Miscellaneous – Page 9 – Jo Cheung Illustration

Hong Kong: Week Three

I’m not really sure where to even begin as so many things have happened since the last post. For a start, things have slowly picked up in terms of work. I’m now tutoring for four children! I’m feeling a lot more positive; it’s definitely had a mental and emotional impact on me as I feel a lot more relaxed, happier and no longer homesick. If I can find a few more clients I should be able to live off tutoring work quite easily, maybe even do some illustration work if I have the time.
My plan has always been to see what SEN services and schools are like in Hong Kong so next week I’m going to The Harbour School to have a chat with the head teacher. So far it’s been a real eye-opener as I’ve met families and professionals who have given me some advice and contacts in Hong Kong. I hope that all of this, even though it’s for a short period of time, I’ll be able to learn from the professionals and inform me about my own thoughts and beliefs with SEN. Now I’m really eager just to meet as many people as I can but also be exposed to other forms of therapy other than ABA, which I was doing for about three and a half years. Because I want to be a speech therapist, now’s the time to be involved with as many workshops/ therapies out there so I have first hand experience of working with a variety of children/ young people with additional and complex needs.

Yesterday I met up with illustrator Joanne Wong– from the UK who now resides in Hong Kong- for an arty day. We started off in Chai Wan, which is on the east side of Hong Kong. There are loads of industrial warehouses converted into creative spaces, cafes and galleries- see Monocle for more information about the history of the area. However, it turned out that most of the galleries were closed on Mondays! Ai ya! We eventually found Platform China which was open so we had a look around; I was really impressed with the space and the view of the docks. I really like the concept of the industrial spaces but you have to know where and when to go otherwise you’ll just end up spending most of your time going up and down floors looking for galleries/ studios! Also, most galleries close on Mondays so I’ll bear that in mind.

Joanne took me to Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre in Shep Kip Mei. JCCAC is a vibrant art community/ centre with an open gallery space with artist studios. It reminded me of Stour Space I went to see with Sam a few months ago, but JCCA feels a lot more homely and welcoming. We went to see ceramists Sandy Leung’s really cute studio space. How would I describe her… she’s very outgoing and funny! Slightly eccentric but her personality reflects her work. I hope to meet her again one day as she’s left a lasting impression on me! Photos to follow once my internet is better.

I’m really glad Joanne took me there as it opened my mind about art; it was good to see Hong Kong artists working in the community and actively engaging locals. I want to meet more artists… Actually I just want to meet new people!!

The only thing I constantly complain about is the weather because it’s way to hot and I always feel mega gross by the end of the day. I don’t mean to sound all whiney but I miss wrapping up warm in autumn and wearing my big duffel coat. I still don’t understand why shops sell jumpers and big coats here. IT’S TOO HOT GUYS. That is all.

I update my Instagram profile on a regular basis so follow me if you want to look at arty-farty pictures of tower blocks, beautiful sceneries of mountains and more, well, there you go.

ByJo Cheung

October 1, 2013

Miscellaneous

0 Comments

Hong Kong! So Far

I can’t believe it’s been more than a week since I left the UK- where did the time go? I’m slowly adjusting to the way of life, although I’m still feeling a little bit homesick. Yes, I’ve even had a little cry (on my own) and thought, ‘I’m so far away from everyone why am I even here?!?’ Lots of self-doubt as usual and negative thoughts but that’s the way I am with anything and everything (ask Sam, he keeps on telling me to be optimistic about things but I’m one big pessimist for sure!)

It’s been a weird week.

I always thought I was incapable of communicating in Cantonese; talking to relatives is different as I tend to switch back and forth from Cantonese to English. I’ve managed to ask for directions and get a new PIN number for my ATM card! I do feel a lot more confident speaking in Cantonese, which is a positive sign.

Emotionally, it’s been a tough week so I’ve been keeping myself preoccupied and doing loads of touristy things on my own. It’s nice being lost in Hong Kong; there’s no pressure for me to be anywhere and I can do things in my own time. Although I’m quite ashamed to admit this but I’ve been going to Starbucks to get my coffee fix! More like on a constant mission to find a coffee shop…

Some things are never going to change.

Why It’s Ok To Take Risks

Less than two days until I go to Hong Kong and I already have mixed feelings: nervousness, fear, anxiety, happiness, and excitement. For the past few days I’ve been an emotional wreck, which I shouldn’t feel. I was feeling super pumped about going and now the reality of it has finally crept in, I’m starting question lots of things like am I doing the right thing? I’ve come to realise that fear and security holds us back from doing things. It may seem slightly insignificant to others but the two biggest steps I have taken so far was moving away from Sam and moving back to my parent’s house. Because Sam isn’t coming with me, I’m going on my own which is another scary thing. However, I believe that I’ll learn a lot about myself from this experience.

I think now’s the time to find my own feet in the world, make my own decisions, and to look after myself for a while (cooking for myself- argh!) Life is full of challenges; opportunities like this don’t often come by. I’m still a little bit sad that I’m not living in London but I know that this is only temporary and which is why I should embrace it. This is also the only time where I can be free and spontaneous, which is what I craved when I was working.

And have a fucking good time and stop worrying so much.

A Trip to Newcastle!

Yesterday my parents and I took a trip up north to visit Sam’s folks for the day. Our first stop was Dave’s pottery studio located in Newcastle Arts Centre. His studio like a treasure trove of beautiful handmade ceramics.

My mum and I had a go at making plates and they turned out alright! Bearing in mind the last time I did ceramics was at college about six years ago, which mainly involved messing around with chunks of clay. Dave’s demonstration made it look really easy… when it was our turn, er, we needed a little bit of help from him!

My mum having a go at making a plate!

Ta-da! The end results! My plate is on the far right… Kind of wonky looking! But I like the spiral shape in the middle and the circular marks around the plate as it gives it a handmade feel to it.

Afterwards, we met up with Barbara and Shoz for afternoon tea at the Jesmond Dene House. Unfortunately, there are no photographic evidence as we pretty much demolished everything.

Too cute, right??

And here’s Darcy, Barbara’s dog. I think he made an appearance in my blog about a year ago. Isn’t he just lush??!!

Anyway, I better start packing as I’m going to Hong Kong this Sunday!!

Hong Kong Update

I decided to set up an English educational blog called ‘Ho Yan in Hong Kong’ in the hope that it might drive potential clients my way. I am going to try and do some private tutoring, if possible, as it’d give me more control over who I work with. Not too sure if I can hack 10-7pm every day plus one weekend… I don’t know. I feel like working for such a long peroid of time in the week it’s not much time to explore Hong Kong since I’m only going to be there for four months.

It’s getting closer to the 8th and I have mixed emotions: excitement, nervousness, giddiness. I feel really pumped for this and I know once I’m out there I’m going to have a proper good time! Not long to go!

Sorry for the lack of art-related posts. I’ve not been super motivated to do any yet apart from the odd sketches. I am also undecided whether to continue with illustration in the future as it’s been quiet for the past two years. I would like to continue to run my Etsy shop but apart from that I need to figure things out. Who knows, things might change when I come back from Hong Kong.