logo
logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Projects
  • Thoughts
logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Projects
  • Thoughts
ThoughtsAugust 10, 2009

The Real Truth

By admin

bedridden.jpg
There has been recent discussion (asian-sirens.com) on my ethnicity/nationality simply because I don’t look Chinese. I thought I’d write a meaningless entry about it to clear it up!

First of all, I am as Chinese as can be. On my paternal side (where we have a charted family tree that dates back more than 4-5 generations), my late grandmother-who was educated and spoke English, was one of the descendants of the early Straits Chinese originating from Penang spoke Toi San (like the ones in early Canada/America who built the railroads). My grandaunts (her sisters) were all educated in English which meant I had more information about my heritage when I did some soul searching in 2002.My grandfather and his brother settled in Teluk Intan originating from Fujian in the early 40s to escape conscription during the Civil War.

On my maternal side, my grandmother was the only living grandparent I ever knew and I only spoke to her in Hokkien. My late grandmother spent her entire life in Malaysia without ever stepping foot outside of the country. She’d tell me stories about poverty in Malaysia and about her mother with bound Lotus feet. If foot-binding isn’t Chinese, then I don’t know what is. My grandfather also spoke Hokkien and his parents were textile merchants from China who made their way down to Malaysia. Unfortunately, the war and my grandfather’s opium addiction meant that wealth would escape this generation.

Secondly, I must say being PURE Chinese doesn’t help much out here. I think there are much more perks with half-breeds in Malaysia than anything! For instance, writers often enjoy explaining how someone is of mixed parentage, some kind of unique Eurasian blend or even containing the bloodline of some tribe. The personalities that dominate this urban English market are mixed and most commercials scour for the unique “pan-Asian” look. So coming in as a pure Chinese without any foreign blend to my advantage was an immense challenge.

Thank God for my Canadian accent, eh? (hahahhaa) So as much as I’d like to lie about how exotic my features are attributed from 1/32 of Portugese and 1/64 of Mongolian, my parentage only goes as far as Teluk Intan and Jalan Ipoh!!!

On that note, I decided to eat a very non-Chinese dinner tonight: Large Big Mac Meal with Apple Pie. BOO-YAH!

asian-sirens, chinese, chinese ethnicity, heritage, hokkien, malaysian national
Previous Chillaxing on Dimanche
Next Harder Faster Better Stronger

Related Posts

Quote of the Week – A Thousand Pieces

Learning Curve

The Highest Form of Love

Comment

There is no comment on this post. Be the first one.

Leave a comment or Cancel Reply

  • Instagram

    In bed before midnight. 😓 In bed before midnight. 😓
    A celebration of new beginnings! @supparetreat has A celebration of new beginnings! @supparetreat has a new space that we are sharing with @wondrouscurations! Can’t wait to share more with all of you. But first, let’s eat more cake!! ✨✨✨

#supparetreat #wondrouscurations
    This year has been memorable for many reasons and This year has been memorable for many reasons and it has been the year where I have introduced more self-acceptance in my journey. The feeling of lack and the needing to compare has faded into the opportunity to celebrate joy. 

By the act of surrender and flowing into alignment, the gift of abundance has been more evident than ever. Whatever I do to give comes back ten-fold through friendships, relationships and partnerships. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to close out my birthday and give a treat to those who don’t often feel celebrated. I wanted to share my blessings with them. 

Thank you @mykyochon for helping me organise, @ngohub.asia for helping me discover @destinywelfare and @nadiahnasirr / @heyjnrjh for being a part of this. 

More importantly thank you to Irene for offering these children a solid education during these formative years. 

Everyone remembers kindness and it is never a random act. ā¤ļø

#slaywithkindness #destinywelfarecentre
    Jessie: Ewwww get away, I don’t want to take you Jessie: Ewwww get away, I don’t want to take your stupid photos. 

Me: C’mon just like we practiced! 

Jessie: Fine, just a smiling one and I’m out! 

šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚

#jessiesgirl #rescuedog #fosterfail
    I’m reminded it’s a Public Holiday today, I ma I’m reminded it’s a Public Holiday today, I may or may not be walking around like this…taking drink orders. šŸ˜‚ 

ā€œTeh Ais satu!ā€
    These aunties are getting old! Esp when 10:30pm is These aunties are getting old! Esp
when 10:30pm is time for bedtime. Thanks ladies for the little treat and redefining ā€œoldā€ at this age! šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚ #goldencircle
    Licks to atone for living rent free and opening my Licks to atone for living rent free and opening my presents. šŸ˜’
    Oh gosh! I was feeling the love yesterday from fri Oh gosh! I was feeling the love yesterday from friends and family. I felt so grateful to have everyone in my life, especially those who have taken the time to send birthday wishes. The pink candle represents the last year of this decade for me! So it was indeed a special one. My friends know me best when it comes down to being celebrated on my special day! How can one complain when there is an abundance of love being showered over me. Thank you for one of the best birthdays yet! 🄰🄰🄰 

#donttellmom
    Been uploading some stuff on the site and found th Been uploading some stuff on the site and found these old pics from my shoots of yesteryear. I’m old guys, I’ve been in this industry for 20 years!!!! 

Sympathy likes please. 🫣
    Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook

    Sarah Lian

    6 days ago

    Sarah Lian
    In bed before midnight. 😓 ... See MoreSee Less

    Photo

    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

    Sarah Lian

    7 days ago

    Sarah Lian
    A celebration of new beginnings! @supparetreat has a new space that we are sharing with @wondrouscurations! Can’t wait to share more with all of you. But first, let’s eat more cake!! ✨✨✨#supparetreat #wondrouscurations ... See MoreSee Less

    Photo

    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

    Sarah Lian

    1 week ago

    Sarah Lian
    This year has been memorable for many reasons and it has been the year where I have introduced more self-acceptance in my journey. The feeling of lack and the needing to compare has faded into the opportunity to celebrate joy.By the act of surrender and flowing into alignment, the gift of abundance has been more evident than ever. Whatever I do to give comes back ten-fold through friendships, relationships and partnerships. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to close out my birthday and give a treat to those who don’t often feel celebrated. I wanted to share my blessings with them. Thank you @mykyochon for helping me organise, @ngohub.asia for helping me discover @destinywelfare and @nadiahnasirr / @heyjnrjh for being a part of this. More importantly Irene for offering these children a chance for these kids to get a solid education during these formative years. Everyone remembers kindness and it is never a random act. ā¤ļø ... See MoreSee Less

    Video

    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

  • Profile

Ā© 2018 SarahLian.com. All rights reserved.