HPB Voices Reloaded
November - December 2006
HPB Newbie Corina shares with Voices …
The first thing you’ll probably notice about Corina is her big smile. The second is her accent. Born in Hong Kong, she had studied Home Economics (Food & Nutrition) for her “O” levels and eventually went on to complete a Masters degree in Nutrition in England. England was also the place she developed a passion for things Singaporean. Her first experience was at a Singaporean restaurant in London, and over time her love for things Singaporean grew beyond food when she met, and eventually married, a Singaporean. Now she’s settled in Singapore and working in the HPB. Voices catches up with the newest member of the Nutrition Department to find out how she’s handling life in a new country and a new job.
“I love to eat and I love spicy food!” She eagerly states when asked how she’s adapting to life in a new country. “Especially laksa and chili crab, but I also miss the food back in Hong Kong.” When I inquisitively ask if her Nutrition studies were a natural progression from loving to eat, she laughed and said, “I don’t think my love for eating made me study Nutrition. I find Nutrition very interesting because I am able to know more about food, and that the science of Nutrition is [not stagnant and] always developing.”
As our conversation progressed to working in HPB, I find out that she’s very pleased to work here. “I am very glad I’m able to get a job in HPB. In Hong Kong [before coming to Singapore], I was sharing my knowledge with people on a one-to-one basis, but I find that working in the HPB and helping people at a national level more meaningful and effective.”
Asked if she wanted to say anything to introduce herself, she described herself as, “Cheerful and talkative,” and that besides eating, “I enjoy making new friends.” So if you have anything you want to ask about Hong Kong, don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation with this warm and friendly lady.