after more than 10 years since our last meeting in Penang, when she acted in a play by Penang Players at Fort Cornwallis. She said she was terrified of being electrocuted then when there was a downpour during the play.
Anyway, she mentioned in Facebook, three times about the Northern Writers' Reading in Ipoh which she was due to take part, inviting all who are interested. I was tempted to respond but unsure whether we could make it. So it was left till the last moment when SP said she was free last Saturday morning.
Well, I had to introduce myself before Mary remember who I was, even though we were already Facebook friends! So friends have different categories too! Now, I have added her friend, Craig Marcombe too.
Mary mentioned about her recent trip back to home town in Scotland and was disappointed when the things she remembered were different from her sister's recollection. She has since made up her mind that whatever she writes will be 'her truth' while others can have their own truths. She has even found a way to get away from writing her personal experience as though it was fiction so that if ever anyone complained, she could just brush off as just that! Anyway, I may not be a writer, but from the few passages she read, I can tell she is really good at it, and aided by her acting experience she was able to take us to her state of mind when writing them. Sorry, I am unable to express this well, having dropped out from English Literature class in Form Six!
During the break, I got to know Ian Anderson, a keen protector of Ipoh heritage in particular, who lamented about the lack of appreciation here in keeping old heritage buildings. He said that what were supposed to be repairs turned out to be renovations, and what were supposed to be renovations turned out to be demolitions and rebuilding! His message was that it is up to us locals to complain to the city councils if we wish to preserve our own heritage and not leave it to 'interfering expats' like him! One of his websites, Ipohworld, has been linked to my blogsite for some time, but he complained that my earlier description 'something on Ipoh history and dulang washing' was not descriptive enough for what they have in it. But then again, at the time, I highlighted it just because I was nostalgic about the video clip on dulang washers, which reminded me of my mother-in-law, who used to be one.
Last Saturday's event:
July 2 Northern Writers' Readings at Garden Villa (Malaysia)
The Garden Villa itself is a heritage building, used to be owned by Eu Tong Sen, and we believe it is now owned by Lee Loy Seng family members. It can be used for free if for heritage and cultural purposes, but commercial rates will be charged if for private functions.
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