About Me

Who am I?

I’m Dr. Soo Ling Koh -Howard as in 許 素 玲. (means ‘serene chimes’), previously an associate professor at a university.

It’s amazing how we grow to become what our names say we are and where we are from.

∞ Firstly, my surname originated from a man who refused to serve the king - talk about individuality and guts.

Next, I hail from Batu Pahat, which means ‘chiseled stone’ in Malay – so this probably influenced my personality - loving but firm and determined.

∞ I am proud of Batu Pahat, a city that boasts of great food, open minds and more than 300,000 wonderful people and great personalities including my father, a first generation Chinese immigrant who spoke no English and yet enrolled me in an English-medium school instead of a vernacular school and my mother, who decided to have me even though I am the youngest of 6 girls and 4 boys. (in those days, sons were preferred and daughters of poor parents were usually given away or sold)

∞ I have a penchant for languages and the arts. I am able to communicate in
English, Malay and Teochew with passable Mandarin, Hokkien, and Cantonese.

∞ I believe that crossing borders develops understanding: I have flown to Singapore, Hanoi, Siemreap, Phnom Penh,Beijing,Bangkok, Chiangmai,Cairns, Brisbane,Sydney, The Maldives, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Nepal, England,Barcelona, Rome,the Netherlands, Berlin, Slovenia, Paris, New York, Boston, Toronto, London, the Algarve, Edinburgh, Krakow, Oslo, Seoul, Copenhagen and Warsaw. Am presently living in Ireland and am still flying.

∞ My love for crafting started from childhood. Give me paper, cloth or any medium and I can transform it into a piece of art. I believe my hands are God's greatest gift to me. If you would like to see what I create, do visit http://kreatifhands.blogspot.com/