Reconstructing History

That's me (Mdm Low) when I was a toddler!! Cute or not? You will find that your parents' potraits when they were young were probably like mine; taken next to a pot of sunflower and on cemented floor.

My 3rd aunt's wedding where I was a flower girl. That's my grandmother who had already passed away, next to her.

My family potrait before my 2nd brother was born. See the similarities between my dad and I?

How would you go about constructing your own family History ?

How far back do you think you will be able to trace back to ? Your great-grandparents' time or your great great great grandparents' era ? Is there a proper record kept that has listed down ALL your family members ? Do you still know of any long lost relatives still living in China or Malaysia or India?

Do you have any idea what they did in the past for a living? Or where they stayed or how life was like in the olden days? Who can you ask to prove that they really existed? What evidence will you be able to find ?

I found out a long, long time ago when my grandmother was still alive, that she lived in China when she was young, before their family came to Singapore. She had a brother who then went to Thailand tobecome a Thai boxer. I remember her showing me age-old photographs with very blurry images but I was not interested then. She told me about her life in the kampong when she was young and how fire had destroyed her home 2 times and all her possessions were gone and she had to start all over again. I found out about how during the Japanese Occupation and she was pregnant with my uncle, the Japanese raided their house but they gave her food when they saw that she was with child. I also learnt how her husband, my grandfather committed suicide because he was in debts...and many many more interesting stories.

My grandfather from my father's side of the family was originally from China. They all came here because of the job opportunities in the early 1900s. Up to today, my uncles are still in touch with some of our relatives from China. In 1995, one of my grand uncles from China came to visit and I learnt that I have a cousin who is a scientist with the government building rockets to go to the moon!!

Check out this blogsite of a Chinatown boy who loves his history:
http://kinkonkid.blogspot.com/

So are you going to find out more now about your family history? Who are the people you can ask? Where can you find records and pictures? Wouldn't it be great if you can pass down these information to YOUR own children!! YOU can start by keeping a record of your own childhood photographs, videos and even journals/diaries. In another ten, twenty, thrity years down the road, we can all look back and marvel at how time has flown and things have changed.

Check out our own Jalan Kayu website and take a trip down memory lane :
http://jalankayutrail.blogspot.com/2007/02/old-jalan-kayu-photographs.html

Happy Constructing! And a Happy Lunar New Year!!!

'Race' against Time

I have another important question to ask you this week.

How many of you Chinese students have a good friend who is a Malay or Indian?
And how many of you Indian and Malay students have a good friend who is Chinese?

Do you know the different cultures of your friends? When is their New Year? What traditions do they carry out?

Do you know the reasons why we have a special day set aside called the Racial Harmony Day? Why is it important for us to celebrate our differences and live together peacefully?

Let's go back in time to see how race can become a big, no HUGE problem which can tear a country apart if not dealt with properly.


The Holocaust

How many of you were aware that the Holocaust was supposed to wipe out an entire race? Approximately 6 millions Jews were killed mercilessly by Adolf Hitler, the most notorious personality in History. It was one of the most horrific events in the History of the 21st century and even the children were not spared. (1.5 million were killed).

Even though the Jews in Germany considered themselves Germans and fought in the war, they were considered the 'opposite race' and had to be eradicated. Most of them were sent to death camps and ghettos where they were killed systematically in gas chambers.

Watch also this video titled "Children of the Holocaust'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZlGCs78KEI

Now I want to bring you back to somewhere nearer to home.

Malaysia, Nov 2007

'Minority ethnic Indians are fighting a "losing battle" for equal rights in Malaysia, and their fledgling protest movement against the Muslim-dominated government is likely to die soon, a protest leader told The Associated Press.

"We have to close the chapter. There may be a new chapter, but we may not be part of the next chapter," a tired-looking Moorthy said during the chat at a McDonald's restaurant. "I know, eventually we will also fail."

Ethnic Indians form about 8 percent of Malaysia's 27 million people, and complain that the government denies them opportunities in jobs, education and business. They say that years of systematic repression have kept them at the bottom of society. The government denies this and says all Malaysians have benefited from the spectacular progress of the export-driven economy since independence in 1957.' (extracted from International Herald Tribune)

To see the protestors in action, click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m96FCTKHNA8

Racial discrimination is very real in our world as history has shown. When people become prejudiced against each other based on their race, skin colour, religion or their origin, violence and oppression can result.

Can it be prevented? Let me know your views by leaving a comment.

Will YOU be making History in Pei Hwa?

Paris Hilton sentenced to 45 days in jail

Welcome to a new year in Pei Hwa. The teachers at Humanities Dept wish you a year filled with discovery, excitement and growth. However, how your year will turn out will depend on what you plan to do in this year. You can choose to let things happen to you or you can choose to make things happen. Your Choice.

Have you ever wondered about why we study History? If we break up the word, it says ' His Story'. And that is what it means exactly. We learn about stories that happened to certain 'famous' people in the past, events that affected and changed the world. Through real life stories that happened in the past, we learn from their successes and mistakes.

Everyone has a history, including YOU. My question to you is this: Will you be making History in Pei Hwa? 4 or 5 years down the road, how will Pei Hwa remember you?

TOP student in class/level?
Best in English/History?
Most helpful student in school?

OR

The student who played the most truant?
The student who beat up his classmates?
The student who got the most caning?

Think about it... You can let YOUR Story be continued for years to come in Pei Hwa by the deeds you do.