Thean Hou Temple, RAT year 2020

Thean Hou temple located in Kuala Lumpur is one of the largest Buddhist temple in South East Asia. This 6-tiered temple is sitting atop Robson Heights overlooking the Federal Highway. It was first built by a Hainan community especially for Goddess Thean Hou (Heavenly Mother). This temple today carries elements of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. 

During the Chinese New Year, it is the grandest. 

Gods of Wealth: Fook, Luk, Sau

Form left:

Fook: 'Good luck' or 'Good fortune'

Fook represents blessings of luck, wealth, health and happiness. Fuk is often seen holding a child, a scroll or wearing a garb of a scholar. The child symbolizes the transmission of good luck to future generations and the scroll symbolizes the importance of learning and knowledge.

Luk: 'Salary'

Luk is stability, influence, success and financial abundance. He stands in the middle of the other 2 Gods and is often depicted holding either a gold bar or a 'Ru yi', a scepter which symbolizes power and authority.

Sau: 'Longevity'

Sau is typically depicted as a wise old man with a high forehead and a happy smile. He often holds a staff which symbolizes longevity. He also carries a peach which symbolizes youth, beauty and immortality.

The Dragon and The Phoenix: A Perfect Couple

They are the 2 most powerful celestial animals. The dragon is the 'Yang' and the phoenix is the 'Ying'.

They complement each other in creating the ying-yang balance for everlasting love.

Goddess Kuan Yin @ Goddess of Mercy

Tan Twan Eng: The Garden of Evening Mists

2020 started off with a bang for me!

I met Tan Twan Eng, a Malaysian novelist whom I have admired for a long time. I fell in love with his first book, The Gift of Rain, and bought his 2nd book, The Garden of Evening Mists, right after. That was way back in 2014. 

On 5 January 2020, I finally met Tan Twan Eng at Kinokuniya bookstore in KLCC and received an autograph on my 2nd copy of The Garden of Evening Mists.

A specially designed coffee just for the Meet the Author session.

When I first read that Tan Twan Eng was in town and he was making his rounds to promote his movie from his 2nd book The Garden of Evening Mists, I IMMEDIATELY texted my students. It was perfect timing because I was going to teach Malaysian Literature in the January 2020 semester. What is more meaningful than to meet THE author whose book I had planned for my students to study and enjoy. I encouraged all my students to please make time to meet this man. And, I was very happy when they did. Happiest is when my students were excited about the meet and were more enthusiastic after the meet! 

Rynnaas and I at Kinokuniya, waiting for Tan Twan Eng's arrival

See me beaming!!!

Asri, Rynnaas and I managed to take a group picture with Tan Twan Eng

The crowd at Kinokuniya, KLCC

Our gigantic group picture at Kinokuniya, KLCC with Tan Twan Eng and his mother

We won free screening passes for The Garden of Evening Mists at e-Curve on 15 January 2020. 

Raahini at Sunway Pyramid

Yasmin at Nu Sentral

Shevane and mom at Lit Books, Tropicana

Delon at Lit Book, Tropicana

Visha at Nu Sentral

Deevika at Nu Sentral

Loshinie at Nu Sentral

Group pic with Tan Twan Eng

My Malaysia Literature class in January 2020. 

Malaysian writers are not celebrated much in our country. In fact, most successful Malaysian writers live outside of Malaysia. Sad, yes, but that is reality. I started my reading with Enid Blyton. Thus, my love for books began and the journey is still on-going. Unfortunately, Malaysian writers never crossed my path until I studied my Masters degree in English studies. That was how Tan Twan Eng's The Gift of Rain entered my life. It was from that moment, I curiously went hunting for Malaysian writers and found more treasures along the way. 

WOW! We have amazing talent. We have impressive writers. 

When I got my opportunity to teach Malaysian Literature, I was more thrilled than anything. I wanted my students to experience my joy in reading Malaysian novels. I wanted my students to be exhilarated and proud that we have great writers. I hope with all my heart that I have created or started some kind of enthusiasm in them for I believe in sowing my passion in young minds. 

We all have role models in our lives and I want to be one in theirs.