Tag: malaysia

Lucky Number 9 Author Rina Tham Celebrated Golden Monkey

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Lucky Number 9 Author Rina Tham Celebrated Golden Monkey

Raja S. Ridzuwan, Consulate-General of Malaysia LA & his spouse, Zalina Md. Daud

Lucky Number 9 author Rina Tham celebrated Golden Monkey Chinese New Year organized by the Malaysian Association of Southern California with sponsors, family, guest, and friends.

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MASC Silver Sponsor, Mr. Pierre Veres of P.V. Tool, Inc and P.V. Machining ( Manufacturer of Aircraft Tools) and MASC Board Members

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MASC’s Platinum sponsor, Mr. Alan Gauder from Singapore Airlines

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MASC’s Platinum sponsor, Mr. Cham Leong Quek from YEO’s

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Sarah Yap and Students at CSUN Present Lucky Number 9 to Malaysia Consul General

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Sarah Yap and Students at CSUN Present Lucky Number 9 to Malaysia Consul General

Sarah Presents Lucky Number 9 to our Host; Consul General Raja Saiful Ridzuwan Raja Kamaruddin at his beautiful home.

Sarah Yap and students at California State University, Northridge on my behalf of Malaysian author Rina Tham presented Lucky Number 9: Journey of a Rubbertapper’s Daughter to Malaysia Consul General Raja Saiful Ridzuwan Raja Kamaruddin and his wife who hosted a tea with
for the Malaysia Prime Minister, YAB Najib Razak, Foreign Minster, Anifah Aman and the Malaysian Association of Southern California (MASC) president Wee Tee Loh and guests.

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Sarah presents Lucky Number 9 to the Malaysia Foreign Minister, Anifah Aman

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Malaysia Prime Minister YAB Najib Razak holding Lucky Number 9 with students at California State University, Northridge (CSUN)

Excerpt: Lucky Number 9

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Excerpt: Lucky Number 9

“Everyone wants a perfect ending. But over the years, I’ve learned that some of the best poems don’t rhyme, and many great stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, or end. Life is about not knowing, embracing change, and taking a moment and making the best of it without knowing what’s going to happen next.”
—Ritu Ghatourey

Life is a million moments; that’s been ingrained since birth. But these situations, these occurrences, these stories that end up as memories can vary greatly in degree and impact. I was faced with another big moment in 1984: I was leaving home.

I was terrified, truthfully. I didn’t have a realistic dream any longer, just a destination: Kuala Lumpur. I wasn’t certain of the kind of work I would find, or of my skills, which were average at best. Mother assured me I was wrong about that. She said it’s not all about brains and solving equations; it’s about honesty and the desire and ability to work hard. She said I had always gotten straight As in those departments. That helped. Then she said that I’d better have some fast fun before I get down to the business of living, of surviving, of facing my unknown destiny head on. It was a time to celebrate my accomplishments thus far, and take a breather too.

The money in the red envelope from my father, aunts and uncles, other relatives and elderly friends of the family wasn’t enough for college, but it was something…. And so I did what other kids did. I went backpacking!

Excerpt Lucky Number 9: Journey of a Rubber Tappers Daughter

Rina Tham With Honored Guest Baza Guru Rinpoche, and Composer Russ Landau Hosts Book-Signing

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Rina Tham With Honored Guest Baza Guru Rinpoche, and Composer Russ Landau Hosts Book-Signing

Topanga author Rina Tham and her family, along with honored guest Baza Guru Rinpoche, and film and television composer, Russ Landau, hosted a book-signing of Tham’s inspiring and motivational memoir, “Lucky Number 9: Journey of a Rubber Tapper’s Daughter” with 100% of the proceeds going to Yoga Gives Back to support programs for mothers and children in India.

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The open house featured music by world renowned Sitar and Tabla Maestro, Rajib Karmakar Ji, and Vineet Vyas Ji on Tabla.

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“Lucky Number 9” is the compelling story of Rina Tham’s impoverished childhood in the jungle of Malaysia.

Her philosophy is that if you live with your heart open, fear becomes an adventure. “In many ways, I had less than most, living on the rubber plantation, saving pennies for food, fighting for floor space by the window, never seeing Father, tapping trees at dawn with Mother. Then there was my arm, it brought panic….” Read how Rina overcame poverty, debilitating health issues, many other dramatic challenges and how her ultimate triumph over such adversity has resulted in a deep desire to give back to the world.

“My intention and goal today is to put this book in the hands of a girl, boy, woman, man, anywhere and especially in the isolated communities deep in the jungles of our God-given world. That would be a start,” Tham said. “This is my gift to share because I care for and love you all. It is my passion to give back.”

Rina will soon be traveling to India, Bhutan and The Pacific Rim to promote her book. If you would like Rina to be part of any special motivational programs—especially for children—you are encouraged to contact her directly at rina@rinatham.com

32X0248-300x213Rina would like to thank her husband Dr. Marshall Bernes, best friend, Chief Janitor, and supporter. Mr. Lance Roberts, owner of Froggy’s Fish Market. Ken Atchity, Lisa Cerasoli, Chelsea Mongird of The Story Merchant and Youth Ambassador, Autumn Porter of Yoga Gives Back.

Father & Mother

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Father & Mother

Mother and Father’s Engagement Photo, 1953

My father and mother met only once before they were formally married. It was a setup, an arranged marriage. A matchmaker put them together. It was often like that in Malaysia in the Chinese culture. It was also Chinese custom that both the woman and man agree to the match in order for the union to occur.

My father was a tall, dark, handsome, talented mechanic and had “eyes for his work” (he was very focused and hardworking). He could fix all sorts of foreign Japanese and English cars, tractors, bulldozers, machineries, etc. Gifted, he was, with languages, too. He was bilingual—spoke Tamil (with Indian and Muslim accents), and many other Chinese dialects fluently. He was very friendly and nice to the neighbors, but he was hot-tempered around the house. It was hard to tell if he had any respect for the women he loved, or if that respect stopped at his mother. He was too friendly at times, too, which is how I came to have two stepsisters.

My mother was an angel. I have often referred to her as the Angel: Goddess of Mercy. She even looked like an angel, even at nineteen. She was a dark-haired beauty. And the Universe gifted her these beautiful cheekbones that made her face always look like she was about to break into a smile. There was a peace about her; welcoming energy radiated from her heart and soul.

And so it was determined that they were a match: Mother’s compassion would complement Father’s temper. They agreed to be married.