Older is indeed beautiful 2.29.2008
I must try to mark down something today since this is a leap year. I like special occasion and special date. Isn't life always full of surprises and memories!
I am involving in a committee in school to look for the new Academic Dean, a position which is critical to the college, faculties and students. I had a chance to meet several Interim candidates, whom will only fill in for a year temporarily. These candidates are already established in their career, they were presidents or deans of some universities or colleges. This is their so-called Golden Year and suppose to retire and enjoy life. However, they prefer to come back and help out in the education area which needs their precious experiences. The seniors in United States are very different than the one in Hong Kong. Seniors have social security benefit and most of them have retirement fund. They live mostly comfortable and enjoy community activities or with family.
Hong Kong is a sophisticated city and of many forms, however, many systems are not in place, for example, retirement and health care. Currently, there are many seniors whom have worked very hard through their lives. He or she may not be as lucky as some of the well-off one and has enough saving and/or have their children to support them. These elderly are forced to go back to the work force if possible, however, it’s almost impossible to have a real job. Instead, they collect used newspaper, cans and metal for recycling in order to make a small living. When I see some of the video clips, my heart goes for them. I have grown up in Hong Kong, a place which I was born and proud of. The government has claimed to assist the seniors already but none of these are enough indeed. The problems go deeply into the root of the administrators and require immediate attentions from the legislators and political parties. Only a few of these so-called pan-democratic parties/members are willing to voice out. The others are simply refused to upset the Central Chinese Government in Beijing.
Chinese are known to be a society of deep rooted culture and respect. We are taught to be a good child and learn the importance of a society in which the good natured characters carried on from the seniors to the young. However, the Hong Kong government is the first one who refuses to take in more of the responsibilities towards the seniors. How will the society keep on growing in the positive way if this type of message is to be honored? In my glimpse of hope, I would like to see more of the better changes happen if not soon, will be in the next leap year!
I must try to mark down something today since this is a leap year. I like special occasion and special date. Isn't life always full of surprises and memories!
I am involving in a committee in school to look for the new Academic Dean, a position which is critical to the college, faculties and students. I had a chance to meet several Interim candidates, whom will only fill in for a year temporarily. These candidates are already established in their career, they were presidents or deans of some universities or colleges. This is their so-called Golden Year and suppose to retire and enjoy life. However, they prefer to come back and help out in the education area which needs their precious experiences. The seniors in United States are very different than the one in Hong Kong. Seniors have social security benefit and most of them have retirement fund. They live mostly comfortable and enjoy community activities or with family.
Hong Kong is a sophisticated city and of many forms, however, many systems are not in place, for example, retirement and health care. Currently, there are many seniors whom have worked very hard through their lives. He or she may not be as lucky as some of the well-off one and has enough saving and/or have their children to support them. These elderly are forced to go back to the work force if possible, however, it’s almost impossible to have a real job. Instead, they collect used newspaper, cans and metal for recycling in order to make a small living. When I see some of the video clips, my heart goes for them. I have grown up in Hong Kong, a place which I was born and proud of. The government has claimed to assist the seniors already but none of these are enough indeed. The problems go deeply into the root of the administrators and require immediate attentions from the legislators and political parties. Only a few of these so-called pan-democratic parties/members are willing to voice out. The others are simply refused to upset the Central Chinese Government in Beijing.
Chinese are known to be a society of deep rooted culture and respect. We are taught to be a good child and learn the importance of a society in which the good natured characters carried on from the seniors to the young. However, the Hong Kong government is the first one who refuses to take in more of the responsibilities towards the seniors. How will the society keep on growing in the positive way if this type of message is to be honored? In my glimpse of hope, I would like to see more of the better changes happen if not soon, will be in the next leap year!
