Exercise, Music and Games help one to age gracefully.
Life begins at forty.
Ronald Reagan jokingly said: “I am celebrating my 35th birthday after my 40th”.
Thoughts
I felt uncomfortable to be called “Ah Ba”, “Pho Pho” … and to be offered assistance (e.g. wheelchair).
Now I feel OK to take wheelchair at airports and to have assistance when I climb up and down hill slopes. I had a couple of bike rides on the dirt roads in Upper Myanmar.
As a senior, I enjoy discounts on trains, buses.
I simply hope that my mental faculties will be strong.
Sayagyi U Ba Toke
Sayagyi is a Phwa Bet Taw of Rangoon University. He celebrated his 99th birthday in December 2019 with his children, grand children and great grand children.
During my visits to Yangon, I paid homage to Sayagyi. In the early visits, Sayagyi recounted his experiences. He was a football star, a leader of the Burma Olympic Delegation, Commandant of the Luyechun Camp, an outstanding teacher and an excellent speaker. Until his mid 80s, he used to walk to Shwe Dagon Pagado with his younger dhamma friends. Then, Sayagyi gradually lost his mobility, his sight and his teeth. He had to skip some minor PZPs, but still attended SPZPs with a wheel chair.
Ma Theingi, Sayagyi’s youngest daughter, mentioned that Sayagyi is healthy but because he had lost most teeth, they have to listen carefully to grasp his message. Jara (old age) catches even the sport stars.
Sadly, he passed away on December 2, 2020 — a few days shy of his Centennial.
Saya served as Professor of English at Rangoon University and at the Institute of Education.
Pen name : Nwe Soe
Supporter of the “Khit San Sar Pay” co-founded by Theikpan Maung Wa, Zawgyi and Minthuwun.
Authored the “Archway Reader” series
Children : Patricia, Pamela, Uno, Beauty
Early English Sayas at RU
Dr. Ba Maw
[Mr.] Kan Gyi
[Ms.] E. Kan Gyi
Daw Thein Nyunt
Maggie Chin Cheng
Daw Tin Saw Mu
Daw Tinsa Maw-Naing
Daw Khin Kyi Kyi
U Ohn Khin
Daw Hla May
Early Honors Students
U Win Pe (“Mya Zin”)
Sao Hso Holm (“Sawbwalay”)
Majorie Law Yone
U Thaw Kaung are some of the early First Class Honors in English.
Language of Instruction in Burma
E. H. S. (English High School), taught subjects in English.
Vernacular schools taught subjects in Burmese.
Anglo-Venacular schools taught subjects in English and Burmese.
After Independence, some schools teach English from KG while others teach English from the 5th standard.
High Expectation
The expectations of some examiners of English in the Matriculation examination in the 50’s might have been unreasonably high. It came as a surprise when top students from SPHS (St. Paul’s High School) failed in English in the Matriculation of 1955. There was no moderation. The Brothers had to coax them to redo the Matriculation. Most later completed Masters from prestigious US universities. There was another surprise in 1959. One student gained three distinctions but failed in English. Instead of taking only English the following year, he repeated all the subjects and again gained three distinctions. He became a doctor and an outstanding professor.
1963 – 1965
The situation improved over the years.
In 1963, Dr. Khin Maung U (SPHS), Dr. Min Oo (Maths, SPHS), Dr. Myo San (Freddie, SPHS, GBNF), and Kenny Wong (M69, MEHS) gained four distinctions (including English). They placed 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th in Burma. In those days, only a few gained distinction in Burmese.
In 1964, Dr. Lyn Aung Thet (MEHS) gained four distinctions (including English) and tied for raw total score with Dr. Cherry Hlaing (SJC) for first place. Due to a perfect ILA, Dr. Cherry Hlaing was admitted as Roll No. (1) to Institute of Medicine (1).
In 1965, Bernard Khaw (SPHS) placed first in Burma. He scored very high marks (80+) in English. Due to the 3 NRC rule, he could not apply for professional institutes. He took Chemistry at RASU before moving to USA to study Chemical Engineering. After retirement, he became a Pastor.
My English Teachers at SPHS
Brother Austin (Std X A) mainly used the Carrot
Brother Xavier (Std IX A and Std VIII A) mainly used the Stick
Ms Amelia Kyi / Miss Hong Kong (Std VII D and Std VI D) used the Carrot and the Stick
Mrs. V Boudville (Class teacher for Std. V D)
Ms. A Benjamin (Class teacher for Std. IV D)
Relieving Sayas include Mr. Lewis, Mr. Chapman and Mr. Tims
My English Teachers at Rangoon University
Daw Tinsar Maw-Naing — I.Sc. (A)
Daw Khin Kyi Kyi — I.Sc. (A)
Sayama Toni
My English Teachers at RIT
Des Rodgers was the “main” English saya in 2nd B.E. Saya prides himself as a Scrabble Champion, a “Local Talent” star at BBS, an expert on ESL (English as a Specialty Language), and author of two (or more) books. Saya studied in UK and taught in Canada and on-line (for some time).
Sao Kan Gyi (GBNF) wrote with the pen name “Khemarat”.
U Khin (Lucien, now in Taiwan) had dictionaries (Chambers, Jones pronouncing, …) for use in officiating Scrabble games. He also won Scrabble trophies.
U Win Mra was Burma Pole Vault Champion. He won the “Elvis Presley” contest. He joined the Foreign Service and retired as Myanmar Ambassador to the United Nations. He was Chair of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission.
Joe Ba Maung (GBNF) was Burma Tennis Champion in Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. He transferred to Burma Railways. He managed the Sports program of Burma Railways. He was a victim of 8-8–88.
U Kyaw Lwin Hla transferred to UNDP.
Daw Yin Yin Mya (Terry) was Head of the Department. She moved to Australia.
Daw Sheila Saing was the Deputy Head. She moved to Thailand.
Daw Khin Saw Tint (Ann) is a bilingual author. wrote several books in Burmese. Her mother, aunts, uncles and brother are scholars and prominent figures in civil administration.
Naw Charity Sein U retired as Professor and Head of RIT English.
Daw Muriel — spouse: U Aung (Alphonso)
Daw Toni joined her spouse (who retired as Ambassador) overseas.
Leader of the San Francisco Bay Area RIT Alumni (which formed RIT Alumni International and hosted the First RIT Alumni Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe in October 2000.
SF Bay Area Alumni
President, RIT Alumni International
SPZP-2000 Organizers
Saya wrote the article “Brother, can you spare US $500?” for SPZP-2000. It resulted in five Golden Sponsors and many donors.
He provided the Class photo of C58 with help from Saya Dr. San Hla Aung and U Khin Maung Win (Sid Chen) for the caption.
C58
He took photos for the 10th Anniversary of RIT Alumni International. Saya was President of RIT Photography Association.
Experience
Matriculated in 1952 and attended RU.
Per his mother’s advice, he did not apply for Scholarship before graduating in 1958 with Civil Engineering.
Joined the Civil Engineering Department as Assistant Lecturer.
Received Masters from Harvard University.
Promoted to Lecturer.
Moved to USA.
Worked as Advisor for a UNDP project in Bangladesh.
Retired twice in the USA.
After first retirement, Saya U Thein Aung (Met72) invited him to Lawrence Livermore Lab at UC Berkeley.
After second retirement, Saya U Myat Htoo (C68) invited him to Caltrans.
Final Years
Saya accompanied his spouse Daw Mu Mu Kin (MEHS57) to the MEHS Reunion in Las Vegas. Saya had a stroke and was admitted to a hospital.
Saya continued medical treatment in the San Francisco Bay Area, but he finally passed away.
Family
Saya left behind his spouse, son and daughter.
After saya’s demise, four grandchildren were born.
Daw Mu Mu Khin & grandkids
In Saya’s memory, Daw Mu Mu Kin donated saya’s books to YTU Library. She also provided financial aid to eligible YTU students.
He joined UCC as Chief Operator. He led the team of on-line and off-line operators.
He was called CO U Hla Min or simply as CO.
He passed away in his mid-30s.
CO and UCC colleagues
Pauk Si (Nickname)
He was called Pauk Si by his classmates at SPHS (St. Paul’s High School, Rangoon). His father had lent money to a Pauk Si vendor, but the vendor could not pay back the loan. So, at break time, he would go to claim one Pauk Si or more depending on his appetite.
CO (Chief Operator)
He matriculated in 1964 and received his B.E. (EP) in 1970. He joined UCC as CO.
Under the UCC program, he studied for a year in the UK and also found his soulmate Daw Tin Win who was undergoing advanced nursing training.
He was afraid of getting hospitalized. He was healthy. He would rarely wear the coat/jacket that is mandated for those working in the air conditioned Computer Room. He would often wear a sports shirt. So, it was a surprise to learn that CO, after returning from spending as a temporary monk at Taung Pu Lu monastery, fell ill.
He was admitted to RGH where Dr. Min Lwin (Maurice Hla Kyi, 5th in Burma in 1964 from SPHS, cousin of “Lake” Win Maung) examined him and found out a serious problem.
Dr. Min Lwin (3rd from Left)
CO’s voice had lost intensity during his stay in the hospital. He told us to be good towards the sayas, colleagues, friends and family members. We sensed that it was his farewell message.
Sad to say, he passed away in his mid-thirties. He did not drink or smoke, but he ate (may be a little bit indiscriminately). He presumably had Hepatitis and later “cirrhosis”.
Tone Kyaw
When CO passed away at the tender age (may be 35), I became a Tone Kyaw.
Some people were not aware that there were two Hla Min who attended SPHS & RIT and worked at UCC. They both have spouses from the medical profession.
It was not surprising when two government departments (Cooperatives Training School and Trade Corporation Training School) where I had given guest lectures inquired UCC where and when they could send wreaths (Lwan Thu Pan Khwe) for me. A representative from one department said, “It is said that people laugh a lot before they die. U Hla Min was telling us jokes.” A person from the second department said, “U Hla Min looks frail and unsteady when he walks. No wonder he passed away.”
To top it all, Ko Moe Hein (Ajala, ChE69) took a day off to send me off. He was RIT Selected for Swimming and Water Polo. He had a loud voice that can drown the voices of ten or so “normal” people. So he became the de facto cheerleader for the RIT Sports Teams. He was working at HIC (Heavy Industries), where my older brother was in charge. At Kyandaw Cemetery. he came down from a bus. When he saw me, he stared at me as if I was a ghost. He explained, “Your brother seemed so calm when we learned that you had passed away. So I look a day off to give you last respects thinking that ‘If your brother does not care about you, there will not be many people at last journey’”. That’s how I became a Tone Kyaw.
Relationship With Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung
CO was partly responsible for the UCC staff members visiting Kaba Aye Sun Lun Gu Kyaung and then later participating in the Thingyan Su Paung Yahan Khan Pwes.
He and Saya U Soe Paing were temporary monks at the monastery where Sayadaw U Wara (Win Paing, GBNF, ChE70, SPHS 64, younger brother of Saya U Soe Paing) was Taik Oke (second in command).
U Wara (GBNF)
U Soe Myint (M72, GBNF) and his family (parents and siblings) are devotees.
I visited CO and Saya Paing and later became a devotee and a Donlaba monk in the Thingyan period.
One year, several UCC employees and students became Donlaba (temporary monks) at Kaba Aye Sun Lun Kyaung. The tradition of “UCC Su Paung Yahan Khan” carried on at the various monasteries (Chan Myei Yeiktha, Mingun Kyaung, …).
UCC Yahan
U Aung Myint (AM, GBNF) and U Maung Maung Gyi (GBNF) were his classmates at SPHS. U Soe Win was his classmate at RIT.
MMG, KMZ and AM
RIP (Rest in Peace) my dear friend and my name sake. We remember you saying, “Sayas, You will realize my values when I am gone.”
U Khin Maung Zaw (KMZ, EC76) wrote :
KJ, my advanced and sincerely apology for what I am going to say here. As the Sayadaw U Vinaya has mentioned more than once at the time, “ဂျော်နီ နှိပ်ဆက် very bad”, you were the one who brought us to Kaba Sun Lun Gu Kyaung, to be ordained as Donlabas. The first time, if my re-collection is correct, was on Saturday – eve or day before the eve of Thingyan. The entire HE Engineering gang was there as we were leaving after the weekly Saturday maintenance.
Many of us, excluding me, had their head shaved there, and Ko Aung Myint went back home in E2000. had to tell his wife that he would be in monkhood, collected some essentials and came back to the monastery.
Please don’t get me wrong, I am forever indebted to you for introducing there including the meditation.
U Aung Myint (UCC) wrote :
KJ make sure (taking advance deposit or ‘စရံ ‘ ) that we can’t change our minds or asking excuses. We (Ko Ngwe Soe and myself) we’re shaved ahead our hair before taking our belongings in our homes.
HlaMin 