An Xtra-Ordinary Life

By Yau Sin Lee

My book is somewhat like an autobiography. I have always wanted to write a book, and the easiest and most authentic book to write will be stories about my life journey. Ive always feel that my life journey is rather ordinary like that of most people. In hindsight, I realized that there are many, many extraordinary incidences throughout my life that will interest people from all walks of lifethus the writing of this book to share.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Sep 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781482880755

Yau Sin Lee

The author was born on October 12, 1953, as the seventh of nine siblings; is a bachelor of science graduate from University Malaya 1977; was a certified professional trainer in 2010; has been a maths and science teacher for thirteen years; is working in sister’s company since 1994; a Toastmaster for five years with advance communicator bronze and advance leader bronze awards; a Lion for three years and achieved the District’s Top President Award and Lions Clubs International’s Club President Award. Life philosophy is caring, sharing, and giving with integrity and sincerity.

Book preview

Chapter One

An Xtra Ordinary Family

Growing up with eight siblings, one of whom has no blood ties, two half siblings, an aunt, a second mother and my parents, I took for granted that mine is an average ordinary family. I was mistaken, as I realized years later, that the stage was set for an Xtra Ordinary Family right from my parents’ marriage. In 1935, my mother, at 15 years old was match made to marry my 19 years old father in Eng Choon, Fujian, China. She was considered an old bride, even though she had yet to menstruate, as most girls were married at around 10 years of age.

Eight months after a simple wedding, my father left for Malaya, where he found work as a clerk in a town, named Kuala Pilah. It was eleven long years, due to World War One and Two, before my father was able to go back to China to see my mother. An unpleasant surprise was in store for him on his arrival home. Four years earlier, my mother had accepted to care for a baby boy, conceived out of wedlock by her good friend. This was something unheard of and caused a lot of malicious gossip, which quickly reached my father’s ears upon his arrival home. He did not believe that the four year boy, Hei Go, was from an illicit affair by his wife. However, he still gave my mother an ultimatum. Bear him a son and he will bring the entire family, including my aunt, Tan Poh, to start a new life in Malaya.

The fateful day dawned on 11th December 1947. My mother gave birth to my eldest biological brother, Yau Pin, whom to this day is still referred to as the second brother by the family. It was April 1948, when my parents, aunt and two brothers, set sail for Malaya to begin a new life. It was my mother’s turn to receive an unpleasant and upsetting surprise on arrival in Kuala Pilah, Malaya. She found out that my father had taken a second wife, while in Malaya and who had borne him a daughter. She now understood the logic behind my father’s ultimatum on having a son as their first born! Luckily, my second mother could not bear any more children and decided to raise a baby boy, years later, in 1952. My mother, on the other hand, was very productive and bore my third brother, Yau Hui in 1949, twin sisters, Yau Hoon and Yau Hong in 1950, fourth brother Yau Chong in 1952, myself in 1953, youngest brother, Yau Leong in 1955 and youngest sister, Yau Haung, in 1957. My father was a very smart man, maintaining harmony by keeping his two families apart in separate homes. He stayed with my mother, the first wife on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and the other three days with his second wife. I am grateful, that my parents raised an Xtra Ordinary Family of honest, responsible and caring people despite all the challenges and hardships encountered.

Chapter Two

An Ugly Duckling No More

It was exactly ten o’clock at night on October 12, 1953, when my mother gave a final push and delivered me into the cold night air of her bedroom at our rented house in Kuala Pilah. According to my mother, I was quite an ugly baby. A female relative commented that I was the ugliest baby that she has ever set eyes on! My mother, was neither upset nor worried by her remark. She strongly believed in the Chinese saying that a female goes through eighteen