Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas for the bereaved.


Photo: My little brown puppy, 
what an unusual Christmas tree decoration.
It's Andrew's puppy.
I bought it for Andrew,
Even though we knew he was dying,
And he would never play with it.
Every year, I take the puppy out.

If you have friends who are bereaved,
Given them some thoughts.

For all my Sands Manukau, Sands New Zealand Sands Auckland Central and Grieving Mothers.
My little brown puppy,
what an unusual Christmas tree decoration.
It's Andrew's puppy.
I bought it for Andrew,
Even though we knew he was dying,
And he would never play with it.
Every year, I take the puppy out.

If you have friends who are bereaved,
Given them some thoughts.


Today in our news, a survivor of the worst tragedy off New Zealand, tells, he never celebrate Christmas. It's been 50 years.

Friday, December 20, 2013

My Book Launch

I am still having that warm fuzzy feeling. I was very very lucky. I was there at the right place and right time. Friends asked how I got a Government Minister to be my guest of honour. 
Photo: Proud of you, Ann
With YB Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh  at Ann Chin's Book Launch at RH Hotel today.

Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh offered to be my VVIP guest. I wrote to him, as his student if the Government had funding to aspiring writers, and the rest is history. He was proud to be my teacher, and I had done him proud.

Francis Chen very happily helped me with the logistics and my Chinese MC. When my Malay and English MC couldn't make it, John Benet stepped it.

Who could dream that my book launch was such a Ministerial affair and my own clan people organising it. Thank you Mr. Kong Tze Ling.


Proud of you, Ann
With YB Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh at Ann Chin's Book Launch at RH Hotel today. — with Ann Chin.

http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.co.nz


 

My sister in grief Megan Lee.



This is my sister in New Zealand. Megan Lee, Through very unusual circumstances, we got to know each other, me a bereaved mum once, Megan many times over.

When I feel sorry for myself and have a quiet cry, I think of Megan.

You woulde have noticed her short hair. Megan shaved her hair for charity. That is very brave of her. She didn't worry if she might not raise a lot of money. The thing is she did it. I had contemplated shaving my hair, but I was a coward.
I love you, Megan.

Thursday, December 19, 2013

New Zealand Herald Link to my first news paper writeup.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/aucklander/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503372&objectid=11030495

The New Zealand Herald is a daily newspaper published in Auckland, New Zealand, owned by APN News & Media. It has the largest newspaper circulation of any in the country, peaking at over 200,000 copies in 2006, although numbers had declined to 162,181 by December 2012.[1] Its main circulation area is the Auckland region. It is also delivered to much of the north of the North Island including Northland, Waikato and King Country.[

Words of healing

 
A mother's account of the death of her newborn son has been turned into a book in the hope it will help other mothers heal. Rebecca Blithe meets the author. "The specialist said, 'You're going to have a normal baby'," says Ann Chin, as she sits with a pile of her recently published book, Diary of a Bereaved Mother.
But the days that followed the birth of her son, Andrew, proved anything but normal.
"Once I had my baby they realised he was dying," she says, of his diagnosis of Campomelic syndrome; a bone and cartilage condition resulting in short limbs and breathing problems because of a small chest capacity.
"They knew because of the scans, but they didn't investigate because it was a rare thing," she says, of the abnormalities. "When the baby was born, they resuscitated him. He was going to die that night. He survived for 55 days.
"One afternoon I was told he had died. He stopped breathing, he turned black, he was dead for half of the afternoon. Then he began breathing again." Describing that afternoon, the author seems lost for words. "You can't really give words, except that it was heart-wrenching, I was in a black tunnel."
During this period, Mrs Chin stayed in the nurses' home at National Women's Hospital, awaiting her baby's death, and writing.
"It was not only a diary for myself but I was writing letters to family in Australia and Singapore. I kept carbon copies," she says, adding her father had made his six children write daily compositions from a young age.
Twenty-one years later, after meeting other women who lost children, she decided to revisit her ordeal, in the hope of helping mothers cope and those close to them understand.
"Six hundred babies a year die. That's more than the road toll. [Compared to the funding for road safety] there's just nothing provided for us."
Mrs Chin, who teaches English as a second language, says reliving the experience was difficult but cathartic.
"I took out all my old files. I read them and I cried. I sat at the computer and I cried. But after a while, I was okay. Then I finished the first draft on his anniversary."
She says the feedback so far has been positive, especially from those who have had similar experiences.
"One of the mothers [from a Stillborn and Newborn Death support group], she just cried. She said to have someone writing about it was really helpful. I've spoken to grandparents as well. People tell me, 'Now I understand'."
Her story also tells of her disappointment with some of the staff at the antenatal unit and the importance of cultural sensitivity. "We had two doctors who kept saying, 'This is his problem'," she says, of medical staff shifting the blame.
The book has been requested by one of Mrs Chin's doctors, who is now based at the University of Toronto, Canada, to assist with training and hospital management procedures.
Dr Simon Rowley is a consultant at Starship Children's Hospital who's been given a copy of the book.
"It is a good reminder to all health professionals that when our patients leave us, the story does not end for the parents. The detail is amazing, and every little thought and action seems to have been recorded as it happened, and then has been reflected upon.
"For parents undergoing similar experiences this book could be a great comfort. For health professionals, I would see it as essential reading."
Further reading
Diary of a Bereaved Mother is available at The Women's Bookstore, 105 Ponsonby Rd, or  email Ann Chin: annkschin@yahoo.com

Monday, December 16, 2013

It's Ok to cry, you tube.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZk9w-uywAs&feature=youtu.be I did a workshop on Grieving in the Asian prospective. 

Met friends who told me their bereavement. Their baby had died inside her. They never saw the baby, and paid the hospital to disposed of the baby. I felt so sorry for them.

I am  fortunate that I had Andrew here in New Zealand.

It is my sad privilege to be able to talk about it and to share with you. This U-tube is from a Television New Zealand documentary where I was interviewed.


Old friends belonging to the same club.



Now I can joke that despite a horrible pregnancy and labour, God made me beautiful in this photo.






The Gladioli flower, God gave it to me. The gardener drop it from his truck at the Winter garden. It was because of my dear friends that I went there.


Here the Gladioli stays, next to my tapestry.  Can you believe I made it in a month. it's 1 meter by 1/2 meter. I was grieving when I made it.



Spent a morning with a very old friend and his wife. I had seen him only once since school days. While reminiscing old days, he came up with, "You are not alone." I thought he was comforting me with the lost of Andrew. His wife took me they too lost a baby , and they never got to see her.
 

I belong to an International Grieving group. The administrator asked if I had Andrew's photo. I dug up his album. Here is a good photo of me with Andrew, the day after he was born and we were told he was dying. Thank you my friends.

Friday, December 13, 2013

My Rainbow child






The weather is hotting up, my rainbow  child is back at the beach, getting very tan.



I learn for the first time the term Rainbow babies from a fellow bereaved mum, Caterine from Australia.

Rainbow babies are conceived after the lost of a baby.

"Rainbow Babies" are the understanding that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravages of the storm. When a rainbow 

appears, it does not mean that the storm never happened or that the family is not still dealing with its aftermath. What it means is that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and the clouds. Storm clouds may still loom over but the rainbow provides a counterbalance of color, energy, and much needed hope.

Many mums for various reasons choose not tohave rainbow babies, and many well meaning people tell them, " You will be alright, you can soon have another."

For me, my rainbow baby came 7 years after Andrew died. I had not planned for him. I went through hell during my pregancy because I was worried I would have a repeat of Andrew.

excerpt from my book.

1996 Samuel, the final chapter

He hears your cries,
He sees your tears,
Enough is enough!
He dries your tears.
He makes you laugh.

In January 1996, I thought I was having gynaecological problems. Every morning I met with my older friends doing Tai Chi. They were menopausal women so we talked a lot about women’s problems. I was bleeding when I shouldn’t be bleeding, and was dry when I was supposed to bleed. Once, I had a gush of blood rushing down my legs. I was really frightened. I went to the doctor and she said, perhaps the pills did not suit me, so she prescribed another type. She did this twice.

Around Easter, I told my neighbour Dorothy Debrah from Ghana. She was training to be a dietitian in England.

She asked, “Are you sure you are not pregnant? Some women bleed when they are pregnant.”

I had no symptoms of any kind, no nausea and no craving for particular food. I was climbing up and down a steep slope gardening. Dorothy frightened me and I insisted that CO took me to the doctor. We went to her and she wrote me a referral letter and rang the gynaecologist for an urgent appointment. We went to Dr. Selina Chua straight away. Dr. Selina Chua listened to me, and read the GP’s letter. She told me to get on the bed and hooked on the machine. The machine went Bop! Bop! Bop!

She said, “Congratulations, you are pregnant.”

I burst into tears. She was baffled. I was married and why was I crying? CO told her about Andrew. Selina was a very understanding doctor. Immediately she rang the radiology department to make reservations for a very urgent ultrasound scan. She recommended that I had an amniotic fluid test because I was 42.

Dr. Chua explained the options I had. I didn’t have much choice. I was too far advanced in my pregnancy to have an abortion by D & C, and scrape the baby away. I would need an induction to deliver the baby if I wanted to get rid of him. By induction, the hormone prostaglandin is intruded into the cervix. This hormone softens my cervix; the induction mimics the process of natural labour. Prostaglandins will usually cause ‘period type’ pains in the back or lower abdomen and these result in my cervix opening a little, to enable the midwife or doctor to break my waters. This artificial labour can be tiring and painful, and until the baby is expelled. Either way, the baby is killed in the process.

Selina said, “Let us not worry prematurely, and wait till we get the scan results.”

This didn’t pacify me a bit. I was crying and crying.

God in his infinite wisdom planned it that when I found out I was pregnant at 28 weeks; it was too late for a normal abortion. If it had been earlier on, there was no telling if I would have aborted the baby. The odds were too much against me. It was literally hell I went through when I had Andrew. Would I have the strength or be stupid enough to go through it again? I seriously contemplated getting rid of it.

 I remembered Olwyn Dickson telling me that it was terrible for a woman to go to labour knowing she was having a handicapped child. It was worse for me, I was going to have not only a handicapped baby but one that would die. My world had turned upside down, and helplessly, I was hit over and over by a sledgehammer.

They couldn’t scan me straight away because the clinic was closed for lunch. We had an hour to wait. We went to the cafeteria and I told CO I couldn’t eat. Food was the last thing on my mind. The horrors of the 55 days with Andrew flooded back. I was on tenterhooks. History was repeating itself. What had I done to deserve this? CO ate his lunch and I sat crying. I didn’t care that the other patients and their friends were looking at me.

The radiologist came back from his lunch and was very good when he did the scan. He had never encountered a Campomelic baby, and we told him, the most important sign was the femurs bending; you will see a kink.

I remembered telling him, “Check the femurs! Check the femurs!”

He reassured me that the baby was normal. I didn’t want anyone to say my baby was normal. The last time Dr. Tan said my baby was normal, my baby died. He told me the baby was a boy. I got no joy from this news. I think it was CO who told the technician to tell us the sex of the baby. All my previous three pregnancies, I hadn’t wanted to know. I wanted the element of surprise. CO later said, he thought if I knew I was having a boy, I might feel better. It didn’t.

We went back to Dr. Selina Chua. She made an appointment for the amniotic test. I was so confused and worried. Dr. Selina Chua informed my GP. My GP was very worried. The contraceptive pills she had prescribed me were very potent. There were a lot of male hormones. If the baby was a girl, she would be very masculine. I was thinking about the Campomelic SOX9 sex reversal. She rang CO to tell him this information and told him we were better to have an abortion.

In 2010, there was controversy over a gender row concerning champion South African runner Caster Semenya. She was suspected of being a man or of having male sexual organs. There were reports that claimed sex swap tests had shown she was a hermaphrodite. I thought of Andrew and other Campomelic babies whose sex was ambivalent. When people discuss Semenya, I refrain from saying, you don’t know about being Campomelic.

We had the whole issue of debate about abortion again, and I was worried. Though the scans showed the baby wasn’t Campomelic, I was worried that the scans were wrong. I went to the amniotic test. It was the biggest syringe needle I had seen; the technician injected the long needle near my navel. I asked if the needle would poke the baby, and she said no. The fluid the technician drew out was dark brown, almost black. I asked her why; she said she didn’t know. That was probably caused by the bleeding I had been having. The contraceptive was not foolproof; the human body sometimes gets tired of it. That was how I got pregnant, when my GP changed the contraceptive pills.
I was worried sick, and getting depressed. I was a mental wreck. The amniotic test results came back. Baby wasn’t Down Syndrome. We told Deborah and Gabrielle that they were going to have a baby brother.
Deborah aged 12, asked, “He is not going to die, is he?”
I said, “No,” without conviction.



*********

To me, it’s like God saying, “Sorry for taking Andrew, I am making it up doubly.”
Time has diluted the grief in me. Having Sam helped a lot.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Breast Surgery.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11170602

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11157605

When I had my third breast surgery, my second for a cyst, Dr Susan Lim in Singapore had a thorough consultation. It was in 1991, when Silicone were known to be bursting inside the women.

I decided if I were to have Mastectomy, I opt for flat chest rather than have silicone implant. Praise God, it was just a cyst and not the big C.  So when I heard yesterday's news about this idiot was still using silicone, I want to crucify him.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

it is well with my soul.









This hymn was a favourite of mine and a great comforter when I was waiting for Andrew to die and when I was grieving for him.

http://youtu.be/VmvnE6erj6I

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, 
 when sorrows like sea billows roll; 
 whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, 
 It is well, it is well with my soul. 
Refrain:
 It is well with my soul, 
 it is well, it is well with my soul. 

2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, 
 let this blest assurance control, 
 that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, 
 and hath shed his own blood for my soul. 
 (Refrain) 

3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! 
 My sin, not in part but the whole, 
 is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, 
 praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 
 (Refrain) 

4. And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, 
 the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; 
 the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, 
 even so, it is well with my soul. 
 (Refrain) 





S.S. Ville du Harve was struck by the English vessel Loch Earn and eventually foundered. Spafford's four daughters—Anna, eleven; Maggie, nine; Bessie, seven; and Tanetta, two—were among the 226 who perished in the aftermath
Spafford immediately sailed for England to join his grief-stricken wife. As his ship passed the approximate location where his daughters had drowned, his deep sorrow mingled with his unwavering faith in God's goodness caused him to compose this hymn. 

Today is my oldest daughter's 29th birthday. I started a tradition, copying from the Taiwanese. Mum's SHOU NAN RI,  Day of mum's greatest
suffering. Having Deborah was painful, but it was nothing compared to the
SHOU NAN RI when Andrew was born.

I am reminded again and again when people asked me how I coped. I told them it was because I was surrounded by Christians. Today, my Pastor Jonathan Dove spoke on Focusing on who is with you rather than what is happening to you. 

This is precisely what was happening to me. I focused on the Godly people who encouraged me and gave me practical help. I did not feel bitter towards God for giving me a dying son. I still do not, after 24 years, ask Why Me, because God has a greater plan for me.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Borneo Post's write-up of me Dec 1st 2013

Jane Moh of Borneo Post wrote this lovely write-up and my dear friend Chang Yi shared it in Facebook. So glad that they are still remembering me though I have been back over a month. Back to the grind of day to day life.

http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/12/01/words-of-healing-from-a-bereaved-mother/

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Crossing magazine



I am featured in the Summer 2013 Magazine of Mt Albert Baptist Church.

An unexpected message from a Grief Support nurse.

  • On November 22nd 1989, Andrew breathed his last breathe. After writing my book, I felt I have moved on, and reversed my role as a hurting mum, to one of consoling one. 
    Being part of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZk9w-uywAs, the TV documentary was my message, It is OK to cry.
    Last month, I was in a whirlwind of euphoria, I launched my 3 books in such a show case. It was the epitome of what writers could only dream. I was the full spread off newspapers, and in press conferences. A minister of the government Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh was my guest of honour, and I had more than 200 guests.
    This euphoria didn't last as I was back to my grind of normal life. I felt low, this is the usual as it is the time when Andrew was alive.   I usually allowed myself to "It's OK to cry" but not cry out.
    Facebook is incredible. There were so many bereaved parents who needed my help. 

    God bring this message to my facebook to lift me up.
    Lori Baine

    Ann, my name is Lori and I believe I recently read your book (I am in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) when Dr. Andrew James shared it with me. I believe he took care of your son. Am I correct?
    If I am, I was blown away by your book- beautifully written. I hope you don't mind that I have written to you. Lori (Grief Support Nurse at SickKids Hospital in Toronto)
  • Ann Chin
    Ann Chin

    Wow!!!!! Dr James shared my book with you. That first edition was rough. I have since refined it. Last month, I launched my books and it was an incredible experience. I also did a workshop for medical and bereaved parents.
    Do u mind if I shared your message with my book blog.
  • Lori Baine
    Lori Baine

    not a bit- I work closely with Dr. James- I have been a nurse in the NICU for 24 years and in the role of grief support for the past 19, now in a hospital-wide role. I will say hi to him for you if that is okay. I enjoy talking with him, and I hear that your Andrew was a wonderful teacher.

    Dr James was Andrew's wonderful doctor. 

Friday, November 8, 2013

Ann kit Suet Chin Chan.

'Ann Kit Suet Chin-Chan'(Born in 1954 in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia) is a Malaysian /New Zealand writer, blogger and photographer.
Life: Alumni: University of Windsor, Canada, Auckland University, New Zealand, Auckland University of Technology.
Career: Teaches English as a Second language. Public speaker on bereavement and writing.

Ann launched her books on October 12th, and Y.B. Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, Minister of Finance (II) and Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Sarawak was the guest of honour at her launch. http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/10/06/Local-writers-books-to-be-released-on-Oct-12.aspx

Ann is involved in the Zerowaste community program in New Zealand, actively teaching people to reuse, recycle, reduce. She writes a weekly "save the world" blog. http://www.zerowaste.co.nz/
Published Work:
  • Diary of a bereaved Mother: Good bye my baby丧儿记: 丧失儿子的母亲的一本传记
Genre self help, bereavement, death and dying, child's death, survival ISBN 978-0-473-18709-5 - Published 2011 in New Zealandhttp://search.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/?itemid=%7Clibrary/marc/supercity-iii%7Cb2623613
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/aucklander/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503372&objectid=11030495
An interview from Diary of a Bereaved Mother was made partly in a New Zealand National Television Documentary "It is OK to cry, "http://tvnz.co.nz/asia-downunder/s2011-e31-video-4453514 and youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZk9w-uywAs&feature=youtu.be and exhibited in England, http://www.foreverinmyheartexhibition.com/134494020?i=64857969 This book is in circulation in Auckland City Libraries and Sarawak Council Libraries.
  • From China to Borneo to Beyond
海外华人的中国魂: 从中国,到南洋,到更远 This is a journal of two families, the Chans and the Kongs. It traces the first movement in 1907 from Kwang Zhou, China to the jungles of Borneo. Genre History ISBN 978-0-473-23900-8 - Published 2013 in New Zealandhttp://library.sl.nsw.gov.au/search~S2?/dChin%2C+Ann+Kit+Suet%2C+1954-+--+Family./dchin+ann+kit+suet+1954+family/-3,-1,0,B/browse This book is in circulation in Auckland City Libraries, New South Wales Libraries and Sarawak Council Libraries.
  • Mail Order Bride
邮购新娘 This book is the embodiment of the darker side of today’s society. Auckland city is chosen because of her cosmopolitan features, as well as the presence of immigrants, new and old. There are mail order brides from all over the world. ISBN 978-0-473-25414-8 - Published 2013 in New Zealand

References

http://www.brudirect.com/national/national/national-local/8808-sibu-born-author-ann-chin-kit-suet-promotes-bookshttp://www.theaucklander.co.nz/living/news/words-of-healing/3954293/http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/06/3-books-by-sibu-author-set-for-launching/ http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2013/10/06/Local-writers-books-to-be-released-on-Oct-12.aspxhttp://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sekolah_Menengah_Kebangsaan_Methodist,_Sibu* alumni 1967-73 ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Soon_Kohhttp://www.theborneopost.com/2013/10/13/author-chin-makes-cikgu-wong-proud/
Forever In My Heart exhibition which is at the Peacock Art Gallery, Upton Country Park, from 31 January to 4 February 2013. Judy Lancaster-Bowenhttp://www.foreverinmyheartexhibition.com/134494020?i=64857969 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZk9w-uywAs&feature=youtu.be It is OK to cry

External links


Sunday, November 3, 2013

Steve's Blog

http://towns-villages.blogspot.co.nz/2013/10/three-books-of-ann-chin-launching-in.html

詩巫教育界前輩陳鷂飛之女--陳潔雪,展示她的兩本著作.

祖先由中國移民砂拉越,子孫由砂拉越移民紐西蘭,以及四散各地.這條血緣之路,好漫長,好遙遠.
是緣,是命,她經歷了生離死別,覺悟了人生的短促,親情的緣起緣了.對於她,人生是一門學不完,走不盡的課業.
正如當年,她與兄弟姐妹,在嚴父的督促下,假期沒有假期,每天都是一場又一場未完的考試--作文,成為陪伴她及家人長大的最佳注腳.
在教育家父親的長期管教下,創作,似已成了生活的一部份,不論何時何地,只要有所感受,心有所動,她都會隨手記錄下來,置於文件夾;或是電腦來臨時代的硬碟里.
是習慣也好,是要緬懷和紀念也好.在情況出現時,在需要來到門口時,她的思緒飛快的轉動,紀憶宛如洶湧奔馳的洪水,源源不斷湧現腦際.
看似一口氣的心志,她竟然將多年的紀錄,接二連三的整理和印刷成書.在紐西蘭,在砂拉越的古晉,她先是出版,接著再版,讓週遭的親人,朋友,甚至是不曾相識的人,感受到書中陳述的親情、艱辛和苦楚.
陳潔雪(Ann Chin),一個很普通的名字.她自稱是紐西蘭的中國人(華人),出生在馬來西亞的砂拉越.
確實一點,她是地地道道的詩巫女兒.
她 由於長期的紀錄,長期的“寫作文”,留存了許多紀憶,在經歷了第三個孩子於1989年出生僅僅59天的近於“歇斯底里”之後,終於在2011年出版了 “Diary of a Bereaved mother---goodbye my baby”(一位悲哀母親的日記--再見了孩子).
2006 年父親去世時,她開始寫父親的生前事跡,以及家人的點滴故事.並於今年(2013年),在兄長的60歲生日時,做為一份最珍貴的禮物加以出版和贈予兄長. 她的第二本書同樣在紐西蘭出版,古晉重印.這本書就是: from China to Borneo, and beyong(海外華人的中國魂: 从中国,到南洋,到更远).
另一本是講述她個人的經歷,看到病態叢生的社會,外籍新娘的悲哀,移民問題,社會黑暗面,數不盡的人性酸甜苦辣.她有感及此,隨手紀錄了“mail order bride”(郵購新娘),並加以出版.
三年來,她由一名兼職教導英語為第二語言的教師,轉身為一名作家.

      衛理中學高才生

陳潔雪(Ann Chan Kit Suet)--1973年畢業於詩巫衛理中學十一號班的高才生.
1974-75年:民丹莪開中中學執教.留下深刻印象和懷念,因為這是她的首份職業,領到的第一份薪水.
1975-77年:遠赴加拿大安大略省,在薀莎大學讀經濟系.因為只讀三年課程,因此將夏季長假也拿來補課.這是她小時生活的延續,假期不放假,為了課業,甚至未來.她在這間大學獲得學士文憑(Bachelor of Art).
1978-79年:由於當年加拿大薀莎大學文憑不受本國承認,她又轉赴紐西蘭奧克蘭大學,補讀和完成了二年的經濟系課程.
1980-82年:她在工作之餘,也在奧克蘭技術學院(Auckland Technical Institute),進修部份時間的行政證書課程.這間技術學院,後期升格為奧克蘭科技大
學(Auckland University of Technology--AUT).
1980-88年:她任職公司行政工作.
1990-2006年:隨夫婿赴新加坡.夫婿在南洋理工大學任教.
2006至今:她們返回紐西蘭,出任一間小學教導外籍生,以英文做為第二語言課程.
在這期間,她每週三在一間教會,義務教導移民學習英文.

2013年10月12日在詩巫推展的其中一本她的創作: “from China to Borneo, and beyong”(海外華人的中國魂:从中国,到南洋,到更远)封面設計.

 「海外華人的中國魂」
憶述廣寧人移民史


作者陳潔雪在這本書中,首先介紹了本身的多重身份,即是Chan,又是Chin.
其實,Chan和Chin都是一樣的「陳」--Chan是廣東音,Chin是客家音.
因此,這是一位客家男生,與一位廣寧女生的結合.
這也正好反映書中主要人物,她的父親陳鷂飛,和母親江華嬌兩人之間的廣寧和客家的結合.
作者表示,由於處在戰亂時期,日軍佔領砂拉越之時,她的雙親,也與很多其他華人少男、少女一樣,是在不得以的情況下--男的怕被日軍拉走或充軍,女的怕被迫做為“慰安婦”的這種背景下匆匆結合.
陳鷂飛和江華嬌退休後,移居澳洲,原以為要將剩餘時間安度晚年.熟料造化弄人,母親在一場意外中離世,留下父親離開傷心地,獨自重返砂州定居.
「海外華人的中國魂:從中國,到南洋,到更远」,就是圍繞在父母親,以及他們祖先,1907年,如何由中國廣東,擴散至婆羅洲的原始森林地區.這是一則6代人的故事,以及他們的後人,又何由婆羅洲,再擴散至世界各地,包括英國,加拿大,日本,新加坡,澳洲,美國及紐西蘭.
一個由曾祖父--陳觀國開展的移民故事.並圍繞在作者父親陳鷂飛的故事,直至他於2006年離世.
据作者在書中介紹,中國的鴉片戰爭,導致了漫長和難忍的長途跋涉,以海路南遷至婆羅洲腹地的雨林,在這一片蠻荒之地求生的一群,以種植樹膠和胡椒維生.
接著便是1940-45年間的第二次世界大戰,以及日軍佔領砂拉越的故事.由於兩個家庭在客觀因素,逼不得以之下的結合,無可避免的成為未來爭執的引線.
陳家歷經了殖民地時期,抗爭期,聯合國調查團訪問期,砂拉越參組馬來西亞時期,武裝斗爭動亂期,秘密的戰場,族群動亂,對抗共產武裝等.在這種背景下,都是作者與家人成長時期的遭遇,所目睹的事.
後期,作者父母再遷居澳洲,不幸母親於1988年在一場嚴重交通意外中離離.父親返回砂州,獨自生活了18年.他的離世,也正好反映了一句華人的美言:不是同日生,也要同日死.
除了講述本身家庭的故事,書中也提及了母親江家的故事.
雖然這是本家庭式傳記書籍,卻不忽略史實.作者也做了很多的復帶說明.全書以英文書寫,並考慮到砂拉越原居地,許多親友的需求,她正籌備出版華文翻譯本.

陳潔雪曾祖父,陳觀國創辦的沙廉光國小學外景.

曽祖父陳觀國
寧興港光國小學創始人


陳潔雪是廣寧人,父親是前教育界聞人,曾任泗里街教育廳廳長的陳鷂飛.
陳鷂飛亦曾任教育廳督學,以及當年仍設址詩巫的砂拉越師訓學院為講師.
陳鷂飛的祖父,也即潔雪的曾祖父陳觀國,便在當年廣寧人移民本地聚居的沙廉河鄰近地區--寧興港,創建了光國小學.
廣東,廣寧籍人士,在鄧恭叔率領下移民前來砂州和詩巫時,先是獲安頓在南蘭律上段的大群地區.後來廣東籍第二批移民陳觀國等人,就獲安頓到更上游的寧興港一帶.
陳觀國是否原名「光國」,不得而知.不過,他將學校名為光國小學,與本名離不了關係.這個「光國」,顯然也包含了光耀祖國之意.
由於曾祖父重視教育,父親又是教師和教育界服務,因此,潔雪與兄弟姐妹們,從小生活在嚴父的管教之下.假期別家孩子玩樂、嬉戲,她家孩子躲在家中習寫作文.每晚寫完作文,父親即進行審批和指導.
從小的學習環境,造就她及家人對英文作文受益不淺.也因此,她從小喜歡作文,善於書寫,更成為學校校刊的記者.
她猶記得,自己在讀六號班(Form 2)時期,那是1968年的事了,她投稿給當年著名的雜誌Dolphin(海豚),小小年級便領到5塊錢的稿費.在那個時期,5塊錢會比今日的50令吉高出許多倍吧.這件事,至今留在她的腦海中不忘.
由於小時候的生活背景,她持續的創作,習慣性的將腦際閃過的感受,領悟,都一一記錄下來.想不到,這種習慣,今時今日,會讓他一回氣出了多本書,也成為一位多產作者.
張貼時間:,張貼者:


Saturday, November 2, 2013

Making AN IMPACT

The day before I flew off to Singapore and Malaysia to 

launch my books, I gave a presentation at a workshop at the 
Sands national Conference. There I spoke to bereaved 

parents and medical personnel. 

Some spoke to me that I was very brave to talk on this topic 


and my own experience. Others said my talk helped them in 

their work. and asked for my powerpoint.

This is what I wish with my writing and presentations. To 


impact others who are hurting and to help others. When 

people ask which of my books I would recommend them to 

buy, I told them, to know me, you buy this, "Diary of a 

bereaved mother, Goodbye my baby." Megan LeeEllen 

Hopes






Saturday, October 19, 2013

steve ling and Lian He pau




The Lian He pau published a full page, Thank You reporter Steve Ling.My brother Henry Chan made 2 posters and hang it at the entrance and by the podium during the launch.

Photo: Had an interesting interview with Steve Ling, reporter from Lian He United press.

Friday, October 18, 2013

words of healing


https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153348843970541&set=pb.744380540.-2207520000.1382100480.&type=3&theater

when I first wrote my book Diary of a bereaved mum, I wrote it to help others who were hurting and going through a similar ex...perience of losing and/or lost a child.

I was so pleased that this lady in Miri came specially to buy my book for herself and her friend N who lose her child 4 days ago.

The next day, a friend asked if I gave my book for a mutual friend because I knew that she had lost a son. I didn't. Another mutual friend took me to see her because she was suffering another tribulation. On p, I gave her my book. Her husband wanted to pay me, and I said I wanted to give it to her. I wrote JIA JIA YU BEN NAN NIAN GING. meaning in every house there is hard ship.

L L I feel for you and I hope you will be comforted by the words I wrote.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/aucklander/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503372&objectid=11030495

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

history-grief-and-hard-truths-ann-snow-chin’s-books

History, grief and hard truths in Ann Snow Chin’s books




  • Ann Snow Chin’s books can be purchased from Aptbility Trading Company. Picture: BT/Mei Fung Lee
    Tuesday, October 15, 2013
    APTBILITY Trading Company held a press conference at Ximply Chriz Cafe in Regent Square, Kiulapyesterday to promote the books of Ann Snow Chin, a Sarawak-born, New Zealand-based writer.
    Chin is currently on a tour of Sarawak and Brunei to promote her new books.
    Her book, “From China to Borneo and Beyond”, is a journal that traces the movement of her late ancestors, the Chans and the Kongs, from Kwong Zhou, China to the jungle of Borneo back in 1907.
    The story weaves in details of the Opium war, virgin tropical jungle, the Japanese occupation, and fighting with the communists as some of the difficulties the family went through.
    The journal also records the families’ second wave of movement to England, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, the USA and New Zealand.
    Her second book, “Diary of a Bereaved Mother”, shares her own story of losing her son to a rare disease, and her journey to overcome her own grief while inspiring other bereaved mothers to do the same.
    Her third book, “Mail Order Bride” studies darker social issues that affect today’s society.
    Chin is a member of Sands Manuk in New Zealand, an organisation set up to support parents and families in the Manukau region who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, at birth, or up to a year following a full-term birth.
    Those who are interested in reading Chin’s books may contact the director of Aptbility Trading Company, Wong Nqie Sek at 7112823 to place an order.
    The Brunei Times

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Invite to book Launch.

daughter for the return home 1

Lian He Newspaper has a new article today. We will be touring Kwong Kuok School my great grand Father Chan Kwong Kuok who co-founded the school in 1907 and Gung Min School, my Mother's people had been the board of management.

When Great Grand Father, my Gung Tai started the school for the pioneer children, he had the vision that children should have an education. otherwise they would be forever in the village slaving as a labourer. 

From his foresight, among the Chans, there are 5 lawyers, 3 PhDs, and many highly qualified professions. Many are teachers and principals.


Saturday, September 21, 2013

Profile: Who is Ann Chin

出生在来西的沙罗越州
我是 Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪
         
 In Sarawak my name is Kit Suet. The meaning is clean snow.

I will be launching my books in Sibu:

(1) 12th October 2013 at 10.00 am.

(2) Venue is at 2nd Floor, RH Hotel, Sibu



(3) Guest of Honour to launch my books : Y.B. Dato 


Sri Wong Soon Koh, Minister of Finance (II) and 

Minister of Local Government and Community

 Development, Sarawak

(4) Invited guests: Local dignitaries are Y.B. Dato Sri 


Wong Soon Koh and Datin Sri Leong Poh Ling, Mr. Sim 

Kok Kee, Resident Sibu Division, community leaders 

like Pemanca and Penghulu from the Quang Ning 

community. 


On 28th Sept:  signing my books at
The Internal Medicine Update on 28th at Four Points by Sheraton Kuching. : malaysian medical association sarawak branch
In Kuching, my books are sold at The Smart Bookshop at all their 5 branches, Hock lee, plaza merdeka, one jaya, kuching sentral and summer mall
I will be signing my books at plaza merdeka, ( date to be advised.)
On the 14th, I will have a press conference in Brunei.
On 15th October, signing at KK bookstore, Miri. 
I will be returning to my Old School Methodist Secondary School and the school I taught , Kai Chung Secondary school to talk to senior students.
I will be speaking to Rejang Teachers' College teacher trainees on 3rd October.
I am the writer of "Diary of a Bereaved Mother " 

丧儿记,: 丧失儿子的母亲的一本传记

"From China To Borneo and beyond" 

海外华人的中国魂: 从中国,到南洋,到更远

http://annkitsuet-chinchan.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/who-is-ann-kit-suet-chin-chan.html

"Mail Order Bride."

http://annkschinchan.blogspot.co.nz/2013/07/mail-order-bride-front-cover.html


Forward by : Pastor Jonathan Dove.
http://annkitsuetchin.blogspot.co.nz/2011/03/diary-of-bereaved-mother-foreward.html
 My baby died 24 years ago. I have become a  spokes person for bereaved parents. I am a member of Sands and a parent advocate.
After the book was released,
My book was featured in the Aucklander.
http://annkitsuetchin.blogspot.co.nz/2011/06/diary-of-bereaved-mother-newspaper.html "words of healing"
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/aucklander/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503372&objectid=11030495
I appeared in Television 1 Down Under program. It's ok to cry http://tvnz.co.nz/asia-downunder/s2011-e31-video-4453514 On baby bereavement.
I spoke in the Baptist Women's Annual Convention, North Island Chapter.
http://annkitsuetchin.blogspot.co.nz/2013/02/foreverinmyheartexhibition.html  
My book was exhibited  at the Peacock 
Art Gallery, Upton Country, Dorset, Park England.

I presented a workshop on Asian Infant Bereavement at the Sands National conference for Sands families and medical personnels for 200 attendees in September 2013
Available in New Zealand at: Women's Bookshop, University Bookshop, Auckland, Church of Christ Bookshop
Online orders: Wheeler books,Fishpond.co.nz academybooks.co.nz/product/For Overseas order: www.abebooks.co.uk
Bookworks <info@bookworksnz.co.nz>

or email:annkschin@yahoo.com
Third Edition, June 2012,  306 pages, 
categories: self help, inspiration, bereavement,

 Autobiographies

ISBN: 978-0-473-18709-5

First edition, February, 2013 310 pages
categories:Life Stories 

(Biographies,

 Autobiographies, Family 

Histories, Memoirs)

ISBN: 978-0-473-23900-8







First edition: July 2013 Fiction

ISBN: 978-0-473-25414-8

This book is the embodiment of the darker side of today’s society.