Friday, December 20, 2013

VVIP, my guest of honour.

I was very very lucky. I was there at the right place and right time. Friends asked how I got a Government Minister to be my guest of honour. 
Photo: Proud of you, Ann With YB Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh at Ann Chin's Book Launch at RH Hotel today.

Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh offered to be my VVIP guest. I wrote to him, as his student if the Government had funding to aspiring writers, and the rest is history. He was proud to be my teacher, and I had done him proud.

Francis Chen very happily helped me with the logistics and my Chinese MC. When my Malay and English MC couldn't make it, John Benet stepped it.

Who could dream that my book launch was such a Ministerial affair and my own clan people organising it. Thank you Mr. Kong Tze Ling.


Proud of you, Ann
With YB Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh at Ann Chin's Book Launch at RH Hotel today. — with Ann Chin.

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The Calla lily







The calla lilies grow wild in Auckland. They are beautiful and is nostalgic to me. My Grand dad used to have similar ones growing in his rubber garden in Borneo. 

In the book, the street kids chose these flowers to represent them. Wild and strong. Strong because they grew by themselves and bloomed even in winter.

A reader wrote, " I found your book really awakening and down to earth. An interesting read and lots of research."

 Another commended, "You were very brave to go to places where people were afraid to go."


http://tinaspicstory.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/weekend-flowers-45.html





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Saturday, December 7, 2013

little church at Orakei Beach : A Maori burial



At the beach front of Auckland, a morepork hooted eerily as it circled round the Marae and perched on the pinnacle of the Salvage Memorial monument screeching a mournful song.
“Hear the morepork, if its call is E-e-e, this is a friendly greeting. If it is Whe, whe, whe, and then Peho peho, it is a sign of anger. Now what you hear is doleful, there is death,” an elderly Maori grandfather tells his grandson.

Stan’s whānau or family and his mother Reka, from the whenua rangatira at Bastion Point waited patiently for the funeral directors to finish their job sewing Stan together before collecting his tupapaku or his cadaver and taking it back to his marae for his tangihanga. The funeral directors had to do the gruesome job because the accident had cut up his face so badly and his body was butchered in many parts.
As they returned to Bastion Point, the wind kicked up and it felt raw, violent, blustery and freezing cold. It was an atmosphere of eeriness and somberness. The sea gull screeched, in stark contrast to the beautiful sea view of the Waitemata Harbour. Nobody was looking at the view, everyone’s heart was heavy. The people remembered the year of 1978, the Takaparawha - the police siege of Bastion Point. They were choked up with anger and sadness: society had failed one of their children and cut his life prematurely.
Karakia were said and a haka performed in front of the Marea to welcome Stan’s body home after the postmortem examination and embalmment. The tangi cried for a little boy who hasn’t turned fourteen and whose life was cut short just like that. Everyone there, friends and Whānau had looks of disbelief, outrage and anger. The waiata, the chanting song was sung as Stan was laid in state. Like Vinny’s father, Aneki, Stan’s father Tipene had been given compassionate leave from the Auckland Prison at Mt Eden where he was lanquishing behind bars. Tipene dressed Stan in the traditional Maori feather cloak. The visitors came to console his parents and laid wreaths around his open coffin. They place photographs of his deceased relatives around the coffin. The relatives and friends touched and kissed him goodbye and made speeches to tell him to go in peace to meet his whānau who have gone to the sky before him. Stan’s Primary School friends came in drove, even his Intermediate school friends came though Stan was hardly ever at school by the time they went to Intermediate School.
After three days of much wailing and tears, the funeral director came with their hearse. Stan’s uncles carried him out to the hearse and they drove slowly along the waterfront road of Tamaki Drive. They had his funeral service at the little church at Orakei Domain. The service was conducted both in Maori and in English. Stan did not speak much Maori when he was alive, or stay in the marae either. Stan lived in old warehouses, factories and under bridges. He would be more comfortable and at home with his two friends who went the same journey as him that day. That was why Stan’s parents agreed to burying him together with his friends in Manukau.
They placed the coffin next to his friend Vince’s grave who was buried the hours before him. After they lowered the coffin, the whānau and friends placed Stan’s earthly possessions in the grave before they covered them with dirt. Tipene placed the BB gun which he had given him for his thirteenth birthday. His mother Reka, with uncontrollable sobs and jellied legs, had to be dragged away to join the mourners in a hangi for Stan’s wake.




The little church at Orakei Beach near to Bastion Point. It has a little cemetery where Maoris are buried, babies, little children and grown ups.

I have become quite attached to this cemetery because because I often go to the beach at Okahu bay and Mission bay. Sam likes to play at the Okahu Domain Park. When I am there, I say a quiet pray for the mums who have buried their babies there, and for my self. My baby was not buried here, but out west at Waikumate cemetery.

This church has a long history way back to the founding of Auckland. TheMaoris gave land to the government.

In 1858, the Ngati Whatua gave land at Orakei to the Anglican Church for a chapel and school.

Tamaki Makau Rau is the Maori name for Auckland city.
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Saturday, November 30, 2013

Borneo Post's write-up of me. dec 1st 2013

http://annkitsuet-chinchan.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/borneo-posts-write-up-of-me-dec-1st-2013.html

Jane Moh of Borneo Post wrote this lovely write-up and my dear friend Chang Yi shared it in Facebook. So glad that they are still remembering me though I have been back over a month. Back to the grind of day to day life.


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Saturday, November 23, 2013

crossing magazine summer 2013



I am featured in the Summer 2013 Magazine of Mt Albert Baptist Church.
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Friday, November 8, 2013

ABC letter Q:Presentation and quotes

During my book tour, I gave a presentation to 3 institutions, Methodist School, Rejang Teachers' Institute and Kai Chung School. I encouraged those who are interested to write to send their writings to writing forums.
I found this in the Writers Beat. I feel honoured.
When you write, you quote famous writers. You also quote things that is important to your piece of work, like in this case, a student who attended my presentation, and wrote to another forum.


Expressive writing is my forte I think.
I am not sure but I do know my narrating skills aren't half-bad.

I write on an amateur writing site before I knew of this site from a writer, Ann Chin Kit Suet.
If I ever find her username here, I would thank her for rekindling a dying flame.
 

Meet Xeth MEC Christian Reason

http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.co.nz

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Ann Kit Suet Chin Chan

'Ann Kit Suet Chin-Chan'(Born in 1954 in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia) is a Malaysian /New Zealand writer, blogger and photographer.
Life: Alumni: University of Windsor, Canada, Auckland University, New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology.
Career: Teaches English as a Second language. Public speaker on bereavement and writing.

Ann launched her books on October 12th, and Y.B. Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Minister of Finance (II) and Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Sarawak was the guest of honour at her launch. http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/10/06/Local-writers-books-to-be-released-on-Oct-12.aspx

Ann is involved in the Zerowaste community program in New Zealand, actively teaching people to reuse, recycle, reduce. She writes a weekly "save the world" blog. http://www.zerowaste.co.nz/
Published Work:
  • Diary of a bereaved Mother: Good bye my baby丧儿记: 丧失儿子的母亲的一本传记
Genre self help, bereavement, death and dying, child's death, survival ISBN 978-0-473-18709-5 - Published 2011 in New Zealandhttp://search.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/?itemid=%7Clibrary/marc/supercity-iii%7Cb2623613
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/aucklander/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503372&objectid=11030495
An interview from Diary of a Bereaved Mother was made partly in a New Zealand National Television Documentary "It is OK to cry, "http://tvnz.co.nz/asia-downunder/s2011-e31-video-4453514 and youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZk9w-uywAs&feature=youtu.be and exhibited in England, http://www.foreverinmyheartexhibition.com/134494020?i=64857969 This book is in circulation in Auckland City Libraries and Sarawak Council Libraries.
  • From China to Borneo to Beyond
海外华人的中国魂: 从中国，到南洋，到更远 This is a journal of two families, the Chans and the Kongs. It traces the first movement in 1907 from Kwang Zhou, China to the jungles of Borneo. Genre History ISBN 978-0-473-23900-8 - Published 2013 in New Zealandhttp://library.sl.nsw.gov.au/search~S2?/dChin%2C+Ann+Kit+Suet%2C+1954-+--+Family./dchin+ann+kit+suet+1954+family/-3,-1,0,B/browse This book is in circulation in Auckland City Libraries, New South Wales Libraries and Sarawak Council Libraries.
  • Mail Order Bride
邮购新娘 This book is the embodiment of the darker side of today’s society. Auckland city is chosen because of her cosmopolitan features, as well as the presence of immigrants, new and old. There are mail order brides from all over the world. ISBN 978-0-473-25414-8 - Published 2013 in New Zealand

References

http://www.brudirect.com/national/national/national-local/8808-sibu-born-author-ann-chin-kit-suet-promotes-bookshttp://www.theaucklander.co.nz/living/news/words-of-healing/3954293/, http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/06/3-books-by-sibu-author-set-for-launching/ http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/10/06/Local-writers-books-to-be-released-on-Oct-12.aspxhttp://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sekolah_Menengah_Kebangsaan_Methodist,_Sibu* alumni 1967-73 ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Soon_Kohhttp://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/13/author-chin-makes-cikgu-wong-proud/
Forever In My Heart exhibition which is at the Peacock Art Gallery, Upton Country Park, from 31 January to 4 February 2013. Judy Lancaster-Bowenhttp://www.foreverinmyheartexhibition.com/134494020?i=64857969 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZk9w-uywAs&feature=youtu.be It is OK to cry

External links


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Monday, November 4, 2013

order from University of Otago and Dunedin Public Library.


Dear Ann

Please supply us with the following order:

Our order number: 120320 - please quote on all correspondence.

1 x Mail Order Bride
ISBN: 9780473254148

We are ordering this for the Hocken Library at the University of Otago
or the Dunedin Public Library.

The Hocken collects widely in relation to the history and culture of New
Zealand, the Pacific and Antarctica. The collection includes
biographies, family and district histories, poetry, drama and fiction.
The McNab Collection at the Dunedin Public Library collects similar
items. Both collections are research libraries only, open to the general
public as well as students and academics.
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Steve's blog

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.

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：，張貼者：
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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

feedback from a photographer


Kelly Miller
To Me
Today at 9:40 AM
I wanted to tell you thank you so much for exposing the dark side behind mail order brides. I'm a photographer, and I'm researching mail order brides because I want to do a photoshoot about the depersonalization behind their experience. It's really difficult to find anything that's not a joke or a stereotype. I feel like most of these women are seen as property and not living human beings. I want to do a photo to display the darker side of what goes on and how a woman becomes a commodity. It's really discouraging when while researching this subject all I find are offhanded jokes.  It's sad that so many woman who are mail order brides experience such humiliation or even death. Thank you for being a voice for those who feel like they have no one to stand up for them. I feel much more encouraged to continue on with my project knowing I won't be going on alone. :)
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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

history-grief-and-hard-truths-ann-snow-chin’s-books

History, grief and hard truths in Ann Snow Chin’s books



  • Writer Ann Snow Chin speaking to the press during yesterday’s press conference held at Ximply Chriz Cafe at Regent Square, Kiulap. Picture: BT/Mei Fung Lee
  • Ann Snow Chin’s books can be purchased from Aptbility Trading Company. Picture: BT/Mei Fung Lee
  • Writer Ann Snow Chin speaking to the press during yesterday’s press conference held at Ximply Chriz Cafe at Regent Square, Kiulap. Picture: BT/Mei Fung Lee
MEI FUNG LEE
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
APTBILITY Trading Company held a press conference at Ximply Chriz Cafe in Regent Square, Kiulapyesterday to promote the books of Ann Snow Chin, a Sarawak-born, New Zealand-based writer.
Chin is currently on a tour of Sarawak and Brunei to promote her new books.
Her book, “From China to Borneo and Beyond”, is a journal that traces the movement of her late ancestors, the Chans and the Kongs, from Kwong Zhou, China to the jungle of Borneo back in 1907.
The story weaves in details of the Opium war, virgin tropical jungle, the Japanese occupation, and fighting with the communists as some of the difficulties the family went through.
The journal also records the families’ second wave of movement to England, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, the USA and New Zealand.
Her second book, “Diary of a Bereaved Mother”, shares her own story of losing her son to a rare disease, and her journey to overcome her own grief while inspiring other bereaved mothers to do the same.
Her third book, “Mail Order Bride” studies darker social issues that affect today’s society.
Chin is a member of Sands Manuk in New Zealand, an organisation set up to support parents and families in the Manukau region who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, at birth, or up to a year following a full-term birth.
Those who are interested in reading Chin’s books may contact the director of Aptbility Trading Company, Wong Nqie Sek at 7112823 to place an order.
The Brunei Times


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    • Ann Snow Chin’s books can be purchased from Aptbility Trading Company. Picture: BT/Mei Fung Lee
    • Writer Ann Snow Chin speaking to the press during yesterday’s press conference held at Ximply Chriz Cafe at Regent Square, Kiulap. Picture: BT/Mei Fung Lee












































    MEI FUNG LEE
    BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
    Tuesday, October 15, 2013
    APTBILITY Trading Company held a press conference at Ximply Chriz Cafe in Regent Square, Kiulapyesterday to promote the books of Ann Snow Chin, a Sarawak-born, New Zealand-based writer.
    Chin is currently on a tour of Sarawak and Brunei to promote her new books.
    Her book, “From China to Borneo and Beyond”, is a journal that traces the movement of her late ancestors, the Chans and the Kongs, from Kwong Zhou, China to the jungle of Borneo back in 1907.
    The story weaves in details of the Opium war, virgin tropical jungle, the Japanese occupation, and fighting with the communists as some of the difficulties the family went through.
    The journal also records the families’ second wave of movement to England, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, the USA and New Zealand.
    Her second book, “Diary of a Bereaved Mother”, shares her own story of losing her son to a rare disease, and her journey to overcome her own grief while inspiring other bereaved mothers to do the same.
    Her third book, “Mail Order Bride” studies darker social issues that affect today’s society.
    Chin is a member of Sands Manuk in New Zealand, an organisation set up to support parents and families in the Manukau region who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, at birth, or up to a year following a full-term birth.
    Those who are interested in reading Chin’s books may contact the director of Aptbility Trading Company, Wong Nqie Sek at 7112823 to place an order.
    The Brunei Times

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