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The Hong Kong Post by Debbie Alvarez
So. Ever get so fed up with your professional situation that you decide you’re going to take complete charge? Up and move across the ocean to another continent? Provide your family with a lifetime opportunity to experience life in a different manner?
I did.
I read magazine articles and books on taking the reins back on your life. I figured, why shouldn’t I? I deserve to experience choice without frustration and anger in my career.
For the past few years I’ve advocated. Innovated. Bent over backwards. Worked four jobs in one position. Felt that I provided my school district with the best value to their dollar. The budget was stretched beyond normal constraints. Then came the cuts. They were drastic. Emotionally draining. Still creating a reverberating impact on children, community members, staff, and more.
I became a self-advocate, took control of my fate instead of waiting to see what my school district would do with me. I took a leave of absence and moved to Asia. Our family is now in Hong Kong.
I didn’t expect to have such a huge learning curve. I knew it would be hard. Finding a new home and purchasing all new furniture. Navigating a new place without a car and instead hopping on trams, buses, MTR lines (subway sort-of), and taxis (with drivers who often do NOT understand you, thank goodness for iPhone apps that help translate most of the time.)
I also didn’t expect to have such a challenging time understanding those who did speak English. I sit and try my best, but still words fly by me and I understand half of them. After being in one school for 12 years, I forgot how it is to be the new person. The one who has to prove herself. I was so spoiled in my last community with colleagues, families, and children who had complete trust in my professional abilities as an educator. I knew I had an impact. Now, I’m slowly building up trust.
I am lucky to work with so many new colleagues who are patient and caring. Almost all of them have experienced this huge transition so they can empathize and accommodate needs. It is nice to begin anticipating work again instead of feeling overwhelmed each morning. I am lucky to work with a fantastic, open-minded library assistant who is as excited as me when we get a new box of books, when we discover a new online source, when we can provide book recommendations to children…
I appreciate that when I moved here, several communities have welcomed us. One is the local teacher librarian organization called ALESS. Already, I’m excited to go to meetings where there are interesting agenda items in discussion and professional development as well.
I also appreciate how the world has now opened up for us in a way I wouldn’t have imagined experiencing: travel! Our first adventure out of Hong Kong is to travel to Thailand, cannot wait! Here in Hong Kong there’s unlimited opportunities for exploration, we’re trying to enjoy something new each week.
I know, I know. Nerdy book club. Book Reflection Portion:
I’ve been visiting numerous public libraries and bookstores around Hong Kong. I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface on the book purchasing options available. Some things are so familiar here in Hong Kong in comparison to Oregon/US. But on the other hand often here in Hong Kong there is the huge influence of Australian and New Zealand authors in addition to authors from United Kingdom. I feel like as a reader I’m barely scratching the surface of the books in my library that I normally read and am aware of. I only recognize 20% of the books in my school’s fiction and picture book collection. I knew 95% of my last book collection. I am plugging away at making friends with all the books in the collection. I honestly have never felt so behind on new book releases.
I had a difficult time thinking about which aspect of life changes I wanted to focus on for moving to Hong Kong. I’ve shared a weekly reflection on my blog but thought it wasn’t specifically a Nerdy Book Club material… I decided in the end to focus on the difference in bookstores. Here’s my American take on Hong Kong Bookstores:
- The books are coming from all over the world, not just from across the United States. It is lovely to have such a broad range of book selections! Then again, sometimes because there is a broad range, you find yourself with more of the top bookselling books and not so many independent publishers/authors.
- In almost every bookstore I’ve been in, books are completely wrapped up in plastic. If they are not wrapped in plastic, they look bent up and thumbed through.
- I miss seeing a celebration of children’s picture books on wall and shelf display in the bookstores. The only picture book display that I saw was of a Mr. Men book collection taking over an entire wall and then additionally they were on display on two shelves. This puzzled me. Cute beginning readers, but why so much room without displaying other books?
- Often the picture books are all shelved smashed together on a small shelf. Sometimes favorite authors like Julia Donaldson have a featured shelf but it is quite small. Since space is such a commodity here, I understand but don’t agree with this approach.
- I miss supporting independent bookstores. I have one place to visit soon that is an independent bookstore, cannot wait!
- It was amusing to find an adult book in the children’s non-fiction section, perhaps because the person putting books on the shelves doesn’t discern the difference. –It was Earth by John Stewart/The Daily Show… Then I found the most fantastic book Wonder by R.J. Palacio on the Young Adult shelf. I paused on other book locations/shelving as well.
- Bookstores here are not designed to relax and browse, more for shopping and leaving.
- Book costs are quite high. It makes sense (mostly) since if you’re in a mall buying a book, you’re helping pay for the cost of the bookstore space in addition to the shipping cost.
- My husband misses the attached coffee shops and browsing opportunities we had in the past.
- I miss the celebration of children’s books and wince at the abundance of toys and games instead. (I know, in American bookstores, there are loads of toys and games too, just not completely taking over half the shelves!)
For more on Hong Kong life, teacher librarian resources, book reviews, author interviews, and random sharing, Debbie Alvarez blogs as The Styling Librarian at: http://thestylinglibrarian.com and is on Twitter @stylinlibrarian.
Nerdy Book Club 
Reblogged this on The Styling Librarian and commented:
Here I am on The Nerdy Book Club- so honored to be a guest!
Book costs are not typically set based upon the venue in which the book is sold. Usually, it relates more to currency rates. Discounting is a function of a retailer.
Publishers with international connections will reflect more global publishing in their lists. It would be interesting to focus on global publishing in the classroom by featuring successful authors from other countries who are internationally successful. What elements in their books contribute to such broad appeal? What other factors are necessary for such success? How does that affect us as readers? writers?
Thanks, Debbie, for giving an interesting perspective into the world of books in Hong Kong.
Teresa, I agree, discounting is function of retailer, just my observation on some of the locations I was at w/prices comparing them side by side to another location… Some were quite reasonable. True, publishers have more global publishing on lists- would be an interesting discussion and research project with a class. Thanks!
Very interesting to read about cultural differences. There are many things I would miss such as independent book stores AND coffee shops. Kudos to you for having the courage to change your life this way.
Thanks Gigi! There are many things that make up for the changes… plus, we get to visit favorite places on trips to see family. 🙂
What a big leap you took, & it seems you are making it work & beginning to have fun too. I read another blog where one of the three are from Singapore, & have discovered the international world of children’s books when I can find them here in the US. It certainly has broadened my outlook. Thank you for telling about the challenges as well as the good parts. Happy to hear that you’re enjoying your new position.
Thanks Linda! I tried to be balanced in the post, not skipping half the experience but I was hesitant at first to include the challenges. 🙂
As someone who just made the transition from living and working in Canada to a teaching position at an international school in Ecuador, I empathize with your settling in story. I do have the advantage of having lived here before and the blessing of having my husband’s extensive family close by. However, transitions are hard. Being the new kid on the block is mind opening. Here the concept of children’s bookstores doesn’t really exist although I can see that is changing. And, yes, books are very expensive. I miss going to my local library in Calgary and finding just about any book I wanted. But, of course, when making a move such as this there are always things you give up but many more things you gain. A non-American perspective about the world is priceless and enlightening. Enjoy your stay in Hong Kong. If you end up having a positive experience you may just want to try a different school in another country.
Thank you Elisa. I agree, I feel my growth in perspective (and my son’s) each day. It is priceless. I do see the gain already. Much luck on your transition through this year! Being the new kid on the block certainly makes me appreciate success more and not take regular things for granted. There might be more resources that I haven’t tapped into yet with my public library system. I have the card, just need to try it out more often when there is a book I’m desperate to read. 🙂
Thank you. It’s great that you have access to a public library. I miss that the most, even more than bookstores. Good luck and enjoy!
Enjoyed reading your article. Love, Dad
Thanks! Glad you read it! 🙂
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I have traveled a ton (that’s why I started my crazy adventures travel blog) and I write children’s books. I had many of the cultural experiences you described. When it comes to books, I was warned against the bootleg books sold in Vietnam. I was in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and women walked around with tall stack of books – basically photocopies of published books. I felt bad for the authors, etc jipped out of the revenues that should be coming from sales. Yet, at the same time, appreciating the cultural difference.