佳妮贏取了一次作文比赛，并且我們得到了现金奖The award ceremony last night turned into a fun catch-up/chatting time with one of my favorite writing teachers who was there. She really pushed publication in the class I took from her, so I attribute at least half the joy of this night to her guidance. Thanks, Susan! It felt really good to share my writing with the group who attended, and I will post a link for others to read it as soon as the piece gets posted online. Besides the intangible, internal rewards I feel, there is a cash award on its way as well. Good times.
The other writers really wowed me! We heard a student from Singapore read his paper. He argued that it is not democracy or communism that drives a market, but property rights and a free market, if I understood him correctly. He cited examples where authoritarian governments have surpassed democracies in this regard. I was especially struck by the point he made that democracies have a tendency to do what is best for the country in the short run, but its leaders--governed by a clamoring populace--often fail to implement solid economic policy for the long haul. Timely observation, America! (interesting that he submitted this paper a year ago; a bit prophetic, no?)
Also, a different young man read his research paper on light pollution. Ha! I always suspected...er, knew sleeping with the lights on messed up my body; so it was gratifying to have some research back up my instincts. Apparently the hormonal processes are greatly affected by cycles of light and dark.
Anyway, sorry my posts tend to get a bit long. Suffice to say, my Husby and I had a nice time last night at the writer's fest. (Though I ended up with no Brent Ashwood permit in the end, despite my serious efforts).
So this is Hong Kong's Christmas. The lights/displays at shopping malls are spectacular and commercialized. Nobody really puts up lights at home or does a tree with gifts under it, etc. But I am glad we got to be in Hong Kong at this time since the Christmas decorations gave more eye candy than usual to this big city. 
Here is one of the more scenic city views. So glad Brandon could be there for this trip! 
While we were there at the water's edge, a few ancient replica ships drifted by. Cool to see the contrast between old (the boat) and modern (the cityscape background). 
Here is our whole group who ventured out that night. Jerry's parents are in the middle, and on the right side is Jerry's brother Henry with his girlfriend Sarah. 
This clock tower is one of the more famous HK sites. We stood at the base of it and put our hands on the brick just to say we'd been there. 
See how the businesses go all out with Christmas decorating? The whole sides of these skyscrapers are festive. We didn't get photos of it, but that night we got to this place in time to see a light show. The buildings all have lasers and spotlights, etc. that dance to music. It looks like the buildings are talking to each other. Pretty cool. 
And here is one of the views from the apartment where we stayed while in HK. It is right by the river. Gorgeous shot, Henry. Jerry gets one more chance to say how much he loves your camera...=) 
