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Over the years, Judyanna Li has worked tirelessly to interest her students in the art of traditional Chinese painting. Elizabeth Kerr meets the esteemed artist and educator, who is now looking to retire and refocus on her own creativity I like the simplicity. Oil painting is quite messy,” explains artist and teacher Judyanna Li of the classical Chinese art form she was drawn to three decades ago and which she remains passionate about to this day. Sitting in a little studio in the flat she moved into with her husband just a week before, Judyanna looks relaxed, sporting a Jean Seberges-que pixie cut that shaves a decade off her 62 years. The studio walls are lined with art books, drawings, canvases and prints, and the biggest piece of furniture in the room is the expandable table that Judyanna works at. There’s barely a removal box in sight, and the flat is remarkably organised. It might look effortless, but it’s not. “I’m exhausted,” Judyanna says with a chuckle. A native of Hong Kong, Judyanna and her husband Danny Ho have been living in Discovery Bay since the late 1980s. They moved around as their family grew and contracted, but Judyanna is one of the original DB residents. At the time, she and her husband were working at establishing their own construction business, which had offices in Kwun Tong. “We moved here because it was far enough away to let us relax and unwind on the way back. We worked in construction and it was high stress. The ride home was nice. And we didn’t go out that much,” she says of what was then a very different neighbourhood. The educator Judyanna didn’t come from an arty family or get side-tracked into traditional commerce after art school. She got into art simply because she came to appreciate the beauty of it – and she did so relatively late in life. She was nearly 30 and had just had her first daughter. As a new mother without a long commute every day, she found time to study traditional Chinese painting privately. Her tutor was the prominent Hong Kong artist Mok E-Den, who himself tutored under renowned artist Ting Yin-yung. Ten years later and about to become a mother for the second time, she decided to get more serious about her art too. “I’m very lucky,” Judyanna says. “We had a successful business when I had our second child. I’d studied painting for a decade and thought maybe it was time to put more into it. Not another business per se, but more than just a hobby.” And more than just a hobby Judyanna’s art certainly became. She has shown her work to critical acclaim in Hong Kong and on the mainland, one of her paintings, Mt Huang in Mist, hangs in Jingmen Art Museum, and she’s listed in a 1998 directory of the most eminent Chinese artists worldwide. But back to the early days (1995), when Judyanna set up an art studio  in DB with the aim to focus on her own work and promote interest in the art of Chinese painting in the younger generation. She soon started teaching Chinese painting to children and adults – at the Discovery Bay Recreation Club (DBRC) from 1997 to 2017; at the DB Alliance Church Community Centre from 2000 to 2019, and at Jean M Wong for Arts in Kowloon Bay and North Point from 1999 to the present. Judyanna’s classes were a big hit from the get-go, as were the highprofile exhibitions she held with her students. The first Exhibition of Chinese Paintings by Judyanna Li and Her Students was held at Hong Kong City Hall in 1997. Notably too, in 2000, Judyanna jointly organised the Exhibition of Chinese Painting by Children in Hong Kong and Shenzhen with Guan Shanyue Art Museum. “When I teach young children (the majority of my students), I can always get some inspiration by watching the way they paint,” Judyanna says. “And I’m happy to say a few of my students have turned professional in the art field. “I love to promote Chinese painting at schools,” Judyanna adds. “I’ve done this at numerous schools over the years, including Discovery College and Singapore International School (Hong Kong), and the response from both students and teachers has been amazing. Parents tend to focus on academics, on maths and English, and kids have so many after-school activities. There’s less time for art. It’s very competitive out there.” Painting in the traditional style Judyanna’s preferred art form is recognisable for its distinct watercolour-like brush strokes that focus on flora, fauna and idealised landscapes. Even those with only a passing knowledge of art will be familiar with the elegant simplicity that is a hallmark of the style. “Chinese painting is similar to watercolour but the outcome is different because of the paper and the process,” explains Judyanna. “I only need two brushes, a bottle of ink and four colours. That’s it. And the beauty comes from that. I’m a very simple person. I don’t need fuss.” Judyanna’s work has the spare focus – a single bird, a single branch – that is a hallmark of guóhuà, with a touch of Mok E-Den and her own unfussy personality thrown in. Most of her paintings are drawn from memory and simple observation, often from her morning walks around DB, and occasionally a photograph. When asked about her career, Judyanna is charmingly reticent,choosing to focus on her relatively low-key solo exhibitions held at the DBRC in 2014 and 2016. “The purpose of my solo exhibitions in DB was to raise funding for a local charity group called UniHeart, which was founded in 2011 by a group of professionals who are committed to helping others and giving back to the community,” she says. “The DBRC has been very supportive in so many ways.” The esteemed artist Asked about her success as an artist in the wider world beyond DB, Judyanna again modestly ducks the question, saying, “I exhibited most frequently between 1997 and 2007.” Fortunately, she refers me to one of her exhibition booklets, and there’s abiography. Here are some highlights: In July 1997 (just two years after she got serious about her art), Judyanna was asked to participate in a Shenzhen Art Museum exhibition commemorating the Hong Kong handover. In 1998, her paintings were featured in the directory Calligraphy and Painting Collection of Eminent Chinese of World Over . In October 2003, she was invited by the Department of Calligraphy and Painting in Jingmen to participate in an  exhibition of Chinese calligraphy and paintings by famous artists in the region. (Judyanna’s family originally came from Guandong.) It was at this time that Mt Huang in Mist was picked up by Jingmen Art Museum. Judyanna’s first exhibition at Hong Kong City Hall was in 1998, where she presented over 50 paintings. She participated in the Exhibition of Chinese Paintings by Members of the Ge Shan Art Society in 2002 and 2004, and in The Delight of Chinese Painting in 2004. Her last major exhibition, an Exhibition of Chinese Paintings by Judyanna Li and Her Students, was in 2007, also at Hong Kong City Hall. When she started out, Judyanna wasn’t convinced her artistic curiosity would translate into a second career, but here she is. “I found the depth of a few simple strokes very interesting, but I didn’t think I would be able to paint. But then again, when I was young, I was in a choir and I didn’t think I could sing,” she says with a laugh. Though she’s not making any promises, 2020 will be the year Judyanna gives up teaching for good and toys with another solo exhibition (her last was at the DBRC in 2016). Perhaps she’ll also start experimenting with portraits. “I’d love to, but I’m not sure yet how to work my own style into that. It takes time, and I hope I still have time. I would also like to spend more time on my golf game. I’m now playing three to four times a week,” she finishes with another laugh. “There’s so much life to enjoy.”

Fighting between brothers and sisters is a concern for almost all parents of two or more kids. Anoush Davies shares some positive discipline techniques to help everybody get along All children fight no matter their age or gender. This is simply a fact and we have to accept it. (I have three sons and the fights they have with each other are part of our everyday life, and I remember my own childhood fights with my younger sister). Moreover, conflict is a very important part of human relationships. It is necessary for personal development and setting boundaries. It also enables kids to understand emotions such as annoyance, anger and rage, which is just as important as an understanding of joy and happiness. As parents, however, we do need to do everything we can to make sure that fights between kids don’t become too violent with bullying of siblings, or the suppression of one child by another. It is important for us to understand where the line lies between innocent pushing and shoving, and the development of unhealthy relationships with one child forever the victim and the other always the abuser. There are very many reasons why brothers and sisters fight with each other: To gain the attention of parents: “Why is Daddy playing football with my brother when I want to play cars with him?” To win at any cost: “I need to fight back. No one likes wimpy kids.” Feeling upset and not knowing how to deal with it: “He is calling me names so I will kick him.” Fighting for justice as they see it: “That’s so unfair – he always gets the first slice of cake.” Sometimes kids fight simply because they are bored and don’t know what else to do. And then, of course, there is the classic, where the younger sibling annoys the elder one who puts up with it for a long, long time and then one day… Kapow! Often, when parents interfere, things only get worse as we tend to take sides. We label our kids: “Come on, you are a big boy and she is small. You should be the smart/ kind one and let her have what she wants,” and so on. Then, without fully appreciating a situation, we punish the kids: “Go to your room and think about your behaviour.” “I am not interested in your reasons; you are grounded for a week.” “No iPad until Easter.” But what if we look at things from a different point of view, focusing on the idea that there are no bad children, just good and bad behaviours? What if we try to get our kids to hear each other, to develop their emotional intelligence skills and behaviour, and to look for compromise and conflict resolution? Positive discipline tips 1 Stay neutral – don’t take sides. Even when it is clear who is right and who is wrong don’t simply side with the victim. All you will do is confirm the obvious and it is unlikely that you will resolve the problem. 2 Remain calm on the outside, even if you are angry inside. Breathe out and speak calmly. This is usually much more effective than shouting. 3 Break it up. Physically remove your kids from each other but not necessarily to different rooms – just create distance and, again, stay neutral while doing so, even if a much younger sibling is involved. Take the younger child’s hand and say to him in front of his elder brother or sister: “We are going to sit down on the couch now and calm down.” Then ask the elder sibling to calm down and sit down also. Once kids are treated equally there is no victim or bully. 4 Remove the object of the fight. If kids are fighting over a toy or gadget, calmly take it away. Promise to return it once they have agreed on how they will share it. 5 Pay calm attention. Sometimes kids like having a fight in front of their parents. They may be hoping for tacit acceptance of such behaviour and they could be seeking to impress you with their strength and fighting ability. If the situation is contained and it is more play-fighting than anything violent, then don’t interfere. Just stay nearby and express your full awareness that they seem able to resolve their differences without you. After a while you can safely leave the room knowing that the fighting will end quickly – the kids will see no point in performing without an audience. 6 Leave them to it. Sometimes fighting is necessary simply as a release of energy, especially for boys. So, if you are sure they are having fun and just practising their skills, and that no one is in danger, then let them be. 7 Provide an alternative. Kids are full of energy so the busier they are with physical and mental activities the less time they have to fight with each other. Encourage them in their various pursuits and also participate. Lay down a challenge: “Let’s all do 15 press-ups and see if we can make it 20 by the end of the week.” 8 Make them think. If the fight is getting out of control, pull your kids apart and tell them they are now responsible for each other and have to stay seated until they both agree to continue. This will encourage them to seek an agreement rather than carry on fighting. Alternatively, you could send both kids to another room and tell them they can come out once they have reached an agreement. Once the conflict has passed and you are sitting together, perhaps at dinner, talk about feelings. Tell your kids how sad it makes you feel when they are fighting with each other and how good it would be to find mutually acceptable ways of preventing conflict in the future. Express your readiness to listen to both sides, to stay neutral and to brainstorm possible solutions. You can even write a ‘conflict-resolution plan’ together and put it up on the wall. Then, the next time a situation threatens to develop, you can raise an eyebrow and point to the plan that they helped create. And, once again, stay neutral and don’t compare your kids. When we compare, label and take sides, we encourage competition and conflict and create a victim/ bully relationship that in the long run simply won’t work. The founder of UpBright, Anoush Davies is a professional life coach, positive discipline parent educator and certified NLP and Emotional Intelligence practitioner. To find out more and check out her blog, head to upbrightglobal.com .

A thousand miles from civilisation, in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles is one of the world’s most romantic destinations. Dorothy Veitch finds eight reasons to fall in love with Mahe, the main island. 1 Island life Known for private-island resorts like 11-villa North Island, where William and Kate honeymooned, the Seychelles is usually a big-ticket destination. But it doesn’t have to be. Base yourself on Mahe, the main island of the archipelago of 115, and you’ll find places to stay which suit pretty much every budget. Swinging in a hammock, gazing at the brilliant blue Indian Ocean, you’ll certainly feel like an A-lister. 2 Blissed-out beaches A tiny island (28 kilometres long and 8 kilometres wide), Mahe boasts an incredible 6o+ beaches. You’re guaranteed that Robinson Crusoe moment on a deserted stretch of white sand but for a little more action, head to 1-kilometre Anse Royale beach. Crystal-clear shallows near the shore give way to deeper waters that are perfect for snorkelling. 3 Capital gains The charming capital, Victoria, is made up of colourful homes, stalls and shops set higgledy-piggledy along the streets. Stroll the botanical gardens, or buy spices – the Seychelles is known for cinnamon and vanilla – at the bustling fish, vegetable and fruit market. The Victorian clock tower, a mini replica of the Vauxhall Clock Tower in London, harks back to the days of British colonial rule. 4 The big blue In the Seychelles, water temperatures seldom drop below 27ºC, which makes it the ideal environment for water sports of all varieties. You can try your hand at sailing, kite-boarding, kite-surfing, windsurfing, jet-skiing and paragliding. Big game fishing is also very popular. Scuba divers are looking at an underwater visibility of 30 metres, and over 300 species of marine life to enjoy. 5 Creole food The Seychellois look like they represent every culture in the world and their cuisine does too: tuna and king fish are staples, grilled or steamed with ginger and chillies. You will enjoy Indian-influenced curries, plenty of coconut milk and lemongrass-based recipes, and rice with every meal. And, of course, you can enjoy your seafood fresh, and coconuts cut straight from the trees. 6 Jungle treks Should you tire of your hammock, you can book a nature tour, or join a hike into the interior rainforest to delight in the island’s exotic flora and fauna. Mahe’s highest peak is 95-metre Morne Seychellois, which forms part of a national park of the same name. There are 12 trails in the 10 kilometre-longpark, with rocky outcrops providing glorious panoramic views. 7 Gentle wildlife In the Seychelles, the indigenous wildlife is well protected, and visitors are given the opportunity to participate in various conservation projects, from observing free-roaming giant tortoises and exotic birds, to assisting turtle hatchlings and cultivating sea coral. As in the Galapagos, the wildlife shares the environment with you, rather than the other way around. 8 Island hopping To most of us Mahe is laid-back, but to the Seychellois on neighbouring islands, it’s stressful. Hop on a boat to La Digue, and make your way through the tiny town, to reach deserted granite boulder-strewn beaches. Or visit sleepy Praslin, where the coco de mer (giant nuts shaped like a woman’s derrière) grow. You can walk within the UNESCO-protected Vallee de Mai to get a glimpse of them in their natural habitat.

Why not spend the evening at home on February 14? These decadent chocolate desserts are wildly indulgent and surprisingly easy to make Chocolate Lava Cake (Makes 6) 100g butter, plus extra to grease 100g dark chocolate, chopped 150g light brown soft sugar 3 large eggs ½tsp vanilla extract 50g plain flour Single cream, to serve Heat the oven to 200ºC. Butter 6 dariole moulds and place on a baking tray. Put the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set over a pan of hot water, stirring until smooth. Set aside to cool slightly. Using an electric hand whisk, mix in the sugar, then the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and plain flour. Divide the mixture among the darioles, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the tops are firm to the touch but the middles still feel squidgy. Carefully run a knife around the edge of each pudding, then turn out onto individual plates and serve with single cream. Chocolate Truffles (Makes 20+) 8oz dark chocolate, very finely chopped 160ml heavy cream 1tbsp unsalted butter softened to room temperature  ½tsp vanilla extract (optional) Toppings (optional) Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Set aside. Bring 160ml cream (118ml cream if using milk chocolate) to a simmer. Add the butter to the chocolate and pour the cream evenly on top. Leave to rest for 5 minutes. Add the vanilla extract then stir until the chocolate has completely melted. (If the chocolate won’t melt, place the heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water and stir.) Pour into a flat shallow dish, place a piece of clingfilm directly on the surface and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. Scoop the truffle mixture into 1 tablespoon-sized mounds on a lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before rolling into balls. Roll each ball into toppings, such as unsweetened cocoa powder, sprinkles, crushed nuts, or melted chocolate. Store in the fridge and serve at room temperature. Chocolate Mousse (Serves 6) 200g dark chocolate, broken into pieces 3 large eggs, separated 50g caster sugar Place the chocolate and 120ml of water in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of just simmering water. Heat gently, stirring, until the chocolate is melted. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly, then stir in the egg yolks with a wooden spoon until well combined. In a large bowl, whisk the egg whites with the sugar until stiff peaks form, then gently fold into the chocolate mixture. Spoon the mousse into individual dishes and chill for at least 2 hours. Scatter with chocolate shavings to serve.

Family gatherings! Fireworks! Zodiac animals! There’s a lot to love about Chinese New Year. Samantha Wong outlines everything kids need to know about it First up, a few facts. Based on the lunar, rather than the Gregorian calendar, Chinese New Year begins on the first day of the new moon, which falls any time between January 21 and February 20 each year. While the lunar calendar is based upon the monthly cycles of the Moon’s phases, the Gregorian calendar is determined by the Earth’s revolution around the Sun. The lunar calendar is about one month behind the Gregorian calendar (which starts on January 1) because it has between 30 and 50 more days per year. This year, January 25 is the first day of the Lunar New Year Also known as the Spring Festival, this celebration dates back thousands of years and it’s an important public holiday in many countries including China, South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan. Chinese communities all over the globe celebrate CNY in their city’s Chinatown districts. And it’s a major holiday (January 25 to 28) here in Hong Kong. During the festivities, ancestors are honoured and traditional ceremonies are held where people get together and welcome the new year with customs that are believed to bring good fortune, prosperity and happiness. What’s with the animals? The Chinese zodiac calendar has a cycle of 12 years, and each year has a Chinese zodiac animal as its symbol. The 12 Chinese zodiac animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger,Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse,  Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. 2020 ushers in the Year of the Rat. The animals always come in the same order, so 2019 was the Year of the Pig, 2020 is the Year of the Rat and 2021 will be the Year of the Ox. The last Rat years were 2008 and 1996. An ancient folk story explains how these animals made the final cut to be immortalised in the zodiac – the Jade Emperor called a race, decreeing that the first 12 animals to swim across a fast-flowing river would each have a year named in their honour. Thirteen animals lined up on the riverbank; however, the poor cat was pushed into the water by the rat, and was excluded from the final line-up. The rat reached the opposite bank first, by riding on the ox’s back, which is why he is the first of the 12-year cycle of animals in the Chinese zodiac. To complicate things a little bit, the Chinese zodiac animals are combined with the five elements (metal, earth, fire, wood and water) over a 48-year cycle. 2020 is a Metal Rat Year, 2008 was an Earth Rat Year, 1996 a Fire Rat Year, 1984 a Wood Rat Year and 1972 a Water Rat Year. People are assigned a Chinese zodiac sign according to the year of their birth, and they are thought to display certain characteristics unique to their zodiac animal. For example, Tigers are thought to be great leaders and Goats are creative, while 2019’s ‘mischief’ of Rats are said to be quick-witted, wily and resourceful. Prince Harry, Eminem and Katy Perry are all Rats. Just as people take on the characteristics of their Chinese  zodiac animals, so do the years named after them. What then can we expect of 2020, the Year of the Rat? Importantly, it’s going to be a time of new beginnings (remember the rat ranks first among the Chinese zodiac animals). The Rat promises to deliver more prosperity, better luck and plenty of change. Why all the flowers and food? CNY festivities are always marked by floral decoration, with a variety of auspicious plants on sale to usher in prosperity for the new lunar year. Miniature kumquat trees are popular – the fruit’s orange/ golden colour is a symbol of money, while pomelos, often seen in pairs, are said to signify family unity. You’ll also see orchids galore – these delicate blooms are symbolic of both fertility and luxury, so they are always popular during the Spring Festival. It’s traditional to fill the home with flowering plants – which symbolise growth and new beginnings – and to give them as gifts. Live potted plants are preferable to fresh cut flowers but if any flower blooms in your home on Lunar New Year’s Day, you can expect to prosper in the months ahead. We also eat ‘auspicious food’ during the new year period. For many, this means fish dishes. A fish is a symbol of good luck, wealth and a healthy life. Long noodles are also popular because they symbolise both good fortune and long life When celebrating at home, it’s customary to set out bowls of oranges (for good health and long life), tangerines (for fruitful, lasting relationships) and persimmons (for happiness and wealth). We also offer guests eight varieties of dried fruit (or sweets) to ensure they start CNY sweetly. How about lai see? Throughout CNY, we wish each other good luck, happiness and wealth. We say Gong Hey Fat Choy (pronounced Gong-hee-faat-choy) in Cantonese, and Gong Xi Fa Cai (pronounced Gong-she-faa-tsai) in Mandarin. Both are wishes for a prosperous New Year. To get the Lunar New Year off to the right start, we give each other lai see, those little red packets stuffed with a crisp dollar note. When giving lai see, the first thing to bear in mind is that it’s not a tip or a year-end bonus. It’s a blessing, a wish of good luck for everything to go smoothly in someone’s life and for their work to be profitable. There’s an order to lai see-giving too: older to younger, married to non-married, and between people of the same generation. Importantly, children should not give lai see – it would be considered insulting – kids receive only. The amount of money that goes into each lai see packet varies. Here are some ballpark figures. As a simple gesture of appreciation, HK$20 will do. For young kids, HK$10 is acceptable. For older kids and young adults, it’s HK$20 to HK$50. For helpers, at least HK$500. Bosses, married couples and older relatives tend to give higher amounts. The Spring Festival festivities last over a fortnight in most countries. The new year period is celebrated with dragon dances, lion dances, gift exchanging and fireworks. It typically ends, with lantern festivals, on the 15th day. Here’s to a happy, healthy and prosperous Year of the Rat!

For a long weekend away, Phuket and Bali are the obvious choices but if you’re looking for something a little more exotic, Luang Prabang may be the better bet. Dorothy Veitch reports. 1 French-Laotian old town The pretension-free vibe of north central Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site steeped in Buddhist spirituality, is ideal for four perfect days. Laos was a French protectorate from 1893 to 1945, and needless to say ,a colonial and traditional Laotian mish-mash reveals itself around every corner, particularly in thelanguid old town. 2 The Alms Giving Ceremony Get up before sunrise and hit the streets to watch hundreds of monks collecting alms in the morning. The tak bat ritual is performed in silence; the almsgivers do not speak, nor do the monks, who walk in meditation. Each monk carries a large lidded bowl, which almsgivers – who sit or kneel on the street – reverently fill with vegetables and sticky rice. 3 Palaces and temples Wat Xieng Thong, one of the largest and most ornate temples in Laos, is a good place to start a strollthrough the old town. Winding your way in and out of the rabbit warren of tiny streets also takes you right past Haw Kham, the former royal palace now the national museum, and the entrance to Wat That Chomsi Stupa, the atmospheric hilltop temple that looms over the old city on Mount Phou Si. 4 Heuan Chan Heritage House Make your way off the main drag to find Heuan Chan Heritage House, an authentic longhouse on tree-trunk stilts that showcases the traditional Laotian way of life. At once a museum and handicraft centre, it also provides cookery classes where you can try your hand at classic dishes like Laos pho (beef noodle soup). Finish up your visit with a chilli-topped pork baguette (khao jee) at the inviting palm-shaded café. 5 Villages that time forgot For many visitors, Luang Prabang’s real charms lie outside the city. A short ride away, you find hamlets like Ban Chan and Ban Ou, small villages whose lifeblood is farming, and the textiles, ceramics and traditional wines they still make there. Walking through verdant fields to a tiny village, you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. 6 Kuang Si Falls After a day in the surrounding villages, head out to Kuang Si Falls, about 30 kilometres south of Luang Prabang. The 50-metre-high waterfall cascades into a series of elegantly tiered pools making it one of the area’s most renowned attractions. Kuang Si is surrounded by the type of forested parkland that makes it perfect for a picnic – and for wildlife. 7 Haven for moon bears At the foot of Kuang Si falls, you find Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, a world-class haven for moon bears, operated by Australian charity Free the Bears. Many of the bears have a tragic history, as victims of illegal trade, and it’s a pleasure to see them swinging in hammocks, playing with tires and generally having a good time. 8 Pak Ou Caves Another day trip takes you 30 kilometres up river to Pak Ou Caves, one of the most revered holy sites in the country. Access by car is possible but a ride on the river is the best way to go. The caves date back thousands of years and are now packed with just as many Buddhist icons. To add a relaxing spin on the day, ask your hotel to arrange lunch on one of the sandy beaches on the small islands that dot the river.

Catching up with 10 DB-based members of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Beverly Au gets the lowdown on their extraordinary win at the 2019 Gramophone Classical Music Awards To say that the DB-based members of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO) are excited by their recent win at the 2019 Gramophone Classical Music Awards would be understatement – as they settle in for their photoshoot in DB Plaza, they are still on cloud nine. And rightly so. Being named Orchestra of the Year at the Gramophone Classical Music Awards is a big deal. In layman’s terms, it’s like taking home Best Picture at the Oscars. “This award is a great honour, not just for our orchestra, but for all of Hong Kong. The support of our audience and sponsors played a huge role in making this achievement possible,” DB-based HKPO violinist Rachael Mellado says. With its Orchestra of the Year award, Gramophone magazine, ‘the world’s authority on classical music,’ sets out to celebrate ensembles that have made an outstanding contribution to recorded music in the past year. What’s more, while the nominees are chosen by  Gramophone ’s editors, the winner is decided by a public vote. It’s testament to HKPO’s popularity with music lovers all over the globe that it placed first this year, beating nine other major international ensembles. To add icing to the cake, HKPO’s achievement is a first for Asia. “We are especially proud since we are making history by being the first orchestra in Asia to receive this prestigious and highly acclaimed honour,” HKPO music director Jaap van Zweden explains. At the award ceremony, held on October 16 in London, HKPO was honoured for its live recordings of the complete Ring Cycle by Richard Wagner – a massive project, which took the musicians four years to complete. Based loosely on characters from the Norse sagas, the Ring Cycle is a monumental work, with a total playing time of about 15 hours. “I remember the Artistic Committee Meeting when Jaap first proposed recording the complete Ring  Cycle , and some people didn’t believe it could be done. Yet, here we are, and it’s a great thing for all of us to celebrate,” Rachael says. “The Ring Cycle , conducted by Jaap van Zweden and recorded live by Naxos Music Group, is a magnificent achievement,” James Jolly, Gramophone ’s editor-in-chief said at the ceremony. You can grab your copy of HKPO’s the Ring Cycle on Amazon.com. Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, www.hkphil.org

Is 2020 your year to start doing what you want to do and being who you want to be? Then read on. Jason Broderick can help What do I want to do with my life?” This is a question most of us ask ourselves from time to time and, as often as not, at this time of year. There’s something about entering a new year, and in this case a new decade, that makes us reassess our lives, reflect on what’s missing, and look for ways to change things up. Before we get into how we can create change in our lives, it’s important to acknowledge that there are going to be obstacles to overcome. Sometimes, the core issue is that we don’t know what we truly want. We’re afraid to make the conscious decision to live in a different way because we’re not even sure what we need to change. All we know is that there’s something missing. Another thing that holds us back is fear of change, and let’s face it, fear of failure. As we weigh up the pros and cons of taking a new path, we convince ourselves that it’s easier to continue on the road we’re on, going through the motions, doing what’s comfortable and familiar. We decide it’s too late to leave all that stability behind to embark on a completely new journey of discovery. It just doesn’t seem logical to risk a current way of being that at least ‘works,’ in order to pursue an alternative that might (and only might) bring more meaning to life. But enough of the negative; it really is time to ring in the new! If 2020 is your year to seek fulfilment, here are some questions to ask yourself. Your answers will help you paint a clearer picture of what you actually want to do with your life, and from there you can start making good things happen. What makes me feel alive? Start by thinking about what fulfils you. For instance, which part of your job doesn’t feel like work? Maybe you enjoy writing up reports, analysing data, creating solutions, or collaborating with colleagues. If so, magnify that task and make it a larger part of your day. The point is, figure out what you love doing, then do more of it. What do I resent doing? The next step is working out what you don’t want to do. Your aim is to remove the negative from all aspects of your life, so start with your current role. What are the things you have little time for, the tasks you consistently put towards the end of the to-do list? If you resent being away from your family or friends due to late nights at the office or business travel, it’s time to find a new job or restructure your current one. Find a role that allows you to have less to none of what you dislike doing, and more of what makes you feel happy. What would I do if I could? Now think about what you would do if you had no limits. If you had all the money and time in the world, where would you go? What would you do? Who would you spend time with? Answering these questions will help you envisage the life you want to live. From there, you can begin setting goals to reach certain milestones – you can start creating a path towards happiness and fulfilment. Stop thinking about limitations and what may be impossible, focus on what you want and find out if you have the courage to pursue it. Who do I admire? Once you have taken a good look at yourself and what you like and dislike about your current way of being, focus on the people you surround yourself with. In your  current circle, who do you admire the most? What are their best qualities? Why do you respect them? What can you learn from them? As motivational speaker Jim Rohn said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” So, don’t waste your time with people who hold you back from achieving your dreams. Spend time with happy, successful, optimistic people and you’ll become one of them. Time to break free With these questions answered, you now need to decide whether you are going to take that first step toward improving your life. Remember, it’s never too late to do what you’re passionate about and become the person you truly want to be. Don’t give in to self-doubt. The real question is how hard you are willing to work to get what you  want. Big changes never come easily. It takes a tremendous amount of courage and effort even to start doing something that you believe will bring more meaning to your life. In all likelihood, you’ll be working more hours than the average person to begin with, living outside your comfort zone and learning as much as you can to achieve as much as you can. The good news here is that once you’re on the right path and actively making changes, life becomes more interesting. You’ll find that things start falling into place, and you’ll immediately feel energised and more empowered. A lot of this really is about positive thinking, after all you shape your reality by the way you perceive it. Being able to control how you look at things is the key to breaking free, and starting over again. Shaping your perception is so powerful that just a small change in perspective can completely change everything. Once you learn to take control of your mind and break free of self-imposed limitations, you are on your way to doing what you want to do with your life. Jason Broderick is a wellbeing coach and counselling psychologist at Discovery Bay International School ( www.dbis.edu.hk ). To follow him on Instagram, head to @wellbeingcoach101 .

Former Marine Police commander turned bestselling memoirist Les Bird reflects on Hong Kong’s unique history from a unique perspective. Elizabeth Kerr reports. At one time in his youth, in the hirsute 1970s, Les Bird sported a truly righteous moustache that later earned him the nickname Magnum, after actor Tom Selleck and his legendary whiskers. “I’ve tried to destroy all evidence of that,” Les chuckles, something he does often, over coffee in ifc. It’s the week after Hong Kong’s local elections, and there’s a bit of a spring in everyone’s step, yet another shift in the city DBer Les has called home for over 40 years, half that time in the currently contentious police department. Now he’s reinventing himself as the Bookazine bestselling author of a memoir, A Small Band of Men: An  Englishman’s Adventures in Hong  Kong’s Marine Police , about his stint in the force from 1976 to 1997. The book may not be the ‘gungho guns and action’ thriller people expect, but it is a vivid snapshot of a specific time and place, and an often funny recollection of a niche workplace. It also sounds like a great Netflix mini-series, as long as you cast the right Les. “The young me? Well he’s got to be tall and good-looking,” he says with a guffaw. “But really I only know old actors.” Portrait of an era The Staffordshire, England native began his circuitous journey to Hong Kong after secondary school. The scion of a Royal Navy family, the military was an option until he realised the chances of actually getting on a boat were slim. It was the 1970s in the UK, and as Les succinctly puts it, Britain was in a terrible state. “For young people there was no foothold. There was a miners’ strike, it was a three-day workweek, nothing was working, the IRA had just started its bombing campaign. It was really depressing, so I took off for Australia,” he says. That led him to a tour of Africa before returning to England, to his father’s bafflement. Needing a vocation, Les responded to a newspaper ad for a civil service job in the Far East. It would put him near the water and in the sun, both pluses, and in a matter of week she was in Hong Kong. It was 1976. Things were pretty unruly at the time: Peter Godber had just gone to prison, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was trying to justify its creation, and the force badly needed new blood. Not everyone got through training but those who did got to choose their department. Les went straight to the Marine Police, where Search and Rescue was a big part of the job. The end of the war in Vietnam brought refugees to Hong Kong, a port of first asylum. Tired of the expense and the ‘bad’ optics, many Southeast Asian countries were turning away sinking refugee boats. (How little things have changed.) “In some ways it was social work. It was looking after people. It was never a chore. It was the right thing to do, and to be part of that was a very proud moment,” explains Les of the unit’s day-to-day tasks. The humanitarian aspect is easy to forget, especially at a time when policing everywhere is coming under fire. “My guys, the constables who worked for me, never hesitated to just give up whatever they had to help – and these were guys living in pokey apartments on very small salaries,” he says. Was there ever a time when he didn’t want to do the job? No. “Because if I don’t, who’s going to?” Wild Times in Tai O Admittedly the gig had plenty of upsides. Early on, Les was put in charge of western Lantau, stationed at Tai O and living in what’s now the Tai O Heritage Hotel. Les’ quarters, the entire top floor of the police station, could only be dreamed of by others in the force: three bedrooms, a dining room and Officers’ Mess. His fabulous view was across the Pearl River Estuary to the South China Sea beyond. And he was paid to live there. “We really were out in the sticks. There was a dirt track to Mui Wo and an overgrown footpath to Tung Chung, which back then was a small fishing village,” Les recalls. And being so remote, there were some pretty crazy miscommunications with headquarters in Central. “It was all a bit Blackadder in the trenches in World War 1.” Rifling through indelible memories of his time as Tai O’s Marine Police inspector, Les picks out the phone that didn’t work when it rained, being stranded (with his dog) on the rope ferry and having to be rescued by local fishermen, and good old-fashioned debates in the Officers’ Mess, where after a pint or two low-ranking officers would let fly with criticisms of their superiors. Destined for Netflix? It was reflecting on and sharing some of these stories as chair of the Rhinos Rugby Football Club that finally led Les to A Small Band of Men . “I’d been writing for the club newsletter for a long, long time, and some of the stuff was getting out of hand – longer and longer,” he explains. “People were commenting that I was able to really capture moments, and that it was funny, then I started exchanging old marine stories.” The idea for a book blossomed when Les and his wife, a vice president with Adidas Asia-Pacific, moved to Discovery Bay four years ago. The move was his wife’s idea. “She likes the lifestyle; the commute to Central is easy,” Les says. “I like the open air and our flat overlooks the ocean. Coming from the most landlocked part of England made me appreciate the sea, which I didn’t see until I was six or seven years old.” Creating the book entailed three years of research, travelling to meet old friends and colleagues, editing down 120,000 words, and having 21 submissions to publishers met with mostly silence. “One of the goals of writing was to see if I could write a decent book, but there was no way I was going to self-publish,” Les says. Two publishers finally bit, an impressive feat for a first-timer.“Two! I got two!” Les chuckles. He went with Earnshaw Books, who published A Small Band of Men in November, 2019. After the final edit, A Small Band of Men emerged as a portrait of an era, specifically the last two decades of British colonial rule and the changing dynamic within Hong Kong and its people. What Les experienced was a free-for-all defined by trepidation, as smugglers were plying the waters to China in greater numbers. “Put it all together and it’s an interesting tale,” Les says. “Running through all of it was a thread about the relationship between the locals and expats I lived and worked with, knowing that 1997 was coming.” The book is populated with colourful characters – only Les is identified by name – and he’s not ruling out another one. Les’ adventures could  easily lend themselves to fiction, perhaps pivoting on early break-out character Don Bishop, as “thick as he is wide, and wide as he is tall,” who all but screams Tom Hardy. For the immediate future, Les is basking in his success, and getting ready to welcome both grown-up daughters back from London for Christmas. Maybe they can help with ideas for that Netflix series. The Full Monty’s Tom Wilkinson could bookend the story as the older Les, and for the young version, my money’s on Nocturnal Animals’ Aaron Taylor-Johnson. After all, he too has been known to sport a righteous ’stache. You can meet the author at a book signing at Bookazine in DB Plaza on January 11, from 5pm to 6pm. Les will be laying on some wine at the event. A Small Band of Men: An Englishman’s Adventures in Hong Kong’s Marine Police is available at all branches of Bookazine, Kelly & Walsh and Swindon.

By Edouard Muller There are many issues that might arise between yourself and your domestic helper. These may be issues that have an affect your own life, or your helper's. However, if you deal with the situation promptly and objectively, you can save yourself and your helper a lot of heartache and frustration. Below are some common problems for both employers and helpers, along with  recommendations on how to resolve them. Employer: Dissatisfaction with the domestic help’s work You may feel dissatisfied with the service your domestic worker is providing for many different reasons, such as negligence towards duties, inadequate attention towards expected chores and inattentiveness towards the work they are doing. Before you even hire a helper, make sure that you emphasize your requirements during the screening process so that you hire a domestic help that is competent and capable based on your needs and requirements. To resolve your dissatisfaction, you can begin by having a clear conversation to state your requirements and needs. Try repeating the instructions several times if language seems to be a barrier between you two. Write the instructions down if necessary and encourage your domestic help to take language classes so as to facilitate better communication. If competency is the question, encourage them to take training and classes to improve their skills. Learn to be patient with your domestic help but also maintain a firm attitude, clearly communicating to them that you have certain expectations that if not met might result in termination. If fatigue is the cause of poor performance, take time to review they have and allot them the necessary time to recuperate and work to their complete potential. Employer: Dishonesty from your domestic helper Dishonesty can range from lying to stealing, to even not being honest owing to cultural and language barriers.  If cultural and language barriers are barring your domestic helper from communicating with your properly and preventing them from being honest with you, be patient. Patiently explain the roles and responsibilities and that they need not be afraid to be honest with you. Lying on part of the domestic help can prove to be a serious breach of trust, therefore, you need to make it clear to her that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable and will result in termination. Stealing is a serious offence. So is accusing someone of the same without evidence. Therefore, make sure that you have proper evidence before you accuse your domestic help. Threatening to inform the police might be the best way to make them confess and return the stolen item. Also, allow them the chance to explain themselves, as various situations might have prompted them to take the step. Make it clear to your domestic help that such behaviour is not accepted. You can also choose to install security cameras to monitor or dissuade your domestic help from making such actions. Employer: Affairs and pregnancy It is not uncommon for domestic helpers in Hong Kong that are women to get into a relationship or affair during their employment and as a result become pregnant. Although, such a situation might leave you, the employer, completely helpless while she is going through pregnancy, you also need to understand that the sexual choices of your domestic help are completely her own private matter and you do not have a say in the life that she leads. If your domestic help is open to the discussion, make sure that you have this talk in a patient and clear manner with her. This will allow you to have a better understanding of the things she wants and whether you should even be worried about such a pregnancy in the first place. However, if your domestic help does decide upon having a child, remember that it is her reproductive right and you do not have a say in it and cannot bar her from enjoying motherhood. Make a contingency plan and discuss it  with your domestic helper so as to avoid any disruptions during the pregnancy of your domestic help. Remember, it is unlawful to terminate the employ of a domestic helper due pregnancy or to impose contraceptive pills on her. You can also not discriminate a candidate based on her age and propensity to get pregnant. Therefore, having an alternative plan for such situations, such as a part-time maid, is a good place to begin. Helper: Language and cultural barriers A lot of domestic help working in Hong Kong come from different countries, belong to different cultures and speak different languages. This can create barriers in communication between the domestic helper and the employer owing to cultural and language differences. Hence, the employer might start to feel dissatisfied with the service of the domestic help or the domestic help might have trouble understanding their roles and responsibilities. To bridge the gap, a domestic helper could take language classes to ensure that they can speak a common language with their employer and that there are no obstacles in communication. This will ensure smooth workflow and a clearer understanding between both parties. Also, a domestic helper should not be afraid to ask their employer to educate them in the various customs and cultural intricacies important to the employer and the employer's family. Helper: Lack of proper rest Rest is another huge concern for domestic helpers in Hong Kong. Due to a common lack of privacy during rest hours and huge workload, many domestic workers struggle with underperformance due to fatigue and lack of proper rest. It is important for a domestic helper to communicate clearly with the employer regarding the troubles that they are facing, and ask for proper accommodation of rest hours and privacy as they recuperate. Per Hong Kong law, it is mandatory that domestic helpers are treated fairly and provided proper rest hours to help them work to their full potential.  Make sure to create a proper work schedule, with agreement from both the employer and domestic helper, that include adequate time for resting. Although, problems might arise for either party during the employ of a domestic helper, termination should only be a last resort. The best advice is to work through these problems as a strong employer-domestic help relationship builds on the foundation of  trust and open communication. HelperPlace is an online social platform connecting domestic helpers and employers. Many recruitment agencies charge high placement fees, but HelperPlace is entirely free for helpers to use. Trusted by more than 110,000 users, you can easily find and hire the right helper for your family. Download the app for both Android and iPhone at www.helperplace.com .