en yan hua fang

Write about your first computer.

My first computer was an officially-issued one in late 80s.  Its nickname was fat mon (meaning bulky monitor) with a giant hardware box.  As compared to a typewriter, the experience of using a computer is awesome for its efficiency, functionality and storage capacity etc.

My first personally-purchased computer was a Philips-branded desktop with a 15-inch monitor and a smaller hardware box.  It was far more advanced than fat mon and was my best mate at work.  Since my computer was on the desk, I could hardly handwrite notes, letters and documents anymore.

Do I let go of my handwriting, letting go of my penmanship?  No——Penmanship relates to ‘identity’, signifying a personal flair of character.

Kindergarten kids and primary school juniors are required to learn to write Chinese characters using copybooks to ensure they start with a good basis. Good written words are usually rewarded with a rabbit chop (meaning “like”) on the student’s copybook but bad homework gets a pig chop (meaning “unlike”).  Albeit technology taking the place of handyman work, the handwriting of Chinese words is still a kick start for the Chinese arts like calligraphy.

I still handwrite notes and cards to maintain the standard of my handwriting for both Chinese and English.  Mobile phone users type in pinyin for the Chinese words, but I write the actual Chinese words as one of the ways to sustain my ‘identity’.

Heritage is not a thing for museum.  It is a living history for all races.  For Chinese people, the handwritten Chinese words speak for our heritage and culture.

✨✨💖 ~