I have made it a tradition to write year-end recaps and share them with friends for many years. This year, I decided to revive this tradition once again. So, without further delay, here is my recap of 2023.

Throughout the year, I had the incredible opportunity to be a guest on Fairchild Radio AM1470’s Saturday call-in shows regularly. These appearances mainly focused on discussing political topics, which I found both challenging and rewarding. Additionally, I was fortunate enough to be interviewed many times by Karen So on Omni TV’s Cantonese Focus show. During these interviews, I provided commentary on various current affairs, ranging from addressing anti-Asian violence to evaluating the effectiveness of provincial and federal governing parties. Although the influence of printed media has declined compared to electronic media, I still had the privilege of being interviewed a few times throughout the year. One particular highlight was when a web-based media outlet produced a two-part video showcasing my work over the years. The Mandarin language video, complete with Chinese and English subtitles, received a warm reception from viewers.

In terms of community service, my focus was primarily on two roles. Firstly, I actively served on the Board of the Chinese Canadian Museum, where I had the opportunity to contribute to preserving and celebrating the rich history and culture of Chinese Canadians. Secondly, I held the position of Advisor to the VP of the Red Cross’s BC and Yukon Region, where I was able to lend my expertise and support to their important humanitarian work. Additionally, through my advisory role in the Canadian Committee 100 Society, I interacted with past and present federal and provincial political leaders. This society, predominantly comprised of Mainland Chinese immigrants and chaired by David Guo Ding, provided a platform for meaningful discussions and collaborations. However, one volunteer position that came to an end this year was my involvement as a member of the Program Advisory Committee for Fairchild TV. This committee, which I had the honour of chairing when the TV station obtained its CRTC license decades ago, kept me well-informed about Vancouver’s Chinese language media landscape and provided valuable community background information. Unfortunately, the committee was dissolved as the CRTC no longer mandated its existence for the licensee.

Out of all the activities I engaged in during 2023, coaching and mentoring people for free brought me the most joy. Given the wide range of topics I have covered throughout my career, from leadership and personal motivation to political involvement, financial management, and effective management techniques, I have been able to offer guidance and support in various areas.

As the COVID-19 pandemic gradually came under control, my wife and I were able to resume our travels. Our first adventure was a 7-day South American roundtrip cruise on the Discovery Princess, departing from Los Angeles on January 28th. Accompanied by our dear friends Bill and Winnie Yuen, we visited Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Paraiso, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta.

Next, we embarked on a trans-Atlantic voyage aboard the Celebrity Apex, starting from Fort Lauderdale and arriving in Rotterdam. This 14-day journey, which began on April 22nd, took us to Bermuda for the first time. It was also our first experience staying in the more exclusive Retreat Class category stateroom. We made stops at Cork, Southampton, Honfleur, Bruges, and Rotterdam along the way. Afterward, we extended our stay in Amsterdam for three additional days, with the highlight being a visit to Keukenhof, where we were mesmerized by the breathtaking display of thousands of tulips in full bloom.

On May 23rd, we embarked on a grand Mediterranean adventure with our dear friends Paul and Susie Pang aboard the Enchanted Princess. This roundtrip journey from Barcelona lasted until June 17th and allowed us to explore a multitude of captivating destinations. From Gibraltar to Aix-en-Provence, Marseille to Milan, Florence to Rome, and many more, we immersed ourselves in the Mediterranean’s rich history, culture, and beauty.

Instead of embarking on far-flung travels as we used to do before the pandemic, we decided to stay home in June and July. The highlight of our summer was attending the opening of the Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver’s Chinatown. This was an incredibly meaningful event for me, as I had missed the official opening ceremony of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 during my tenure as its board chair. Participating in the opening of the Chinese Canadian Museum allowed me to make up for that missed opportunity and celebrate the rich heritage of Chinese Canadians.

In August, we took a short seven-day Alaska cruise with my younger daughter, Jennifer, and son-in-law, Matt. It was a special trip for us as we hadn’t travelled as a family for several years. Although our older daughter Winnie and her husband Jeff couldn’t join us due to work commitments, we cherished the time spent together. The highlight of the trip was witnessing two bear cubs catching salmon with their mother, a truly unforgettable experience.

We also had the opportunity to join a newly formed group of Mainland Chinese immigrants on a visit to Barkerville. It was my first time exploring this fascinating gold rush town and witnessing the resilience and determination of Chinese gold miners in a socially and environmentally challenging environment.

September marked the 50th AGM of S.U.C.C.E.S.S., an organization that holds a special place in my heart. Attending as a Life Member and witnessing its growth into a multinational powerhouse with an annual budget approaching $80 million was truly satisfying. The decision I made to retire early from TD and become its CEO, leading cultural change within the service agency, proved to be a worthwhile and fulfilling endeavour.

In October, we once again indulged in the leisurely life of cruise ship living. This time, we embarked on a 14-day voyage aboard the Celebrity Ellipse, starting from Vancouver. The journey took us to various destinations, including Victoria, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Catalina Island, Santa Barbara, San Diego, and Ensenada, Mexico. Each stop offered unique experiences and beautiful sights, enriching our journey.

Throughout the year, I shared travelogues of most of my trips on my Facebook account, allowing friends and family to join in on the adventures. If you’re interested in learning more about my experiences, please visit this link (https://www.facebook.com/success.ceo/) and browse my past postings.

On a personal note, I am incredibly proud of my daughters and their spouses, who continue to thrive and positively impact their respective fields. As I celebrate my 72nd birthday this January, I reflect on the significance of the Chinese zodiac, where each cycle consists of 12 years. Having completed six life cycles, I eagerly anticipate the beginning of my 7th cycle on this beautiful planet.