Naomi called 25 minutes before pick-up time, suggesting that she might be running a few minutes late, but then quickly confirmed that she would be on time and asked us to wait outside the hotel. Naomi was my classmate in HKU, but we lost contact soon after graduation until maybe 10 years ago when another…
It is April again – the month of birthdays and anniversaries – but as we won’t be around for most of the month, many of the celebrations would either take a different format or would take place elsewhere. I recall that we were on the Road in Korea two years ago this time and I…
If you find the letter title interesting, read on. They were the salutations between me and a recently met friend. I met this lady at dinner a few weeks ago. She introduced herself as a writer. She writes for newspapers regularly including reviews on movies, among other subjects; and she has had books published. When…
I was talking to a Durham cohort last week. He is sort of a quiet person who would go about his work and probably his life methodically and largely by himself without bothering others. I can still remember his short presentation on his observation post – a café in Wanchai where he had an hour…
Into the fourth week of my self-declared and unforced alcohol-free world, the world is not exactly any different from before and the mind doesn’t feel as sober as I hope it would. There were people asking all sorts of questions and making snipe remarks, mostly well intentioned, I hope, ranging from “Are you ill?” “How…
Today is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of Lent, which traditionally for Christians is a period for deeper reflection on one’s weaknesses and on how one can improve oneself through prayers, alms giving and abstinence or fasting with a view to getting closer to God. Today’s readings at Mass remind us that when one…
I had an urge to write a supplement to my year ender, and when it did not materialize, a New Year message, outlining resolutions for the year and my outlook for the year and so on. There are a number of reasons for so doing, first among which is that this year would mark a…
Let me begin with a hearty and sincere greeting to all my friends in many circles both in Hong Kong and overseas, including some readers of my letters whom I might not know personally. I wish all of you out there and your families and loved ones a happy and joyous holiday season ahead. I…
Apart from Su who came to see me twice a day, a few friends came to visit me while I was in QMH. They brought reading materials, food and most important of all, love and laughter. I went down to the coffee shop with some of them and we had a great time. A friend…
By now I have been out of QMH for two weeks. The hospital never told me what caused my fever. I don’t know how many or what tests they have run on my blood samples, but I suppose no news is good news. There is a classic Buddhism teaching which runs like this: when a…
