Maung Myat Myo was born in 1984,
in the month of March, which in accordance to Chinese zodiac sign, was a ‘rat,’
and if applying to Burmese zodiac sign animal, he was also a ‘rat’, as being a
Thursday born. While Chinese zodiac signs differs every year and recycle after
a period twelve years, Burmese zodiac signs are designated and are based on the
energy of eight cosmic balance, that resonates at a frequency of divine
equilibrium, therefore also eight zodiac sign animals, one for each day of the
week, with Wednesday morning and afternoon split into two animals. Being a
Thursday born, name was also chosen according to Burmese alphabets allocated for
the day in question. Maung Myat
Myo (loosely to mean precious breed) lives together in a family of five, on the
20th Street, no.231 ground floor apartment. The apartment is a long
30 x 12 feet and a loft has been added with a height of six feet, openings at
front and rear for want of through air. The loft is 15 x 12 feet to the front,
where his parents, elder sister, including himself also share the sleeping
quarters. The grandfather sleeps downstairs on the ground floor, due to his
age, at the back, before the kitchen and toilet. The front portion of the apartment was used as a food stall,
serving hot pot and noodles with chicken, duck or pork. Your choice!
Maung Myat Myo parents, cooks and
manage the food stall which yield a small profit, serves and wash plates too.
His elder sister, has a foreign sprits and cigarettes stall in the Than (Metal)
market, and helps the parents after her work. This was quite profitable, and
not rather legal. All income from the apartment food stall and his sister
income, are handed to mother, who manages both businesses, and all matters
relating to money. Grandfather, while alive, listens to Chinese music, and just
watch the world passes by. Being of a Chinese family, his parents ensures he
gets a Stella education, so that he can make something of himself. Both his
parents and sister works quite hard, daily, to keep the family going. The only
holidays they will get, during Chinese Lunar New Year, was three days when their
whole world stops.
Maung Myat Myo enjoys the Chinese
Lunar New Year period, view he gets new clothes, some money in red packets from
his parents, close relations and friends, plus a hearty meal during annual
family dinner. Today, they are first and foremost Myanmar (Burmese) and Chinese
second. He attended Myanmar schools and colleges with a Myanmar name, although
all at home, would address his name and speaks broken Hokkien with Myanmar in
between. His study area was a plywood chest, where he stocks his books, and a
stool to sit on, in the kitchen, beside grandfather’s bed. This of course was
if they had no electricity outages. On such days, he would walk to Sule Pagoda,
where the light never fades throughout the night. There, he would find a quiet
spot to study and read till he cannot support his head. Then, he would head
back home and sleep in the stuffy loft. Sleep sees him to the next morning.
Chinatown Yangon (Rangoon), is
west along Sule Pagoda Road, 18th to 24th Street,
including Bo Ywe, Latha and Sint Oh Dan Roads. We still find part of Chinatown
at Shwe Taung Tan Street on the west and Shwe Dagon Pagoda Road in the east.
The northern and southern borders are Maha Bandoola Road and Strand Road. These
were demarcated by the British colonials, when they expanded Yangon (Rangoon)
in 1850. It’s a busy business center, where you can find gold and jewelry
shops, cyber cafes, restaurants, nick knack items, vegetables and meats, all
kind of food stalls, flowers, mini-markets and teashops etc.etc. When he had a
lot on his mind, he found solace at Gaung Dong Kwan Yin Temple at the corner of
Latha Street and The Maha Bandoola Road. His clan, the Hokkien lived along the
Strand Road and the Cantonese congregate along the Maha Bandoola Road.
Maung Myat Myo born and bred in
chinatown, spent his entire childhood and went through medical college from
there also. There were some nice Chinese girls that he met, however he had a
duty to bear fruits what his parents had sown, and it would be a dishonor and a
shame should he lost sight of that. So, girls were just viewed and he dared not
to start something, which he cannot finish.
After attaining his M.B.B.S.
degree, in year 2000, he enrolled and joined the army. This he had to do, so
that he could support what little money he has to his aging parents, who were
still operating a noodle stall. This must be the Chinese way, as they are most
content when working. In his humble belief, Chinamen are most happy in the
process of making money. This was most evident when one looks at the whole
Chinese decedents, anywhere in the world.
The army sheltered him, fed him,
and he managed to secure his Master of Science (MSc), specializing in
pediatrics. He was attached to Yangon, Meikhtela and Aungban Military
hospitals, and also served in numerous front lines areas. He walked with
soldiers, sleeping out in the open, and at times in a tent or in make shift
bamboo hut, if he was lucky. While these experiences were humble, it did make a
man out of him. Out in the front lines, there were no luxuries of a hospital,
he had to attend the wounded and heal the sick by the mountainside, his duty to
keep them alive. He found out the value of life, and also how it can be taken
away at a young age. It saddened him to see the waiting wives, mothers,
sisters, brothers, fathers and sons, at the entrance of a town, to witness
whether their love ones made it or otherwise. How life can be so rough and
tough. We do not read such matters in the newspapers. There were many a friend,
who were left sleeping in the outback. Dr. Myat Myo served a total of five years,
before he resigned his commission as a Captain.
He made lots of friends in
villages, and also in military hospitals. There were times he wanted to
consider marriage, either from villages, towns or with working colleagues in
the military hospitals. At the back of his mind, his aging parents and a
spinster of sister, sacrificing and foregoing her obligations would appear,
time and again. So much so, that he also had to continue his climb, and forsake
his desires and wants, and keep focus on the trials of the family. The army
gave him his self-respect, and he practiced for two years in Mandalay,
Pyigyitagon area. These few years earned him a name for himself as a
pediatrician, and with some savings, he took off for Yangon. As he cannot
afford a place in Chinatown, he had to settle for a modest first floor
apartment at no.8 Thit Taw Street, in Ahlone area, which is predominately
Myanmar, however, near to market, post office and close by to a hospital. By that
time, his grandfather had left for a better place, since two or three years
back. His father and mother still hung on their 20th Street ground
floor property. Unwilling to let go of their food stall and his sister had to
entertain their wishes. At least, the sleeping loft had more room. He inspected
the old haunt, and installed an air condition unit for the loft, so that they
can slumber comfortably at night. His parents were pleased, and they were
beaming with delight including his spinster sister.
He spent six months in Yangon,
back in his 20th Street ground floor loft, practicing his trade
where he also was successful in Member of the Royal College of Physicians
(MRCP) Part l examination, and then opted to go abroad, like many of his
friends. He secured a position at Guy’s Hospital, Great Maze Pond, London SW1,
as a doctor, in a pediatric ward. After a year and a half, he managed to secure
his MRCP Part ll examination, however, the gloomy weather in winter was
something he could not bear. It was too much for him, he had depressions,
longed for the sun, and donning winter clothes, and a long coat to venture out,
was something he can do without. He searched the Internet, and at long last,
found a position in Kuching. With his MRCP in hand, medical schools were
willing to accept. He flew Malaysian Airways System (MAS) flight there, as it
was the cheapest. The weather in Kuching was warm and the sun shone, with that
alone, lifted his depressed heart.
The attached living quarters near
the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, at Jalan Datuk Mohd Musa,
Kuching, was massive to him. It was one bedroom, sitting cum dinning room,
kitchen, bathroom and toilet, with a veranda. With air condition in every room, he felt like a king. The
apartment was all to himself for the first time. He taught Pediatrics, and in
the evenings, he would help out in the college hospital, which earned him extra
cash. He sends most of his salary back to his aging parents in Yangon. The
atmosphere agreed with him. No need for thick wooly clothes, no need to yearn
for the sun, no need to hit the cafeteria and no need for the dreaded journey
to work. The weather was similar to Myanmar, and the people and its food needed
no complaining. Even though Malaysia is a Muslim country, there were many
Chinese, Indian, Europeans and others, was a cosmopolitan place for him. Dr.
Myat Myo got the respect of his fellow men, and actually being looked up by
aspiring young doctors there. MRCP after his name carried a lot of weight.
He also got other Myanmar
colleagues in the university hospital, therefore did not feel homesick. Some
weekends, all would congregate for a cook out Myanmar style, and eat with their
hands. Delicious.
On Saturday early evenings, Dr.
Myat Myo would spend his time by the college pool. Swimming was okay, but not a
passion of his. However, the view was great, with the bikini clad beauties,
providing a great show for free. Some were medical students, others were
nurses, while a few were budding young doctors. He just lazes quietly on the
deck chair, minding his own business. The beauties in their bikinis left very
little to imagination, and should his urge persists, he would find comfort in
the arms of those ladies of the night, at no.37 Jawa Street, only for an hour
or so, till he got it off his system. No questions asked, just pay your dues,
no strings attached, and nothing more at all. Full stop.
After an enjoyable three years in
Kuching, renewing his yearly contract, he called it a day, and headed back for
Yangon, as his father passed away with pneumonia a year back. He knew that, he
need to take the reins back on his family, what’s left of it. After all, he was
now the man of the family. Now that his father is no more, his elder sister Ma
Chaw (meaning miss beautiful) helped mother full time at the food outlet. She was actually quite desirable, being Chinese, very fair and with a good business
brain to match. However, for the sake of the parents, she forgoes all
proposals, and rather to be beside them full time. Such a selfless person, and
he also owed her for letting herself to be sacrificed, so that he can be free
and pursue his interest. After all, Ma Chaw is human, and feelings she will
defiantly have.
Mother was pleased to have him
back. His sister was all smiles. They were so proud of him, and would let the
whole street know, they now have a doctor in the family. A big status symbol,
and all would smile in honour of the noodle stall keeper son, who made good. He
was at times embarrassed, to show his face on the streets. Chinatown today is
full of medical doctors. The third generation, Chinese are a cleaver lot, most
of them made the grade.
Dr. Myat Myo found a position as
a Pediatrician Consultant, with the Yangon Children Hospital on the Pyidaungsu
Yeiktha Road. With MRCP (Lon) after his name, it was not a wonder. Now in his
late twenties, this was a stable job from nine to four thirty in the late
afternoon and need not work weekends, unless on emergencies. Furthermore, with
his position, he need not do shifts either. He could now give more time to his
mother and sister, who had done so much for him. He also chairs a clinic in
South Okkalapa, from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. week days, and another clinic near
his home and hospital, at Zay (Market) Road in Ahlone area, from 8.30 p.m. to
10.30 p.m. weekdays also. Money was good, the income from the clinics were more
than his day hospital job.
He had a hard time convincing his
mother to sell the 20th street apartment. In the end, with the help
of his sister, Ma Chaw, mother sold the business to another couple, four doors
down, and rented their no.231 ground floor apartment, with monthly payment to
be made, and a three months advance notice for eviction. Dr. Myat Myo, also
reposed his first floor, no.8 apartment on Thit Taw Street. He had the
apartment repainted, and installed two air conditioners, for each of the
bedroom. He also bought a Sony large LCD flat screen television and a China
made EVD player, which operates on all the formats this world had to offer.
This way, mother can enjoy the Korean sit-coms, dubbed or sub-titled in
Myanmar, from the national television station, and also enjoy historical period
Chinese movies on DVDs.
By this time, he also bought a
reconditioned Toyota Altis saloon car, direct from Japan, imported through a
local Yangon business. He only uses the car for his clinic in South Okkalapa,
and for the rest of the period, it is in the good hands of Ma Chaw, to chauffer
mother to pagodas, monasteries and also to Chinatown. Dr. Myat Myo walks to
hospital and to his clinic in Zay Road. He felt content and want to do more for
mother, during her autumn years. Besides, Ma Chaw also needs a break and to
enjoy herself with relations and friends, after all that she sacrificed.
While working at the Children
hospital, he fancied a young doctor, about twenty three, fair with some Chinese
blood in her. She is of good family and has a sister also reading medical
science, and lives in Inya Road, the posh residential area of Yangon. Since he
works with her daily during the weekdays, he managed to win her over, and
started to go steady. Her name was Honey Shwe Zin (meaning silver streak), about
five feet five, slim, fair, spectacled, quiet, good companion, with reasonable
boobs, quiet well read, and caring, not a bad girl, in all. He already told her
his life story, and even though not really impressed, does not seem to care
much about class. She told him that the quality she looks for in a man was
truthfulness, loving and a responsible person, and a partner for life. Money
and status does not come into her equation.
Dr. Myat Myo already sounded
Honey’s parents and sister in-law to be, and they all do not mind, and ready to
accept him as part of their family. Then, while massaging mother’s tired hands,
the result of long years of hard work,
he gently enquired whether would she able accept a daughter in-law, and
also wanted a consent from Ma Chaw, his sister. He painted Honey’s history and
background, and mother started to take off her gold bangles, a wedding gift
from her parents, to pass on to Honey, luckily, had to be refrained in time. Ma
Chaw was happy just to have a sister, to share her thoughts and assistance
around the house.
Under the stars, while feasting
on a roti paratha with charcoal grilled chicken and mutton, in the only Indian
food stall by the pavement in Chinatown. He softly enlightened Honey that when
married, they are to stay with his mother and sister. She would have to play
third fiddle, as he owed so much to both of them. She did not mind the
arrangement, and was all praises to his parents, for bringing the boy up to be
a doctor, and that’s how it should be, she said. With that sorted out, most of
the groundwork was done.
During weekends, he would drive
his mother and sister, first to Gaung Dong Kwan Yin Temple, at the corner of
Latha and Maha Bandoola Streets, and prayed for father, as he was not lucky
enough to enjoy the fruits of his labour. This chokes and saddened him, every
time he thinks about it. Then, he would proceed to the top of 20th
Street, to enjoy a bowl of fresh water fish porridge, which his mother likes,
and proceed on to Latha Street, to select a few DVDs on Chinese history period
movies, produced in Hong Kong and Taiwan. He knows Chinatown like the back of
his hands, and would tour weekly with his mother and sister. He feels gratified
and content when he’s doing something for his mother and sister. Yangon may not
have a Friendship Archway in Chinatown, like many cities in United States and
Canada, but Chinatown was still a Chinatown, wherever you are.
He still recollects what the
learned Buddhist priest had once said. In Myanmar Buddhist teachings, there are
two types of love, 528 and 1500. 528 being the love, like mother to son and
vice versa. This type of love is refreshing like a clear Spring steam, also
warms the heart, clean, pure and full of contentment, while 1500 is the love
between husband and wife.
Dr. Myat Myo, M.B.B.S. (Ygn),
M.R.C.P. (Lon) was starting to appreciate this.
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