今天早上起床,看到確診案例不斷攀升
想必大家心情一定很沈重
這幾天和讀者朋友們聊天的過程中
大家都很難想像在美國的我們究竟是怎麼撐過這一年的
畢竟從新聞上看起來,根本就是平行時空啊
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2019年年底,我們從台灣的新聞中已經得知了「武漢肺炎」(當時還沒更名為新冠肺炎)
一方面擔心台灣親友的平安,但同時經歷過SARS的我們心中已經警鈴大響,不知道什麼時候會蔓延來美國
2020年1月21日,全美首例就出現在我所居住的華盛頓州
當時比較當機立斷的朋友都已經開始超前部署
趕忙申請孩子的學校、身份,舉家遷回台灣避難
當時因為先生工作走不開
孩子也都捨不得和爸爸、同學、朋友分離
台灣的爸爸媽媽都是高齡,擔心我們這一回去可能將他們置於風險中
所以我們家就決定咬牙在美國撐著
畢竟自己選擇要結婚移民過來,總不能出了事便逃回娘家要家人國人一起承擔
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接下來疫情風風火火
台灣人聞風喪膽的SARS全美國當年只有確診8個案例、無人死亡
所以全美對於新冠肺癌的恐懼、甚至遠不如流感
前總統川普先生多次表示「事情都在控制中」、「小感冒總會有人死」,川普更在2月底的總統記者會上,公開聲稱美國疫情爆炸的消息「都是假的!」,4/6白宮發言表示戴口罩不是必要的 “You can do it. You don’t have to do it. I am choosing not to do it. It may be good. It is only a recommendation, voluntary.”
導致大部分美國民眾輕忽感染的嚴重性
美國疾管局不斷強調「口罩無用論」、只要勤洗手就好
美國沒有健保、檢測資源也不足,所以許多低收入家庭根本無法檢測擴大感染風險
再加上堅持「不自由毋寧死」的麻瓜腦很多
導致美國成為當時世界防疫敬陪末座的國家之一
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從2020年3月6日開始,我們覺得苗頭不對
率先就向學校與公司申請在家上班、停課
隨著每天疫情攀升,州長也在2020/3/23下了封城令
(目前華盛頓州預計全面開放的時間是2021/6/30)
關閉全州的餐館,酒吧,娛樂場所和娛樂設施,例如體育館和電影院。餐廳僅外賣和外送。連種睫毛做指甲剪頭髮按摩等salons 都不能營業,真的是比哀傷更哀傷的現況。
接著我們川普大大終於宣佈全國進入緊急狀態(美國史上第二次「國家公衛緊急狀態」)、頒布旅遊禁令。
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剛開始的心情自然是很惶恐
走在路上戴口罩還會被麻瓜們指責「生病還出來?!」
當你解釋戴口罩只是為了公共衛生、保護自己與別人時還會被糾正「沒有生病的人是不用戴口罩的!你這樣出來會嚇到別人」
口罩、乾洗手、消毒酒精幾乎全面缺貨,網路上甚至開始有無良商人坐地喊價(200個口罩售價台幣8000)
華盛頓州原本就是西岸科技公司的重鎮之一
當時雖然州長下了居家令,對大部分的公司行號還算是可以迅速調整出一套Work from home的模式(甚至許多公司是已經行之有年)
但是中小學校就有點慌了手腳,學區和老師們盡力發展出一套網路上課的系統
不過家長還是怨聲載道,畢竟孩子在家上課真的是一團混亂
對我這種家庭主婦而言,原本先生孩子一出門
我就可以專心處理家務、買菜、追劇、甚至和朋友出門聊天喝咖啡
但這段時間全家都綁在一起,互相干擾是家常便飯
爸爸開會到一半衝出來請我管一下孩子不然太吵
孩子明明上體育課在客廳蹦蹦跳或是鋼琴課也很無辜
我一邊教小孩課業,爸爸一個中場休息就跑來下指導棋順便問一聲「今天中午吃什麼」都會踩爆我的地雷
(更難想像雙親都要上班,家中還有幾個不能去上課的小鬼頭....日子怎麼過?)
不過,牙一咬也是撐過來了,大家最終還是在這個過程中找到一種新的平衡。
✅學校的對策是停課但不停學
所以校區很努力準備網路線上課程、讓家長可以回學校領取Ipad和教材
甚至為18歲以下的兒童提供餐點、為需要的家庭提供托兒服務
假設為了學習需要筆記型電腦與Wifi,也可以從學校辦公室借用,確保每個孩子在家受教育的權利
羅比和妹妹兩人的筆記型電腦和iPad 都是學校提供的
✅台灣人的團結與向心力
地方媽媽這時候也發揮台灣人的團結與向心力
畢竟大家都在家上班上學、沒有人前往台灣人的餐廳用餐
而這些餐廳仍然得養員工、付房租
所以大家會開始無償組織線上訂餐、送餐、團購、路邊取貨送上車等極小化感染風險的服務,希望幫助這些在地商家仍然可以正常運作
彼此也會開始互相鼓勵留在美國、別一窩蜂跟著回台灣造成防疫破口
甚至開始想辦法透過關係進口口罩到美國來支援醫護人員(我家只有3盒口罩還捐了2盒口罩給兒童醫院)
我覺得台灣人在海外互相照顧的情操、在這一刻顯得滿偉大的
值得一提的是,因為先生都居家工作
造成媽媽們的負擔加重,爭吵加劇,甚至有大公司提供員工免費的婚姻諮詢服務XD
大概很怕大家離婚或殺夫吧
✅遠距上班的魔力
其實我自己非常訝異很多人都很喜歡、並且希望維持WFH
但可能我一介主婦想得太單純了
很多員工對於能夠節省出門打扮化妝、通勤塞車的時間
偶爾偷閒用電腦滑個臉書也不怕被老闆或同事看到,多自由啊!
甚至,有些公司去年整年WFH營業額卻突破歷史新高,發現員工的效率並沒有比較低落。像羅比爸的公司就乾脆宣布無限期支持員工在家上班,所以有些同事就直接搬到遠一點的郊區、房價比蛋黃蛋白區便宜但換得一個更寬敞的房子,讓一家人居家防疫也能更舒服些。
只不過,家中有小小孩會干擾會議也是很普遍的現象,導致很多雙薪父母不得不另外聘請保姆或直接電視開整天了...
✅餐廳、零售業、網購業的第二春
疫情剛開始餐廳的確是慘兮兮,畢竟少了堂食的客人勢必造成劇烈的影響
但也因此大大小小的餐廳開始專注於「送餐服務」
積極地和Ubereats、Doordash、飯糰外賣、Postmates、Bite Squad、Grubhub等外送平台合作
也因為要精進外送品質,許多商家開始添購一些包裝、密封材料
讓每一個餐點收到的時候都是又精緻又新鮮。
對我們這些消費者而言,疫情前要上餐館總是那幾間、有些新店開張了都不知道。
現在反而可以沒事滑送餐平台app、發現什麼新店開幕、促銷活動都可以隨時嚐鮮,因此嘗試了好幾家新餐廳新菜色。
有一家餐廳老闆娘跟我聊起,發現外送生意還不錯,以後其實可以減少店鋪面積與人力開銷、如果有員工曠職或辭職也不會有太大的人員短缺意外。
銀行似乎也看準了這個商機,現在很多信用卡都會以「送餐平台VIP會員一年」的號招免外送費、每個月有時還會有促銷折扣碼可以使用吃免錢。
至於買菜也多虧了Instacart、Weee、Amazon Fresh這些平台
讓我們可以輕鬆選購Costco、生鮮蔬果、泡麵飲料、醬料罐頭
動動手指便送到家,只要收到的產品有錯誤或是不新鮮還可以立刻和客服聯絡退款
所以我經常跟大家說「我一整年沒走進超市買菜了」絕非誇大
✅空間變得至關重要
原本我們家住在市中心高樓公寓,雖小但也溫馨
公寓裡面也有各種公共設施例如健身房、三溫暖、電影院可以使用
交通四通八達方便不已
在台灣住慣公寓的我,根本不覺得擁擠
甚至覺得打掃和整理太輕鬆方便了,還不用除草掃落葉、每週四拖垃圾桶出去放
不過當全家24/7都被關在這一個小空間裡的時候
就難以避免感到處處受限與牽制,先生在主臥房兼書房上班時,我都得「爬進」主臥室使用洗手間(避免被鏡頭拍到)
羅比在房間上網課時,Blair就只能使用餐桌來寫功課
不然肯定一邊上課一邊聊天(抓狂)
我在廚房裡更不敢開果汁機、打麵糰這些會製造噪音的料理怕干擾孩子上課
所以我們就趕忙換了一個房間多一點、帶個小後院的房子
至少人人都有點喘息或呼吸的空間
我很難想像如果台灣地狹人稠的狀態,全家擠在一起上班上課有多難
✅人與人的關係
說疏離也好,但朋友最終就變成一個「不得不」「選擇性」的後果
我們還是需要朋友的支持才能夠堅守家園走到今天
但在疫情開始之後,你會發現每個家庭對於防疫的態度不盡相同
有些家庭比較冷靜與大膽,小孩照常去安親班、家長照樣跨州跨國旅遊度假,偶爾也會開趴群聚。
有些家庭比較保守與嚴謹,遵守政府規定大門不出二門不邁,慶生或通聯完全仰賴視訊進行。
也有些家庭會為了要交流,而隱瞞自己的接觸史。
無關對錯,但最終就會變成防疫觀念比較相同的人會走得近些
有些點頭之交可能就會從自己的生命中完全淡出
更別提每次出門都跟打仗一樣草木皆兵,馬路上、電梯裡擦身而過的人都必須假想為帶原者,我當時經常搭電梯有人闖進來,就本能地立刻跳出電梯讓他先上/下樓、拒絕待在同一個密閉空間。真的有種全世界都可能是敵人的時空錯置感。
但意外的是家庭成員的關係從一開始劍拔駑張
最後也能夠找到新的平衡,彼此更緊密
過往兩個孩子各自上學、放學之後還分別有才藝課
回到家經常是傍晚,吃個晚飯就準備上床睡覺了
而現在兩兄妹每天的玩伴只剩下彼此,雖然經常也是大吵小吵不斷
但也是他們出生以來互動最密集的一段時間
#圖片就是正在幫哥哥搥背的妹妹
#我看到也是醉了
✅健康顧慮
這一年來說對我們家最大的收穫是
全。家。都。沒。有。感。冒!
小孩生病總是讓父母辛苦又焦慮
因為沒有在外面接觸別人,所以沒什麼機會把病毒給帶回家
小朋友就一整年都沒有發燒咳嗽流鼻水拉肚子
算是諸多不幸中少數值得感恩的事
不過也因為學校、中文、鋼琴、、全部都使用網路教學
難免擔心孩子的眼睛使用過度造成近視
✅疫苗的普及
也正因為美國是全世界的大疫區
雖然在防疫上面比較落後與鬆散、造成嚴重的擴散
但也因為感染的人數眾多,所以疫苗的普及也相對快速
接種疫苗的流程上也方便、清楚、快速
所以目前全美國已經超過3成的人口兩劑施打完畢(將近一半的人也施打完第一劑)
而4天前 FDA也正式開放疫苗給12-15歲的孩子施打
預期秋天之後11歲以下的孩子們也能順利接種疫苗
✅ 媽媽們的潛力大爆發
這段時間很有趣的現象
好多媽媽們的廚藝精進不少
每天山珍海味、變化多端
甚至開發了烘焙、縫紉、理髮、園藝、美甲等多項技能
大家都變得十項全能,會不會哪天我開始會木工了呢?😂
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落落長寫了那麼多,記錄了這段時間我們家封城居家的心路歷程
希望台灣的朋友還是要相信衛福部的指揮
嚴謹以對、樂觀面對,雖然疫情緊張但我們都挺過第一次了還怕第二次嗎?
我其實還是樂觀地盼望台灣並不會到封城的時候
不過真的是應該盡可能地自行啟動居家自主管理
勤洗手、正確配戴口罩遮住口鼻
禁止大型聚會、減少外出趴趴走
當然,如果可以就趕緊和我一樣把疫苗打起來吧!
也歡迎四散各地的海外遊子分享或是美國朋友的補充喔!
#我家孩子睡衣穿一年了
#某天要出門才驚覺衣櫃的衣服都小半號
#我的化妝品也都快過期了吧
同時也有10000部Youtube影片,追蹤數超過2,910的網紅コバにゃんチャンネル,也在其Youtube影片中提到,...
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do voluntary work中文 在 Gregory 河國榮 Facebook 的精選貼文
我是國榮。來自澳洲昆士蘭省,讀中學時成績非常好,分數已足夠在大學選讀任何一科。當時我希望成為一名醫生,因為可以幫助他人。我在新南威爾斯大學讀醫科,第一年是住在雪梨北區一個朋友家中,第二年入住大學國際宿舍,宿舍規定最少有半數是留學生,不是澳洲人。最先兩年結識了不少香港、新加玻、馬來西亞的朋友,與他們很合得來,不過最重要是入住宿舍後,便遇到了香港的流行歌曲。有一天我行經走廊時,聽到一些很悅耳的音樂,我便問同學這是甚麽歌曲及可否借給我欣賞,他便借了給我。我已忘記是Leslie還是Alan的歌,但肯定是其中一位。因為很喜歡這些歌曲,便到唐人街購買,後來一邊聽歌一邊看歌詞,因此慢慢地學識了很多中文字。
因為喜歡唱歌,所以在大學的同學活動,開始演唱中文歌,也曾參加香港學生會舉辦的歌唱比賽,參賽歌曲是「愛的根源」,結果獲得亞軍。我很清楚記得,國際宿舍為了文化交流,每年舉辦一次國際晚宴,希望不同種族的學生可以表演和分享文化。Leslie在一九八五年 唱Monica獲得獎項,那是一首我很喜歡的歌曲,所以在文化交流晚會我便選擇唱Monica。當時同學覺得很驚奇,我怎可能唱Monica。我是跟着錄影帶,學習他的舞步和唱歌技巧。我不停地在公眾地方練習,其他同學看到我很用心練習,也過來幫助我。在台上表演時有幾位同學為我伴舞,當晚演出非常成功。
一九八五年Leslie和幾位香港天皇巨星,來澳洲開演唱會。演唱會的主辦公司,需要義務司機,朋友問我能否當義務司機。我答應了,後來知道是當Leslie的司機。有一天他放假不用排練,我們便駕車往坎培拉,當日天氣多雲有微雨,甚麽也看不清楚,喝過咖啡後便離開,回程是Leslie駕駛,他的英語非常好,途中我們愉快地暢談,這次旅程對我來說是很重要的事情。
一九八六年Alan到來澳洲,我又當了他的司機。在他入住的酒店,介紹人在偶像面前,誤把我的名字說成河詠麟,當時在偶像面前我也不懂怎樣矯正。大約有兩年很多人以為我是河詠麟。他的四位女和音,知道我懂得唱他的歌,所以告訴了他,在排練那天他叫我上台一起唱。認識Leslie 和Alan兩位巨星,對我的影響很大,聽到他們的歌,和看到觀眾的反應,我開始對香港的歌唱發展很重視。
因為常常想着唐人街和唱歌,沒有用功讀書,因此醫科的第三年考試不合格,需要重讀,在一九八六年重讀了三個月便決定退學。
後來做了三份洗碗碟工作,還做了個多月砌磚的工作,我把工作一年多,所得工資儲起來,買了一張單程機票和帶了一千澳元,便到來香港發展。唯一的準備是問一個朋友能否到他的家中居住。他的父親很勉強地答應,但需要收租金。我甚麽準備也沒有,只是刻意買了一張單程機票,是因為不想遇到少許困難便放棄,返回澳洲。
初到香港時甚麼都不認識,沒有計劃,也沒有朋友。我最先是住在廣播道,但我的朋友不是在那裡居住,因為他還在讀書。初來時沒有事做,所以在外面逛了幾天,有一天意外地行到紅磡體育館,中門外有四名男士在吸煙,他們竟然叫我河詠麟。原來他們是Alan的樂隊成員,在一九八六年見過面,但相隔一年,竟然還可以記起我,這就是緣分。當時Alan正在為演唱會排練,他們帶我進去體育館,這樣便再見到Alan。一九八七年的演唱會是三十一場,我看了三十場。本來打算看足三十一場,但是有少許問題出現,因為我住的地方有規定,晚上十時半後便會關門,不會再讓人進出。但演唱會是不會這麽早便完場,每晚看完演唱會,我會行去尖沙嘴,然後再步行回廣播道,然後在公園外的石椅小睡,到五時公園開門便進去睡覺,但最終因捱不住,有一晚沒有去看演唱會。有一次Alan突然問我,今晚可否上台唱歌,我說當然可以,便成為他的嘉賓。我第一次表演Alan十分開心,但第二次他在台上介紹,有一個外國人,唱他的歌十分出色,當他呼喚河詠麟出場,因為我不在場,所以沒有出現。後來他問我為何沒有出現,我便向他解釋原因,他便安排我入住酒店,直到演唱會完結。所以便有第三次呼喚我上台,這是我第二次成為嘉賓跟他一起唱「朋友」,真是十分興奮。到八月他的生日會也有邀請我做嘉賓,其實每一件發生的事情都是有關係的。
後來我在北角僑冠大厦租了一間劏房居住,有一次從北角行到中環,看到一間職業介紹公司的招聘啟示,我便前往應徵。當時職員說我可以教英文,但我不是教師,他認為沒有問題,便介紹我到一間補習社工作。在補習社工作了幾個月,有一位同事看到一張電視台的海報,需要招聘 一個西方人,但要懂得說中文。我致電應徵,他是一位獨立經紀,我說沒有經驗和廣東話也不是很好,他說沒有問題。我便去見一位電視台女監製,她給我一段英文劇本,要我讀出來。因為很緊張,五分鐘都不能出聲,我跟自己說,不嘗試會後侮一生。那一段對白是警官責備下級,責備人一定是很大聲的,所以我便很大聲說出來。當時她正在做自己的事,沒有再理會我,但我的叫聲使她大吃一驚。因為沒有其他外國人給她選擇,她無奈地聘請了我,這套劇集需要兩個西方人,另外一位是當主角,從那時開始,便在電視台工作了二十年。
二零一四年九月我在N o w T V的一個音樂節目做嘉賓,在一間音樂室裡我和三位節目主持人,唱歌和談論音樂。到最近才知道,他們三位是100毛的老闆。到聖誕100毛找我拍攝雜誌封面,我不知為何找我拍攝封面,原來三位老闆是認識我的,只是我自己不知道。
二零一五年八月他們聯絡我,他們有一首歌,問我會否願意演唱,那首歌曲我很熟悉,歌詞十分口語化,應該可以學到的。但當時是星期五,表演是在星期日,只得兩天時間作準備,所以我很用心練習。舞台是有電視屏幕可以看到歌詞,但我盡量避免看電視屏幕,只是有需要時才看一看,便可以放心地唱。能夠上台非常開心,我可以扮了演一個角色,唱一首悅耳和有趣的歌,觀眾很熱鬧和興奮,真是十分難得。我知道這是一生一次,這不是自己可以做到,是他們給我機會。那首歌很受歡迎,而且登上了流行榜。聖誕節前他們聯絡我,表示將會舉辦總選,問我會否參加,我便欣然答應了。當天每位表演者,會有兩首歌曲,在十二月廿六日接到新歌,我從沒有聽過那首歌,是一首說唱歌曲,而且歌詞很陌生,對我來說十分困難,所以我不停地練習了四百多次。當晚表演由Now T V直播,有七十萬人觀看,想不到自己能夠獲得香港區最受歡迎男歌星獎,當宣佈我的名字時,極度開心,無人能想到,唱出真香港的歌曲,是由一個西方人唱出,可以感動到別人。這是天時地利人和,超乎現實,簡直是一個奇蹟。因為那首歌不是我揀選,是別人給我的,練習這首歌時眼睛常常都會充了滿淚水和很感動。
西方人在香港發展演藝事業是十分困難的,機會不多,只能扮演一些無關重要的角色,但我從來沒有想過放棄。五年前我計劃灌錄一張唱片,因為胃酸倒流,把聲帶灼傷,使我聲音變得沙啞,這件事使我非常懊惱,因為辛苦練習多年,卻發生了這個問題,後來我矯正了唱歌方法,問題得以改善,可以繼續唱歌,現在準備為唱片再進行錄音工作。
最近有很多關於少數族裔的事情出現在我身上 ,現在我為一個港台節目做旁白,是關於少數族裔在香港。他們在本地娛樂圈發展是十分困難,因為在一個有九成是同一種族的地方,看電視或電影,也是會看自己的種族,未必會看少數族裔。如果他們幾個人合作,做一個節目,然後在網上發放,是有機會成功。香港有很多少數族裔居住,有些人的中文比我好,他們也愛香港。
我心目中的香港人,是要做香港人做的事,吃香港人吃的食物,關心香港,不看膚色,希望他們也能說廣東話,最重要是覺得香港是自己的家,這便是真正的香港人。
I am Gregory. I hail from Queensland, Australia. During my high school years, my grades were excellent. They were good enough for me to enroll in any subject that I wanted to in university. At that time, I wanted to become a doctor because I could help others. I studied Medicine at the University of New South Wales. In my first year, I lived in my friend’s home located in North Sydney. During my second year, I lived in International House at the university. It was a rule for the school campus to have at least 50 percent overseas students. They cannot be Australians. I met a lot of Hong Kong, Singaporean and Malaysian friends in my first two years. I was able to get along with them very well. But what is most important was that after living in International House, I came across Hong Kong pop music. One day I was walking along the corridors and overheard beautifully melodic music. I asked my classmate what music he was listening to and if he could lend me the music to listen to. He leant it to me.
I have forgotten whether it was the music of Leslie or Alan. But I am sure it was one of them because I really liked that kind of music. I went to Chinatown to buy it. Eventually, I listened to the music as I read the lyrics. In turn, I slowly picked up a lot of Chinese characters.
I attended many different functions to perform Cantonese songs in university because I really liked to sing. I also attended a singing competition organized by the Hong Kong student association. The competition song was ‘Root of Love’. In the end I won second runner-up. I clearly remember International House wanted to organize cultural exchanges so they held international banquets each year. Their hope was for students from different ethnic backgrounds to perform and share their culture.
In 1985, Leslie won an award for singing ‘Monica’. It was a song that I really loved. During the international cultural exchange banquet, I chose to sing ‘Monica’. At that time my classmates were very surprised. How can I sing ‘Monica’? I followed the videos to learn the dance steps and singing techniques. I kept on practicing in public. Other students witnessed how hard I was practicing and came over to help me out. A few classmates became my accompanying dancers as I danced on stage. The performance that night was extremely successful.
Leslie and a group of Hong Kong superstars visited Australia to hold concerts in 1985. The concert organizer needed a voluntary driver. My friends asked me whether I wanted to be the voluntary driver. I accepted the offer. In the end I found out that I would become Leslie’s driver. There was one day when he was on break and did not need to rehearse. We drove to Canberra. It was cloudy and there was light rain on that day. We could not see clearly. After having a coffee, we left. Leslie was next to drive. His English was very good. During the journey back we chatted happily. The trip was very important to me.
In 1986, Alan came to Australia. I was also his driver. Our mutual friend misread my name as “Ho Wing Lun” in front of my idol during his stay at the hotel. I was not able to correct him at the time because Alan (“Wing Lun”) was my idol. Many people thought I was called “Ho Wing Lun” for around two years. His four back-up singers knew I was able to sing Alan’s songs. That was why they told him about it. During rehearsal day, he told me to sing with him on stage. Knowing superstars like Leslie and Alan had a great impact on me. To be able to listen to their songs and to witness the reactions from the audience led me to become interested in a singing career in Hong Kong.
I did not put in a lot of effort in my studies because I always thought of Chinatown and singing. Consequently, I failed my medical examinations in my third year. I had to re-take my subjects. In 1986, I re-took my studies for three months but then I decided to quit school.
In the end I juggled three dish washing jobs and also many months of brick laying work. I saved up a whole year of my salary and bought a one-way ticket to Hong Kong. I also carried $1000 Australian dollars on me. I then went to Hong Kong to develop my career. I only asked my friend whether I could stay at his place as preparation to living in my new homeland. His father reluctantly agreed but had to receive rent. I did not have anything equipped or prepared. I only purposely bought a one-way ticket because I did not want to easily give up when I encountered minor difficulties and return to Australia.
When I first arrived in Hong Kong, I did not know anything. I did not have any plans. I also did not have any friends. Initially, I lived in Broadcast Drive but my friend did not live there because he was still studying. I did not have anything to do at first. That was why I hung around Hong Kong for several days. One day, by coincidence, I came across Hung Hom Coliseum. At the entrance, there were four men smoking. They noticed me and surprisingly called out “Ho Wing Lun”. They were, in fact, members of Alan’s band. We have first met in 1986. Surprisingly, they remembered me after a whole year. That is called fate. At that time, Alan was preparing for his concert. The four men brought me inside the Coliseum. I saw Alan. There were 31 shows in his 1987 concert. I watched 30 of them. I intended to watch all 31 shows but there was a slight problem. There were rules at my guest house. After ten thirty each night, the door to the home will be locked. Nobody was allowed to enter or leave the house. But concerts do not end so early. So, after watching each concert in the evening, I would walk to Tsim Sha Tsui and then walk back to Broadcast Drive. I would sleep on the concreate seats outside the park. When the park opens at five in the morning, I will go in and sleep. Eventually, I was unable to handle it. One night I cannot watch a show. Once Alan asked me “Can you sing on stage tonight?” I told him “Of course I can.” I became his special guest. Alan was extremely happy when I first performed. By the second show, he announced that: “There is a westerner who can sing my songs very well.” He called out my name “Ho Wing Lun!” But because I was not at the scene, I did not show up. Eventually, he asked me why I did not show up. I explained my reason to him. He then arranged a hotel for me to stay at until the end of the concert. That was why he was able to call me out the third time! That was my second time as special guest singing “Friends” with him. It was exhilarating. In August, he introduced me as a special guest at his birthday party. Actually, everything happens for a reason and everything is interconnected.
Soon after, I rented a tiny flat at a building in North Point to live in. I walked from North Point to Central once. I came across a recruitment agency looking to hire. I went in to give it a shot. At that time, the staff said I could teach English but I was not a teacher. The staff said it was not a problem and introduced me to work at a learning center. After working there for a few months, a colleague saw a TV station’s poster. They were looking to recruit a westerner but that person needs to be able to speak Cantonese. I called to give it a try. The person who answered was an independent agent. I told that agent I had no experience and my Cantonese was not very good. The agent told me it was not a problem. I went to see the TV station’s female producer. She gave me an English script and wanted me to read it out. I was so nervous that I did not utter a word in five minutes. I told myself, if I do not try, I will regret it for life. The dialogue depicted a police telling off a subordinate. When you tell someone off, you must be very loud so, I read my lines out very loudly. At that time, the female producer was doing her own work and did not care about me but because I was so loud, I frightened her! As there were no other westerners for her to choose from, she had no choice but to hire me. The TV show required two westerners. The other westerner played the main character. From then onwards, I worked at the TV station for twenty years.
In September 2014, I appeared as a guest on a NowTV music program. I was in a band room with the three show hosts. We sang and discussed music. Only recently, I found out that they were the Founders of 100 Most. When it was Christmas, 100 Most invited me to appear on the cover of their magazine. I did not know why they wanted me to do it – only to find out that the Founders of the magazine already knew who I was! It was just me who did not know that.
In August 2015, 100 Most contacted me and asked me whether I wanted to sing this particular song. I was very familiar with the song lyrics. The lyrics were very colloquial. I should be able to learn it. It was Friday. The performance was on Sunday. I only had two days to prepare for it. That was why I practiced very hard. The stage showcased the lyrics. But I tried my best not to look at them. I would only glance at them when I needed to. I felt more confident and assured as I sang.
I was extremely elated to be able to perform on stage. I can play a role singing a wonderful and amusing song. The audience was super warm and excited. It was a moment to be treasured. I know this can only happen once in my life. It cannot be done by myself. It is because I was given a chance by 100 Most. The song was very popular and hit the charts. Before Christmas, 100 Most contacted me and expressed that there would be a final election of the songs. They asked me whether I would like to participate. I was more than happy to give it a try. On the day of the show, each contestant would have two songs.
On the 26th of December, I received the new song. I have never heard of the song before. It was a rap song. I was very unfamiliar with the lyrics. I found them very difficult. That was why I kept practicing it for more than four hundred times. The show was broadcasted live by NowTV. Around seven hundred thousand people watched the broadcast. I cannot imagine winning the Best Hong Kong Male Singer. When my name was announced, I was extremely delighted. Nobody can imagine that a westerner was able to sing a song about ‘real Hong Kong’. It can touch people. It was something that happened at the right place and at the right time. It was also surreal and a complete miracle. It is because the song was not selected by me. It was given to me by others. My eyes were often wet from practicing this song. I was very touched.
It is very difficult for westerners to develop their artistry in the entertainment industry. Chances are slim. They can only play roles that are irrelevant and unimportant. But I never thought of giving up. Five years ago I planned to record my own album. But because of stomach acid reflux, my vocal chords got damaged. My voice became hoarse and coarse. It brought me a lot of frustrations because I have worked hard for many years. Then this happened. I then amended my singing techniques and the issue improved significantly. I was able to sing again. I am now working on re-recording my new album.
A lot of ethnic minority issues materialized around me as of late. I am currently the voice over for a RTHK program about ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. It is very hard for them to develop their career in the local entertainment industry. It is because when 90 percent of the people share the same skin color comes together in a particular place, those watching TV or film will tend to watch people of their own skin color. They may not watch ethnic minorities. If a group of ethnic minorities work together to create a program for the web, it may work out. There are a lot of ethnic minorities residing in Hong Kong. Some of their Chinese is better than mine. They also love Hong Kong very much.
‘Hong Kongers’, to me, are people who need to do things ‘Hong Kongers’ do. Eat Hong Kong food. Care about Hong Kong. And do not look at skin color. I hope they can also speak Cantonese. Most importantly, they should regard Hong Kong as their home. Then, they are ‘real Hong Kongers’.
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