Tan+Chang in International Conference

I hardly have chance to rest during this semester break. One of the very important events is to co-present a conference paper with my wife Joon Ling. We had just attended the Malaysia International Conference on Foreign Languages (MICFL) on 1 & 2 December 2010 at Universiti Putra Malaysia.

The title of our paper was PENGARUH BAHASA DAN PENGGUNAAN MEDIA DALAM PEMBENTUKAN IDENTITI WIRA DALAM KALANGAN PELAJAR-PELAJAR CINA SEKOLAH MENENGAH KEBANGSAAN. We presented this paper in trilingual – The intro was in English, the content as in line with the title was in Bahasa Malaysia, and the Q&A was in Mandarin.

No matter how busy I am, I know I have record this historical event – The beginning of the togetherness of Tan Joon Ling and Chang Peng Kee in academic life…

Demise of a Great Politician

Y.A.Bhg. Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu passed away last night (24 November 2010). I had an opportunity to talk to him when I was conducting my BA (Hons) research entitled “Kesan Pergantungan Saluran Komunikasi Dalam Pembentukan Imej Calon Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang” in Dewan Seri Pinang 20 years back.

The late Tun Dr. Lim spoke to me twice on 11 October 1990, "Young man, it is not a right time for you to do a research here..." and "We have experienced all these... I think Kit Siang will endorse you..." (recorded in my unpublished thesis, Lampiran IX, hlm. 6).

Work and Relax

Joon Ling and I had earlier planned to work on her revised Maters proposal at UKM library this morning. We postponed to afternoon due to a visit by a big donor of SJK(C) Serdang Baru 2.

I accompanied Joon Ling to UKM library after lunch. We worked until the library closed at 5.00pm. Subsequently, we went to Putrajaya Boat Club (to be an affiliate of Putrajaya Lake Club). We enjoyed the panoramic lake view with boating activities and had our dinner.

What else should we say – after a hard work on Sunday we need to relax…

2nd Visit to Putrajaya Lake Club

November 4th was the big day of Zi Yi. After schooling in SJK(C) Serdang Baru 2 for six years, he officially graduated from the school and had to prepare for secondary education. We, the whole family comprising myself, Joon Ling, Yun Yao and Yun Xun showed our undivided support and attended the graduation since early morning.

After the graduation ceremony, we went to Puchong to have “Dim Sum” for our lunch. We enjoyed the authentic Cantonese food and Chinese tea so much. To me, nothing can be more important than this kind of family reunion.

The celebration did not end there. We insisted to have my mother-in-law to have dinner outside our home the following day. We had decided to make the 2nd Visit to Putrajaya Lake Club. Zi Yi went for swimming prior to the dinner. It was another round of our family reunion. We are looking forwards to have more like this…

Putrajaya Lake Club

Our family has been accepted as member of Putrajaya Lake Club recently. Due to busy work schedule, Joon Ling and I had no time to bring our kids to the club. I presented paper at SEBUMI last week. Subsequently, I was asked to edit 10 chapters for a book “Action Research.” I have the obligation to serve the NGOs as well in which I spent the whole Saturday in Chung Ling Alumni and this Sunday morning representing SJK(C) Serdang Baru 2 to receive RM50,000 contribution from Selangor State Government.

Well, I have find time for my family and we have decided to have dinner at Putrajaya Lake Club tonight. We hope to have a good dinner there…

UPM Convocation

I was busy attending the Induction Course from 21 to 28 September and sat for the exam on 30 September. Immediately after that, I went to KL to attend the 47th AGM of IPRM and was expectedly elected as the Council Member.

I rushed to complete a paper on Organisation-Public Relationship and Marketability the following week. Finally, the big day fell on 9 October 2010. Joon Ling, Yun Yao, Yun Xun, and Zi Yi were inside the hall to witness the moment I received the scroll from UPM Chancellor who is also His Royal Highness Sultan of Selangor.

I appreciate the presence of my mother-in-law, Joon Ling’s second sister and her family. Not forgetting, my former students (graduated from UKM two years ago), i.e. Ciek Lek, Yoke Sim, Shwu Fen, and Hooi Tian, coming all the way just to congratulate me. Thanks to my old friend Dr Mariah too.

My family and my in-law’s family attended the 48th Annual Dinner of Chung Ling Alumni the same night. My four former students mentioned above and two journalist friends who helped me in collecting data for PhD, i.e. Khee Chien and Yoke Lim, were invited to the dinner as a sign of appreciation.

While writing this blog on 10 October 2010, it reminds me my beloved mother… she passed away on 10 October 2006. Four years ago at this time, I was sending her back from Hospital Serdang to Kepala Batas…

A Happy Family

We were invited to Dr Fauziah’s “Open House” i.c.w. Hari Raya last Friday night. After my Induction Course on the same day, Joon Ling and I brought Yun Xun and Zi Yi to her house after Maghrib. Yun Yao was attending a Girl Guide camp in Petaling Jaya.

It was drizzling and hence the BBQ set had to place underneath the car porch. Despites that, Dr Fauziah’s 4th son Luqman was working very hard to prepare the BBQ chicken and sausage for us, including Dr Wan & daughter and Dr Normah & family. Dr Fauziah was busy entertaining us as well.

Her husband En Jaafar was a high-ranking government officer and is now a corporate man. He is a real gentle husband. We could feel the warmth of this happy family – not the BBQ fire but the tenderness of home. That makes the different between “house” and “home.” It is not the big house and big garden that count but the love in family bonding that keeps us delighted.

Dr Fauziah and her family have both - a good house and a warmth home.

An Unexpected Visit

I was rushing to complete my MICFL paper at home and suddenly my door bell rang. It was my former student Yoke Sim who came to visit my family. She brought along a box of moon cakes and presented to me. It is so touching to me and Joon Ling – not because of the gift but the heart counts… (I got to continue my MICFL paper now – to reduce from 11 pages to 8 pages)

A Trip to Ipoh

We have just returned home from a short trip to Ipoh. It was a great reunion for Joon Ling and her two elder sisters together with their mother on 10 & 11 September 2010. We, the whole family, departed from Putrajaya on the first day of Raya. Hence, we missed all Raya Open House functions this year. Our apology!

1st Day of Syawal 1431

Tomorrow is the first day of Syawal 1431. Wishing all Muslim friends: Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri!

Yun Xun and Zi Yi’s Birthday

I have been busy with extra lectures for masters students yesterday and today; and just returned home from the SPSS lessons…

I should think of my two children (the youngest family members) – how to celebrate their birthday tomorrow? Still thinking…

Language, Media, & Hero Identity

My wife Joon Ling has embarked on a study on Hero Worship. As her research project member, I have designed focus-group discussion as the approach for data collection.

This morning, seven girls and six boys from her school (SMK SI) came to my kindergarten to give their views on the ideal hero characteristics. It was an interesting session and we both really enjoyed communicating with these young people. From my bare observation (yet to critically analyse), language and media are determinants in human perception – more still in the framing process of hero construction…

We shall share the research outcomes with all on 1&2 December during the MICFL2010 in UPM…

Yun Yao's Blog

After returning home from Chung Ling Alumni Council Meeting few minutes ago, I noticed Yun Yao placed a new message on her Blog: http://yunyaochangmystory.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_15.html?spref=fb in which she responded to my massage...

I invited Joon Ling to read the message together. It was so touching until Joon Ling dropped her tear... This is a sign of parents' love - not only to Yun Yao but also Yun Xun and Zi Yi...

UKM’s 38th Convocation

I have just returned home from the 4th Session of UKM’s 38th Convocation. I witnessed 666 FSSK undergraduates receiving their scrolls from the Pro-Chancellor. The ceremony commenced at 2.00pm and ended at about 5.30pm.

I take this opportunity to wish them, especially my former Communication students, all the best in their future undertakings!

A True Friendship - Forever

Today is so special for 11 of us, i.e. Rizah, Mai, Hamidah, Niki, Acik, Fizah, Has, Faz, Kong Yew, KC and myself. After 19 years we were graduated from UKM, some of us met the first time after being separated for such a long time. Although I am very tired now, still can’t stop me to pen down our true friendship…

Semester 1 Session 2010/2011

The new semester shall commence tomorrow. All preparations for SKKP1043 Teori Komunikasi and SKKP2014 Kaedah Penyelidikan Komunikasi are done. A big relief!

I have also created a new blog http://comm-theory.blogspot.com specially for Communication Theory class. Comments from friends are welcome too!

Lectures commence 13 July for SKKP2014 and 16 July for SKKP1043.

Enhancing Father-Daughter Relationship

I have been talking and researching about the measurements of Organisation-Public Relationship. What about family as an organisation? Not all things can be quantify, neither can we qualify… This is especially true when we talk about love to our children…

Yun Yao came to me last Saturday night and requested to attend a friend’s farewell function at The Mines the following morning. She failed to obtain green lights from both Joon Ling and my mother-in-law before I returned home. After considering many aspects, I finally gave a “no go” and she cried for the disappointment of obtaining this de-facto vote which was not in her favour…

I had to console her until 2am+… (I am not going to elaborate the contents of our conversations for privacy reason) I realised the family relationship needed enhancement – not for quantitative nor qualitative purposes. We need enrichment as and when we need it. It goes by our feelings…

We drove for one hour plus to One Utama the following morning. We had decided beforehand to have our lunch at BBQ King, the place we last patronised 1½ year ago. The kids enjoyed the food so much… We talked and laughed… My happiness was not on the food but rather the enjoyments expressed… Again, how to measure for its quantity and quality? It is hard for me to answer… I just bother about enhancing parent-kid relationship…

(Note: I am planning to use this blog for teaching communication theories to postgraduate students. This incident may be good for me to share two famous human communication theories, i.e. social penetration theory and social exchange theory.)

Busy Days Ahead

After returning home from Singapore, I have been flooded with various kinds of workload… I foresee busy schedule awaits me.

I am asked to teach Research Methodology and Communication Theory concurrently – not an easy task. Classes will start from 12 July 2010…

Home Sweet Home

I reached home last night (flight delayed for one hour). Immediately coming back from Singapore I rushed to Chung Ling Alumni for the celebration of Dumpling Festival. Yun Yao and Yun Xun had gone for a camp organised by their school. We were late to the function but fortunately still had food for us – mother-in-law, Joon Ling, Zi Yi and I.

Normally Sundays are rest days for most people but I don’t have such luxury. I had to attend the Annual General Meeting of Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies this morning. After lunch, as Honourary Secretary I had to organise Council Meeting for Chung Ling Alumni.

After coming back from these two social activities, now is time to drop a few lines on this blog…

I wish to record my first day in Singapore. After I registered my attendance for ICA conference, I received a call from Tuan Syed (the way I use to address YBhg Prof Dato’ Sri Dr Syed Arabi Idid for more than 20 year). We met at Pan Pacific Hotel that next to Suntec just before he left for Bangi Airport. Besides working on the present research project in Public Relations, he expressed his intention to embark on another project that we had worked on before, i.e. to relook on a theory that we examined exactly 20 years ago.

Eager to know what this project is? We shall tell you in near future. I have the confidence it will materialise as Tuan Syed always proudly admits that I have never failed him…

Chatting Continues

10:45pmJason Zi Yi is online.
10:45pmJason Zi Yi
hai
hallo we are online
just back from carrefore
haha
haha
take care
10:46pmMe
Hello, You are now online...
10:47pmJason Zi Yi
yes la
10:47pmMe
I have just written something on my blog...
10:47pmJason Zi Yi
oo
i see
10:47pmMe
You want to check it up first?
10:47pmJason Zi Yi
ok
10:47pmMe
We can then chat again...
10:48pmJason Zi Yi
ok
10:50pmMe
Have you read my blog? How was it?
Do you agree that you can improve your English by chatting?
10:52pmMe
Your two sisters are not at home tonight. You have to look after the family...
10:53pmJason Zi Yi
have
yes
10:54pmMe
How do you find it?
10:54pmJason Zi Yi
what a big responsibility
10:54pmMe
Where is mummy?
This must be mummy's words...
I wish you could write as good as this...
10:56pmJason Zi Yi
dear, This was the first time I managed to read your whole blog. So touching & well managed, & meaningful...
10:57pmMe
So to keep it as writing diary...
10:58pmJason Zi Yi
Just had our dinner at Shushi King, redeemed the point & eat free!
10:59pmMe
Noted.
I had a western set dinner...
11:00pmJason Zi Yi
Looking forward to see you in a few hours later.
11:00pmMe
I chose beef and it was delicious...
Yeah, to be more exact about 19 hours...
11:00pmJason Zi Yi
yeah suang la
haha
i'm
jason
chang
zi
yi
11:01pmMe
THis must be Jason's words...
I didn't sleep well last night. Perhaps we should stop here...
11:02pmJason Zi Yi
Ok. Stop by now.
see you tomorrow, sweet dreams
11:03pmMe
OK. Bye...
11:03pmJason Zi Yi
bye
haha

Internet Chatting in Singapore

This is my fourth day in Singapore. Tomorrow will be the last day and I shall reach Putrajaya by 6.00pm. I can understand my three kids are missing me very much...

It was quite an interesting mediated communication via internet chatting with kids last night. The excitement came when Zi Yi was trying hard to utter his words in English. I find this way can help improve his language. Perhaps I should create more similar sessions in future.

Jason, as Zi Yi fondly calls himself, couldn’t stop chatting with until I forced him to terminate. He finally switched off the computer reluctantly. After coming back from the ICA’s Closing Dinner, I am expecting him to chat with me again now (note: at the time of writing this blog). However, I keep checking my Facebook Chat and look at his photo but it keeps appearing Jason Zi Yi Chang is offline...

Blogging in Singapore

I am attending International Communication Association's 60th Annual Conference in Singapore now. I reached here yesterday and had just presented my paper entitled "Contention between framing by news sources and framing by media" this morning at 8.30am at Suntec.

I was invited to attend a welcome reception jointly organised by Mass Comm Division and Journalism Division at Orgo at 6.00-8.00pm. However, I escaped and rushed back to Bayview Hotel to do the chating with Joon Ling, Yun Yao, Yun Xun, and Zi Yi. It was a good experience for kids to use English to communicate with me.

My original paper and powerpoint can be downloaded from my academia website http://ukm.academia.edu/ChangPengKee/

Father & Daughter

Yun Yao is 14+ now. She is no longer a baby as I used to hug her, kiss her and call her Jo Jo, etc. for many years back. I was invited to read her blog (http://yunyaochangmystory.blogspot.com/) after returning home from Father’s Day celebration last night. From her writings, I realise a gap is being created unintentionally. As a communication learner, I know father-daughter relationship has to be rebuilt…

Welcome back to my blog

I was alerted by my eldest daughter Yun Yao of this “untouched” blog last night. Hence, immediately after returning from the “Senamrobik” (morning exercise) organised by our Precinct 16 Superlink Residential Association (PPSLP16.blogspot.com), I quickly “activate” this blog and paste some old records on it…


Busy Life (Recorded during the week of 24 – 28 February 2010)

It was expected to be very busy after the Chinese New Year holidays are over. However, I didn’t expect to be that busy. (Note: I started my PR lecture on 22 Feb at 8am)

No matter how busy I am, I thought I should record some significant events of the week:

24 Feb: Attended the Chinese New Year gathering hosted by Dato’ Low Keng Kok (the President of Chung Ling Alumni – Central Region) in PJ.

25 Feb: Attended the Chinese New Year gathering and talks on dialects by Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies in KL.

26 Feb: I was very happy to have received the presence of my former Magnum colleagues to my home. Without fail, Ms. Huang and husband, Hui Ling and family, and Andrew and wife come to visit us yearly… Khor was absent this year. At night, my family attended another Chinese New Year gathering at Chung Ling Alumni – Central Region. Joon Ling was very happy as I participated in the contest with kids. More to that, we even won the first prize with the prize money RM150.

27 Feb: Attended Ng Yew Loon’s wedding dinner. Yew Loon is the Deputy Treasurer of Chung Ling Alumni.

28 Feb: Participated in the Family Day of Persatuan Penduduk-Penduduk Super Link Presint 16 Putrajaya with Joon Ling and kids.

(Can’t really remember all significant events till today, 20 June 2010)

Back to Work

Yesterday was the first day we resumed work. I had my PR lecture from 8am to 10am. The air-conditioner was not functioning. A student made a remark in his Facebook that it was like a sauna for all of us during the lecture. I had to give them a break in between – to take fresh air outside the classroom.

I continued work in my room until 8pm and was caught by surprised. Zi Yi called my handphone and informed that my former students came to visit us. Shwu Fen, Yoke Sim and her boy friend are now working in KL. I showed them the acknowledgment in my thesis, "Not forgetting my three coders, Ms. Leong Shwu Fen, Ms. Lim Yoke Sim, and Ms. Luay Ciek Lek. I appreciate their hard work for collecting the data for days and nights uncomplainingly." I was told that Ciek Lek is currently in her home state – Johore.

New Year Mood Continues

Today is Joon Ling’s turn. There are 19 former students of hers come to our home (Note: They are still here while writing this Blog). Some of them have been visiting us for many years. They like to have BBQ at night as we have ample space at our garden. However, they can’t organize the usual BBQ due to some personal reasons. Some will have to go home for prayer to the God of Heaven. It is the Hockien customs to pray on the ninth day of New Year.

Meanwhile, Joon Ling and I will have to get ourselves prepared for lectures/classes tomorrow morning.

"Yu Sang" In Advance

Today is the seventh day of Lunar Year of Tiger. Happy birthday to everybody!

According to the Cantonese tradition, the seventh day of the New Year is the birthday of all humankind. The specialty for today is to have “Yu Sang” – “yu” means fish and “sang” means life or raw. In my childhood time, my mother used to prepare slices of raw fish on the day. My brothers and I would eat them with boiled porridge. It is a kind of delicious New Year food that I can’t forget.

Due to commercialization, the businessmen take the good meaning of “Yu Sang” and develop a kind of business product which is totally different from my childhood’s “Yu Sang.” It is sellable in almost all Chinese restaurants and the packed “Yu Sang” is available in supermarkets now.

In receiving the visit of my Deputy Dean Prof. Dr. Latiffah, we had the commercialized “Yu Sang” yesterday. We enjoyed the good meaning of “Lou Yu Sang” – getting prosperous!

We wish everyone a healthy and prosperous year!

P/S

I wish to make public one of Dr. Lat’s SMS, “My dear Dr. Chang or my otherwise good fellow Peng Kee. Thank you so much for your warmth and hospitality. I am so touched by your sincerity, openness and generosity. Truly appreciate the orchids, kuih bakul and oranges. You seem to have a lovely home for yourself and family… I am proud to have you as my colleague. Small advice from me. No matter how busy you are with work don’t forget to nurture your plants for they nourish our soul. Regards to your gracious wife. Thank you again and have a good weekend.”

My family enjoyed the delicious cheese cake from Dr. Lat this morning. Prior to that, it was Dr. Dah’s chocolate cake that added sweetness to our Chinese New Year celebration.

Chinese New Year Mood

Today is the fifth day of Lunar Year of Tiger. I have taken the opportunity to update my academic webpage (http://ukm.academia.edu/ChangPengKee) for the past few days. Meanwhile, we are very happy to receive the visits from our relatives and friends at our Putrajaya home.

Joon Ling’s eldest sister and her family came on the second day and stayed here for two nights. Subsequently, her second eldest sister came on the third day. It was a great reunion among three sisters with my mother-in-law.

Our neighbors and UKM colleagues came to our “open house” too. The records (in brief): Prof. Dr. Faridah and family, Dr. Normah and family, the HM of our kids' school Mr Chong and family, Mr Sit and family, Ms. Penny Seh and family, Capt. Surjo and family, Prof. Dr. Asiah, Dr. Wan Amizah, Yan, Tini, Azrina, Dafrizal, Melly, etc… We look forward to have more visits from friends this weekend, such as my former colleagues from Magnum Corp, Joon Ling’s ex-students, and perhaps my students too.

The mood may last until the fifteenth day… Understand that more UKM colleagues will come tomorrow...

Happy Belated Valentine’s Day

Yesterday was the first day of Chinese New Year as well as the Valentine’s Day. Many Chinese couples were in the dilemma of celebrating this East-meet-West occasion. Joon Ling and I had no such problem. We enjoyed our New Year celebration with kids and mother-in-law in day time and then had our candle-light dinner at night.

It was the eighth consecutive year we celebrated our Valentine’s Day at the Royal Selangor Club. We look forwards to have more in future…

Happy Chinese New Year

My family members and I have just had reunion dinner at our Putrajaya home. We have not been back to Penang for the Chinese New Year eve after my mother passed away in 2006. We really miss her...

2010 is a special year for me. It was a big relief as I finally managed to submit the final script of my PhD dissertation on 10 February 2010 - just three days ago.

A big challenge ahead...

Happy Blogging

This is the first Blog I am creating. Hope to benefit from Blogging. cpk