EDITOR'S NOTE
Let me get hypothetical for a second. If I happened to be turning a certain milestone age this September – you know, that nasty one with an 0 at the end and a number at the front that you need all the fingers on one hand to calculate … If that were me, then, as an Aussie, I’d be receiving a birthday gift from the Australian government in honour of my big day.
That gift? A free screening kit for bowel cancer. That’s right, the powersthat-be in Oz send everyone who is turning a half-century a simple home testing kit in the post.
Personally, I’d rather a cake. Or, if we can be choosy, maybe a mixed dozen of craft beers from selected Australian breweries; or a bobblehead figure of Marlon Brando from The Godfather for my desk.
Still, it’s a great initiative to help beat bowel cancer – particularly in Australia, where a “she’ll be right” attitude sees plenty of people avoiding the conversation when it comes to their health.
We’re covering a number of serious health matters in this issue of Expat Living, with expert advice and medical updates on everything from cancer to cholesterol, and insights into mental health too.
While I’m very glad we can bring you these important discussions, I have to admit that on a personal level, I struggle with this kind of thing. I’m a wimp when it comes to anything medical. Maybe it’s because my dad was a doctor, and the only conversations at the dinner table growing up were about procedures he’d undertaken that day. Getting a blowby-blow description of an operation from a urological surgeon over the evening meal wasn’t easy – especially on bangers-and-mash night.
If you’re like me and you’re keen to stave off any future visits to the doctor for as long as possible, then you’ll need to keep fit! There are plenty of ways to do that in Hong Kong – you can read our story on HK’s cycling, running and badminton clubs as a starter.
The new school year has kicked off, too, which is keeping people very active: teachers, tutors, parents – and, of course, kids. We hear from all of them in this issue, as they talk early learning, pastoral care, grades, graduation and more.
Finally, on the home front, we take a look inside readers’ pads in Central and Mid-Levels, chat with some interior designers, and bring you a bunch of décor ideas for the bedroom – plus the chance to win some deluxe bedding.
Enjoy the autumn. And happy birthday to anyone celebrating a big milestone soon! (That’s not me, by the way. I’m only turning 49 and four quarters.)