Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
to renew it again. He has an enterprise in Vancouver but it is inconsequen-
tial: 'we don't have much business, and my wife takes care of it. I don't have
anything to do with it anymore.'
I've been struggling in the past years in Vancouver to make a living. Unfortunately,
the failed business and the economy have taken away my confidence. The money
I've brought to Canada has shrunk a lot. I thought it would last until my wife
and I both pass away. Now I realize that it can't, it might if we cut back on eve-
rything, but that's not what we're prepared to do. On top of that, my three-year
old daughter is another concern. I would want to leave her more than her two
older brothers. With these worries in mind, when a job offer came, I went back
to Hong Kong to work. I allowed myself a trial period of six months and prom-
ised my wife that I would come back to Vancouver if things didn't work out.
But his reunion with economic opportunity meant separation from family
intimacy.
I went there. I was thrilled at the beginning because the salary was considered
good and the job was challenging. After working for a couple of months, things
turned out to be a little different from what I expected. I missed my family,
I couldn't help my tears when I was dining with my brother's family on one
occasion… Should I stay or should I go? I shouldn't give up so soon, so
I requested my wife to go back to Hong Kong with my daughter.
His wife Stella and young daughter returned across the Pacific, leaving
behind two older sons at university. But Simon's job was re-defined to a
more challenging assignment that required frequent absences in China.
When they returned I was travelling between Hong Kong and Beijing, which was
beyond my wife's expectation; it was very hard on her. She was prepared to sup-
port me both physically and mentally but in return she was left alone in Hong
Kong. She missed our two sons in Vancouver; she had to take care of our daughter
by herself while I was away… I've found that I'm too selfish in asking them to go
back to Hong Kong. I don't know if I should continue to work there (sighs)…
Stella became desperately lonely in Hong Kong, as she told us separately
shortly after her own flight back to Canada.
Let me tell you, the days in Hong Kong with my daughter were not easy.
I went back to find out that Simon had to work in Beijing during weekdays and
could only come back home during weekends. I was there with my daughter,
facing four walls, I was depressed. I couldn't help crying…
I was there in Hong Kong all by myself. I have friends there but they are
busy too, as you know well… Hong Kong people! I took my daughter to school
and then sometimes met my friends who only wanted to sit in restaurants or
