I was in Hong Kong for one year. I was in the Philippines for one year. I was in Virginia for 1 year. I was on Guam for 2 years...that would almost make that my "hometown", eh? I lived most of my life (I'm 42 in my 40th "home", hoping for only 2 more moves before I am allowed to plant roots) in places for 1 year.
I think we took the things we did as a way of keeping a piece of each place to keep the memories alive and get some sense of permanence in an ever changing world.
I don't think the majority of us live in the past, we just had such a terrific time and made such wonderful acquaintances, some life long, that in the busy bustle of some of our lives, something as simple as a ticket or a newspaper clipping can bring forth a flood of memories that can easily be forgotten without that bit of memory stimulant.
I married (and am still with) my Senior Prom date, so I can't help but keep the past in the present. My husband used to ask me why I took so many pictures of everything and everybody. Now that we're older he is so happy I did because you can pull one out one photo and realize you had forgotten that day, person, place, etc. and without things like photos, or whatever you have to hold the memory as your mind ages, you will lose those times.
I hope you made happy times for yourself, being so fortunate as to be able to "grow up" in one place. Some of us have no "hometown". When asked where I'm from, I reply "originally or recently?".
I think we are all a product of our past and mine was a mixture of every emotion, and it's all those thoughts and emotions that continue to make me who I am today. I never want to forget a second, good or bad. And those of you that know or remember me, know I had more than my share on the bad end... oh well, it's all good now!
I bet if you looked, there is something somewhere that you have tucked away, something just for you and you alone that would make you smile just by finding it and holding it in your hand...then again, maybe you don't. I am happy to say I have a treasure of such things after being hauled around this big planet my whole life, and as worthless as they would seem to others, I hold them dear to my heart. Even the "purloined" items...and isn't it funny it was the teachers who started confessing to all the 5 finger discounts?!! HA! Our role models were human!! What a revelation!!! ;-)
You and I share the same page in the 1974 yearbook and yet I feel like we were indifferent countries. You mentioned the San Miguel ad in the back of the book, but do you remember that we went on a field trip TO THE BREWERY? And they gave mugs of beer to anyone who wanted one. Why not? The bars right up to the Eagle's Nest at the Hilton served us hard liquor nightly, why not a beer or 5? Their logic, not mine! Talk about a bunch of drunks by the end of the day!
I don't drink beer (only because it tastes like ****) but I had a blast on the trip, and they left 6 of us behind out near the new territories at some Chinese Garden we stopped at on the way back as we didn't get on the bus when they yelled for us. We had to hitch-hike back on the back of a big diesel truck, hauling rolls of carpet. We rode on top of the carpet, close to falling off half the time, going at least 60 mph and the school didn't give it a second thought. Without the discarded, stuck together snuff bottles given to me by one of the workers at a snuff bottle factory we also toured that day, I would have a hard time remembering that excitement in my later years. And I think it's okay to escape to the past, it keeps us from repeating it for the most part.
Of all the places I lived, Hong Kong was the most non-stop exciting, day and night...especially the night. My memories as a 16 year old include a dear old pimp named "papasan" from Wan Chi, who was kind to his "girls" and to those of us who went to the Go-Down just to dance the night away. A Pac-Pai driver from India, we called "Sam" due to an unpronounceable name he had, who gave us rides whether we had money or not, just to learn better English on the way to where we wanted to go. Soap Opera actress Susan Sullivan even came to out flat for lunch one day after striking up conversation at the American Club (which I have my ID card to...)
But I also remembered being cornered by 7 or 8 large sewer rats in an alley in Happy Valley after a short cut late one night, so Hong Kong had the best and worst of everything...(do the words "China White" ring a bell for any of you?...) and deserves a special place in my minds eye. Short of falling victim to Altzheimers’ disease in my later years, these memories will be kept alive and shared with anyone interested in revisiting, not reliving, our "colorful" shall we say, past.
Keep those Klepto memories coming everyone, we are having the best time “remembering"!!!
Much warm Aloha to you all.
Tim HARVEY ‘74
These last few posts have stirred up many memories as well as a few questions. Some of the questions are
"Why do
I still have such a strong bond to a place halfway around the world that I haven't been back to in 24 years?"
...and...
"Why was I so tempted to unbolt the "Oxford Road" sign from its place on the wall opposite our gate and
put it in my room?"..and...
"Why am I so interested in hearing from and about people 'back then?'" ...and...
"Why
didn't I take the Oxford Road sign?" ...and...
In a weekend in June of this year, 130 or so people got together in Texas who had been in Hong Kong and involved with the Hong Kong Macao Baptist Mission. After 20 minutes, it seemed like it had just been a few months since I had been in Hong Kong with them. On Saturday morning, those of us that were the kids of the missionaries got together and the question "Where do you call home?" was put to us. The responses were fascinating. They were also healing.
It was good to get together again with these people who had been through what I had been through at the time that I had been through it and be reminded again about why Hong Kong was so special. I also realized that I was not the only one who struggled deeply in so many ways after returning to the U.S. to go to school. I didn't even want to go to school. My mom signed me up, filled out the paperwork and even sent it off for me. I really wanted to stay, but my turn was over. Leaving was the only real option.
A couple of years ago, a sixth grader showed up on the playground of the school where I teach here in Riverside, CA, and he had an HKIS school jacket on. I just about fell out of my chair in my hurry to get to him and find out what his connection was to MY school. Why? There are lots of good reasons and it's very satisfying discussing the options, isn't it?
Where do you call home?
Ike EICHELBERGER ‘78
Hi Tammy; & Everyone else too:
From a fellow tractor brat; "Ike" Class of 78(R. Eric Eichelberger) I thought I new most of the CAT families, so I'll
bet you were there before 75? I came from Peoria Hts. in the summer of 75. Did you ever live in Peoria. IL. ? I was
actually born there, 1st place my family lived with CAT... although I don't consider that my hometown.
I have read what a couple of you wrote about hometowns. I was born in Peoria in 1960, lived in Montreal, Paris, Vienna, Geneva, Peoria(69-75), and Hong Kong (75-78); before I went off to college.
My parents lived in HK until 84. Since then I have lived in 6 different states in the US. My folks now live in Peoria again due to CAT, but will move soon since my Dad has retired from the Big Yellow. Personally, I try not to bring up the topic of Home towns. It doesn't bother me, its just that then; I have to explain. Its not too bad in Los Angeles, everyone is from somewhere else... But in some places I have lived; it gets into either strange looks, or lengthy Geography lessons.
Anyway, I don't really think of Peoria as my Hometown, BUT I do normally mention that I lived in HK. I am quite proud of that even if it wasn't my choice or doing. I consider myself quite lucky to have had the opportunity to grow up in HK. No where else could ever be the same. Also, no where else could you have had the freedoms we had, and the chances we had. I am glad for all the things I tried good & bad. They were a part of life in a great place & time. Hong Kong was a great time and place, I have visited twice since my folks left, and my brother John went back after he finished college to live on Cheung Chau for several years. I took my wife (girlfriend at the time) to HK 3 times, and tried to show her all the reasons that I fell in love with the place. She learned to love it too!!
If I could have figured a way to live & work there I would have! Sometimes that's the one thing I wish I would have pushed my self harder in life to achieve. Still, since we all have some regrets in life, I try not to get too bummed about that one. Overall, I'm happy with my life and the path it has taken. As for the various collections: some of the stuff people have saved is great! I plan to wander through my desk & see what else I have. I am a bit surprised at who is admitting to liberating signs from HK...it is funny to hear some of our most respected teachers admitting to receiving stole goods. I did notice so far no-one has admitted to doing any of the actual thievery. I can't claim credit for the HK bus stop sign, that makes a fine conversation piece in my folks backyard; I believe my brother got that one...unless for some reasons I forgot that night too??!!
Well, its great to hear everyone's thoughts and memories, and to revel in my own. Keep it coming!
Melissa PRESTON Sansing ‘75
Hello Tim!
Do you remember the lazy days you, me and Greg spent laying on your trampoline, talking and talking as we
watched the planes fly so low over your yard from Kai Tak that you could almost touch them? I remember your
smiles most of all. And your friendship. Which is what made Hong Kong, and every other temporary "home town"
we all had so very special...the people, not the place.
I also spotted a HKIS jacket, in Seattle, and had to run down the street and say "Hey! I'm one of you...", he was a teacher and was so pleased I had stopped him! Where are you guys? HOW are you guys??? I have gotten emails from so many wonderful friends in the last few days, I am overwhelmed at being remembered so fondly by so many people who have, to this day remained in my heart... Fill me in! I can't wait!
"Missy" Preston (now Melissa Sansing Oregon USA)PS...Linda, if you are reading all these emails, I would still very much like to get you involved in our 25 year class reunion for Brents' class of '75 I am organizing in Kauai, Hawaii next summer... we have 2 different schools and many wonderful friends in common ... and we're going to have a really nice time ...lets talk.
Tami WHITROCK Lamb ‘77
hey Ike- it was cool to hear from you!!
I am thrilled by the number of messages flying around. Yes- we were in HK before you- from '66 to '73-My Dad
came over to help set up the new office for cat.
I can proudly say that I went to the "first “HKIS when it was based in the apartment in Tai Tam. (Was that 66 or 67?) Then the next year I started third grade in the school in South Bay. (yes, I am SUCH a young thing- hey Barb Stone- I have a picture of you baby-sitting us in the Hilton Hotel!!!!)
Like so many of the Cat kids- we lived in Peoria as well- but ended up where we started- in Decatur Il. Even now I am not too far from my roots- I just moved down the road " a piece" and live in Springfield.
Luckily my husband loves to travel (a BAAAD habit I developed in HK- it just isn't vacation unless you travel for thousands of miles!!!!) and I finally got to see HK just before the handover. My poor husband!! He barely had my excitement controlled when we rounded the corner (on the 6A bus) into Repulse Bay and I saw the school cross against the sky...just as it should have been. I burst into tears- I couldn't believe it. (I even embarrassed myself!) I had come home.
so yeah, home is HK in a major way for me. I spent my childhood there- at least the part that I remember the most. (We live in the country now, on a well, and boy, are my kids tired of me saying "When I was a girl, we had water every THIRD day for FOUR hours one summer, and we kept it in WASTE CANS and in the bathtub. ") Who else remembers the fun days when you could just buy firecrackers and set them off all over the place??!!!
Bill STEAGALL ‘75
All, it has been a wonderful experience reading all your emails, and remembering with fondness our shared memories. While I must admit that I don't remember most of the names, there is a familiarity to the stories, the rhymes, the treasures, and everything else.
Someone wrote about looking up at the airplanes landing at Kai Tak, and it reminded me that by coincidence I had a business trip that allowed me to be one of the last people to fly out of Kai Tak.
My first visit back to Hong Kong was empty. It was almost painful. So much had changed. But I finally came to the realization that it was not the changes that were difficult for me, it was the fact that the people that I knew and loved were no longer there.
The Hong Kong environment was certainly unique, and something we will never forget nor duplicate, but it was the friends, the teachers, the neighbors, and the things we did together that really made the experience what it was. Thanks to all of you for all of this. The memories, these are the true treasures.
I would love to hear from some of you. I noticed Marcus Woo on the list and would love to hear what he has been doing. I would also like very much to know if anyone has kept in touch with Steve L. Smith ('75).
As for me, I interrupted my studies at BYU to serve a 2 year mission for the LDS church. After graduating in Electrical Engineering, I joined the US Air Force, where I worked for about 4 years, during which time I married Melissa, my best friend and life's companion. I returned to Utah for graduate studies(MSEE) and have been here for 13 years now. I work for L-3 Communications, where I am the Senior International Product Manager (some day I will figure out what that title means) for a fixed wireless telephone product. Really I'm just a design engineer gone bad.
We have six children (is this a class record?) Alicia (13), Marta (11), John (9), Emily (7), Elizabeth (3), and Robert (1). We love camping, biking (as in bicycles), wind surfing, and just generally playing. Alicia and I just got our open water SCUBA certificates this summer (in Cancun), and I am a private pilot. Thanks again,
Cindy ALLEN ‘79
I grew up in England, Germany, India and Hong-Kong as well as spending a lot of time in Singapore and France. When someone asks me the inevitable question of which place I liked the most, I rarely hesitate to answer “Hong-Kong."
I am inexplicably drawn to the hot, fetid, sensual place. My memories are stronger from there than anywhere. Apparently I'm not alone. I watched the recent handover to the Chinese government with some rare patriotic fervor - would I ever be able to return?
As a result of my childhood travels, I have been incapable of settling down in my 37 years. Now, finally I am attempting to grow a root - By the sea, in a smelly port. Reading these messages, I suddenly feel a whole lot less alone.
Richard GRAYSON ‘78
Mr. Kohl - I never was able to get a handle on the wheel in your class and eventually gave up - got tired of making ashtrays. I am shocked to hear you were such a kleptomaniac.
Does anybody know whatever happened to Gary Barnes? Remember he and his wife had the son he delivered at home.
I have to dig, but I know I have a program or two from "Guys and Dolls". Also recently found pictures from our Junior prom of Lee Wolfe, Bill Holland, Rochelle Rhodes, Andrea Bastian and Cindy Detmer (Cindy saw your name on the distribution list if you want I can scan and send the picture to you) at the Hilton. Even though contacting people from the class of '78 has been next to impossible I still consider HK to be a large slice of home.
I've spent a lot of time in the last two years talking to people I knew from Singapore (include Sis Wang (Biggs) - who moved from HK to S'pore in 1975 abt the time I arrived), and they have much the same feelings abt a sense of home for Singapore, or lack of home. I assume the conversation (like the conversations with S'pore alums) will eventually turn to a certain loss of flow to our lives. Perhaps the people who lived in HK (the Ketterer's for example) for a long time never felt that way - we moved every two or three years - so I know I feel that way. For years my sister had the flag from the Czech embassy in Tokyo.
Mike SULLIVAN ‘72
Hi Everyone - Wanted to let you know how much I've been enjoying the barrage of messages - what MEMORIES this has aroused!
I'm a little older than most of you - I was Class of 72 and actually left HK in the middle of my junior year (December, 1970), but like many of you, I think of HKIS as my 'real' high school and in many ways, think of HK as my hometown (my Dad once commiserated with me about this after he'd retired and we'd moved to Oklahoma).
Regarding the 'relics', I can't believe I was in school with such a bunch of 'kleptos'! Now, I wish I been one of them! Over the years, I've met people who have taught at the Taiwan American School or attended one of the American schools in Japan. I even went to church with a woman who had gone to the Shanghai American school in the1940s. When we found out each other's backgrounds, it was as if we had an immediate bond. Reading your stories makes me feel the same way about all of you.
I was very touched by some of Eric Allen and Tim Harvey's memories, just to mention a few people. It's phenomenal the hold that HK still has on so many of us. I attended the HKIS Reunion in Denver this past July - it was a BLAST! The organizers -Barbara Stone Fehler, Kelly Priellip, Karen Stimson and Sally Meyers - did a SUPER job.
We had a wonderful guest speaker named David Pollock. He's written a book called 'Third Culture Kids', which deals with people (like all of us) who spent part of their formative years overseas. The book helps explain why we are the way we are and why we seem to have such a bond. In his talk, David gave a 'profile' of a typical TDK and I was amazed how many of the characteristics I exhibit. Regarding the Reunion, the neatest was what wonderful friends I made among the people whom I hadn't known in HK. It seems that having that shared experience gives us so much in common and makes for instant friendship.
For some reason, I assumed things changed greatly in HK after I left, but reading your notes, I see that you guys did the same types of things that I did and had the same types of experiences. I'm one of those people who must be 'olfactory' oriented. When I smell diesel fumes on a wet day, I'm instantly back in the breezeway of the Hilton; the smell of some herbs/plants take me back to the Chinese apothecary shops down towards Ladder Street. There's a musty (but not unpleasant) concrete smell that always reminds me of HKIS.
I was lucky enough to return to HK for the '97 Reunion (couldn't sleep at all the night before the trip!), which was an INCREDIBLE and very moving experience for me. When we toured HKIS, I was a little sad that over the course of 30 years, the school had lost the concrete smell.
Regarding other memories, I don't know where to start: HK seems to have filled my mind with treasured moments and warm remembrances. Tami Lamb mentioned being able to take the train in HK at age 12. Looking back, I'm stunned that we could do things like that - riding the Star Ferry, tooling around Kowloon, taking the kamikaze buses out to Repulse Bay - as junior high kids. It seems incredible that I could walk out the front door of my flat, walk down the Peak and in minutes be in the heart of one of the most exciting places on earth.
I was there during the height of the Vietnam War and the fleet was always in port. I remember seeing and talking to the service men who were on R&R, many of whom were only a little older than I. My Dad was in the service and we used to go out to the Navy ships for tours, which I thought was VERY cool.
The people are the part of HK I'll always remember. I've never had another group of friends like I had at HKIS and it is so wonderful to be back in touch with so many of them - and I include all of you in that group. I've been able to re-establish something I thought I'd lost forever. One neat things about reading your notes is to realize that I'm not weird(at least not for THIS reason!) in that the 3 years I spent in HK almost 30 years ago still has such an influence of my life.
As I write this note, I can see the 'Above Hong Kong' calendar, which I buy every year. It has a great shot of Happy Valley. Hope I haven't put you all to sleep - thanks again for sharing your memories.
Edward KETTERER ‘75
I am amazed and pleasantly surprised to see how you all feel about Hong Kong. I do have many fond memories of the place. my family originated from the place, but must admit that the changes which have occurred to Hong Kong over the years have changed my feelings about the place - not in a bad way.
Like many places I have lived over the years, people make a place, and on reflection I realise that as the years went by and as friends left the Colony, friends I have had since High School, so my relationship with Hong Kong changed.
I am intrigued by my responses to the dialog which is happening here, thru the "coollist, and as each of you share
your memories and experiences I find myself being taken back in time and for a few moments I am actually in
those places. The sights, sounds, smell, and more. A kaleidoscope of images and feelings which stir a strong sense
of nostalgia - fascinating.
Thank you
Dave KOHL faculty
Tim Harvey...Great to read about you and your thoughts on where is home. HK, although I lived there but seven years, is truly one of the two places I call home- the other being Oregon. There are two spots in the world where I know I can always go and experience peace and tranquility and be with myself - A secluded spot on the Oregon coast in Tillamook County, and Dai Long in the Sai Kung Peninsula.
And the Oxford Road sign - some missionary kid (one of the Ingrams?), I think, "donated" that sign to the HKIS art room still life and was there and drawn by countless art classes. Werner Von Behren saw it and several other such signs stacked up in the room during one of the many bomb scares and the HK police were roaming all over the building and he told me to get rid of them - so now they (including one from Durham road) are in Oregon...and there is an Oregon town less than 10 miles away named Durham.
Gregory ACAMPORA ‘75
Ed Ketterer...Hello!
For some reason I was harkening back [go figure what with this coollist] and thought of you amongst others.
Someone mentioned the #6 [Stanley] bus and I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. I recall sitting on the upper deck, if one were so lucky as to get a double, as it would creak with each turn after crossing to the backside of the island. Remember the guys who would wear white cotton gloves while driving?
Melissa PRESTON Sansing ‘75
Has anyone seen the school campus lately? Is it as nice as it looks on the web site? Have they fixed up the beachfront at repulse bay, there were allot of remains of old concrete buildings along the water front (one holding the Muther’s Club, one where a band played weekends, busting out a mean "Smoke On the Water" by Deep Purple & Mountains' "Mississippi Queen") but the view was one of a kind ...
Is the Noodle Shack still down the street from the school? "Yat Go Mein" and a quart bottle of San Miguel!
Dave KOHL Faculty
Hi Ed Ketterer...I remember a wonderful time at Middlespur - I think it was an all night party or a post prom thing, with wonderful huge dutch strawberries for breakfast. How's your mom, and where can I contact her. Last time I was in HK she was working with world wildlife fund.
Rick BRACKMANN ‘70
Where is home?
Ft. Wayne, IN? Bloomington, IL? HK? River Forest, IL? Chicago? Hoopeston, IL?
My home now is with my wonderful wife of 21 years, Mary Lou, and our three wonderful children - Jessica (19), Josh (17), and Katie (16). But HOME will always be the place I left 29 years ago - Hong Kong.
P.S. The background on my computer is a picture of HK Harbour and a Star Ferry going across at night. VERY cool!!
Diane ADCOCK Cribley ‘73
I lived in Hong for 6 years and spent much of my 14 year old savings on temple carvings that came out of China. (Thanks to the "cultural “revolution.) I feel like I should send them to a museum because nothing I have seen in any museum, comes close to the quality of these pieces. I have the little red book and assorted trinkets as well.
Two years after we returned to the States, my Mom died. Dad moved to Taiwan and sent me many of their household goods - lots of rosewood furniture made in Hong Kong. Although it limits the decor of my home, it feels good to have it here.
When we moved to Milwaukee in ' 72, I felt like more of a stranger than I had any place overseas. It felt much better when I went to the University and had to register as a foreign student. Those were the people that I felt at home with. I won't bore those of you who don't know me with any more details of my life since Hong Kong, but hope to hear from those of you who knew me.
Cathy SMITH Caviness ‘75
Friends,
In my first letter to the dragontrain, I admitted to feeling different from some of what I was hearing. I also said
that Hong Kong was my hometown and was filled with many rich memories. I just wondered if there were others
who shared my experience too. Then, apparently, I put my foot in my mouth (which, for those of you who know
me, is not than unusual). I said that “I don't live in the past," and then I thanked you guys for evoking so many
powerful memories for me. It was a statement about myself but apparently I offended some of you. I did not mean
to imply that anyone else *is* living in the past, only that I am a person who gives everything to the present. That
is why I thanked everyone for bringing up some very vibrant memories.
That 'musty' cement smell ... the one when a light summer rain hits scorched sidewalks ... always evokes Hong Kong for me. I thought I was the only one. I had forgotten that the Kowloon side bus stops were blue and white ... I thought they were red. Someone knew the rhyme for bus tickets which I had forgotten. And several people that I haven't heard from in close to 25 years have written to me individually. What a gift.
I do have some 'things' from Hong Kong, but what I treasure most are the memories of certain people. I kept letters from that era, a diary, yearbooks ... Things that showed the people I cared (and still care) about. I have some furniture and dishes that remind me of Hong Kong, but I don't have all the things you guys talked about. I didn't know they would link me to that place and time. I'm glad you mentioned them because they spurred a lot of memories for me.
And now I am beginning to understand about TCK. Even with HK as my childhood home, I always struggled with that annoying question, "Where are you from?" People in the US sometimes got angry if I said "Hong Kong" because I was obviously not Chinese. Now I say, "Northern Virginia, but I grew up in Hong Kong." My mom was in HK for the changeover. And I was surprised that I was so effected by it. I felt as if my home state had been taken over by a foreign power and that the whole world came to watch as if it was no big deal. Hong Kong is no longer my home, but it will always be the place where I grew up. No one can take that away. I am proud of my background and happy to embrace my past.
Earlier this year I had the privilege of reconnecting with several people from my experiences in HK and it has been really wonderful to see how personalities mature without totally changing.
Most of that is thanks to all the work done by Judi Rower. Thanks Judi. So, now I have to go find those books on TCK. Does this mean I can blame someone else for my being so weird? Hey, that *would* be great. Thanks again for sharing.
Eric ALLEN ‘76
Views of Central, Wanchai Tower etc...
http://www.netvigator.com/~dbhk/html/office.html
Kathy GRIMES Velchoff ‘78
I've just found the time to sit down and read all of the e-mails that have come pouring in these last few days. It certainly has opened a torrent of memories for me. Thanks, Judi, for putting it all together.
Hong Kong has always held a magical place in my memory. I lived there from 76-78, but returned summers until my parents moved back to Houston in 1981. The Go-Down, Repluse Bay, McDonalds, Bull and Bear Pub, New Year's Eve at Statue Square, (don't even ask!) noodles at the Shack, noodles at the American Restaurant; I could go on and on...but what really stands out are the incredible people, from all walks of life, that I met and became friends with and the amazing experiences that smacked me in the face (sometimes literally).