Post by NZBC on Aug 3, 2013 21:23:06 GMT 12
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SHE’LL WALK RINGS AROUND YOU
I was 28 years ahead of my time when I opened a health food shop in Willis Street In central Wellington In the early 1980's. I learned how to grow wheatgrass when no one else had heard of it. I sold organic fruit and vegetables long before it became fashionable. There were lots of people growing organically around Auckland and I used to have it air freighted to Wellington.
I became interested in nutrition when one of my daughters had her tonsils taken out and had asthma. I did a lot or reading on how to build up the body's natural immunity. I really believe you are what you eat and to have a healthy body, you must feed it with wholesome food.
When I was growing up in Rotorua in the 1930’s my family was the only Chinese there. My father came over and had to pay the poll tax. His uncle was here and he got him to come to New Zealand so he could send money back home to China.
My mum joined him and they had five children. I’m the eldest. They ran a fruit and veg shop in the main Street in Rotorua. It was open six days a week and used to stay open until 11 at night, but eventually it closed at 6.
My parents worked very hard and their only day of rest was Sunday. Although they were Buddhists, they sent us to Sunday school so they could have some. peace. That's how I became the only Christian in the family. When I was I2, I took a temperance pledge and didn't touch alcohol even when I started going into pubs with colleagues I worked with at the NZ Broadcasting Corporation I used to ask for H20 on the rocks with a twist
of lemon. Nobody ever guessed I was drinking water but would assume I had a glass of gin or vodka. When I was 58 I had a glass of pink champagne at a leaving party, but I prefer wheatgrass.
I met my husband Kent when l was 19 and fell head over heels. We were married within six months even though we didn’t have to. He was one of only three chicken sexers in New Zealand and worked for six months of the year in the South Island while I looked after his sick mother in Wellington.
That lasted for 11 years during which time I had three daughters and was taught to cook proper Chinese food by my mother-in-law.
My husband had had enough of the travelling by then and took a job selling Electrolux appliances. He was one of the top salesmen in the country. He contracted hepatitis from a customer and died when he was just 42. I was left to care for our children who were aged nine, eleven and twelve.
In 1989 I moved to Auckland to be near my daughter and am lucky to live a very full life. I made a bucket list of things I wanted to do, my life plan, and am working my way through it. I did the ·Harbour Bridge climb and walked the half marathon when Iwas 72. I want to walk off the Sky Tower sometime. It’s just as important to keep your mind healthy as well as your body. In 2006, I decided to challenge my mind by going to Beijing to learn Mandarin. I speak Cantonese. I spent nine months there and stayed with a wonderful family. I was known as the granny homestay.
I learned to tap dance a few years ago and am In a dance group that performs at old peoples' homes. I have 16 medals for dancing and some cups too.Keeping fit is important to me and t love to swim and do aquarobics. Twice a week l catch the · train to Sylvia Park to meet up with the walking group.
I'm 82 this year but I can't see myself slowing down. I have a job as a food demonstrator in supermarkets and get work as an. extra in TV. film and advertising work. I’m about to do filming for Power Rangers and have modelled for an ad for fan heaters for Mitre 10. I was supposed to be an Eskimo and had to wear a fur-trimmed parka. It was shot In summer and I got very hot. I have been to auditions and been told I don't look old enough for the part. People are always surprised when they learn my age.
At school I was ·told I was a people’s person and that has proved to be true throughout my life. There Is so much more I want to do so the pile of books I have collected to read in my retirement will continue to gather dust.
Everyday I thank God tor my good fortune. I have much to be thankful for". E Wong NZCA Auckland Newsletter Spring August 2013
SHE’LL WALK RINGS AROUND YOU
I was 28 years ahead of my time when I opened a health food shop in Willis Street In central Wellington In the early 1980's. I learned how to grow wheatgrass when no one else had heard of it. I sold organic fruit and vegetables long before it became fashionable. There were lots of people growing organically around Auckland and I used to have it air freighted to Wellington.
I became interested in nutrition when one of my daughters had her tonsils taken out and had asthma. I did a lot or reading on how to build up the body's natural immunity. I really believe you are what you eat and to have a healthy body, you must feed it with wholesome food.
When I was growing up in Rotorua in the 1930’s my family was the only Chinese there. My father came over and had to pay the poll tax. His uncle was here and he got him to come to New Zealand so he could send money back home to China.
My mum joined him and they had five children. I’m the eldest. They ran a fruit and veg shop in the main Street in Rotorua. It was open six days a week and used to stay open until 11 at night, but eventually it closed at 6.
My parents worked very hard and their only day of rest was Sunday. Although they were Buddhists, they sent us to Sunday school so they could have some. peace. That's how I became the only Christian in the family. When I was I2, I took a temperance pledge and didn't touch alcohol even when I started going into pubs with colleagues I worked with at the NZ Broadcasting Corporation I used to ask for H20 on the rocks with a twist
of lemon. Nobody ever guessed I was drinking water but would assume I had a glass of gin or vodka. When I was 58 I had a glass of pink champagne at a leaving party, but I prefer wheatgrass.
I met my husband Kent when l was 19 and fell head over heels. We were married within six months even though we didn’t have to. He was one of only three chicken sexers in New Zealand and worked for six months of the year in the South Island while I looked after his sick mother in Wellington.
That lasted for 11 years during which time I had three daughters and was taught to cook proper Chinese food by my mother-in-law.
My husband had had enough of the travelling by then and took a job selling Electrolux appliances. He was one of the top salesmen in the country. He contracted hepatitis from a customer and died when he was just 42. I was left to care for our children who were aged nine, eleven and twelve.
In 1989 I moved to Auckland to be near my daughter and am lucky to live a very full life. I made a bucket list of things I wanted to do, my life plan, and am working my way through it. I did the ·Harbour Bridge climb and walked the half marathon when Iwas 72. I want to walk off the Sky Tower sometime. It’s just as important to keep your mind healthy as well as your body. In 2006, I decided to challenge my mind by going to Beijing to learn Mandarin. I speak Cantonese. I spent nine months there and stayed with a wonderful family. I was known as the granny homestay.
I learned to tap dance a few years ago and am In a dance group that performs at old peoples' homes. I have 16 medals for dancing and some cups too.Keeping fit is important to me and t love to swim and do aquarobics. Twice a week l catch the · train to Sylvia Park to meet up with the walking group.
I'm 82 this year but I can't see myself slowing down. I have a job as a food demonstrator in supermarkets and get work as an. extra in TV. film and advertising work. I’m about to do filming for Power Rangers and have modelled for an ad for fan heaters for Mitre 10. I was supposed to be an Eskimo and had to wear a fur-trimmed parka. It was shot In summer and I got very hot. I have been to auditions and been told I don't look old enough for the part. People are always surprised when they learn my age.
At school I was ·told I was a people’s person and that has proved to be true throughout my life. There Is so much more I want to do so the pile of books I have collected to read in my retirement will continue to gather dust.
Everyday I thank God tor my good fortune. I have much to be thankful for". E Wong NZCA Auckland Newsletter Spring August 2013