The Power of “Family”: The Unspoken Truth: Family Isn’t Forever, Unless We Make the Effort – By Evelyn Chen

On Monday, the global Chinese community marked the Mid-Autumn Festival. The tradition is simple: gather at the elder’s home; usually Grandpa’s or Dad’s to share a huge feast, talk for hours and then move outside to watch the children with their lanterns. It is a beautifully simple ritual meant to affirm connection. 

Having moved to Ipoh after getting married years ago, I sometimes still struggle to adjust to my separation from my family’s legendary celebrations in Kuching. For my family, every reason to gather was a reason to go “over-the-top” (OTT). 

Our parties weren’t just gatherings; they were sensory overload. Too much food, endless drinks and a constant, joyous roar of conversation, often laced with good-natured gossip, that affirmed our tight-knit bond. My memories are saturated with these moments: the intense aroma of the famous ginger chicken and kiam chai teng, the scent of frying ngo hiang and the sheer volume of us all talking over each other. This was the vibrant, loud soundtrack of my upbringing. 

But that soundtrack has faded. 

Since the passing of my grandparents, particularly my grandmother, the physical and emotional “glue” that once held the wider family together has dissolved. She was the undisputed matriarch, the effortless hub around which everyone else naturally orbited. Her house was the default destination; no invitation necessary. It was the place to go to when you had nowhere to go or no food to eat! Haha! 

Without that central fixture, the sad reality of life set in: suddenly, gatherings require effort. It demands organisation, scheduling and a conscious decision from everyone, not just passive attendance. The celebrations haven’t completely stopped, but they feel diminished somewhat, less vital. The heart of the grand, effortless family tradition has faded along with the elders who nurtured it. 

Every family around the world shares this ritual: they eat, they drink, they talk and they laugh, before returning to their individual lives. Yet, my experience has taught me a profound lesson: 

Family bonds don’t sustain themselves through tradition alone. 

The true power of family is not inherited; it is an active choice. Distance and time will always change the nature of our traditions, but they should never dilute the value of those connections. The next generation must consciously pick up the baton, becoming the new host, the new organiser, the new glue. 

My last trip home brought this lesson into sharp focus. I decided to initiate a meal with my aunties, uncle and cousins. The initial arrangements were a no-go; everyone was too busy. I almost gave up, telling myself it was simply too much work. But before I could make alternative plans (one that didn’t involve my family), my aunt called and insisted we meet. So, we met! We ate, we drank and we talked and gossiped; exactly as we had done a million times. 

How I missed it! It is crazy how much I had taken these gatherings for granted. If I could turn back time, I would have treasured every minute we spent together when my grandparents were alive. Back then, it was effortless; we simply showed up. Today, one single meeting takes a sacrifice of time, commitment and active choice all rolled into one. 

If you have the chance to gather with your loved ones, especially in a way that requires zero effort, cherish the ease of it. And if you are currently waiting for someone else to organise the next event, remember this: The most treasured family memories are often the ones you decide to create. 

There is truly nothing more important than family. Treasure them. 

Mama and Kong Kong, thank you for being that glue and giving me such happy, fun and food-filled memories growing up. We miss you! 

Words to learn: 

affirm – state emphatically or publicly 

over-the-top – to an excessive or exaggerated degree 

saturated – fill (something or someone) with something until no more can be held or absorbed 

undisputed – everyone agrees about it; not questioned 

matriarch – an older woman who is powerful within a family or organisation 

orbited – to follow a circular or elliptical path around a central body; goes around 

fixture – something permanently attached or fixed in place 

diminished – made smaller or less 

sustain – strengthen or support physically or mentally 

dilute – make (something) weaker in force, content, or value by modification or the addition of other elements 

At ILTI, we encourage our learners to polish their language skills via real-life situations. We do not practise the chalk and talk approach – we learn and have fun at the same time. Join us today by calling / WhatsApp 010-395 3067 or email: info@ilti.edu.my.

The Power of “Hard Work”: Why Hard Work Matters – By Evelyn Chen

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” — Robert Collier 

Hailing from a small-town, traditional Chinese family, my brother and I were brought up knowing what hard work means. My parents and grandparents exhorted that we work hard at home and at school and that success was only possible through effort. There were no shortcuts; you either worked hard or you failed! 

Our daily routine was simple: wake up, get ready for school, go to school, study hard, come back, clean up, do homework, do house chores, do more homework, get ready for bed and sleep. Day in and day out, except for Sundays when there was church! As we grew older, the amount of house chores grew with us and before long, I was waking up at a “godforsaken time” to get chores out of the way so I could go about my daily business. 

Being a girl, I was expected to do a lot more compared to my brother. This was because traditional Chinese families believe that women, no matter how clever, would only end up being married and staying home to take care of their families. Even our school decided for the girls they perceived as “not-so-clever”. These girls were taught home science, which involved cooking and sewing, whereas the most likely to be successful students were taught science, commerce, carpentry and accounting. 

I didn’t believe in that old-fashioned way of thinking. But I didn’t fight the system at school because I already had my own system to fight at home; one that I felt was an abuse, haha! Studying hard was tough enough, but having to add on house chores was just too much, in my young mind. But negotiating in a Chinese family is like talking to a brick wall. The system has been in place since the Chen Dynasty, haha and the obduracy made it difficult for me to change their mindsets. 

So, I continued to work hard at home and even harder in school because there was no way I was going to compromise education for being a housewife. And vice versa! I was determined to do both and do both really well! There was no two ways about it; it was a done deal. 

But what no one told me was that hard work was really tough. Being a scobberlotcher was not an option. Quitting was not a word in our dictionary, there was no one to help when I was in trouble and perseverance is a long and tough journey. But you do it, day in and day out! You take small steps, but you take that step. You may not know how to do something, but you do it anyway, a little at a time and before you know it, you will have achieved something great with time. It is that small effort you put in every single day until you succeed. 

I have now blended into this system of hard work. In fact, I am indefatigable. I still wake up early to get all my chores out of the way so I can work and give the best version of myself. I cook, I sew, I clean, I study, I read, I work and I try to be the best colleague to the people I work with. Could I have settled for being just a housewife or a corporate person? Many have asked me that. Yes, maybe! I don’t disagree but why settle for one when you can have both? 

YOU ONLY NEED TO WORK HARDER!

 

Words to learn: 

hailing – have one’s home or origins in (a place) 

exhorted – strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something 

commerce – the activity of buying and selling, especially on a large scale 

carpentry – the art and trade of cutting, working, and joining timber 

obduracy – the quality or state of being stubbornly inflexible, unyielding, or refusing to change one’s mind, opinion, or course of action, often in a way that is unreasonable or negative 

compromise – an agreement or settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions 

vice versa – with the main items in the preceding statement the other way round 

scobberlotcher – an idle person 

indefatigable – (of a person or their efforts) persisting tirelessly

At ILTI, we encourage our learners to polish their language skills via real-life situations. We do not practise the chalk and talk approach – we learn and have fun at the same time. Join us today by calling / WhatsApp 010-395 3067 or email: info@ilti.edu.my.

The Power of “Belief”: Why You Should Always Believe in Yourself  – By Evelyn Chen

So, the Ironman World Championship took place on 14th September 2025, in Nice, France. Normally, I wouldn’t give two hoots about this event, but this time, it was a little different. This time, I had a vested interest! Our beloved, most hardworking, most handsome Muar Statesman / Model (did I mention he is so handsome?), YB Syed Saddiq was competing! 

Now, for a little background about this phenomenal (did I mention good looking?) man I adore! At just 31 years old, he got offered a scholarship to study at Oxford TWICE and he turned them down TWICE, all in order to serve the people of Malaysia. He was later accused of criminal breach of trust but he denied the allegations and went on to appeal the judgment, ultimately getting acquitted! 

He then took on some modelling work, which is where he met the beautiful actress / model / singer, Bella Astillah. They got on so famously that all of Malaysia is waiting for them to tie the knot! On top of that, he has said that most (and in some cases, all) of his earnings will be channelled to help the people of Muar! And amidst all of that, he found time to write a book, Jalan Tegak! 

And if that is not an impressive CV as is, this incredible man, amid Parliament sittings, visiting his constituents, modelling, making appearances at Bella Astillah’s events and even attempting to dance, decided to join the Ironman World Championship. 

An Ironman event by itself is already more than challenging; it is a daunting test of human limits. But for YB Syed Saddiq, it was a profound demonstration of the power of belief. It was not just about physical endurance; it was an act of faith, a belief in himself, his ability to overcome impossible odds and a belief in a cause larger than himself. This same belief is what he applied when he turned down Oxford (twice!!) to serve the people of Malaysia, taking a leap of faith for a larger purpose. It is the very same belief he used when he ventured into the entertainment industry, when he tried to dance and sing… and thrived. 

Almost everyone I know stayed up to follow his journey. We were worried for him and rightfully so! Every stage of the gruelling triathlon required a steadfast conviction. The cold waters of the Mediterranean for the 3.8-kilometre swim demanded a belief that his training would carry him through. The 180-kilometre bike ride through the challenging French mountains was a relentless test, pushing him to believe that his body could endure. As he said, the mountain elevations were akin to going up and down Genting Highlands twice! And the final 42.2-kilometre marathon was a pure battle of will, a triumph of mind over matter, powered by the unshakeable belief that he COULD and WOULD cross the finish line. 

It was a powerful message to everyone that with the right mindset, barriers crumble. His journey proved that a commitment to a goal, fuelled by the power of belief, can inspire an entire community and show that true leadership is about demonstrating what is possible when you simply believe you can. Congratulations, YB! 

 

Words to learn: 

give two hoots: to not care about something or someone 

breach: an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct 

tie the knot: get married  

daunting: seeming difficult to deal with in prospect; intimidating  

profound: (of a state, quality, or emotion) very great or intense  

gruelling: extremely tiring and demanding  

steadfast: resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering  

conviction: a firmly held belief or opinion  

akin: of similar nature or character 

At ILTI, we encourage our learners to polish their language skills via real-life situations. We do not practise the chalk and talk approach – we learn and have fun at the same time. Join us today by calling / WhatsApp 010-395 3067 or email: info@ilti.edu.my.

Keretapi Sarong: Cultural Ride by Malaysians, for Malaysia 

Every year, Malaysians from all walks of life come together on Malaysia Day for something truly special—the Keretapi Sarong. At first glance, it might just look like a fun flash mob of colours and fabrics but peek a little closer and you’ll see that it transverses beyond that. It’s a celebration of who we are, stitched together in the folds of a simple sarong. 

Organised by Malaysian cultural and arts platform, Locco, this annual event transforms what seemingly ordinary commutes into extraordinary journeys. Imagine this: LRT coaches brimming with not just commuters, but with people proudly draped in sarong, laughing, singing, and dancing their way across the city. Mundane public transport becomes a festival in motion – a literal expression of how tradition doesn’t belong only in the past, but can be carried vibrantly into the present, all on one special day. 

The charm of Keretapi Sarong lies in its inclusivity. Young and old, urban or rural, everyone has a place in this celebration. The sarong, after all, is a fabric that transcends generations. It was worn by our grandparents (and even youngsters, mind you!) at home, brought to the beach as a multipurpose cloth, and now it’s weaved into an occasion that revives culture, making it cool again. Culture is dynamic, as demonstrated by the way strangers connect on a train over evergreen patriotic songs and traditional dances that celebrate all ethnicities. It grows and breathes with us.  

What makes this event truly heartfelt is its simplicity. The sarong itself bears enough meaning, stories, and memories, ridding the call for ornate decorations or extravagant costumes. Malaysia’s diverse uniqueness is exquisitely exhibited in the whirlpool of hues and patterns, including Chinese designs, Indian-inspired motifs, Malay batik, and even modern twists. Regardless of how each component portrays a distinguished tale, taken as a whole, they create a single fabric of identity. 

Keretapi Sarong serves as a reminder that heritage is about honouring who we are today in ways that make us happy, connected, and proud, not simply about looking back. And perhaps, as the trains roll on and laughter fills the air, we are reminded that unity can be as simple, and as beautiful, as a sarong. 

Selamat Hari Malaysia!

 

Words to Learn: 

mob: a large crowd of people 

transverses: to pass through, across, or over 

commutes: a regular journey of some distance to and from one’s place of work 

brimming: be full to the point of overflowing 

literal: taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or exaggeration  

inclusivity: the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalised 

transcends: be or go beyond the range or limits 

revives: restore to life or consciousness 

evergreen: having an enduring freshness, success, or popularity 

ornate: elaborately or highly decorated 

At ILTI, we encourage our learners to polish their language skills via real-life situations. We do not practise the chalk and talk approach – we learn and have fun at the same time. Join us today by calling / WhatsApp 010-395 3067 or email: info@ilti.edu.my.