My Dear Rotarians and friends, in particular my Action Presidents, I will remind you upfront that my last letter in this series was written on New Year’s Eve, or eight weeks ago. I can also confirm that it is the longest break between letters, and I am glad I received occasional reminders in person and…
My Dear Rotarians and friends, in particular my Action Presidents, It is New Year’s Eve. Just as one has barely recovered from the mandatory partying and merriment of last week, one now has to brave yet another weekend sinking in a gentle pool of wine, or champagne depending on one’s taste and affordability. One is…
My Dear Rotarians and friends, in particular my Action Presidents, The Year 2000 will almost certainly go down in the family annals as an eventful and unforgettable one. We coped with my mother’s death, Rosita’s cancer relapse, the son going abroad to study, our training at Anaheim, my becoming District Governor, my three visits to…
My Dear Rotarians and friends, in particular my Action Presidents, I said last time that I might talk a bit more on the yacht race which had been very much part of me these days. But where do I begin with such a complex and multi-line story? I think I would tell it as it…
My Dear Rotarians and friends, in particular my Action Presidents, Edmond Chan (Channel Islands) looked at my Hong Kong Special Administrative Region People’s Republic of China Passport and said, “John, this is your special passport to Mongolia.” Edmond Chan of course is District Secretary (Returns). He and Herbert Lau (Tolo Harbour) accompanied me to visit…
My Dear Rotarians and Friends, in particular my Action Presidents, I cannot recall when we last had an approach in November by a severe tropical storm that resulted in the Royal Observatory having to hoist typhoon signals. I was expecting air movements and cooler weather; maybe a little rain; that would make me sleep better….
My Dear Rotarians and Friends, in particular my Action Presidents, After I despatched my last letter, I received a message under the subject of “Friends” from a friend who often sent me messages, pictures and jokes he picked up from God knows where. The message was about a father-and-son dialogue over anger and 37 nails…
My Dear Rotarians and Friends, in particular my Action Presidents, I returned home from dinner last night and by reflex flipped the remote control through the network channels. Gosh, the Olympic Games were over. There were no more live broadcasts, commentaries, flashbacks, announcements and results. Somehow, I felt lost. Already, the withdrawal symptoms, the post…
My Dear Rotarians and Friends, in particular my Action Presidents, According to Alexander Warrack’s Scots Dialectic Dictionary, this is water from under a bridge over which the living pass and the dead are carried. The water is brought at dawn or in the twilight to the house of a sick person, without the bearer speaking…
My Dear Rotarians and Friends, in particular my Action Presidents, My brother told me a recent experience. He took a bus home and fell asleep half way. His wallet slipped out of his pocket without him knowing. He got off the bus and was on the ground both feet. The bus had begun to pull…
