tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80396128747634926702024-03-14T16:49:13.436+13:00ChinglishRenee Liang's blog on poetry, fiction, works-in-progress, the art of writing.Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.comBlogger274125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-36702467782102686032015-01-06T20:13:00.002+13:002015-01-06T22:33:14.741+13:00Looking forward to this on the weekend!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-29924069505932816282014-09-15T23:13:00.002+12:002015-01-06T22:33:02.499+13:00How to Write in a Year of Snakes<style>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, this week I'm the<a href="http://tuesdaypoem.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank"> Tuesday Poem</a> editor. Pop over to the <a href="http://tuesdaypoem.blogspot.co.nz/2014/09/ss-ventnor-by-chris-tse.html" target="_blank">post </a>to check out this amazing poem by Chris Tse, then read this interview which will also shortly be published on <a href="http://www.thebigidea.co.nz/" target="_blank">The Big Idea</a>....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmfJNOneBnYk9p744czuQ_en0afiEhp481TWy9lJbMiBQJydasR-VmmAS1NYCqGKUPBSnzSGINkxONZrUewLG2BQznDTir_pDUvB76qhKGaXAgQu9xE5_sJX2DkG7ul67ZU6uaM1LHJM/s1600/Chris+Tse+-+author+photo+-+2014+-+resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmfJNOneBnYk9p744czuQ_en0afiEhp481TWy9lJbMiBQJydasR-VmmAS1NYCqGKUPBSnzSGINkxONZrUewLG2BQznDTir_pDUvB76qhKGaXAgQu9xE5_sJX2DkG7ul67ZU6uaM1LHJM/s1600/Chris+Tse+-+author+photo+-+2014+-+resized.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b> So, how long have you
been working on your collection?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris:</b> I started writing about
Joe Kum Yung towards the end of 2005, when I was completing my masters in
creative writing. It was the 100th anniversary of his murder, so there was
quite a bit of activity around commemorating his death. I've been working on
the manuscript on and off since then.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b> Renee: </b>You have Joes on
one side of your family? Is he any relation?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b> My Mum's maiden name is
Joe, but there's no direct relation. He might've been a ‘village cousin’
though!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee:</b> Reading through the
book, I'm struck by how deeply you've gone into the psyche of both Kum Yung and
Lionel Terry, his murderer. Did you know you'd be spending nine years in
such dark places?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b>When I first started
writing these poems, I envisaged them as a short sequence of a dozen poems or
so. I didn't think that this story would still be with me in nine years time!
It took me a long time to realise (and accept) that this story needed more time
and space than I was allowing it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I never felt that I was spending my
time in dark places. The story is concerned with death and murder, but I didn't
want to be trapped by or preoccupied with the heaviness that can come with that
territory. I wanted to focus on Joe Kum Yung's search for light. It was
important to me that the book carry a sense of hope, despite the life he had
lived.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b>I do sense that hope
towards the end, although it comes in glimmers. Do you think that you
have helped him on his journey?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b> A part of me does hope
that by telling his story and giving him a voice I have set a place for him in
history. He was always a footnote to Lionel Terry's story; I wanted to reverse
that and show another side to the aftermath of murder.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b> You seem to focus very
much on giving Kum Yung a voice. At times you seem to let your frustration be
seen, at how difficult it is to 'find' him in the reports of the day. What do
you think about the role of literature to investigate historical events, where
the voices of the original perpetrators are no longer able to be heard?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b> Unsurprisingly, the
news reports of the murder weren't very detailed and didn't say much about Joe
Kum Yung. Lionel Terry murdered him to prove a point, and in a way his turning
himself in was just an extension of his theatrics – he had a point to make and
he made sure people heard him. I didn't want to focus too much on Lionel and
his so-called message. It's always been clear what he was trying to achieve.
For better or worse, his voice still lives on in the news reports of the time
and the way in which the story has been told up until this point.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Writing this book was a chance to
give Joe Kum Yung a voice, but that became just a small part of it. As the book
took shape, it was the importance of remembering our dead and acknowledging the
darkest moments of our history that began to emerge as the major themes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b> You reference Chinese
history and traditional beliefs (about the dead, about how those who cannot go
home are compelled to wander as 'hungry ghosts'.) As a fellow Chinese I'm
familiar with these concepts. Did you find, in discussing the book with those
outside our culture, that you had to explain these more clearly?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris:</b> Not really. I guess the
few people that have already read the book just accepted that they were aspects
of our culture or just went ahead and googled things themselves!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b>Did you find out things
you didn't know? And how much did you rely on Dr Google and how much on
the 'aunties' in our community?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b>There was so much that
I didn't know before writing the book. I did research quite a bit, but also
drew from personal experience. My Por Por passed away when I was nearing the
completion of the manuscript. It was the first time that as an adult I had lost
a close family member, so a lot of the grieving process, including the rituals
and customs, made its way into the final poems written for the manuscript.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Chinese attitude to death is
very different to Western cultures – the idea of celebrating someone's life
after their death goes against the solemnity and responsibility of the living
to make sure that the dead find their way to their next life. My research for
this book reinforced and expanded on the way I've been taught to think about
death and honouring my ancestors.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b> How about other Chinese
traditions? There were moments when the formality of your verse and the
structures (often a series of couplets) reminded me of Chinese forms.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But a modern version. You don't
spend much time gazing at the moon with a cup of wine....On the other hand, you
have an eye for beauty, and beautiful phrases, that is very traditional.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b> At one point I did want
to borrow from and appropriate traditional Chinese forms, so the moments you've
spotted might be remnants of those earlier experiments. But I soon felt that
trying to follow those forms wasn't letting the story and poems to breathe and
speak for themselves. The search for beauty was important – the romantic belief
that death can provide what life can't was something I really wanted to
explore.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b> How have you changed as
a poet through this first collection? It's a huge project!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b>I feel like a weight
has been lifted! There were plenty of times when I wanted to put this story
aside and focus on other projects, but I simply couldn't let it go. Writing
this collection has taught me a lot about empathy and, to an extent, restraint.
There were so many possible directions in which this story could go, so for me
it was about finding that focus and sticking to it without letting politics or
my own personal anger overshadow the story.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I do feel like this is the end of
the first part of my career as a writer. I'm now focusing on more personal
stories and themes outside of Chinese culture.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b>I was going to ask you
about that. Did you feel an expectation to write on certain themes because of
your ethnicity and gender?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b>Yes I thought there was
an expectation, and I resisted it when I first started writing. It was a
mixture of fear of being pigeonholed and thinking that it was too obvious, but
I think a lot of it was a product of my own anxieties. I soon realised that I
had to get over it, and that if these stories were to be told then I had a point
of view to offer. I've had writing published that isn't Chinese-themed and it's
been well received, so I don't feel like there's this expectation that I have
to write about certain themes. However, I acknowledge that there are certain
voices missing from New Zealand literature and I have a responsibility to speak
up when appropriate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b> Well said!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b>Is it something that
you've struggled with as a writer? Just turning the tables for a bit! Haha.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b> Yes, and in much the
same way as you. I resisted it, yet at the same time it was being honest to
myself, as the questions I was answering as/for my characters were the same
ones I had come across in my daily life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It kind of bothered me that I was
being seen as some sort of 'voice' for the community, but at the same time, I
figured that, well at least they were reading it from someone who knew and not
someone from outside the culture. So I was really pleased that you were writing
too! </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><img alt="Description: )" height="14" src="file://localhost/Users/ReneeOld/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image002.png" width="15" /></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think the drift towards less 'coloured' stories is a
pretty normal one too. You see it with other writers, like Alison Wong and
Lynda Chanwai Earle. And with Maori and Pacific writers too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b> That responsibility of
being a "voice" is troubling, because who can ever truly speak for an
entire community?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b> Hear hear!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b>And if they purported
to, I wouldn't trust them!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b> I guess what we're
doing is wearing a path through the grass. It's up to others to follow, or make
their own paths.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b> Sometimes I feel like
I've left the grass and ended up knee-deep in a river.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b> Yes and I don't like
the stones underfoot...But in a way, the interest is what's kept me writing.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It's surreal that only a few years
after I decided I was serious about writing, my work is being taught in schools
and uni, and analysed by academics. More for my timing (being one of a select
group still) than for the quality I suspect...</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b> Typical Chinese trait,
talking yourself down! Even if that were true, this only shows that there's a
need for our stories and voices.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b> Aw shucks… Why did you
choose poetry as the best form to explore Joe Kum Yung's story?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris:</b> I never entertained the
thought that this book and story could be anything else other than poetry. The
fragmented nature of the story, of what we knew about Joe Kum Yung's life,
seemed tailor-made for poetry. It just felt right to me – it was the perfect
form to play with a variety of voices, and to explore those contrasting ideas
and images of light and shadow, life and death, beauty and destruction. It was
also an opportunity to test my ability as a poet to sustain my intentions over
the course of a book-length sequence of poems.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b>I admire how you have
resisted the urge to showcase your 'best' poems to instead take a journey.
One last question: what are you working on next?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris: </b> I did feel a sense of
responsibility to finish what I started, and that meant a lot of what I've
written in the past nine years that wasn't for the book has had to wait in the
wings. As for what's next, I've been writing poems that a lot more personal. At
the moment I'm exploring how music and memory are intertwined, as well as the
role of music in contemporary society and a conduit for shared experience.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Renee: </b> It sounds amazing! and
of course music and poetry are natural partners.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Chris:</b> Exactly! </span></span></div>
Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-35356043144958898852014-07-01T08:14:00.002+12:002014-07-01T08:14:21.910+12:00Three PoemsI'm doing a MOOC (Massive online open course) in poetry from the legendary University of Iowa. The first exercise, in 'sketching' taught by Robert Hass, led to these three small poems:<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The words drop like minutes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">rain in ever-expanding pools,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">knit and purl the pavement’s verse.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">* </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">There is singing</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">inside of me. Small voices.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The pitter patter</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">of tiny fingers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>leaving</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">wet handprints</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">on the glass.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">* </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">A box a boat a pirate’s nest</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">A bird a bee a seed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">A book a song a quilted bed</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">A kiss, then eyes at rest.</span></div>
Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-67430318747554767412014-02-11T09:25:00.002+13:002014-02-11T09:25:37.198+13:00Tuesday poem: 水調歌頭 人有悲歡離合,<br />
月有陰晴圓缺,<br />
此事古難全。<br />
但願人長久,<br />
千里共嬋娟<br />
<br />
This is the last verse of a famous poem by Song Dynasty poet, Su Shi (1036-1011 AD). I did my own translation a few years ago by asking my friend to read the poem to me in Cantonese and Mandarin (so I could hear the music of it) and then explaining the meaning. The poem features in my play<i> Lantern</i>, on this week in Auckland.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Happiness and sadness comes for us in parts</i><br />
<i>The moon sometimes clear</i><br />
<i> sometimes clouded</i><br />
<i> sometimes swelling</i><br />
<i> sometimes declining</i><br />
<i>Since time began, it's been that way.</i><br />
<br />
<i>All we can hope for is life enough to see</i><br />
<i>that though a thousand leagues apart,</i><br />
<i>we all look on the same moon. </i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<br />Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-36965830384760648322013-12-23T21:38:00.001+13:002013-12-23T22:52:12.365+13:00Of Cabbages and Kings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96qKjAIX3YuE9O80dz6Gt9jVloIvot4KeRnTRuN_3hyphenhyphenN_nGjuxeMwx9mAVzzqRNoKryBfowaN4dRzVNEpbNHocZIofFzwjgamEG-WEOjjQfEiJMYfPYLZ72W4LvkmnMExBit6NRMe4uQ/s1600/Xmas+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96qKjAIX3YuE9O80dz6Gt9jVloIvot4KeRnTRuN_3hyphenhyphenN_nGjuxeMwx9mAVzzqRNoKryBfowaN4dRzVNEpbNHocZIofFzwjgamEG-WEOjjQfEiJMYfPYLZ72W4LvkmnMExBit6NRMe4uQ/s400/Xmas+2013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
It's the time of year for reflection, it seems. I don't know why journos and bloggers feel like they have 'sum up', pick 'the best of', or, most annoying of all, recycle the same old tips on 'surviving Xmas'. If we wanted to make lists or look back, maybe we should have done it mid year. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>shredded words</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>lie pleading</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>in the gutter</i></div>
<br />
I think the most special part about this time of year is that it feels like summer has finally arrived, and most people can now kick back for a few weeks at least. It's gorgeous, even in Wellington. We've been here for 4 months, the first three spent shivering in our eyrie up in the Korokoro Hills.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the wind</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>rattles moody fingers</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>under our roof</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>rolls cloudy marbles </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>downhill</i></div>
<br />
One month to go here, and just under a day until Christmas. As I write, I am sitting in a trendy rented cottage in Petone, staring at a punnet of strawberries I am planning on eating all by myself. My husband at this moment is in Auckland, most likely persuading a small but determined 17 month old that she *does* want to go to bed. I am not alone though.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>there's a monkey</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>climbing the playground</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>of my ribs. Fiddling</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>with plumbing.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Sometimes I see a face</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>pressed against </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>the window of my belly.</i></div>
<br />
If I was going to make a list, I'd start with this event - the baby is due in late March - and work backwards to now. There's so much to do and yet every day I continue to procrastinate. Work is busy but not hectic, but sometimes/often I find myself checking the paper, Facebook, email - anything except what's on my mental to-do list. Is this pregnancy brain? I don't think so. I can't afford to slow down, not now. Soon -<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>two little mouths</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>searching</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>four little hands</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>grabbing</i></div>
<br />
This year, my daughter 'gets' Christmas a bit more. My husband and his sister drove up north and hiked into a forest (well, a tree plantation) to kill a tree, dragging it home modern caveman-style in a trailer. Sofia thus discovered she loves Christmas trees, or more specifically, decorations. But destructiveness isn't her game. With the persistence of a small dog she regularly fetches baubles, fairies, candy canes - anything within her fast-growing reach. Her gifts are offered with the air of a job well done, such that you can't do anything except thank her politely.<br />
<br />
Santa, on the other hand - excuse the pun - leaves her cold. She's met him twice so far; easy when he's everywhere from shopping malls to community parades to daycare Christmas parties. (No wonder he can visit all the rich houses in the world in a single night.) Both times she's been nonplussed as to why a colourful and elderly gentleman wants to have his photo taken with her.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>pineapple lights</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and tinsel -</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>so tasty!</i></div>
<br />
I find the scent of dying pine nostalgic, even though my parents only had a plastic tree - every year more of its branches disappeared, no matter how carefully we disassembled and put it back in its box. Eventually we gave up putting it up altogether.<br />
<br />
My parents have always been ambivalent about celebrating Christmas. They tend to do it only if there's a lot of family around. I remember Christmas parties all squashed into my aunt's apartment in Hong Kong, where my aunty donned a Santa hat and gave out presents, and a Christmas concert by the kids was compulsory. This performance requirement persisted well into my gawky adolescence, despite protestations that I was no longer a 'kid'. Home karaoke systems came out around this time which only made it worse. Despite since accumulating a wealth of embarrassing moments on stage, I still cringe at these memories.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>do that once more</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>for the camera -</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>aww, how cute! </i></div>
<br />
These days, we celebrate Christmas twice. On Christmas day we're with the Croatian side, digging into ham, turkey and the traditional baked treats - raffiola, hrstule - that are made laboriously by hand for feast days. This is one of the only times in the year the men are welcomed into the kitchen to help. A day or two after we're with the Chinese side, stuffing ourselves on steamed crayfish, giant crab, and salmon sashimi. My dad gets up early to go to the seafood market so he can bag the liveliest targets, then spends the rest of the day imploring my mum not to overcook/overclean them as she bends her back over the sink, ignoring him. As the afternoon wears on and the adults adopt positions of increasingly horizontal somnulence, posses of rugrats tussle for space on the trampoline.<br />
<br />
Christmas day is when the ostentatiously costly presents are distributed; a few days later, it's red packets. I prefer the Chinese way. Best not to feel the need to give anything, but if you're going to give, give money. That way the giftee can choose what they want. In the case of babies, the gift is banked for the future.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>if only</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>we could bank</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>time, taste, summer -</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>if only</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>nothing would change.</i></div>
<br />
<br />Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-62437611890024788442013-10-28T22:02:00.003+13:002013-10-28T22:37:51.910+13:00Herald Interview<style>
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ol
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</style> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The NZ Herald </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">is profiling one Sir Peter Blake Leader<b> </b>each week and this week it was <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11147198" target="_blank">my turn</a>. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I send people difficult questions by email all the time (mostly for interviews for <a href="http://www.thebigidea.co.nz/profile/renee-liang/70" target="_blank">The Big Idea</a>) but it's not so easy when the tables are turned!</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> I had 31 questions... had a go at most of them, but there were quite a few I didn't answer</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> (including the good old "so if you were stuck on a desert island what four people would you pick to be stuck with you?" - that question reminds me far too much of a certain, very brief, date which felt more like a job interview....)</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But it was a pretty interesting exercise. Suspect my answers now would be very different to even 5 years ago!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Note: file photos at the Herald are held forever, apparently. The glam, slightly smug photo of yours truly was taken in pre baby days....</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Describe your childhood (where you were raised, family life, education etc)</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My parents came to NZ from Hong Kong for a job opportunity in
the 1970s and have lived in Auckland ever since. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have wonderful memories of walking a bush
track to Meadowbank Primary School, and later trudging up our steep street to
bus to St Cuthbert’s College. My parents instilled some key values in me:
always work hard; never give up the first time; think very hard before you
complain; and always eat good food.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What was your first job/paid employment?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I had a few tutoring jobs at university, but my first full time
job was as a junior doctor at Rotorua Hospital.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a great place to work – small enough to know everyone, but large
enough to offer some very interesting cases and challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The down time was great too – in that year I
played canoe polo, touch rugby (against some very large and fast hospital
orderlies who took pity and didn’t tag me as often as they could have!) and
started a BA by correspondence at Massey University.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What is your first memory of being a leader?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I was 17 and had just finished the Science Summer School, which
brings senior school students from around the country together in the summer
holidays for two weeks of intensive study at Auckland University. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, being teenagers, we also held pizza
parties, stayed up late, played as many practical jokes as we could and made
lifelong friendships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Norm Winterbottom,
the convenor, who’s still very active in Rotary, called me up afterwards and
said he thought I had potential and would I come back the following year as a
Science School leader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nearly burst
from joy. It was the first time anyone had called me a leader. I ended up being
with the Science School for two more years and meeting some amazing students.
Many of them are now leaders in science and many other fields.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Tell us about someone who has been a
mentor to you </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There are so many! In every field I go into, whether it’s
science, medicine or arts, kind people seem ready to offer their help and
mentorship. It’s the way NZ is I think, and how we tend to grow our leaders –
through informal assistance and talent spotting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One person who has really helped guide me in
my arts career is writer and poet. Siobhan Harvey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s both formally and informally mentored
me, and as often happens, we are now good friends. She encouraged me to keep
writing when I was just a beginner poet, helped me put my work forward for
anthologies and also mentored me with my (yet to be completed) first novel and
poetry collection.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What does a typical day at work look like?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It depends on the day and the time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think I’m unique in having many
careers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a writer – I write a lot of
my own stuff, and also freelance and volunteer as an arts journalist; I produce
plays and community arts events; I work around the country as a paediatrician;
I work at the University of Auckland part time as a researcher; and I’m mum to
a very feisty toddler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say I
owe a lot to the support of my wonderful and patient husband, and have a clever
phone that reminds me what I’m supposed to be doing!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">How would your colleagues describe you?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">That’s a bit like asking me to look in the mirror, isn’t it? I’d
like to think that people find me friendly, approachable, energetic and maybe a
little mad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tend to be passionate
about lots of things, but I also try to take other people’s ideas and feelings
into account before I bowl ahead with a plan. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">As a leader, what’s the secret to getting people to support and share your
vision?</span></b></span>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">Passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People won’t believe unless you believe
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also sharing information and involving
people as early as possible, so that they ‘own’ the project as much as you do.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What has been a highlight of your career or leadership journey? </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I don’t think I could just pick one – and I feel that I’m only
just beginning, at any rate. Each time I’m asked to do something – whether it
be joining a committee, giving a speech, teaching, or organising events – I
feel that I’m the one learning and benefitting the most. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also a great opportunity to watch other
leaders in action.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What was a low moment or failure and how did you deal with it?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I was bullied when I was a junior doctor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was by a professor that I regarded highly
and had hoped to learn from, so it was a particularly challenging time for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to walk away from the
specialist career path I’d set my heart on – and it was then that I discovered
that when one door closes, many others open, often in unexpected places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll thank that professor for the rest of my
life, because her actions pushed me to discover other things that I could
succeed at – general paediatrician, writer, researcher and community advocate. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What was the best piece of career advice you ever received?</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Professor Tania Gunn, a leading neonatal researcher at National
Women’s who mentored me when I was a student, told me that ‘the most successful
people have at least five careers.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
was 20 years ago and I’d say that has gone up to 10 or even 20 careers now. It
taught me never to be satisfied and to keep chasing my passions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a need exists, maybe you can be the one to
make it happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing how many
times I’ve ended up doing something rewarding (and being rewarded for it) out
of just following my instincts. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It’s pretty crazy to give up a full time job in medicine and
enrol in an arts degree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as a
result, I now have three jobs that I love. My passion for medicine has been
reignited, I love the challenge of groundbreaking research, and my writing
allows me to explore the questions about identity, family and culture that fascinate
me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What annoys you?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Lots of things, all the time!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But I’ve learnt from my parents – to think before I comment or
blame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annoyance is also a wonderful
driver for creativity. If something annoys me enough I’ll write a poem or play
and boom! Suddenly it’s a shared annoyance and you can start exploring it
constructively, hopefully with a lot of laughter.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What do you think will be a significant business or societal issue in the next
decade?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I’m worried that people, and especially business and
politicians, don’t understand the role of science and how scientists explore
the big questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, the
so-called debate around the climate crisis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Science is objective but not necessarily black and white – evidence is
always accumulating and scientists have to shift their thinking to accommodate
all the new data and all the complexities. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Challenge and debate is part of good science –
if we didn’t question accepted wisdoms we’d never learn anything new -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but that doesn’t mean there isn’t consensus
once the evidence is there. Scientists can’t always give answers in neat one-liners
that are easy to digest - but then, our world isn’t black and white. People
need to learn to think in shades of grey, examining all the angles, and on a
global scale, and demand that their leaders do the same, otherwise we won’t
have much chance of keeping the world as we know it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Where do you see yourself in ten years time?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I have no idea. If you’d asked me that ten years ago, when I was
still making ten year plans, I would have been incredibly, woefully wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So now I’m happy to just try to recognise my
passions and to try to follow them – wherever they lead.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What is your favourite way to relax and unwind?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Spending time with my husband and baby. They know how to push my
buttons, but I guess that’s part of the fun!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Who
is a leader (NZ or global) that you admire and why?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Helen Clark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s stayed
true to herself and her beliefs, but she’s also not afraid to follow her
passions to do something different, and she does her research and considers the
opinions of others before deciding on a course of action. She then sticks to
her guns even if under pressure.</span></span><br />
</div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"></span>
<br />
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> What is a big dream/goal/aspiration that you have currently?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ve been
writing plays for a few years, getting more ambitious with each one, and it’s
my dream to write something – whether it be a play, film, or novel - that will
make the world pause and think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if
it’s just for a few seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But isn’t
it everyone’s ambition to stop the world?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And for New Zealand’s future?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I’d like to see us leading the world more in terms of the
environment. It’s easy to write a slogan ‘100% Pure’ – much more difficult to
make that a reality by putting in place the relevant policies and protections,
despite the fact that there will always be some groups that will be unhappy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If
you could give your 15-year old self some wise advice, what would it be?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Actually, when I was about 14 I started a little notebook of
‘advice to myself as an adult’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I soon forgot
about writing in it, but one of the pieces of advice my earnest 14 year old
self recorded was to ‘always keep your friendships.’ I’d stand by that today.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What is your biggest regret?<span style="background-color: #999999;"></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Calibri;">Right
now, that my busy life, and the time and distance that seems inevitable in my
generation, means that I can’t see my friends or even talk as often as I’d
like. But I know that they are there
whenever I need them, and I’d do the same for them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What is one item of technology that you can’t live without and why?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My Macbook Air!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admit
it – I’m addicted to macs. I’m one of those terrible people checking email and
social media all the time.</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When you look back on your life, for what are you grateful?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto; line-height: 12.75pt;">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I’m grateful to have family and friends who are not only
supportive, but demanding. They demand that I be the best that I can be and
that I continue to push myself, but that I also recognise and fix my
weaknesses. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">What is the best part about being a Blake Leader/Blake
Medallist/being involved with the Sir Peter Blake Trust?</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It’s been an amazing journey so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They call you an ‘emerging’ leader for a
reason – they expect you to emerge! Since I was named a Blake Leader all sorts
of challenges and opportunities have been thrown my way. Right now I’m learning
about governance by being thrown in the deep end, by serving on various boards.
It’s a wonderful opportunity, especially as I’m meeting so many people who come
from a different background, and we can all learn from each other!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> **</span></span></div>
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Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-30794969809286344492013-10-21T23:38:00.001+13:002013-10-21T23:38:07.212+13:00First Asian AB returns next week - and all shows are free! Also a scriptwriting workshop.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">The First Asian AB</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Written and directed by Renee Liang.
Starring Benjamin Teh and Paul Fagamalo with music by Robbie Ellis and lighting
design by Sam Mence</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">October 29th </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">
November 1<sup>st</sup></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">What
would you do to represent?</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Willy</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s
a homestay Asian student. Mook</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s Samoan and he</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s
been here for ages. They</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">re best mates at Timaru
High. But when Willy decides his dream is to try out for the All Blacks,
mateship </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> and everything else </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">
is up for grabs.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">A comedy (mostly).</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">At breakneck pace, Ben Teh (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bone Feeder, Odd Socks</i>) and Paul
Fagamalo (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pollyhood, Where We Once
Belonged</i>) capture multiple characters </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">
including a Samoan aiga, a bored class of thirteen year olds, two entire rugby
teams playing each other, and one sassy girl called George. Directed by Renee
Liang with live music by Robbie Ellis and lighting design by Sam Mence. Running
time 75 minutes, suitable ages 9-99. FREE (bookings recommended).</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Dates
& times:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Tue 29 Oct Te Tuhi Gallery, Pakuranga
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> 11 am & 1.15 pm</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Wed 30 Oct Te Tuhi Gallery, Pakuranga</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> 1.15 pm</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Thu 31 Oct Hawkins Theatre, Papakura</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> 1.30 & 7.30 pm</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Fri 1 Nov</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> Auckland Museum</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> 11 am & 1.15 pm</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">8<sup>th</sup> show to be advised</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Booking:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> contact venues direct (details below) or go to </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #000099; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.firstasianab.com/"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">www.firstasianab.com</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Te
Tuhi </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #000099; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.tetuhi.org.nz/"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">http://www.tetuhi.org.nz/</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">09
577 0138</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">, Hawkins Theatre </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #000099; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.hawkinstheatre.co.nz/"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">http://www.hawkinstheatre.co.nz/</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0000ee; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">09
297 7712</span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">, Auckland Museum </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #000099; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/"><span style="mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> </span><u><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #0000ee; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">09
306 7048</span></u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Scriptwriting
workshop</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Date:
Saturday, Nov 2</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Time:
10 am – 2 pm</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Cost
$15</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Location:
Mangere Arts Centre, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Corner
Orly Ave and Bader Drive, Mangere Town Centre</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Bookings Phone: (09) 262 5789,
Email: <a href="mailto:mangereartscentre@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz" title="Email Mangere Arts Centre. ">mangereartscentre@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz</a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Ever
thought of writing a script for film or theatre? Join playwright Renee Liang
(The First Asian AB) and screenwriter<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="il"><span style="background: #FFFFCC;">Padma</span></span> Akula for a half
day workshop.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">Perfect for beginners or those with
some experience of writing in another genre. Bring: pen, paper, your
lunch (shops are also within easy walking distance) and a will to write! You'll
leave with the start of a new short script for film, TV or the stage, tips and
tricks to enter the industry, and lots of ideas and exercises to keep
writing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #500050; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
Registration essential. $15 fee (payable in advance to reserve your place.)
Limited to 15 participants. 15 years and over.</span></div>
Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-21854914151891788732013-10-20T23:59:00.000+13:002013-10-20T23:59:22.092+13:00Yellow Fever? It's no joke<i><br />If you're in NZ, you will probably not have missed all the media coverage about the Len Brown affair. I was asked at short notice to write about my response to the "sexual festishisation of Asian women" in relation to the story (um....) and it was published <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11142963" target="_blank">today</a>. Slightly discomforting to find that the opinion piece which featured alongside it (supposedly a woman's take on the affair) was by Deborah Coddington of <a href="http://publicaddress.net/yellowperil/asian-angst-is-it-time-to-send-some-payback/" target="_blank">"Asian Angst" </a>fame. Oh well, she said some things worth thinking about too.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Below is the full text of my article. It was cut from 700 to under 500 words to fit, but even 700 is really too few to tease out all the points. (There were also two versions of the beginning, which explains the discrepancy.) I thought they did a reasonable job of preserving the main points. And at least they let me put one joke back in.</i> <br />
<i></i><br />
**<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I’ll admit it. My first reaction was one of
annoyance. “Why him? Why her? And oh great, she’s Asian. Here we go
again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But just like not all Asians are
bad drivers, not all Asians are Geishas, Manchu girls, Peking Ducks or whatever
smutty term is making the rounds. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">But they’re jokes, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re all New Zealanders. Hell, my best mate
is Asian. I eat out at Barilla Dumpling all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Robin Thicke might claim, if we’re proven
non racists, then what’s wrong with a bit of fun, self-aware racism? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Try walking around in my skin for a week
and you’ll find out soon enough. I’m a born and bred Aucklander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the time I feel pretty normal. But
then something like the Len Brown affair hits the media and suddenly I feel
exposed again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember all the times
I’ve had to fend off unwanted comments, ‘jokes’ or even advances. Most Asian
women, and many men, will know exactly what I’m talking about.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The problem is that we are not stereotypes.
We are not cartoons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not
viper-like ‘dragon mistresses’, nor are we little girl-women who can somehow be
innocent and slutty at the same time. We are not Tiger Moms either. We are
people. Individuals. Got that? And for the record, I don’t even know any martial
arts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Chinese people have been living in NZ since
1842.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s over 170 years of
history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But from the beginning, we’ve
had image problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First there was
‘Yellow Peril’ – cue political cartoons depicting Chinese as deformed monsters
(cartoons that resurface from time to time in contemporary format in our
national papers.) Then we became the ‘model minority’ – quiet achievers, good
at keeping our heads down and not making too much of fuss while contributing to
the economy. It’s only recently that we have become more confident, seeking
office as elected leaders, making art and films, writing books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s understandable that older Chinese in
our community are still wary of ‘standing out too much.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s on this background that you need to
understand the reaction to Bevan Chuang’s actions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">There’s been a lot of anger, even
shame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s natural, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bevan is well known to many in our community.
She not only represented us on the Ethnic People’s Advisory Panel, she’s also
been highly visible at many public events, a natural networker. Due to her status
as a ‘1.5 generation’ Kiwi Chinese and fluency in Mandarin, Cantonese and
English, she’s been seen as able to bridge the gap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">But Bevan is also just… herself. She’s frank
and open about her relationship status, her love of burlesque, and often
dresses sexily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s just who she
is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does she manipulate the Asian babe
image? Perhaps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then, that’s just a
natural reaction to a lifetime of people assuming things. We've all done it,
right? Sometimes it’s just easier – and more fun- to go with the flow.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">We all know how one person can influence a
stereotype, for better or worse. There’s no telling the damage Bevan’s story
might have done to other (young) (Asian) women and the conclusions certain
uninformed, racist and chauvinistic people might now make about us as a
group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that she strove to
represent us, and played the ethnicity card to get into politics, only makes it
worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in the end she’s just a foolish
person who has already acknowledged her mistakes. Her Asian-ness shouldn’t come
into it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The fact is, we can't blame Bevan or any of
her predecessors (anyone remember Geeling Ng’s China Girl video?) for how
society sees us. Just as it’s certain we have not heard the full story behind
her behaviour, it’s certain that hers is not the only story we have to tell.
The rabid public reaction is no reflection on Bevan, but rather a reflection of
NZ society and how far we yet have to go. And so, for my fellow Asians reading
this, I have a challenge: we can’t change our faces, but we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> change the way people see us. Get
out there. Do it. Tell your own story and be yourself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-15641768261256467982013-10-20T23:12:00.000+13:002013-10-20T23:12:02.520+13:00The Power of a good storyOh dear. My last post was in May...I have been seriously neglectful! Been doing lots of medicine, and the job's been busy, and quite absorbing at times. There's also a charming but demanding fifteen month old who wears out her daddy during the day then demands booby as soon as she sees me in the afternoon. I wouldn't change it for anything.<br />
<br />
But hooray. I HAVE been writing ... one new play, one substantial revision of an old script, and currently I'm directing The First Asian AB for its fourth season (we open in ten days as part of Auckland's Southside Festival.) All in all there will be three productions of my plays in the next year, all going well, so lots of work ahead! and I have been very busy on the non-fiction writing front as well. But not much poetry. I keep on promising myself that will change, especially as there's no better way to centre my thoughts and get a quick writing fix.<br />
<br />
Anyway, on the topic of non-fiction, here's an article I was asked to write for Westpac's "Women of Influence" campaign. Here's the <a href="http://www.westpac.co.nz/who-we-are/sustainability-and-community/contributing-to-our-communities/inspiring-leadership/woinz/latest-news/dr-renee-liang-the-power-of-a-good-story/" target="_blank">link</a>, and the full article pasted below. Since I have copyright and all :)<br />
<br />
**<br />
<br />
When I was six I became a published author. I wrote and illustrated
my own book called Debie the Dodo, published it in a crayon-stained,
stapled edition of one, and took it proudly home to show off. It didn’t
matter that (as my sister said) Debie was a girl’s name and my
character was a boy, or that (as a classmate even more unkindly pointed
out) dodos were extinct and anyway Debie looked like a duck. I was the
creator. I had the final say.<br />
<br />
Many years later, I worked as a doctor in Broken Hill, deep in the
Australian outback. I was finishing the final part of my training as a
paediatrician. I got a phone call to say that my boyfriend was dying –
had died, suddenly – of a brain aneurysm. I flew to Sydney to watch them
turn the machines off. I flew to Auckland for the funeral. And then,
numbly, I flew back to Broken Hill to continue my work. The poetry came
in a flood. I filled up notebooks, then went to the pub. I found a
microphone. I let my grief and love pour out. I wanted to make a
monument to him out of words. I wanted to say what I would never again
have the chance to say.<br />
<br />
Fast forward two years. I was now active on the Auckland performance
poetry scene. I was writing poems – new poems. New love poems. Political
poems. Identity poems. Suddenly, I had a lot to say. I remembered what
my mother had told me, after I had already started Med school – “your
grandfather thought there were too many doctors in the family, so he
named you ‘Literary Blossom.’” I wrote a poem called ‘The Naming’, a
fictionalised account. And with that, I fulfilled my grandfather’s
prediction.<br />
<br />
Someone wise once said, “We are the stories we tell about
ourselves.” Google that and you’ll soon see that not one, but many
people have said this. We are a walking anthology of the stories –
great, inane, funny, sad – we carry, that are told about, by, or
remembered by us. I remember a teenager I once mentored in South
Auckland. He was a gifted rapper and poet, but his rhymes aped the
imported American gangland rubbish. Then something changed. He told me
at the end that the best thing he learnt was that he could write about
himself. I was stunned. It had never even occurred to me that some
people might not be able to write about themselves.<br />
<br />
Stories give us power. If we can define ourselves by the stories we
tell, we can also change our stories – and ourselves. And if we can tell
stories about ourselves, we can also tell stories about our
communities, our families, our countries – the stories that need to be
told.<br />
<br />
In my work with migrant women writers, I have come across many such
stories. Whether they expose harsh government injustice, reveal a
character’s sexual orientation or bear witness to an act of love within a
family, they record what needs to be recorded and out what needs to be
outed. In doing so they traverse geographic, cultural and language
boundaries, empowering and creating communities. One person’s small act
of writing their truths can open doors to conversation and new
understanding.<br />
<br />
Debie, my dodo, ended up having many adventures after I turned my
first book into a series. I was lucky enough to know the power of
creation at an early age. I hope others may also know this, and in so
doing, they will tell the stories that need to be told. Stories that
change things. Stories that eventually, change the world.Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-75593333319715447372013-05-02T23:02:00.002+12:002013-05-02T23:02:23.307+12:00Tuesday Poem: Kaweruawaves,<br />
the curl-embrace<br />
warm wet<br />
inside of a baby's mouth<br />
<br />waves. a food-laden table<br />
on the beach,<br />
gathering whanau<br />
like bees<br />
<br />
waves. the voices of the ancestors<br />
return<br />
again and again<br />
to speak to us<br />
<br />
waves. "we are here!" we say<br />
"we are here!"<br />
"we are here!" three times<br />
<br />
on the first day it rains<br />
on the second, it's sunny.<br />
<br />
the waves come to catch us<br />
play between our feet <br />
laughingPiokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-67197996122359329622013-03-26T23:56:00.000+13:002013-03-27T01:05:56.842+13:00Tuesday Poem: How to peel a banana<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>How to peel a banana</b></span></h2>
<br />
Separating it from its bunch<br />
sometimes cracks it open,<br />
soft skin splitting to expose<br />
pale, fragile innards.<br />
But if it doesn't<br />
hold firmly in your right hand.<br />
With your left, pull across<br />
and down, repeating<br />
until each tender flap<br />
surrenders to your fingers<br />
Only then<br />
hold the flesh<br />
gently<br />
to your lips.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
How to peel a baby banana</h2>
<br />
Today I found them<br />
at the market, a dollar a bunch.<br />
They are small and plump,<br />
promising sweetness<br />
fat and sturdy.<br />
<br />
You have never seen <br />
such a fruit before.<br />
You watch as I peel<br />
the tender, fragrant skin.<br />
You hold out your hand,<br />
open and close experimentally<br />
pluck at the lustrous whiteness <br />
tongue between lips.<br />
Finally, you take a bite. Squish and swallow.<br />
Take the whole thing<br />
and cram it into your mouth.<br />
<br />
<br />
I have to thank Jo Emeney for running this exercise at the writing workshop we taught on Monday, "write a poem about a fruit starting 'how to'..." It's broken a longish 'dry' spell I've had as a poet - I told myself it was because I was a mum and never had the time, but the real reason was that I never quite managed to find the time. There's a subtle difference there. As I tell my students, you can always find time for the important things, and with poetry, the wonderful thing is that it often forgives or even rewards having only a very short time to write. So it was with this pair of poems - they appear here pretty much as I wrote them longhand into my exercise book. Those who know me will know what 'banana' codes for.Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-61806582895784553002013-02-13T15:02:00.003+13:002013-02-13T15:02:54.101+13:00On being a writer from another culture - articleJust a quick one from me as baby sleeps - have just read <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/karen-lord/writer-from-an-other-cult_b_2671832.html" target="_blank">this article</a> by Karen Lord on the Huffington Post. I love how it 'illuminates' culture, and writing as a person from a culture (as we all are), but equating it to light - "Culture resembles light. It is only invisible in a vacuum (the deep
darkness of space), and it reveals itself by illuminating whatever it
touches (the brightness of dust motes in a ray of sunlight)." It goes on to point out that stereotypes, while comforting, familiar and easy to lapse into (oh how I know that!), shortchanges by not revealing anything new. And I love how it concludes by asking us as writers to choose between "a closed and clearly-labelled box or an open window" as a way of approaching our writing.Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-43920688838836644492012-12-26T00:35:00.000+13:002012-12-26T00:35:04.513+13:00Pros and Cons of Xmas.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJpLnavIDMZBqqmzXuBwqOXXlzg3F3gs0Nf_EKW2CGupiJl5KmSU2CMGjUo-Rf-AHUkVf9cq456Ogb9n-H2h2SMdzb7ZpqmFQlzpvavErzzeit8RsEJyxKdQY_x6G6M4nAwaC-4s-Jlg/s1600/sofiaxmas2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJpLnavIDMZBqqmzXuBwqOXXlzg3F3gs0Nf_EKW2CGupiJl5KmSU2CMGjUo-Rf-AHUkVf9cq456Ogb9n-H2h2SMdzb7ZpqmFQlzpvavErzzeit8RsEJyxKdQY_x6G6M4nAwaC-4s-Jlg/s320/sofiaxmas2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As I write this, the household is slumbering. Sofia in her big girl's cot (she's 5 months; we moved her out of her bassinet a fortnight ago) and Mark, the tired dad, in our bed where I will join him 'soon' - after I have snatched my internet time, which I get these days in the manner of a drowning person thrusting their heads briefly above the surface. Not to suggest I am drowning or that parenthood is in any way like drowning.... but the hours do seem to drain away as if I'm living in a strange sort of invisible whirlpool.<br />
<br />
Perhaps other parents will recognise this feeling? I really do not know where all the time goes these days. Every day I get up, do some breastfeeds, nappy changes, grab some food for myself and maybe a shower, gurgle at the baby to make her laugh.... and then it's already 5 pm and I haven't made that phone call I was going to make, or gone to the bank or whatever. Weird. It's like I'm the Time Lord but in reverse or something.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I was going to explain why I don't like Xmas, but found my arguments unravelling in the process of construction. <br />
Here is a list of the things I like:<br />
The special food and that stretched-belly feeling after too much turkey and chocolate.<br />
Designing handmade cards (see above for this year's effort).<br />
Singing old fashioned Xmas carols.<br />
Smelling Xmas trees, even though I'd never buy a dying pine for my own lounge. <br />
Getting excited about Xmas.<br />
Watching others get excited about Xmas.<br />
Xmas mass (occasionally).<br />
Seeing family.<br />
<br />
Here is a list of the things I don't like:<br />
Xmas carols on repeat in malls.<br />
Drunk or recently drunk Australians wearing ties with "Kiss me, I'm Santa" and/or flashing Xmas tree earrings. Especially when they are hospital staff <i>at work.</i><br />
Electronic life-size singing Santas with zombie bobbing heads (I once saw one in a children's ward without a head).<br />
All those presents you 'must give' or 'must receive'.<br />
Advertising that tries to play on people's guilt (what your kid will miss out on if you don't buy him/her X).<br />
Seeing family. <br />
<br />
I was assuming my list of 'don't likes' would be longer, but they pretty much balance each other out. I have a confession to make: for many years I used to deliberately volunteer to work over Xmas, mostly because then I'd miss out on all the present-giving (but be able to catch up on the gluttony with the leftovers the next day.) Unfortunately my in-laws are one of those families who do focus on the presents and the unwrapping, so that's what I've endured today, along with the gluttony and the lying around telling family stories, which I rather enjoy.<br />
<br />
At least they don't make the poor kids do 'items' for an Xmas concert as my Hong Kong family used to do - being made to perform in front of grown ups loses its coolness after about the age of 2, but somehow the adults don't seem to realise this. ("Oh go on sing that cute song/do that little item/play the piano," they coo, then talk all the way through your blushing and self conscious performance. Oh, the scars.)<br />
<br />
Anyway, now with a baby, Xmas takes on a new meaning. She's of an age where she doesn't, thankfully, understand that most confusing of constructions, Santa, or care about presents. She likes to look at the summer flowers in rain. She's fascinated by the flashing lights on the Xmas tree, and the bright baubles she reaches her hand out for. The best part of a present is the wrapping paper. There's new food to taste and textures to feel, everyone around her is just a bit more manic, and she doesn't mind wearing a silly hat so long as she occasionally gets to close her eyes and get away from it all. It's not so much wonder as a building of yet more experience. And so, through her, I get to experience Xmas a different way. I think this way is OK.<br />
<br />Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-63613767538179571062012-09-11T22:42:00.001+12:002012-09-11T22:42:39.012+12:00New Kiwi Women Write Their StoriesEarlier this year I was invited by Auckland City Council to run a <a href="http://newkiwiwomenstories.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">writing workshop series</a> for migrant women. We ran four workshops (Introduction; Poetry; Prose; Performance and Editing) after which we put together a small book of the group's writing and then launched it at an afternoon tea in front of family and friends. It was a marvellous experience and I'm hoping the group will continue on as a writing group, as many of the writers were talented and need to be heard.<br />
<br />
This afternoon the workshop series was featured on<a href="http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/asianreport" target="_blank"> Radio NZ</a>:<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="62px" src="http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/remote-player?id=2531642" width="100%"></iframe><br />Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-60400574581249593212012-09-06T16:33:00.000+12:002012-09-09T19:25:18.496+12:00Grandma's interview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcut5Ql1KROdAQ4ViWOt2zIFhsckp_e5WtcHIzuBX_0Uyt0uRmf96DC__IuhyphenhyphenKUXspCSfi9TiYWcL29z8FQAeZXs6CwupLHSCOSZXMCvDY2fKmCsWF5QIxM40rF0WD9iXe-U-5ElwchGU/s1600/liang+family+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcut5Ql1KROdAQ4ViWOt2zIFhsckp_e5WtcHIzuBX_0Uyt0uRmf96DC__IuhyphenhyphenKUXspCSfi9TiYWcL29z8FQAeZXs6CwupLHSCOSZXMCvDY2fKmCsWF5QIxM40rF0WD9iXe-U-5ElwchGU/s320/liang+family+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F59096096&show_artwork=true" width="100%"></iframe>
My grandmother, Grace Liang, is turning 100 in a few weeks. She barely talks these days: she has advanced senile dementia. But sometimes the sight of a baby or a familiar voice will bring her back from the faraway lands briefly.<br />
<br />
She has had an amazing life. Born into a privileged family in China, she was sent to school, although the servants only carried her brother to school and she and her sister had to walk. Later Grace studied to be a nurse. This period of her life (1930s - she was in her 20s) intersected with the Japanese invasion of China. So, in between her peripatetic studies, my grandmother worked with the student resistance movement, traveling by herself or with friends around China. Through all this she got to know my grandfather, a young academic. As she matter-of-factly explains in the interview, eventually it just made sense to get married. Love matches were starting to be accepted among the educated elite then.<br />
<br />
I made a cassette recording of my grandmother in 1993. I was twenty and was just starting to realise the importance of knowing my own family history. I also had a very basic tape recorder. I summoned Grace's four kids - my dad Allen, Aunties Isabella and Evelyna, and Uncle Eddie - and we all crowded into her tiny flat in Hong Kong, along with various grandkids and in-laws. Although I was the 'interviewer', my poor Cantonese meant my aunties, uncles and dad asked most of the questions - not that you could have stopped them.<br />
<br />
The cassettes were banked in the bottom drawer of my desk. I thought about transcribing them from time to time but of course, life just rushed on and they stayed there in the dark for nearly twenty years. Something must have been niggling at me, because for a new theatre project, I've decided to work with oral histories. Recently I got my sister to transfer them into digital format (thank goodness the quality is still OK) and started listening and translating - perhaps my Cantonese has improved slightly, because I managed this reasonably OK.<br />
<br />
This is an extract where Grace talks about how she met my grandfather. (Corrections welcomed from people more fluent in Cantonese than I!)
<br />
<br />
INTERVIEW WITH GRACE LIANG<br />
<br />
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Recorded in 1993 when Grace Liang (G)was aged 81. Present
are her children, Allen (A), Evelyna (E), Eddie (Ed) and Allen’s wife Christina
(C) and her younger sister Harriet (H) as well as the interviewer, her
granddaughter Renee Liang (R). Evelyna is asking a lot of the questions as
Renee is not fluent in Cantonese.</div>
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This is a transcript/translation of a 21 minute extract
which tells how Grace met her husband during the Japanese occupation of China
in the 1930s.</div>
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***</div>
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E: Tell us again how you came to know Dad.</div>
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G: Well, all his brothers and sisters were at Yaochai (a
high school in Hong Kong). </div>
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E: What brothers and sisters?</div>
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G: His brothers and sisters. You know, (names them). </div>
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E: So how did you meet him? In Kwunming (city) or Guangzhou
(city)?</div>
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G: Guangzhou. I was classmates with his siblings. And
eventually I met him and his 4th brother. And then we ended up in Nanking
(city). I’d passed the high school examinations, so my friend and I, the two of
us, we traveled to Nanking. And on the way we passed Santou. So we stopped
there to visit him. </div>
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E: What? You’re telling me Santou’s on the way to Nanking?
It’s such a detour! To get to Nanking you just travel directly north right?</div>
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G: Well, we didn’t go there direct. We went to Hawnam (city)
and then ended up there…from Hong Kong to Hawnam. Then Hawnam to Kwunming.</div>
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A/E: But how could you pass Santou then?</div>
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G: Well, the Japanese were coming to Hong Kong… well, I’d
known your Dad for many years. So when we became refugees… we weren’t refugees
at first, we were just avoiding the Japanese by moving to China for work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So my friends and I (names them), there
were four of us, we took a boat to Hawnam.</div>
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E: And then on to Santou. And from Santou to Shanghai, and
from Shanghai to Nanking?</div>
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G: No….</div>
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E: Then what?</div>
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G: We just took a boat.</div>
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E: (laughs). To visit Santou!</div>
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G: Well we were on our way to Kwunming… fleeing the trouble.
So the four of us – I’d had to leave (my job at) Sa Ming hospital in Hong Kong
– we went to Kwunming.</div>
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E: Kwunming. Not Santou.</div>
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G: No, not Santou. Santou…. (laughs). Well I’d passed the
exams, the second round, and my friend has passed in the first round. So I
wanted to go study in Nanking but your grandma wouldn’t let me. There was no
chaperone you see. So I waited until the third round and my cousin passed, so I
said now tmy cousin can come with me. So we went to Nanking via Shanghai, and
on the way we passed Santou, so we stopped to stay with a family friend. But we
didn’t see your Dad… only his brother was there. But seeing he was there we
decided to stay for a night. We stayed there eating lychees. And several of our
other friends were there, so we had a good party. And then we went to Nanking
to study nursing.</div>
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After we finished our nursing studies, we had to run from the
Japanese. It was before we’d finished our final exams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’d already scored highly enough
for further studies in Beijing. If you scored over 98 marks you could go. And I
achieved this, but hadn’t done everything to graduate. And then the Japanese came
and there was a great hurry to leave.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We immediately boarded a boat to Shanghai, then from
Shanghai… we returned to Hong Kong. And then I took a job back at my old
hospital, Sa Ming. And my friend, she stayed in Shanghai… she completed the
nursing diploma. And then she went…. I don’t know where she ended up. I never
finished the diploma. I came home. But on the boat home I got to know several
airline pilots. And we had a good time together. And when we finished
partying…back then it was really complicated.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We were still fleeing from the Japanese. And when our boat
got to Shanghai there was a big rush to get on the ferry (to Hong Kong). So
many people, we all crowded onto deck, people were sleeping in a big pile of
bodies, all the students and so on. And so we all got to know one another, and
when we got to Hong Kong, we partied together. Some had returned from America,
they were the airline pilots.</div>
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E: So who did you like?</div>
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G: I didn’t like anyone. We just partied together.</div>
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(laughter)</div>
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G: It was just our group… and there was (name), he was a
doctor, and others… I’d started work at Sa Ming…</div>
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E: And you worked there for, was it three years?</div>
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G: Sa Ming? Two years. And by then the Japanese were already
approaching Guangzhou, so Sa Ming started to look after Allied soldiers.
American soldiers, they always brought us good things to eat. Every Saturday
they invited us out to eat with them. Myself and another Chinese nurse. And
another nurse from Queen Mary (hospital). There were three Chinese, the rest of
the staff were Westerners, our hospital was for expats. The whole hospital – 12
patients. It was a posh hospital, fees were very expensive there.</div>
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E: So how did you end up in Kwunming?</div>
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G: Well after Guangzhou was occupied by the Japanese, things
got increasingly tense. The Japanese started demanding more and more territory…
so we decided to leave for Kwunming. We went via Hawnam.. from Hawnam to
Kwunming. </div>
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E: You took the train?</div>
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G: No, a boat. </div>
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E: So you got off at Hoisuk and transferred to go to Yutlam.</div>
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G: Yes, via Yutlan to Kwunming. And at Kwunming there was a
doctor…a classmate’s friend, he knew me also, we’d studied together. He was
from Kwunming. He was a consultant at the local hospital… so he gave me a job
there, I taught the students. And another friend went to another city to work,
and my girlfriend was preparing for her wedding. So she traveled to Namking,
and our friends were there working too. And back then your Dad was in Sainam
lecturing (at university). And his sisters were nearby. One of them came to
stay with me – I had a spare room. So every Saturday, we went out as a group.
And that’s how I got to know him.</div>
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E: (quotes a line of classical poetry).</div>
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G: What?</div>
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A: She doesn’t know what you’re talking about!</div>
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E: You know…(requites the line). The boys were always buying
you things? Good things to eat?</div>
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G: (laughs) Well, they knew I liked eating a certain
delicacy, so they always bought it for me…</div>
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A: The Wongs and the Liangs, they liked to hang out
together.. they already liked one another…</div>
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G: (laughs) .. so we got to know one another. Every Saturday
we went out. A group of four… three girls..,</div>
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E: .. and one guy.</div>
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G: There was another guy too who sometimes came. He was a
driver, he had his own van. And so we had transport, every Saturday. The driver
had a lot of money, freighting all kinds of stuff… he was always shouting us
dinner. </div>
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A: And back then Dad was pretty charismatic?</div>
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G: Oh yes, very charismatic. He never stopped. All day he’d
be singing songs, planning this, doing that…</div>
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E: Singing songs! Allen…</div>
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A: What?</div>
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G: So we got to know each other. And eventually his sister
went off to get married, then there were only the three of us left… so we
decided eventually, let’s get married.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our friend was keen to leave, he pushed us to leave with him. So then we
went… where did we go then?</div>
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E: Did you ask for permission from Grandma?</div>
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G: Yes, we posted some photos back. And your Grandma got a
fright (because Grandpa was bald). She said I was marrying an old man!</div>
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(laughter).</div>
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E: So you just sent a photo and that was it?</div>
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G: Well we were far away, and I was a big girl by then… so
we got married where we were. We hired a church and invited our Chinese
friends. Your dad had lots of friends in Kunming. Several doctors, one of the
seniors stepped in for my father and gave me away. He took the role of the
official matchmaker. Back then you had to go through all that hassle. And your
father asked all his friends to help. Back then my mother had a friend who was
traveling nearby, she was also getting married. She had a special wedding
outfit which she lent to me. Back then it was extremely classy, very
sophisticated, these days it’s not much.</div>
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E: It’s beautiful even now. I’ve seen the photos. But one
question… did you have any other reason for staying in Kwunming at that time?
Other than as a safe place from the Japanese?</div>
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G: No, just the Japanese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back then they hadn’t yet reached that city, the city was
full of students who went door to door stirrung up resistance, giving speeches
– we were courageous and brash, I don’t remember what we said –</div>
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A: The resistance grew from Guangdong.</div>
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G: Back then there were already informers. But we had enough
courage –</div>
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A: (explaining, partially in English) To give a speech.
Stirring up the public. Against the Japanese. If you were a student, that’s
what you did.</div>
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R: Wow.</div>
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G: I even had enough courage to become a representative. We
went to the churches, the small churches, gave speeches.</div>
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E: And when did you cut off your braids? Did you have to ask
permission?</div>
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G: My father loved those braids. He wanted to see me, to
touch those braids again…Your Aunty Harriet was denied permission when she
asked. He said she was too vain –</div>
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H: - so I rang up Senior Uncle instead.</div>
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E: You had phones in those days?</div>
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C: Back in those days, if you wanted to grow your hair long
or get it cut, you had to ask permission from your parents. </div>
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E: So was Aunty the first person to cut her hair into bangs?</div>
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G: No, we were first. </div>
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C: Could you have it permed at that time? Or was it
straight?</div>
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G: No, we had no perms then. Aunt Harriet was the first to
perm her hair. It was to goad her dad – she was very vain.</div>
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(Laughter).</div>
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G: I was obedient. I didn’t perm my hair at first…
eventually I did. But I didn’t realise how curly it would be. I came home from
the hairdresser, and spent all night soaking my hair in hot water, trying to
straighten it again. I wanted to wash it straight.</div>
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(Laughter).</div>
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C: Back then perming was by using electric current, right?</div>
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G: Yes. </div>
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E: So by then Dad had visited Guangzhou?</div>
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G: Yes, he visited a friend of ours.</div>
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E: But he hadn’t met Grandma.</div>
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<br /></div>
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(a phone call interrupts).</div>
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E: So what did you like about Dad?</div>
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G: Like? Well, what did you like about Fred (your husband?)</div>
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E: I liked him because he was crazy enough.</div>
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(laughter)</div>
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G: Well, I liked your Dad because I got to know him…. he was
part of our crowd. There wasn’t any ‘like’ about it.</div>
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A: But why did you like him over other men?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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E: What about the rich driver? How come you didn’t marry
him?</div>
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G: Well at the time he had lots of cash, he was always
shouting us to meals…but he was a driver.</div>
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E: Why did you like Dad and not him?</div>
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H: Why would you marry a driver? You have to choose someone
with class.</div>
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A: But he was cashed-up.</div>
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G: Cashed-up, so what? He wasn’t the same class… it’s hard
to explain. Back then you wouldn’t –</div>
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H: He was a driver!</div>
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E: But what good qualities did dad have? he was bald, an
academic, with a bad temper –</div>
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<br /></div>
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G: He didn’t have a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>bad temper in those days. Not to me. Back then he paid me a lot of
attention – he used to take me out to dinner, out on dates, every time he had a
break he would come. He came to see his little sisters… but then we’d all go
out together.</div>
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E: Did he hold hands?</div>
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G: No, we didn’t.</div>
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E: So how did he propose? How did you date?</div>
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G: We just went out walking.</div>
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H: We weren’t allowed to stay out late then. We all went out
together.</div>
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C: Not even if you were dating?</div>
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H: You had to come home early. It wasn’t like now, morning
and night -</div>
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G: - and there weren’t that many places to go -</div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-5372274890072834842012-08-11T23:24:00.002+12:002012-08-11T23:24:57.120+12:00from conception to birth - amazing!<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fKyljukBE70" width="560"></iframe><br />Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-85882136526560805642012-07-24T00:31:00.000+12:002012-07-24T00:36:22.496+12:00Magic boobiesFor the first time in my life, I have breasts worthy of the title 'hooters'.<br />
<br />
They are multifunctional pieces of magic. Let me elaborate on their many miraculous uses:<br />
<br />
1. As infant feeders.<br />
<br />
I guess this is pretty obvious seeing as I've just had a baby. Breasts are not without their design flaws. Nipples seem to be unnecessarily delicate, for example. Who needs nerve endings anyway? (Sex? what sex?) But really, the positive feedback mechanism - the more they are emptied the more they full up - is nothing short of magical. They belong in fairytales.<br />
<br />
2. As alarm clocks.<br />
<br />
I always wondered how cows know when it's time to head to the milking shed. Now I know. My boobies swelled up on day 3, a phenomenon known as 'engorgement' (it should have a less ugly name than that). Boobies can learn apparently, and they have learnt my baby's feeding cycle. Now, should she fail to wake less than 3 hourly, my breasts wake me anyway by blowing themselves up like balloons and threatening to burst. Clever boobies.<br />
<br />
3. As food catchers.<br />
<br />
I know this may not seem like an advantage to you, but I've always wondered what it would be like to have cleavage that attracts food. It's a novel experience dropping a crumb and watching it gently slide between two twin boulders. By the way, it's a little known scientific fact that being more unco is a side effect of breastfeeding. This is not the only use of enhanced cleavage, by the way - they also function as a receptacle for (tiny) roving hands.<br />
<br />
4. As cushions. <br />
<br />
Depending on posture, time after feed and swelling, this is either a good idea or bad idea. Why are cushions needed? They can act as baby headrest. Or as extra bolstering for when I suddenly pass out.<br />
<br />
5. As decorative accessories.<br />
<br />
I've never looked so shapely in a nightie before. The top half, anyway. Unfortunately the involuting pokey-out belly spoils the effect somewhat. As do the engorged veins on my decotellage (as my husband charmingly points out - see Sex? Who needs sex? note above.)<br />
<br />Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-719384180624996372012-07-20T21:55:00.000+12:002012-07-21T10:36:21.227+12:00Little fish has arrived!(warning - slightly gory birth story follows.)<br />
<br />
On Saturday night our daughter, Sofia Grace Glucina, was born. She needed a bit of a push to arrive - after trying the usual spicy foods and hot baths with no result, I was induced at term because I was an older mum. We'd been told the process was usually slow and I wasn't looking forward to a long day or two - but at least we'd been to the DVD shop and taken out 8 DVDs of the 'romance' and 'general nostalgia' variety (Mark assuring me that this was the one time he'd agree to watch "The Notebook" with me. )<br />
<br />
We managed one DVD before my contractions started getting really strong - so they had a look, decided to break my waters and sent me off to delivery suite. At this stage I was only 2 cm dilated and at the average rate of progress for first time mums, had about 8 hours to go. The anaesthetist was called to do an epidural - I've witnessed hundreds of births in my job as paediatrician and believe me, you can tell who's had an epidural and who hasn't.<br />
<br />
But while waiting for him to come my contractions got even more intense. 35 minutes down the track I suddenly felt a tremendous urge and shouted out, "I want to do a poo!" (It wasn't my most poetic moment.) But it had the desired effect - the midwife dropped everything and couldn't get my legs open fast enough for a check - sure enough, I was fully dilated and the obstetrician was soon on her way. It was too late to have an epidural - so for me, whose birth plan was to be completely medicalised, avoid pain and have drugs all the way, it was 'natural childbirth' time. Ouchies.<br />
<br />
"You're going to have your baby really soon now," the midwife said. I nodded, but even though I pushed when they said, deep down I still didn't believe that someone wouldn't magically intervene and get the baby out for me. It wasn't until they put the mirror between my legs and I could see the hair on her head appearing as I pushed that I realised that yep, this time there was no shirking - the only person who could push her out was me (well, with quite a lot of encouragement and an episiotomy, it turned out - though by that stage I really didn't care.) And if you're wondering if I pushed like the serene ladies with an epidural, the answer is no - I believe I shouted the place down and made my poor obstetrician deaf in one ear, while Mark (my wingman) soldiered on beside me with the water and the facecloth and the cold water spray. It was weird though. The pushing part didn't hurt, strangely - it was just damn hard work that only I could do.<br />
<br />
But less than 12 hours after we'd checked into hospital, I was holding my newborn in my arms. I think my first emotion was disbelief. Even now I'm still getting used to the idea of having a baby, even though it's something I've hoped for and planned all my life. Now she's here, and the feeling is so different to how I'd imagined it. I thought there'd be ecstasy - but what I have with my daughter and my husband is so much better. It's the start of a lifetime relationship. We're a new three. We're a family.<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_GB&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F116272407209315130075%2Falbumid%2F5766825178127212033%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCIm0s4y2zOE7%26hl%3Den_GB" height="267" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed>Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-47588098787633979462012-07-09T20:00:00.004+12:002012-07-11T18:58:11.229+12:00The cheongsam story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDE03Gx1Udd_xR6EpXZmlEnWdzRe0bTKGkZl57BxbmZFq2RottYNWf8DBne4WNEMSTmlvXWTAlXmmh3vU6ZjLEs3BXW-CIq2ISIK1ZlqVBr6RjZE1svn9945Pvwdrd-mXgkfruMDrV2yY/s1600/IMG_0476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDE03Gx1Udd_xR6EpXZmlEnWdzRe0bTKGkZl57BxbmZFq2RottYNWf8DBne4WNEMSTmlvXWTAlXmmh3vU6ZjLEs3BXW-CIq2ISIK1ZlqVBr6RjZE1svn9945Pvwdrd-mXgkfruMDrV2yY/s320/IMG_0476.jpg" width="147" /></a></div>
I've been meaning to write this story for ages, but underestimated the procrastinating power of a brain steeped in maternal hormones (well that's my line and I'm sticking to it.)<br />
<br />
Way back in April, we went out to the <a href="http://www.thefrenchcafe.co.nz/" target="_blank">French Cafe</a> for Mark's birthday. I was only 6 months pregnant but was already sporting a respectable bump, one that wouldn't fit into most of the 'posh' clothes in my wardrobe. (The French Cafe is one of the most elegant restaurants in Auckland). Then I found my grandma's vintage cheongsam, which she made for herself out of cool retro fabric (well ok, it wasn't retro then - it was the height of fashion) and which has been hanging in my wardrobe waiting for the waist to be taken in. I zipped myself in and admired the view in my mirror - it fit my new curves with a surgical precision.<br />
<br />
I arrived at the restaurant feeling ultra chic and sat down at our intimate table opposite my husband, who had shaved for the occasion and therefore was looking particularly hot. We started conversing in the low tones one reserves for such rarefied environments. The waiter glided in with the first course of our degustation menu. It was then that I noticed that the side zip on my grandma's dress was sliding ever-so-subtly southwards. Luckily, the table to my right was unoccupied and the heater was on, meaning I could easily hide the slippage. I sat up straight and tugged the zip back up.<br />
<br />
This started a battle of wills. Each of the nine courses would arrive and be consumed with melting, admiring tenderness by myself and Mark. (Yes, the food is that good). The zip would sidle south trying not to be noticed; I would, similarly subtly, encourage it north. Unfortunately simple physics was against me. Baby+ food in stomach = bigger waistline, and by course number five the zip simply refused to budge from its position somewhere near my panty line. I grumpily put on my jacket for the remainder of the meal to avoid giving the waiter/other diners an undeserved eyeful. Not that the waiter would have given any sign that he was in the least bothered - it was the French Cafe after all.<br />
<br />
Moral of the story? Wear only stretchy things when pregnant. And don't be too vain.Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-63014744924375355382012-06-25T23:44:00.000+12:002012-06-25T23:46:28.961+12:00Tuesday Poem: After the showerI am a map<br />
<br />
a network <br />
of blue-green<br />
avenues<br />
<br />
revealed<br />
like invisible ink<br />
by heat<br />
<br />
tracing lines<br />
to destinations<br />
yet unknown<br />
<br />
landmarks<br />
that push<br />
rise/subside<br />
<br />
the small<br />
imprint<br />
of a foot<br />
<br />
I'm no<br />
good<br />
at reading<br />
<br />
maps <br />
<br />Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-48144759326352394022012-06-21T23:32:00.001+12:002012-06-21T23:32:16.201+12:00How to freak out a husbandA few days ago, Mark, having read the graphic book chapter I gave him on birthing, quietly went downstairs, got the roll of industrial-strength plastic that we used to waterproof our garage with, and covered our mattress in a double sheet of it. So now when I roll over in bed (every ten minutes) I make loud crinkly noises, in addition to the other noises which have been a feature of our bedroom for some time now (small grunts followed by satisfied exhalation as the bump overcomes momentum and settles into position as I try to change sides; surprised little 'ahs!' from me as the baby scrapes foot/hand/head along peritoneum; a shuffle-grunt-shuffle acompanying my Olympian efforts to get out of bed for yet another pee.)<br />
<br />
It seems Mark's taken seriously the threat of catastrophic flooding, should my waters break. Even though this is much rarer than what the movies/TV would have you believe. He's also learning interesting new vocabulary like 'show', 'epidural', 'episiotomy' and 'engagement' (note to other father to bes: when your wife says "I think she's engaged", saying "really? I didn't think she was old enough," is unlikely to be funny.) And over the past week, I've been getting more and more Braxton-Hicks 'practice' contractions.<br />
<br />
Anyway. Today while pottering around the house I felt a gush between my legs, went "Oooo" and looked down. The gush isn't that unusual (I can see all you ever-been-pregnant ladies reading this and nodding sagely). I did the usual thing - went to the loo to check the size and nature of this latest leakage. Looked up to see Mark frozen in the doorway.<br />
<br />
"What?"<br />
"Are you..OK?"<br />
"Yeah.... why wouldn't I be?"<br />
"Ok. Ok."<br />
<br />
My bags still aren't packed for the hospital. Maybe I should soon, if only to stave off Murphy's Law.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-88799401946803218772012-06-19T00:00:00.000+12:002012-06-19T12:17:36.026+12:00Tuesday Poem: First Ball<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">three tight coils of baby cheeked
freshness, bought for her by her mother. Primped, curled, sprayed with morning
dew by the florist and tied with a bow in complementary shades. pinned rose
petal against rose satin, ah the picture of innocent loveliness. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">going to the ball in the rain in the rain
in the rain</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">one face, an older man with red hair. two
songs by Bryan Adams. four beers, one of them spilt on her dress (but it was an
accident). hands on her waist sliding downwards and down. run to the toilet
petals still pert on her chest the morning dew long gone the innocence not long
after. it was a silly dream. he didn’t kiss her. he’s still dancing with his
mates. the petals silent now. the moistness dries.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">three tight coils dried upside down and
hanging her closet. coiled in embryonic waiting, they hang.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">**</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Apologies for my absence in verse. The act of swelling physically makes me swell with words and inspiration, too, but actually getting to the computer to start working on a new poem feels like far too ambitious a proposition in my brain-tired, third trimester state. Especially when there are other deadlines and projects jostling for the times when I don't feel like sleeping/watching zombie TV. But no more excuses!! Baby is imminent (I'm at 36 weeks and getting regular Braxton Hicks "practice" contractions, am convinced it's any day now - all the more so because I've also procrastinated on packing my hospital bag).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Anyway, this week I have posted a prose poem - semi true/semi fictional. As close to flash fiction as I have got so far. For more flash fiction, go to<a href="http://tuesdaypoem.blogspot.co.nz/" target="_blank"> Tuesday Poem</a>.</span></div>Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-62376776857247051782012-06-17T22:53:00.000+12:002012-06-21T22:41:37.848+12:00The Transit of Venus forum<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> It's been a fairly lazy weekend - visits from friends and family, a rehearsal at TAPAC for <a href="http://tapac.org.nz/2012/01/culture-clash/" target="_blank">Culture Clash</a>, lots of sleeping and procrastination. I'm relieved to be home in Auckland and "staying home" from now until the baby arrives (and I'm presuming that the often-mentioned new mother fatigue will keep me home for a while after!). I've been reading "new baby" books cover to cover, freaking out over detailed descriptions of labour pain, and collecting lots of compliments about The Belly (common comments:"You've still got that glow", "ooo, you're carrying quite low", "oo, you're big", and conversely, "you're quite compact.") For her part, Little Fish has been doing her bit by growing, so she's not really that little any more. She's also very, very wriggly and likes kicking Mark in the back when we're trying to sleep.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">It's been a very busy 6 weeks before this. I was more or less doing back to back locums and conferences which meant lots of uncomfortable plane and car trips. Luckily it's all over now, although I'm still having to do stuff in Auckland.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Last weekend Mark and I returned from a trip to Gisborne (a meandering 7 hours' drive southeast) for the <a href="http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/events/2012-transit-of-venus-forum-lifting-our-horizon/">Transit of Venus Forum</a>, a 4-day event which aimed to start conversations about how science could drive NZ forward. It was a lovely event - a mix of community engagement events and more traditional 'conference' style proceedings, all run with idea of getting maximal input from/between attendees, the local East Coast community (who hosted us in Tolaga Bay on the day of the actual Transit, then attended the forum itself), and people watching the live webcast. I guess it remains to be seen whether the lofty goal of not only having the conversations, but getting the NZ public/policymakers to listen, will actually happen. But it was such a positive thing to be involved in and I felt entirely comfortable and in my element. I really hope the conversations will continue!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Here's the video of our day in Tolaga Bay observing the Transit and then taking part in local celebrations (including a hangi, yum) : you'll notice a cameo from Little Fish towards the end!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AZ31OPmchSQ" width="560"></iframe></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I was lucky enough to be asked to be a speaker at the forum and my session, the final one of the forum, focussed on "The People". Our speeches were kept short and to the point so as to encourage discussion rather than didactic speechmaking. Much harder for people to fall asleep that way!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" /></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Here's the text of my talk: (7 minutes!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As you
can see, I have a little private science project on the go, and I hope the
results won’t be delivered before I get back to Auckland. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As a
mum-to-be, I have a lot of questions – what will my child be like? Will she
have her father’s nose? And the big question, what will she be able to
achieve? I can tell you that being
a paediatrician does not lessen all those hopes and fears – if anything, it
makes me a little more paranoid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So what
are the things that influence a child as it grows up? Each one of us is a complex tapestry - an interplay of
genetics, physical and social environments – but it’s possible to tease out the
common strands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">And
that’s my subtle segue into talking about how we can use science to understand
NZ’s greatest resource – ourselves, the people. I’m going to talk about
longitudinal studies. What is a longitudinal study?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I like to
use something called the onion model.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Here’s
the individual with his or her cocktail of genes, cocooned in their whanau and
immediate physical environment, interacting with their community, and then
influenced by the layers of the wider environment – cultural, social,
education, policy, environment and so on, at a national and then international
level. These influences change
over time as a baby grows into an adult (so now the onion looks more like a
wobbly leek), and you could use the same model to look at changes over
generations or even whole populations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">It’s this
change over time in a population that longitudinal studies are good at looking
at. It’s complex, it takes patience and it’s expensive, but gives us incredible
depth and the potential to search out those patterns which can then be applied
to answer questions like:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What are
the factors before birth that influence health in adulthood?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">How do we
make sure children achieve their full potential?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What
factors give families the resilience and the ability to cope with adversity?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">This is a
type of science NZ is already very good at. Data from the pioneering Otago and
Dunedin longitudinal studies, now nearly 40 years old, influences health and
policy around the world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Growing
Up in NZ, where I’ve been involved as a core researcher, is following
approximately 7000 NZ children and their families from before birth to when
they are adults – the kids are between two and three years old now, so we’ve
got a way to go. It has several very unique qualities. One is that we are one
of very few longitudinal studies in the world to study fathers as an essential
part of the family unit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Another
is that our families reflect the diversity of New Zealanders today –
socioeconomic, urban and rural dwellers, and most importantly, cultural. Our
cohort is broadly generalisable to the NZ population and proportionally
represents Maori, Pakeha, Pacific, Asian and other ethnic families. Excitingly,
and appropriately, there are many mixed-ethnicity kids. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">NZ is
unique in that it sits on a faultline where many traditions and cultures are
colliding and changing each other, but (if you’ll forgive the earthquake
analogy) we’re stable enough to study the aftershocks. Further, our research
team is diverse - coming from across many disciplines – health, social
sciences, education, culture and humanities, and includes different NZ
universities and centres of excellence, so we can use ideas and links from as
wide a base as possible.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Finally,
and most importantly, Growing Up in NZ operates under a kaitiaki principle – of
guardianship of the data we collect, for the benefit of all New Zealanders.
From the beginning, we’ve seen ourselves as being in collaboration with
families and communities, with a responsibility to report back to those groups,
as well as to the wider research community, and to government. A key aim for
Growing Up in NZ is for important findings to translate into real action. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Growing
Up in NZ is part of an international network of longitudinal studies and we’re
actively collaborating and exchanging skills (and, I can tell you that people
overseas are excited about our study.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">So how
can a study like this contribute to the conversation about making NZ a better
place for all? Well, we’re only just out of nappies, but already we have a few
things to say. The data generated
is enormous, and we’re still working our way through it, so I’ll just give you
a taster.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Firstly,
the study confirms that NZ society and family structure are changing very fast.
1 in 3 NZ children have at least one parent not born in NZ. The traditional
nuclear family model is less and less the case – nearly 24% of mothers live with
extended family, and as you might expect this varies depending on the cultural
environment. Most mums now work before and after their babies are born, and
only half the families own their own home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">But
despite their diversity, NZ parents share similar hopes and dreams for their
children. Most parents want their
children to grow up happy and healthy, to learn to value their own culture and
that of others, and be able to realise their own dreams as well as contribute
to their community. Many recognise
NZ as a good place to nurture all these things, and if they succeed, then NZ
will be well placed for the future.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">What
next? I’ve mentioned the value of
a scientifically robust study which recognizes complexity over time; of working
across disciplines, skillsets and borders, drawing knowledge links between
science, economy and humanities.
I’ve mentioned those words we’ve heard a lot this week, communication,
collaboration and community.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The final
word I want to mention is translation. Translation into policy, but also
importantly translation into general knowledge so that our greatest resource –
our people – you, me, my baby - can take the future into their own hands.</span></div>Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-6478266276374364342012-06-03T22:58:00.002+12:002012-06-03T22:58:53.521+12:00I was on TV today...I still get excited about being on TV or radio. Although nervous in case I don't come across how I meant to.... luckily the journalists who cover arts stories all seem to be lovely, and in most cases passionate about the arts themselves.<br />
<br />
So....I was on a new local show called <i>Neighbourhood</i>, where they showcase different suburbs by focussing on what various (ethnic) people are doing. I happened to be rehearsing my play The First Asian AB for its Hamilton season at the time they filmed this episode, so here are myself and friends Robbie Ellis, Sam Mence, Paul Fagamalo and Ben Teh. Love how my boobs look bigger due to pregnancy, but they frame the shot so the bump doesn't show.<br />
<br />
This link will only be up for a few weeks, and I think can only be viewed within NZ:<br />
http://tvnz.co.nz/neighbourhood/s1-ep6-video-4904092 (start at 9:33)Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8039612874763492670.post-30812376189912617162012-03-20T14:53:00.005+13:002012-03-25T16:40:14.062+13:00Tuesday Poem: Christina<b>Brain</b><br />
<br />
the eldest sister<br />
she raised<br />
her brothers<br />
showed her sister<br />
<br />
how to cook<br />
for others first<br />
but now she’s far<br />
from those crowded streets<br />
<br />
instead she’s on<br />
an unfamiliar island<br />
<br />
her wedding ring<br />
still shiny<br />
her husband<br />
holding her at night.<br />
<br />
<b><br />
Lung</b><br />
<br />
cartoon dogs<br />
on flannel sheets<br />
wag at the rain<br />
challenge grass clippings<br />
<br />
inside<br />
she vacuums<br />
broken porcelain<br />
from the new orange carpet<br />
<br />
finds a discarded bib<br />
in the corner<br />
<br />
listens <br />
for the first cry<br />
from the <br />
small bedroom.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Heart</b><br />
<br />
she measures<br />
the rice<br />
three cups<br />
for five mouths<br />
<br />
slices meat<br />
from chicken bones<br />
to stir-fry<br />
with choy sum<br />
<br />
lays chopsticks<br />
on white plates<br />
<br />
says not to worry<br />
she's last<br />
to sit down<br />
at table.<br />
<br />
<b><br />
Liver</b><br />
<br />
he works at the hospital<br />
until 10 pm<br />
wants dinner hot<br />
when he gets home<br />
<br />
they have two girls<br />
and one on the way<br />
he asks her to learn<br />
to drive<br />
<br />
her words boil<br />
like soup<br />
<br />
she swallows<br />
picks up<br />
the swat<br />
to kill flies instead.<br />
<b><br />
Spleen</b><br />
<br />
From the new house<br />
she can see the school<br />
she's learning the names<br />
of the friends' parents<br />
<br />
her children <br />
come home<br />
with words<br />
she’s never heard<br />
<br />
she wonders whether<br />
to ask them to explain<br />
<br />
pays for music lessons<br />
buys a cake to take <br />
to the school stall<br />
learns to make party jelly.<br />
<br />
<b><br />
Kidney</b><br />
<br />
today <br />
after thirty seven years<br />
the last daughter<br />
leaves the house<br />
<br />
three empty beds<br />
faded floral curtains<br />
a wardrobe still full <br />
of teenage dresses<br />
<br />
a car arrives<br />
small feet patter<br />
<br />
she runs past<br />
the new high chair<br />
opens the door<br />
to the sound of “Por-por”.<br />
<br />
<i>The latest in a series of sonnet sequences I am writing about people close to me, exploring cultural beliefs to do with organ systems. </i>Piokiwihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06093612075587719561noreply@blogger.com7