Monday, March 28, 2016

Copac national, academic & specialist library catalogue.



http://copac.jisc.ac.uk/id/40436594?style=html

Help with Title
This record is part of the Copac national, academic & specialist library catalogue.
1.
Cover image
Title

Hai wai hua ren de Zhong Guo hun = From China to Borneo and beyond / Zhu: Chen Jie Xue ; Yi: Chen Kang Sheng = [written by] Ann Kit Suet Chin-Chan/Chen Jie Xue ; [translated by]Ting Kong Sing.

Author
Other titles
  • Translation: From China to Borneo and beyond
Edition
Chinese edition.
Published
  • [Auckland] : [Ann Chin] [2015]
Physical description
324 pages : illustrations ; 21 cm
ISBN
  • 9780473309626
  • 0473309629
Notes
  • Text in traditional Chinese.
Subject
Other names
Genre
  • Illustrated
  • text
Language
  • Chinese
Direct Link
http://copac.jisc.ac.uk/id/40436594?style=html&title=Hai%20wai%20hua%20ren%20de%20Zhong%20Guo%20hun%20%3DFrom%20China%20to%20Borneo
Format
  • Printed

Held AtPreview with Google Books

  1. British Library Printed Information about British Library

Get a Copy of this item

Note: Documents recorded on Copac may be available for loan. To try and borrow a document, make an inter-library loan request via a library of which you are a member, for instance your university library.

Saturday, March 19, 2016

leaping lizard Chai Song Lip.





This is my very sports talented nephew Chai Song Lip. His nickname is creepy. The sports writers dubbed him the leaping lizard. Once he won the Sportsman of the year. His forte was triple jump. I am a very proud aunt.
http://www.e-borneo.com/cgi-bin/np/viewnews.cgi?category=2&id=997498151

Friday, March 18, 2016

Engelske bøger | Gratis levering til Danmark

http://ukbooks.dk/dk/search/publisher/Ann-Kit-Suet-Chin-Chan



Forlag: Ann Kit Suet Chin Chan

Sortere efter:
Kan bestilles Midlertidigt udsolgt

sweet potato/kumara

During the World War II, there was an embargo on ships crossing the South China Sea. There was no rice import, an staple of the people. People planted root vegetables like sweet potato/kumara, tapioca and pumpkin as staple.

Dad said when you eat this day in and day out, withour any oil or salt, you soon get very tired of it. 

The world has turned around. I like sweet potatoes , and sometimes I steam them on top of the rice.

rubber tree




some 70,000 seeds being smuggled to Kew in 1875, by Henry Wickham, at the service of the British Empire, from Brazil and stole some rubber seeds aka Hevea brasiliensi.

From those stolen seeds, they grew to supply the rubber gardens in Malaysia and Borneo.
The original rubber trees were very good, but took too long to reach a productive age. Then the good old scientist developed a smaller tree but produced more and called it high yielding tree.

My plant is a miniature tree. It's a tribute to both sets of my ancestry. It was rubber that brought them to Borneo.In 1907, my Great Grand father was scouted to lead a developing company to grow this important cash crop.

During the World War Two, trading ceased. People stitched up rubber sheets and wore them. The more enterprising ones even made shoes.


Friday, March 11, 2016

Life in Myanmar






Nang Kham Set This pic was taken at the occasion when my little nephew entering into novice and at the same time ear piercing ceremony of my daughter and nieces was performed
Sai Kaung Set Yan Paing is Nang Kham Set's son  .Sai is our Shan family name that means Mr. This is Kaung Set Yan Paing and her  nephews entering Monkhood ceremony and daughter and nieces ear piercing

I have been very privileged to have lived in many countries and made wonderful friends from all over the world. In Singapore, I have amazing friends from Myanmar, Daniel Lwin and Grace Lwin. 

With Facebook, I made a wonderful friend who made me feel proud when she called me sister.
Nang Kham Set, Lecturer & Head at University of Medicine,Taunggyi. I asked her to educate me the Myanmar culture.

From today on Myanmar will be well known among people as a respected and confident leader is nominated as president today. U Htin Kyaw, old friend and trusted person of Daw Aung San Su Kyi, our national leader.



When Dad studied in Singapore after the World War II, he made some very good friends from Myanmar.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Tapioca




Manihot esculenta, with common names cassava (/kəˈsɑːvə/), Brazilian arrowroot, ... Like other roots and tubers, both bitter and sweet varieties of cassava ...

It must be properly prepared before consumption. Improper preparation of cassava can leave enough residual cyanide to cause acute cyanide intoxication and goiters, and may even cause ataxia or partial paralysis.[8]  wiki 







My father told me there is a folklore that it is very important to grow them the right way up, or the tapioca would be poisonous. It would be better not to eat them.
Tapioca is a dietary staple in Africa, Asia and South America, and you'll also find it in beverages and puddings in the United States. Although commercially packaged tapioca is generally safe, the plant can be highly toxic if not prepared properly.
Tapioca naturally produces cyanide, which is poisonous to humans; however, the cyanide may be removed during processing. By eating poorly prepared tapioca, you may risk cyanide poisoning according to the American Cancer Society. Symptoms include headache and dizziness; in severe cases, you may experience convulsions or coma. It is suggested that if a person is allergic to latex, it is best not to eat tapioca.

I used this story in my World War II, about a family dying after eating the up side down tapioca.

My Ah Kung , Grandfather's attire

 

 

This is Myanmar's shan traditional attire. (Photo on the left) I asked permission from my friend Nang Kham Set if I can borrow the photo. She has kindly said yes.

In 1900s, all the men who left Quaang Tung to Borneo dressed like this. Frog buttons and fishermen's pants. Over time, some of them changed to wearing western clothes. My grandfather aka Ah Kung continued to wear it until he died in 1976.

When I was young, I was rather embarrassed he adhered to his Chinese culture. He was like a countrybumpkin wearing slippers/jandals.

 When Bruce Lee became famous, young Sibu boys mistook my Ah Kung to be a Kung Fu Master and nagged at him to teach them Kung Fu. He was tired of them following him, one day, he opened his bamboo umbrella and they all ran away. They thought it was his Kung Fu move.

As I grew older, I am proud of my Chinese roots, and equally proud of my Ah Kung. I wrote about him in my books From China to Borneo to Beyond. In my World war II book, I fictionalised him as a hero.

In the photo, the elderly gentleman wore a fedora. I went at lengths to describe another character who wore a fedora.



 

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

I flung a softball bat.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11601847

Baseball fan saves boy from flying bat


  • Save

  • A fan saves a bat from hitting a young kid at a baseball game. Photo Christopher Horner  via Twitter/@Hornerfoto1
    A fan saves a bat from hitting a young kid at a baseball game. Photo Christopher Horner via Twitter/@Hornerfoto1
    A fast acting spectator saved a young fan from being whacked by a flying bat at a MLB pre-season game in Florida.
    Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Danny Ortiz lost hold of the bat and photographer Christopher Horner captured what happened next in a series of frames at the Atlanta Braves' spring training stadium.
    The young boy in the firing line had been looking down at his phone when the man next to him flung out a protective arm.

    Ortiz told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.: "I didn't know what happened, if it (hurt) the boy or anything. I went home and my wife said to me, 'You almost killed that kid!'"
    Baseball bosses want clubs to extend protective netting at grounds, and have warned fans about the risks of sitting close to the field.

    From China to Borneo to Beyond: Chinese Edition.

    
    
     May be my books are written from a woman's prospective, 
    The theme 重男女, a preference for boys 
    over girls is written all over my books. 
    This is true in many cases..
     
    I just watched a video where a father
     buried his daughter alive. 
    Perhaps it is dramatised.
     
    One hundred years ago, my great grand father
     found an abandoned baby girl.
    The episode is written in this book.
     
    It will be launched next month. 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Tuesday, March 8, 2016

    The Chinese Methodist Message (CMM)

    Brief History of CMM

        Imagine if 55 years ago, our forefathers did not take all the pain and hardship to start publishing the Methodist Message, we would have no trace, no record of what our spiritual heritage was. Now we stand on the shoulders of the giants to continue this legacy.

    The Beginning

        The Methodist Message was first published on 21 April 1951 with the name of Methodist Magazine. It had 64 pages and the size was 13cmx19cm. The contents were rich such as local and church news, sermons, articles, testimonies and even 2 pages of advertisements. In the early period, Methodist Magazine was published 4 times a year. Later because of lack of funds and contributed articles, the magazine was sometimes published twice a year or once a year. Apart from this, the Board of Literature produced books such as Survey of the New Testament, Questions and Answers for Church Members and others.

    A Period of Crisis and Reform

        In the early 60s, the magazine officially changed its name to The Chinese Methodist Message (CMM). The size was bigger, 19cmx26.5cm. In 1967, with a full time salary-paid editor for the first time, CMM began to grow. However, in the early 70s, the funds from the USA Church had decreased and as the local churches could not make up the deficiency, CMM began to experience a period of crisis. In 1974, the full time editor resigned.
        In 1975, two teachers became part time editors for CMM. Together they bought CMM to another milestone. CMM gradually became a monthly newspaper. They also published books and organised writing workshops.
        In 1992, one or two pages of English articles and news were included in the CMM.

    A Period of Awakening

        In 1994, CMM hired Wong Meng Lei as the full time director of the Board of Literature and editor. In the next year, CMM moved to its present office. It also obtained a publishing permit from the government and CMM launched into the era of colour printing.
        In 1996, CMM produced a youth bimonthly magazine called "Beyond". In 1998, CMM changed to a fortnightly newspaper. In 1999, a children's magazine named "Happy Children" was published alternately with "Beyond".

    Extending the Territories

        Year 2000 marked a special year in CMM. This year the number of copies of CMM reached 10,000. CMM reached another higher ground. In the same year, CMM introduced a subscription package called "Friend of CMM". Through the support and subscription fee, CMM began to grow financially.
        All through the years, CMM has published over 55 books and many other booklets and gospel tracts. In 2003, CMM changed its format from newspaper to magazine. In 2004, Ling Lee Sing became the editor of CMM. At the beginning of 2005, Connection, the English station of CMM was published separately. (Winnie)

    Tuesday, March 1, 2016

    Mum, Margaret and Baby swap

    A baby swap? My sister Margaret



    This was when Margaret was awarded with her PhD from the University of Christchurch. She did her studies in Lincoln College.

    When she was born, Mother’s been fretting and worrying. She has given birth to a child when her husband was away and the baby looked different from the rest of the brood. The nurse had brought a baby who was dark, and had big eyes. She was too different from the others. They all had fair skin, and smallish eyes, especially Ann, whose eyes were so small that they seemed perpetually closed. Call it maternal instincts; Mother wasn’t convinced that this baby was hers. 


     These are my parents John Hiu Fei and Mary Kong.


    Everyone says I look like Dad with my broad face, and Margaret looks like Mum.

    If you have been following my writing, you would have read the incredulous story that at one stage, people thought that Margaret was a baby swap. She didn't look like the rest of us, mainly she has a sharp face, and we older sisters have broad chopping board face.

    As Margaret grew older, she looked more and more like Mum, They both have the sharp face. I emailed the family the above photo, a recent photo my facebook friend sent me last night.

    Eldest Sis Rose replied, Margaret looks just like Mother.


    This caused Mother a lot of heart ache. Thinking that we had a baby swap.  You have to read the book to see what happened.

    Margaret has been teaching at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak.
    On Sarawak Governor's birthday in 2010, on this occasion he gave honours to prominent people in the society. Margaret was awarded with a Pingat Bintang Kenyalang (Gold) on the occasion of the Governor's (TYT) birthday. This is the highest level for a government servant for that level. The next level is the Datuk category.

    Mum, a war bride

    Rewind back to 1945:

    It was the second world war, the Japanese soldiers were taking girls to be their comfort women and men to be their soldier. Great Grand Ma, Ah Tai was desperate for a husband for Mum.

    Ah Tai wanted the son of this Town family P.

    This Town family P. didn't want a country bumpkin girl to be a daughter in law.

    It was not meant to be that he should be my dad.

    Instead the next best was country bumpkin Dad. 

    So Ah Tai chose Dad.

    This country Bumpkin was the best choice after all.

    He was the first in the region to get a scholarship to study in England, and became a senior government officer.

    All of us were college educated. None of the children of that Townie man went abroad. Whew!!!!

    It's March, Mum and Dad's wedding annivesary


    Photo of Mum and Dad with cousin James Chan Chok Chung, and Deborah and I visiting Australia from New Zealand.

    It is March, and I remember in March, it is Mum and Dad's wedding anniversary. I didn't always know that, In fact, I was very jealous that on sister Margaret's birthday, she always had a big party and Mum cooked up a storm. Grandma Kong, Aunties from the Kong side and Chan side came to celebrate, and Margaret got lots of cash gifts/hung baos.

    Was I jealous? Why just Margaret? when there were six of us kids. I can't remember, did I get so upset? I must have and I went to complain.

    It was only then, they revealed, that Margaret was born on Mum and Dad's wedding anniversary. As it wasn't the done thing to celebrate wedding anniversaries then, they celebrated on the pretext of Margaret's birthday. Oh! I understood.

    My Facebook friend  said it was all FATE. when I told him how mum and dad wedded. It's all in my book, but not this part.

    Rewind back to 1945:

    It was the second world war, the Japanese soldiers were taking girls to be their comfort women and men to be their solider. Great Grand Ma, Ah Tai was desperate for a husband for Mum.

    Ah Tai wanted the son of this Town family P.

    This Town family P. didn't want a country bumpkin girl to be a daughter in law.

    It was not meant to be that he should be my dad.

    Instead the next best was country bumpkin Dad. 

    So Ah Tai chose Dad.

    This country Bumpkin was the best choice after all.

    He was the first in the region to get a scholarship to study in England, and became a senior government officer.

    All of us were college educated. None of the children of that Townie man went abroad. Whew!!!!

    Mum died as a result of a car accident in 1988. Dad chose not to remarry. To end the romantic story, Dad died 18 years later in 2006, on the same anniversary date as Mum.

    There is a Chinese saying, if I can't be born on the same day as you, let me die on the same day as you. A sweet story for us.