The World of Tai Tai

Jiang Rong's 'Wolf Totem', translated by Howard Goldblatt, is a haunting read which made me yearn to experience a walk with wolves on the Mongolian Steppe, a large expanse of grassland currently undergoing the process of desertification along with the dwindling number wolves. The novel, drawn from the writer's real life experience, depicts the battle for survival between man and wolves under the onslaught of modernization. The main character, Chen Zen, captivated by the mystifying wolves in the grassland, adopts a cub despite having to run the gauntlet of disapproving local authorities and nomad herders. He tries to tame the cub, only to find it become increasingly wild and beyond control,  The prose is vivid and powerful, sending me on a roller-coaster of emotions  and leaving me ponder upon life for a long time after finishing the book.

I was in Kota Kinabalu from 18th to 22nd November. On 19th November, I joined a local tour on a trip to Kinabalu Park, a world heritage site which boasts the famous canopy walk and the Poring Hot springs. The drive up the park took nearly three hours. The undulating road wound around the crocker range like a serpent. The higher the van drove, a wider expanse of emerald vegetation spread before us. Layer after layer of mountains rose like waves, becoming one with the sky in the far end. My companions were a four-member British family.They made the bumpy ride an enjoyable one with their humorous banter. When we reached the park, I was blown away by its beauty. It was surrounded by mountains in greens of all hues. The sight offered me a welcome respite from the concrete forest that I live in. To go for the canopy walk, we had to hike a steep slope for fifteen to twenty minutes. The steepness took a toll on my plump body. I fell behind my companions, unable to keep up ...

I was in Kota Kinabalu from 18th to 22nd November. On 19th November, I joined a local tour on a trip to Kinabalu Park, a world heritage site which boasts the famous canopy walk and the Poring Hot springs. The drive up the park took nearly three hours. The undulating road wound around the crocker range like a serpent. The higher the van drove, a wider expanse of emerald vegetation spread before us. Layer after layer of mountains rose like waves, becoming one with the sky in the far end. My companions were a four-member British family.They made the bumpy ride an enjoyable one with their humorous banter. When we reached the park, I was blown away by its beauty. It was surrounded by mountains in greens of all hues. The sight offered me a welcome respite from the concrete forest that I live in. To go for the canopy walk, we had to hike a steep slope for fifteen to twenty minutes. The steepness took a toll on my plump body. I fell behind my companions, unable to keep up with their spee...

1. I was born into this world on 23 August 1970. 2. I gave myself a name. The first thing I said was 'Tai-Tai'. From then onwards, everyone calls me 'Tai-Tai'. 3. I called my father 'Papa' 4. I called my mother 'Mama' 5. I called my elder sister 'Jiejie' 6. I called my younger brother 'Weng-Weng. 7. I learnt how to walk. 8. I produced my first comic book at age seven. 9. I was in top 10 three terms in a row in Primary Six. 10.I completed my primary school education. 11. 'Sinbad The Sailor' is the first English story book that I read. 12. I was the best pupil in Art from Primary One to Six. 13.I entered secondary school. 14. I became the best student in Art when I was in Form Three. 15. My grandpa in Brunei told my cousins with pride that I wrote good Chinese. 16. I was one of the top 3 students in Forms Four and Five two years in a row. 17. I went to Kuching for my Form Six education. 18. I scored 2As 2Bs and 1C for m...

I was in Sabah last weekend. After eating at McDonald's one afternoon, I went to a washstand to wash my hands. I pressed the soap dispenser but nothing came out. A Chinese lady standing next to me said, "Tak ada sabun di dalam." "Terima kasih," was my reply. It was not the first time I was mistaken for a Bumiputera. Many people think I am a non-Chinese. I am half Chinese, half Dusun. "Mum, it's a shame that he speaks no English." A voice rang out and I saw a little girl who could not be more than eight beside the lady. The lady smiled at the child and stroked her head. I was washing my hands without soap, pretending not to understand anything. "Mum," the girl went on. "Why I know how to speak English, and he don't?" The mother said, " It's all because he doesn't get a good education." I was stunned, not expecting the mother to come up with such a prejudiced explanation. Turning to the mother, ...