Some years ago (26)

Date of entry: 7 October 1948

The call is too strong.  I cannot resist it.  It is the call to my spirit, to my soul, to my eternal being.  I must respond to the call and one day have my vision realized.

Quote: Woon/Joon Sang Chew

Some years ago (24)

Date of entry: 23 September 1948

From page 4 of the Malayan Tribune Sept 23, 1948

Woon/Joon Sang Chew

Some years ago (23)

Date of entry; 8.8.1948

Yesterday was Hari Raya.  The Malays were in colourful dresses and walking around happily. The neighbour opposite gave me a tin of biscuits.  It is their tradition.

I have 2 days holiday.  I just stay at home and play with the children.  There are a few things I have to buy.  I have to buy a writing table, also a radio.  Would I be able to buy the things in the near future? These are the things I need to buy: Radio; Writing Table; Sewing Machine; Electric Iron; Seating set; Single bedstands, Trunks or Bags    

Some years ago (22)

Date of entry: 14 July 1948

Yesterday wife was having abdominal pains,  diarrhoea and vommitting. Aunty Lim came to help out with washing and cooking.  Chew Fook's grandmother  came as well and applied some medication on wife's foreheard.  Thanks to them, today wife is feeling much better. 

Today is Chinese Lunar calender 8th day of the 6th month, my birthday.  Wife prepared red eggs in the morning to celebrate.  We even had a chicken and liqour today.

By Joon/Woon SC

Some years ago (21)

Date of entry:  13 July 1948

What do I actually want to do?  I am already 30 plus but I am still uncertain.  There are opportunities, I must admit.  So, what am I waiting for?

By Woon/Joon SC

Some years ago (20)

Date of entry 9 March 1949

Daughter Kim was teaching her younger sister the Malay language. Kim said : " 'Saya' is 'ME'. Her younger sister said: "Okay. So 'saya' is YOU!"

By Joon/Woon SC

Note: The younger sister was actually me, hee..hee..

Some years ago (19)

Date of entry: 14.8.1948 (Saturday)

Today is the first day of the Perak Turf Club Autumn Meeting. Mr. Wong and I went to Ipoh at 2 pm and reached the race course at 3pm. It was the starting of the 5th race. We then bought a cash sweep each and subsequently for each of the succeeding races. The nearest number we got was in the 8th race. Our number was 1991 and the number of the first prize was 1985.

We drank beer and whisky, half peg, after every race. Each of us lost about $10.

I then went to my cousin's place, Rex Hotel, and the whisky in me began to work. I felt giddy and vomitted in the wash basin in Room 7. I could not control myself and slept on the canvas bed till the next morning.

Now, remember again..never over drink!

By Joon/Woon SC

Some years ago (18)

Date of entry: 11 July 1948 Sunday

University education constantly calls to my heart. It is my thought now and again that without going through this stage of studies,very little can be done, very little or no success at all can I achieve during the course of my career. I must determine therefore to go to an university at the first opportunity.

Today my thought is centering at the St John University at Shanghai. This university as I have heard, offers a course in English of an advanced standard, much better than those in other Chinese universities. Besides, it is situated in Shanghai, the biggest city and port in China, the centre of culture, industry and commerce.

The subject I would choose, I think, should be English Literature. I should try to be a translator, reporter, a journalist, an editor, a school master, a writer, a secretary, etc.

I should save $1000 a year and after 4 years I should be studying in my desired university.

By Woon/Joon SC

Note: My father never realized his dream of pursuing a university education, but his desire was realized 4 folds through his children and many many folds through his 16 grandchildren

Some years ago (17)

Date of entry: 24 June 1948

(The original entry was in Chinese. This is a translation)

Recently in Malaya there had been some security issues. In Johore there were gun-killing incidents. A European rubber estate manager was killed. The government issued emergency orders to address the situation. Every morning I buy meat from the pork seller in the market. He always treated me very well, often charging me less than others. This morning I was surprised to hear that he has been arrested. So far in Parit 6 persons had been arrested.

By Woon/Joon SC

Note: In the picture, the writer is in a white hat, white shirt and short trousers, holding a gun

Some years ago (16)

Date of entry: 14 June 1948

The 10th of June was a public holiday, being the King's birthday. I went to Ipoh on the 9th at 6 pm and brought 3 chickens, one for cousin and 2 for sister.

At 9 pm I took a walk in the Jubilee Park. Suddenly, Chew Jong Kiew met me and called me before I could see him. Thoo Yam and Low Sow Yee were also there, the former came to Ipoh on transfer 6 months ago and the latter had been in the Security Department for the past 9 years. Jong Kiew, the Station Hotel Clerk and I went to Celestial Cabaret and sat down for about 15 minutes. I took beer while they took light refreshements. This is the first time I met Jong Kiew since the Japanese Surrender, while we were in Kuala Lumpur we did not care to meet.

by Joon/Woon SC

(In the picutre, Joon/Woon SC is seated, 4th from the left)

Some years ago (15)

Date of entry: 4/6/1948

(The entry was made in Chinese. This is a translation)

Last night I dreamt of my Aunty sitting on a bench. Sitting together with her was a man about middle-aged, wearing traditional Chinese costume. The man was neither fat nor thin, his face was full and square and he was hearty looking. I also saw wife and Hou. The man said "Do you know who I am? I am the god's angel who have come to protect Hou". Then I woke up from from my dream.

Some years ago (14)

Date of entry: 1/6/1948

(The entry was made in Chinese. This is a translation)

At 1 o'clock in the afternoon, Abdullah told me that the Ipoh hospital had telephoned to inform that Hou is completely cured and could be discharged immediately. I was so happy. I did not even want to take my lunch. I went back to take some clothing for Hou and left immediately for Ipoh.

Wife and daughter Peng had already gone to Ipoh this morning. Not knowing that Hou can be discharged today she had not brought his clothing along.

I arrived in Ipoh at 2 o'clock. Wife, big cousin sister, daughter Peng and 4th cousin brother were already in Rex waiting for me. We went immediately to the hospital. Hou had stayed in the hospital for 13 days in total. He has lost a lot of weight and looks pale. My poor son, he is so young, cannot even walk yet but had to suffer from so much hardship for 13 days.

Some years ago (13)

Date of entry: 30/5/1948 (Sunday)

The entry was made in Chinese. This is a translation)

Yesterday afternoon at 4pm I arrived in Ipoh to see Hou. The nurse told me that the diphtheria has subsided but Hou now has a cold and cough. It seemed as though he recognized me. I went out to buy a tin of Marie biscuit for him. When I came back I found him lying down. Since I noticed he was not asleep I touched his forehead. When I touched him he yelled out aloud. I immediately withdrew. He did not feel cold or hot, like normal.

This morning I again went to see Hou, together with 4th cousin brother. He did not seem very active, probably due to the cold and cough. The nurse removed his clothing and asked the hospital attendant to bathe him. She put soap all over his body and washed him with warm water.

At 10 am I went to see Hou again and brought along some grapes. I found him standing on the cot, looking happy and active. I asked the nurse to give him a grape. He took the grape, and was smiling at me while eating it. I found him quite happy and active and I then went back to Parit.

According to the nurse, the hospital had received the letter that I had written. The hospital will inform us about the date and time Hou could be discharged. I hope he can come home by tomorrow or the day after or the latest by next week.

Some years ago (12)

Date of entry: 25/5/1948

The entry was made in Chinese. This is a translation)

Wife with daughter Peng went to Ipoh to see Hou. When she came back she told me that the Marie biscuit and the three tins of milk I bought several days ago had finished. The nurses were not polite. Hou looked healthy and should be discharged in a few days.

Those of us at home do not have any symptom. I go to work and daughter Kim goes to school as usual.

Some years ago (11)

(The entries were made in Chinese. This is a translation)

Date of entry: 22/5/1948

In the afternoon at 2pm I went to Ipoh to see Hou. I bought a tin of milk and a plastic toy for him. He was sitting in the baby cot and looked normal. When he saw me he seemed to recognize me but it's like he was not sure.

The nurse said I have to buy a thermos flask. I immediately went out to buy. I also bought an additional tin of milk,4 oranges and some grapes. The nurse looked pleased.

Date of entry: 23/5/1948

In the morning at seven I went again to see Hou. The ward attendent said he was eating biscuits. I again went out and bought another tin of Marie for him.

I went to cousin's house to chat and at 10 am I went back to Parit.

Some years ago (10)

Date of entry: 20/5/1948

(The entry was made in Chinese. This is a translation)

Yesterday 19th I took my son Hou to a clinic in Ipoh. At 12 noon he was examined by the doctor, who declared that Hou had Diphtheria. The doctor immediately wrote a reference letter and told me to send Hou to the hospital immediately, saying that this is an emergency and Hou's condition could become worse any time soon and he needs to have an injection.

When wife heard what the doctor said she was overcome with fear. We immediately hired a trishaw to go to the hospital. After the admission procedure, Hou was warded in "Ward 12". He has to stay in the hospital and visitors are not allowed. When my wife left Hou in the ward she was overcome with sadness and cried non-stop.

At 1 pm we arrived in eldest cousin sister's house, after which I went to inform 4th cousin brother.

At 2pm wife and eldest cousin sister went to the hospital to see Hou. Wife fed milk to Hou. When the nurse saw this she shouted and scolded wife. Wife immediately put Hou down and with tears in her eyes she left the ward. Hou immediately started crying very loudly.

I wanted wife to remain in the hospital to look after Hou and asked the clerk for permission. The clerk told me to ask Dr. Dourado's permission. I searched the hospital but could not find Dr. Dourado. Upon enquiring from several persons I was told that as Diphtheria is communicable, definitely the Mother cannot stay back to look after Hou. We have no choice but to return to Parit, leaving Hou alone in the care of the nurses.

Some years ago (9)

Date of entry: 8/5/1948

(The entry was made in Chinese. This is a translation)

My son Hou was infected with a boil on his head. Today I took him to the Parit Medical Assistant to remove it. Pus was extracted. After that the infected area was bandaged and secured tightly. He is so young, does not know anything and had a good cry.

Quote: Joon/Woon SC

Some years ago (9)

Date of entry 27.4 1948

We, the undersigned, occupiers of temporary houses nos. 27, 28, 29, 31 & 32 of the old Post Office Road, Parit, have the honour to request that you will be so kind as to grant us another period of extension with regard to the demolishing of the above-mentioned houses until such time when new houses are built in Parit and we can find a place to go to.

It is needless to state again and again that house shortage is still a serious problem nowadays; Parit is no exception.

We sincerely hope that our request will be granted.

Quote-Woon/Joon SC

Some years ago (8)

Date of entry: 26.4.1948

Sometimes my thoughts are serious. Occasionally I will ask myself what should I do that life would be dear to me, and that my children will grow up healthy in body and mind.

Quote-Woon/Joon SC

Some years ago (7)

Date of entry: 4.4.1948

Aid for overseas Chinese

Chinese Consulates and Embassies abroad will be instructed to draw up a list of needy displaced overseas Chinese and negotiate with the International Refugee Organization for their repatriation to China, according to the decision of the Executive Yuan, yesterday.

All persons for whom IRO will not take responsibility for repatriation will be provided with travelling expenses back to China by the Chinese government.

The Executive Yuan also decided that the Ministry of Social Affairs will hereafter assume responsibility for transporting overseas displaced Chinese from the Chinese hinterland to the seaport where they will be jointly cared for by the Ministry and IRO before repatriation to their homes abroad. (Extract from Malaya Tribune 3.4.1948)