Tag: work-life balance

  • Reconnecting Over Dinner: Bonds, Memories, and New Beginnings with Engineering Friends

    Reconnecting Over Dinner: Bonds, Memories, and New Beginnings with Engineering Friends

    Tonight, I joined old university friends from my electronics engineering days, along with our final-year project advisor, Professor Michael, for a warm and lively dinner at a charming Korean restaurant in Mongkok. It had been a while since we last gathered—over a year, in fact. One friend recently became a father, and balancing new parenthood kept him tied up until now. With things settling down, we seized the chance to reconnect.

    The evening buzzed with laughter as we swapped stories from our university days and caught up on recent developments. A surprising twist stole the show: I discovered that my friend, the new dad, is now my neighbor—living in the same housing estate, on the same floor, windows facing each other. Neither of us had a clue about this coincidence when we moved in, and now we bump into each other regularly. It’s the kind of serendipity that feels almost fated.

    Though our schedules don’t always align, these reunions remind me how effortless it is to pick up where we left off. Sharing a meal in such a relaxed setting, reflecting on our academic journey, and discussing future aspirations—whether in tech innovation or personal milestones—grounds me in gratitude for these enduring connections.

  • Braving Hong Kong’s Rain: A Hike with Dad and Thoughts on Family Support in Business

    Braving Hong Kong’s Rain: A Hike with Dad and Thoughts on Family Support in Business

    This morning, I met up with my father for a planned hike, and he made the effort to catch an hour-long bus just to join me. Weather turned against us—Hong Kong issued a red rainstorm warning, with downpours soaking everything in sight. We came prepared with umbrellas, though, and pushed on undeterred through the trails around Tai Tong.

    Our bond has strengthened considerably over the last few years. He shifted from a more rigid outlook to one that’s open and empathetic, eager to hear what his kids have to say while sharing his own experiences. These outings mean a lot; on his days off, we carve out moments to trek together, exchanging stories along the path before grabbing lunch.

    He’s no stranger to hard work, well beyond typical retirement years. After stepping away briefly, he jumped back into employment, citing genuine interest in his field. Deep down, as his son, I sense part of it stems from wanting to provide extra stability, especially since my own path hasn’t always been smooth. That weighs on me, but I’m thankful for recent gains in my ventures. Looking ahead, nothing would please me more than proving my progress, allowing him to ease into full retirement without worries.

    These shared adventures remind me how family anchors ambition, fueling the drive to build something lasting amid life’s uncertainties.