When I was in the early 1st grade of Secondary (SMP) in Yuen Long, I got the news that my father and mother decided to move to Jakarta to try to run a business on the advice of my aunt no. 2 and her husband who lived in Jakarta at that time. After I received this news I was overjoyed because it meant that I would be leaving this place that was depressing me.

Imagining what the atmosphere and people in Indonesia are like

After receiving news that my parents decided to take me and my 2-year-old sister to move to Jakarta, I began to imagine what my life there would be like. In my imagination all Indonesians are like my aunt and uncle who have visited us in Hong Kong, cheap smiles and attention. I felt very happy and curious at the same time. What is clear is that I feel happy because I will be leaving school and grandmother in Yuen Long who have been depressed for more than 6 years.

Grandma objected to us leaving Hong Kong

Previously, my father and mother had told my grandparents about their desire to try to start a new life and business in Indonesia. Of course, my grandparents objected because at that time the way to communicate with family abroad could only be through letters and telephones, interlocal was also very expensive at that time. But father and mother were determined to implement this decision.

Breaking the news to friends in Hong Kong

My mother started telling her friends in Hong Kong about this decision and they felt very sad because they had been friends for 5-6 years and often did activities together. I also told this to some of my schoolmates and 2 friends who lived in the same building. 2 of my best friends feel sad because we played together for more than 6 years.

Then the friends gave us their home addresses and we promised to keep our friendship even though in different countries.

Sharing all my toys with friends and relatives

Not wanting to bring too many things from Hong Kong to Indonesia, I decided to share all the toys and some books with some of my friends and cousins. With that in mind, I brought a Walkman, some cassette tapes of cartoon movie songs and some astronomy books.

In the next article, I will tell you about our trip to the airport and how I felt while on the plane on the way from Hong Kong to Jakarta.