Steady Progress

Mar 21, 2021

While having my breakfast and catching up on my daily news on Tuesday morning, a loud explosion was heard in the kitchen. Checked and found the glass lid of my months-old multifunctional electric pot completely shattered. The shocking part was that the appliance had been unplugged and left idling on top of the fridge for days when it happened!! What could have caused this? Resonance? Electrostatic buildup?

Other than the mystery explosion, this past week was relatively plain. I made steady progress in improving my stamina after the community running clinic was resumed a few weeks ago. In terms of work, I also made steady progress on one of my Sabbatical projects which involves designing and prototyping some Shiguru Ban inspired papertube furnitures. Should be able to make a functional prototype for my home this week. Have been teaching myself a new 3D design software for about a month while working on the self-initiated project, used it to design and render an umbrella handle for my brother’s friend’s company, the result amazed him and myself!

I seem to be finding satisfaction through my work, but life still seems rather joyless these days. I still enjoy experimenting with culinary arts, but I seem to be having a hard time enjoying the food when I think about the tasteless food many innocent people are being treated in detention centers or prison. I’m thankful for God’s grace on keeping me and my family safe and healthy, yet it’s really tough to crack a smile while witnessing all the injustice in the city.

Let me end this post with one of Ecclesiastes’ themes – “It’s meaningless, everything is meaningless!”

Sketch… Sunday Service

Mar 21, 2021

Glimpse of Light

Mar 14, 2021

After a full week of gloomy weather, the sun started sneaking out again this week. The hardy white orchid I bought from a CNY market many years back seemed to notice the sun and bloomed beautifully in the light.

Received a gift for helping a good family friend’s wedding back in Nov/Dec. Was hoping to meet and catch up with the friends in the gift photo last week, but their schedule seemed pretty packed.

Collaborated with a good friend to design some kids umbrellas for my brother’s friend’s company last year. He gave me some of the manufactured umbrellas while consulting me for a different design project. Really happy to see something I help designed get turned into real functional products! I wasn’t planning on accepting any freelance projects while on sabbatical till July, but this opportunity seemed like a great way to practice my 3D drafting skill using a software I’ve been learning in the past few weeks for my studio’s R&D projects.

The unexpected “good news” was much welcomed after a full gloomy week, but I still seem to be covered by a dark veil constantly. Many innocent people are still being detained/imprisoned, the pandemic numbers are rising again with an outbreak in the fitness centers, and the Myanmar’s military situation had turned ugly with tens of people dying from firearms. I really find it hard to crack a smile these days, instead, much time was exhausted from soaking in bad news and silent prayers.

Sketch… Sunday Service

Mar 14, 2021

A Gloomy Week

Mar 7, 2021

The weather had been gloomy all week, a matching backdrop for the inhumane marathon court hearing of 47 democrats who were accused of violating the vague national security law. They were detained and judged throughout the week without being granted basic needs like shower and change of clothes, some inevitably fell ill and were sent to the hospital. After a full week of court hearing, only 4 people were allowed bail (under very harsh conditions), the rest were detained until the court case resumes in May.

Had dinner with my dad, sister and brother-in-law on Friday. My sister unexpectedly asked if I considered moving back to Canada, she said I was the most mobile member of the family. I had indeed been thinking about moving back and coincidentally I brought and showed off some of the early prototypes of products I had been developing that had the potential to become a business I can continue to pursue in Canada. My dad and sister didn’t seem too interested in my business idea, but I’m happy that they had given me the green light to leave HK if I want to.

That’s the state of our city right now, the persecution of the 47 democrats is just another nail in the coffin for our dying city. There’s really nothing we regular citizens can do to help other than praying and witnessing its continuing decline. Life needs to carry on regardless, I picked up running again and resumed the Inktober52 challenge to continue my experimental comic of a starving artist pursuing his art endeavors in a dying city.

Sketch… Sunday Service

Mar 7, 2021

Carrying On…

Feb 28, 2021

With the social-distancing restrictions relaxed, my social activities are slowly picking up once again. My weekly Chinese calligraphy class was resumed on Tuesday since stopping from December. Had dinner with a few fellowship brothers on Friday, last meet up was probably around half a year ago before the 4th pandemic wave hit the city. Also went to see an exhibition for the first time since… maybe summer last year, it’s been way too long to recall.

The exhibition was actually kinda interesting. My teacher from a rubber stamp carving class years ago invited me personally to see the exhibition in Tai O. The venue was an old shop (58 years old) owned by his family. My teacher said his mother is retiring and the shop will be renovated and rented out. The aged shop to be closed and my teacher’s hexagonal collages of nostalgic objects that rekindled many childhood memories seemed to fit perfectly. The misty gloomy weather that day also matched the somewhat saddened atmosphere. My recent gloomy mood seemed to be in sync with this spontaneous Saturday excursion.

Even though we’re beginning to see a glimmer of light in this long pandemic tunnel, I still find it hard to show any sign of joy. How can one possibly find joy in a city where truth, freedom, and justice are being suppressed and many people being persecuted wrongfully? I feel more comfortable crying with those who cry than being joyful with those who are happy. I seem to find temporary relief when indulging in my personal projects, current works include experimenting with composting and cooking rice for the first time in my culinary art exploration journey.

The path to the end of the pandemic tunnel is still quite far and only God knows what lies beyond it. Regardless, life must carry on, one day at a time.

Sketch… Sunday Service

Feb 28, 2021

End of Tunnel?

Feb 21, 2021

The government finally relaxed some of the social distancing restrictions this past week, the city seems to have come alive immediately. The public libraries reopened, I rushed through a long overdue Chinese painting book before returning it. Also started dining out again, one time with my family and another time with my Chinese calligraphy class.

The relaxation of the social distancing restrictions, together with the upcoming rollout of vaccines, makes it feel like we’re finally seeing a glimpse of light at the end of the long pandemic tunnel. However, I still feel a little uneasy going out in the crowds, will probably need a little time for me to rehabilitate back into the community once the pandemic is over.

My friend in US received my CNY greeting and was really happy with my brush-and-ink portrait, he even gone into the trouble of framing and hanging it on the wall. Makes me really happy that my friend cherishes my artwork like that. Art (including culinary art) has played an important role in helping me through this crazy pandemic, but I’m not sure what role it will play in the post-pandemic era.

Starting to plan for the post-pandemic era. Some friends are leaving HK for good, need to bid farewell to them before they leave in May, July, and September. There are probably more too. Watched a RTHK interview of prof. Joseph Sung, someone I really admire, he too will be moving to Singapore to head a university medical centre. It’s understandable, but still sad to witness the city declining and so many people leaving.

How will the world change after the pandemic? I’m not too optimistic of seeing a better world. Freedom and justice will likely continue to decline in our city, the recent Myanmar military situation is turning violent and seeing blood shed on civilians, and the world’s biggest threat – Climate Change – is still worsening and yet to be tackled.

Perhaps I’m thinking too far ahead, need to constantly remind myself to just focus on God and try my best to follow Him and live my life to the fullest, one day at a time.

Sketch… Sunday Service

Feb 21, 2021
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