Dear Sayas and Colleagues,
First enjoy the short article/reminiscences by Ko Stanley Saw (Mech 71) from Auckland, New Zealand.
Then, read a short news article about alternative entertainment during your visit to Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe.
Finally, a service announcement per request of Dr. Ohn Myint. With metta, Hla Min ============================= Three sweet memories from RITby Stanley Saw (Mech 71) =============================
Each count down refreshes my memory of the days I studied at RIT. I would like to share three which are dear to me. We had to write a burmese essay on "Khit Thit Ahloo" at one of Saya U Kyaw Hlaing's classes. Most of us wrote accusingly about the pakhathana types in the cities contrasted against the purportedly more sincere ones in towns and villages. The winning essay was written on donating blood. I have since learnt a life long lesson and understanding of generosity. On the lighter side of learning, I recall engineering drawing which was taught in the huts. We had to draw plans, elevations and side views of intricately shaped blocks. The concepts of hidden lines was explained using the analogy of an attractive girl wearing tight fitting and loose fitting attire. What sticks most in my mind - my life - is Saya U Sein Shan's introduction to calculus. He very simply stated that hair grows so we have it cut say every month. It still grows in a day but we hardly notice the growth. It must therefore grow every hour ... every minute ... every second. Let's call this change dx and the time interval dt. So we have dx/dt which is fundamental to very small scale quantum physics and also to very large scale planetary systems. 30 years later this simple concept of dx/dt (x being any variable) I have come to realize, is also awareness attained by intense contemplation, concentration and meditation. The training and education we received from all our Sayas and Sayamas at RIT is indeed second to none. I can say this with certainty because I have also studied at other universities.
Each count down refreshes my memory of the days I studied at RIT. I would like to share three which are dear to me.
We had to write a burmese essay on "Khit Thit Ahloo" at one of Saya U Kyaw Hlaing's classes. Most of us wrote accusingly about the pakhathana types in the cities contrasted against the purportedly more sincere ones in towns and villages. The winning essay was written on donating blood. I have since learnt a life long lesson and understanding of generosity.
On the lighter side of learning, I recall engineering drawing which was taught in the huts. We had to draw plans, elevations and side views of intricately shaped blocks. The concepts of hidden lines was explained using the analogy of an attractive girl wearing tight fitting and loose fitting attire.
What sticks most in my mind - my life - is Saya U Sein Shan's introduction to calculus. He very simply stated that hair grows so we have it cut say every month. It still grows in a day but we hardly notice the growth. It must therefore grow every hour ... every minute ... every second. Let's call this change dx and the time interval dt. So we have dx/dt which is fundamental to very small scale quantum physics and also to very large scale planetary systems. 30 years later this simple concept of dx/dt (x being any variable) I have come to realize, is also awareness attained by intense contemplation, concentration and meditation.
The training and education we received from all our Sayas and Sayamas at RIT is indeed second to none. I can say this with certainty because I have also studied at other universities.
Editor's note: Saya U Kyaw Hlaing (Burmese) will be attending the RIT Reunion and Saya Pu Zaw Pwe. He has a huge collection of dhamma tapes. We saw Saya U Sein Shein in the commemorative video "Saya Pu Zaw Pwe by the '64 intake" [class mates of Ko Benny Tan (Mech 70), co-chair, Executive Committee].
Ko Stanley Saw and his daughter Yadana Saw will be staying at the Embassy Suites Hotel. They plan to visit Los Angeles before coming to the Reunion. Ko Patrick Saw and his spouse [both alums] will not be attending the Reunion. ====================== Yoke-thay-pwe, anyone? ====================== U Felix Chin (co-founder and Past President, BAA) wrote:
I have been told that on Saturday, OctoberBenny2000, RIT Graduates Reunion and Saya Pyu-Zaw-Pwe will be held in San Francisco and most of the Saya Gyis were invited. We have been contacted by the San Francisco Asian Art Museum and been told that the Mandalay Marionettes Troupe will be in San Francisco from Burma and will be performing at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum/Chong-Moon Lee Center on Saturday, October 28, 2000, at 2:00pm and 7:30pm two shows. I was thinking that if we may put these two events consecutively from 1:00 pm to 2:00pm for reception with light refreshment, from 2:00pm to 4:00 pm for the show at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum and from then on to your Reunion / Saya Pyu-Zaw-Pwe will be very beneficial for both your event and Our Burmese Community as a whole. All the Saya Gyi will have a opportunity to visit the Museum and to enjoy the show. On the other hand Our Community may have a chance to establish a relationship with the San Francisco Asian Art Museum. I do have conversation with the newly elected BAPS President Banny Tan in regard to this matter. He thought, it is a good idea and he will present this opportunity to the Committee. Complementary tickets for the Saya Gyi were given to Benny Tan.
I have been told that on Saturday, OctoberBenny2000, RIT Graduates Reunion and Saya Pyu-Zaw-Pwe will be held in San Francisco and most of the Saya Gyis were invited.
We have been contacted by the San Francisco Asian Art Museum and been told that the Mandalay Marionettes Troupe will be in San Francisco from Burma and will be performing at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum/Chong-Moon Lee Center on Saturday, October 28, 2000, at 2:00pm and 7:30pm two shows.
I was thinking that if we may put these two events consecutively from 1:00 pm to 2:00pm for reception with light refreshment, from 2:00pm to 4:00 pm for the show at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum and from then on to your Reunion / Saya Pyu-Zaw-Pwe will be very beneficial for both your event and Our Burmese Community as a whole. All the Saya Gyi will have a opportunity to visit the Museum and to enjoy the show. On the other hand Our Community may have a chance to establish a relationship with the San Francisco Asian Art Museum. I do have conversation with the newly elected BAPS President Banny Tan in regard to this matter. He thought, it is a good idea and he will present this opportunity to the Committee. Complementary tickets for the Saya Gyi were given to Benny Tan.
Editor's note: We still need to get confirmation from AAM about U Felix's proposed arrangement. Also, we need to find out if the Sayagyis and their spouses/guests are interested to attend the "yoke-thay-pwe'. We finally need to decide the best way to hand out the tickets. ========================= Request from Dr. Ohn Myintforwarded by U Myat Htoo =========================
Dear Ko Myat Htoo:, I am not sure whether you can help me or not. I am searching for a former Irrigation Department Staff named Ko Htun Thein, who is now visiting San Francisco (SF). If you know any of the ex-ID staff there could you find out for me. Thanks Ohn Myint Rural Development Unit, South Asia Region The World Bank Tel: 202-458-1277; Fax: 202-522-1770 Internet: OMYINT@WORLDBANK.ORG
Dear Ko Myat Htoo:,
I am not sure whether you can help me or not. I am searching for a former Irrigation Department Staff named Ko Htun Thein, who is now visiting San Francisco (SF). If you know any of the ex-ID staff there could you find out for me. Thanks Ohn Myint Rural Development Unit, South Asia Region The World Bank Tel: 202-458-1277; Fax: 202-522-1770 Internet: OMYINT@WORLDBANK.ORG
Editor's note: The people who worked at ID are not necessarily RIT grads. Ko Myo Naing, ex-ID, worked for several years in Malaysia and then migrated here when his family won the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery. He lives in Sacramento and works for CalTran.
Ko Win Hlaing (a) Victor Yaw Hlaing (Civil 67) worked at ID for 18 years. He is now a faculty member at Assumption University.
Ko Kyaw Kyaw (Civil 67) worked at ID and in Malaysia. Last year, he came to visit his son Aung Kyaw Phyo [Computer engineering graduate of the University of Iowa] who is working in San Jose area.
There is a "Looking for" section in our web site http://www.ex-rit.org Hope that more people will use it and get reconnected with long lost friends [who are not necessarily RIT alums and associates].
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