Prompt: Where is home for you? What makes it home? What role do you play in making home feel like home? What level of commitment do you feel toward your current home in Hong Kong? In light of current situations in Hong Kong, what are your feelings, your expectations, your responsibilities toward the future of Hong Kong? Discuss.
Home is in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong makes it home because I’ve grown up here and I’ve spent my entire life here. Hong Kong is part of who I am and I can’t imagine it otherwise. It is so hard to watch Hong Kong become what it has – once known as one of the most peaceful, safest cities in the world, reduced to a mess of violence, anger, and resentment that it is now.
Yet, it is still home, and I wouldn’t want it otherwise.
Sometimes I want Hong Kong to return back to what it was before the protests, but these are people just fighting for what they believe in. I just wish they would do it better, I wish they would do it peacefully. I wish that the government would handle the situation better but I also wish the protestors would be more understanding.
Hong Kong is home because of the lights. The lights are always sparkling in the midst of the dark and Hong Kong is a bright city.
Hong Kong is home because of the market. The markets full of fish and vegetables and the bustle of street vendors calling out low prices.
Hong Kong is home because of the pace of life. People constantly walking and dodging and making their way to work.
But Hong Kong is home because of the people. Some of the most amazing people I know live here and so does my family. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.
But I feel as if this home is being taken away from me in the midst of chaos, and it feels less and less like home. Under the surface, this is still my home and the home of the people I love, but it is not the same. But I wish it were.
It may be too much to ask, though. This was inevitable, and chaos was going to come up one day or another in our never-ending fight against China and our government. So sometimes I feel as if I just have to accept it do my responsibility as a citizen and stay, at least until 2047.
It’s hard though when my parents have different plans. They see this chaos as a sign that Hong Kong is not home anymore, that Hong Kong is not fit for anyone’s future. But I see it as a sign that Hong Kong has potential – messed up as it is, Hong Kong can rise and I believe that Hong Kong will change for the better one day, even if I don’t see it. Because God’s hand will move and I believe whatever happens, ultimately God will save.
Writing Process (Click here to open):
Reflection:
This was my first quick write and I was kind of emotional, so it’s raw and from the heart! The moment I had the first word down, everything else just came and it was an outlet for everything that had been going on in my head. This was definitely an enjoyable piece.
Sum Yiu's College Writing Blog 
Yay! I really enjoyed reading this and I agreed with a lot of the things you’ve said. Growing up in Hong Kong for my whole life, it is also definitely home for me and holds a special place in my heart! I really liked how raw you were in this essay, even though it was only a quick write. I really enjoyed reading everything that you put in this essay, whether it is the descriptions of Hong Kong, or how you feel towards it. It really engaged with the reader, allowing the reader to learn a lot more about you. I agree that God will be in control! Good job! :’)
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This is a beautiful, thoughtful reflection of the city you call home. Excellent job of expressing the connection you have to Hong Kong and the difficulties of today’s situation. Very powerful writing!
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