Posted in 188 Hugh Low Street, 188 Hugh Low Street Online Bookshop, book sale, Reunion, speaking and reading in public, The Scissor Sharpener’s Daughter, tagged book sale, Reunion, speaking and writing in public, The Scissor Sharpener’s Daughter on August 15, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Writing a book has given me the opportunity to speak in the public as well as to read in front of an audience. It was a wonderful experience. I must thank those who made this happened.
Tomorrow, I am going to meet my former school mates again after a lapse of 30 years. I am looking forward to tell them about my book.
“The Scissor Sharpener’s Daughter”
Posted in 188 Hugh Low Street, book sale, tagged 188 Hugh Low Street, book sale on June 29, 2014| 2 Comments »
June is an interesting month for me. I got to meet readers from all walks of life buying my book at D7, The Refinery, when they went there for a cooking demonstration, art jam or simply to have a cup of coffee.
At a nyonya cooking demonstration in mid June, among the interesting personalities I met was Judy Lam whose family used to own Hotel Lok Ann in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown. We all knew this famous hotel had been sealed off to make way for the MRT project. Her family is still fighting to keep this piece of heritage. Let’s hope in the end, common sense will prevail.
Another interesting reader I met that morning was Lee Mun Woh who resembled one of my former school teacher. He was a very friendly and humorous person and yes, very generous too – he gave me a big note and said smilingly, keep the change!
The following week, I met Chan Sook Mun from Ipoh. She was in Kuala Lumpur to attend a seminar and was at D7 to have coffee. How glad she was to meet another person from Ipoh and writing about her hometown too, so Sook Mun grabbed a copy of my book without hesitation. My next reader is also from Ipoh. Hoe Yeegn Lougn’s grandfather owes the famous and familiar Nam Fong Piano along Brewster Road and he got a copy for his beloved grandfather who is still in Ipoh.
Esther Siew is a friendly and supportive lady. A mother with three beautiful daughters, she was from Petaling Jaya and was very glad she came to D7 and saw my book. It didn’t take much persuasion to have this delightful lady purchased a copy to read together with her equally enthusiastic daughters.
Omar Zaini is an architect who came with his elderly mother to draw and paint. She used to be an art teacher and she could still paint very well despite her advanced aged and failing eyesight. Zaini bought a copy for his mother as a gift.
I caught Abigail who was on the way to have her coffee and guess what, she instantly picked up a copy. She told me she loves reading English books, especially those by local writers. From her face, I could see she was very happy with the book in her hand.
Today, I met another lady who loves to read. Rachel is a mother from Johore and she was very much into reading English books too. She read mostly books by writers from India and told me, “Wow, I love your book! I must have a copy straight away. Please don’t forget to let me know when your second book is out. Give me a call or notify me.”
Then the most dramatic moment came. Zung Heng, the international award-winning Malaysian photographer and his friend, Angelld Quah, walked past on their way to have their coffee. They were very interested in my book and yes, they bought a copy too!
I guess coming out to meet my readers personally is most rewarding and satisfying….. I got to meet interesting people from all walks of life besides telling them more about my book.
Posted in book sale, D7 The Refinery, tagged book sale, D7 The Refinery on April 30, 2014| 2 Comments »
Here are some photos taken at D7 The Refinery with people from all walks of life who bought my book. Some readers even came from other countries like Bulgaria and Pakistan. Thank you all, for reading my story.
Posted in 188 Hugh Low Street, ACS Class 69 Reunion Dinner, book sale, Catching up with third aunt, tagged 188 Hugh Low Street, ACS Class 69 Reunion Dinner, book sale, Catching up with third aunt on April 20, 2014| 8 Comments »
A reunion dinner for former students of ACS (Class 1969) was held at Soon Fatt Restaurant along Jalan Seenivasagasam on 19th April 2014.
Thanks to Mr. Wong and Mr. David Yoong, the organizers for allowing me to promote my book.
Marcus and I were back in Ipoh over the week-end to attend their memorable event.
Really “Reunion and more reunions….!”……. (:
When we arrived in Ipoh and before the event started, Marcus and I rushed over to Hugh Low Street to see what were the latest additions to the wall mural and we were greeted by some new ones. You can see them here. Aren’t they beautiful?
My books were being displayed prominently for all attendees to browse through and purchase.
The most memorable moment for me was meeting up with Mr. Chin Yoong Kim, the first teacher who taught me something in ACS during my form six there in 1982 and 1983. That was more than 30 years ago. Mr. Chin was very excited when I told him I mentioned him in my book. He bought a copy and we read it together because he can’t wait to find out what I wrote about him.
Many who came that night also bought my book and some even asked me when my second book will be out. Thanks for your support, the book is coming soon…. so thanks again for your patient.
Look at some of the food served that night – they were so delicious and I absolutely loved the sea cucumber and abalones!
When the dinner was over, my brother took me over to 188 Hugh Low Street, the home I once knew. I felt very emotional standing outside our childhood home.
The next morning, we had brunch at Sin Hup Kee Restaurant on Jalan Leong Sin Nam with our beloved third aunt who was 86 this year. She reminded me so much of my late father. Their faces and their voices were very similar.
Here is the lin toong from my favorite flower, the lotus! My childhood snack which I used to share with Dad outside Rex Cinema near Hume Street.
Next, we dropped by at Sin Eng Heong for more snacks – biscuits and kaya puffs hot from the oven.
I was so happy that we could jump queue because third aunt could not stand in the row for long.
What a memorable weekend for Marcus and I!
A video showing our beloved music teacher, Mr. Chin Yoong Kim leading the boys and girls of ACS singing the school song!
Posted in book sale, D7 The Refinery, tagged book sale, D7 The Refinery on April 13, 2014| 2 Comments »
D7 The Refinery is an awesome place to be at during the weekends- you can paint, you can buy books and you can meet new friends. Thanks to artists like Ben Toh, Yenny Ng and Maxinne Xie for organizing these fun-filled gatherings.
It was here too, that I got to tell people, “Hey, I wrote a book about growing up in the 1960s and 1970s in a tin-mining town called Ipoh. Get a copy and read how life used to be for some ordinary folks struggling to have a meaningful existence.”
I am glad I took my book straight to the readers. I was able to meet them face to face, tell them about my book, autographed it and even took photos with them for remembrance. All these gave me a great sense of pleasure and satisfaction as a writer because it gave me a chance to interact with them.
It was at D7 too that some of my readers became my good friends. They read my book and gave me feed-backs and after sometime, we became friends! And some even told me they are waiting for my second book which will be out soon.
Today, a very good friend who started off as my reader even gave me a surprise – a birthday cake. How many writers are so blessed?
Well, I am one of them. Thank you, everyone, for being there for me as I embark on a long and tough journey as a writer.
Posted in 188 Hugh Low Street, book sale, heritage buildings, Victor Chin, tagged 188 Hugh Low Street, book sale, heritage buildings, Victor Chin on April 1, 2014| Leave a Comment »
Last Saturday (29th March), Victor Chin, an accomplished Malaysian artist and heritage enthusiast, held a talk on heritage buildings found in Penang, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore at D7 to a group of heritage buffs.
Also on sale were printed copies from his original collection of water-color drawings of these buildings done many decades ago when they were still around. Victor’s drawings were so beautiful and nostalgic. It was truly a one man’s labor of love for these architectural wonders. Sadly, many such buildings were either torn down or were abandoned. After years and years of exposure to the elements, they were stripped of their former glory. Thanks to Victor, today, we could still marvel at these heritage buildings through his art.
I was also allowed to sell my book at this event and I managed to meet many interesting people. Among them were Hissein from Sudan and Tobias Petersen from Germany. Also present were Debbie Teoh, the celebrity Peranakan chef from Malacca who graciously treated us to a few dishes of Nyonya kuih. It was an interesting evening.
Thanks everyone!
Posted in book sale, D7 Sentul East, tagged book sale, D7 Sentul East on February 22, 2014| Leave a Comment »
His Excellency Harry Molenaar, the Ambassador of Netherlands and his wife Loes Nas bought my book
pictures by courtesy of Ben Toh
With Joop Koordes (L) and Pim Ten Hoorn (R) speaker of the talk ” Identity formation of Eurasians ” at D7 @ Sentul East.
Today I feel so honored and lucky to have an ambassador browsing my book and immediately showing an interest in it. Without much hesitation, His Excellency Harry Molenaar, the Ambassador of Netherlands and his wife Loes Nas bought my book.
We were at a talk by Pim Ten Hoorn on the identity formation of Eurasians at D7 @ Sentul East. Besides the ambassador, the speaker and a few attendees also bought my book. One reader even invite me to talk and sell my book at his event.
Thank you Ben Toh, Dennis de Witt, Malaysian Heritage and History Club and SEED Sentul East Design Centre for organizing this event and giving me an opportunity to sell my book at the talk.
Thank you all, once again for your support!
Posted in 188 Hugh Low Street, book sale, D7 Sentul, tagged 188 Hugh Low Street, book sale, D7 Sentul on January 27, 2014| 1 Comment »
On January 17th 2014, two events were being held at D7 Sentul which provided me the opportunity to sell my book there. First, there was an Art Jam where art enthusiasts came together to learn art and craft from those who are expert in their respective fields. Later in the evening, there was an opening ceremony by Delicious Detox Delivery who specialize in organic foods. Many people came not only to paint and taste nutritious food but they also stopped by to buy my book. Their response was good and I feel blessed to have a good start to the year.
A big thank you to Ben Toh and Carina Lipold for giving me the chance to shine!
Posted in book sale, Ming Dynasty porcelain, shipwreck, tagged book sale, Ming Dynasty porcelain, shipwreck on December 1, 2013| 2 Comments »
Thanks to my cameraman, Marcus!
Today I was at D7 Sentul again to sell my book, “The Scissor Sharpener’s Daughter.” The event was a talk, “Wanli Shipwreck Treasure of the South China Sea” by Ben Rongen. Besides my book, my author friend, Dennis De Witt’s books were on sale too.
The talk was a very interesting one. Merchant ships from China during the Ming Dynasty were sunk off the Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast during the 17th century while on the way to Malacca. Cargo of Ming’s white and blue ceramic went down the sea and stayed there for more than 400 years before being discovered by a team of divers.
Today, some of these pieces were on displayed at D7 Sentul. I was so excited to hold these rare, precious and historical items in my hands! Thank you, Ben Toh, for organizing this memorable event.
 | ghengsrs on Mother Dipper or ‘Duo Mu… |
 | Chak on (Part 1) – To hell and b… |
 | Chloe lee on (Part 2) – An old female… |
 | Shanky Chandra on The true story of Ah Q (Summar… |
 | IpohBornKid on My Grandma’s Beauty… |
 | Khoo Saw Cheng on Methodist Girls’ School… |
 | in darken on (Part 2) – An old female… |
| IpohBornKid on Ah Moi – woman of g… |
 | Ipohgal on “A Daughter Less Ordinar… |
 | John Hendriks on “A Daughter Less Ordinar… |
| Ipohgal on “A Daughter Less Ordinar… |
| John on “A Daughter Less Ordinar… |
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188 Hugh Low Street, Ipoh 