Prologue
Thanks to this project so I could get a chance to know more about my family history and my father. As in eastern culture, especially in asian countries, fathers usually play a solemn role in the family; though they love their kids, they wouldn’t express it passionately like the fathers in western countries. My father, a traditional/typical father you could find in eastern countries, the impression he gave me when I was young was stringent, do not talk much and seldom smile even I had good performance on anything; I think the verb “scare” best describes the feeling I had to him when I was a little kid. His past, childhood and stories are like a mystery to me, as he hardly talked about himself in our daily conversations(probably due to shyness or trying to maintain the tough image of a father). Therefore, in this assignment, I decided to interview my father, the most intimate yet strangest man to me at the same time.
1) Family Interview
What is your full name? Why did your parents select this name for you?Kok Ming Wong. I don’t think there is any specific reason for them to select this name for me; I guess they just picked it randomly. But I would say the two word of my name is making sense,which they have a meaning of “understanding” (Ming in chinese) and “awarenesss” (Kok in chinese). I think they want me to become an understanding and smart person at some point.
When and where were you born?
I was born in 1959, in Hong Kong, same place as you.
Why did your family come to live there?
Our ancestors were originally belongs to QingYuan, Guangdong in China. During the time of World War Two, your grandfather and his parents took risk to escape from China when it was in war with Japan and came to HongKong to take refuge. That was the initial purpose/reason why they came to Hong Kong but for some reason they couldn’t return to China after WW2, so then they stayed here and started all over again.
Tell me something about your school life.
I was a really lazy kid and frankly I didn’t like going to school at all cause it was very hard for me to sit still and listen to the teacher blah blah blah, so I was planning to quit school after the HKCEE (Form 5). However, as I am the second son in the family, your grandparents wanted me to get a better education level so they insisted to send me to high school, and after all, I’m glad they did otherwise I won’t get the life I’m having now. Remember when I was in high school (form7), I did really well in Mathematics and Chinese literature but very poor in physic.
Describe a typical family dinner. Did you all eat together as a family? Who did the cooking? What were your favorite foods?
You understand that it means a lot to have all family members gather to have dinner in Chinese culture, so the most basic thing in a typical family dinner is every each of us are present, we all gathered around the table and ate. Your grandmother did most of the cooking; you know she’s really good at it, especially the meat-pie and spicy shrimp, no could have ever done better than her!
How were holidays and birthdays celebrated in your family?
The most special holiday to us is usually the Chinese News Year holiday. Just like you, when I was still a kid, I was always excited about celebrating CNY as we would receive red packet money from the adults and your grandma would cook a lot of delicious food. Those are some of the most bustling days in the year; all relatives came to our home and gathered, adults gambling and kids played with each other; at the end of the day we all gathered around a huge round table, and had a big meal.
About celebrating birthday, one thing is quite special and you might know that is your grandma made us red eggs, one for the birthday kid and the rest would be given to the family members, neighbors or friends; so every time we receive red eggs, we know that day was someone’s birthday. It’s an old fashioned Chinese tradition, regarded as a blessing from the parents. [Me: But you and mum have never made me any red eggs, why?] Cause no one does that now, and it’s hard to find the ingredient to make red eggs too.
Do you remember any fads from your youth? Popular hairstyles? Clothes?In my early twenties, around 1980s, bell-bottomed jeans/pants and men with long hair were very popular in HongKong. I would say it was the influences of a famous band in British called Beatles, I bet you know them too. Not only their music but also the way they dressed/ fashion style has raised a great mass fervor among teenagers, so I had long hair as well at that time, can you ever imagine your dad having long hair, haha.
When you were a kid, did you receive any pocket money? How much? Did you save your money or spend it?
I didn’t receive any pocket money until I started primary school, which is around six years old. I still remember how excited I was when I receive 50cents from your grandpa. At that time, 50 cents is quite a lot for a kid, I think it equals to 2-3 hong kong dollars now; it might sounds too little to you now but it’s very enough for a kid in the old times. Your grandpa gave me 50 cents three times a week so it was like 1.5 dollars a week, I saved half of them and I spent half of them on snacks and card games, you dad was already quite good at financial management when I’m still a kid.
Where and when did you get married?
1984 in Hong Kong, I was 25 and very into you mum.
When and how did you meet mum? What did you do on dates?
I met you mum when I was 22, she’s 5 years younger than me so she was just 17,18 years old when we met. I met her at our mutual friend’s birthday party, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her after my friend introduced us to each other. I invited her to dance with me the whole night, cause I couldn’t let other guys to have a chance to hit on/ talk to her; and of course after the party I did ask her for contact information. But you know the technology wasn’t that advance back then, we didn’t have mobile phone so for each date, we needed to make an appointment on home phone to assure the exact place and time to meet up; but it always feels go to be waiting and expecting someone you like.
The dates in the old times weren’t as entertaining as those in nowadays. Sometimes we just walk a long the seashore in Tsim Sha Tsui or in a park; sometimes we watch movie, go to museums, markets and have dinner, etc. It’s pretty simple but one of the happiest moment I had in my life.
I have heard of you once joined the army when Hong Kong was still a colony of the United Kingdom. Any interesting or memorable things happened during work when you were in the Hong Kong Military Service?
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2) Family Artifacts
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3) My Story
Turning Point
It is all about a decision that I made 3 years ago. I didn’t do well in my AL exam (a public examination in the last year of high school in Hong Kong) so I ended up not getting any offer from my desired Universities in Hong Kong. My family and I were so depressed about my result cause it’s totally out of our expectation. At that time I could feel myself like an empty shell without goals and living purposes, I was complete lost as if I was standing in the middle of a cross street, I even had once thought of ending my life. But then, my best friend, who I’m very blessed to have him, told me that higher education wasn’t the ONLY path to success, “A loss means you will gain something else.” I always remember this line that he said to me. Soon I decided to study in a community college with a Visual Design major instead of BA. During the two years study in that place I met a group of passionate and inspiring people/friends/crew and I found what I truly passionate about and what I wanted to achieve in my future. By chance, this program has also led me to make up my mind about studying abroad, seeing overseas creativity and so, now I’m here.
One of My Favorite memories
Very long time ago, I guess I was 8 years old. A night in late May, when it’s close to my birthday, my parents brought me to a restaurant with tropic rain forest decoration and settings, located in a grand shopping mall. I can still remember how excited I was when I first entered this place; the ceiling and wall were decorated with leaves and climbing plants; pillars were the trunks of trees; I saw many fake tropical animals like apes, bonobos, capybaras, bongos, etc. Some of them could even move around in certain spots and howl. The setting, to me, was like a real rain forest; the production of that restaurant was superb!
An event in a place that’s really important to you
I think that would be my 10-year-old birthday party took place at the McDonald’s near my home. This party was hosted by my parents, an event that celebrated the first 10-year in my life; all relatives, my best friends and schoolmates, my parents’ friends came; it was day filled with blessing, happiness and bliss. The reason this event meant a lot to me is that it let me know how lucky I was and how much I was being loved by all those people, especially my parents, who came and witnessed one of the important days in my life. Sometimes I would think that the positive personality I’m having right now is because of all the happiness my parents gave me, as they always let me know, no matter what, I’m always loved.
4) My Education
For the time being, my goal in terms of education is to finish the bachelor degree here. I’m quite sure about I want to pursue a career in creative industry, it could be film/video production, advertising, design, etc. In order to achieve this goal, I need not only enhance my creative thinking but also learn and train as much knowledge and skills as I can in terms of sound production, film production, photography, software proficiency, etc. in the future.
5) A Day in my Future
Quality of Life Top Ten!!
1 wake up with happiness each day
2 Buy an apartment for my parents in Hongkong
3 Live in New York City
4 Travel at least twice a year
5 Spend time with best friends and parents
6 Work in creative industry
7 Always be passionate in my job
8 Watch as much good movies as I can
9 Stay healthy
10 Meet more new people and get inspired by them
I can hear the alarm is going off, I reach out my hand from the blanket and turn it off. It’s another good morning. Lights and computer turned on and blinders rolled up automatically by the time my foot stepped on the floor. I walk near the window and look down, watching the busyness of Fifth Avenue. Then I turn on Skype, greet my parents in Hong Kong and tell them how much I miss them. By the time it’s almost 9am, I get myself dressed and go to work, there’s an important meeting with the board today. I’m now working as a creative director in an advertising agency. Unfortunately, the evaluator breaks down when I’m going up to the office; I was in complete darkness for 15 minutes already, but I’m still patiently and calmly waiting for rescue. The door suddenly opened but out there isn’t my destination, it’s a strange place; due to curiosity, I go out and take a look anyway. I wish there would be something exciting happened.