Peng Peng and Jia Hui
Peng Peng:
This is Peng Peng and I am 48 this year and is enjoying the peak of my life. I am a good daughter to my mum, a supportive elder sister to my siblings, mother to my good kids, boss to my staff, and an active volunteer.
In life, each of us plays multiple roles and we constantly attempt to manage and apportion our limited time, playing our role well and lead a fulfilling life. I am happy with who I am and aim to do more and do better in life.
Knowledge & Education
Knowledge acquisition is a big part of my life. In my younger days, I was preoccupied with lots of interests hence education took a back seat. I cruised through by 10 years of basic education and had a great time pursuing my hobbies during my poly days. Realist set in when I started my first job.
That was when I realised the importance of a good degree and the need to fill up the knowledge gaps. I spent a lot of time to catch up and make up. Till this day, regardless how tight my schedule is, I always set aside time to reach and acquire new knowledge which is particularly important in the ever-changing world.
Volunteerism
Starting volunteering as a GRL is a mere coincidence and I owe it to my ex-chairperson, Mrs. Dorothy Chan, who was also my ex-boss. I was invited to join the Cairnhill CCMC in 2006 and have been active with GRO since. I have the privilege to serve under several MPs, Chairpersons and work alongside fellow volunteers and built friendships and community bonds.
I am privileged to be appointed Chairperson of the CCMC in 2019. Trying to fulfill the role of community bonding became challenging due to covid, social distancing among others. I am grateful to be able to work with very fine people who are supportive. Hope life can return back to normal soon.
Family
Family is an invaluable part of my life. I am blessed with 4 siblings who are very close to each other. My Dad is a traditional Chinese with strong social values built upon the Confucius Ethnic. Since young he cultivated strong family bonding among us based on principles. The elder need to take care of the younger and youth need to respect their elders.
Dad encourages us to discuss to talk things out and never fight and resort to violence no matter how angry one was. My dad passed on quite early, but the strong Family bonds and values are what hold the Family through thick and thin and remains a precious part of my life.
Interests
Interests will shape one’s character. Being single I have a lot of time to do what I enjoy. Besides spending time with family, I enjoy reading, calligraphy and travelling. I was introduced to Chinese tea by my dad when I was little. Being Hokkien, my dad and a few uncles love Chinese tea and used to spend hours during tea sessions chatting about current affairs and life.
In my younger days, I do my wine and beers with friends and colleagues. In the recent years, I pick up Chinese with my mum and siblings as I age. I begin to enjoy appreciating tea over chats and let bittersweet and let the aroma cleanse our mind and soul.
Jia Hui:
I am Jia Hui, a Year 3 undergraduate of Nanyang Technological University (NTU). I am an outgoing and extroverted person who enjoys spending time with my friends and family. In the eyes of my parents, I am an independent daughter; to my younger sister, I am a reliable elder sister; to my friends, I am a trustable friend who can be relied upon; and to my professors, I am a diligent students who takes pride in my work. While embracing my current student life, I am also looking forward to the future and seek to improve.
Education
My education path is smooth sailing thus far and this credit is to be given to my family, who gives me many supports since young. The massive change in my education happens when my mother decided to sign me up for the Direct School Admission (DSA) programme to my secondary school, which I couldn’t enroll with my PSLE score back then. The days in Bukit Panjang Government High is one of my happiest days and it is also then when I started to realise my passion for Chinese language and culture. Finally, I am now pursuing Chinese Studies at NTU and I hope to pursue this further.
Volunteerism
Volunteering has been a big part of my life. I started volunteering in Secondary School and it was to fulfill the school’s requirement initially, but I enjoyed it and continued till now. In 2019, I joined Marsiling YN (which was YEC back then) and volunteered in many with MP Zaqy. This year, the commitment to volunteering takes a great leap as I started to volunteer in Choa Chu Kang Meet-the-People sessions with Minister Gan Kim Yong, as a case writer. I enjoy interacting with residents of different walks of life and trying my best to help those in need. I am always very generous with my time in volunteering as it is something I enjoy and am passionate about, and I hope to do more for the community.
Hobbies
Since young, I am occupied by a variety of interests, including shopping, hiking, watching drama, etc. Nonetheless, Chinese Dance is the longest hobby that I have pursued. I started my Chinese Dance journey in Primary one and soldered on it throughout my education, till now. In NTU, I took a great leap in my Chinese Dance journey by stepping up as the Chairperson of NTU’s Chinese Dance Club to promote the beauty of Chinese Dance to the student body so that more people will embrace the beauty and essence of Chinese Dance as I do. As an adventurous person, I enjoy playing high elements and hiking in nature as I love the satisfaction after conquering the challenges. Nevertheless, regardless of what the activity is, nothing beats the time spent with friends and family.
Family
I am blessed with a supportive family that is always there for me and I know that I rely on. My family embraces traditional Chinese values and ethics, thus enforcing the importance of family bond. Since young, we always eat dinner as a family, sharing and chatting about what happens in school or at work. We also visit my grandmother every Saturday, to maintain our close relationship. Family, certainly makes up the most important and valuable part of my life. It is where I can rant and seek advice, given me the motivation to conquer the struggles I met and strive to be a better person.
