rom1215_

joined 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

Just finished No Easy Day by Mark Owens, the autobiography of a Navy Seal who took part in the operation to hunt down and kill bin Laden. Interesting to read about the account if nothing else.

Also just realised this is my fourth consecutive book about war. Going to do something different next. Maybe some recommendations?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago

"The Things They Carried" by TIm O'Brien. Usually I prefer less of fiction, but it's less of a narrative story of 'what happens next' or 'what is happening' but more of what is happening inside the minds and hearts of the characters, which is something I really like. Favourite story so far is "Speaking of Courage" which tells all the internal conflicts and struggles of someone coming back from war - real powerful and emotional read.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

But why? 😵‍💫

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Finished Quiet by Susan Cain, finally - shared this as my read here some time ago. As a textbook introvert it wasn't exactly an easy read, emotionally, for me - so often had to put the book down to deal with all the emotions, to process the catharsis or to grieve for what past-me had to go through. But ultimately it was quite a positive read, though I wouldn't say that I agree with everything in the book - especially speaking from a professional perspective, personally I did find a lot of affirmation and validation from the book. I mean, just this morning I declined an invitation to a dinner party with just a slight hint of guilt, haha!

Reading something of an entirely different feel currently - had to go for something 'light' after the previous read. The Man Who was Saturday, a biography of Airey Neave.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Haha, this one even has hot shower! Which is greatly appreciated, because it rained quite a bit when we're there and it was super cold at night. But with all the luxuries it does take away a little of the"outdoor-y" feel so. 😆

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (3 children)

We went to this site called Canopy Villa at Janda Baik. The place is actually very nice! The facilities are quite proper, and the tents and beds are considerably clean. And because it was Merdeka, the site put up a camp fire for us (for free; normally would have to pay for it). Quite a nice place for a short getaway.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (5 children)

Went glamping with the church group during the Merdeka holiday, it was lovely!

Though I'm physically exhausted (we stayed up until 4 for board games haha) and more so have depleted my social quota by the end of the trip, it was a really nice experience!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

For my former classmate's case it's less about academic results - we're from a quite a reputable high school after all - but more on that they were not the best behaving student in class. Though nothing bad and more of middle-schooler antics, but I remember them as quite a mischievous person, loud, and always ready for a prank. But I guess that was a way of them showcasing their leadership quality even back then.

But still it's indeed a good encouragement for young people to not base their self-value on results, also to be less anxious about their future directions, but that they'll also find their strengths and passion one day.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

One of the little joys of going back home to vote - it's like a mini reunion, ha!

Also just discovered one of my former classmates was standing for election. Won by a large margin too. Never expected that, wasn't the best student in school, ha! But really glad for them, looking up some news and they seemed to be doing quite some work in their area.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Hey, some good news! Doulos Hope will be extending their stay in Penang for another 2 weeks, and the booking has just opened, so should have quite some slots still.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yeah unfortunately the slots are extremely limited this time, apparently the only allow 200 visitors per hour slot so I have many friends who also failed to get a pass. Didn't get to visit them myself. I have some friends who signed up as volunteers though so did hear them sharing about the experience.

Imo they did suffer a bit from some bad planning and communication. They were planning to visit Penang much earlier but was delayed, while the delay was not their fault the subsequent communications were not really done well, many people were unaware of their latest schedule and by the time we got to know about their visit most of the slots were already been taken up by those who got the news earlier. Quite unfair like this la haha.

Sorry that you didn't get to visit them this time. Maybe next time (hopefully with better management haha!)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Glad you enjoyed the story and learned something interesting!

 

Do you know that Penang Asam Laksa is believed to be influenced by a traditional Burmese dish called Mohinga?

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE BURMESE HERITAGE IN PENANG

Penang has always been a cosmopolitan city - blessed by its strategic geographical location - even before the founding of the modern Penang by Francis Light in 1786, the ‘Pearl of the Orient’ has attracted people from neighbouring regions and faraway lands to gather in this beautiful land. Some stopped for a short stay, many settled down and called it their home - but all brought their own unique culture and story to make Penang a colourful and complex place as it is today.

However, comparing to the stories of the Europeans and Eurasians, the Chinese, the Indians, the Siamese, and others, the story of the Burmese in Penang is one that is less spoken about and shared, despite signs a notable presence back in their days.

The Burmese Connection

Connection between Burma (Myanmar as it is called then) and the Malayan peninsular began as early as the fifteenth century, if not earlier, with people from both regions migrating around and between the land for various reasons. But with the rise of the global East-West trade, with several coastal towns, such as Rangoon in the Lower Burma region and Penang turning into important sea ports along the trade route, the moving of goods, and people, between these two regions accelerated greatly, and reaching its peak in the 1800s as both regions came under the British rule.

The records of the earliest arrivals were vague, but by then, there was already a sizeable Burmese population in Penang. They were mostly centred in the Burmese Village in Pulau Tikus, with smaller settlements in Teluk Bahang and Batu Maung.

Dr MacKinnon's Residence, near Burmah Village | 100pfs

The earliest Burmese settlers were most likely fishermen, but soon there were also traders, merchants, labourers, and workers in factories - some of which were set up by wealthy Burmese businessmen who reside in Penang.

Taking Root

Among the most prominent was probably Sin Yew Kyong and his cheroot (cigar) factory. Son of a Burmese merchant of Chinese origin, he migrated to Penang as a 16-year-old young man, and later establishing his own factory producing Burmese cheroot, at 8 Tavoy Road, in early twentieth century. Sin’s cheroot business grew - he would later open his own cigar store at 12 Perangin Lane - and he famously brought over hundreds of young ladies from his native Burma to Penang, to work in his factory. These young ladies soon began to be known as the ‘cheroot ladies’, who were said to be highly sought after by local lads as wives, and many of them settled down in Penang and other parts of Malaya. Indeed, many of the Malaysian Burmese today are the descendants of the cheroot ladies.

Conversely, young ladies from Penang, particularly of the Peranakan group, also known as ‘Nyonya’, were seen as highly desirable marriage candidates by the successful and wealthy among the Sino-Burmese, both locally and in Burma. This included the ‘Burmese Cheroot King’, as Sin was known, who had a Nyonya lady as wife. Some of the Penang Nyonyas were brought over to Burma and stayed, while some of the rich Burmese merchants who would frequently visit Penang during their business trips took the young ladies as wives and essentially had their “second home” here. One of which who did as such was Aw Boon Haw, of the Tiger Balm fame, who had a residence at Cantonment Road with his Penang wife/mistress. Incidentally, Aw’s principal wife, a Madam Tay, was also from Penang.

The Cheroot Ladies | Lost Footsteps

Today, there is a small group of Burmese Malays in Myanmar, known as the Pashu people. More specifically, Pashu is also referring to the particular group of Baba-Nyonya, the Peranakan Chinese people and their descendants who moved to Myanmar and stayed there.

The Legacy

The Penang today is left with ample evidence of this historical Burmese connection. The areas surrounding the Burmese settlement - also used to be known was Kampung Ava, said to be named after the Burmese city Ava (present day Inwa) - in Pulau Tikus provide us with the strongest hints of how significant the Burmese community was in its day. The road that runs through the village and connects it to the city centre was named Burmah Road (spelled with an ‘H’ to reflect the old British spelling), which name remains to this day and is one of the major and longest roads in Penang. Off this road is Rangoon Road - with Rangoon the old name for Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar. There are also Mandalay Road, Moulmein Road, and Tavoy Road, all named after major cities in Myanmar, as well as Irrawaddy Road, after the Irrawaddy Delta.

But perhaps the most famous and prominent heritage of all is the Dhammikarama Temple in Burmah Lane, Pulau Tikus. This Burmese temple, built on a land donated by a female Burmese devotee, dates back to 1803, signifying the presence of a sizeable Burmese community as early as then. It is also the oldest Buddhist temple in the state. Originally a humble and modest place of worship, with the growing Burmese community, the British government at that time granted them some land for expansion to the temple to be made. The temple became the heart of the local community, not just as a religious centre, but with a well within the temple ground offering water supply before there was piped water in the area, it was an important community and social centre, not only to the Burmese but possibly the wider population nearby too. With continual support from the Burmese people, and later, the Penang government, the temple grew into the magnificent monument we have today - and two centuries later, it still stands strong to remind us of the Burmese Heritage in Penang.

Dhammikarama Temple | Wikimedia

The story of the Burmese Heritage in Penang might not be the most widely shared, and not something we learn about in the history textbooks. Indeed I as a Penang Lang am not aware of this before looking up this story, and we’re not left with a lot of reliable historical records. But it is no less interesting and significant - and the heritage is definitely as worthy to be preserved and the story to be told.

Main references: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

 

Doulos Hope is a floating bookfair/library which mission is to promote literacy and education, and share knowledge and hope around the world. There are over 2000 book titles on board, and visitors have a chance to interact with the international crew to know more about the ship and their work.

She is visiting the Penang currently, and is scheduled to stop at Kuching and KK in the following weeks.

Registration is required for visit, and a nominal entrance fee applies. Registration form can be found here.

GOOD NEWS: DOULOS HOPE IS EXTENDING HER STAY IN PENANG FOR ANOTHER 2 WEEKS. THE BOOKING HAS OPENED FOR THE SUBSEQUENT SLOTS.

Note: Doulos Hope is operated by an international Christian organisation, but the Bookfair is open to all.

view more: next ›