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Who is this Lewis Lau guy? What does the he want to do with this web site? Where did Lewis come from? Why is Lewis Lau spending time with this web site? How do you contact Lewis Lau? The answers...
This section of the lewislau.com web site reflects my background, from my roots, the people that influenced me, and things that made me the person that I am today. |
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THE BEGINNING - THE FIRST 16 YEARS - TAIWAN (1971-1986) |
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That's me, the fat kid in the baby walker - next to me are my brothers Philip and Kevin.
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This is when it all began. October 30, 1971. I was born in the city of Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. For those who don't know, Taiwan is probably responsible for producing 70-80% of the parts in the computer you are using to view the lewislau.com web site |
Click on icon for map of Taiwan |
This is how it all came about. Taiwan, since its "breakaway" from communism, had been in a "cold war" with China. Chinese considers Taiwan as a renegade province, whereas Taiwan thinks of itself as a separate country altogether. In any case, China and Taiwan does not have official diplomatic relationships. Taiwan has a mandatory military service requirement for all boys once they turn 18. In addition, to guarantee that people don't just dodge the service by escaping to a different country, boys from the age of 15 to 18 have "special" travel restrictions (read: you are NOT allowed out of the country after the age of 15) The duration of the military service varies, but the type of service duty is highly dependent of the amount of education one has.
To make the matter worse, international schools in Taiwan (including the one I attended), was not accredited by the Taiwan Education board. If I was to serve my country, I would be the best english-speaking bathroom-scrubber in my platoon...
In June of 1986, after I graduated from Dominican School (k-9) I took a two month summer vacation in Tokyo, Japan. On my way home, standing in line by myself at the immigration counter at the airport in Taiwan, the lady behind the counter asked me, "are you sure you want to do this?" My mother was in line behind me, so when she came up to the counter, the immigration officer explained to us that I was two months away from my 15th birthday, which means if I decided to enter Taiwan at that moment, I will not be allowed out of the country until I FINISH my military service. In a panic, my mother pulled me out of the queue and immediatedly flew back out to Hong Kong. I had not been back since...
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Hong Kong |
HIGH SCHOOL - THE NEXT 4 YEARS - HONG KONG(1986 - 1990) |
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From 1996-1990 I lived in Hong Kong with my mother's relatives. After a failed attempt to learn Cantonese, I transferred to California International School (renamed in 2000 to become American International School), then on to Hong Kong International School. It was during this time when I met some of my lifelong friends, you know who you are...
The picture on the right is Martin and I, at Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, 1995. Martin is one of my best friends from California Int'l School in Hong Kong...
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| My friends Tom and Adrienne, both from HKIS. This picture was taken in 1998, when I visited for vacation. |
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| Joseph, another friend from HKIS. Tom and Joe are two of my closest Taiwanese friends whom I have met after I left Taiwan. |
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COLLEGE - THE NEXT 4 YEARS - ROCHESTER, N.Y. (1990-1994) |
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| After 1990, I left Hong Kong and moved to Rochester, New York to attend college. In brief... I got to see snow for the very first time, I got to eat real buffalo wings, I learned how to drive... most importantly, I got to meet some more lifelong friends. |
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POST COLLEGE - THE FIRST 3 YEARS - MINNEAPOLIS (1994-1997) |
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| Now I really thought I've seen it all, hot and humid tropical summers of Asia, cold and snowy winter storms of Rochester... In 1994 I accepted a job offer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and experienced something I've never imagined - 45 degrees below zero temperature, without windchill, that is. |
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Of course, living in Rochester prepared me well... What else to do but to have a winter hobby if it is nine-months long? I picked up snowboarding almost immediately, and hung out with some of the most interesting, fun-loving buddies... |
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THE NEXT 8 YEARS - MINNEAPOLIS (1997-2005) |
These 8 years will serve as the most memorable times of my life so far. I was in a serious relationship with someone, and learned a thing or two about life; she had a young daughter. As she grew older from ages 4, 5, 6... I realized that I had to become more patient and understanding when children are involved... |
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During these few years several other events made me the person I am today; my mother passed away in December of 2000, In 2003 I received my permanent resident status. In January of 2004 I went back to Taiwan for the very first time in 17 years. Two months later my grandmother passed away. Thanks to the support of my friends in Minnesota I got to celebrate through the festive events, and mourn through the sad times... |
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| In 2005 My company offered me a position to relocate to Los Angeles. After 11 years of living in Minneapolis it was a rather difficult decision to make, but I decided to take on the new opportunity and start fresh in a new town... |
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LOS ANGELES (2005-Present) |
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My new home in downtown Los Angeles |
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WHERE DOES LEWIS CALL 'HOME' THESE DAYS? |
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So you figure that I'm finally settled in the City of Angels? Well, I dunno. I am enjoying the moment, and don't plan to make any radical changes just yet. Whatever happens you'll be sure to find it here at lewislau.com. Until then, please continue to enjoy other pictures from this site, especially the photo gallery and the travelogue sections. |
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