letting go.

So let go, jump in
Oh well, whatcha waiting for
It's alright
'cause there's beauty in the breakdown
So let go, just get in
Oh, it's so amazing here
It's alright
'cause there's beauty in the breakdown

So it’s been awhile since I’ve written in this journal… and yet, I can’t believe that it’s only been 3 weeks since I’ve been here. I feel like so much has happened, I’ve accomplished so much, and that I’ve definitely been here longer than it actually has been.

So much has happened and I don’t know even know where to begin! So let me break it down.

Placement:

I’ve finally settled down in my role as a youth integration worker at the Boys and Girls clubs association of Hong Kong in Sheung Wan. It took a few days, actually it took up until a few days ago where I really began to understand my role, and made connections beyond the superficial layer with my fellow coworkers, whom, by the way, many which are younger than I am! Which personally, I find kind of hilarious!
I’ve begun program planning for a group that I will be facilitating that is for new immigrants from Mainland China, the purpose being to 1. Improve their English Skills, and 2. To improve their self-esteem. It’s pretty interesting, and I’m kind of nervous to start the group, because there are just so many ways this group can go! However, with that said, there are a lot of things that I’m not really used to within the agency either. For example, all of the kids greet me with “Tim Sir” and I need to call all the kids by there Chinese names (which is proving to be quite difficult with my terrible short term memory highlighted evermore).
Another example of things that I’m not very used to here in Hong Kong is that in comparison to Canada, it seems as if though that there is not a very strict child welfare policy to follow or obligation for the duty to report for any professionals. Furthermore, as a social worker within a family oriented agency, a policy that is related to that sort of thing is rather important to me. And I haven’t been made aware of anything to that regard, other than the fact that if I suspect a case of abuse, to simply to talk to the supervisor, and if needed, only then a report to the police will be made. It seems as if though that child abuse here is simply treated as a criminal offense, and the idea of prevention is here, but not really. I can’t really explain myself coherently. I guess just being used to the child welfare policies and the duty to report that is in place in Canada, there are so many things here in Hong Kong that I am really not accustomed to, with regard to how children are treated by families and social workers alike. For example, there are several four year olds that come and go to the centre as they please, without adequate supervision, and the social workers within the centre happily wave goodbye as they go down the elevators from the eleventh floor, to walk home on their own in the busy area of Sheung Wan, which is located right beside Central, one of the busiest Business districts in Hong Kong. For me, the first thoughts that come to mind are things like “abduction” and “traffic” and things of the sort. But worries like that are a rarity here, as the familial and community aspect is more prevalent within those that live here in HK. However, something that struck me as really weird was that I was told about a child here in HK that got access to beer, in the park, through his 7 year old brother (mind you he is 4 years old himself), and drank some, got drunk, and hit his head on the park bench, proceeding bleed from the forehead. To me, that is something of grave concern and wouldn’t be surprised if an apprehension would be called into play. But nothing has been done about this.
All in all, it’s about the culture, and about my ability to reflect and be reflexive about my identity and how I know what I know. Yeah, yeah, sounds rather nerdy of me to bring in all this ontological and epistemological ‘stuff’, but to be honest… it makes sense! If I’m going to be serving the people here in Hong Kong, I must take into consideration my level of cultural competency and such before I make hasty decisions and impose my own western cultural beliefs.


Settling into HK life

It’s been rather weird with another person in the room all the time, and it has been difficult getting just a single moment to myself. I may be quite extroverted and love to be around people, but there are just times when I want to be able to think aloud without someone cramming in their two cents. However, with that said, it isn’t as bad as I make it sound, but sometimes it just feels that way. I love living in HK and the busy lifestyle that so many people seem to lead, but I’m sure with time, that fast paced lifestyle is just going to catch up with me and I’m going to crash! Hopefully, it’ll work out itself and I’ll be able to enjoy life here to the fullest in the little time that I’m here. Things that I’m not accustomed to yet within HK culture: the fact that people wear parkas and it’s 15 degrees Celsius, that you can get a full meal with a drink and soup for under 4 dollars Canadian, that everything is DIRT CHEAP!, and did I mention, STUFF HERE IS CHEAP.


Things that I miss:
I miss home, and the people. It’s different not being a hop, skip, and a jump away, with my constant need to want to be in arms reach if people have issues. It’s been difficult to make new and good relationships as well, in terms of finding support from a solid group of friends. I’ve been missing out on that kind of “closeness” since I’ve arrived. But don’t get me wrong. It’s been really awesome to reconnect with some friends that moved here from Toronto, but something is not the same because of the sheer scarcity of it I guess. I’m going to be here for the next five months so I hope I meet more people and develop something more meaningful with them!!!! I’m sure I will. I know it takes time. I’m just impatient.


Fun Stuff:
I’ve been doing a lot of cool stuff. And you can look through that stuff on facebook! Enjoy! (if it cooperates that is.)

Anyways, miss you guys at home, will continue to update you on my practice here in HK!

sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same