Howard and his family came to Macau in 2006 to help with The International School of Macao. Today they are still with TIS but also run Warrior Fitness, Taipa’s only combat fitness gym. They host Macau White Collar Warrior charity boxing events and are launching Warrior Foundation to work with at risk youth in Macau and the region. Howard is also the President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the founding Director of Canadian Overseas Schools Association.
What is your idea of a perfect day?
Back in Canada, a perfect day involved my pick up truck and driving the backcountry roads of the prairies and valleys. I might pull up to a lake to do some fishing or just drive around enjoying the scenery. In Macau, a perfect day usually involves training alongside my friends in the gym, accomplishing some work at the school and ending the day with a movie.
What is your favorite book?
Grain by Robert Stead. It’s about a young boy who grows up on the prairies of Manitoba during the First World War. He has to come to terms with his relationships, his environment and the changing world around him.
And your favorite singer/ band?
I’m a real country boy. My team groans when I pick the music because they know it’s going to be some cowboy song about trucks, tractors and fishing! Fortunately, I’m scared to death of dancing so they are spared having to see me two step or do a line dance!
Who is your hero?
I have so many of them! Everyday there are students and teachers who amaze me. Maybe it is a new student who has recently arrived in Macau from a foreign country and is slowly starting to make friends and to get connected into the school community. Or it is a student who has struggled with learning a difficult concept but perseveres until they are successful. Or you walk into a classroom and are amazed at what the teacher and students are learning together. It happens everyday.
What can always cheer you up when you are having a bad day?
When I’m having a bad day, I just have to get up and go visit some classrooms and spend some time with our students. Kids have a natural way of making you see the magic in everyday things. Their curiosity, passion and zest for life is contagious. I have the best job in the world!
What is your worst habit?
I’m a workaholic. I am happy when I’m working and accomplishing things. Even my hobbies like boxing get turned into work. That can make it hard to have a personal life. My family is very patient with me. Going on vacation is actually quite painful for me. Oh yeah, and I bite my nails!
If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Fried chicken and BBQ ribs would be my first choice but I don’t think it would be very healthy everyday. I would settle for chicken and broccoli but I’d still be pretty happy.
If you could retire tomorrow what would you do?
I would volunteer and lead a nonprofit agency to work with kids in poverty. I grew up fairly poor but it only took a few key people to encourage me to fight my way through it. Growing up in Canada, my poverty was nothing like I’ve seen in other countries. In so many ways, I was lucky to be born in the place and time that I was. I would like to help those that weren’t so lucky and to be that person who encourages them to fight their way through it.
What is your favourite place in Macau?
We love to go up to Café 360 at the Macau Tower. Nothing beats seeing the sunset and evening lights of Macau.
