Among My Souvenirs

by Hla Min

Updated : June 2025

Golden Jubilee

Present from KMZ

Birthday Wishes

• Maurice Chee (M75) organized a Birthday Soon Kyway at Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay on August 20, 2016.
• He prepared electronic & hard copy of the birthday wishes.

• Another set was for attendees, who had not sent wishes by e-mail.
• Thanks to the sayas, colleagues and friends for a memorable gathering.

Appreciation from Alumni in US & Canada

• Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi could not attend the soonkyway, but he requested Maurice to donate a food dish for him & his family.
  Sayagyi’s message was read by Maurice.

• Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) presented the appreciation award at Half Moon Bay soonkwyay and gathering.

From NorCal RITAA Dinner in Dec 2016

• Alumni Appreciation Award was signed by Saya U Myat Htoo (C68, Chair, BOD), Gordon Kaung (M83, President) and U Thaung Nyunt (M87, Secretary).

• Saya U Myat Htoo presented the award to me at the NorCal RITAA Annual Dinner, 2016.

From SPHS in 1963

There were five Paulians in the Top Five, seven in the Top Ten, and ten in the Top Twenty. They received Collegiate Scholarship.

• Dr. Khin Maung U (Retired from FDA, USA) – 1st
• Dr. Min Oo (Retired Maths Professor in Canada) – 2nd
• Dr. Myo San (Freddie, Surgeon, GBNF) – 3rd
• Dr. Nyunt Wai (Victor, Professor in IM & Malaysia) – 4th
• Dr. Thein Wai (Migrated to USA after graduation) – 5th
• U Hla Min (Retired Software Engineer) – 7th

• Dr. Aung Kyaw Zaw (Cardiologist) – 9th
• U Maung Maung Kyi (Dip Ing, GBNF) – 11th
• U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie, EC69, GBNF) – 13th
• Dr. Khin Maung Zaw (Frank, Retired Doctor in UK) – 17th

From Toastmasters International

Awards

• CC (Competent Communicator)
• ACB (Advanced Communicator Bronze)
• ACS (Advanced Communicator Silver)
• ACG (Advanced Communicator Gold)
• CL (Competent Leader)
• ALB (Advanced Leader Bronze)
• ALS (Advanced Leader Silver)
• DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster)

I served as

• Club Officer
• Area Governor
• Club Coach
• Contest Chair
• Ambassador
• Guest Speaker
• Test Speaker
• Team Builder (for Excellent Leadership)

MP3 players

Dhamma Talks & Lectures

• Received MP3 player with dhamma talks from U Khin Maung Tun, SDYF President
  at 2015 RIT Alumni Reunion in Los Angeles

Also received MP3 players from

• Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt
• My sisters
• Dhamma friends

Each player has Paritta Pali (protective verses) and dhamma talks by different sayadaws.

From my Life Savers

Coffee mug with photos

My beloved grandchildren gave it as present for Grand Father’s Day

Books

For writing, translating, editing or proof-reading

I edited or proof-read books written by

• Sayadaws (U Silananda, U Jotalankara)
• Sayas (Des Rodgers)
• Friends (U Aung Zaw).
  
  They provided me copies of their books.

Book Presents

I received books from others. They include

• “Life Journey of Maths Professor U Ba Toke” : autographed copy

• “Myanmar in my life-time”
  by BBS U Khin Zaw — air mailed from Australia by U Wint Khin Zaw

• Book honoring Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint — air mailed from Australia by Dr. TOKM

• Centennial for U Khin Maung Latt & Daw Khin Myo Chit —
  Two books by Junior Win
• Books by U Ye Sint (former Editor of Dhammananda Newsletter) : His works; Pathan Dethana (Dhamma Dana by his siblings)
• U Kesala (Chief Resident monk, Alodaw Pyie Monastery in Arizona) : Dhamma Q&A; Several other books
• “Nga Doh Khit Ka Tekkatho”
  by Shwe Ky May Hnin —
  Given to me at San Francisco Bay Area Talk

• Books by Saya U Moe Aung (Tekkatho Moe War) —Collection of Poems; Collection of Articles

• Book by Saya U Nyunt Htay —
  Collection of Swel Daw Poems

• Books by Nyan Oo Maung
  (aka Mudita Shwe Kyaung Sayadaw U Nyanika)
• Books by various sayadaws in Bay Area & beyond : Beelin Sayadaw, U Dhammapiya, U Gosita, Dhamma Bheri Sayadaw, Aung San Tat Oo Sayadaw, Thamanay Kyaw
• Books by Dr. San Oo, Daw Than Yi and family
• “Yahandar and Poke Ko Htoo Myar” by Dhammacariya U Htay Hlaing — in the 80’s for translating several of his “Dhamma Duta” articles
• Books by Sayawun Tin Shwe
  — Given by his daughter Tyn Tyn Aye during her UCC studies
• U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ) mailed me two books that he bought in Myanmar : U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khin, Collection Bagan poems (by Zawgyi, translated by Ah May Thar).
• Saya U Tin Maung Nyunt believes in a revolving library.
  Gave me several books that he enjoyed reading.
• 8-8-88 by Dat Pone Htein Win — Received at 5th ILF
• Books by Members of Professional Spakers Association (PSA) : Kyaw Kyaw Hlaing, Kaythri Kyaw …

Publications

Contributing Editor for “90th Anniversary Issue of the Founding of RUBC” (2013)

Wrote articles and/ or poems for

• Guardian
• Working People’s Daily
• Forward Magazine
• Veda Magazine
• Pan Magazine
• Encyclopedia of Asian American Folklore and Folklife

• BAPS Newsletter
• RIT Alumni Newsletter (Special issue for SPZP-2000)

• “Swel Daw Yeik Sar Saung” for SPZP-2002, SPZP-2007 & SPZP-2010

• “Swel Daw Yeik Magazine” for Shwe YaDu

U Ohn Khine (M70) and I compiled the CD supplement for HMEE-2012.

CDs

Received raw and formal CDs and DVDs for the various RIT Gatherings.