Blog

  • November

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Feb 2026

    Background

    • 9th month of the old Roman calendar. Nov means nine.
    • 11th month of the Gregorian calendar.
    • It has 30 days.

    Events

    Birthdays

    • Saya U Mg Mg (George, ChE66)
    • Daw Aye Aye — Spouse of Saya U Aung (C70)
    • Son of Saya U Aung Myaing (ChE72) and Daw Gyn Yu (ChE72)
    • My Daughter-in-law

    November 1

    • It is “All Saints Day”. It is preceded by Halloween (which falls on October 31st).

    Sunday following Halloween

    • DST (Daylight Savings Time) requires resetting the clock according to “Spring forward. Fall back.” Currently, DST is set back in Fall (Autumn) on the Sunday following Halloween.

    November 2

    • Dr. Ye Myint (cousin nephew) and Daw San San Aye
    • Daw Kaythi (cousin niece) and U Soe Min Oo
    • Aung Myo Myint (cousin grand nephew) and Demo

    November 8

    • It is the Anniversary of my beloved parents.
    My beloved parents

    November 11

    • Three generations chose November 11 for their Wedding or Reception
    • Dr. and Mrs. Chan Taik
    • Daughter Margaret Chan Taik and Dr. Myo Tint (cousin)
    • Granddaughter Ma Kay and Soe Min Oo (both EC 93) — reception; the wedding was on November 2

    November 22

    • John F Kennedy (President of the United States) was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.
    • Conspiracy Theory about his assassination survives.
    • A few days earlier, President Kennedy gave his speech in Hoston, Texas : “Before this decade is out, we will send men on the moon and bring them safely back to earth.”

    Tazaungdaing

    • It often falls around November.
    • Kathein robe offering often take place in early November.
      It must be held during one month following the Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut (which usually falls in October).

    Veterans Day

    • November 11 is celebrated as Veterans Day in the USA.
    • It is celebrated as Armistice Day in the UK and France.
    • A hundred years ago, Truce was called between the Allied Forces and Germany. The Truce occurred at 11 AM, marking the event with three 11s.
    • WWI (First World War) ended a year later with the Versailles Treaty.

    US Elections

    • The second Tuesday of November is scheduled for US Elections at the various levels.
    • The Presidential Elections occur every four years.
    • The mid-term elections occur every two years. The House of Representatives serve two year terms. One third of Senators are elected every two years.
    • Local races for Elections and Resolutions are held every year.
    • Senators serve six year terms.
      To ensure continuity in the Senate, the election of the Senators is staggered into three groups.

    Commercialization of Thanksgiving

    • Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November.
    • Black Friday & Cyber Monday following Thanksgiving have massive sales. Some start their Black Friday early.
    • Several English words (e.g. November, Black Friday) have lost their original meaning.

    Baseball

    Game 7

    • Game 7 of the 2025 World Series started on November 1 and ended on November 2
    • Toronto Blue Jays led in the game until Miguel Rojas (9th place in the batting order) hit a tying home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 9th inning.
    • Will Smith hit the game winning home run for LA Dodgers in the 11th inning.
    • The Dodgers became repeat champions in 25 years.
    • Yoshi Yamamoto started Game 6 and ended Game 7. He was voted the World Series MVP.
  • Visits in 2015

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Feb 2026

    Invitation

    Ivan Lee (M69) invited several 69ers to get together at his house in New Jersey around June-July of 2015. U Aung Myint and U Sein Tin could not make it to the 2015 mini-reunion.

    Fred Thetgyi (M69)

    • Lives in Philadelphia
    • Joined the 2015 mini-reunion
    • Drove most of the 1800+ mile trip in Ivan’s Mercedes
    • Except when his batteries went out, he took pictures at the mini-reunion and the trip.
    • He would appear only in a fraction of the photos, when someone else (Ivan, a waiter, or a stranger) took the photo.
    Phil 1
    Phil 2
    Phil 3
    Phil 4
    Phil 5
    Phil 6
    Phil 7
    Phil 8
    Phil 9

    New Jersey

    • Main Host : Ivan
    • Other hosts : Saya U Soe Paing & Daw Saw Yu Tint
    • Ivan took us on a short trip to New York
    • Ivan showed us around New Jersey
    • For several years, Ivan had hosted the RIT-UCC Gathering with Saya Dr. Aung Gyi and Saya U Soe Paing as Guests of Honor.
    • Photo shows two Sayas and six 69ers — Fred, TAG, HM, Alice, Toung / Tom and Ivan
    New Jersey

    Niagara Falls

    • On the way to Canada
    • Took photos from the US side & the Canada side
    Niagara Fall

    Windsor, Canada

    • Host : Sayagyi U Aung Khin
    • Saya patiently waited for our arrival.
    • Saya let me and my spouse spend the night in his Guest room. Ivan and Fred stayed at a motel.
    • Saya prepared Mohinga and Ah Kyaw for breakfast.
    • He gave us mementos.
    U Aung Khin
    Saya U Aung Khin
    Memento

    Toronto

    • Brief sight seeing
    • Saya Des Rodgers had earlier invited to drop by his house, but our schedule did not have slack time.

    Napean, Canada

    • Host: Sayagyi Dr. Aung Gyi & Daw Emma
    • Saya drove us around Toronto
    • We spent two nights at Saya’s house.
    Dr. Aung Gyi
    • Took a quick trip to Thousand Islands. Ma Ma Emma bought a gift for my Myee
    Thousand Islands

    Shrewberry, Massachussetts

    • Hosts : Dr. Tun Aung Gyaw (EC69) & Daw Khin Maw Maw
    • Since they were renovating their home, U TAG hosted us at a hotel.
    • Visit MIT & Harvard University
    U TAG
    Dinner

    Trumbull, Connecticut

    • Hosts : U Toung (Tom, EC69) and Daw Khin Myint
    • Visit Yale University
    • Visit Pizza place frequented by the young Bill Clinton
    Ko Toung
    Place frequented by young Bill Clinton

    Philadelphia

    • Hosts : Fred Thetgyi (M69) & Eunice
    • Dropped by to see Fred’s elder sister
    • Visit Pake Forge and Liberty Bell;
    • Visit my last remaining uncle U Thein Han in Maryland
    MD 1
    MD 2
    MD 3
    MD 4

    Posts

    • 69er
    • Alumni
    • Reunion
    • Sayas
    • Visits
  • Three

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Feb 2026

    Numeral

    • Hindu-Arabic numeral : 3
    • Roman numeral : III
    • သုံး (Three in Burmese)
    • တတိယ (Third in Burmese)

    Triple Gems

    ရတနာ သုံးပါး

    • Buddha ဗုဒ္ဓ The Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Fully Enlightened One
    • Dhamma ဓမ္မ Teachings of the Buddha
    • Sangha သံဃာ Monastic Order of the Buddha

    Tipitaka တိပိဋက

    • Vinaya ဝိနည်း Monastic rules of conduct
    • Sutta သုတ္တန် Discourses
    • Abhidhamma အဘိဓမ္မာ Ultimate Reality

    Trinity

    • Father
    • Son
    • Holy Spirit

    Three valued logic

    • True
    • False
    • Don’t know

    Musical note

    • Ascent / Rise
    • Sustain
    • Descent / Decay

    Apollo Modules

    • Command Module
    • Lunar Module
    • Service Module

    Apollo 11

    • Neil Armstrong : Mission Commander
    • Michael Collins : Command Module Pilot
    • Buzz Aldrin : Lunar Module Pilot
    Men on the Moon

    Positive Color Model / RGB

    • Red
    • Green
    • Blue

    Traffic Light

    • Red
    • Amber
    • Green

    Speech / Writing

    • Introduction
    • Body
    • Conclusion

    Education

    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Tertiary

    Khit San Sarpay ခေတ်စမ်းစာပေ

    • သိပ္ပံမောင်ဝ ICS U Sein Tin
    • ဇော်ဂျီ (ဦးသိန်းဟန် U Thein Han)
    • မင်းသုဝဏ် (ဦးဝန် U Wun)

    Early Schools in Burma

    • English School
    • Vernacular School
    • Anglo-Vernacular School

    Miscellaneous

    • Three Hindu Deities
    • Triangle : Three-sided figure
    • Triangulation : Surveying technique
    • Three Seasons in Myanmar : Hot, Rainy, Cold
    • Tricycle : Cycle with three wheels
    • Tripod : Camera stand with three legs
    • Trio : Group of three (e.g Kingston Trio)
    • Trilogy : e.g Three books about WWII by Cornelius Ryan
    • Trine : e.g Sign in Palmistry
    • Trigonometry : Branch of Mathematics
    • Triple Jump : Hop, step & jump
    • Transistor : Base, Emitter, Collector
    • March : Third month in the Gregorian Calendar
  • Notes 9

    U Lun (Thakin Kodaw Hmaing)

    • Principal of Ah Myo Tha Kaw Leik (National College)

    U Than Tun

    • Father of Ashin Pannagavesaka (Bobby Myo Tun, A69)
    • He passed away in his late 90s.

    U Han Zaw

    • Retired minister
    • Spouse: Daw Thwin Thwin Aye Hmi (A69)

    U Ba Khin

    • He matriculated from St. Paul’s High School and was First in the whole of Burma.
    • He was the first native Auditor General. He also managed four Directorates.
    • He is a renowned Vipassana teacher. His teacher was Saya Thet. His disciple was Goenkaji.

    U Thein Oo

    • He transferred from Commerce Department to UCC.
    • He founded MCC (with U Tin Win Aung)!and Ace (with his spouse Daw Than Than Tint).
    • He is Past President of MCF.

    Dr. Thein Htut and Dr. Nyunt Win

    • Dr. Thein Htut is the son of Colonel Min Sein and Dr. Daw Yin May (first Triple FRCS). He is RUBC Gold.
    • Dr. Nyunt Win (Eddie) is the grandson of U Po Sa.
    • They moved to Australia.

    Theikpan Maung Wa

    • ICS U Sein Tin
    • First student in Masters course for Burmese
    • Author
    • Cofounded Khit San Sar Pay with Zawgyi and Minthuwun

    San Shwe Myint

    • Character created by Cartoon Myint Thein

    Pathan

    • By Ashin Nandamarlabhivansa (Ph.D)

    Pediatricians

    • Credit: Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint

    RASU Rowing

    • Credit: Dr. Nyan Taw

    Roll of Honor

    • Donors for YTU Library Modernization

    UNSG (United Nations Secretary General)

    • U Thant was the 3rd UNSG and the First Asian UNSG.

    University Athletes

    • They represented Burma in the Second SEAP Games (Rangoon, December 1961)
    • Credit: Dr. Richard Yu Khin

    U Wun

    • Laureate Poet — Minthuwun
    • Lexicographer — မြန်မာအဘိဓာန်
    • Cofounder of Khit San Sar Pay with Zawgyi and Theikpan Maung Wa
    • Head, RU Translation
    • Professor at RU; Visiting Professor at Osaka University

    U Kyaw Mya Thein (Phy, ICST)

    • He wrote “Kar Ku La Thinchar” (Calculus in Burmese).
    • He retired as Pro-Rector of ICST.

    U Kyaw Myint (Phy, DHE)

    • He retired as DG of DHE.
    • The photo was taken at a fundraiser for his Foundation.
  • November

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Feb 2026

    Background

    • 9th month of the old Roman calendar. Nov means nine.
    • 11th month of the Gregorian calendar.
    • It has 30 days.

    Events

    November 1

    • It is “All Saints Day”. It is preceded by Halloween (which falls on October 31st).

    Sunday following Halloween

    • DST (Daylight Savings Time) requires resetting the clock according to “Spring forward. Fall back.” Currently, DST is set back in Fall (Autumn) on the Sunday following Halloween.

    November 8

    • It is the Anniversary of my beloved parents.
    My beloved parents

    November 11

    • Three generations chose November 11 for their Wedding or Reception
    • Dr. and Mrs. Chan Taik
    • Daughter Margaret Chan Taik and Dr. Myo Tint
    • Granddaughter Ma Kay and Soe Min Oo (both EC 93)

    November 22

    • John F Kennedy (President of the United States) was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.
    • Conspiracy Theory about his assassination survives.
    • A few days earlier, President Kennedy gave his speech in Hoston, Texas : “Before this decade is out, we will send men on the moon and bring them safely back to earth.”

    Tazaungdaing

    • It often falls around November.
    • Kathein robe offering often take place in early November.
      It must be held during one month following the Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut (which usually falls in October).

    Veterans Day

    • November 11 is celebrated as Veterans Day in the USA.
    • It is celebrated as Armistice Day in the UK and France.
    • A hundred years ago, Truce was called between the Allied Forces and Germany. The Truce occurred at 11 AM, marking the event with three 11s.
    • WWI (First World War) ended a year later with the Versailles Treaty.

    US Elections

    • The second Tuesday of November is scheduled for US Elections at the various levels.
    • The Presidential Elections occur every four years.
    • The mid-term elections occur every two years. The House of Representatives serve two year terms. One third of Senators are elected every two years.
    • Local races for Elections and Resolutions are held every year.
    • Senators serve six year terms.
      To ensure continuity in the Senate, the election of the Senators is staggered into three groups.

    Commercialization of Thanksgiving

    • Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November.
    • Black Friday & Cyber Monday following Thanksgiving have massive sales. Some start their Black Friday early.
    • Several English words (e.g. November, Black Friday) have lost their original meaning.
  • August

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Feb 2026

    • 6th month of the old Roman calendar had 30 days. It was renamed August in honor of Emperor Augustus Caesar and was given an extra day.
    • August is the 8th month of the Gregorian Calendar. It has 31 days.

    Special Days

    August 8

    • 8-8-88
      Start of a long struggle to restore Democracy in Myanmar
    • 8-8-08
      Beijing Olympics

    August 13

    • Sayadaw U Silananda (Rector, IMBTU) passed away on August 13, 2005
    • My father-in-law passed away five decades ago.

    GBNF in August

    • My spouse lost four of her family members in August.
    • Her father passed away in his mid-50s.
    • Her mother passed away in her late-80s.
    • Her elder brother passed away in his early 50s.
    • Her nephew passed away in his mid-30s.

    Sayadaw U Silananda

    • Rector, IMBTU
      Chief Resident Sayadaw of Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California
    • Sayadaw passed away in his late-70s on August 13, 2005
    • I was Master of Ceremonies at Sayadaw’s Memorial Service.
    • I was Committee Member and Contributing Editor for “Paying Homage to Sayadaw U Silananda” Book.
    • Accompanied Saya U Myat Htoo (C68, President, TBSA) carrying the box of Sayadaw’s ashes to be scattered from a yacht into the waters near Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
    TBSA

    Birthdays in August

    • Several birthdays in my extended family.
    • Eldest sister
    • Younger sister
    • Grand daughter
    • Me
    • Several cousins

    Birthday Soon Kwyay in 2016

    • In August 2016, U Maurice Chee (M75) organized a birthday soon kwyay for me at the Dhammananda Vihara in Half Moon Bay, California.
    • The sayas and alumni presented me an Appreciation award.

    Friends

    • Daw Mu Mu Khin (spouse of Saya Allen Htay)
    • U Myint Swe (EP74, NorCal RITAA)
    • U Thein Naing (Patrick, La Phet Yay Waing member)
    • They are August-born and also hosted Birthday Parties.

    Lunch Gathering in 2018

    • In August 2018, U Patrick (Thein Naing) and Daw Mie Mie hosted a lunch gathering for the August born at Moss Beach Distillery.
    • They gave me a best-seller book “The Greater Journey (Americans in Paris)” as birthday present.
    • Daw Mie Mie translated several short stories of Ah Myothar Pyinnya Wun U Po Kyar. She plans to publish them as a book.
    This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is book-3.jpg

    Is 8 lucky or unlucky?

    • 8-8-88 (August 8, 1988) and the following days mark the hope and then despair of the people longing for the end of the Adhamma Era.
    • Grapevine says that the event was inspired in part by numerologists who remembered the historic event (about Mingyi Yan Naung) in 888 Burmese Era. They extrapolated the magic of No. 8 from three 8’s to four 8’s.
    • Most Chinese think that the number 8 is lucky.
    • For example, Beijing Olympics was opened on 8-8-08 (August 8, 2008).
    At the beach following the August born Pary
  • June

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Feb 2026

    Background

    • Named after Goddess Juno
    • 4th month in the old Roman Calendar
    • 6th month in the Gregorian Calendar
    • It has 30 days.

    Events

    June 6, 1944

    • D-Day, “Longest Day”
    • There are books and movies about the Allied Forces Landing in Normandy

    Ah Loke Thamar Ah Yay Ah Khin (Burma)

    • Workers’ protests were crushed

    Father’s Day (USA)

    • Third Sunday of June

    Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)

    • It falls around June 21.
    • Longest day in the Northern Hemisphere
    • Shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere

    Juneteenth

    • Declaration of “End of Slavery” on June 19, 1865 in Texas

    Name of a Girl / Woman

    • June Khine : Sister of Min Oo (SPHS63)
    • June Khine : Sister of U Set Khine

    Anniversaries

    Wedding reception on June 23, 1973
    Couple
    Family Gathering
    • My first Job
    • Our Anniversary
    • Elder Brother’s Anniversary
    • Elder Son’s Anniversary

    Birthdays

    • Elder Son’s Birthday
    • Relatives
      U Thaung Lwin, …
    • Friends
      U Tun Aung Gyaw
      Daw Khin Maw Maw, …
  • March

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Feb 2026

    Background

    • 3rd month of the Gregorian Calendar and has 31 days.
    • First month of the old Roman Calendar.

    Events

    Taw Hlan Yay Nay

    • The resistance against the Fascist regime started on March 27, 1945. March 27 is celebrated as Taw Hlan Yay Nay (Resistance Day).

    Coup d’etat

    • The Union of Burma lost Democracy on March 2, 1962.
      The 17-man Revolutionary Council led by General Ne Win staged Coup D’etat. Many were detained. They include Mahn Win Maung, President of the Union of Burma; U Nu, Prime Minister; Shan Sawbwas / Saophalongs

    Phone Maw & Soe Naing

    • Ko Phone Maw (5th year RIT student and Lanzin Lu Nge) was hit by a stray bullet on March 13, 1988.
    Phone Maw 1
    Phone Maw 2
    • Ko Soe Naing and Ko Myint Oo were also hit and hospitalized in not-so-humane conditions.
      Ko Soe Naing succumbed to the gun shot wounds. Ko Myint Oo survived.
    • March 13 was declared as “Burma Human Rights Day” and “Phone Maw and Soe Naing Nay”.
    • During the Pwint Linn Era, requisites were offered in memory of Ko Phone Maw and Ko Soe Naing.

    Saying

    • Mad as a March hare
  • Album D

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Feb 2026

    Dagon Taya

    Dagon Taya
    Dagon Taya’s Book
    • Distinguished author
    • Reminisced his University Days

    Daj Hammarskjold

    Daj Hammarskjold (UNSG)
    • Second United Nations Secretary General (UNSG)
    • Succeeded Trygvie Lie as UNSG
    • Visited Burma
    • Perished in a plane crash during a UN Mission.
    • Succeeded by U Thant as UNSG

    David Ben Gurion

    David Ben Gurion
    • Founding member and first Prime Minister of Israel.
    • Awarded an honorary degree from Rangoon University.

    Diamond Jubilee

    RU Diamond Jubilee 1995
    • The RU Diamond Jubilee was celebrated in 1995.
    • Dr. Soe Win (IFL), Daw May Saw Lwin (Chemistry), Ko Aung Mon (YIT) and Ko Nyi Thet Lwin (IM1) were staying in the Main Campus, but affiliated with four different Universities and institutes

    First Day Cover and Stamps

    First Day Cover (RU Diamond Jubilee)
    50 Pyas Stamp (RU Diamond Jubilee)
    Two Kyats Stamp (RU Diamond Jubilee)

    Dora Than Aye

    Dora Than Aye
    • Vocalist
    • Journalist / Broadcaster
    • UN employee

    Dway

    Dway
    • YIT/YTU Graduate
    • Movie actor
    • Nephew of Kyaw Hein
    • D (Names)
    • Dana
    • Data
    • Daw
    • December
    • Din (Names)
    • Doctor
    • Dr.
  • Album C

    by Hla Min

    Updated : Feb 2026

    Cartoonists

    RIT Cartoonists
    • RIT is known for its cartoonists in general and “Cartoon Box” in particular.
    • Ko Myint Pe (M72) co-founded “Cartoon Box”. The Patrons were Saya U Khin Maung Phone Ko (C64, “Phone Ko”, Vietnam Cartoons) and Saya U Aung Myint (Pet69, “Kyant Ba Hone”, GBNF).
    Khin Maung Phone Ko
    Aung Myint
    • Aw Pi Kyeh (“Mann Bei”) served as Secretary of RIT Cartoonists Association and later as President of Myanmar Cartoonists Association.
    • The cartoonists compiled a special issue of “Selected RIT Cartoons” for SPZP-2012. They also published Cartoon Brochures for Shwe YaDu in 2014 and SPP-2016.

    Chancellor

    • The Rangoon University Act of 1920 stated that roles of the Chancellor, Pro-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and Pro Vice-Chancellor.
    • The Prime Minister of the Union of Burma is also the Chancellor of Rangoon University.
    • The road leading to the RU Convocation Hall is called the Chancellor Road.
    College, Council (RU Act of 1920)
    Chancellor (RU Act of 1920)
    • Prime Minister U Nu gave the Chancellor’s speech at the Convocation of Rangoon University in November / December 1961.
    Chancellor Speech (1961)
    • For a period (especially citing Insecurity), the gates to the Chancellor Road were closed or closely guarded.
    • The Yar Pyae Ak Kyo (Pre-RU Centennial) began in December, 2019.
    • Some of the RU Centennial events for took place at the Convocation Hall, Recreation Center and the Universities’ Central Library.
    • Due to Covid-19 pandemic, there were often restrictions.
      Some events were recorded in the Campus, and broadcast later via Myanmar Ah Than.
    Chancellor Road

    Coup

    • Coup d’etat by the 17-man Revolutionary Council took place on March 2, 1962.
    • Commodore Than Pe (President of RUBC) was appointed Minister of Health and Education. He passed away shortly afterwards.
    • Colonel Hla Han succeeded Commodore Than Pe as Minister of Health and Education. He became Chair of the Rangoon University Council.
    Col. Hla Han

    Chou En Lai

    The Chinese Prime Minister visited Burma and took part in the Thingyan Festival.

    Chou En Lai

    Convocation

    • The Convocation is mostly held at the Convocation Hall.
    • Exceptions include the ad hoc Convocation ceremonies at Kyaikkasan and Aung San Stadium.
    • Some graduates had to wait a few years to attend their Convocation.
    Convocation Hall
    Convocation 1963
    63 – 64 – 65 at Kyaikkasan
    Convocation 1977

    Collegian

    • He was known as “Pa Pu”, “Nay Dun” and “Nay Win (B.A.)”.
    • Joined the Navy before attending RU.
    • Represented RU and Burma in Soccer.
    • U Chin Sein auditioned him for the leading role of Collegian (movie based on Zawana’s novel). He became known as “Collegian Nay Win”.
    Collegian Nay Win

    Cross Lake

    • Swimmers participate in the Cross Lake event held in the Inya Lakes.
    • The 2000 yard course runs from Dubern Beach to RUBC (Rangoon University Boat Club).
    • Nyunt Nyunt Tin posted a photo of her Gold Medal.
    • From RIT, the winners included Htay Aung (M69, Burma Selected for Water Polo)
    Cross Lake 1965
    • Census
    • Chemical Engineering
    • Chemistry
    • Chit Swe (Names)
    • Civil Engineering
    • Condolences