Paul Bishop

Paul invited me over to his home for dinner tonight before I go back to Hong Kong. We have been playing squash together twice a week for over 2 years but I have not been to his home or met his wife. I have seen his kids quite often though. He brought them over to the squash club from time to time.

Paul's wife is American, talkative and warm. Paul grilled some chicken, mushrooms, peppers and potato on his porch in freezing temperature. I brought a bottle of wine from home (a left over from one of the parties) and the chocolate bar Yvette gave me for Valentine's day. We had a nice chat and dinner there. His kids, Gavin and Malanie, are energetic. Malanie is 3 years old and really lovely.

Paul and Mary poured me with their love story over the couch and dinning table. I only knew today that they met in India. They were both taking a few months off from work in their early 20's and explored the world. They met in a backpackers' home and went on for a 5-days' hike in the Himalayas. They didn't plan to go hiking alone, but the girl from another couple who went with them had high attitude sickness the first day and was sent down the mountain right away. So Paul and Mary spent the next 4 days hiking together.

They didn't start dating until a few months later when Paul had a heart surgery in England. Paul proposed in a pub after a few pins of beer, and Mary needed to ask him whether he was serious. After they married, they spend 9 months seeing all the wilderness in the US without a job. When they spent most of their money, Mary called her former boss and he offered her a job in NYC. So they drove back to NYC and Paul found a well-paid job here after a couple of months. Now they own a big and comfy house with two kids zooming around. They are kids of some characters, but they hug and kiss their dad before going to bed everyday. Gavin even insists to get up before 6 am everyday just to have breakfast with his dad before he goes out for work.

Every friend of mine who has kids says it is not easy to raise kids, but it worths it.

The Himalayas, taken by Mark Galer, Creative Media Unit, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia