Editorial Foreword Romantic notions of courage and bravery have always appealed to me, with the image of one striding fiercely, fearlessly, through the battlefield, sword and steed at side. Fires blaze from this nameless knight’s eyes, and he is ready to conquer the world for his liege, to do whatever his king bid him do. But my reality is perhaps closer to the loyal squire: standing in the shadows. I am unnoticed, unconfident, with doubts about myself and my potential. But there could be so much more, so much that is left untapped, like the squire who awaits guidance from the seasoned knight, veteran of the battlefield. But I digress: as someone whose roar is closer to a cat’s hiss rather than the lion’s roar, courage is something that I’m learning myself, one baby step at a time. As many of my fellow Executive Committee members will tell you, courage comes not from the bravery of daring to plunge into things headfirst. That would be called rashness, impulsiveness, or even stupidity. Courage comes from daring to step outside your comfort zone, from taking the initiative to try something you’ve never tried before, from choosing to take on and overcome challenges. Only when you are exposed to more can you continue to grow, and only in continual growth can you find courage. Of course, there are times when letting go is better than holding on. Perseverance is not the same as blindly marching on, and sometimes it takes courage of a different kind to face your demons, to have the strength to confront your past. Courage comes in many different forms and sizes, such as the voice in your head that urges you to get up and try again, even when you are exhausted and done with everything. It can be the acceptance of your situation and the grit to face it. It can be the willingness to get up and talk to someone you’ve never talked to before, despite your sweaty palms and pounding chest. It can even be the determination you muster up to quit a job you hate. It is, more often than not, a very personal thing, and something that cannot be defined by words alone. So here’s to an exploration and celebration of courage, whether it’s failed or attempted, successful or being cultivated. Here’s to the October issue of our newsletter LINK, and the many writings and recommendations of works featured. Editor, Bonnie Kwong
Regulars 4 In Retrospect
Features
CONTENTs
11 Some Thoughts 17 Creative Writings 29 Recommendation of works
Appendix 34 Answers to our trivia
In Retrospect Before we take a look at what Executive Committee members have to say, le’ts first look back at the events of the past summer and the last event before the end of our session.
18th August, 2016-20th August, 2016 Orientation Camp
*Our O-camp participants on the last day of camp
Our Orientation Camp, themed “Fly me to Neverland”, promised and delivered a variety of exciting activities. Held in the middle of a sweltering August, at The Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong - Bradbury Camp, we embarked with freshman on a journey of three days filled with fun and games, as well as self-reflection on our goals and aspirations for the coming year. Highlights of the camp include the Mysterious Affair (our detective game), the Society-Imitating game, Campfire with the Indians and the Treasure Hunt. Everyone had a great time as we welcomed freshmen to their new abode at HKU.
*Planking for our Society-Imitating game
*Our Exco members in their D-game costume - 4 -
ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
IN RETROSPECT
*Exco members having fun soaking people
*Preparing to boogie down with the Indians
*A conversation with Captain Hook
*Getting completely soaked
*Freshmen detectives hard at work
*Having fun joining in the Indians’ campfire - 5 -
THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
*Having some campfire fun
*Shouting answers to the questions
*Tiger Lily doesn’t care
*Trying to catch everyone else
*The opening death scene of our D-game
*Concentrating hard on one of the tasks - 6 -
ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
IN RETROSPECT
27th August, 2016
Orientation Day
*Participants of our Orientation Day
Our Orientation Day continued the journey of fun and learning with the theme of “Fly Me to Neverland”. Not only did we give a warm welcome to our freshmen and establish bonding through activities such as our Trust Challenge and Night Walk, but we also hoped to bring out the child in everyone’s heart. We hope the freshmen who attended our Orientation Day will continue to brace themselves for the challenges ahead, and courageously chase after their dreams without abandon!
*Freshmen during one of our mass games
*Our “Indians” are ready
*The soldiers are ready for battle - 7 -
THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
29th September, 2016
High Table Dinner
*Ivy Fung, our Chairperson, with Dr. Brian King, our guest speaker
High Table Dinner, a proud tradition of the University, was held at Rome Café this year. Our exquisite decorations and the venue’s balmy atmosphere set the scene for the evening. Robed in our green gowns and formal wear, the evening kicked off with a speech from our Chairperson, followed by a thoughtprovoking talk by our Guest of Honor and subsequent questions raised by student participants. The lovely evening was made fruitful with the presence of Dr. Lisa Lim, the new Head of School, and Dr. Dirk Noël, a teaching member of staff from the School of English. We were also joined by representatives from the Executive Committee of the English Society of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. It was our pleasure and greatest honor to have them with us. *O-camp group reunion at High Table Dinner - 8 ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
IN RETROSPECT
*Our receptionists ready to welcome participants
The Hong Kong University Students’ Union Choir performed Gerald Finzi’s 7 poems of Robert Bridges, adding a dash of musicality to a night full of academic exchange. The music added ambiance to the meal, and participants were charmed by the lovely singing. *Our elegant decorations
*Past Executive Committee members reuniting at our High Table Dinner - 9 THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
SOME THOUGHTS
Some thoughts... Before we look at some students’ works, let us first look at what our Executive Committee members have to say!
Ivy Fung Courage is an airplane, designed with wings of wisdom and persistence, en route to success. A man of all virtues, lacking in courage, is nothing. He travels to an unreachable destination, if he moves forwards at all. Courage is about becoming the artist of your life, executing a painting of your own vision and imagination, regardless of what others may say. It is not the aesthetic value of the final product that counts; rather, significance lies in the outpouring of your hearts’ deepest desires, crystal clear in every stroke. Courage is about exploring an unchartered area, trying to decode a map handed to you with no explanation. It is about challenging yourself, and the subsequent surprise you experience when you uncover a new quality in yourself that you never thought existed. Courage isn’t about being fearless. Those who act without a moment of hesitation are like planes ready to crash and burn at any second. It’s okay to be fearful--of difficulty, of failure, of negative consequences, but do not let this fear tie down your wings. Courage is, despite all struggles, pressing a pause button on your fears and taking flight.
Suki Lou Courage is not an easy quality to attain—I myself haven’t fully grasped the realm of it. You may understand the meaning of it, but the process of overcoming your anxiety is tough. It can only be fully understood or learned once you experience it yourself through a challenge that you choose to take on. Conquering stage fright is a display of courage; stepping out of your comfort zone is a display of courage; busking as strangers pass by and watch you is a display of courage. - 11 THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
To me, courage is the careful balance of bravery and fear on a seesaw. Courage and fear coexist like yin and yang. Contrary yet harmonizing, interdependent and interconnected. Both strength and weakness are fundamental and necessary. But what I want to stress is that the absence of fear as you challenge your limits is not an act of courage. Braving your fears as you continue to leap? That’s courage.
Erica Cheung Courage is an important element in our lives. From a small step, like trying out extreme sports, to a slightly greater leap, like confessing your feelings to your crush, you can never succeed if you keep on being fearful. To me, being courageous means embarking on a different path, doing something I’ve never tried before. History shows us that courage is the prerequisite for every unprecedented progress. We have social activists who stood up and fought for the sake of others’ rights and livelihood, like Martin Luther King. It does take a lot of courage to stand up and speak for what is right and what we want. But we should never be afraid of the evils: instead, we should stand against them regardless of the results. Courage is a life-changing trait that could lead you to a totally different life from what you could have imagined, and it’s time to start. Clara Leung To me, every decision requires courage. Courage is always associated with fear, for we fear we make the wrong decisions, we fear we will embarrass ourselves. But what’s the worst that could happen? We don’t see people laughing at Thomas Edison for having 1,000 attempts before inventing light bulbs. Instead, there are thousands of stories written specifically about him because of his courage and determination. Courage is trying new things, it is attempting what everyone else thinks is impossible. It doesn’t matter if you fail. It matters that you tried. Courage is when you click the confirm button, booking an airplane ticket to go on a reckless adventure with your friends. Your bank balance may not - 12 ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
SOME THOUGHTS
thank you, but in the end, the irreplaceable sleepless nights spent with them are what remain with you. Time is a valuable thing and if you are still struggling to muster up your courage, it’ll only be another day wasted.
Jasmine Chan To me, courage simply means bravery. It means doing something that nobody else dared to do. Overcoming your own fears or doing something that you are afraid of can also be courage. People are often restricted by their own imaginary boundaries. Things that they are afraid to do act as obstacles, holding them back from taking risks. I believe that one can only experience the true meaning of life if one is willing to have the courage to try new things. Be adventurous and push yourself to extreme limits. Step out of your comfort zone. Having the courage to take up such actions can be eye-opening and meaningful, and also a gateway to experiencing a whole new way of living. Life is full of surprises and opportunities, you never know what paths are ahead until you open another door. So take your first step, have courage and be ready to face a world full of wonder! Naomi Chan Growing up, we were asked to make bold decisions and to not be afraid of failing. Courage is the ignitor of success. You might have the potential, you might even have the ability, but without the courage to begin, you will never succeed. To have courage doesn’t mean that you need to do something big. Different situations require courage. Some may think that speaking to complete strangers needs courage, while others may think that pursuing the subject that your parents oppose needs courage. - 13 THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
Regardless of when you are called to put on the cloak of courage, just remember that even when things are not going as planned, even when your dream seems unattainable, courage is the only thing that you can hold on to, so don’t lose it.
Annie Cheung Every decision we make, no matter how trivial, defines who we are. Every time I stand before an intersection, confused and burdened, there is an emaciated hand behind me. With its dark pointed talons like a falcon’s, it touches my back, sending chills down my spine. Terrifying as it is, it is gentle when it pushes me towards the path less traveled. I stumble and hesitate. Am I ready to go down this turnpike? Or should I choose the road paved with fewer rocks and thorns? With the clock ticking every moment, the gruesome creature pushes me further and harder till I have walked down the thorny winding road. Months later when I recall the decision I have made, I am always grateful for the path that I have chosen. And only then do I realize that the horrifying creature is what people call ‘courage’. It’s a force inside us that guides us and lead us to embrace the challenges in life, despite how terrifying they may seem. And so, my friends, if there ever comes a time when you stand in front of an intersection, with a frightening force in your heart, dissipate all fear and let it guide you towards your destination.
Sarah Lau Courage means walking into a room full of strangers and making that first step towards a conversation, and hopefully, a friendship. But courage is also battling your FOMO— recognizing that it’s okay to do what you want sometimes, and that you don’t necessarily have to be around people to have a good time. - 14 ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
SOME THOUGHTS
What stops us from being courageous? Fear of others’ judgment or rejection, fear that a situation will not play out in the way we want, fear that there is no turning back? But in my experience, fears and worries only magnify as you continue to dwell in your inactivity; our imaginations do a wonderul job of making every hypothetical worse. Spoken simply, act. Silence the voices in your mind and minimize regrets. If anything, do it for Future You. I’m not saying courage is always rewarded. You might not get the position you want, your friend might not understand, he might not like you back. But what we should fear most is not failure, but rather stagnancy. Do not be bound by routines and norms, the fixed ideas around you. Remember that doing something, anything at all, is better than sitting back. Never wait until it’s too late, chase after every opportunity, remind yourself that you are young and have the whole world to gain.
Martha Chow Courage exists in every part of our lives, in several forms. It takes courage to answer questions in class, it takes courage to ride a roller coaster, and it takes courage to watch a horror movie. Some people may think that courage implies the absence of fear. But I believe that even for courageous people, fear does exist: they simply swallow their doubts by inhaling courage and exhaling fear. They overcome their fear by pushing themselves and challenging their boundaries. There’s a quote from my favourite Disney character, Winnie the Pooh, “Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think”. When facing challenges in life, we may become timid and subservient, and forget our inner strength. But we should always bear in mind that fear is not an excuse to escape. We should instead show our courage and stimulate our potential. Life is filled with possibilities and unknowns, and you can never familiarize yourself with everything. What we can do is have faith, have the courage to challenge ourselves, and not be afraid of failure. - 15 THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
Floris Cheung When we talk about “courage”, we think of the fierce lion—the king of kings of the forest, superheroes that save the world, skydivers, and mountain climbers…It seems that without an inborn nerve and talent, we are never going to be heroes. Is that really the case? Sometimes, being courageous may only take a small step. I feel I am the bravest person on earth every time I go for a haircut. Oh, and looking at the mirror right after takes even more guts. To me, tiny changes, even trivial ones, means courage. Be the one who says “yes” when the whole world tells you “no”. Be the captain of your life, navigate the sky of dreams and possibilities. Don’t be afraid of falling—even if you fall, it will be a meaningful one. You’ll learn to stand up and try again. Take the road less traveled. That’s courage.
Angel Yip Do you always read through the menu with no idea of what to eat? Have you ever hesitated on whether or not to give up a course you like to avoid courseclashing? Are you now considering if you should continue reading? We have to make choices in all aspects of life, ranging from trivial matters to critical dilemmas. The more I get older, the more I dare not make decisions. For fear of regretting my choices in the future, I usually take a long time to consider if they are the best. My judgements are thus delayed, and I miss precious opportunities I could have opted for. Two years ago, I was too late to apply for membership of my secondary school’s Press Committee. At this moment, I still wish I had made up my mind earlier to develop my interest and experience in this field. Perhaps you are afraid of taking the wrong step and blaming yourself for it later on. Thinking twice before you act is of paramount importance, but overthinking may keep you from choosing what you prefer in the first place. You can’t avoid decision-making in life but don’t let it stop you from progressing. Be brave in determining the best for yourself before it is too late! - 16 ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
CREATIVE WRITINGS
Creative Writings We’ve taken a look at what our Executive Committee members deem to be courage, now let’s move on to what our writers think!
Courage Alexander Ng Wandering in the dark Braving the hound’s bark Tackling the relentless shark. Some might construe so, As one’s courage shown. However, not quite, For things might inflict, Harm more than a dog’s bite. Courage, something merely A word of Anglo-Saxon origin. Life is more of a testament, Depriving you of betterment. Reproaches, reprimands, chastising, Experiences which are immensely tantalising. Heated in a boiler, Tormented in a cooker, Sizzled in a flamethrower. Some opt for death, Inevitably from thenceforth left. Some did their best, But alas forced into perpetual rest.
- 17 THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
Lest I fail, lest I fall It’s never bad to give a roar. Shout at unfairness, shout at misfortune, Though we might be rewarded with doom. Confront darkness, confront ordeals, Prove you’re not fate’s lovely meal. Though odds being stacked against, Believe in yourself, believe in yourself. Despite cowarding before a tiger, It’s awfully minor Should you heed the following reminder: Courage is not, Determined by the tigers you’ve knocked Depending on the people you’ve mocked. But by the spirit laden within, That makes you ever since, Overcome plights and seek your star.
- 18 ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
CREATIVE WRITINGS
Voices Hillary Leung People ask me when exactly they moved in. The truth? I don’t remember. It’s been too long. This host-guest relationship is not one of envy. Their arrivals are slamming doors, ear-splitting yells and a cackle of laughter that etches indelibly into my mind. On my end, they are sleepless nights, unanswered questions and the persistent, undying notion that something is deeply and fearfully wrong. “Just close your eyes,” they say. But the darkness gives them strength. Sometimes, they leave. But they come back. And every time they return, they get more and more comfortable. They make themselves at home. They bring friends, acquaintances, long-lost relatives, intent on making this stay longer than the last. But I’ve decided that I’m not going to allow them to overstay their welcome any longer. So, I stood up and I looked them in the eye. I took things that had always been mere thoughts, swimming in the ocean of my mind, and I strung them into a delicate, iridescent opal necklace. Then, I cut the string, letting the beads fall to the ground, one after another. Each bead was something I stood for, each a little something I never dared to say. I looked down at where I am, and then I squinted my eyes, gazing into the distance at where I want to be. I got down on all fours and I built a bridge with the little tools that I had, the little pride that I still possessed. I wanted to close the gap. After that, I climbed onto the bridge, and I took a step. Breaking free and letting go was the hardest thing I’d ever done. There is no trophy on the mantelpiece, no certificate emblazoned with my name. No cheers, no round of drinks, no congratulatory note. - 19 THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
They were experts. They were experts at dulling out any hope I ever hoped, cloaking any dream I ever dared to dream. They never believed, so neither did I. But now I do. Now, I believe. In myself. And it’s never been better.
- 20 ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
CREATIVE WRITINGS
You Are in Control Felicity Lam acquire the courage to wear whatever the hell you want. become okay with telling yourself that you look damn fine today and let that be a source of strength, a truth no one can take away from you. lift your head high. when criticized do not slouch and turn away, mumble, laugh, look ashamed. there is nothing here to hide or justify. affirmation is nice, compliments are kind; respond genuinely, graciously, but do not come to rely on others’ whims and fancies. find a reason within for that bounce in your step, that ear-to-ear smile. be confident. fight the demons of insecurity and doubt, and keep reminding yourself that you are wonderful, and you deserve wonderful things.
- 21 THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
All The Light Irene Lee we don’t remember the first time we balanced ourselves on our feet without a hand to guide us forward or the last time we marched out the door with confused tears streaming down our adolescent faces. we don’t remember the first time we wobbled on top of a fluorescent bicycle or the last time somebody washed our bloodied knees and helped us to a bandage and a hug. we don’t remember the first time we looked into the mirror and saw not ourselves but a disparity between one image and the next or the last time we wrapped our arms around a warm body and meditated upon the gentle breeze comb through our sunlit hair. in each ordinary day we are constructed and chiseled by these forgettable moments. morphing into our respective angels and demons, images of God endangering society with souls that constantly tremble, question, illuminate flesh so tightly bound around all the light we cannot see fear groping insidious shabby excuses tossed around like a salad bowl no one else is doing it everyone else is doing it i don’t know i don’t care whatever.
- 22 ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
CREATIVE WRITINGS
the light begins to dim. so many voices talking, so many people walking. the most simple decisions lead us to the most dangerous game. because courage isn’t about standing in the limelight or being the handsome protagonist in a children’s book sometimes evil prevails and princesses lie cold and dead courage is about retaining all the ordinary that you are yet letting the shades of your forgettable moments shine in every brilliance with each step of empathy sacrifice love. we might never change the whole world but each day we could change someone’s world. one by one, tangling with each other like a constellation of subtle miracles woven across the silent stretch of time this little light of mine, i’m gonna let it shine.
- 23 THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
Betrayal Too Deep Anna Lee It was fine in the beginning, a release of sorts, and I barely gave any thought to her. Not fine per se, because there were tears and there was definitely anger, and there was a hole in my heart that she left. There was the revelation that she had been a horrible friend to me, that her loyalty had been conditional and often only a tenuous contract, not like the hard-won loyalty of my own, and that smarted even more. And, what was worse, there was the realization that I’d lost more than I thought I would lose—the maid of honor, the one person who had known every single bit of my history, even the future godmother to my children, and that was horrible. So horrible that she appeared in my dreams and I knew she was a terrible source of stress, because I got mini panic attacks whenever I ventured out on the streets alone. I panicked, panicked that I would see her and it would hurt all over again and she would stab me with her words that were like lethal blades and superaccurate revolvers. They say that the person closest to you causes you the most pain when they leave, because they know all the places to hit, but never was it like this. It wasn’t just a verbal attack, but more like she’d pinpointed every sensitive area and struck them, and the funny thing was, half of them were just accusations and nothing more. They’d been problems, but half improved, —but she’d try to change me, mold me into her shape, and when I resisted, she got insistent and annoying and I hated it. Everyone is unique, she used to preach, but obviously she didn’t believe it. And now I realize how half of my life has been a lie—how half of my life - 24 ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
CREATIVE WRITINGS
up till now has been sacrificed for this person, how I groveled at her feet, how I gave her the best of my everything and she didn’t really reciprocate. How she was always on my mind but I was never on hers, how her promises and her words were sweet lies designed to confuse me into this friendship where I was her slave and servant and dog, and nothing more than that. Maybe courage is learning to look this in the face, recognizing your own sheer stupidity, and telling yourself to move on. Yes, of course you’re my best friend. You understand me the most. You’re the only person I can have deep chats with. I really miss you. What a lie.
- 25 THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
Skeletons in the Family Closet Bonnie Kwong There are at least a dozen little things in life that take courage. I’m not talking about the big things, like doing an impromptu speech in front of hundreds of people, or deciding to step into a cage full of tigers (although I would argue that’s more because of stupidity than of courage). I’m talking about the little things, like trying to breathe and taking life one step at a time, baby steps when you’re overwhelmed. Or trying to stop thinking about this guy you like, because it’ll never happen between you two. It’s been a year and a half (almost), and I can feel the loss of him, sometimes, when I focus. Especially when I’m sitting in front of the drum kit and my teacher asks, “How was your week?” “Fine, Francis,” I say. “I’m just fine.” It helps, and Francis knows this, to get lost in the music. I suppose we’re two halves of a whole, the mentee being molded in the mentor’s shape, albeit differently. He thinks in terms of paradiddles and funk and bossa nova, and I think in terms of metaphors and verse and alliteration. But we share the same inner world, rich and full of colors and thoughts and ideas that, ironically, can’t quite be put into words or music. We share words and music, and these lessons become a way for me to escape, to be someone who I’m normally not; a way for him to share his knowledge, to be the small ripple in an ocean full of uncertainty. So I say, “What about you, Francis?” and he tells me about his week and I tell him about mine. In between our conversations, there’s the heavy thudding of the bass drum, the aching of a foot as it jiggles up and down on the pedal, and the disciplined beats of a drum roll before we move on to song covers. Or maybe he’s an excuse for me to stay in the past when I haven’t the courage to move on, haven’t the strength of mind of stay focused in the - 26 ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
CREATIVE WRITINGS
present. My mind goes running with possibilities, and today I’m huddled in my blanket at home, the dreaded sounds of the piano in the room next to mine, transcribing drum beats from songs, mapping out patterns on flimsy pieces of paper. My eyes are dry, crusted with fatigue, but I keep going and going and going, and I don’t think I’ll ever stop—if I’ll ever be able to stop. The piano scares me, the sound of chords, scales, and the metronome’s steady beat giving me the chills. It stops. My heart is making this thud-thud-thud and I can taste my pulse on my tongue, a constant thrumming presence like the beating of a hummingbird’s wings. The screams and shouts start again, and there’s the sound of my mother demanding a divorce, her curls wavering as she gestures dramatically. There’s the loud bellow of my father as he retaliates, his face probably puce with rage under the thinning crown of hair and the permanent stubble on his cheeks. I turn up the sound of a favorite rock n’ roll classic, and the piano sounds start again, one of Beethoven’s pieces: my brother and I both trying to drown out the world in our own way. I try not to think about this and huddle even further into my blanket, palms sweating and staining my transcript. My hand scribbles frantically on my paper, writing down the one-two-one-two of the hi-hat, its rhythm a reassuring dependent variable. The steady purring of my cat is the background noise of my track, like the low murmurs of a bass guitar. The predictability of the sounds soothes me. The pen leaps away from me and I curse, the sound suddenly very loud amidst the chaos. My mother barges in here, furious and gesturing, and the song skips to another on my playlist, a song that reminds me of him, simply because he introduced me to the band. She pauses for a second, turning violently to harp about my music, but deflates instead and lowers to stroke the cat. Unlike me, he obliges happily, the purring even louder than before, a double-bass instead of the bass guitar. - 27 -
THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
“I’m sorry,” she says, after an extended pause between us, and I don’t know how to answer her. She brings with her a piano score, a collection of Mozart’s works, and I look at that instead of at her. My mind is on him, on the music, on the paper in my hands instead of on the present. And later, when I open the closet to grab a sweater, a bony finger from one of the many skeletons in my family’s closet pokes me. I close the door tight, and sit back on the bed. I don’t suppose I have the courage to admit he’s really nothing either.
- 28 ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
RECOMMENDATION OF WORKS
Recommendation of works Novels Life Without Limits, Nick Vujicic (2012)
Angel Yip
In the face of various challenges, we may give up halfway as we fear failure. Even just before we succeed, we may choose to give up instead when the end is not in sight. However, as the former U.S. President Roosevelt once said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself ”. And that’s true, because we do have nothing to be afraid of, except for “fear”. It’s often the strongest force that stops us from trying, and cripples most of us, but not Nick Vujicic. A limbless Australian who embodies the fearless spirit, he is brave in accepting and overcoming his physical limits. He has achieved numerous breakthroughs and spread his influence to others. His memoir, Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life, is a channel where he inspires people around the world. Vujicic gives advice to readers in a casual tone by sharing his life stories of breaking through obstacles. He recalls his daily life or remarkable episodes since he was born, tracing the changes of his attitude. In the past, he was not courageous enough to accept his disabilities, and was once discouraged by humiliation and his inability to live like a normal person. But with the support from his family and friends, he finally took the courage to challenge himself, taking on a variety of physical activities ranging from walking to surfing. Because he dared to go beyond his limits, he accomplished tasks nobody could ever dream of. By reading this inspirational book, not only do you undergo and withstand mental struggles with Vujicic, but also gain insight into defeating the beast of fear!
- 29 THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
Bonnie Kwong
Eleanor and Park, Rainbow Rowell (2013)
Park is a half-Korean boy with a stable home environment: having a love for music and comic books that sets him apart from his family, his life couldn’t be any more different from Eleanor’s. Eleanor stands out because of her hair and the way she dresses, but has a difficult home life. The one thing that the two of them have in common is that both are outsiders, and that’s the realization that kick-starts their relationship. Strained family relations can be a major cause of stress, and those aren’t the only problems Eleanor deals with. Having an abusive stepfather who has the entire family tiptoeing around him, her family situation is further complicated by an irresponsible mother. Park is Eleanor’s only solace in the chaos of her life, and despite the emotional baggage she carries with her, he continues to treat her with love. He braves the fear of being mistreated at school, even though he’s on the verge of being bullied. And it’s not like he doesn’t have his own problems either, when being Korean is his only identity and his unsure relationship with his father causes him to doubt himself. He starts to feel his presence as an outsider both in and out of the family environment. His home doesn’t give him the support and love he needs when he’s struggling to find himself, making it hard to find his inner voice. Despite this, both Park and Eleanor show an abundance of courage in the form of defiance and breaking norms. When Eleanor is first introduced, she dresses in menswear, not just to flaunt her violation of fashion or gender rules, but simply because she wants to. Of course, this has something to do with how her family doesn’t have any money for her to buy new clothes, but this decision is an action of independence, as the school bullies tease Eleanor ruthlessly about it. Park himself is struggling with what he actually likes and what he thinks he should like. Having a father and a brother who are both sports fans makes Park feel different. Still, he chooses to dress in black and wear eyeliner, just because he likes the way it looks. A modern tale of two outsiders who find themselves in each other, Eleanor and Park reminds us of the courage shared with someone who understands you. No matter how bad things get, someone will always have your back, and that’s something precious indeed. - 30 ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
RECOMMENDATION OF WORKS
Movies
Forrest Gump (1994)
Clara Leung
“Hello. My name is Forrest. Forrest Gump”. Forrest Gump, himself a symbol of courage, shows his bravery in the movie about him. Forrest Gump is a movie about how, despite his IQ being lower than those around him, he manages to achieve different things. One example is the bullying he received from his classmates when he was young. Because of the weird braces on his legs, his classmates started bullying him. As a result, he started running, to avoid being bothered by them. You may associate running as a classic sign of cowardliness and escapism, but the action of running shown in the movie actually proves how brave Forrest is. He was not afraid of trying new things. He joined the national baseball team as well as the U.S. army even though he was not certain of what he would need to do. During the sudden attack when he was stationed in Vietnam, he could have guaranteed his own safety because he escaped quickly. Instead, he ran back to save his friend Bubba despite the fact that going back meant certain danger. This pivotal moment shows his boldness better than anything else, as he risked his life for his friend. Naomi Chan Sully (2016) The movie Sully is based on the real story of the U.S. Airways Captain, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. In 2009, he and the First Officer Jeffrey Skiles boarded US Airways Flight 1549. Three minutes after the plane took off, the plane hit a flock of Canda geese, and this disabled both engines. Without the engines and any airports nearby, Captain Sully decided to land the aircraft on the Hudson River. Despite the task being seemingly impossible, he managed to land the airplane in the Hudson, saving 155 lives. Such a bold decision to land on a river was only made in 35 seconds. 35 seconds were all he had to gather up his courage to do something that had never been done in the history of mankind. Captain Sully’s brave decision is not something we must encounter, but it poses the question: if not now, then when? - 31 -
THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
Songs Don’t Stop Believing, Journey (1981) Annie Cheung The first time I heard it on a television show, this song hit me right in the gut. About a group of high school students who stepped out of their comfort zone, the songs talks about their attempts to pursue their dreams, regardless of the discrimination they receive. In the beginning of this song is the line “a small town boy/ girl living in a lonely world”. Adventures were never on their mind until they recklessly got on a “midnight train” that’s heading to an unknown destination. That’s what courage is to them. As the song name implies, this song depicts the feeling of exploring something new with mixed feelings of excitement and fright. At the same time, it encourages people not to be afraid and to hold on to your gut feelings, the feelings that may lead you to find what your heart desires. If you’re in the middle of eagerly wanting to try something, but fearing the obstacles that stand in your way, you might find what you need here.
Brave, Sara Breilles (2016)
Ivy Fung
Ever since three years ago, when this song came out, it has never failed to give me a boost when I’m lacking courage. Bareilles has a unique but endearing voice that reminds you of your older sister. When she sings “I just wanna see you/ see you be brave” which is the catchiest (and the most repeated) line, it feels like my sister is there to cheer me up. She is not a singer with an angelic soothing voice or an impactful rendition, but a musician who performs with her passion to make a positive influence. The keyboard player’s strong beat builds an upbeat atmosphere throughout the song, making me feel unstoppable, as if I could conquer Mount Everest anytime. It makes me feel as if I am getting closer to closer to overcoming the insurmountable, step by step. This beat never gets old, which is why I love it so much. There are other songs, for instance, Roar by Katy Perry and Fight Song by Rachel Platten, that feature a catchy beat, but Brave has this magic that other songs can’t replace. - 32 ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
RECOMMENDATION OF WORKS
Poems Milk and Honey, Rupi Kaur (2014)
Sarah Lau
Rupi Kaur’s Milk and Honey is a feast for the eyes and the mind. Her poems are understated elegance, short phrases like daggers to the heart, her drawings simple doodles in the margins of your notes that tell buckets of stories all on their own. Her words will move you to tears even as you sit alone in a public space, conjuring up past lovers and friends, transporting you to places you’ve never been but feel you have seen in your dreams. Milk and Honey may not sound like a book about courage, but it is. Kaur talks about the courage we must have as women: to love, to forgive, to write… It is not the courage of epic poems, the courage to go into battle, against monsters of the wild. Rather, it is softer and more refined, the courage of a modern woman, she who must learn that her worth lies within herself, despite a lifetime of being demeaned—“that since day one. she’s already had everything she needs within herself. it’s the world that convinced her she did not”. Kaur recognizes that “to hate is an easy lazy thing but to love takes strength”, that forgiving and forgetting, rather than seeking revenge, requires so much more of us. Courage is a mental state, an emotional stability, being strong despite the storms life has brought us through. The courage to fall in love despite numerous heartbreak and boys who have disappointed you—“what is stronger than the human heart which shatters over and over and still lives”. And writing too, the very thing that gives her thoughts wings and allows her to convey courage to her readers, is no easy task. It consumes and frustrates her, but she returns to it all the same—“at times i want to stop writing completely when i feel it starting to destroy me// i never want to stare at blank pages again// the word poetry makes me angry// the english language is a tsunami on my tongue”. But perhaps this is the idea she most wants to impart to us: that what is valuable and worth doing is also what has the power to destroy us, and courage is realizing the risk but giving 100% of ourselves all the same, the courage to love passionately, write beautifully, and live fully.
- 33 THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.
Answers to our Trivia
The answers to the trivia section in the April issue of LINK are finally here! Take a look and see how many you got right!
6. What is the name of the recently discovered manuscript by famed horror writer H.P. Lovecraft?
1. What famous quote by Sherlock Holmes did he never say? “Elementary, my Watson!”
dear
The Cancer of Superstition.
2. Instead of the raven, what animal did Edgar Allen Poe want to use to repeat the word “nevermore” in his poem The Raven?
7. Which Austrian coffee roasting company offered free coffee in exchange for a handwritten poem on World Poetry Day?
He wanted to use a parrot.
Julius Meinl.
3. What ethnicity was Aladdin in One Thousand and One Nights?
8. Which famous American novelist was an avid cat lover and has 50-something polydactyl cats roaming his home today?
He was originally Chinese.
It was Ernest Hemingway.
4. From which novel did the rock band U2 borrow a chapter title, “Shadows and Tall Trees”, to name one of their songs?
9.Which famous crime novelist suffered from dyslexia and had problems with spelling?
Lord of The Flies, by William Golding.
It was Agatha Christie.
5. The monster from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has no name, and is referred to as “Frankenstein’s monster”. However, what name for him did Shelley once use during a reading of the novel? She used “Adam”.
the
10. Which famous work did rock band Pink Floyd draw inspiration from for their song, Pigs (Three Different Ones)? Animal Farm, by George Orwell.
name - 34 -
ENGLISH SOCIETY, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., SESSION 2015-2016
APPENDIX
Editor Bonnie Kwong bonnie.hkuengsoc@gmail.com Designers Naomi Chan naomi.hkuengsoc@gmail.com Annie Cheung annie.hkuengsoc@gmail.com Publisher English Society, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., Session 2015-2016 Email engsoc@hku.hk Facebook www.facebook.com/HKU.English The graphics used in this newsletter (apart from our own original photos) are in no way owned by English Society, A.A.H.K.U.S.U., and assumed to be of public domain. - 35 THE MIND TRIUMPHS OVER THE SKIES, WILDFIRES NO MATCH FOR BLAZING EYES.