Racial issues

 

I came to New Zealand, and I was already working. I walked to work and back. One day, amongst a group of Pakeha/white children, was a girl about 8. She came near me, and saying that obnoxious ching ching chong chong and made her slitty eyes. I pretended to give chase and all the kids ran. I wasn't going to retaliate. I wanted to give them a fright and if her mum came out, I would ask her how to bring up her child. I stop and decided she was thought she was just a kid.

I was teaching ESOL in a school. We have 1 set of Somalia brothers. The big boy adjusted well. But the poor brother was bullied, he had a small stature and often, came to my teaching space to talk to me . He was very happy to have a teacher who knew Islam. One of the bullies was big and had a naughty mouth. He bullied him, by pointing "You are black". I sat them down and gave a lecture about respect. I asked him how he liked it to be called Coconut and fat. I Iined all three of our hands. and showed them we are all brown, 3 shades of brown.

This week of horror has passed. At the Mosque at Vermont, a young woman came and gave me a hug and say thanks.

Not to sound petty, it really used to irk me when people ask, "Are your books in English? I mean did you write your books in Chinese and then get someone to translate them into English."

Writer of thirteen books, all circulated in Auckland Libraries

Racial group

 

racial

 

ann chin <annkschin@yahoo.com>

To:ann chin

Wed, 26 Aug at 3:59 pm

I grew up in Sarawak where there is racial and religious tolerance. We played hockey and softball. A careful look the photo show that it epitomise the harmony. It looks like 50% of us were Chinese, and the rest Muslim/Malay, Iban and Melanau.

After high school, I went to Canada. On Sunday, I went to a Roman Catholic church. They just started this shaking hands during the church. There was a white/Pakeha woman, she refused to shake my hand. If memory serves me right, I stopped going to church.

the ebook. one roof two lives

 

Two girls, one rich and one poor. The poor girl is sold to the rich gift as a slave aka mui zai to serve her for ever. Different Chinese Tradition are explained, and tragedy brings them to the South Seas.

parent' old fiat 1100

 

fiat 1100

 My parent' s car when I was 6.

federation daisy

 their compact shape, long flowering, appealing colours including white, lemon yellow, pink and carmine, and their range of flower styles from single to anemone form (slightly larger petals) to double. federation daisy

bird feeder

 

Can you guess what this contraption is? You see the nails on the log, apples are dropped down and caught by the nails. This is to feed the wild birds.

 

cymbalaria

 

Cymbalaria muralis (ivy-leaved toadflax or Kenilworth ivy) is a flowering plant native to Mediterranean Europe and widely naturalised elsewhere.

Description and Habitat

It spreads quickly, growing up to 5 cm (2.0 in) tall – it commonly grows in rock and wall crevices, and along footpaths. The leaves are evergreen, rounded to heart-shaped, 2.5 to 5 cm (1.0 to 2.0 in) long and wide, 3–7-lobed, alternating on thin stems. The flowers are very small, similar in shape to snapdragon flowers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymbalaria_muralis

we flew in a real plane.

 

home ancestory

 

ann;s ancestory

 

2013年10月12日在詩巫推展的其中一本她的創作: “from China to Borneo, and beyong”(海外華人的中國魂:从中国，到南洋，到更远)封面設計.

「海外華人的中國魂」

憶述廣寧人移民史

作者陳潔雪在這本書中,首先介紹了本身的多重身份,即是Chan,又是Chin.

其實,Chan和Chin都是一樣的「陳」--Chan是廣東音,Chin是客家音.

因此,這是一位客家男生,與一位廣寧女生的結合.

這也正好反映書中主要人物,她的父親陳鷂飛,和母親江華嬌兩人之間的廣寧和客家的結合.

作者表示,由於處在戰亂時期,日軍佔領砂拉越之時,她的雙親,也與很多其他華人少男、少女一樣,是在不得以的情況下--男的怕被日軍拉走或充軍,女的怕被迫做為“慰安婦”的這種背景下匆匆結合.

陳鷂飛和江華嬌退休後,移居澳洲,原以為要將剩餘時間安度晚年.熟料造化弄人,母親在一場意外中離世,留下父親離開傷心地,獨自重返砂州定居.

「海外華人的中國魂:從中國，到南洋，到更远」,就是圍繞在父母親,以及他們祖先,1907年,如何由中國廣東,擴散至婆羅洲的原始森林地區.這是一則6代人的故事,以及他們的後人,又何由婆羅洲,再擴散至世界各地,包括英國,加拿大,日本,新加坡,澳洲,美國及紐西蘭.

一個由曾祖父--陳觀國開展的移民故事.並圍繞在作者父親陳鷂飛的故事,直至他於2006年離世.

据作者在書中介紹,中國的鴉片戰爭,導致了漫長和難忍的長途跋涉,以海路南遷至婆羅洲腹地的雨林,在這一片蠻荒之地求生的一群,以種植樹膠和胡椒維生.

接著便是1940-45年間的第二次世界大戰,以及日軍佔領砂拉越的故事.由於兩個家庭在客觀因素,逼不得以之下的結合,無可避免的成為未來爭執的引線.

陳家歷經了殖民地時期,抗爭期,聯合國調查團訪問期,砂拉越參組馬來西亞時期,武裝斗爭動亂期,秘密的戰場,族群動亂,對抗共產武裝等.在這種背景下,都是作者與家人成長時期的遭遇,所目睹的事.

後期,作者父母再遷居澳洲,不幸母親於1988年在一場嚴重交通意外中離離.父親返回砂州,獨自生活了18年.他的離世,也正好反映了一句華人的美言:不是同日生,也要同日死.

除了講述本身家庭的故事,書中也提及了母親江家的故事.

雖然這是本家庭式傳記書籍,卻不忽略史實.作者也做了很多的復帶說明.全書以英文書寫,並考慮到砂拉越原居地,許多親友的需求,她正籌備出版華文翻譯本.

陳潔雪曾祖父,陳觀國創辦的沙廉光國小學外景.

曽祖父陳觀國

寧興港光國小學創始人

陳潔雪是廣寧人,父親是前教育界聞人,曾任泗里街教育廳廳長的陳鷂飛.

陳鷂飛亦曾任教育廳督學,以及當年仍設址詩巫的砂拉越師訓學院為講師.

陳鷂飛的祖父,也即潔雪的曾祖父陳觀國,便在當年廣寧人移民本地聚居的沙廉河鄰近地區--寧興港,創建了光國小學.

廣東,廣寧籍人士,在鄧恭叔率領下移民前來砂州和詩巫時,先是獲安頓在南蘭律上段的大群地區.後來廣東籍第二批移民陳觀國等人,就獲安頓到更上游的寧興港一帶.

陳觀國是否原名「光國」,不得而知.不過,他將學校名為光國小學,與本名離不了關係.這個「光國」,顯然也包含了光耀祖國之意.

由於曾祖父重視教育,父親又是教師和教育界服務,因此,潔雪與兄弟姐妹們,從小生活在嚴父的管教之下.假期別家孩子玩樂、嬉戲,她家孩子躲在家中習寫作文.每晚寫完作文,父親即進行審批和指導.

從小的學習環境,造就她及家人對英文作文受益不淺.也因此,她從小喜歡作文,善於書寫,更成為學校校刊的記者.

她猶記得,自己在讀六號班(Form 2)時期,那是1968年的事了,她投稿給當年著名的雜誌Dolphin(海豚),小小年級便領到5塊錢的稿費.在那個時期,5塊錢會比今日的50令吉高出許多倍吧.這件事,至今留在她的腦海中不忘.

由於小時候的生活背景,她持續的創作,習慣性的將腦際閃過的感受,領悟,都一一記錄下來.想不到,這種習慣,今時今日,會讓他一回氣出了多本書,也成為一位多產作者.

張貼時間：17th October 2013，張貼者：Steve

標籤: Ann Chin 陳潔雪

 

author Ann Chin

 

詩巫教育界前輩陳鷂飛之女--陳潔雪,展示她的兩本著作.

祖先由中國移民砂拉越，子孫由砂拉越移民紐西蘭，以及四散各地．這條血緣之路，好漫長，好遙遠．

是緣,是命,她經歷了生離死別,覺悟了人生的短促,親情的緣起緣了.對於她,人生是一門學不完,走不盡的課業.

正如當年,她與兄弟姐妹,在嚴父的督促下,假期沒有假期,每天都是一場又一場未完的考試--作文,成為陪伴她及家人長大的最佳注腳.

在教育家父親的長期管教下,創作,似已成了生活的一部份,不論何時何地,只要有所感受,心有所動,她都會隨手記錄下來,置於文件夾;或是電腦來臨時代的硬碟里.

是習慣也好,是要緬懷和紀念也好.在情況出現時,在需要來到門口時,她的思緒飛快的轉動,紀憶宛如洶湧奔馳的洪水,源源不斷湧現腦際.

看似一口氣的心志,她竟然將多年的紀錄,接二連三的整理和印刷成書.在紐西蘭,在砂拉越的古晉,她先是出版,接著再版,讓週遭的親人,朋友,甚至是不曾相識的人,感受到書中陳述的親情、艱辛和苦楚.

陳潔雪（Ann Chin），一個很普通的名字.她自稱是紐西蘭的中國人(華人),出生在馬來西亞的砂拉越.

確實一點,她是地地道道的詩巫女兒.

她 由於長期的紀錄,長期的“寫作文”,留存了許多紀憶,在經歷了第三個孩子於1989年出生僅僅59天的近於“歇斯底里”之後,終於在2011年出版了 “Diary of a Bereaved mother---goodbye my baby”(一位悲哀母親的日記--再見了孩子).

2006 年父親去世時,她開始寫父親的生前事跡,以及家人的點滴故事.並於今年(2013年),在兄長的60歲生日時,做為一份最珍貴的禮物加以出版和贈予兄長. 她的第二本書同樣在紐西蘭出版,古晉重印.這本書就是: from China to Borneo, and beyong(海外華人的中國魂: 从中国，到南洋，到更远).

另一本是講述她個人的經歷,看到病態叢生的社會,外籍新娘的悲哀,移民問題,社會黑暗面,數不盡的人性酸甜苦辣.她有感及此,隨手紀錄了“mail order bride”(郵購新娘),並加以出版.

三年來,她由一名兼職教導英語為第二語言的教師,轉身為一名作家.

衛理中學高才生

陳潔雪(Ann Chan Kit Suet)--1973年畢業於詩巫衛理中學十一號班的高才生.

1974-75年：民丹莪開中中學執教.留下深刻印象和懷念,因為這是她的首份職業,領到的第一份薪水.

1975-77年:遠赴加拿大安大略省,在薀莎大學讀經濟系.因為只讀三年課程,因此將夏季長假也拿來補課.這是她小時生活的延續,假期不放假,為了課業,甚至未來.她在這間大學獲得學士文憑(Bachelor of Art).

1978-79年:由於當年加拿大薀莎大學文憑不受本國承認,她又轉赴紐西蘭奧克蘭大學,補讀和完成了二年的經濟系課程.

1980-82年:她在工作之餘,也在奧克蘭技術學院(Auckland Technical Institute),進修部份時間的行政證書課程.這間技術學院,後期升格為奧克蘭科技大

學(Auckland University of Technology--AUT).

1980-88年:她任職公司行政工作.

1990-2006年:隨夫婿赴新加坡.夫婿在南洋理工大學任教.

2006至今:她們返回紐西蘭,出任一間小學教導外籍生,以英文做為第二語言課程.

在這期間,她每週三在一間教會,義務教導移民學習英文

flapjack, succulent plant. Flapjack, Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, very happy with this.

 

y siblings

 

My parents' 9 kids

 

From China to Borneo and beyond, Chinese edition

 

from China to Borneo and Beyond; English edition

 

Fuchsia triphylla 'Gartenmeister Bonstedt'

 

Fuchsia triphylla 'Gartenmeister Bonstedt'

Free-flowering evergreen shrub with pendulous, trumpet-shaped bright orange-red 

 

flowers. The leaves are green with bronze-red and have purple undersides.

Chew Hock Choon - a Trusted Name

 

Chew Hock Choon - a Trusted Name

Chew Hock Choon is an old brand in Sibu, trusted by Foochow families for three generations. From Grandfather Chew Chiong Tack to his daughter in law, the medications prescribed have been the boon to the people of Sibu. In fact many lives were saved and many lived longer and healthier lives.

Chew Hock Choon started off as a small shop selling Chinese medicine with some reading of pulses and presciption. It was not known how he started to have an interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine but soon he and his wife started to prosper as more and more people came to realise the value of their services and their accurate prescriptions.


Mr. Chew Chiong Tak was actually born in China and arrived in Sibu before the Japanese war at the age of 14! He eventually started the Hock Choon Dispensary with the able support of his wife. Many children, including me, were seen by Mrs. Chew (Madam Kiew Sui Nguk) who was a kind lady.



Mrs. Chew Chiong Tak actually carried on serving the people of Sibu by providing traditional herbal treatments until her old age.

My grandmother used to comfort me, "Don't worry about taking her bitter medicine. What is bitter is good for you." And after drinking the bitter soup, I would be given a small piece of rock sugar as a reward.

Over the years the couple educated their children well by sending them overseas. They truly believed in education. Their children are all qualified professionals.

But one son (James) and one daughter in law decided to carry on their business which really made the people of Sibu very happy. Hock Choon Dispensary was a trusted herbalist company.

I grew up recognising the skills of Grandma Chew and knowing how important it was to have trust and integrity in business. Service was always with a smile in their shop along Bank Road.

For a long time the people of Sibu would remember their old wooden cabinets and drawers which were full of herbs from China.

Pearl Powder from Grandmother Chew was a sure cure for heatiness and children's fever.

Besides, the 8 Treasure Herbs for Duck Soup was very popular and memorable. People would visit Sibu and bring back half a dozen packets as gifts for their relatives and friends overseas.

It is very meaningful to be able to visit a favourite herbalist in your old home town and talk about old days. This shop will always be part of the tapestry of my life in Sibu.

Chew Hock Choon - a Trusted Name

 https://sarawakianaii.blogspot.com/2019/07/chew-hock-choon-trusted-name.html

July 1, 2019

Chew Hock Choon - a Trusted Name

Chew Hock Choon is an old brand in Sibu, trusted by Foochow families for three generations. From Grandfather Chew Chiong Tack to his daughter in law, the medications prescribed have been the boon to the people of Sibu. In fact many lives were saved and many lived longer and healthier lives.

Chew Hock Choon started off as a small shop selling Chinese medicine with some reading of pulses and presciption. It was not known how he started to have an interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine but soon he and his wife started to prosper as more and more people came to realise the value of their services and their accurate prescriptions.


Mr. Chew Chiong Tak was actually born in China and arrived in Sibu before the Japanese war at the age of 14! He eventually started the Hock Choon Dispensary with the able support of his wife. Many children, including me, were seen by Mrs. Chew (Madam Kiew Sui Nguk) who was a kind lady.



Mrs. Chew Chiong Tak actually carried on serving the people of Sibu by providing traditional herbal treatments until her old age.

My grandmother used to comfort me, "Don't worry about taking her bitter medicine. What is bitter is good for you." And after drinking the bitter soup, I would be given a small piece of rock sugar as a reward.

Over the years the couple educated their children well by sending them overseas. They truly believed in education. Their children are all qualified professionals.

But one son (James) and one daughter in law decided to carry on their business which really made the people of Sibu very happy. Hock Choon Dispensary was a trusted herbalist company.

I grew up recognising the skills of Grandma Chew and knowing how important it was to have trust and integrity in business. Service was always with a smile in their shop along Bank Road.

For a long time the people of Sibu would remember their old wooden cabinets and drawers which were full of herbs from China.

Pearl Powder from Grandmother Chew was a sure cure for heatiness and children's fever.

Besides, the 8 Treasure Herbs for Duck Soup was very popular and memorable. People would visit Sibu and bring back half a dozen packets as gifts for their relatives and friends overseas.

It is very meaningful to be able to visit a favourite herbalist in your old home town and talk about old days. This shop will always be part of the tapestry of my life in Sibu.

at July 01, 2019

 

wedding in a boat

 

• Ann Chin

  22m

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  Shared with Public
  
  http://annkitsuet-chinchan.blogspot.com/2013/06/little-piece-connects-to-whole-story.html

  

  annkitsuet-chinchan.blogspot.com

  Little piece connects to a whole story.

  Mr and Mrs Chew Chiong Tack, wedded during the world war 2. Mrs. Chew lent her beautiful dress to my mum. Me and my best blogging ...
  1 Comment

  Comments

  • 
    
  Ann Chin

  Yi Chang

  , you may remember I wrote about my Mum's Kong always married the Lais. When this couple, the bride is a lai, the groom is a Kong. My not so distance relatives.
• 
  
 · 
R

western spring

 

weir

 

western springs

 

flowering nikau

 

cupcakes verses muffins

 

Late mr Johnson and me.

 

wedding dress

Friday, June 21, 2013

My parents, John Chan Hiu Fei and Mary Kong Wah Kiew. 陳鹞飛/陈鹞飞

陳鹞飛/陈鹞飞

Handsome couple Mr. and Mrs. Chew Chiong Tack. Mr Chew Kindly let me use this photo. Mrs. Chew made the dress. What a beautiful dress it is. My mum would have been a beautiful bride. I love the bouquet,

I was pleasantly surprised to receive this email. It's from the 

son of Mr Chew. We older kids knew Father's good friend 

Chiong Tack. He had a shop near the wharf. Father was the 

Secretary of the Old Boy's Association, and Chiong Tack 

was the treasurer. I was indirectly involved because I help 

father to collate the annual report. We remember the DA 

POW from the association dinners. ( That resulted in my first

 published article in the Dolphin magazine).

I will copy Dr John Chew's first email, and his brother Paul 

Chew's comment to my blog post.I am sure they do not 

mind. Both my parents are dead, and finding Mr Chew 

Chiong Tack is like finding our relative.

Dear Ann, 

We have not met but our parents were good friends.

My brother was googling my father's name and came 

across Sarawakiana blog and your posting about my 

mother's wedding dress. My parents are 90 years old 

now and they remembered both your parents well. My Dad

 said your father and him were very good friends,and 

being in the Old Boys committee together for many 

years before your Dad was transferred to Sarikei. . He 

talked about their two heads clashing and my father 

ended up worse off with a black eye.My Mum remembered 

the unfortunate accident involving your Mum. 

This is a picture of their wedding 12th September 1942.
They are in Kuching now with us, and lately have not

 been of their best health.

My brother Paul tried to reply on your blog but I 

think email is better.

 

chew's wedding dress

 

Handsome couple Mr. and Mrs. Chew Chiong Tack. Mr Chew Kindly let me use this photo. Mrs. Chew made the dress. What a beautiful dress it is. My mum would have been a beautiful bride. I love the bouquet,

I was pleasantly surprised to receive this email. It's from the 

son of Mr Chew. We older kids knew Father's good friend 

Chiong Tack. He had a shop near the wharf. Father was the 

Secretary of the Old Boy's Association, and Chiong Tack 

was the treasurer. I was indirectly involved because I help 

father to collate the annual report. We remember the DA 

POW from the association dinners. ( That resulted in my first

 published article in the Dolphin magazine).

I will copy Dr John Chew's first email, and his brother Paul 

Chew's comment to my blog post.I am sure they do not 

mind. Both my parents are dead, and finding Mr Chew 

Chiong Tack is like finding our relative.

Dear Ann, 

We have not met but our parents were good friends.

My brother was googling my father's name and came 

across Sarawakiana blog and your posting about my 

mother's wedding dress. My parents are 90 years old 

now and they remembered both your parents well. My Dad

 said your father and him were very good friends,and 

being in the Old Boys committee together for many 

years before your Dad was transferred to Sarikei. . He 

talked about their two heads clashing and my father 

ended up worse off with a black eye.My Mum remembered 

the unfortunate accident involving your Mum. 

This is a picture of their wedding 12th September 1942.
They are in Kuching now with us, and lately have not

 been of their best health.

My brother Paul tried to reply on your blog but I 

think email is better.

Mum and Dad

 

My parents, John Chan Hiu Fei and Mary Kong Wah Kiew. 陳鹞飛/陈鹞飞

陳鹞飛/陈鹞飞

 I was pleasantly surprised to receive this email. It's from the 

son of Mr Chew. We older kids knew Father's good friend 

Chiong Tack. He had a shop near the wharf. Father was the 

Secretary of the Old Boy's Association, and Chiong Tack 

was the treasurer. I was indirectly involved because I help 

father to collate the annual report. We remember the DA 

POW from the association dinners. ( That resulted in my first

 published article in the Dolphin magazine).

I will copy Dr John Chew's first email, and his brother Paul 

Chew's comment to my blog post.I am sure they do not 

mind. Both my parents are dead, and finding Mr Chew 

Chiong Tack is like finding our relative.

Dear Ann, 

We have not met but our parents were good friends.

My brother was googling my father's name and came 

across Sarawakiana blog and your posting about my 

mother's wedding dress. My parents are 90 years old 

now and they remembered both your parents well. My Dad

 said your father and him were very good friends,and 

being in the Old Boys committee together for many 

years before your Dad was transferred to Sarikei. . He 

talked about their two heads clashing and my father 

ended up worse off with a black eye.My Mum remembered 

the unfortunate accident involving your Mum. 

This is a picture of their wedding 12th September 1942.
They are in Kuching now with us, and lately have not

 been of their best health.

My brother Paul tried to reply on your blog but I 

think email is better.

I  got to your blog through Sarakiana's blog after googling 

my father's name. My father is Chew Chiong Tack. Yes, he 

was your father's good friend. He even remembered your 

father's black eye from football injury. My parents are now 

staying with us in Kuching. They are both 90 and have fond 

memories of the good old days. 


Paul Chew 

My parents were married during the World War 2, (Japanese 

War), they didn't take a wedding photo. Sometime after mum 

had died in 1988, I tease dad if they eloped. I asked dad if 

Mother wore Aunty Kok Fei's wedding dress because I have 

see Aunty's dress and her wedding photos. Dad said he 

borrowed Mrs. Chew Chiong Tack's wedding dress. I never 

asked why his friend's wife and not Aunty Kok Fei's. I am 

curious, and now I have the opportunity to find out. Uncle 

Kok Fei was sort of Father's best man when they paddled 

the canoe up Rejang River to Durin and fetch Mother down 

to Sibu. 

The Japanese came, at fifteen, Mother gave up her dreams of studying in the big city and became a candidate for a child bride match making session. Ah Tai promised her that she would choose a young man of fine character, educated and from a good family. Ah Tai went out to reconnoiter with her cousin Lai Siong who was a match maker. She must have loved her granddaughter so much to travel during the perilous war time in a little canoe. Together they scoured fifty miles of both sides of Rejang River, and the whole of Sibu town. Word came that five miles upriver was that fine young man who fitted the bill. He was unfortunately not a Hakka but a Kwong Ning boy and a Chan.

Traditionally the Hakka Kongs married only the Hakka

 Lais, and vice versa. The Cantonese Chans married 

only the Cantonese Lees, and vice versa. But then beggars cannot be choosers.

 Was Father a willing partner? Father had to be practical and 

quickly find a wife. For him, it was the fear of forcefully 
conscripted to the Japanese army. 

I have got permission from my Mum for you to use the

 photo.

Answers to your queries:

1. My grandfather owned a shop selling clothing 

material besides practicing as a Chinese Physician.

 During the Japanese Occupation cloth was in very 

short supply and there was a rush to get married amid 

rumours of conscription and comfort ladies. The 

wedding gown was made by "tukang" 
.
My Mum made the head band and bouquet out of paper 

flowers herself. Many brides did not wear wedding gown 

because of the rush and of the short supply! My Dad 

said many weddings were celebrated by as much as 

letting off the firecracker and nothing else! Mum said 

your Mum was about her size and she lent the gown to 6 

other brides!

2. The name Rose probably came the Catechism teacher 

so there were many Marys and Roses.

John Chew.

2 comments:

1. 
   UnknownJune 22, 2013 at 2:27 AM

   I hope you younger generation become good friends.

   ReplyDelete
2. 
   Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪August 14, 2020 at 10:22 PM

   Dear Sir/mdm.
   
   Thank you for writing the comment. I must apologize that I did not read the post. Are you connected with Mr Chew or my Dad. My are still friends even though we are busy and all over the world. Recently, Rose Chew connected me, and I hope we will conect again.

   ReplyDelete