How I began wine writing

The following was an Article for my Alma Mata.

In the New Beginning

Ms. Thérèsa Kwan once told me, 'Too many exclamation marks.' Her words were more than a critique; they encouraged me to grow as a writer. Her advice began a journey I still value. I believe many alumni share similar memories of when a teacher truly made a difference. Let’s celebrate these moments that bring our community together.

From Excessive to Expressive

Exclamation marks can signal excitement, but it is just as essential to share honest, thoughtful ideas. For example, I once wrote, 'This book changed everything! It brought joy, excitement, and a newfound sense of wonder!!!' My teacher, Ms. Kwan, called it '肉酸,' which means 'overly sentimental and pretentious.' Hearing this, I felt embarrassed and wondered if I had gone too far with my enthusiasm. Her feedback, given honesty and humour, made her point clear and encouraged me to think more carefully about my writing. After her advice, I changed the sentence to, 'This book changed everything. It brought joy, excitement, and a newfound sense of wonder.' Using Cantonese made her message feel familiar and easy to understand.

To Authenticity and Beyond

These lessons still help me today, especially when I write messages online, like on WhatsApp or email, where authenticity is often overshadowed by superficiality. To find my own voice and keep things simple, I check my writing to make sure it is balanced, sincere, and expressive. This helps me connect with others in a real way. Following these ideas makes my communication more genuine.

Many alumni have faced similar challenges as communication has changed. Adjusting to a digital world, where authenticity can be lost, takes resilience and creativity from all of us. Our shared experience of adapting and blending tradition with technology shows the strength of our community. By embracing these changes and learning from mentors like Ms. Kwan, we have grown as individuals and strengthened the bonds that unite us as alumni. I invite you to reflect on your journey and join in celebrating how far we have come, thanks to the guidance and wisdom of teachers who made a lasting impact.

The Sanity Checks

Ms. Kwan might have told us to ask ourselves:

“Is this piece of writing too sentimental or pretentious?”

“Am I using my own voice?”

“Does this show goodwill, honesty, and fairness?”

These questions help me stay sincere and respectful and ensure readers feel valued.

What Not to Do

That conversation, more valuable than most classes I took 52 years ago, changed how I think about communication. I try not to sound pretentious, unlike people who use big words or share unsupported ideas just to impress. This kind of writing often feels like self-promotion and can make readers question the writer’s sincerity. Sometimes, people who call others pretentious may be dealing with their own insecurities. Some try to impress with views that are hard to relate to, focusing on their opinions instead of being objective, which can lead to bias.

Why This Matters

I wrote this piece to honour the late Ms Thérèsa Kwan for the school’s 175th anniversary. Her advice still guides me, and maybe you too, as we aim for honest communication. Meaningful, relatable conversations help us connect and understand each other. As we remember Ms. Kwan, I invite fellow alumni to share stories about teachers who made a difference in their lives. Let’s celebrate the lasting influence of the educators who shaped us. If you can, thank a mentor who supported you. To make this a group celebration, I encourage everyone to write a short 100-word tribute to a teacher or mentor who was important in your journey for the school's next anniversary.