A Magazine for the Women of Hong Kong • November 2019

A M a g a z i n e f o r t h e W o m e n o f H o n g K o n g • N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 9

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

The American Women’s Association of Hong Kong, Limited. Established in 1956We are a vibrant organization of international women. Our mission is to welcome and empower women to connect and contribute in Hong Kong.

AWARE PRODUCTION TEAM

EDITORStephanie [email protected]

ASSISTANT EDITORSamantha Merton

CONTRIBUTORSStephanie ChanGeorgia DavidsonAWA Executive BoardAnnie FiferCassidy KleinBeth McNicholasVasavi SeethepalliRehana Sheikh

GRAPHICSJacky Ngan

ADVERTISING MANAGERRehana [email protected]

PUBLISHED & PRINTED BYR&R Publishing Ltd.2126 [email protected]

VISIT THE AWA WEBSITE: www.awa.org.hk LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/awahk

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @AWA_HK FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @awahongkongAny opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author only and do not represent the opinion of the American Women’s Association. Any reliance by the reader upon any recommendation or opinion in this publication is at the reader’s own risk.The AWA accepts no responsibility for any loss which may result from such reliance.Copyright 2019. The content of the AWAre publication is the property of the American Women's Association.Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. Information from within the publicationmay not be distributed without the express written consent of the American Women's Association.

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The AWA office is open from Monday-Thursday 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM. We are closed on Hong Kong public holidays.

Contents

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE AFTER READING.

News from the Board 2

AWA Enjoys 3

Better Know a Member 7

Reboot Your Professional Life in Hong Kong 8

Grant Recipient Update: Helping Handand Project Concern 10

A Very AWA Thanksgiving 12

My Hong Kong Neighborhoods 14

The Liang Yi Museum 18

Tackling Fashion Waste with Redress 20

Calendar 21

2 AWARE November 2019

News from the BoardBy Stephanie Chan, AWAre Editor

N E W S F R O M T H E B O A R D

IT’S NOVEMBER, and for many of us, that means remembering all we have to be thankful for in our lives. This year, for me at least, the exercise is both harder and easier than usual: harder, because of the daily barrage of bad news and violence; yet easier, since I (like many people who will read this), enjoy the incredible privilege of having a foreign passport — of having, in the end, other places to go.

At AWA we are thankful for all our members who continue to turn out and support our events, from a sold-out Welcome Back Breakfast at the beginning of the fall to the activities and fundraising events that we continue to run in an unpredictable environment.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed about living in Hong Kong right now, you’re not the only one. But one of the best antidotes is staying active and doing something to improve your connection to the culture and history of this city we all call home — whether it’s a walking tour of a far-flung neighborhood, a fascinating talk with a local historian, or a heritage festival outing.

As we hold the safety and wellbeing of all of our members to be of the utmost importance, we have created a contingency plan that lays out how the AWA will proceed in different scenarios involving civil unrest. (Adverse weather conditions and cybersecurity challenges are also addressed.) AWA activity coordinators have been apprised of the policy, and it’s available on our website for you to review.

On a lighter note, in October three members of our board were delighted to visit the Hebe Haven Yacht Club in Sai Kung for the christening and official launch of Anchors AWAy, a Hansa double-handed dinghy whose recent purchase was enabled by an AWA grant.

Sailability, the charity that received the grant, offers specialist sailing programs for people with disabilities. Anchors AWAy took third place in their division and ninth place overall in a field of more than 30 boats. Congratulations to the Saturday Sailors team that helmed Anchors AWAy, and to everyone in AWA — it’s your fundraising efforts that made this day possible!

Speaking of which, AWA’s fundraising endeavors are a great way to support the local community in these tough times. The current state of unrest threatens to take its

greatest toll on the underprivileged, whose needs — as charitable donations committee chair Beth McNicholas points out on page 10 of this month’s issue — are surprisingly basic (think fans and water heaters). It’s an honor to be in a position to help meet them.

So we hope you will join us for our Charity Bazaar, to be held on November 7 at the PMQ compound in Soho. Whether you come to volunteer or to shop — or hopefully, to do both! — you’ll be helping to support one of AWA’s flagship fundraising activities and to give back to your fellow Hong Kongers.

Mark Your Calendars!Charity BazaarThursday, November 7, 11:30 AM to 7:30 PMPMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Soho

Holiday PartyWednesday, December 4Location and time TBA

November 2019 AWARE 3

Welcome New Members

A W A E N J O Y S

Julianne AnzmanBenedetta BenassiSue CarterRebecca DanceOrla DeignanMichelle FarrellCarol GatissChantal GobelJacqueline (Jacci) GrawburgSitara KohliAnnette Kornblum

Zoe LawlerBarbara LelandManon MannoBhakti MathurLauren MillsKristin MorseAmie ReedPaola RepettoShikta SapkotaNadine SlaterJahna SzaboDiana Van Dooren

Heritage Series: Deity Hau’s Birthday Festival

Mindfulness through Mandalas

Domestic Workers in Hong Kong Talk with Jason Wordie


A W A E N J O Y S

Thank you to our sponsors:THIS YEAR’S breakfast featured a fresh new format, with fewer speeches, more time for mingling, a curated selection of vendors and an informative panel discussion — while keeping the parts members have come to love and expect: an energetic performance by the AWA Globe Paddlers dragon boat team, a lucky draw and nice takeaways from our generous sponsors, Asian Tigers, Hybrid Gym and The Entertainer.

Looking forward to gathering again with all your AWA friends? Save the date for our annual holiday party on Wednesday, December 4 (location to be announced).

Welcome Back BreakfastThe American Club, Tai Tam


A W A E N J O Y S

$150 per practice

Beginners welcome (including non-members)

Land training from 9:15-9:45 AM; paddling 10-11:30 AM

Saturday clinic scheduled with Coach Cordi for Nov 23

PRESEASON NOW

THROUGH DECEMBER

GLOBEPADDLERS

WHERE : STANLEY BEACH

WHEN : MORNINGS ,

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

Email [email protected] or WhatsApp 6693-3517

for more information or the link to sign up.


F E A T U R E

How long have you lived in Hong Kong? I have been here one year.How long do you think you are going to stay/live in Hong Kong? We moved here for my husband to advance in his job as a Cathay pilot, which required him to be based in Hong Kong. It will be a while until he’s senior enough to bid for a base back in the States. So I’m prepared to be here for the long haul!Where are you from, and where have you lived? I’m originally from New England. I was born in Massachusetts and also lived in Connecticut before my family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. Once I became a licensed psychologist, I was ready to branch out and had always loved the ocean, so I moved to San Diego. I fell in love with the easygoing beach community, endless sun and perfect weather. Children/family status? I’ve been with my husband for 10 years. His family is scattered around Europe and my brother and parents stayed put in the Bay Area. No kids for us. Although I am considering getting another fur baby one day. What is your greatest fear? One of my greatest fears has been public speaking. I would do anything to avoid having to be onstage in front of people. But that wasn’t going to get me anywhere professionally so I chose to face the fear in order to get past it. Now I say yes to speaking opportunities as a way to help me grow and it’s slowly, very slowly, getting easier.What has been your favorite AWA moment? I remember when I first arrived and met some ladies at an event and they had such a wealth of knowledge about where to shop, or how to get around, or even just validating my feeling about this big change. It’s easy to feel lost here at first and they were so helpful in offering me some very practical advice and support. What do you most love about HK? The amazing assortment of restaurants is a given. The fact that I can walk to many of

them or take inexpensive transportation is another. But the unexpected bonus was meeting amazing people. I feel so fortunate that making friends here has been so easy.What do you most dislike or find most challenging about HK? The dreadful summer heat and pollution. I’m an outdoorsy person and get stir-crazy staying inside. What do you wish someone had told you in advance of your move? That I should avoid comparing it to San Diego. For the first six months I was comparing the two and I felt like my heart was in two places. I realized I needed to stop that and just embrace all that Hong Kong has to offer. It really

helped me settle in.What challenges have you found in your work

life in Hong Kong versus the U.S.? I’m for tunate in that i t ’s been pret ty

straightforward and easy starting work here as a psychologist. I didn’t need to get an additional l icense, and having a dependant visa allowed me to be employed in Hong Kong. I joined a group psychotherapy practice called MindnLife and am working on making connections and building my clientele. The only challenge is that clients have

long work days, demanding schedules and travel frequently so syncing up our

schedules can be a bit difficult at times.Where is your favorite travel destination?

There are so many; how do you pick just one? I recently went to Burgundy and Provence, in France, and

am still on a high from it. Loved the countryside, quaint towns and their love for good food and wine.What do you most value in your friends? Acceptance. Where you know you can truly be yourself and not be judged. How would you like to be remembered? As somebody who was caring and compassionate. Someone who helped others, was enjoyable to be around — and knew how to have a good time!

“Better Know a Member” is a series highlighting the diversity of AWA’s membership. To suggest a subject (or to volunteer yourself!), please contact Annie Fifer at [email protected].

Better Know a Member:

Kristin Zeising


F E A T U R E

RELOCATING and settling into a routine in a new country isn’t easy; it can be emotionally and physically challenging. Finding a job in Hong Kong can seem especially daunting: where does one start? Hong Kong is renowned for its cosmopolitan outlook, but is that enough to find a job that can accelerate a career?

Start by taking things step by step. Finding a job is a process and it doesn’t make sense to try to do everything at once. Here are some practical ways to tackle the job hunt and minimize stress:

New SurroundingsAssimilate what is around and be aware of local history, politics and culture. There are a tremendous number of communities in Hong Kong that can help you interpret the local scene: besides the AWA, Hong Kong is home to the Australian Association of Hong Kong, the Danish Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Japanese Club, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong and many more.

Valid Work VisaHaving the right visa or a work permit is necessary. A dependant visa in Hong Kong is a credible work permit as long as the sponsor (usually a spouse) has a valid working visa. If your visa doesn’t allow you to work in Hong Kong, negotiate a working visa with your potential employer. Hence, obtaining a job offer will be crucial in applying for a work permit, so stay focused.

RésuméIt is imperative to have a valid and updated résumé. Most HR departments and recruiters who list job postings online request a résumé before even considering a prospective candidate. Creating a personal landing page or website with a portfolio and an “about me” page is rewarding, especially in certain industries. Tailoring your résumé and cover letter to better suit the job description can also significantly improve your job prospects.

Online PresenceMost recruiters browse social media platforms to research candidates before making their first move. Depending on the

industry, having a public social media account, especially an updated LinkedIn account, is beneficial. Joining Facebook groups and following companies of interest on Twitter can be useful as well.

Re-EducationTo climb the ladder in a career is to develop new or revisit old skills. When considering a continuing education program or signing up for online courses, consider four points: 1. Identify and be specific about what you wish to learn2. Is it achievable?3. Relevancy to existing skills within the industry4. The time factor

LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) is a valuable online source for attaining soft skills (leadership, creativity) as well as technical training (graphic design, spreadsheets). It

incorporates quizzes after each chapter and exercise files to work on. Welkin, a local computer training center, offers comprehensive computer skills, digital marketing, and design. Extension schools, like HKU SPACE and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, offer a wide range of courses as well. Online platforms such as Edx.org, Coursera.org and Udemy.com offer a variety of courses from

universities from across the world. There are numerous resources available, but it is how you use them to your advantage that makes the difference.

Look Out for Job FairsJob fairs are credible grounds to scour for potential employers. Make sure to find out what companies are attending beforehand, prepare and hand out résumés, and follow up accordingly. If you are interested in working for a tech company or a startup, look out for WHub and ClusterTech job fair announcements online.

VolunteerTo provide value to others can help you to keep abreast of issues affecting the local community, hone old skills and develop new soft skills. Getting involved with communities who need volunteers can also nudge you to network and connect with others.

Reboot Your Professional Life in a New CountryGetting back to the job scene in Hong Kong

By Vasavi Seethepalli


NetworkLast but not least, networking is a powerful strategy; it occupies a significant percentage of a job hunt. Getting out of your comfort zone and connecting with others in a formal or informal setting is the way forward. One cannot underestimate the power of connecting, as this is the optimal way to introduce your personal brand. Being comfortable and staying confident, although not easy, is proven to be the root of success. Identify a networking style that works best for you; it could just mean a coffee meetup. AWA WISE and the Women’s Foundation (TWF) are ideal communities for women to network and feel inspired.

To sum up, embracing a new city comes with its challenges. Finding a community of like-minded people, as well as understanding the local job market, sets the stage for a renewed career momentum. Being persistent yet managing your expectations is essential.

Book Now! Reinvent Yourself and Switch Careers

Join the AWA WISE series on November 15 to hear inspiring women share their stories of success, and attend workshops to help you take on new challenges.

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2 0 1 9 / 2 0REINVENT YOURSELF & SWITCH CAREERS

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Join us for a discussion where women who have successfully reinvented themselves sharetheir real life journeys, experiences and challenges.

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F E A T U R E


F E A T U R E

I’M BACK WITH an update on two more of our 2018 grant recipients! Our first beneficiaries are the 64 residents living in Helping Hand Po Lam Jockey Club Housing for the Elderly. An aging population is one of Hong Kong’s most pressing social issues, so the CDC prioritizes the elderly when we consider funding applications. (You can learn more about this issue in an South China Morning Post article from May 18,

2018 titled “Hong Kong faces challenge in how to manage its ageing population.”)

He lp ing Hand ’s HK$47,440 grant was used to purchase 40 wall-mounted fans and six water heater units to r e p l a c e w o r n - o u t equipment. While the government does help to fund many NGOs, including Helping Hand,

this funding generally does not cover equipment, which is why AWA and AmCham grants can be especially important.

The response from both the residents and the Helping Hand staff has been very positive. Helping Hand is extremely grateful for the AWA’s support, as the new fans and water heaters have contributed to their efforts to provide a safe and comfortable environment for residents.

Project Concern is another organization that does incredible work in Hong Kong. In addition to their seven dental clinics in housing estates in lower-income areas of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, Project Concern also operates three mobile dental buses. These buses operate Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM, providing oral examination, scaling, filling and simple dental extraction.

In June 2018, Project Concern received a grant of HK$35,000 from AmCham to purchase dental forceps and Luxators for teeth extraction in their mobile clinics and dental buses. The project was carried out between the end of 2018

and the beginning of 2019, when Project Concern asked for the dentists’ specific equipment preferences. The items were received in March 2019, and in March and April 2019 alone, approximately 2,000 patients had teeth extracted with the new equipment.

Both these stories illustrate that the needs of our applicants are often surprisingly basic. Fans, water heaters, and safe dental equipment are items that most of us probably take for granted or don’t think about much at all. Being able to support organizations and help them improve the lives of their clients by purchasing these items is a very satisfying aspect of being part of the CDC.

2018 Grant Recipient Update:

Helping Hand and Project Concern

By Beth McNicholas, Charitable Donations Committee Chair

AWA and AmCham funding brings smiles, cool air and hot waterto low-income and elderly Hong Kongers

F E A T U R E


CARPET WASHING & REPAIRSPROFESSIONALSCLEANING & REPAIR SERVICESOur cleaning and repair services are the bestin Hong Kong. Free pickup and delivery.

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ADDRESS : G/F. 21 PO TUNG RD. SAIKUNG


F E A T U R E

R E D C R O S S H O L I D A Y

The Cookie Drive is one of

the AWA's longest standing

holiday traditions. In late

November/early December

volunteers bake and deliver

cookies for the Hong Kong

Red Cross, which then

distributes them to 21 Red

Cross Hospital Schools

serving 2,000 handicapped

and hospitalized children.

C

o

o

k

i

e

D

r

i

v

e

S U G A R C O O K I E R E C I P E

( D I E T A R Y A P P R O V E D )

INGREDIENTS

3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar (half of original recipe)

1 egg, beaten

1 tablespoon milk

DIRECTIONS

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. Mix

butter and sugar in large bowl. Add egg and milk, beat to

combine. Mixer on low, gradually add dry mixture and beat

until pulls away from side of bowl. Divide dough in half,

wrap each half in wax paper and refrigerate 2 hours.

Preheat oven 375 F / 190 C. Sprinkle flour on surface and

roll out 1 chilled pack of dough to 1/4 inch. Cut shapes and

place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheet or parchment.

Bake 7-9 minutes, rotating sheet half way through, or until

cookies just start to turn brown. Let cookies sit 2 minutes on

sheet before transferring to cooling rack. Serve as is or

decorate with icing.

Email [email protected] to sign up


F E A T U R E

IT’S NOVEMBER, and for many of us on the AWA board, that means harvest-themed celebrations with family and friends. Here are some of our favorite fall recipes, from classic American Thanksgiving dishes (cranberry relish and pumpkin pie) to festive international foods (savory baklava and moong dal halwa, or sweet lentil pudding). Whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving, you’re sure to find something in these pages to spice up your next autumn dinner party.

Butternut Squash SoupThis a recipe that I found years ago on a website and I have modified to my own preferences. The hints of apple, cinnamon and smoked bacon add a lovely depth to the taste. It can be made a day in advance and reheated on the stove.—Jessica Cheng, Recording Secretary

Yield: 6–8 servingsPrep time: 45 minutesIngredients• 200 g smoked bacon, chopped or cubed• Vegetable oil• 2 celery ribs, chopped• 1 large carrot, chopped• 1 medium onion, chopped• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon• 3/4 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed• 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cubed• 3.5–4 cups butternut squash, cubed• 2 cups low sodium chicken broth• 2–2.5 cups water• Sour cream, for garnish (optional)

ThanksgivingA VERY AWA

By the AWA Executive Board


F E A T U R EF E A T U R E

Tip: Raw butternut squash can react with your skin so wear kitchen gloves when prepping it. Instructions1. In a large pot over medium heat, cook bacon in a little bit

of vegetable oil until cooked through. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside.

2. Add a bit more vegetable oil to the bacon fat (you want about 2 tablespoons total) and then fry the onions, celery and carrots until soft but not brown.

3. Add cinnamon and cook for 1 minute.4. Add the apples, potatoes, squash, stock, water, salt and

pepper. Simmer until very tender on a medium-low heat. Stir occasionally.

5. Add bacon back in for a few minutes to reheat it. 6. Puree either with either a glass beaker blender (contents

will be very hot so do in batches) or with an immersion hand blender.

7. Serve. Can be garnished with sour cream.

Tomato, Feta, Almond and Date BaklavaAlthough not American, we do like to celebrate Thanksgiving with our friends. Being a vegetarian household, turkey is off the menu but this savory baklava hits the spot.—Barbora Mayer, Director of OperationsYield: 6–8 servingsIngredients• 100 mL olive oil• 5 Spanish onions, halved and finely sliced• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon• Pinch of granulated sugar• 1 bunch dill, finely chopped (or 3 teaspoons dried)• 10 vine plum tomatoes, skinned and roughly chopped

(reserve half of the juices)• 3 teaspoons tomato puree• 1 packet filo pastry (9 sheets)• 150 g melted butter• 60 g blanched almonds, whizzed to a crumble• 100 g Medjool dates, stoned and finely sliced• 250 g feta cheese, crumbled• 4 tablespoons clear honey• Tzatziki, for serving (optional)Instructions1. Preheat the oven to 350 F / 180 C.2. Heat the olive oil in a large-bottomed pan. Gently fry the

onions over a low heat, add the garlic, cinnamon and sugar and increase the heat. Fry for about 12 minutes, until caramelized. Add the dill, tomatoes and half of their juices and the tomato puree and cook for a further 10 minutes, until reduced. Season to taste.

3. Unfold the pastry and cut in half; keep it covered with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out. Brush a baking

tray (approximately 30-by-20-centimeters) with melted butter, line the tin with a sheet of filo, brush with butter and repeat until you have a 3-layer thickness.

4. Spread half the onion mixture over the pastry, top with half the almonds, the dates and half the feta. Sandwich 3 layers of filo together, brushing each with melted butter and place on top of the onion and feta mix. Top with the remaining onions, almonds and feta and again top with a 3-layer thickness of filo. Lightly score the top, cutting diamonds or squares, brush with butter and splash with a little water. Place on a baking tray and cook for 30 to 35 minutes until golden.

5. Leave to cool a little before serving, then drizzle each portion with honey. Serve with a fennel salad and some tzatziki.

(Recipe from Maria Elia’s The Modern Vegetarian, Kyle Books, 2009)

Mac and CheeseSince we tend to celebrate Thanksgiving in Hong Kong in larger groups, I always make mac and cheese. This was actually not something my family made growing up, but a new tradition that we started when we moved to Hong Kong. Then again, mac and cheese is kind of a Thanksgiving dish in the South, so it’s not totally out of line with my time spent growing up in Virginia. This version, adapted from an Ina Garten recipe, is always a hit with both kids and adults.—Beth McNicholas, Charitable Donations Committee ChairYield: 6–8 servingsIngredients• Kosher salt• 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi• 1 quart milk• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour• 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)• 8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar, grated (2 cups)• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg• 1 1/2 cups fresh white breadcrumbs (5 slices, crusts

removed)Instructions1. Preheat the oven to 375 F / 190 C.2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the

macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.

3. Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don’t boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, cheddar, 1/2 tablespoon


F E A T U R E

salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.

4. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh breadcrumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

(Recipe adapted from Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Family Style, as listed at foodnetwork.com)

Wild Rice SaladI am the fifth of five kids from Minneapolis, Minnesota, also known as the land of 10,000 lakes. We grew up with chaotic Thanksgivings full of stories and traditions that included Native American culture (specifically from the Ojibwa tribes). One of our family’s favorite dishes to this day features wild rice. The 4-foot-tall plants, which grow naturally in northwestern Minnesota, are harvested using long sticks to knock the rice into the body of a wooden canoe. It is considered food from the creator and our family is thankful to share this dish each fall. —J’nee Hilgers-Easter, Branding and Communications Chair

IngredientsFor the lemon dressing• Juice of 1 orange• Juice of 1 lemon• 1/3 cup olive oil• Salt and pepper to taste• Honey to taste (optional)For the salad• 4–5 cups arugula, spinach, or a greens blend• 2 cups cooked wild rice• 1 cup pomegranate seeds• 2 cups chopped firm apples• 1/2 cup cashews or pecans• 1/2 cup dried cranberries• 1/2 cup sliced red onions• Minced fresh parsley (optional)Instructions1. Shake all dressing ingredients together in a jar with a tight

lid until smooth. Taste it and add more salt and pepper as needed (without enough salt and pepper, it will be bland, so season generously).

2. Arrange or toss the salad ingredients together in a bowl, reserving a few slices of red onion to arrange over the top. Drizzle with the dressing, toss to combine and serve immediately (or save everything separately and assemble just before serving).

The Best Cranberry Relish EVER!My family gathers in Vermont every year for Thanksgiving. Because we’re a small (and dwindling) bunch, we often invite friends and “holiday orphans” to join us in giving thanks over a beautiful meal. We always used to make our cranberry relish from an Eating Well recipe. Until one year my mother’s wonderful friend Glenda ever-so-gently asked whether we would be open to trying her recipe instead. So we did … and even Bob, our 86-year-old Thanksgiving orphan, asked to take some home with him at the end of the night. When does that ever happen with cranberry relish?!—Augusta Nichols-Even, Education and Scholarship Chair


Ingredients• 1 bag raw, organic, whole cranberries• 1 whole orange, quartered and with the ends cut off (keep

rind on)• 1/2 pineapple, cored and sliced• 1 pomegranate• Agave or maple syrup, to taste (optional)InstructionsIn a food processor, process cranberries, orange and pineapple well. Transfer to a bowl. Add the seeds from 1 pomegranate. Add agave or maple syrup to taste if you like your relish sweeter.

Moong dal HalwaWe don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in our family, but Diwali is our biggest festival and it comes in the fall season. I grew up eating this every Diwali and it is a family tradition that I am very attached to. It is a great dessert when a light nip in the air starts coming. —Priyanka Agarwal, President

Ingredients• 1 cup moong dal (yellow lentils)• 9 to 10 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)• 1 cup sugar• Chopped almonds, for garnish• Saffron threads, for garnish• Milk, to finishInstructions1. Soak the lentils in enough water a night before. 2. In the morning, drain the water and grind the daal to a

smooth paste with some water. 3. In the pan, melt the ghee. Once the ghee is hot, keep the

heat on medium flame, add the daal paste and stir. This is the toughest part. The daal should not stick to the pan. And this is the arm strength test! We take turns in the house to keep stirring it. The paste will start turning golden yellow and then slightly brown. When you start seeing the ghee on the side of the pan, add 2.5 cups of warm water

slowly and keep stirring again. Once the water gets absorbed, add 1 cup of sugar (you can vary it to your taste, once you become an expert) and keep stirring it.

4. When you want to eat it, heat (or reheat) it nicely by adding a little milk to it. Garnish with chopped almonds and saffron, and a delicious dessert is ready!

Grandma’s Pumpkin PieThis is my grandmother’s recipe, which my family looks forward to every year at Thanksgiving. Both my grandmother and my mother made this using “real,” i.e., not canned, pumpkin. My dad always cut the pumpkin, my mom would cook it and then they would both strain it until there were no stringy parts. They did this without using a blender or food processor — very labor intensive. I use canned pumpkin and it is almost the same.—Kim Rehmann, Community Service ChairIngredients• 2 uncooked pie crusts• 6 cups pumpkin (canned or fresh)• 2 cups sugar• 3 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch• 2 cups milk• 1 teaspoon nutmeg• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla• Cinnamon• Whipped cream, for serving (optional)InstructionsPreheat oven to 450 F / 230 C. Mix all ingredients and put into uncooked pie crusts. Sprinkle top with a little bit of cinnamon. Cover the outside edge of the crust with aluminum foil until the last 15 minutes to keep it from getting too brown. Bake at 450 F / 230 C for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 300 F / 150 C for 45 minutes. Serve with whipped cream on top if desired.

F E A T U R E


MY FAMILY’S extended expat life in Hong Kong, spanning three decades, has been about living in various neighborhoods both on and off Hong Kong Island. At the start, we wanted to live on the island and nowhere else, partly because our children were schooling there. As we stayed longer and longer, we ventured out into other neighborhoods because of rising rent or because we discovered an apartment suitable to our needs.

Buying was an option we never considered because we did not know how long we were going to be around, and besides, with China set to take over, who knew what would happen to Hong Kong and to us expats. Such was the mindset back then.

We had a stint in Repulse Bay, which was memorable for its views, beaches and old-style apartments. I learned that the feng shui there is very good; most apartments face the sea, with mountains behind. That, I was told, is why many Chinese bought up property there for their whole families.

We spent many years in Pok Fu Lam. Considering the number of international schools located there, and that it’s around the corner, so to speak, from Sai Ying Pun, Sheung Wan and Central, it was a surprisingly big production to get from our home to any part of the island. For that reason, I am not a fan, but I did find the huge graveyard right by our building to be full of things I did not know about.

I learned about bur ials, both rel igious and nondenominational. Due to the lack of space in Hong Kong,

burial spots are only granted on a temporary basis. When a burial spot “expires,” the remains are dug up and returned to the family for cremation or whatever they choose to do with them. I often saw bones laid out near the home of the graveyard’s caretaker, who would tell me they needed to be dried in the sun because they were damp. The coffins, I am told, were recycled into furniture and other things. Every grave had a photo; often a couple shared a grave. Old-style graves were in another section, where large mounds suggested that family members had been buried together.

We had quite a few stays in the Mid-Levels. The first time was back in the late ‘70s, when we were relocated under the Crown to a very colonial Hong Kong. We rented a large apartment for HK$8,000. Incredible, isn’t it: this amount now wouldn’t get you a subdivided flat or even a single room. But that’s all in the history of Hong Kong.

Construction of new, good-quality apartments in the New Territories over the years presented affordable variety and choices. We decided to check them out and ended up living in Tuen Mun, of Gold Coast, Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre and Light Rail fame.

Friends often joke that to visit us in “deep, dark” New Territories, they need a visa. Yes, it’s far and perceived as way out there somewhere — not where everyone else is. But I must say that the public transportation is excellent out here. Also, I have seen more gas stations around here than anywhere else in Hong Kong. With wide roads and sparse

My Hong Kong NeighborhoodsFrom Repulse Bay to Tuen Mun, a Personal History

By Rehana Sheikh

F E A T U R E


Castle Peak Road, one of Hong Kong's few dual carriageways (divided highways)

The Gold Coast Marina berths some of the largest luxury yachts in the region.


traffic, driving is comfortable and doable, unlike the aggravation that is Hong Kong Island driving: lack of parking and clogged traffic winding on a single road through residential areas.

My “backyard” is the last but easy tenth stage of the otherwise grueling MacLehose Trail. My apartment faces the South China Sea, the larger of the two towers at Hong Kong International Airport, and the HKIA runway, with landings that I have frequently timed to be every few seconds.

When we moved here about six years ago, abundant flora and fauna surrounded us. Once I saw a large monkey crossing the road, very humanly checking both directions before scurrying off to the other side. I come across lizards darting in and out of bushes. There are snakes too, merely crossing the path on their way to wherever, but others have seen them, not I — phew! There are colorful birds chirping and calling out from trees at all hours of the day and in all seasons — a bird watcher’s delight, for sure. From March to September I pick sweet-smelling Arabian jasmine in my residential garden. Seasonal blooms abound on hillsides and in ravines.

My favorite is when strong winds whip up the clusters of trees to do a wild dance, making the treetops, from a high floor, a sight to behold.

A 10-minute walk gets me to the Gold Coast development on Castle Peak Road, lined with tall palm trees, California-

style, and a dual carriageway, a rarity in Hong Kong. Here a marina is crowded with fancy yachts and the

open-air “piazza” filled with restaurants and supermarkets. For Easter, Christmas, Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year celebrations, it gets the relevant festive look.

On my way to the shopping center, I often stop to look at the roadside displays of archaeological finds that were excavated from prehistoric sites in So Kwun Wat, a neighboring village, and Castle Peak Bay in the 1920s, 1930s and 1970s.

Tuen Mun used to be a hub for local and foreign

merchants. It also had a military garrison for coastal defense, situated on the eastern side of the Pearl River estuary. During the ‘70s and ‘80s, Tuen Mun went through phases of massive construction creating housing projects, schools and hospitals.

I often walk to the two open-air markets, Yan Oi and San Hui, to browse and buy fresh produce. I stop, fascinated, to watch black sesame seed paste being made, while taking in the aroma wafting through the air. The steaming bao stuffed with crunchy vegetables is a must for me on every visit.

Behind my apartment complex are four massive construction sites, soon to become towering residential buildings and sprawling man-made gardens. The earth is hollowed out with rocks and dirt laid bare by deafening, heavy-duty borers and picks. It will be two to three years before this construction is completed, so for now I have been enjoying the dense foliage and the wide span of skyline showing off spectacular sunsets and rainbows.

When I ride into Hong Kong Island, I like to sit on the upper deck of the bus to see the 360-degree view of the bridges and islands. It is indeed a stunning panorama.

No matter which neighborhood you choose to live in during your tenure in Hong Kong, there will always be a hiking trail, a country park, everyday conveniences and, of course, super-efficient public transport nearby. The best parts, which we all share, are the views, whether it’s the expanse of the South China Sea or the surrounding lush mountains. These views are common to all areas and are there for us all to enjoy, no matter how densely packed the high-rise buildings around our apartments.

Once again my husband and I are on the move, awaiting another experience — but this time we move into our own bought apartment. What took you so long? you might well ask. It just was not meant to be before! I will shrug and say.

This time it’s a neighborhood on Lantau Island, with Disneyland nearby, much to the delight of our grandchildren. My feet are waiting to leave their prints along the long and winding hikes all over the island.

So it’s goodbye, Tuen Mun and hello, Discovery Bay.

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A 10-minute walk gets me to the Gold Coast development on Castle Peak Road, lined with tall palm trees, California-style, and a dual carriageway, a rarity in Hong Kong.

Jasmine bush


F E A T U R E

FOR CULTURE VULTURES SICK of being snubbed by gallery staff in H Queen’s while continuing to wait for the full M+ museum to open, an alternative awaits, hiding in plain sight. Chances are good you have walked by the Liang Yi Museum, in Sheung Wan, numerous times without noticing it. But like an Egyptian tomb or speakeasy, once you gain entrance you will be fully rewarded. Here, though, the reward is entry into a unique and eclectic world of Chinese and Japanese antiques.

One of the rare privately owned museums in Hong Kong, the building in which the Liang Yi Museum is housed is itself an interesting story. According to interviews in other publications, the owner, Peter Fung, has spent the last forty years amassing antiques. His two daughters (for whom the

museum is named and one of whom is the director) share memories of living in an unconventional household. At times they would return from school only to find that a perfectly functioning school desk had been replaced with a Japanese Meiji-era table, or a bed had been magically turned into a four-poster antique.

Eventually, the collection got so out of hand that Fung’s wife said enough was enough. Due to Hong Kong’s extreme lack of building space, Fung set out to strategically purchase and renovate multiple contiguous buildings along Hollywood Road’s antiques row. The top two stories house the museum, the first holds an event space, and the ground floor remains separate antique shops into which the museum’s entrance blends.

The Liang Yi MuseumA Hidden Gem Amidst Hollywood Road’s Antiques Row

By Georgia Davidson

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The modesty of the entrance is on purpose and its greatest appeal. Access is by appointment only. Small, interactive docent-led tours in English, Cantonese and Putonghua provide the insights and background to the pieces; no written descriptions are available. The increased crowd control allows the museum to permit patrons more access. Hands-off is not the default here.

When the museum opened in 2014, the mainstay of the collection was twofold: 400 pieces of Ming- and Qing-era furniture made of beautifully carved, lustrous zitan or huanghuali wood; and 800 clutches, compacts and powder boxes, many of which are exceptional examples of Japanese- and Chinese-influenced art deco style. The artistry of their jade, onyx and coral carvings is stunning. More recently the museum has acquired a collection of Japanese Meiji-era antiques used by the rich in everyday life, from women’s hair combs and pins to smoking pipes and writing utensils. Again, the intricacy of these pieces is spectacular.

The current exhibition, entitled “Crowning Glory: The Beauty of Ladies’ Ornaments from Asia and Europe” and running until February 27, 2020, explores the role women’s clothing and accessories played in gender and identity in China and Japan from the late imperial era to the early modern period. On a recent tour, the docent wove together a narrative linking together many of the 250 pieces, which include objects of everyday use, traditional Chinese furniture associated with the boudoir, Japanese hair ornaments and silver pieces, and European vanities. On loan from other galleries and museums were textiles from both cultures.

The atmosphere provides ample opportunity to ask questions and linger over pieces to appreciate the extraordinary detail and craftsmanship. A tour of the exhibition is an aesthetically pleasing way to learn about the historical concepts of Eastern feminine beauty, the impact of Western culture upon it, and its reciprocal influence on the West.

Liang Yi Museum181-199 Hollywood Road, Sheung WanTuesday – Saturday, 10 AM – 6 PM (by appointment only)HK$200

When the museum opened in 2014, the mainstays of the collection were the beautifully carved Ming- and Qing-era furniture and some 800 art deco clutches, compacts and powder boxes.


F E A T U R E

I RECENTLY CAUGHT UP with Anneleise Smillie, the executive director of Redress, at her Central office. Redress is an environmental charity formed in 2007 to address the waste and environmental pollution caused by the fashion industry.

Anneleise explained to me that Redress takes a two-pronged approach to their work. The first “pillar,” as they call it, is to prevent waste and environmental damage caused by the fashion industry; the second is to promote the reuse of textile waste for new purposes.

To achieve these goals, Redress chooses to put most of their resources towards education. Redress promotes fashion designer education in several ways, such as organizing the Redress Design Award for emerging designers and providing sustainable education materials for universities and design schools. The Redress design education pack contains lesson plans, design techniques and theories. So far 680 educators and industry professionals in 80 countries have downloaded the tertiary-level sustainable fashion curriculum.

The focus on educating new designers is critical because 80% of a garment’s overall environmental impact is set at the initial design stage, Smillie said. One of the strategies for eliminating waste is to design clothing that can be reused or repurposed when the consumer has worn it out, thus achieving a circular or “cradle to cradle” model.

Redress also has many consumer education programs, such as exhibitions, workshops, clothing drives and pop-up shops. Seeing that extending the life of the average clothing item by nine months would reduce garment-related carbon waste and water by 20% to 30%, they published a book in 2017 about how to care for clothing. Redress also produced a five-episode miniseries about their design competition, which is available on YouTube.

Smillie is most proud of the annual Redress Design Award, the largest sustainable design competition in the world. Last year, new designers from 55 countries submitted collections made entirely from textile waste. Applicants were

asked to use core sustainable design techniques and practices including zero waste, upcycling and reconstruction. After a lengthy process 10 designers were chosen to come to Hong Kong for a fashion show at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the winner getting the chance to design a collection for a retail brand.

Another success Redress had in 2018 was collecting 20 tons of used clothing. However, Anneleise pointed out that in Hong Kong alone 370 tons of clothing goes into the landfill each day! That’s 16,000 garments dumped in landfills every hour. Redress collects unwanted clothing all year-round through 21 boxes located at partner stores: Zara Hong Kong & Macau, PizzaExpress Sai Ying Pun and Jeeves Dry Cleaners.

October 2019 was “Get Redressed Month” at Redress: a big push to collect used clothing, leading up to a 24-hour clothing Sort-a-Thon on Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23. Their corporate sponsors will send 20 teams to do the sorting while Redress provides a party atmosphere with live music, food and entertainment. Redress expects to sort more than 10 tons of donated clothes for resale, reuse, upcycling and recycling. More than 20 local charities will be beneficiaries of the sorted clothing.

Redress invites AWA members to volunteer to work with Redress staff to organize the flow of work during the Sort-a-Thon. There will also be volunteer opportunities at Redress’s next designer pop-up shop, to be announced at the end of November. Interested AWA members can contact Chiara Rodriquez at [email protected] or Cassidy Klein at [email protected] to be added to the Environmental Committee’s Redress volunteer mailing list.

Fashion Waste By the Numbers370: Tons of clothing dumped in Hong Kong landfills each day16,000: Garments dumped in Hong Kong landfills every hour20: Tons of used clothing collected by Redress in 201810: Tons of used clothing to be processed at Redress’s Sort-a-Thon on November 22 and 23

Tackling Fashion Waste with RedressBy Cassidy Klein

Redress volunteers sort through donated clothes

The 2019 Redress Design Award fashion show


Lunch Series: Avenue of Stars Stroll and Lunch at Rosewood Hong KongWhen: Friday, 1 November, 10:15 AM – 3:00 PM (Approx.)

Hong Kong Local Craft Beer TourWhen: Saturday, 2 November, 11:45 AM – 4:15 PM (Approx.)Register by Wednesday, 30 October

Educational Series: Human and Animal Interaction in Hong Kong: Veterinary CollegeWhen: Monday, 4 November, 8:45 AM – 12:00 PM (Approx.)Register by Sunday, 3 November

Wander Asia Adventure Series: Hakka Tulou – ChinaWhen: Tuesday – Thursday, 5 – 7 NovemberRegister by Saturday, 5 October

Exploring Neighborhoods: Taikoo When: Wednesday, 6 November, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Approx.)Register by Monday, 4 November

Entertainment Series: Piano Performance and Cocktail When: Saturday, 9 November, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Approx.)

What's for Supper?: A Plant-Based Meal – Cooking with NatWhen: Monday, 11 November, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Approx.)

Educational Series – Walking Tour with Jason Wordie: Happy Valley Cemetery – Tombstone TourismWhen: Tuesday, 12 November, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Approx.)

Shopping Series: Yuet Tung China Works – Hand-Painted PorcelainWhen: Wednesday, 13 November, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Educational Series: Introduction to MahjongWhen: Thursdays 14, 21, 28 November and 5 December, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PMRegister by Tuesday, 12 November

Arts/Crafts & Design Series: Matryoshka Dolls – The Many Layers of Being a WomanWhen: Thursdays 14, 21, 28 November and 5, 12, 19 December, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Educational Series: @Home with HelpersWhen: Tuesday, 19 November, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Cooking with Passion: The Mixing Bowl Cooking ClassWhen: Tuesday, 19 November, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Approx.)Register by Tuesday, 12 November

Charity Tour: St. Barnabas' Society and HomeWhen: Wednesday, 20 November, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Entertainment Series: High Tea Rosewood HotelWhen: Wednesday, 20 November, 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Approx.)Register by Friday, 15 November

Educational Series: Human and Animal Interaction in Hong Kong: Trinity TowersWhen: Friday, 22 November, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Approx.)Register by Thursday, 21 November

Hong Kong-Themed EmbroideryWhen: Tuesday, 26 November, 10:00 AM – 12:30 AM (Approx.)Register by Sunday, 24 November

Recreational Series: Burgers and BowlingWhen: Wednesday, 27 November, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Approx.)

Looking Forward DecemberEducational Series – Historical Talk with Jason Wordie: Reformers to Revolutionaries: Hong Kong Women in the 20th CenturyWhen: Thursday, 5 December, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Educational Series – Walking Tour with Jason Wordie: “The Gin Drinkers Line” – Shing Mun Park WWII TunnelsWhen: Saturday, 7 December, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Approx.)Register by Tuesday, 12 November

Educational Series – Walking Tour with Jason Wordie: Kennedy TownWhen: Thursday, 12 December, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Approx.)

C A L E N D A R - U P C O M I N G E V E N T S



Hong Kong Local Craft Beer TourWHEN: Saturday, 2 November, 11:45 AM – 4:15 PM (Approx.) Register by Wednesday, 30 OctoberWHERE: Meet at TST MTR (Exact location will be

emailed to participants)COST: $790 member/$850 member's guestCAPACITY: 10 min/20 max (excluding coordinator)COORDINATOR(S): Cecilia Leung 6201 6332 Hop on Hong Kong Foodie's brew bus for a behind-the-scenes look at the vibrant Hong Kong craft beer movement. As we whisk through revitalized industrial neighborhoods buzzing with entrepreneurial energy, quench your thirst with special brews, fill up with tasty beer bites and lunch, and meet the artisans that are making a name for themselves in the craft beer business. Eat, drink and be merry at two unique local breweries and a taproom that specializes in local craft beer. A perfect outing for beer lovers or those wanting to learn more about Hong Kong's craft beer scene. Private transport, brewery tour, 12 types of local craft beer, snacks, lunch and gratuity are included in the AWA special discounted rate of HK$790 for AWA members and HK$850 for guests.

L O C A L T O U R S A N D A C T I V I T I E S

Lunch Series: Avenue of Stars Stroll and Lunch at Rosewood Hong KongWHEN: Friday, 1 November, 10:15 AM – 3:00

PM (Approx.)WHERE: Meet at Star Ferry TST Lower Deck

Exit COST: $100 member/$160 member's guestCAPACITY: 6 min/18 max COORDINATOR(S): Susanne Salg 9175 6909 Heidi Rockowitz 9090 7909Enjoy a leisurely stroll of the newly renovated Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui. We will also explore the newly opened Victoria Dockside complex. The walk will be followed by a lovely lunch at the brand-new Rosewood Hong Kong, at shared expense.

Educational Series: Human and Animal Interaction in Hong Kong: Veterinary CollegeWHEN: Monday, 4 November, 8:45 AM – 12:00 PM (Approx.) Register by Sunday, 3 NovemberWHERE: Meet at Kowloon Tong MTR, Exit C COST: $60 member/$120 member's guestCAPACITY: 10 min/12 max COORDINATOR(S): Lynne Stewardson 5696 0604 Are you concerned about diseases that your animals (and maybe you too) can catch in HK? What about the meat we eat? Is the pig disease African swine fever contagious? What is the latest concern for our dogs when out for walkies? The Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences at CityU may hold the answers to your questions. Join world-leading experts and professors for an insightful talk about the school and their current work. Follow on with a guided behind-the-scenes tour of the veterinary diagnostic lab with interactive experiences of the work and explanations from their experts.

Wander Asia Adventure Series: Hakka Tulou – ChinaWHEN: Tuesday – Thursday, 5 – 7 November Register by Saturday, 5 October No refunds will be given at any time.WHERE: TBA (Exact location will be emailed to

participants)COST: $7500 member/$7900 member's guestCAPACITY: 8 min/12 max COORDINATOR(S): Kathryn Abbott 9781 2024Scattered across the hills in Fujian province, the Hakka tulou are colossal multistory fortified villages, predominantly built in


a doughnut shape. More than just empty castles, they were the epitome of traditional communal living, with hundreds of people living in close proximity. We will explore a few authentic tulou, still occupied by real villagers (with chickens running around), and stay overnight at one to experience authentic Hakka food and hospitality — avoiding the crowded, commercialized tulou favored by typical mass-market tours. Discover: - The history and evolution of tulou, exploring them in their

many forms (they are typically round but can be squarish as well!)

- How the architecture and interior layout of tulou provided a functional and comfortable living environment to the Hakka people for hundreds of years

- The ingenious defense system of tulou, such as the anti-fire main gates and underground escape tunnels

See website for itinerary.

Exploring Neighborhoods: Taikoo WHEN: Wednesday, 6 November, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Approx.) Register by Monday, 4 NovemberWHERE: Meet at Taikoo MTR (Exact location will

be emailed to participants)COST: $60 member/$120 member's guestCAPACITY: 3 min/12 max COORDINATOR(S): Natasha Bochorishvili 9853 0253 Come for a walk to explore the Eastern District of Hong Kong Island, often referred to as “Eastern Soho.” The area has been undergoing major revamping and gentrification; at this stage the shiny office towers and trendy art galleries and restaurants coexist with relict conglomerates of densely stacked, atmospheric residential buildings. During the walk we’ll see some local cultural attractions, like an exhibition on Cantonese opera in film at the Hong Kong Film Archive, and enjoy the view from the scenic Quarry Bay Promenade on the way to Hatoba Japanese restaurant to have lunch there (at your own expense).

Entertainment Series: Piano Performance and Cocktail WHEN: Saturday, 9 November, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Approx.)WHERE: Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel (Exact

location will be emailed to participants)COST: $560 member/$620 member's guestCAPACITY: 6 min/16 max COORDINATOR(S): Susanne Salg 91756909 Come and enjoy a relaxing afternoon piano performance at the elegant Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel. The performance will be complemented with a selection of savory and sweet canapés, including finger sandwiches, desserts, fresh fruit and pastries, and a glass of wine, house spirits or coffee/tea. Our guest pianist is Melissa Stock, former adjunct professor of music at Northwest Christian University and music director at the Crystal Cathedral in California, and currently the country manager for Agape International Missions (AIM) Cambodia.

What's for Supper?: A Plant-Based Meal – Cooking with NatWHEN: Monday, 11 November, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Approx.)WHERE: Tseung Kwan O (Exact location will be

emailed to participants)COST: $560 member/$620 member's guestCAPACITY: 3 min/5 max COORDINATOR(S): Natalia Morrison 6415 9880 There are a lot of health benefits to eating a plant-based diet. In this class, nutrition educator and cookbook author Natalia Morrison will guide you through a delicious, easy-to-prepare plant-based menu from her cookbook, Home Cooking East & West. We'll then sit down (with a glass of "mental health food"!) to enjoy the quinoa black bean burgers with chili lime mayo, avocado salad with lemony yogurt dressing and homemade buns we made together.

Educational Series – Walking Tour with Jason Wordie: Happy Valley Cemetery – Tombstone TourismWHEN: Tuesday, 12 November, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Approx.)WHERE: The Hong Kong Jockey Club Museum,

adjacent to the main stands on Wong Nai Chung Road (Exact location will be emailed to participants)

COST: $440 member/$500 member's guestCAPACITY: 10 min/18 max COORDINATOR(S): Natalia Morrison 6415 9880 A graveyard can be a great place to explore local history. Happy Valley is one of Hong Kong’s urban contradictions, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s racetrack (one of Hong




Kong’s most popular attractions for the city’s living) on one side of the street and the historical Colonial Cemetery on the other side. Join us as we explore this famous cemetery with local historian Jason Wordie to learn about the fascinating lives of the people buried there (including many young women) and the contributions made by various distinct ethnic communities to Hong Kong’s social and economic development. Muslim, Roman Catholic, Hindu, Parsee, Protestant Europeans and Russian Orthodox individuals share the cemetery with prewar Japanese residents, descendants of Portuguese migrants from Macao and White Russian refugees who escaped the Bolshevik Revolution. Learn the secrets of the headstones and grave markers. It’s a fascinating look into the tastes and dangers of an era. Come and enjoy being a tombstone tourist!

Shopping Series: Yuet Tung China Works – Hand-Painted PorcelainWHEN: Wednesday, 13 November, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM WHERE: Meet at Admiralty MTR (inside) near M&S

Foods (Exact location will be emailed to participants)

COST: $60 member/$120 member's guestCAPACITY: 5 min/10 max COORDINATOR(S): Lisa Wallis 6715 0653 Just in time for your holiday shopping! Are you looking for a great place to buy some of the best porcelain in Hong Kong? Yuet Tung China Works has made hand-painted china since 1928 for restaurants, hotels and customers like you. This shop offers a range of ready-to-go china, but the real draw is either choosing a pattern from their sample book or having your own design custom made. Optional lunch will follow, at shared expense.

Educational Series: Introduction to Mahjong

WHEN: Thursdays 14, 21, 28 November and 5 December, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Register by Tuesday, 12 NovemberWHERE: AWA Office COST: $240 member/$300 member's guestCAPACITY: 8 min/12 max COORDINATOR(S): Lynne Stewardson 5696 0604 Martine Vallone 2866 9801Do you feel like you're the only person in Hong Kong who doesn’t know how to play mahjong? Can't tell a dragon tile from a wind and never heard of "chi" or "pong"? Then this is your lucky month! Our own Martine Vallone will teach you all the basics you need to know in just four easy and fun lessons! This introductory class (beginners only please) will meet weekly on Thursday for four consecutive weeks. Please plan on attending all four sessions.

Arts/Crafts & Design Series: Matryoshka Dolls – The Many Layers of Being a WomanWHEN: Thursdays 14, 21, 28 November and 5,

12, 19 December, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PMWHERE: Wild at Art Studio (Central) (Exact location

will be emailed to participants)COST: $3300 member/$3360 member's guestCAPACITY: 4 min/10 max (excluding coordinator)COORDINATOR(S): Natalia Morrison 6415 9880

As women we are many-layered beings, playing different roles that accumulate, shift and change through our lives. Russian matryoshka dolls are a beautiful representation and metaphor for our many-layered selves and can represent the lifetimes of experiences stored inside us! In these hands-on art workshops, you will be guided to create your very own set of matryoshka dolls that symbolize the roles that you play in your life and the accumulated wisdom that you bring to the lives around you. We will paint our own set of wooden nesting dolls as we illustrate and treasure each stage of life and the rich seam of experiences within -- helping us to identify, explore and treasure the myriad roles we have



played throughout our lives. This will culminate in the final painting of the largest outer doll as the glorious manifestation of your wise and brilliant present-day self.

Educational Series: @Home with HelpersWHEN: Tuesday, 19 November, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM WHERE: AWA Office COST: $300 member/$360 member's guestCAPACITY: 4 min/30 max COORDINATOR(S): Natalia Morrison 6415 9880 For many expats, having someone who works for you living in your home is a new experience. Building a positive relationship based on clear communication is key to a happy and healthy home life for everyone. In this talk, Natalia Morrison will share insider tips to help you effectively communicate your food-related needs, preferences and expectations regarding how food is to be handled in your home. The tips and hands-on tools described in this seminar are based on a chapter in Home Cooking East & West – Kitchen Happiness with Domestic Helpers, which Natalia wrote with input from her domestic helper, Elsa Amistad. Participants will each receive a complimentary copy of this recently published cookbook (and more!).

Cooking with Passion: The Mixing Bowl Cooking ClassWHEN: Tuesday, 19 November, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Approx.) Register by Tuesday, 12 November No refunds after registration deadline.WHERE: The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand,

23/F, Sheung Wan COST: $700 member/$760 member's guestCAPACITY: 8 min/16 max COORDINATOR(S): Heidi Rockowitz 9090 7909 Kim Rehmann 6039 2311Come learn how to make amazing pizza and Chinese egg tarts! The Mixing Bowl will show us how fun it is to cook, and afterward we will enjoy the results of our efforts. The classes are easy and ingredients simple. Only common domestic appliances are used, so you will be able to recreate this meal at home for the family.

Charity Tour: St. Barnabas' Society and HomeWHEN: Wednesday, 20 November, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM WHERE: Western District (Exact location will be

emailed to participants)COST: $60 member/$120 member's guestCAPACITY: 10 max COORDINATOR(S): Lee Parr 5698 9163 St. Barnabas’ Society and Home started off small, formed in 1987 by two people who began a ministry of outreach to street sleepers, the poor, and the homeless in the Western and Kennedy Town districts of Hong Kong Island. Today the organization has a large presence in the Western District. It continues to serve the homeless and now provides home-cooked meals at the center, as well as other facilities for all ages. St. Barnabas is a recipient of AWA 2019 funding and we are planning a visit to the center for a tour and to hear more about the future projects the organization is planning.

Entertainment Series: High Tea Rosewood HotelWHEN: Wednesday, 20 November, 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Approx.) Register by Friday, 15 NovemberWHERE: Meet at Admiralty MTR (inside) near M&S

Foods COST: $60 member/$120 member's guestCAPACITY: 6 min/12 max COORDINATOR(S): Tracey-Lee Hayes 9130 0851 Barbara Galligan 6080 6523Artful interiors set the stage for a memorable afternoon tea at the Rosewood’s Butterfly Room. Inspired by some of Europe’s most exquisite tea rooms in interior designer Tony Chi’s eclectic style, the Butterfly Room offers a substantial menu of savory bites and finger sandwiches, fluffy homemade scones, irresistible pastries and indulgent confections by resident pastry chef Holger Deh, some of which are served on a silver trolley. The high tea will be at shared cost (dependent on the number of participants). Price: HK$720 for two guests, with an additional Delamotte Champagne pairing for HK$260.

Educational Series: Human and Animal Interaction in Hong Kong: Trinity TowersWHEN: Friday, 22 November, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM (Approx.) Register by Thursday, 21 NovemberWHERE: Meet at Sham Shui Po MTR, Exit C2 COST: $60 member/$120 member's guestCAPACITY: 12 min/20 max COORDINATOR(S): Lynne Stewardson 5696 0604 Want the best 24/7 care in Hong Kong for your beloved pet,



or just interested in exploring behind the scenes of a state-of-the-art animal health care facility? This is the tour for you. Trinity Towers opened earlier this year and offers specialist services and equipment comparable to most human hospitals. Recently relocated from Peace Avenue, this brand-new facility is providing a private tour just for us.

Hong Kong-Themed EmbroideryWHEN: Tuesday, 26 November, 10:00 AM – 12:30 AM (Approx.) Register by Sunday, 24 NovemberWHERE: AWA Office COST: $550 member/$610 member's guestCAPACITY: 10 min/12 max (excluding coordinator)COORDINATOR(S): Susan Orchard 9634 6655 (WhatsApp +447891575475) If you love Hong Kong there is no better way to celebrate that than by creating a beautiful embroidery hoop inspired by this wonderful city! The talented Gilmour sisters from Make and Do will lead us in our very own Hong Kong-inspired embroidery session, suitable for all levels from absolute beginners on up. All supplies are provided. What's your favorite thing that comes to mind when you think about Hong Kong? Is it the skyline, the red taxis, the ding-ding trams, dumplings in dim sum baskets, the Aqua Luna? We have lots of cute templates for you to choose from! This is not the kind of cross-stitch your Grandma has hanging on the wall, but a cheeky spin on traditional handmade crafts. You will gain some insight into the world of embroidery and learn a number of embroidery techniques that can be used on your final masterpiece. You are welcome to bring along your own snacks if you wish; tea and coffee available at cost.

Recreational Series: Burgers and BowlingWHEN: Wednesday, 27 November, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Approx.)WHERE: Meet at lobby of Hong Kong Country

Club, 188 Wong Chuk Hang Road (between Aberdeen and Deep Water

Bay) COST: $60 member/$120 member's guestCAPACITY: 6 min/8 max (excluding coordinator)COORDINATOR(S): Lavinia Hemandas 2838 2199Situated in the south side of the island, the Hong Kong Country Club is a renowned, elite, multicultural club, boasting an exclusive membership of 2,500. It is reputed as one of Hong Kong's premier clubs, serving the finest cuisine and providing the very best sports and recreational facilities since 1962, including — you guessed it — a bowling alley! Today we'll have a chance to enjoy a delicious lunch at the Garden Room, followed by some fun-time bowling, both at shared expense. Shoes will be provided, but please bring along your own socks.

Looking Forward DecemberEducational Series – Historical Talk with Jason Wordie: Reformers to Revolutionaries: Hong Kong Women in the 20th CenturyWHEN: Thursday, 5 December, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM WHERE: AWA Office COST: $330 member/$390 member's guestCAPACITY: 10 min/25 max COORDINATOR(S): Susan Soskin West 9191 1503 Twentieth-century Hong Kong experienced tremendous societal change, and in few aspects was this transformation more profound and long-lasting than in the changing role and status of women. In particular, the public role played by Chinese women altered profoundly, and the effects of greater opportunity in all fields continue into the present day. In this insightful talk with local historian Jason Wordie we will explore the broader international and local circumstances that contributed to this evolution, and track these changes through the fascinating lives and careers of various women from very diverse ethnic backgrounds, educational levels and socioeconomic circumstances who all made their lives in Hong Kong. From Lady Lugard to sex workers and the world of Suzie Wong; from famous authors, engineers, and women in politics to the first female vicar of the Anglican Church; this talk is filled with valuable revelations.

Educational Series – Walking Tour with Jason Wordie: “The Gin Drinkers Line” – Shing Mun Park WWII TunnelsWHEN: Saturday, 7 December, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Approx.) Register by Tuesday, 12 November



WHERE: Meet at Tsuen Wan MTR, Exit C (Exact location will be emailed to participants)

COST: $440 member/$500 member's guestCAPACITY: 10 min/18 max COORDINATOR(S): Susan Soskin West 9191 1503 Shing Mun, with its extensive series of wartime sites, will interest and intrigue those who combine an interest in the Pacific War period with enjoyment of Hong Kong’s magnificent open countryside. We will visit the surviving tunnels and emplacements of the prewar Inner Line — popularly referred to as the "Gin Drinker's Line." This 12-acre underground citadel formed the largest single entity in an extended defensive complex that extended right across the Kowloon hills from Gin Drinker’s Bay to Port Shelter. On this visit, we will learn how and why these tunnels were built and subsequently defended. We will discuss their role in the tense years that led up to the eventual defense of Hong Kong in 1941. After the reservoir’s capture by the Japanese, water supplies to urban areas, particularly on Hong Kong Island, were critically affected; this desperate situation materially affected the eventual outcome of the Hong Kong campaign.

Educational Series – Walking Tour with Jason Wordie: Kennedy TownWHEN: Thursday, 12 December, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Approx.)WHERE: Meet at HKU MTR, Exit A (Exact location

will be emailed to participants)COST: $440 member/$500 member's guestCAPACITY: 10 min/18 max COORDINATOR(S): Susan Soskin West 9191 1503

At the extreme western end of Hong Kong Island, Kennedy Town is often overlooked. By the 1870s it was recognized that the city of Victoria (approximately Sheung Wan, Central, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay) was developed almost beyond its existing capacity; Kennedy Town thus emerged as one of the first efforts at urban decentralization in Hong

Kong. Tucked away amongst new developments are examples of interwar architectural styles, temples and some very significant military relics. One of the most surprising sites we will visit is the Lo Pan Temple, on the steep network of hillside terraces between Kennedy Town and Hong Kong University. Dedicated to the patron saint of carpenters, the temple is an architectural jewel. Long-established shops, operating for decades, add to the bustling atmosphere along the last remaining stretch of rocky shoreline on the northern coast of Hong Kong Island. Join local historian Jason Wordie to explore the dramatic evolution of this fast-changing neighborhood.

Registration ProceduresLocal Tour and Activity (LTA) events are open for registration as of the first of each month in which the activity will be held. Activities being held in the early part of the following month are open for registration on the first day of the prior month. Check the AWA website at www.awa.org.hk for the most up-to-date schedule and don’t forget to register early as many of the events will sell out.

Refund, Cancellation and Substitution PoliciesEvery activity includes an administrative fee of HK$60 Member/HK$120 Member’s Guest. This base fee is not refundable at any time unless the AWA cancels the event. Charges in excess of the base fee are refundable if cancellation is received by the AWA office at least one full week before the activity date. For example, if the activity is on a Tuesday, cancellation must be received prior to midnight of the previous Tuesday. If the AWA cancels an event, the entire activity cost will be automatically credited to you. Credit notes are not transferable and must be used within six months from the date of issue or by the end of the AWA fiscal year (30 June), whichever is earlier. You may request a check in lieu of a credit at any time before the credit expires.Owing to the popularity of AWA activities, many have a wait list and therefore substitutions cannot be accepted. If you are unable to attend an activity, please, inform the AWA office to cancel your place and allow someone on the waitlist to attend.*The $60 registration fee is purely an administration fee. It is not donated to the Charitable and Education fund.


C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N

ARTS/HOBBIESAfternoon Book Club Penny Van Niel: [email protected] Kathryn Abbott: [email protected] Art Lovers Natasha Bochorishvili: [email protected] Kumiko Matsushima: [email protected] Photography Group Angela Bellas: [email protected] Sew It’s Thursday Connie Albracht: [email protected]

GAMESBridge and Lunch Social Wendy Maize: [email protected] Games Galore (Mahjong Or Bridge) Beth Hall: [email protected] Mahjong Madness Katherine Fenton: [email protected]

TOPICALEnvironmental Committee Chiara Rodriquez: [email protected] Literacy Group Kate Weisman: [email protected] Women’s Forum MaryAnn Boone: [email protected]

FOODGalloping Gourmet Linda Gomoll: [email protected] Jean Han: [email protected] Mary Oliver: [email protected] Penny Soder: [email protected] Lunch Bunch Connie Albracht: [email protected]

SPORTSGlobe Paddlers (Dragon Boat) Sarah Brundan: [email protected] Augusta Nichols-Even: [email protected] Golf Society Nicci Button and Tanya Keg: [email protected] Hiking GroupStrenuous Hikes Gail Sousa: [email protected] Alison Doran: [email protected]/Social Hikes Kathryn Abbott: [email protected] Jane Hotchkiss: [email protected]

Ongoing Clubs and SportsThe AWA’s many ongoing clubs and sports offer the most popular and easiest ways for members to make new friends. Keep busy and expand your network of friends with these activities, organized by AWA members for AWA members. One-time registration (at www.awa.org.hk) is required in order to receive updates about scheduled activities.

AWA BUDDY PROGRAMThe AWA Buddy Program pairs interested new members with a “Buddy” who helps answer questions about life in Hong Kong and/or the AWA. WHEN: OngoingCOORDINATOR: Alison May, [email protected]

FOON YING – HONG KONG INSIGHTSFoon Ying means “welcome” in Cantonese and the whole idea of these sessions (three sessions over a three-week period) is to embark on adventures and embrace new friendships. The program is great for both brand-new “Hong Kongers” and those of us who have been here a while and watched our first batch of friends and contacts head home or off to new pastures. WHEN: Every monthWHERE: AWA office or alternate location as agreedCOORDINATOR: Helen Pott, [email protected]

AWA WISE A supportive, nurturing networking and professional development group for women, offering workshops on trending topics and networking meetups with other like-minded women’s groups. AWA WISE events are open to non-members.WHEN: Email coordinators or follow AWA WISE on

Facebook @awawisehk for event announcementsCOORDINATORS: Priya Bhasker and Josephine Paris, [email protected]

Membership Programs and MeetupsCHAT (COME HAVE A TALK)CHAT is an informal drop-in gathering for members, newcomers, and non-members.WHEN: Thursdays, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (except public holidays)WHERE: Café 8 (rooftop of Central Pier 8, above the Maritime Museum)COST: No fee (all food and drink at personal expense)COORDINATORS: Nancy Acee, [email protected] Avril York, [email protected]

NEIGHBORHOOD COFFEESIf you live, work or play in any of the following neighborhoods, join others in your area for a monthly coffee. Contact your local coordinator for details of forthcoming coffees.

HK SOUTHSIDEJean Han, [email protected] FU LAM AND SHOUSON HILLAnnie Fifer, [email protected] BAYKathryn Abbott, [email protected]

OWL (OUT WITH THE LADIES)Come join us any week or every week – same time, same place (except public holidays).WHEN: Tuesdays, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PMWHERE: Oolaa, 20 Bridges Street, SohoCOORDINATORS: Maureen Brugger, 5504 1515 Jennifer Bartolomeo, 9310 5522

SAI KUNGKatherine Fenton, [email protected] Soder, [email protected]


C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N

Joining the AWA is easy, and all women are welcome! Just visit our website at awa.org.hk or call 2527 2961.

COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY SERVICE [email protected]

Chairperson Kim Rehmann: [email protected] Kitchen Claudia Ciesielski: [email protected] Society for the Blind Lee Parr: [email protected] McDonald House Renee Cheung: [email protected] Kong Hosts:Adopt a Marine/Sailor Tiffany Broeckelman: [email protected] Merchants Wharf Tiffany Broeckelman: [email protected]

EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIP [email protected]

Chairperson Augusta Nichols-Even: [email protected] Programs: Kwun Tong Marti Law: [email protected] Fu Lam Liz Clark: [email protected] Shui Po Barbara Iannazzone: [email protected] Wan Linda Gomoll: [email protected] Kathy Barber: [email protected] Foo Reading Program Shirley Andruko: [email protected] Lai King Karen Prosser: [email protected] Interviews Katherine Payne: [email protected] in the Dark Jenlen Ng: [email protected]

OFFICEPhone 2527 2961/2Fax 2865 7737Hours 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM Mon-ThuAddress No.5, 11th floor, Arion Commercial Centre, 2-12 Queen's Road West, Hong KongWebsite www.awa.org.hkDirector of Operations Barbora Mayer: [email protected] Representative Joanne Lam: [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP [email protected]

2nd Vice President Gail Sousa: [email protected] Discounts [email protected]

SOCIAL

ACTIVITIES [email protected] Vice President Natasha Bochorishvili: [email protected] Tours Tracey-Lee Hayes: [email protected] Annie Fifer: [email protected] Tours Natalia Morrison: [email protected]

EXECUTIVE BOARD

EXECUTIVE BOARD [email protected] Priyanka Agarwal: [email protected] 1st VP Fundraising Robin Neiterman: [email protected] 2nd VP Membership Gail Sousa: [email protected] 3rd VP Activities Natasha Bochorishvili: [email protected] Treasurer Alison Doran: [email protected] Recording Secretary Jessica Cheng: [email protected] Charitable Donations Beth McNicholas: [email protected] Community Service Kim Rehmann: [email protected] Education & Scholarship Augusta Nichols-Even: [email protected] AWAre Editor Stephanie Chan: [email protected] Sponsorship Debbie Cruikshank: [email protected] Branding & Communications J’nee Hilgers-Easter: [email protected]

About the AWAThe AWA (American Women’s Association) is a dynamic community of women of all nationalities, with more than 650 members from 40 countries. Our mission is to welcome and empower women to connect and contribute in Hong Kong. We are sure you will find your niche through our diverse range of activities, events and opportunities to volunteer.

Current members: you are our best ambassadors. Please introduce new arrivals and old friends to AWA – over wine at OWL, at a Neighborhood Coffee or CHAT, or an AWA WISE event.

If you have any questions about the AWA, please contact the office or any of the Executive Board members.

BRANDING & COMMUNICATIONS [email protected]

Chairperson J'nee Hilgers-Easter: [email protected] Newsletter/E-Blast Coordinator J'nee Hilgers-Easter: [email protected] Moderator J'nee Hilgers-Easter: [email protected]

JOIN US TODAY Become a part of AmCham network and experience the differences with…

The American Chamber of Commerce is the largest international chamber in Hong Kong, with almost 50 years of history and influencein the Asia-Pacific. Our mission is to serve as a center for networking,

information and advocacy for our valued members.

Enquiry: [email protected] / +852 2530 6925

Documents

A Magazine for the Women of Hong Kong • November 2019