Continuing my conversation with Stefen Chow

After sharing my experience with Stefen during my expedition, we decided to move to a quiet area to discuss more on his work.

When we shifted to the new area, I enquired about his work and what exactly he was doing as a freelancer. He told me that last 2 months ago, he went to Cambodia to do photographing of the village children and he wanted to develop a portfolio on these village children in Cambodia. Wow, i mumbled to myself as there are really few people who can give up their luxury for their pursuit of their dreams. I quipped to him, what made him go there to take photography of those childre, trying to play a little devil's advocate. He showed me those photos taken in Cambodia and these photos depicted all these children in the poor and rustic village. I asked where the place exactly was and he replied that this village was miles away from the Phnom Pen and I wondered how he could communicate with them. He told me that the NGO provided him a translator and he was able to interview these children. He told me that he was hoping to raise the profile of these villagers and encouraged more corporate companies to donate books and reading materials to enhance their knowledge about the world. He showed me one photo capturing those children who were hungrily devouring their coveted colourful story books. I could see the real and innocent happiness being lit up on their faces. And he showed me another photo of the run-down classroom. I told him that this classroom was very similar to the classroon in Wenchang, Hainan Island during my volunteering stint with SIF.

He told me in his sms before that he would be away for a few days. Arousing my curiosity, I asked him where he would be going over the weekend. He explained that he would be away to attend wedding in Phuket.

Then I shared my real purpose of meeting him that I am thinking seriously to change my career to what I really like and want to do, not for the sake of job security. I fished out my book which I borrowed from the library and showed this book titled "How to escape lifetime security and pursue your impossible dreams - Kenneath Atchity". This title was already self-explanatory for those people who really cares to listen to their hearts telling them that they must do something what they love to and ought to. He took this book and made a cursory flip through this book, So I told him that my bond with my company will expire in September 2006 while he was listening intensely. And it is really a wake-up call for me to really think about what I should do about after bond expires.

I: "My bond with PSC will expire in Sept and I think I have to move on to search for more enriching career. It is not like those people who follow the crowd for the sake of security and iron rice bowl. I am thinking of possible careers like camera man, photographer or others. But I have discussed with my friend who has some knowledge about camera man. She said that it would be an onus on me as it involves a lot of hearing while filming a subject. Unless I strike out to be a film-maker, making a documentary, it could be a possible."

Stefen" I agree that being a film-maker is not a easy task for you cos it also involves a lot of hearing. You may not be able to catch fast. As for the photographer, I think you could be in a better position as you are hearing impaired. And moreover you are even more unique in this sense."

Adrian "Hmm, what do you mean by more unique in this sense?"

Stefen"You see, you have travelled extensively which is like me or even more than I travelled. And you have encountered so many incidents and you managed to handle those tough situations single-handedly without any help. You have travelled to all those places alone and as a deaf person, it definitely is not an easy task. Like at Manila Airport, I can easily call my friends to solve the problem but as for you, how you could solve the problem since the staff refused to help you to call for you."

Adrian" I remembered my incident when I took British Airway. At that time, there was a strike by catering department for better working condition. So, I checked in the counter at Changi Airport and was told that the meals would not be provided. They gave me vouchers for me to "da bao" food to the BA. All throughout the journey, when i alighted at the airport, I sms-ed my friends that I landed in London safely. The moment I came out of the airplane, I saw a bus waiting for me. There was a sign written in French."

Stefen"French?" as he could not understand my pronunication and I wrote the word "French".

Adrian " Then I did not let it bother me. The majority of them are french-speaking. So, when the bus moved away from the airplane to the airport, I saw more signs written in French and I was very puzzled. How can the road signs be written in French since this airport is in London?"

Stefen seemed to know what exactly it had happened,

Adrian " I turned out and asked a woman. I told her that I have a hearing problem and I could not hear well. Can you tell me where I am now? That woman said, 'Oh, you are now in PARIS! You cannot go to London because there is a strike at the London airport'. Oh my god, I did not know that I was in Paris. I sms-ed my friends and family that I am now in Paris. I am the last one to know that I am in Paris."

Stefen laughed at me and he shared his similar incident with me.

Stefen "One time in Paris, i was on my way to the train station, The train was supposed to leave for Madrid at 12:30pm and I arrived at the Paris Train Station at 12:00pm. I thought to myself that I have plenty of time and I checked in the counter. The counter staff said, Sorry you came to the wrong station. There are 3 train stations being located far away. I have to run all the way with my luggages to the train station. That train was almost pulling away from the station. And then I had to run all the way to get into the train. Finally I arrived in Madrid and later I was robbed!"

Adrian "Oh my god. Look at me..Because of my white lie, it caused me so much distress and if I stayed in Philippines for a little longer, I would be probably issued an air ticket."

We all laughed together

Stefen "See, you have all these kind of experiences and you must write down. One day, you can send these articles with the photos to the magazines. I am sure that your story will be sought after as it offers interesting perspective of the deaf person.

I took note of it.

Stefen "Being a photographer is not easy as u have to package yourself as a different person. I can differentiate myself a s person who conquered Mount Everest, fitness level and technical expertise. Very few photographers have their excellent technical expertise and if the company asked me to climb the mountains, I can do that. It is something that we have to project our unique skills that put us in a better advantage."

Stefen "However, I do not want the experience as a mountain climber who conquered Mount Everst as a wholly advantage as even if I pushed myself to the public that I conquered Mount Everst. So what? It does not tell me anything about yourself as a real photographer. I have to do really more than just showing people that I climb Mount Everst. I have approached National Geographic Channel magazine for the job opportunities. You know what he said. You can be very few mountain climbers who climb Mount Everest but you are not the only one who climbed Mount Everst from NGC. So what is so special about your achievement?"

Adrian "Yeah, I understand. Since you are so sure about your possible career path to be a photographer. What is your greatest fear?"

Stefen "I think my greatest fear is that when I produce work, i fear that this work may not be good as before. I mean that I can produce good work now but later on, the same idea or techniques that I put in may not be good. So, I have to try to adjust my techniques in order to meet people's expectation or demands."

Adrian "I would like to share with you. I think your fear could be unfounded as if you continue to do that way, you could lose your individualism and originality which is very essence of the photography."

Stefen "I admit that I am very much affected by people's opinions. Whatever people comments, I tend to change my style to suit their requirement. Maybe for now, I am a newbie and I had to start from the scratch and do everything."

Adrian "Yeap perhaps as you became more experienced later on, you may not even modify your style as it is your own style that remains unrivalled."

Adrian"Since you have mentioned to me that money is still important and why dun you work in the big company to save money to fund your dream?"

Stefen "I have thought over many times and I did not want to be in the corporate world as my heart told me. It is a really difficult decision that I alone have to make and really decide on what path I would take."

Adrian "Yeah, gone the days where there used to be a lifetime security and we worry for the next rice bowl. We ought to listen to our hearts and take unconventional path."

Stefen "For your case, I think you shld not quit immediately after your bond expires. Effectively you can explore and spend more time on what you want to do. Perhaps spend lesser time on your work and find out what you want to do. You sort of know what you want but still you need to find out more about the paths that you want. At least you are making a step rather than not making any single step."

Adrian "But I still think that you have made a right decision to take this off-beaten track and whereas I wasted my 4 years doing something that greatly bores me. How do I wish to jump into that field that i want to 4 years ago?"

Stefen "No, I dun agree. I think during 4 years of working in civil service gives you an advantage as you have steady incomes to fund your travelling and adventures and you have seen so much things over there. It is a matter of time when u really decide to leave your current job. For me, I have already started on my foundation so I can ride on top of my past achievements. For example, there is a job vacancy as a photographer for the New Paper and there are so many people vying for that post. Because of my past achievement and drive to get this job, I get this job."

Adrian "How about your parents and your gf? Are they supportive of your cause?"

Stefen "They are. Without their support, I will never make it and in fact, my parents expect me to stay on with the stable jobs with steady income. But when I realised that that is not what i wanted to do in life, I have to really convince them that I am sure that I am able to do well in this unconventional path."

Adrian "My parents also think the same way as yours and it is really hard to convince them."

Stefen "It is not hard to convince provided you really convince that you know what to do and where you will be heading for. They will gradually accept and support you all the way. They have already supported my quest to conquer Mt Everest."

Adrian "What do you expect to see yourself down the road?"

Stefen "I hope to be one of the world-class photographers. And I do not want to be those people who happen to be at the mid-life crisis searching for jobs. I want to start from young, building up the expertise and experiences and then from there, you will be more stabilised after years in this similar line that you are passionate about."

Adrian "I agree. Hey let's walk out of the Food Republic as it is late. It is almost 10:30pm."

Both of us left Food Republic and strolled down the Orchard Road. I could not remember what we discussed. When we reached the bus-stop, my bus came and I told him to keep in contact. I rushed off to catch my bus home.

After quite some time, I sms-ed "Hey pal, it is really enlightening and heart-lifting to share each other's insights. It is really a frank conversation for both of us. As we know that the society tends to classify those who are bohemian or maverick as insane, weird and mad dogs. But we know that we are not mad but we follow our hearts to unlock our dreams with key of courage. Thank you coming to meet and let's keep each other in contact."

He replied "The pleasure is certainly mutual! I think you are on the right track, and whatever you do, don't let your enthusiasm and yearing to learn to diminish. It is the greatest strength you will have, and up to yourself to fulill that potential."