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“Welcome to
Hong Kong” I remembered the pilot saying upon our arrival
into Hong Kong on a wind torn winter’s evening. The breeze
was intense yet soothing. It was that very moment that I
felt my life was to change and change for the better.
After living
in Hong Kong for a month, I came to conclude that life in
Hong Kong was so very different to that back in Australia.
People were so focused in whatever they happened to be doing
and I really admired them for that very reason.
Hong Kong and
Fairfield-Liverpool are areas and neighbourhoods of plethora
differences. Hong Kong has a high population density with
many high-rise units. Fairfield-Liverpool on the other hand,
is a neighbourhood with a low-medium population density.
This is evident with the amount of single houses.
Nightlife is
strong in Hong Kong plays a key in Hong Kong’s tourism and
economy. It is after the sun has gone down that
Hong Kong
comes to life. Main streets are filled with young couples
and queues for restaurants are dragon long.
Fairfield-Liverpool is in complete contrast to Hong Kong in
that streets are dead quiet as soon as the sun rests. Yet,
lurking in the backstreets of Hong Kong are filthy areas
with drug houses, gangs and brothels. This is a total
reflection to Hong Kong being perceived as the city of
vibrant life and without questioning, a complete contrast to
that of Fairfield-Liverpool.
I loved Hong
Kong for its beauty; however, hate the city for its filthy
backstreets. In the case of Fairfield-Liverpool, I love the
neighbourhood for its multicultural tolerance and there is
absolutely nothing wrong with the neighbourhood, it is just
the ideal place to live.
Hong Kong has
long been considered the city of vibrant life. My holiday in
Hong Kong had really inspired me to set goals and consider
future prospects. Thus, when I came back to
Australia,
I placed myself on a journey. This was to be a journey to
discover my personal strengths and weaknesses. I began to
experiment with what approach I could take towards life. I
also now make just that little bit of an extra effort to
make people around me happy.
I personally
believe that happiness is the key to a good life. Happiness
plays a key and fundamental role in one’s success. Not only
am I making myself feel good by trying to provide happiness,
however, also providing light for those whom I gave
happiness to. I am also a firm believer in that what goes
around comes around. Thus, it was during the struggles of my
journey I found comfort amongst these people.
My journey
led me to realise my passion for aviation, architecture,
psychology, science and various areas of engineering.
Although I have not yet come to decide what I wish to be in
the future, I have set goals for myself in the near future.
I understand that in order to fulfil my dreams, I will need
a solid education and since being in Australia, I am fully
aware that the English language plays a key role in
society.
My parents do
not speak English at all. As much as I want my parents to be
able to speak English, I know that it will never happen.
Thus, I act on my parents’ behalf on many household matters
that requires English. I am always most happy to be a
translator for my parents. I pay bills over the phone on my
parents’ behalf and act as a third party for all household
matters.
When my
mother, brother and I went to Hong Kong, I assisted my
mother and little brother by completing immigration and
customs forms as well as taking care of the luggage
check-ins and directing them where to go. It is hard work
acting on my parents’ behalf. Many times, I get annoyed and
angry, however, I reflect on the hardships my parents endure
in order to support the family and try to overcome come my
struggles. I know that by acquiring such skills now will
only make me a stronger and better prepared person in the
future. Sometimes I think of myself in ten years time as a
community service person working in the Fairfield –
Liverpool area, an area so ever rich in multiculturalism and
assisting non-English speaking citizens through various
means and making these people feel accepted in a much racial
society.
My parents
try exceptionally hard to maintain a healthy family
environment for my little brother and I. In return, my
brother and I are asked to do well in various areas of
learning. My parents often tell me how regretful they are
for not knowing English and them constantly to rely on me as
a translator. I tell my parents that it is the least I can
do to repay them for their continual support for my
education. I know that one day I will be able to repay my
parents the debts I owe to them by giving them not only
happiness and sincerely love, however, money for them to
enjoy and spend on their much earned break and retirement. I
love my family sincerely, I understand how much they have
invested in me to do well and succeed in life. I owe them
dearly and will do whatever I can to repay them.
My dream is
to do well in my studies and become whatever I want. Money
is only secondary in my life. I was brought up not in the
wealthiest of families and so in turn, I have come to learn
to confront problems through other means. Life is comprised
of myriad obstacles and in order to achieve success, one
must learn to combat and prevail not matter how tough life
can come to be.
I once read a
speech from former British Prime Minister, Lloyd George.
George has summed up my journey and personal thoughts really
well. In an extract of his speech to the British public
regarding a coming political crisis, George used a personal
anecdote to give hope to the people of Britain. The anecdote
saw George remembering life as a little child. He conveyed
that when the weather was lovely and tranquil, he was unable
to gather any firewood. However, after a savage storm,
George would come home with an armful. The storm in George’s
anecdote symbolised the tough times and struggles in life
and in such times, goodness will always prevail. This is
suggested by the armful of firewood collected after the
storm compared to none on a tranquil day.
I try to
model my life according to Lloyd George’s anecdote. I will
try to do my best in my studies so I will be able to achieve
good results in my School Certificate and Higher School
Certificate.
I know that
my journey will not end until the day of my death. Until
then, I will always be confronted with problems and it will
always be my duty to resolve such problems that may arise.
In order to be successful, I am to examine my life fully. If
fail to do this, my life will not be fully lived. Like
Plato, a great philosopher once said, “An unexamined life is
a life half lived.” |
