Steven Ma transforms into KMB bus driver, sings praises of father's love.
credit scans/pix as labeled.
source to essay segment
---- Chinese ---
Showing posts with label father. Show all posts
Showing posts with label father. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Steven gracing the cover of KMB newsletter 今日九巴 Vol.240
馬浚偉 變身九巴車長 歌頌父愛
Steven Ma transforms into KMB bus driver, sings praises of father's love.
credit scans/pix as labeled.
source to essay segment
---- Chinese ---
Steven Ma transforms into KMB bus driver, sings praises of father's love.
credit scans/pix as labeled.
source to essay segment
---- Chinese ---
Saturday, June 16, 2012
weibo: happy father's day
6/17/2012 08:04 @馬浚偉 An old locomotive, though today has been decommissioned but still trailing behind it are section after section of car compartments, closely depending on each other just like a father always safely and steadily leading the family forward. My father is once a public bus driver for 30 years plus. The hardship behind it we as children knew it all. Father, wishing you peace everyday, good health, and happiness. Happy Father's Day.
古舊的火車頭 即使今天已退役 尾隨仍舊是一節一節的火車廂 緊緊依靠在一起 就如父親一樣 一直帶領著家人 安全又平穩地向前走 家父曾是個幹了三十多年的公車司機 背後的辛酸 做子女的我們 都懂 爸爸 願你天天平安健康愉快 父親節快樂
Sunday, October 23, 2011
# 4 Favorite Prose Essay - pork bones veggie soup
This essay is picked for its content.
Pork Bones Dried Veggie Soup
Pork Bones Dried Veggie Soup
菜乾豬骨湯
Drinking the pork bones dried veggie soup that father made for me, I feel deeply moved. I remember one day when I woke up, father was busy fiddling with my broken hot water heater. Busy doing what? Apparently a few days ago, he had called up a repair and service company and scheduled for a repairman to come over between 1 to 3 pm.
I woke up at 10 am. Frankly, whenever a stranger comes over to my house, I always feel a bit uncomfortable and will stay in my bedroom. When the stranger leaves, only then will I come out of the room. It is not because I am an artiste, but rather it is a habit acquired since young. But this time it was obviously not going to work. And so I told my father I am going to work out, will be back soon.
At the gym, whatever needed to be done, I did. Can’t over exercise now, right? Check the clock, there’s still time so I took a nap in the resting area. When I woke up it was only 12:30 pm. What to do? I had no other place to go to. So, wander around town or go home? I’d much rather go home.
I woke up at 10 am. Frankly, whenever a stranger comes over to my house, I always feel a bit uncomfortable and will stay in my bedroom. When the stranger leaves, only then will I come out of the room. It is not because I am an artiste, but rather it is a habit acquired since young. But this time it was obviously not going to work. And so I told my father I am going to work out, will be back soon.
At the gym, whatever needed to be done, I did. Can’t over exercise now, right? Check the clock, there’s still time so I took a nap in the resting area. When I woke up it was only 12:30 pm. What to do? I had no other place to go to. So, wander around town or go home? I’d much rather go home.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
weibo 6/19 Happy Father's Day meal
Apprentice Chef cooked at home Father's Day version has finally ended! Tired...but father and family enjoyed the dinner, no matter how tired totally worth it! Heehee, now it's my family turn to get on stage...wash the dishes! Haha! Once again, wishing everybody: Happy Father's Day.
related material: Father's Day menu
Saturday, June 18, 2011
weibo 6/18 preparing Father's Day dinner
6/18 21:14 It has been a while since I did grocery from noon until dusk. What to do, tomorrow I've to prepare the dishes for more than ten members of the Ma family. The obvious reason being of course to help father celebrate Father's Day! Tomorrow, the Apprentice Chef will cook at home. The menu includes: Stir fry creamy egg whites, Golden Prawns, Roast lamb rack with herbs, Toufu mixed beans pot, Stewed ox tail, Stir fry chicken slivers with celery and herbs, Steamed young abalones, Snow pears snow fungus pig's tendons soup! Right now preparing the ox tail...to all fathers, Happy Father's Day. 
Friday, June 17, 2011
video: LC picks SM as good father material
steven 23:38 Yeung Mie (sheep) If there were a Most Beautiful Sheep's Day, I would definitely take to the streets to vote for you. 
楊怡TaviaYeung 23:32 Old Ma, if there were a "Big Brother's Day", I would surely choose you too.
Steven 6/17 23:04 So actually in Linda's heart I am that good.... moved
*Father is the best in the world wide world ... Thank you , Linda!
*Children classic song as per Mother is the best in the world.
Which TVB actor has the potential to be a good father?
Linda: Good father? Definitely Steven Ma for sure. Because he's a very good person, knows how to take care of us ladies and newcomers, also he is very upright, knows how to cook, very smart, and everything that's good can be found in him so he can be a good father.
TN: She forgot to mention that most of all he loves kids.
楊怡TaviaYeung 23:32 Old Ma, if there were a "Big Brother's Day", I would surely choose you too.
Steven 6/17 23:04 So actually in Linda's heart I am that good.... moved
*Father is the best in the world wide world ... Thank you , Linda! *Children classic song as per Mother is the best in the world.
Which TVB actor has the potential to be a good father?
Linda: Good father? Definitely Steven Ma for sure. Because he's a very good person, knows how to take care of us ladies and newcomers, also he is very upright, knows how to cook, very smart, and everything that's good can be found in him so he can be a good father.
TN: She forgot to mention that most of all he loves kids.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Steven Ma: I yearn for a home
馬浚偉：我想有個家@澳门日报
Below is old news dated 2009/7/10
Didn't translate it before because it reads like a news rehash, which it is.
Decided to translate it now because I would like to share the 1st two paragraphs here.
**************************************************************
Macao Daily News by 俞如
2009/7/10 Friday
His eagerness to learn benefits him.
I have watched Steven filmed a series numerous times already. He is always very considerate of the crew members and they in turn like to be around him. Before Steven gets into position, he will always discuss every minute details of his makeover with the responsible crew members. He learns a lot from their discussions, and now knows how to braid a Qing queue that is considered well done. Costume wise, he understands the appropriate ‘culture crane and martial tiger’ designs designated for various official robes. Also, applying basic make-up on himself does not faze him, even the more intricate drawing of the eyebrows, he can do it with much aplomb.
In Fighting Scenes, Stoic in Injuries
Through the years, he has acted in many period dramas, each drama requiring more fighting than the next. This slight-frame fellow - no one expected he could endure such arduousness. No matter which part of his body was injured, or which part was abraded, without a word Steven would just look for the antiseptic spray bottle and sprayed it on his wound, after which, he would then stand up, brush the dust off his clothes and said: “Mai Wai!” (Ready to roll!) The martial arts brotherhood, from initially disbelieving Steven would do the fighting himself to later believing he truly did not want a stuntman for his scenes, began to respect Steven's resilience and tenacity, and they have even become good friends now.
Tough Chew Chao man when sees the good will obstinately hold fast to it. The refined looking Steven, albeit a tough Chew Chao man with quite a temper, when sees the good will obstinately hold fast to it.
"My personality resembles my father’s. He doesn't talk much but he is very respectful to others and very responsible. If he made a promise to do something, he will get it done, no matter what.”
Steven learns from his father to take his work seriously, and to be respectful of other people. He respects his father even more for his faithfulness to his mother. (Steven's)
“Mother has passed over for 10 years now. His focus is now completely on us. Seeing his faithfulness to mother makes me believe in love. I believe that my parents loved each other very much. As a man, I naturally like being adored by a woman. I like having a lover who loves me only, and with whom I can share everything, even my work, I would like to discuss it with her."
Traditional Man yearns for a home.
During the past 6 years, Steven had a person accompanying him on his love journey. However, recently this love relationship is temporarily halted. But in Steven’s heart, this ex-girlfriend remains a good woman.
“My work right now is very hectic. I can’t deal with these conflicted feelings just yet. Who knows, maybe one day, we might get back together again.”
Career oriented Steven, even though he has had plans to get married once past 30 something but year after year and now at 37, he is still single. “I, too, yearn for a home of my own, to have kids, best having a girl first, then a son. I believe an older sister will love her little brother…”
He smiles as his mind wanders off. Looks like if the time comes, he might even do a flash wedding.
re: make-up
related post-eyebrows
related news-SM helped with Fala's makeover
related news-Hard-knocks Wai
Related yahoo blog: 2006-09-12 "Tribute to Stunt Men" in his Yahoo blog . In this entry. Steven gave tribute to his behind the scenes colleagues. With special thanks to the martial arts instructors. Guess LOW production must have inspired this entry.
Extolling Father’s love
忽然一周 第725期]眾星齊賀父親節:馬浚偉 情書表心意
2009 6/19
Steven Ma: Left Notes to Express Feelings
To Steven, father is a responsible good man, who takes care of his family and who has always put his family members before himself. “After I got my driver’s license, I’d been borrowing cars from other people to use. My retired father, after years of being a KMB bus driver, incredibly told me he would withdraw his pension for me to buy my first car. Even though in the end I did not take it, but his gesture had moved me deeply. That he was willing to give me his hard earned money accumulated through years of toils; he truly loved me.”
Ma Zai, still living with his father, (sic. An updated report says otherwise) has resorted to expressing feelings with each other through written notes. “Father is a very obstinate man of principles; introverted and taciturn. I resemble this side of him. We seldom have heart to heart talks. I recall 10 years ago, when mother passed away, we were all heartbroken. I wanted to comfort him but didn’t know how. So I wrote him a letter. I told him even though Mom is gone, but we, (3 elder sisters and 1 younger sister) will continue to love him, will continue to be filial to him, and will continue to take care of him. I told him not to worry. I lay the letter on the table, which he took the next day. Thereafter, whenever I wish to express my feelings or too busy to talk to him, I will leave him a letter or a note.”
Taking this opportunity, Ma Zai also wishes to express this inner thought to his father: “Mommy has passed away for many years now, if you wish to find a life partner to share the rest of your life with, I can accept it. Whatever gives you happiness, I will support.”
Posted 05 July 2009 - 05:59 PM
steven-ma.org
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Undaunted, I Forge Ahead, Against Adversity and Dangers.
Original article at bottom
Ming Pao Weekly Saturday version June 16, 2001
[明报周刊]人物专栏：艰险我奋进 困乏我多情 由痛变通 马浚伟
*writer：徐蓉蓉 Feature: Steven Ma Chun Wai
Against dangers I forged ahead undaunted, emotionally trapped and weary, transforming pain to enlightenment -- Steven Ma
Friday night - TVB’s 40-episode series, On the Track or Off, has completed its run. Its highest rating peaked at 38 points. If based solely on result for acclaiming heroes, then first timer male lead, Ma Chun Wai, can claim victory in this race.
In OTTOO, Steven portrays Gam Yuen, a naive youngster (戆小子ngong xiu zi ) who later matures into a wiser person, and who ultimately wins his fair lady, Lu Wing Yee (Ada Choi). Its all’s well that ends well finale delighted the audience.
However in real life, Steven’s life events ran less smoothly than Gam Yuen’s. Throughout his 7-year entertainment profession, he agonized over a sluggish career; furthermore, three years ago he suffered drastic blows from his mother’s death, and from his everyday life and love life. Since his loving mother’s passing, the 3 years of accumulated worldly experiences, and more importantly, the edification of mind and soul through written words, Steven has finally learned how to cope with adversity and dangers with an undaunted spirit and to bestir passion from within to dissipate fatigue and besiegement. He finally has transformed pain(痛tòng) into enlightenment(通tōng).
April 9th – a rare hailstorm day, also the premiering of OTTOO. The first timer male lead, Steven, did not seclude himself at home to watch his own work alone. In fact, he chose to invite a group of good friends to watch the premier with him. When the show was on, Ma Zai’s whole being was fully riveted to the tv screen, scrutinizing closely his every move and his concerted rhythm with the series’. Right at this very exciting moment when everybody’s focus was on the series, the ‘good’ hostess brought out the family ‘precious’ childhood photo album, and showed it to Ma Zai, saying: “Look! These are my….”, but was politely rebuffed by the male lead who said: “Wait until I finished watching this scene then I’ll look at it…hou mm hou? (alright?).
His scrutiny was so earnest, so relaxed, showing not a bit of nervousness. A first timer male lead was ‘brave’ enough to publicly accept the challenge of friends’ feedback and critiques. During the ongoing conversation, he even cheerfully joked about the afternoon hailstorm: “Yay! A hailstorm! Now people can’t get out. They’ll sure to watch the series lo! Even heaven (tin) aids me.” He was very confident of his own performance. I appreciate his show of self-confidence.
Nobody is born knowing how to face adversities and challenges with equanimity. Steven is no exception. If it was not for his 22-year battle alongside his mother fighting the disease demon, he would not have possessed such strong morality.
“In the past, my life and mind consisted only of mom. Since I was 6 years old, I lived in constant anxiety and fear. Sometimes when I saw people mistreating their parents, I would rile at the unfairness: “They are so disobedient yet their mothers are so healthy. Why is that I am so filial and yet mom is..”". Besides being filial, he would never do anything to worry his mother. “Anyway, maybe it’s better this way; I received more than I lost. During the teenage wild years, I deliberately controlled my wildness, and during the self-expressive years, I deliberately restrained self-indulgence. As the years passed, I began to ‘age’ prematurely.”
He loves to draw; after graduating high school, he had the opportunity to enter a design /graphic / art school for further study, thus realizing his dream of being an artist. However, his family really could not afford the HK$7000 school fees for his training. “No problem! I can self-study.” Instead he stepped into society to diligently earn money to help out his family. No doubt it was hard work, but he did it with a willing heart.
This child’s family background might be underprivileged but his upbringing was excellent. Father worked day and night to provide for his wife and children. His wife was a chronic patient and he did his best to take care of her, sticking with her through thick and thin. Mother was strong and gentle. They were a good couple. Besides being affectionate to each other, they were also fair to their children. Every child in the family was treated like a precious gem. But because Ma Zai was the only nam ting (boy) and because being a traditional Chew Chao family, the ‘ting’ naturally engendered him a preferential treatment.
His four sisters (3 older, 1 younger), they all love to take care of him. When little brother had just finished his bowl of wonton noodle soup, the empty bowl would vanish in the blink of an eye; turned out that his 3rd elder sister had already taken it to the kitchen for washing. When heard he was sick, 2nd elder sister who was a nurse and despite being married already, would in the shortest amount of time pay a nurse visit to check up on her little brother. But the undefeated got to be his younger sister; “4th young master” loves to praise how pretty his little sister is before other people, and how much he cherishes her. The fact is, his younger sister looks upon him as an idol. “Amongst men, my brother is the best. If looking for a husband, I want to find one just like him.” Given her adulation of her older brother, she is undoubtedly his biggest ardent fan.
“I admit, because of my family’s poverty, I was often looked down upon. I did not feel secure and also minded people’s condescension. But now, I am enlightened. (tai tong) I won’t let it bother me anymore.”
Whenever he felt aggrieved, just hearing his mother said: “My Wai Zai hou guai! (Well-behaved) hou guai zai ga!" A word is worth 10 thousand gold ingots. His mother was his most trusty reinforcement. To this child who had encountered all kinds of situations, having grown up in a public housing environment, her words were like a stimulant shot; taking a deep breath and bracing himself, he once again was ready to charge to the frontline. Familial love was what sustained him through life’s vicissitudes. He knows the meaning of appreciation, but more so, he knows the meaning of giving back. Their financial situation finally improved, however, mother’s illness relapsed, which greatly terrified and tormented him mentally. In 1999, Ma mama’s illness worsened, today dismissed from hospital, tomorrow re-admitted. If she was away from home, Steven’s soul fled in tow.
During that period, he was filming HH1. Whenever his scenes were not slotted, he would rush to the hospital, desperately seizing every minute to be at his mother’s side. Because of his chaotic emotions, he was reluctant to interact with people at work. If his scenes were not shot, he would squat by the curbside, dazed. All this was taken in by a thoughtful person (有心人). Ma Zai’s desolation touched her heart. She, of her own accord, walked over to this agitated person. She engaged him in conversations to comfort his panicky heart. This person was Ada Choi. She talked to him, using her own optimism to enlighten him. Gradually, he saw her decency. He knew he had begun to appreciate her. (欣赏)
As his appreciation of her grew, he also thought of strengthening his communication with Ada, but his mother was sick; should he allocate his time to filial piety? Or should he allocate it to personal affair? The Time God really did a number on Steven. Making a choice is a painful process; but nonetheless, helplessness notwithstanding, it still needed to be made. Finally, he resolutely allocated every minute and every second to his mother. Mother passed away, and that one, she had found her true love! Totally disheartening! But whom could he pour out to. Thereafter, he took to drinking to numb himself. Only his beloved pet dog, Ah Ben, knew of his desolation, because he would only speak out his feelings to it.
One night, he was drunk again, and in his stupor he saw his mother. He saw his mother smiling at him. He smiled back at her. And briefly regaining consciousness…. Ah! He recalled his mother, recalled how she fought to prolong her life by courageously enduring painful treatments. How on her last day because of ingestion problems, the doctor considered doing a throat aperture surgery to insert a feeding tube inside her. But this surgery’s risk was very high. To increase her chance of survival, Ma mama accepted the doctor’s alternative recommendation. He hoped that within a short period of time, to use a small lever to widen the space between the two front teeth so as to enable a doctor to insert a tube for nourishing infusion, hence avoiding the risk of surgery. The pain of “teeth prying’ could only be imagined, yet she still persisted in undergoing the ‘prying’ treatment. Because of her love for her family, she displayed an utmost inner strength to live. No matter in the end that it was all for naught, but her incredible fortitude is forever imprinted in the son’s heart.
His heart, also thought of his father… Father loves him so much. A retiree; knowing that son had just gotten his driver’s license, he, without a word, promptly withdrew a portion of his retirement fund and gave it to him to buy a car, just so that son had a reliable car to improve his driving skill. “Father never frets over money situation because he never doubts I would take of him in his old age. He has the utmost confidence in me. How could I worry him so, and disappoint him so…. How could I self-destruct myself so. That I grew to be so big now was because of my parents! I loved parents so much, so why did I do things to worry father and to sadden mother?"
Suddenly he woke up, and began his life anew! Furthermore, through the elucidation of Teacher Tang Jun Yi (唐君毅)’s philosophy of life, he learns to transform the “most loved” feelings to “respect”; to elevate the male-female feelings to platonic friendship; and to store all the good memories deep inside his heart. This by far, he thinks is his most valuable realization.
Even though true love has yet to be found, he insists that he will certainly get married one day. “I don’t want to date just yet because I want my heart to be fully cleansed first! Else it will be very unfair to my future partner.”
But, 2nd sister and 5th little sister have both given birth to a ‘ting’ (son) this year; their arrival arouses 4th young master’s heart.
"Recently, I dreamed. In my dream I saw my left arm cradling a daughter; right arm, a zai (son). I laughed so loudly that I woke up! I really wish to get marry, really wish to have children with my beloved. I long to have a daughter first, then a son; because I love to see the growth of a new life, to see life filled with meaning. I want to teach the new generation well and not let them take a wrong turn. I want them to understand what is morality (道德 dou dak), what is value / worth /price (价值ga jik), what has meaning…”
For he so loves the newborns’ relatives (tn: sisters), this uncle despite having only 2 hours of sleep during the OTTOO production period would rather skip his resting period so that he could rush to a baby store to buy disposable diapers for his elder sister's and younger sister's respective babies. Did they really need to trouble this “sei xiu” (4th young master) for diapers? Obviously, it is just a personal choice. And thus, this reporter got to witness a "diaper purchase extraordinaire scene".
Really love to witness extraordinary sights. Life’s cumulative efforts are done for what purpose; they occurred for the realization of value. The value being love, moreover, it is the mutual love among family members.
~Prologue~
Perception of moth
The Chinese have this saying.
When people die, their souls attached themselves onto the moths, and then they go home to see their family…
Superstition? Or coincidence?
Since OTTOO’s premier on April 9th every night for one whole week, Steven saw a gray moth resting on the wall in the family room. He believes: “It’s mom coming home to see me. All along, I knew she would come home to see me. And she did.” Life has transcended to the spiritual level, human and spirit finally contacted across dimension. 生命升华到精神，人灵之间相互贯通了
He already knew how to transform regrets into cherishment; this is a profundity process. Other transformations to come will be the ability to comprehend but can't explain, feel the exhaustion but is not tired; every minute, every second, strives to bring happiness to the living, and to let the deceased rest in peace. Will not let sorrow returns, its realm differs from mine.
Translated by: Tamaya
Reposted from: 温馨马仔小屋 (SM's Warm House)
school song of 新亞書院（New Asia College）part of The Chinese University of Hong Kong（CUHK）
香港中文大学新亚书院的校歌，由名儒钱穆所填，
手空空，無一物。路遙遙，無止境。亂離中，流浪裏，餓我體膚勞我精。
艱險我奮進，困乏我多情。千斤擔子兩肩挑，趁青春，結隊向前行，
*writer：徐蓉蓉 is the Steven former PM cum manager of his publishing co. since its establishment in 2003.
**********************************
eta 蓉蓉細語 7/31/2015 11:45
related material tsui yong yong weibo
2000年，明報周刊龍景昌老總送我這份禮物一我第一本作品「採星記」，內中有一個人，有一篇稿，令我真正愛上寫作，人是他，序是他送给我的，鼓勵力之强、令我從此筆耕不停，今天重温，仍然激動，一個點影響一個面，真不要少看文字對思想的衝撃力。
Ming Pao Weekly Saturday version June 16, 2001
[明报周刊]人物专栏：艰险我奋进 困乏我多情 由痛变通 马浚伟
*writer：徐蓉蓉 Feature: Steven Ma Chun Wai
Against dangers I forged ahead undaunted, emotionally trapped and weary, transforming pain to enlightenment -- Steven Ma
Friday night - TVB’s 40-episode series, On the Track or Off, has completed its run. Its highest rating peaked at 38 points. If based solely on result for acclaiming heroes, then first timer male lead, Ma Chun Wai, can claim victory in this race.
In OTTOO, Steven portrays Gam Yuen, a naive youngster (戆小子ngong xiu zi ) who later matures into a wiser person, and who ultimately wins his fair lady, Lu Wing Yee (Ada Choi). Its all’s well that ends well finale delighted the audience.
However in real life, Steven’s life events ran less smoothly than Gam Yuen’s. Throughout his 7-year entertainment profession, he agonized over a sluggish career; furthermore, three years ago he suffered drastic blows from his mother’s death, and from his everyday life and love life. Since his loving mother’s passing, the 3 years of accumulated worldly experiences, and more importantly, the edification of mind and soul through written words, Steven has finally learned how to cope with adversity and dangers with an undaunted spirit and to bestir passion from within to dissipate fatigue and besiegement. He finally has transformed pain(痛tòng) into enlightenment(通tōng).
April 9th – a rare hailstorm day, also the premiering of OTTOO. The first timer male lead, Steven, did not seclude himself at home to watch his own work alone. In fact, he chose to invite a group of good friends to watch the premier with him. When the show was on, Ma Zai’s whole being was fully riveted to the tv screen, scrutinizing closely his every move and his concerted rhythm with the series’. Right at this very exciting moment when everybody’s focus was on the series, the ‘good’ hostess brought out the family ‘precious’ childhood photo album, and showed it to Ma Zai, saying: “Look! These are my….”, but was politely rebuffed by the male lead who said: “Wait until I finished watching this scene then I’ll look at it…hou mm hou? (alright?).
His scrutiny was so earnest, so relaxed, showing not a bit of nervousness. A first timer male lead was ‘brave’ enough to publicly accept the challenge of friends’ feedback and critiques. During the ongoing conversation, he even cheerfully joked about the afternoon hailstorm: “Yay! A hailstorm! Now people can’t get out. They’ll sure to watch the series lo! Even heaven (tin) aids me.” He was very confident of his own performance. I appreciate his show of self-confidence.
Nobody is born knowing how to face adversities and challenges with equanimity. Steven is no exception. If it was not for his 22-year battle alongside his mother fighting the disease demon, he would not have possessed such strong morality.
“In the past, my life and mind consisted only of mom. Since I was 6 years old, I lived in constant anxiety and fear. Sometimes when I saw people mistreating their parents, I would rile at the unfairness: “They are so disobedient yet their mothers are so healthy. Why is that I am so filial and yet mom is..”". Besides being filial, he would never do anything to worry his mother. “Anyway, maybe it’s better this way; I received more than I lost. During the teenage wild years, I deliberately controlled my wildness, and during the self-expressive years, I deliberately restrained self-indulgence. As the years passed, I began to ‘age’ prematurely.”
He loves to draw; after graduating high school, he had the opportunity to enter a design /graphic / art school for further study, thus realizing his dream of being an artist. However, his family really could not afford the HK$7000 school fees for his training. “No problem! I can self-study.” Instead he stepped into society to diligently earn money to help out his family. No doubt it was hard work, but he did it with a willing heart.
This child’s family background might be underprivileged but his upbringing was excellent. Father worked day and night to provide for his wife and children. His wife was a chronic patient and he did his best to take care of her, sticking with her through thick and thin. Mother was strong and gentle. They were a good couple. Besides being affectionate to each other, they were also fair to their children. Every child in the family was treated like a precious gem. But because Ma Zai was the only nam ting (boy) and because being a traditional Chew Chao family, the ‘ting’ naturally engendered him a preferential treatment.
His four sisters (3 older, 1 younger), they all love to take care of him. When little brother had just finished his bowl of wonton noodle soup, the empty bowl would vanish in the blink of an eye; turned out that his 3rd elder sister had already taken it to the kitchen for washing. When heard he was sick, 2nd elder sister who was a nurse and despite being married already, would in the shortest amount of time pay a nurse visit to check up on her little brother. But the undefeated got to be his younger sister; “4th young master” loves to praise how pretty his little sister is before other people, and how much he cherishes her. The fact is, his younger sister looks upon him as an idol. “Amongst men, my brother is the best. If looking for a husband, I want to find one just like him.” Given her adulation of her older brother, she is undoubtedly his biggest ardent fan.
“I admit, because of my family’s poverty, I was often looked down upon. I did not feel secure and also minded people’s condescension. But now, I am enlightened. (tai tong) I won’t let it bother me anymore.”
Whenever he felt aggrieved, just hearing his mother said: “My Wai Zai hou guai! (Well-behaved) hou guai zai ga!" A word is worth 10 thousand gold ingots. His mother was his most trusty reinforcement. To this child who had encountered all kinds of situations, having grown up in a public housing environment, her words were like a stimulant shot; taking a deep breath and bracing himself, he once again was ready to charge to the frontline. Familial love was what sustained him through life’s vicissitudes. He knows the meaning of appreciation, but more so, he knows the meaning of giving back. Their financial situation finally improved, however, mother’s illness relapsed, which greatly terrified and tormented him mentally. In 1999, Ma mama’s illness worsened, today dismissed from hospital, tomorrow re-admitted. If she was away from home, Steven’s soul fled in tow.
During that period, he was filming HH1. Whenever his scenes were not slotted, he would rush to the hospital, desperately seizing every minute to be at his mother’s side. Because of his chaotic emotions, he was reluctant to interact with people at work. If his scenes were not shot, he would squat by the curbside, dazed. All this was taken in by a thoughtful person (有心人). Ma Zai’s desolation touched her heart. She, of her own accord, walked over to this agitated person. She engaged him in conversations to comfort his panicky heart. This person was Ada Choi. She talked to him, using her own optimism to enlighten him. Gradually, he saw her decency. He knew he had begun to appreciate her. (欣赏)
As his appreciation of her grew, he also thought of strengthening his communication with Ada, but his mother was sick; should he allocate his time to filial piety? Or should he allocate it to personal affair? The Time God really did a number on Steven. Making a choice is a painful process; but nonetheless, helplessness notwithstanding, it still needed to be made. Finally, he resolutely allocated every minute and every second to his mother. Mother passed away, and that one, she had found her true love! Totally disheartening! But whom could he pour out to. Thereafter, he took to drinking to numb himself. Only his beloved pet dog, Ah Ben, knew of his desolation, because he would only speak out his feelings to it.
One night, he was drunk again, and in his stupor he saw his mother. He saw his mother smiling at him. He smiled back at her. And briefly regaining consciousness…. Ah! He recalled his mother, recalled how she fought to prolong her life by courageously enduring painful treatments. How on her last day because of ingestion problems, the doctor considered doing a throat aperture surgery to insert a feeding tube inside her. But this surgery’s risk was very high. To increase her chance of survival, Ma mama accepted the doctor’s alternative recommendation. He hoped that within a short period of time, to use a small lever to widen the space between the two front teeth so as to enable a doctor to insert a tube for nourishing infusion, hence avoiding the risk of surgery. The pain of “teeth prying’ could only be imagined, yet she still persisted in undergoing the ‘prying’ treatment. Because of her love for her family, she displayed an utmost inner strength to live. No matter in the end that it was all for naught, but her incredible fortitude is forever imprinted in the son’s heart.
His heart, also thought of his father… Father loves him so much. A retiree; knowing that son had just gotten his driver’s license, he, without a word, promptly withdrew a portion of his retirement fund and gave it to him to buy a car, just so that son had a reliable car to improve his driving skill. “Father never frets over money situation because he never doubts I would take of him in his old age. He has the utmost confidence in me. How could I worry him so, and disappoint him so…. How could I self-destruct myself so. That I grew to be so big now was because of my parents! I loved parents so much, so why did I do things to worry father and to sadden mother?"
Suddenly he woke up, and began his life anew! Furthermore, through the elucidation of Teacher Tang Jun Yi (唐君毅)’s philosophy of life, he learns to transform the “most loved” feelings to “respect”; to elevate the male-female feelings to platonic friendship; and to store all the good memories deep inside his heart. This by far, he thinks is his most valuable realization.
Even though true love has yet to be found, he insists that he will certainly get married one day. “I don’t want to date just yet because I want my heart to be fully cleansed first! Else it will be very unfair to my future partner.”
But, 2nd sister and 5th little sister have both given birth to a ‘ting’ (son) this year; their arrival arouses 4th young master’s heart.
"Recently, I dreamed. In my dream I saw my left arm cradling a daughter; right arm, a zai (son). I laughed so loudly that I woke up! I really wish to get marry, really wish to have children with my beloved. I long to have a daughter first, then a son; because I love to see the growth of a new life, to see life filled with meaning. I want to teach the new generation well and not let them take a wrong turn. I want them to understand what is morality (道德 dou dak), what is value / worth /price (价值ga jik), what has meaning…”
For he so loves the newborns’ relatives (tn: sisters), this uncle despite having only 2 hours of sleep during the OTTOO production period would rather skip his resting period so that he could rush to a baby store to buy disposable diapers for his elder sister's and younger sister's respective babies. Did they really need to trouble this “sei xiu” (4th young master) for diapers? Obviously, it is just a personal choice. And thus, this reporter got to witness a "diaper purchase extraordinaire scene".
Really love to witness extraordinary sights. Life’s cumulative efforts are done for what purpose; they occurred for the realization of value. The value being love, moreover, it is the mutual love among family members.
~Prologue~
Perception of moth
The Chinese have this saying.
When people die, their souls attached themselves onto the moths, and then they go home to see their family…
Superstition? Or coincidence?
Since OTTOO’s premier on April 9th every night for one whole week, Steven saw a gray moth resting on the wall in the family room. He believes: “It’s mom coming home to see me. All along, I knew she would come home to see me. And she did.” Life has transcended to the spiritual level, human and spirit finally contacted across dimension. 生命升华到精神，人灵之间相互贯通了
He already knew how to transform regrets into cherishment; this is a profundity process. Other transformations to come will be the ability to comprehend but can't explain, feel the exhaustion but is not tired; every minute, every second, strives to bring happiness to the living, and to let the deceased rest in peace. Will not let sorrow returns, its realm differs from mine.
Translated by: Tamaya
Reposted from: 温馨马仔小屋 (SM's Warm House)
school song of 新亞書院（New Asia College）part of The Chinese University of Hong Kong（CUHK）
香港中文大学新亚书院的校歌，由名儒钱穆所填，
手空空，無一物。路遙遙，無止境。亂離中，流浪裏，餓我體膚勞我精。
艱險我奮進，困乏我多情。千斤擔子兩肩挑，趁青春，結隊向前行，
*writer：徐蓉蓉 is the Steven former PM cum manager of his publishing co. since its establishment in 2003.
**********************************
eta 蓉蓉細語 7/31/2015 11:45
related material tsui yong yong weibo
2000年，明報周刊龍景昌老總送我這份禮物一我第一本作品「採星記」，內中有一個人，有一篇稿，令我真正愛上寫作，人是他，序是他送给我的，鼓勵力之强、令我從此筆耕不停，今天重温，仍然激動，一個點影響一個面，真不要少看文字對思想的衝撃力。
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Grit Your Teeth and Bear It !
打掉門牙和血吞!
2007-03-04 04:05
Translator: Tamaya
2007-03-04 04:05
Haven’t been here for quite a while. How’s everybody? Here’s a belated best wishes greeting: Here’s hoping everyone is healthy and happy everyday!
I didn’t plan on updating my blog today, but I’d just finished watching some dvd, and since I’m still not tired, decided to get online. Only then did I realize that I’d not visited my ‘home’ for quite sometime!
Life’s profundity is that: it is difficult to grasp, and also difficult to foreseen!
Truly, who can penetrate life?
I don’t know, truly don’t know!
These past few days, things happened. Happy, unhappy? Like, dislike? Or perhaps smooth sailing, rough sailing?...all of them!
Sometimes, I felt compelled to look myself in the mirror and ask: What did I do wrong? Why does God keep testing me? Of course, I meant not just work related trials but, also, all sorts of trials and tribulations experienced in life journey!
I’ve always considered myself a traditional Chow Chew ‘real’ man: one shoulder supporting the weight of a home, the other upholding a piece of sky! Truth be told, even now, I still think that way! Maybe, this is just my one-track viewpoint, but this belief has sustained me.
But, sometimes, I feel so weary!
“Real” man? How to be one? Perhaps my father’s influence on me is truly too strong!
My father was a public transportation bus driver of 30 odd years. Since young till now, I have honestly never heard my father gripe about anything at all, or seen him displayed any nervousness or fear before me. Even when Mother passed away, he was calm. His conduct and demeanor had always made us feel calm and secure, that father was always there to take care of things.
Until that one day, the day I’ll always remember; the day of my mother’s funeral service. I distinctly remember that very minute when the coffin was about to be sealed, Father finally broke down in tears! At that time, my whole family, the relatives and good friends, all sobbed uncontrollably...except me, I didn’t dare to cry!
Didn’t dare? Hardly an exaggeration! Honestly, when even the master of the house could not hold back manly tears, which over the years I had never witnessed before, as the now self newly appointed man of the house, how could I dare cry?
Perhaps, you’ll laugh to think I over exaggerate, or that I over dramatize, but that was truly my irrefutable feelings of that moment, henceforth, forever imprinted indelibly in my heart!
Be that I was only pretending to be strong, or that I was actually weak; or question if I could truly hold on, or perhaps just putting on an act - So what if I was? That’s not important!
Anyway, I can hold on!
Don’t worry, I truly can hold on!
I remember when Mother passed away in the hospital, after completing the forms, we got into the car; the first song from the radio was Gigi Leung’s (梁詠琪) ‘Today’.
I will now share a section of the song's lyrics that touched me the most:
別了依然相信, 以後有緣再聚, 未曾重遇以前, 要珍惜愛自己,
在最好時刻分離,不要流眼淚, 就承諾在某年, 某一天, 某地點, 再見!
Farewell, still believe, if predestined we’ll meet again.
Meanwhile, please take good care of yourself
We parted at the best of times, please don’t cry,
let’s promise to meet on a certain year, a certain day, a certain place.
Zai Jian.
source: steven ma yahoo blogI didn’t plan on updating my blog today, but I’d just finished watching some dvd, and since I’m still not tired, decided to get online. Only then did I realize that I’d not visited my ‘home’ for quite sometime!
Life’s profundity is that: it is difficult to grasp, and also difficult to foreseen!
Truly, who can penetrate life?
I don’t know, truly don’t know!
These past few days, things happened. Happy, unhappy? Like, dislike? Or perhaps smooth sailing, rough sailing?...all of them!
Sometimes, I felt compelled to look myself in the mirror and ask: What did I do wrong? Why does God keep testing me? Of course, I meant not just work related trials but, also, all sorts of trials and tribulations experienced in life journey!
I’ve always considered myself a traditional Chow Chew ‘real’ man: one shoulder supporting the weight of a home, the other upholding a piece of sky! Truth be told, even now, I still think that way! Maybe, this is just my one-track viewpoint, but this belief has sustained me.
But, sometimes, I feel so weary!
“Real” man? How to be one? Perhaps my father’s influence on me is truly too strong!
My father was a public transportation bus driver of 30 odd years. Since young till now, I have honestly never heard my father gripe about anything at all, or seen him displayed any nervousness or fear before me. Even when Mother passed away, he was calm. His conduct and demeanor had always made us feel calm and secure, that father was always there to take care of things.
Until that one day, the day I’ll always remember; the day of my mother’s funeral service. I distinctly remember that very minute when the coffin was about to be sealed, Father finally broke down in tears! At that time, my whole family, the relatives and good friends, all sobbed uncontrollably...except me, I didn’t dare to cry!
Didn’t dare? Hardly an exaggeration! Honestly, when even the master of the house could not hold back manly tears, which over the years I had never witnessed before, as the now self newly appointed man of the house, how could I dare cry?
Perhaps, you’ll laugh to think I over exaggerate, or that I over dramatize, but that was truly my irrefutable feelings of that moment, henceforth, forever imprinted indelibly in my heart!
Be that I was only pretending to be strong, or that I was actually weak; or question if I could truly hold on, or perhaps just putting on an act - So what if I was? That’s not important!
Anyway, I can hold on!
Don’t worry, I truly can hold on!
I remember when Mother passed away in the hospital, after completing the forms, we got into the car; the first song from the radio was Gigi Leung’s (梁詠琪) ‘Today’.
I will now share a section of the song's lyrics that touched me the most:
別了依然相信, 以後有緣再聚, 未曾重遇以前, 要珍惜愛自己,
在最好時刻分離,不要流眼淚, 就承諾在某年, 某一天, 某地點, 再見!
Farewell, still believe, if predestined we’ll meet again.
Meanwhile, please take good care of yourself
We parted at the best of times, please don’t cry,
let’s promise to meet on a certain year, a certain day, a certain place.
Zai Jian.
Translator: Tamaya
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
2004 CNY
January 26, 2004
Chiu Chow kid Steven Ma's family does not have the tradition of visiting at the new year, so he has always had a lot of freedom at the new year. When he was younger, after eating the family meal on New Year's Eve, his parents would take him to an aunt's to eat 'Ham Cha' (Salty Tea) until this aunt passed away and he was no longer able to eat it any more. However, he has sorely missed this traditional food from his origins.
Last year, when Steven mentioned this story to TVB's hair stylist 'big sister' Tai Kuen, he found out that her sister-in-law knows how to make 'Ham Cha' and offered to make some for him. This year, Steven remembered the recipe to make this dish and tried to prepare it for himself to relive the feeling of the past. As the put a spoonful of Ham Cha into his mouth, he could only say: "I am speechless, it is too delicious!"
As Steven cooked the dish, he seemed very au fait with it and it turns out that his father looks after the cooking at home, but he has managed to absorb some of his skills and cooking is no challenge to him. He still remembers that in the early hours of bygone New Years, his parents would fry up some prawn crackers, but he didn't know the meaning behind it. Also, every year, his father would stew a big pot of squid and pork that they could go and eat at any time during the new year. "My father made a pot this year too, when he went to buy the squid, the stall owner was curious as to what he was making. As well as squid and pork, the other ingredients are winter mushrooms and lettuce." With his father doing the cooking, as well as watching, Steven's other use was to make soup dumplings. His favourite food is savoury soup dumplings that are filled with winter mushrooms, pork and dried shrimp, then put into boiling soup. he feels that this soup is the most delicious.
"In the past, in the morning of the new year when I woke up, I would kneel and present tea to my mother and father to greet them. On the second day, we would eat Muli cake and New Year cake, but now we are all grown up, when we see it at home, we will already go and eat it a few days before the new year." Steven then suddenly adds: "As we are Chiu Chow people, my father would put a cup of strong Kung Fu Tea down to drink, but now he does not do that because they are busy and we have not learned how to do it and the tradition will be lost. However, my father does buy flowers to decorate the home. This year we did not buy any peach blossom because the petals fall all over the floor. We did buy some narcissus and in the past we have bought chrysanthemums and gladioli, but now my family are not interested."
As Steven does not want his father to work too hard, they ordered a 'basin banquet' for the end of year meal together with a couple of extra dishes that his father likes such as chicken and squid. After six months of working away, Steven is happy to be able to spend the occasion in Hong Kong with his family.
Translated by Em @ TVBspace
Chiu Chow kid Steven Ma's family does not have the tradition of visiting at the new year, so he has always had a lot of freedom at the new year. When he was younger, after eating the family meal on New Year's Eve, his parents would take him to an aunt's to eat 'Ham Cha' (Salty Tea) until this aunt passed away and he was no longer able to eat it any more. However, he has sorely missed this traditional food from his origins.
Last year, when Steven mentioned this story to TVB's hair stylist 'big sister' Tai Kuen, he found out that her sister-in-law knows how to make 'Ham Cha' and offered to make some for him. This year, Steven remembered the recipe to make this dish and tried to prepare it for himself to relive the feeling of the past. As the put a spoonful of Ham Cha into his mouth, he could only say: "I am speechless, it is too delicious!"
As Steven cooked the dish, he seemed very au fait with it and it turns out that his father looks after the cooking at home, but he has managed to absorb some of his skills and cooking is no challenge to him. He still remembers that in the early hours of bygone New Years, his parents would fry up some prawn crackers, but he didn't know the meaning behind it. Also, every year, his father would stew a big pot of squid and pork that they could go and eat at any time during the new year. "My father made a pot this year too, when he went to buy the squid, the stall owner was curious as to what he was making. As well as squid and pork, the other ingredients are winter mushrooms and lettuce." With his father doing the cooking, as well as watching, Steven's other use was to make soup dumplings. His favourite food is savoury soup dumplings that are filled with winter mushrooms, pork and dried shrimp, then put into boiling soup. he feels that this soup is the most delicious.
"In the past, in the morning of the new year when I woke up, I would kneel and present tea to my mother and father to greet them. On the second day, we would eat Muli cake and New Year cake, but now we are all grown up, when we see it at home, we will already go and eat it a few days before the new year." Steven then suddenly adds: "As we are Chiu Chow people, my father would put a cup of strong Kung Fu Tea down to drink, but now he does not do that because they are busy and we have not learned how to do it and the tradition will be lost. However, my father does buy flowers to decorate the home. This year we did not buy any peach blossom because the petals fall all over the floor. We did buy some narcissus and in the past we have bought chrysanthemums and gladioli, but now my family are not interested."
As Steven does not want his father to work too hard, they ordered a 'basin banquet' for the end of year meal together with a couple of extra dishes that his father likes such as chicken and squid. After six months of working away, Steven is happy to be able to spend the occasion in Hong Kong with his family.
Translated by Em @ TVBspace
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