Yvonne Foong

My cousin was here for three days. I had to know her all over again. It’s like I’ve never known her before. So many things have changed since we were kids.

I also found out that the KUAN that Cordy have be raving about for months is actually somebody I know. Now that helps to put up with her endless residence association stories.

And tomorrow, I’ll be off to Penang for a few days.. so that’s all for now.. tata!

I don’t understand why do I have a mother like mine. She acted stupid again today. I was lying in bed complaining that the place got smelly. Next, she took the air freshener and prayed it at my face. Damn! How old is she? 56! Yet she still have brains of a kid. Sometimes she makes me feel that she is mentally retarded. She always do embarrasing things. Luckily, I spent my childhood with my aunt who is more matured and tougher than her. Eventhough mom looks very ‘old’ on the outside but she is only forced to be so. But she’s very dependant on me. For God’s sake, she can’t even make a dedcent phonecall!
I will never leave my children with her in the future. I certainly don’t want them to grow up doing silly things.

I am born with two perfect ears,
So sharp they are for many years,
I knew music, I knew chimes,
I learnt songs that perfectly rhymes.

Eighteen years of beautiful sounds,
Its my soul that they have found,
I crave to sing, I crave to speak,
Listen to me, my voice ain’t weak.

The voices of people I love to hear,
They always coax me out of fear,
Especially those who are dear to me,
They use their words to make me glee.

Please, God, don’t be cruel to me,
Being deaf is like not able to see,
What could possibly be more scary,
Than the feeling of uncertainty?

For the past few months, I have been seeing people with donation boxes everywhere. They give you a bookmark and ask for your donation in return. Yes they’re genuine and its the National Kidney Foundation. I donated once at the entrance of Subang Parade, to this indian lady whom everyone avoided thinking that she’s trying to sell something, because the words on the box were so tiny and she was holding something else other than bookmarks.

Today, I finally get my first glimpse of this case from Cheryl. A month ago, Cheryl was approached by some people offering her a job in an Events Management company. They did not disclose any information about salary and beated around the bush during the interview. Later, Cheryl found out that the salary is based on commission calculated by the amount of donors that one manages to convince. NKF was alledged to have hired an events management company to help them collect donations and the company in turn recruits people to go around asking for donation. And how does it work? If one signs-up, donation is automatically made directly via credit card over the course of one year. Payment by cheque is also possible but must be paid for one year in advance. The recruits are asked to go around from door to door seeking for donors, 7-days a week, according to Cheryl.

It is a pity that a charitable organsations have to resort to such ways to get donation. Out of the money collected, part of it is used to pay the recruits and RM25 from each sign-up goes to the event management company. This is legal and they have a right to use 10% of their collected money for promotion. But I feel bad that they have to work so hard just to earn money for the sake of charity.

I can understand that kidney dialysis is VERY expensive and I believe they either offer treatments to the needy for free or the cost is heavily subsidised. The only possible reason why the NKF needs to use this method is because they aren’t gaining enough money to fund their charity projects. And asking for donation nowadays is not easy. Remember about the lady I saw outside Subang Parade? She must have stood there the whole day only to be ignored as nonsense.

Can someone tell me why is this happening in our country? The House Ear Institute is such a big organisation that they hire their own scientists and conduct many researches. But the HEI is only a non-profit, non-governmental organisation relying solely on public donations. They hired many staffs, their building is well maintained and everything is very professional. I would guess that the HEI needs more money than the NKF to function.

Maybe, just maybe, Malaysians are not giving enough. We’d invest our money in materials and nice food but some of us can be so jaded in our positions that we fail to see those who are in need of help.

So to those of you reading this, PLEASE donate to the National Kidney Foundation. You are donating money to ill people, not the organisation.

I spent the whole of today searching around the internet. My tool? My loyal friend, Google, ofcourse. I hit “enter” many times with all sorts of keyword combinations that I can think of. My purpose? to look up on resources for the audiologically handicapped in Malaysia. My results? Not so good. It seems that the handicapped overseas such as the United States and the UK are more accessible to the society. To put it in a different manner, the public there are more aware about the existence of the under-priviledged.

Malaysia, on the other hand, is more concerned about IT and developments. But where does developments come from? The PEOPLE ofcourse~! No wonder we’re not anywhere close to being developed. From my diligent googling around, I discover that the government actually has an initiative to hire the disabled to fill up government vacancies. There are also little NGOs here and there wanting to help the deaf. But it took me 18 years before I hear about them. The main concern in Malaysia is to provide K-12 education to the under-priviledged. But my searches come to no end when I try to look for tertiary educational facilities for the hearing impaired. The NGOs are only able to help TEACH the handicaps basic vocational skills and help them to find employment.

It looks like there is a notion, that the handicapped are also uneducated as well. Or should I say, the majority of Malaysians come from rural areas? Through my interactions with patients in GHKL, I summed up that some people tend to have this type of thinking- I am ill so I don’t attend school. This is a pity, I must say. Because education is not a chore, but for our own benefits. At the end of the day, who’s going to get paid?

For example, my friend, Michael from the states who has NF2 just like myself. His condition is far worse than mine. Goodness, he can’t even walk without shaking! But where is he now? Completing his Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of California, San Diego. I am quiet envious of him, because he studied psychology as his first degree- something that I wanted but the demand is just not there. I wish there are more people like Michael in this country.

So there goes Malaysia. After that, I went on to research on the same topic but in other countries. My result this time? Overwhelming! There are heaps of directories with companies from all kind of sectors hiring the disabled and the deaf. I found out that if I master the American Sign Language, I can teach too! Provided if I have a green card ofcourse. Even the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) hires the disabled. But I can only envy… because I don’t have a greencard.

So I went on to search about educational opportunities abroad for the disabled. I found A LOT of schools that cater for the deaf and recruitment agencies for the disabled. And the type of jobs offered are definitely not sewing clothes and baking cakes. Let it be known that if you don’t graduate high school and get a degree, you are a minority in the United States.

Through a written article posted in the WWW about the I-Deaf program, I came to know about the Gallaudet University situated in Washington DC. The university primarily caters for the deaf and hard of hearing community locally and from abroad. The type of courses that they offer are what you can expect from prestigeous universities. Entrance requirement? High school completion, SAT/TOEFL and a keen interest to learn. If English is your second language, do not despair because they also have a foundation programme for you to polish up your English. However, the I-Deaf fund is still very small so it cannot cover much of the total cost of study. I would suggest you to approach MACEE because they have quite a number of scholarships offered.

Now one door is opened for me. If I decide to venture into that path, there will be a lot of plannings to be made, in terms of financial planning.

“Take one step at a time”

I hear those words so often out of Cordy’s mouth. Many others advised me that way as well. Yes, I can only take one step at a time. But my faculty of wonder allows me to have many thoughts at one go. Keisha would be most moved everytime I make an impression that I am deaf or Hard of Hearing. She freaked out when I picked up sign language. Next thing you know, she’d be pointing a gun at my forehead for joining the RNID forum and their campaign network. The RNID is an organisation working for the deaf and hard of hearing people.

But the fact is, I am very much hard of hearing and it makes my everyday life more difficult than yesterday. I may not be affected by deafness much now because I stay home most of the time but when I do return to the society, the feeling of not being able to hear is overwhelming. To add insult to injury, people make faces when they are not properly heard. If only sign language is taught in schools, people working in the service industry would be more customer friendly. Let it be known that even some nurses aren’t understanding so what more can we expect from other people who have never had any contact with people like me?

And I still don’t understand why some people can’t stop mumbling, and make faces when they are not heard. Is it our fault to be deaf? Are we obligated to get you right? Those who have perfect hearing will not understand the emotional aspect of being hard of hearing. What they only know is the fact that we cannot hear, just like how they cannot speak French. But it’s definitely much more than just the physical aspect of being deaf.

When the audiologist at the House Clinic spoke to me in a very… abnormal manner, I thought she was just concerned about speaking louder. Now that I have browsed through the RNID website, I finally know that she was actually lipspeaking to me. Lipspeaking is a professional and correct way of speaking to the deaf and hard of hearing people. The trick is to form the lips accurately with each alphabet being pronounced correctly. Lipspeakers also incorporate the right facial expressions to the words they say with precise slang, making it easier for their client to understand.

But one question still haunts me. What am I going to do? Before I think of what to study, I must first find a school that caters for the deaf and hard of hearing people. I have always dream of becoming a social worker and be involved in healthcare or public services. But how do I become one? Should I go to college? Then again, I cannot hear well. How can that be possible for me to help others? Perhaps I am lucky to discover my fate early. Because, what if I am a graduate of…. say… a business degree and then later find out that I cannot work in that field?

Welcome, Yvonne, to the world of the deaf and hard of hearing.

It’s happening again. My residual hearing have obviously worsened when I woke up from my evening nap today. It’s much harder to recognise speech now. It worsened when I was in America two weeks ago but I got adjusted to the new setting when I came back so I did not see an audiologist about it. So we can say that I was jaded by it? Now that it dropped more and the difference is much bigger this time, I must get an audiometry done.

NF is so unpredictable and this whole thing is getting scarier. Lee Hom is finally having a concert in malaysia after a few years and I am all prepared to attend it, then what? My hearing dropped and that suck! If the February scenario repeats itself, I will not be able to attend the concert which only comes around once in every few years. If God wants to take away my hearing, could You please hold on a little longer? There are so many things that I have not done. This world seems darker everyday.

April 26, 2005
Perfect 10
Author: Karen Sum
˜ÒŒ¹: Teens, May 2005 Issue

This musically-gifted hunk celebrates his 10th year in the music industry

It’s hard to believe that Wang Lee Hom has been in the industry for a decade and he hasn’t hit 30! Starting out at the tender age of 19, Lee Hom has age on his side and he is using that to his advantage. His youth meant that heÂ?fs in tune with the latest trends in the music industry and that helped propel him into superstardom.

His 10th album in as many years, Shangri-La once again demonstrates his deftness at mixing Eastern and Western sounds to form his own brand of music. With the album selling 80,000 copies in just 10 days, is it any wonder why Lee Hom is so psyched about popularizing his own school of hip-hop?

Teens: Hi Lee Hom! Your album was released at the end of last year.

Wang Lee Hom: Has it been a long time? (Counting) That’s almost three monthsÂ?c but there’re still so many places I haven’t been to–Malaysia, Korea, ChinaÂ?c I guess I have been promoting it non-stop and I go where the record company tells me to go. But I would like to thank the fans for their patience.

Teens: Some people have said that your music sounds “too Westernized”. What do you have to say to that?

Wang Lee Hom: (Nonchalantly) I think that’s a silly comment. I mean, everyone can have his or her own opinion. That’s fine. If you like to listen to Eastern-sounding music, then go ahead. But what I’m trying to do and accomplish on this album is to create a new vibe called “chinked-out”, which is a new school of hip-hop.

(Explains) Hip-hop is the pop music of today, and the near future and there are many different schools. There’s the “thugged out”, the “pimped out”, “Crunk & B”, and my “chinked out” vibe. Everyone’s coming out with different vibes now. The “chinked-out” sound incorporates lots of elements of Chinese culture and it actually creates a stronger identity for Chinese music so I would disagree with anybody who would challenge me to think that they would rather listen to karaoke songs because it’s more “Chinese”.

I think those songs are lacking in identity and are not internationally competitive. I’m looking towards the day when Chinese music can be internationally accepted and the world can appreciate Chinese music and culture.

Teens: You have often been compared to David Tao. Do you find it annoying that after 10 albums, people still compare you to other artistes?

Wang Lee Hom: No, I don’t think so. The media does that to any artistes. We do that to Beethoven and Mozart. It’s not taking anything away from either of them.

Teens: So what do you say to critics who think you haven’t found your niche, even after 10 years?

Wang Lee Hom: Go get a job! (Laughs)

Teens:10 years is a long time, especially in the music industry. Are you worried about being jaded?

Wang Lee Hom: Hmmm, in what way? I think I am jaded, but I still have innocence, and I still have my passion for music. I’m still a musician at heart, and not a businessman. But I’m jaded because I have so many life experiences at this point and I’ve met so many people. I think I’m protecting myself more than I used to.

Teens: Shangri-La is the title of your new album. So what’s your idea of Shangri-La?

Wang Lee Hom: I think it’s different for everyone. I didn’t know until last year, when I was producing the album, that “Shangri-La” means “the sun and the moon at the centre of your heart”, hence, the title of the album. So, it’s different because everybody’s heart is different. What is sun and the moon in your heart? For me it’s my music and to be able to live and thrive in the world of music.

Teens:Your ballads tend to be very well received. Who do you think of when you write and sing your ballads?

Wang Lee Hom: My ballads are all different. On this album, the title track “Shangri-La” is about finding that special place in your heart that fulfils you. So it’s actually very profound and a bit abstract. I wrote the song in Shangri-la, and it’s inspired by Tibetan music. There’s actually Tibetan Palace music that I’ve recorded while in Shangri-la on the track. So it’s a very interesting piece of music and I sing from my heart, and that’s it. Those were the feelings I got when I was in Shangri-la.

Teens: “Forever Love” was written for your ex. Do you regret not salvaging the relationship?

Wang Lee Hom: No. I’m not a relationship salvager. I think when a relationship ends and when fate has dealt you the cards, it’s time to start moving on in life, and to give her my best wishes. So I’m really happy for her, that she has found someone whom she can love for life, and can provide for her in ways which I could not.

That’s why I wrote the song, “Forever Love”. I want to write a song that actually has a positive outlook on love because I feel that so many Chinese songs have lost all faith in love. I still believe in love and that a song can inspire people to keep the faith.

Teens: Your MV for “Forever Love” features a wedding. Do you feel it’s time for you to slow down and start working on your “social” life?

Wang Lee Hom: Nah, I don’t think so. I don’t think I’m ever going to “work” on my social life. I already have a lot of great friends and special people in my life that I love dearly. They get me through the tough times, my writer’s block and through whatever the tabloids say about me. I really appreciate the people who matter in my life.

Teens: Do you envy your brother for being happily married and having a kid?

Wang Lee Hom: Sure! But he’s him and I’m me. I’m happy for him.

Teens: What would your ideal wedding be like?

Wang Lee Hom: I want my ideal wedding to be like a party. It’ll be a party with great music and a great band. It’ll have to be music that’s really good, and preferably lots of performers. (Pauses) I hope my funerals like that too. And that everyone gets a little tipsy!

Teens: Which would you choose–your music career or the love of your life?

Wang Lee Hom: Music is the love of my life.

Teens: If there were one thing you could change in your life, what would it be?

Wang Lee Hom: I think the world is what you make of it so I would change the world such that it doesn’t have any exposure to Chinese music. I grew up in the States so there’s no way Americans get exposed to Chinese songs.

You can’t turn on your radio, or televisionÂ?c there’s no media where you can get Chinese movies or anything about Eastern culture. So there’s a lot of stereotypes, a lot of prejudice towards Chinese people. When I was growing up, people would come up to me and say, “Oh, you’re Chinese? You know kung fu? You like Bruce Lee?” and I think that’s too bad. That’s one of the reasons why IÂ?fve done 10 albums in Chinese, and not one in English.

Over the recent years I’ve had opportunities to perform in the US and recently in the UK and Japan. And everywhere I go, I know that it’s the first time these people are being exposed to Chinese music. That’s a historical event to me, an important ground-breaking step. I hope it’s not my last, but something that we can follow through. I’m working towards making this a reality.

Teens: After trying experimenting with so many different genres, what’s next?

Wang Lee Hom: Well, the “chinked-out” vibe that I started in this album is something that I hope to continue. It’s not a gimmick, and it’s not a marketing strategy. It’s a viable and significant musical style. It’s a school of hip-hop that can be continued, evolved, and explored. So that’s what I would continue to do in my next album. I mean, it’s going to be different, but it won’t necessary have the music of tribal and ethnic cultures in China but it will still have the vibe.

Teens: You have many fans in non-Mandarin speaking countries asking for an English album. Will you be fulfilling their wishes any time soon?

Wang Lee Hom: Composing in English is very natural for me. I’ve actually recorded many songs in English. I just haven’t released an English album. I would probably do that in the next one to two years.

INTEREST IN JOB CONTENT
(Those tasks you want to perform)

Yvonne is conscious of existence, meaning, purpose, potential and destiny of humankind, people, and self. Yvonne is motivated by a self-felt, self-accepted calling to the cause of good, growth, and gain in the lives of others. Influential communication of ideas is a primary way of achieving those objectives. Perception and thinking tend to be holistic and conceptual; i.e., seeing the big picture. It is important to see which of the other traits are interactive with this trait because there can be many interesting combinations. This is a major trait in cultural, intellectual, academic, and creative activities. It includes ideas, concepts, theory, ethics, and values.

INTEREST IN JOB CONTENT
(Those tasks you want to perform)

Yvonne is conscious of existence, meaning, purpose, potential and destiny of humankind, people, and self. Yvonne is motivated by a self-felt, self-accepted calling to the cause of good, growth, and gain in the lives of others. Influential communication of ideas is a primary way of achieving those objectives. Perception and thinking tend to be holistic and conceptual; i.e., seeing the big picture. It is important to see which of the other traits are interactive with this trait because there can be many interesting combinations. This is a major trait in cultural, intellectual, academic, and creative activities. It includes ideas, concepts, theory, ethics, and values.

APTITUDE FOR THE JOB
(Expression of performing tasks)

Yvonne’s preferences and motivations are derived from understanding the deeper or ‘real’ meaning of ideas and words and uses them effectively in written or oral communication. Literary in this factor means intentional search for ideas expressed by the minds of others for one’s own use, assimilation, learning, etc. The source can be books, other publications, historical documents, research information, drama, movies, television, the “information highway” or internet, etc. Emphasis is on communication: picking up information from minds of others or communication aimed toward the minds of others. Journalism and writing are major activities. Literary activity is not exclusively intellectual, academic, or cultural. It may be an end in itself as in a bookworm for instance. And literary activity is not always accompanied by communicative activity, written or oral. On the other hand, communicative activity need not be literary in the classic sense. And one need not be persuasive to be communic.

LANGUAGE CAPACITY
(How you relate to the usage of language)

Yvonne is motivated to describe, explain, teach, illustrate, and interpret. This is a journalistic trait dedicated to inform people. Social, leadership, influential, technical, service, and functional traits are involved as well. Therefore, it is necessary to review all worker traits to more closely identify Yvonne’s preferences relative to this trait.

I have been encountering a weird problem lately. At times, my browsers (IE and Firefox) won’t load google and gmail. When this happens, the load time of other search engines slow down as well. Could there be some kind of a spyware in my PC? Or is this is a server problem? I have a couple of security programs such as anti-virus, anti-spyware, adaware and a firewall but still, it doesn’t seem safe without SP2.

Another issue is that since all the PCs in my house are networked using a wireless router, when something bad happens to the main PC, it affects the function of the others as well. Like, when I can’t load google, I cannot do it on other PCs too. And when this PC is infected by virus and can’t connect to the router, the other PCs can’t go online as well. I don’t quite understand that since the other PCs do not bypass the main PC before connecting to the internet. And I don’t fancy formatting PCs.

Lastly, this is to highlight the plight of many disabled Malaysians especially those living in highrise buildings.