Good news from our neighbour
HK Electric:
Outstanding Retirees Getting Younger
"Twelve retirees won the applause of HK
Electric and the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS)
today (20 April 2017) when they were named 'Outstanding Third
Age Citizens' for their dedication to lifelong learning, leading
a healthy lifestyle and for serving the community. The award
scheme is organised biennially to recognise outstanding senior
citizens in Hong Kong.
Aged between 63 and 87, the awardees
come from all walks of life and share the same passion for
continuous learning, as well as the desire to pass on their
experiences and knowledge to others in promoting
elderly-friendliness, community harmony, women's rights and
cultural heritage, etc. This year, five of the awardees are aged
under 70, showing that there are more younger retirees committed
to serving society...
Speaking at today's presentation
ceremony, Managing Director of HK Electric, Mr. Wan Chi-tin,
said, "I am most impressed by the perseverance and
determination of all our winners, who, regardless of age, insist
on lifelong learning and sharing, as well as keeping fit and
energetic.
Cheng Chui-ying,
one of the twelve winners this year, is keen to promote "Rouliqiu",
a sport she said is suitable for both the young and the elders.
More importantly, they all have
dedicated themselves to serving with their unique background and
expertise in various positions, exercising their influence for
better rights and care for the elderly, teenagers, the disabled,
the physically ill, and the community at large."
The
University of 3rd Age is entering its 12th year now.
The U3A Network got 48 self-learning centres that have run more
than 5,500 courses since 2006. It has provided close to 100,000
learning opportunities for senior citizens.
P.S. But what's Rouliqiu? I
had to Google it: Ta Chi Soft Ball with Racket Rhythmball.
YouTube video...
Our cover girl from Easter Sunday has become quite a hit on social media.
The "rainy" zoom pictures I took of her after winning the 3rd final of the
YSW Tin Hau dragonboat festival on Easter Sunday are some of my favourites
in the 15 years of photographing this event every year for this Lamma-zine.
I asked this first-time Lamma Dragon Lady for a few words:
Alice Duncan writes: "Dragon Heart
If I had been told, three months prior to last Sunday, that I
would one day be sitting with nineteen other people in a boat,
holding a paddle and partaking in one of the most physically
demanding sports I have ever come across, I would have laughed
hysterically and gone back to my breakfast pint. I am no
sportswoman and have never been involved in any team beyond
mandatory year nine hockey. Yet after trying dragon boating for
the first time - after being convinced by two friends in the pub
(who coincidentally were too hung over to show up to practice the
next day) - I somehow got hooked and on Sunday I had my first
experience of racing in one.
I ran the gamut of emotions that day. I started out excited
which turned to nervousness right before the first heat. That
melted into nearly tears and self deprecation after I lost my
grip on my paddle letting it skip over the water in the last few
strokes of the second heat. This in turn became steely
determination at the beginning of the final which quickly
mutated into adrenaline fuelled hysteria as we passed the centre
line (Sorry teammates for screaming at you, I was just excited).
Then breathless, shaky happiness as I was told the news. We won,
we did it!
"We" is a bit of a novel concept for
me. Having never really done the team sports thing I was
surprised by how emotional I felt. Dragon boating is difficult.
It requires a lot of physical and mental strength and this
incredible team had supported me all the way. Even when I turned
up hung over, even when I came straight from Wan Chai. When I
wanted to cry, puke, quit altogether these amazing people kept
me coming back every weekend and I don't think they even
realised they were doing it. I owe all my happy feelings in that
moment to them.
After the races I am told we are going down to the beach with
the rest of competitors to sit in our respective boats, drink
beer and splash each other. Sounds like a laugh, I'm up for it.
What I did not expect while sitting in that boat, tired, sore
and a little tipsy was to be overwhelmed by a sense of belonging
to a larger entity than myself. I have always been a very
independent person and expat life can be isolating at times.
Drenched and aching I felt part of a team and part of Lamma in a
way I never have before, and grueling as the day was I wouldn't
change a thing. I have grabbed the tail of the dragon, and I may
never let go."
P.S. Alice liked her photo so
much, it's now her Facebook page header.
Off-island dragon dancers have been invading our village noisily today to
celebrate today's
birthday of Tin Hau, Goddess of the Sea and patron saint of
fishermen by visiting her temple in Yung Shue Wan.
Here are a few pictures from our Lo So Shing Correspondent who made
the "arduous trek" from S. Lamma to take these pics. Thank you! More, more!
Sadly, Lamma's kung fu/lion dance school in Sha Po Old Village closed down a
while ago. Here's my
Lamma-zine photo story and a picture gallery of the exuberant
opening:
When the 6 Lions Met the Lamma Unicorn - May 18, 2008:
The Hippeastrums are in full bloom on my balcony these days. These huge,
amazing flowers are blossoming in multiple colours all over Lamma these
weeks and can be seen in so many places, in a wide range of colours and
patterns, from almost pure white to deepest red.
Lots of comments about these pictures and my former Rooftop Jungle are
here... Plus an index of
Lamma-zine gardening stories...
Here's a new group, a spin-off from the veteran
Tai Peng Community Garden group, to showcase your garden, balcony or
rooftop or ask any garden-related questions. Both these groups are Closed,
so you'll have to apply to the admin first:
Lamma Gardener
My favourite pics of the Easter Sunday dragonboat races...
This morning, sipping a first pre-sunrise coffee on
the rooftop...
For more pictures...
After all the grey, foggy, smoggy days recently, this happened just a few
minutes ago today...
A few earlier photos, also shot from our rooftop and inside the sunset ferry
from Central - Yung Shue Wan.
Refreshments provided in
The
Island Bar afterwards (for a modest donation).
(All pictures & text above courtesy of Claudia. Namaste!)
P.S. Here's one more "Typically Lamma!" event: No-Bullshit Yoga!