The Virgin Mary Statue, the Chapel, the Tuck Shop (Chun Tsai), the Canteen (Mrs. Tai), the Art and Music room on the top floor… the Anchor; Grey, Green and Yellow.

These are images that come to me every time I think about my schooling in Hong Kong, the valuable education I had obtained from Good Hope School.

Getting up in the morning was never difficult, since I knew right after brushing my teeth there will be either “Cheong Fun” or the Soya Sauce King Fried Noodles" ready for me to chow down. As long as there was no oatmeal, I was happy. At this age, oatmeal is quite regular as breakfast for health purposes, but it's still not my favourite food. Eggs Benedict sounds so much better. 

Every morning I had to make sure my hair was completely up with no stray hairs (when I used to have long hair in elementary school), my shoelaces were tied properly and to never forget my school tie and pin (starting Secondary school, we wore a school pin that all GHS girls were very proud of). 

The long morning ride to school was usually very quiet as all the girls were usually reviewing their school work or trying to scramble as much information as possible before their test. Unfortunately, I could not read while inside any vehicle. I get car sick easily and it can be quite bad at times. I just looked forward to seeing the huge milk bottle with a red cap from Kowloon Dairy, it was then that I knew we were close to school. Of course something to do with food again!

Morning assembly on our playground was how we started every school day. Two by two in a line, standing up straight without talking. These were routines that were well coached by our sisters and teachers. GHS was and still is a school that taught many good values to their students. 

Being in a girl's school, there were lots of interesting memories. I am going to share a few that I can still remember and are still grateful for till these days. 

Since Good Hope School is a catholic school for girls, they taught us how to be an individual with good values, disciplined and passionate. When I was a form 1 student (first year of Secondary School), I remembered there was a trial time that it was mandatory to speak in English at all times, even through recess and lunch. It was quite difficult in the beginning since English was not our mother tongue, however, I remember very well how Sister Mary Olga Lam, our principal, taught us how we should think in the language so we can speak the language. Sister Olga, thank you from the bottom of my heart. This has truly benefited me until this day.

Speech Festival, Art Competition, Music Competition and Sports Day provided students with a diversity in their curriculum. From my memory, we all had our favourite clubs. Mine was always Art Club. My favourite part was decorating our “HUGE" classroom bulletin board. If I remember correctly, Lucille, Alison, Connie,Winnie, Catherine, Emi, Jenny, Judy and Wendy were in Geography Club. These are my very good friends still to this days. Other than a very straight academic system, there were a lot of fond memories from the years in Good Hope School before I moved to Canada.

Even though I had never liked Exam week, I always loved to have breakfast in our canteen through that week(normally they do not serve breakfast). I love their "Soya Sauce King Fried Noodles”. Mrs Tai used to have pretty good menu for our lunch. Students always dashed through lunch so they can play ping pong, basketball (that would have been Anna Lee, one of the Lee sisters), study for their afternoon test or simply just to catch up with their club work. Oh no, not for Celine, lunch was always an important part of my day. If I was not eating at our canteen, I would have been eating with Jenny on the second floor balcony looking into our playground(fried egg was always a part of my hot lunch prepared from home). I had always enjoy watching others and appreciating their expressions. Jenny Lau if you ever get to read this, just wish to tell you those lunches were some of my happiest moments in GHS. Thank you for sharing your lunch time with me.

If you were there in the year of '72, you will remember Miss Sin, who taught the Home Economic class. She was very stylish, and straight with her teaching. Here are a few memories that I can recall. She always managed to walked through the canteen when spaghetti was on the menu, and would remind us every time, “Girls, remember to twirl your pasta with a fork…” This is why we GHS girls had very proper eating etiquette. Another memory was the time I needed some help from my classmates (I cannot remember who I teamed up with) when we were in Miss Sin's class. It was my very first time cooking with real flames. We were taught to make fried dumplings, it was fun… we were the first team to finish cooking our dish. We were so proud, and had already had sneaked one into our mouths. It tasted okay, but I thought it was a bit strange. When we finally got to try other teams dumplings, I felt nauseous… ours was not cooked through. That lesson was definitely good to learn. Now after practicing for 33 years cooking for a Tianjin husband, I can make pretty good dumpling. 

Since I love eating so much, Tuck Shop has got to be my second favourite place. Chun Tsai was always busy running, from the back shelf full of glass containers with all our favourite snacks to the goodies tray just behind the cast iron window. It was where we purchased snacks like oyster sauce beans, dry squid, dry sour plum… and many, many more. My favourite part was saving up my 50 cents so I could pay a dollar for my hot dog with two sausages in one bun. I think when it comes to eating, I was pretty clever at such young age.

The art room was my favourite place, and Art Club was my first opportunity to share my passion in art. Learning from the senior girls was the beginning of having art as a big part of my mission in life. Somehow the year before I moved to Canada, I became the president of Art Club. I think that was my very first title ever. Since Art Room was right opposite to our Music Room. We could always hear the wonderful music from choir practice. I always admired how our Choir members could perform such beautiful music. 

There were a few teachers that I wish to salute:

Mrs.King, she was the only teacher on earth (including Canada) that could explain Math to me in a way i could understand (and got a OK marks from). Trust me, I was and still am not very smart with numbers.

Mrs. Lee, for understanding someone could be as dense as me in Physics, and still always smile at me. She used to joke, very seriously, about us falling asleep in the lecture room on a hot summer afternoon. She would ask, “Girls do you need some ice, it may help…” She also understood each of our weakness and in her very own way she helped us to overcome our fears. I had always been scared of flames and always tried to avoid striking a match. When we began to use a Bunsen burner, I always asked for the responsibility to open and close the collar, thinking I could stay away from striking a match. When Mrs. Lee noticed my fear she asked me to strike a match in front of the whole class. I was quite scared, but I did strike my first match in my life.

Other than what I have managed to share with everyone through part of my memories with GHS, our School Song has always been inspirational. 

,,, Good Hope, forever true,

Good Hope, all hail to you!

You lead our gladsome youth

In radiant ways of truth

There we learn the why of life,

There we ready for the strife,

Knowledge is our goal,

Knowledge of the things of earth,

Knowledge of the soul.

Thank you to my late parents who sent me to a school that provided me with all the good morals and values that I can share with my students. To all Good Hope Girls from then till now for all your smiles, encouragement and also for reading my blog. As I always say, I am not a writer, I just wish to share my passion about simple things around me through life.

Good Hope School, schoolmates and pencil crayons allow me to be on the bright side.

Oct 25, 2015 

I'd like to salute all GHS girls. 

I'm so happy to connect with everyone again.

One popular place for our class photo was our school's main entrance. 

It's where all the girls lined up for the school bus after a long day of school.

“Soya Sauce King Chow Mein” was my favourite breakfast
that was served at our canteen during exams’ week.

The hallway outside of our classroom
was a popular place for us girls to bond during recess.
I have to confess, sometimes during a hot summer afternoon,
I would ask to go to the washroom
so I could take a walk along the hallway to wake myself up.

The window was usually where I sat in class for most years,
it had best view to stare through for answers during tests and exams.Anyone still have our school pin? I do.

My favourite snack from our tuck shop.

Thank you Nancy Li for your all your help with photos reference. Great collection of photos that brought back fond memories.

bright orange dress, long ears, small black dots as eyes and a “ x ” as mouth.

Yes, it is MIFFY

In every girls' mind, there is always a story book or cartoon character that they love. Cinderella, Snow White, Minnie Mouse, Hello Kitty... Miffy. In every boys’ mind there is always a super hero that they wish to become. Superman, Batman, Spider Man, Astro Boy.... 

As some of you may already know from my previous posts, as a young child, my first favourite character was Cinderella. She was pretty, kind, hard working and was living happily ever after with her prince. Over time, I have found my second character that I have fallen in love with till this day. She has the cutest face. Simple, yet one that I could never get tired of. Miffy, Every time when I look at a Miffy figure, it calms me down. To some people she may look sad but to me she looks serene. 

Dick Bruna is a Dutch artist, illustrator, graphic designer and a writer. He has created Miffy with bright primary colour and simple shapes. His use of heavy lines truly demonstrate his graphic design knowledge. I really admire his work, especially with children’s book. I also find him very charming with lots of charisma. Of course, I am fascinated by his talent. His use of simple lines work to create such remarkable design which is loved by so many people from all walks of life, different age group and all over the world is just amazing. I truly think we are so fortunate to have an artist in our life like Mr. Dick Bruna. One of my wish is to see him in person and take a picture with him and Miffy. I know… I am 56, that’s OK. I really like Miffy. 

Happy 60th Birthday Miffy.

Since it is a special year for Miffy. I have devoted some of my watercolour artworks to build a collection of Miffy with simple things that I treasure and a favourite snack that I enjoy.

Watercolour and Miffy allow me to be on the bright side.

June 12, 2015

"har gow, siumai, char siu bao”

When I think of Dim Sum, these three dishes will come to mind instantly. 

Dim sum literally means “to touch your heart” and is usually associated with the Chinese tradition of "yum cha" or drinking tea (the art of tea tasting). Sipping tea and feasting on the countless variety of delicacies are what "yum cha" is all about. 

Dim Sum is served during “yum cha” This unique culinary experience started with the Cantonese in southern China, who over the centuries transformed "yum cha" from a relaxing respite to a loud and happy eating experience. In Hong Kong, and in most cities in Guangdong province, restaurants start serving dim sum as early as six in the morning until mid-afternoon.

My early experiences and memories about Dim Sum were definitely with my family. Like a lot of southern Chinese families, "yum cha" was treated as a weekend family day. I was always required by my mother to wear a dress. You would think most girls would love to do that, but not me. With me being a tomboy, other than obeying my mother, it was always the variety of dumplings, steamed and fried dishes in front of me that made me put on a dress. It was truly a treat to someone who loves food above anything in this world (during my childhood), and I really mean anything, even my pencil crayons. 

Now, my pencil crayons definitely come before any kind of food. My craving for Dim Sum can be satisfied by illustrating them through my artwork. This series of Stamp Art are to share with everyone about the culinary experience of Dim Sum.

Colourful pencil crayons and stamps allow me to be on the bright side. 

June 2, 2015

Stamp Art - Dim Sum

During the late 50’s, some restaurants would accommodate bird fanciers gathering
by providing them with bamboo poles on which to hang their bird cages covered with white cloth while they enjoyed dim sum and a strong pot of Chinese tea,”Pu-erh tea, Oolong tea and Shoumei tea were the most common request. On Sundays and holidays, cage-carriers will arrived as early as opening time at 5:00 a.m. to reserve a favourite spot at the window. By 7 a.m., the room became a full house of bird fanciers and
birds chirping. It was quite an unique tradition.

Lifting the lid of a teapot is a polite way to ask for your pot to be refilled. Har gow, Siumai are most common dim sum dishes. For most people, they loved to read the morning post with a good pot of strong tea.

Traditional dim sum includes a great variety of steam bun like char sou bao, fried spring roll and my husband’s favourite dessert, egg tart. He always finished his dim sum brunch with an egg tart and a good sip of Pu-erh tea.

“yum cha” and "dim sum” are great tradition to carry on. "har gow, siumai, char siu bao” will always be first to come in mind. 

Stamps...

"Make sure to have enough postage "...
"Mail it, why?"
"Can't find a mail box"
"Make sure you email to me, no better yet just text me."

Stamps, to most people, are something they almost cannot relate to. Honestly, when was the last time I mailed something out. However, I still love stamps, especially the old ones with a mail chop on it. With this in mind, I have decided to send a note to someone, somewhere each week.

My passion for stamp collecting started at a very young age. I remember I was about eight years old, with tremendous curiosity and love for almost everything around me - except for piano practice and porridge for breakfast. Being the youngest, you would think I would have had everybody's attention. Not quite, since all my siblings were at least ten years older than me and were busy with their school work. My time was mainly spent among my late parents and my nanny. My memories about them are very clear.

Mom, a principal, was all about discipline and responsibility; how to have a good posture, how to study, and to never eat on the street.

Nanny was the most important person in my life other than my late parents. We may not be related, yet she was like a grandma to me. She took care of my well being, from breakfast to dinner ( She would put an poached egg at the bottom of my porridge every morning so I would finish it before my Mom asked any questions).

Dad, he was my best friend, the only man I have ever loved whole heartedly other than Kinny, my husband. He showed me all kinds of toys and hobbies, from sword to tea sets. Once a week he would take up the responsibility to pick up items from the pharmacy, with me tagging along. That was when I began to see a lot of Hong Kong. We tried all kinds of food that Mom would say no to. (He would secretly eat on the streets with me.)

Dad also passed on his favourite hobby to me. He loved collecting stamps, and he taught me how to prepare them with care. After all these years, I still love to collect stamps. I find the used ones are so much more meaningful. They embrace culture, art, history, feelings, emotions... Now at the age of 56, I've started to fall in love with my past in Hong Kong again. The tram, ferries, foods, markets... all these are episodes of my childhood. To illustrate all these memories and feelings through pencil crayons and a stamp about old Hong Kong are the passion I wish to share with everyone at this point of my life. It is a blessing if my passion can touch someone's heart.

Colourful pencil crayons and stamps allow me to be on the bright side.

May 29, 2015  

Stamp Art

Looking back at childhood memories in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Victoria Park is where I spent every Sunday morning with my dad and his tennis buddy; I was their ball-girl. It may not be a Grand Stand, yet to me, dad was as good as Agassi or Federer. These were very precious moments.

           Memories of Hong Kong - old neon sign, dried sea food and traditional wedding pastries remind me of west side of Hong Kong island.

 

I was born in Hong Kong when we still live on Canton Street, Kowloon. Ferry between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon was my favourite form of transportation. Red-bean with ice cream and luncheon meat with fried egg and instant noodle was always my favourite choice.

Hong Kong Peak had the best view of the whole Victoria Harbour. My memories were clearly with the restaurant. It was a treat when my parents took me there for high tea. 

Every morning...

"Art  has no limit or boundary when you are given a blank piece of paper or a canvas just finished with a wash of gesso. Your passion for art should start to flow through every blood vessel and when it comes to what to draw, it should be your true feelings at that very moment; the sky is the limit." I learned this from my late mother when she taught me how to draw my first picture of Cinderella in her blue dress. Back then, my three favourite things, among others, were princesses, pencil crayons and eggs(over easy), lots of them.

Now, ten days to 2015, at the age of fifty - five, they are still my favourites. Today, I can say 

I am very blessed because I can still create art with my pencil crayons and enjoy the egg on toast prepared by my husband, Kinny, everyday. By the same token I know I have always been my mom's princess, and I keep her's and my father's blessing with me everyday.  

I treasure everything that they have taught me.

I will never stop my passion for putting simple and beautiful things around me on paper. 

As long as I can start my day with a smile to Kinny, my daily prayers and reading of the Bible, and carry on my day with tea and pencil crayons, I am happy. This is more than enough in life. This is what I live for.

Colourful pencil crayons allow me to be on the bright side.

December 21, 2014

Pin cushion, memories of my mother sewing 

Instant noodle, perfect snack for watching TV or on a cool rainy afternoon.

White Rabbit Milk Candy, a treat from my dad 

In my early childhood, I loved going to the market with my nanny everyday, despite the unique smell. There was so much to see from vendor to vendor. The groceries were wrapped in newspaper to take home. This is in memory of my late nanny Ms Lau King. She was as close as a mother to me. 

Pork Belly, perfect for Red-cooked Pork. All the girls in our family know how to prepare it.