMET: Linda Gomoll, [email protected]; Jean Han, [email protected]; Penny Soder, [email protected] ITALIAN CONVERSATION GROUP: Giuditta Crovato, [email protected] AWA HIKING GROUP: Gail Sousa, [email protected]; Alison Doran, [email protected] Claire Drewery, [email protected] Deborah Royce, [email protected] AWA GLOBE PADDLERS Elissa Imran, [email protected]; DRAGON BOAT TEAM: Anne Fifer, [email protected] AWA GOLF SOCIETY: Sue Webb, [email protected] WOMEN’S FORUM: Sally Kooser, [email protected] WOW: [email protected]

28 AWARE April 2017 CONTACT INFORMATION

OFFICE EXECUTIVE BOARD Phone 2527 2961/2 Fax 2865 7737 EXECUTIVE BOARD [email protected] Hours 9:30am – 3:30pm Mon-Thu President Marcy LaRont: [email protected] Address No.5, 11th floor, Arion Commercial Centre, 1st VP Fundraising Augusta Nichols-Even: [email protected] 2-12 Queen's Road West, Hong Kong 2nd VP Membership Jean Han: [email protected] Website www.awa.org.hk 3rd Vice President Activities Linda Van Noy: [email protected] Director of Operations Barbora Mayer: [email protected] AWAre Editor Brooke Richter: [email protected] Membership Representative Joanne Lam: [email protected] Charitable Donations Gabriela Caraman-Heijnen: [email protected] Community Service Susie Edrington: [email protected] COMMUNITY Education & Scholarship Helen Carruthers: [email protected] Public Relations Rachel Bourke: [email protected] Recording Secretary Jennifer Kindel: [email protected] COMMUNITY SERVICE [email protected] Treasurer Annie Fifer: [email protected] Chairperson Susie Edrington: [email protected] Technical Develop.Angela Bellas: [email protected] Corporate Sponsorship Nikola Andersson: [email protected] Fenwick Pier Volunteers KD Schumacher: [email protected] Leadership Support Lisa Strunin: [email protected] HK Society for the Blind Lee Parr: [email protected] Ronald McDonald House Renee Cheung: [email protected] Trisha Cliff: [email protected] SOCIAL Soup Kitchen Linda VanNoy: [email protected] Riding for the Disabled Liz McGrath [email protected] ACTIVITIES [email protected] China Coast Community [email protected] 3rd Vice President Linda Van Noy: [email protected] Helping Hands [email protected] Hong Kong Hosts – Adopt a Marine, Asian Tours To be announced Adopt a Sailor Tiki Sonderhoff: [email protected] Local Tours and Activities Tracey-Lee Hayes [email protected] SOCIAL Patti Smith: [email protected]

EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIP If you would like to join the AWA or if you have any [email protected] question about the organization, please contact the office or any of the Executive Board members. Chairperson Helen Carruthers: [email protected] English Conversation Liz Clark: [email protected] Kwun Tong Marti Law: [email protected] Pok Fu Lam Liz Clark: [email protected] Sham Shui Po Barbara Iannazzone: [email protected] Chai Wan Julie Naughton: [email protected] Ap Lei Chau tba CARPET WASHING & REPAIRS Dining Etiquette Bernice Lee: [email protected] Mock Interviews Katherine Payne [email protected] PROFESSIONALS Kei Chau Reading Program Jill Baran Scott: [email protected] CLEANING & REPAIR SERVICES Our cleaning and repair services are the best in Hong Kong. Free pickup and delivery. Public Relations [email protected] Chairperson Rachel Bourke: [email protected] Newsletter/E-Blast Coordinator Rachel Bourke: [email protected] Forum Moderator Rachel Bourke: [email protected] Website Angela Bellas: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP [email protected] 2nd Vice President Jean Han: [email protected] Buddy Program Alison May: [email protected] CHAT Coordinator Sally Kooser: 9319 8710 Foon Ying Chrissie Govier [email protected] KD Schumacher [email protected] SHOP IN YOUR HOME Helen Pott [email protected] You can buy a carpet in the comfort of your home. Membership Discounts [email protected] (We can bring the carpets to you with no obligation.) OWL Susie Edrington: [email protected] Southside Owl Tyna Kirk: [email protected] CALL : 9018 0897 / 2851 3665 WOW [email protected] EMAIL : [email protected] WEBSITE : Iqbalcarpets.hk ADDRESS : G/F. 21 PO TUNG RD. SAIKUNG

April 2017 AWARE 29 30 AWARE April 2017