Blog

Arithmetic
- In our younger days, we had to study Arithmetic.
- Reading, (W)riting and (A)rithmetic were the Three R’s.
- Burmese version is Ah Thone Lone (for Ah Phut, Ah Yay and Ah Twet.
- Had to study some subjects in English and Burmese.
Texts
- Our elders used the textbook by Workman.
- We use the book by U Pann Yi (who adapted/translated Workman’s book).
Rapid Mental Calculation
- During our younger days, there was an Indian lady who could do large calculations in her head.
- There was Trachtenberg’s method of rapid mental calculation.
  To keep his sanity in a prison, Tratchenberg developed a method to perform arithmetic operations quickly.
Short cuts
- Before the advent of calculators and computers, it was advantageous to learn some short cuts.
- (a) To find the square of a number ending in five.
- 115 x 115 = (11 x 12) x 100 + 25 = 13225.
- It can be done easily in the head.
- It follows from Algebra.
- (10a + 5) (10a + 5) = 100a^2 + 100a + 25 = 100a(a+1) + 25
- (b) use “Casting out the nines” to check if multiplication is correct.
- It follows from “Modulo Arithmetic”.
- A number, which is a power of 10, when divided by 9 gives a remainder of 1.
Abacus

Some use abacus. There are several variations.

(a) Most abacus has two sets of bead :
Two beads (with a weight of 5)
Five beads (with a weight of 1)
(b) Some use less beads :
One bead (with a weight of 5)
Four beads (with a weight of 1)
(c) Currently, some after-school classes in the USA teach abacus

Computational Aids

Mechanical, electro-mechanical and electronic calculators became computational aids. The early calculators were beaten by a proficient abacus user.

Computers, PCs and smart devices are ubiquitous.
May 19, 2025
Apple
- There are 100+ varieties of apples. Most are eaten fresh. Some are eaten as salad. Some are cooked or made into pie or sauce.
- Grannie Smith was chosen by the Beatles for the logo of their company “Apple Records”.
- Steve Wozniak (“Woz”) and Steve Jobs formed “Apple” Company to market their Apple computers.
- “Apple” Company was sued by “Apple Records” for copyright infringement. The judge said that it was okay to use the name Apple for two different domains : computers and music. The judge might be surprised to learn that several decades later, Apple computers are playing Beatles albums on iTunes.
- Steve Jobs named another product as “Macintosh”. In British English, Macintosh is a rain coat. McIntosh is an apple.
- There used to be a grocery chain called “Apple Tree” and a restaurant chain called “Apple Bee”.
- There are words and phrases like Adam’s apple, the apple of my eye, and apple pie order.
- It is probable that Adam and Eve ate apple in the Garden of Eden. The Hebrew scriptures simply mention the “forbidden fruit”.
- Sir Isaac Newton was in an apple orchard when he discovered the law of gravity. It is not sure if an apple fell on his head. He noticed that apples fall vertically to the ground. He asked himself why the moon did not fall to the earth.
- Both men and women have Adam’s apple, but men have larger, distinctive ones.
May 19, 2025
Alumni of Selected Schools
St. Paul’s High School (SPHS)

Early alumni
- ICS U Tin Tut
- U Ba Khin (Vipassana, First in Burma)
- U Chan Tun
- Dr. Ba Han
- Dr. Ba Maw
- H.E. U Than Aung
Sayas who attended SPHS
- C. Ping Lee (EE, GBNF)
- U Tin Htut (M, SPHS53)
- Mao Toon Siong (M, SPHS55)
- U Soe Paing (EE, UCC, SPHS56)
- U Ko Ko Lay (GBNF, UCC, SPHS56)
- U Ba Min (Maths, SPHS56)
- U Myo Min (UCC, SPHS58)
- Dr. Soe Win (Chem, SPHS58)
- Dr. Sein Tun (GBNF, Phy, SPHS59)
- Dr. Myint Han (CRO, SPHS59)
- Dr. Myint Tun (Henry Cho Tun, Chem, SPHS60)
- U Htun Aung Kyaw (Ch, SPHS61)
- U Ohn Maung (Ch, SPHS62)
- U Myint Soe (GBNF, C, SPHS62)
- Dr. Htin Aung (C, SPHS63)
- Dr. Myo Khin (C, SPHS63)
Alumni who attended SPHS
- Koon Yin Chu (Phillip, A, SPHS54)
- U Tin Htoon (A, SPHS54)
- U Myint Lwin (Henry Chee, GBNF, C, SPHS55)
- U Than Se (Richard, Ch, SPHS56)
- U Sein Htoon (M, SPHS57, RUBC Captain and Gold)
- U Myint Khine (Norman, C, SPHS57, Boxing, Soccer, Track & Field, Rowing)
- U Thaung Lwin (EC, SPHS60, RUBC Captain and Gold)
- U Khin Maung Oo (Robert Gale, EC, SPHS60)
- U Myo Myint (EC, SPHS60, RUBC Gold)
- U Than Htut (M, SPHS60, RUBC Gold)
- U Sein Shwe (M, SPHS61, Luchechun, Dobat, Harmonica)
- U Aung Khin (EC, SPHS61)
- U Kyaw Kyaw (C, SPHS61)
- U Tin Nwe (Milton Sein, C, SPHS62)
- U Hla Min (EC, SPHS63)
- U Chit Po Po (M, GBNF)
- U Tin Nwe (“Cowboy”, C, GBNF)
- Uzin Aung Chaw (Victor Chaw, C, SPHS63)
- U Ngwe Tun (C, SPHS63)
- U Than Win (M, SPHS63)
- U Khin Maung Bo (Alan Saw Maung, EP, SPHS63)
- U Min Thaw (Gilbert Thaw, GBNF, EP, SPHS63)
- U Aung Thu Yein (Brownie Way, GBNF, EC, SPHS63)
- U Than Htay (M, SPHS63)
- U La Min (EP, SPHS64)
- U Hla Min (“Pauk Si”, GBNF, EP, SPHS64)
- U Han Kyu Pe (A, GBNF, SPHS64)
- U Myint Thin (M, GBNF, SPHS65)
- U Myint Toe (M, SPHS65)
- U Myo Lwin (Stanley Saw, M, SPHS65)
- U Bo Bo Oo (Oscar Oo, M, SPHS65)
- U Wunna Sithu (EC, SPHS65)
- U Nyunt Tin (M, SPHS65)
Methodist English High School (MEHS)

U Maung Maung

Sayas who attended MEHS include
- U Tu Myint (Winston, M)
- U Maung Maung (George, Ch)
Alumni who attended MEHS
- U Tun Aung (Jeffrey, EC)
- U Tint Lwin (Daniel, M)
- U Nay Win (M, GBNF)
- Kenny Wong (M)
- U Kyaw Min Thein (Kenneth Thein, M)
- Daw Saw Yu Tint (Alice, T)
- Tan Yu Beng (Benny, M)
- U Khin Maung Aye (M, GBNF)
- U Win Khaing (M)
- Maurice Chee (Hla Myint Thein, M)
Sacred Heart

Alumni who attended Sacred Heart
- U Tin Htut (Harry, M)
- U Win Boh (Robert Gyu, EC)
- U Tin Aung Win (Oscar Than Nyunt, M)
- Abdul Rauf (Tin Aye, GBNF, EP)
St. John’s Diocesan

U Ba Than

Sayas who attended St. John’s Dio
- U Tin U (C)
- U Ba Than (M)
- Dr. Thein Hlyne (Min)
- Dr. Tin Win (M)
- U Moe Aung (E)
- U Kyaw Sein (M)
Alumni who attended St. John’s Dio
- Uzin Bobby Myo Tun (Errol Than Tun, A)
- Dr. Khin Maung Aye (M)
Other schools in Rangoon include
- ABM
- St. Augustine
- Branch Convent
- Burmese Methodist
- Central
- Chinese Methodist
- Hwa Kyone
- St. John’s Convent
  Lei Lei Myaing (Amy), Than Than Yi …
- St. Mary’s Diocesan
  Mae Khin Nyunt (Rosie) …
- St. Philomena’s Convent
- Myoma
  Zaw Win …
- Nan Yang
- Private Boundary Road School (PPBRS)
  Hla Min, Nay Win, Aung Myint (Thamankyar) …
- TTC Practicing School
  Win Aung, Soe Win (UCC, PTC), Kyaw Zaw (DCA) …
Schools outside Rangoon include
- St. Albert’s (Maymyo)
  Zaw Min Nawaday, Saw Maung Maung Htwe …
- St. Columban’s (Bhamo)
  David Myint Thein …
- St. Patrick’s (Moulmein)
  U Aye, Dennis Mackey (Kyaw Thu) …
- St. Peter’s (Mandalay)
  U Thein Tan …
- De La Salle (Twante)
- St. Joseph’s (Loikaw)
- Kanbawza (Taunggyi)
  Tin Myint (John T Lee) …
- Father Lafone (Mandalay)
May 19, 2025
Companies and Products

Apple

Apple Records is a company owned by the Beatles to produce and distribute their music. It sued the Apple Computer for infringement of the Apple trade mark. The judge decided that the two companies were in different domains. He could not envision that the Beatles music would be offered on Apple iTunes.
Apple Computer was founded by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. They might have chosen “Apple” for their computer and their company so that it would be listed ahead of “Atari” (the first entry) in the Yellow Pages.

Google

Google is an accidental misspelling of Googol.
Googol signifies a very large number. The value is 1E100 (or one followed by 100 zeroes).

iPad

The iPad trade mark was owned by Fujitsu, which had a project to develop an intelligent pad. Apple had an agreement with Fujitsu to use the trade mark.

iPhone

The iPhone trade mark was owned by Cisco. Apple had an agreement with Cisco to use the trade mark.

Mac

A meaning of Mac is “son of”.
Apple developed the Macintosh computer. Not sure what the name stands for. McIntosh is an apple. Macintosh is a raincoat in British English.

May 19, 2025
BBS
Early Days

The Burma Broadcasting Service (BBS) was located in Windermere Crescent. It later moved to Prome Road.
U Khin Zaw (“K”) was the founder Director.
He was succeeded by his cousin and assistant U Pe Thaw.

BBS was known as “Myanmar Ah Than”. It evolved into “Myanmar Yoke Myin Than Kyar“.

There were three sessions : Morning, Noon and Night.
The main programs were in Burmese.
There were also programs in English and national languages (e.g. Shan)

Local Talents

The English section of BBS had a program for Local Talents. U Hla Bu (Percy Loonee), Daw Olive, Daw Allison Tun Ngwe and U Aung Thwin (Eddie) helped run the program.

A typical session is allocated 15 minutes. An individual or a group can play or sing about five songs. A typical remuneration is 45 Kyats per session.

Variety Show / Performers

Occasionally, BBS holds a Variety Show. Some performers are listed in alphabetical order;
- Andrew Kong — Keyboard
- Dream Makers — Reggie Ba Oo, Eddie Ba Oo, …
- Immanuel Four — Phillip Po Ba, Gerald Sao …
- LPJ (Love Peace and Joy) — Victor Khin Nyo, Thein Tan, …
- Playboys — Thann Naing, Tommy Kyaw Naing, Kyaw Naing, …
- Ricky Zaw — Steel Guitar
- Shamrock Boys — Nyi Nyi and Myint Soe
- Super Star — Peter Ba Thein, Han Ngwe Tun, …
- TAMPS — Tin Aung, Austin Xavier, Mra Tun, Pierpont Morgan and Sydney Sann Aung)
- The Wild Ones — Paw brothers, …
- Victor Ohn Maung — taught several to play the guitar
- Win Mra and Des Rodgers
- Win Sisters — led by Joyce Win / Nwe Yin Win
- Some people (e.g. Reggie Ba Oo, Thein Tan) played on more than one group.
- Most groups had three Guitarists (Lead, Rhythm and Bass) and a Drummer.
- Some groups feature Steel, Hawaiian and 12 String Guitars, Banjo, Percussion and Keyboard.
Several performers turned Professional during the Stereo Khit.
May 19, 2025
S (Terms)
- SMART — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bounded
- SMS — Simple Messaging System
- SOA — Span of Attention; Service Oriented Architecture
- SOAP — Simple Object Application Protocol
- SOAS — School of Oriental and Asian Studies
- SSOT — Single Source of Truth
- SWOT — Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
May 19, 2025
LMP
- During the Pre-War days, those who want to pursue a Medical Career had to get LMP (Licensed Medical Practitioner).
- Some chose to study MBBS overseas (e.g. Calcutta University).
- According to U Ko Ko Aye, the LMP school was located near the Bogyoke Market and was destroyed by bombing.
Choice to become MBBS
- LMPs were later offered a condensed course to become MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery).
- Colonel Hla Han was an LMP turned MBBS.
Prank
- One prankster carried a briefcase with “LMP” on it.
- He was a Licensed Master Plumber.
May 19, 2025
Google

Google is a deliberate misspelling of Googol (1E100, or 1 followed by 100 zeros).

It is not the first search engine, but it leveraged the power of multiple processors, “Page ranking”, translation, …

Several books have been written about Google, GooglePlex, and the various products not only through R&D but also through logistic M&A.

Google bought Android and made it open source. Android-based mobile devices are ubiquitous. It is also noted that Google was able to fend off a lawsuit for “copyright violation of Java”.

Google is an active sponsor of ACM and CHM (Computer History Museum). It held company meetings and exhibits (the recent ones being “Google Street Maps” and “Autonomous Vehicles”.

Vint Cerf, Past ACM President, is a co-founder of TCP/IP and the Internet Evangelist at Google.

Google had a few “hits” when it tried to scan books, journals, and documents to make it available.

Per Professor Luc’s remarks, Googlers thinks outside the box and have passion. They not only think, but also enjoy thinking.

May 19, 2025
Kyet Taw (Nickname)
Kyet Taw is one of the famous nick names.
- Khin Maung Lwin (“Kyet Taw”) — Past General Secretary of RIT-YIT-YTU Alumni Association; Core organizer of the Combined Class of 87 and 91. (There is no convocation for 1988, 1989 and 1990); Was active in 8888 movement.
Khin Maung Lwin
- Harry Taw (“Kyet Taw”, MEHS57) moved to Southern California.
- Dr. Nyan Taw (“Kyet Taw”, Dicky, SPHS63) — RUBC Gold; Doctorate in Marine Biology; Worked for Pearl and Fishery Corporation before moving abroad for UN and Private Sector assignments (e.g. raising Prawns); His mother is credited with helping Bogyoke Aung San evade the heels of the Police
Dr. Nyan Taw

Dr. Nyan Taw wrote:
Now I know three ‘Kyet Taw’ an engineer, medical doctor & I
Thanks.
May 19, 2025
U Mya Thein

Bo Shoke

U Mya Thein (GBNF) earned the nickname “Bo Shoke” at the Institute of Economics (IE). His first nickname was “Bo Gyoke” because he had his hair cut like Bogyoke Aung San. He was a brilliant and talented student. He would explain the lectures in a room to his fellow students. It is said that there were more attendees at his free tuition than at the regular classes given by the sayas.

He had a vast array of General Knowledge. He would read books on religion, medicine, and engineering. He would get involved in lots of activities thereby earning the name “Bo Shoke” (One who gets his hands wet in things that are of no concern to him).

He joined the Commerce Department at the Institute of Econmics. When UCC was formed, it needed people with diverse skills. U Mya Thein & U Thein Oo, from Commerce Department, and U Htin Kyaw & U Tun Shwe from Statistics Department transferred to UCC from IE. They all became Application Programmers, and went for further studies to the United Kingdom.

Bo Shoke was outspoken. During a visit to UCC, VIPs (ministers, deputy ministers, …) were standing and waiting for U San Yu. Bo Shoke entered the room and shouted, “Sit down”. All complied. (What a surprise!)

He not only taught at UCC, but he also lectured to to the monks at ITBMU (International Theravada Buddhist Missionary University).

Like Father, Like Son

One day his father came to UCC. He carried a bunch of bananas to UCC. He asked U Tun Kywe, an army veteran serving as security, the office of Saya U Myo Min (Bo Shoke’s manager). When he found out Saya Myo was not much older than Bo Shoke, he went downstairs and then handed the bunch of bananas to the elderly U Tun Kywe. Like father, like son.

Final Remarks

I succeeded Saya U Myo Min as Business Application Manager. Later Bo Shoke succeeded me as Business Application Manager

Fortunately or unfortunately, one who could contest Bo Shoke appeared. It was his sister-in-law.

U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :

I visited UCC on my first trip back home after 20+ years abroad. Someone told me Bo Shoke took over a single story building next to the first UCC building. I decided to go in and meet him there, as expected he chased me out as I was unauthorized to come in his office.

I then realized that he failed to recognize me, I no longer looked like a ကြွက်စုတ်, with fairer skin being lived in the colder climate, for couple of decades.

I said “ဗိုလ်ရှုပ်၊ ခင်ဗျားခုထက်ထိရှုပ်တုံးဘဲလား”,he squinted his eyes for several seconds, then recognized me. I was wearing shorts then, he said ” ဘယ်ကတရုပ်ကြီးလဲ”.

May 19, 2025