Hi, I’m Mabel.
I’m a writer, blogger and more.
On this blog you’ll find my thoughts about multiculturalism, cultural habits and what it means to be Asian in Australia. This blog is also a space where I share my passion for writing.
I was born in Melbourne, Australia, to Chinese-Malaysian migrant parents. For a decade, I lived in Malaysia and Singapore, finishing school in Asia and then moving back to Melbourne.
Quite often, I find myself transitioning between a persona favouring Chinese values and a persona taking on the Australian / Western mindset.
Having lived in different countries, I’ve learnt to appreciate differences around us. Different cultures make the world interesting. Meeting and interacting with people from different backgrounds, you see things from different perspectives.
I’ve always believed it takes an open mind to facilitate conversations with people of different cultures and ethnicities. We all have different opinions, have different roles and are unique in our own ways. None of us has the all the answers to every question. In fact, the world and cultures are constantly changing. The least we can do is listen and learn from others.
My interests include: Asian cultures, diasporas, social sciences and media relations – topics which I also blog about. In the past I worked in journalism and community radio, and was keen on a career in the media. These days, I’ve decided that’s not a career for me.
Outside of this blog, I work a 9-5 office job and take on freelance writing work. I’m also writing my first book about being Asian Australian and the challenges of being a creative artist. Aside from that, these are some things I do in my spare time.
- Play video games.
- Listen to music.
- Read.
- Watch EPL.
- Photography.
Thanks for reading.
First, thanks for the follow. Second, I like you!!! We have several things in common so that explains my three “!” before this sentence 🙂 Plus, I’ve always liked the way you engage in discussions over at Lani’s blog. I know it’s safe to say you are much younger than me, judging by looks alone, but I feel quite a maturity in you. Good luck on your book 😀
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Thanks so much for the nice words, J. You are very kind and I am humbled 🙂 Well, let’s just say I am much younger than Lani, lol. My book is taking forever to write. But I don’t like to rush writing. If it’s meant to be published, it will be 🙂
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Mine’s taking forever, too. I’d hate to tell you how old it is already. LOL!!!
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I really, really want to get my book out sooner rather than later. Grrrr!
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I know the feeling…Go, Mabel, go!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Love the header!
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Thanks, Neha. An illustrator called Anna / Pinodesk drew it for me. She is amazing.
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Cool! 🙂
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Hi Mabel! I stumbled upon your blog and it’s really interesting! I can’t wait to read more 🙂
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Thanks, Jessica. Glad to have connected 🙂
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Same here!
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Hi Mabel
its really glad to know from ur blog
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Thank you very much, Winny 🙂
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Ah! Your blog is a gem.
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Thank you!
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By the way, Mabel. I would like you to know that you have inspired me to write about the stigma of mental illness in the Philippines. This is from your original post, https://mabelkwong.com/2016/06/23/why-mental-illness-is-stigmatised-in-asian-cultures-my-struggle-with-anxiety/. I will be including this link as my post’s inspiration. Hope its okay?
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Von. Mental illness is a part of life, and we all need to talk more about it. Yes, that is okay if you want to include a link to my post in your post. I’m looking forward to reading it soon, and hope you are dealing okay with what you have 🙂
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Hello, great blog! I am also interested in multiculturalism, but have only studied it within the U.S. and South Korea.
Looking forward to reading your blogs on this topic 😀
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Thank you so much for your kind words, and for stopping by. You have a very cool blog on Korean and Western culture 🙂
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I love multiculturism and having an open mind on almost everything so definitely I like your Blog!
Excited to get to know more of you and your world..
Goodluck on your Book!
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Thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it. You are very kind.
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Hi, Mabel
I found ur blog. I love ur blog and multiculturalism 🙂
keep blogging
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Thank you so much, Maria. I really appreciate it and you keep blogging too 🙂
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Hi Mabel! Just letting you know I mentioned you HERE 🙂
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No worries. Thank you so much and I will pop over.
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New to the blog and love it! Thank you for sharing all of your views in such an articulate, observant manner.
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Thank you so much, Cindy. So kind of you to say such a nice thing.
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Hi Mabel,
I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award! I’m glad to have come across your blog. You have great content, writing, and pictures – keep it up!
Check out my post for the rules, questions, etc. https://letrouvaille.wordpress.com/2017/01/09/the-sunshine-blogger-award/
Hope you have fun and congratulations! 🙂
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Thank you so much for the nomination, Jessica! So kind of you and I’ll pop over to check out more of your posts 😊
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You’re welcome Mabel! You deserve it!! ☺️
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You deserve your nomination too, Jessica 🙂
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Your blog is quite refreshing!
I love to read about your perspective as an Asian Australian, as I believe that not many people are aware about that.
I have a question if I may ask. How come you spent overseas in Malaysia and Singapore for school?
It honestly sounds amazing, and I do quite envy you!
I wish I was raised for a significant time either in Burma or Thailand.
Did you accent changed a lot when you came back to Oz?
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Thank you so much, Suaylia. You are very kind and thank you so much for reading 🙂
My family was the “parachute” kind of family, with my dad traveling a lot of for work. So, my family got to live in Singapore and Malaysia when I was a kid, and even when we moved around within these countries quite a bit.
As for my accent, it has always been evolving. These days, in some situations I sound more Australian than Malaysian and vice-versa in other situations. But when I think in my head, it’s mostly Malaysian.
Your background sounds very interesting and unique, and you must have your own unique story to tell 🙂
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Oh wow that is very interesting. You sound like a tck: third culture kid then. I find Southeast Asia quite fascinating. One of the most diverse regions in the world.
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Hi Mabel
Thanks for dropping by my blog and taking the time to leave a comment, appreciated. I noticed the alignment of the stars when framing the shot, so tried to include as much of the sky without cropping too much of the road. Considered using a wider angle lens, but thought it would reduce the scale of the mountain, so stayed with the 24mm instead :-):-).
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No worries, 4otomo. It was a great shot. Very well positioned and the bus came along at just the right time 😊 Good luck with more photos like that and thanks for stopping by 😊
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Hello,AmazingBlog You have,very happy to be here,hey please if you have some time take a look on my site and tell me what You think about my photos,i appreciate ,not much people visit me because my photos is weak ? i want to know Your opinion ,if You can tell somebody , tell friends about me about me i do not want to die in silence of art , Take care good soul
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Thank you so much. You have wonderful photos, all very vivid, very crisp and very clear. Keep up the good work.
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You think so for real ,please swear that You are not joking Mabel ,many people in my life lied to me and i am still in shadows of my room ,Bless You
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I am not one for lies and believe honesty takes us far. I have followed your blog for a while and love your close ups and nature photography. It is evident you put a lot of work and more importantly passion into your art. Personally, I believe success lies not in our popularity and views but by what we choose to do that makes us happy.
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Enjoying reading some of your posts, Mabel! As an Asian (Sri Lankan) living abroad as well, I share a lot of your experiences. Thanks for commenting on my blog, and I’m looking forward to following yours and reading more! 🙂
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Thanks, Piyumi. Hope your travels abroad have been fun and insightful, and that you continue to have a good time wherever you are 🙂
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Thank you very much! 🙂
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Hello Mabel, I’ve nominated you for the Mystery Bloggers Award http://garydlum.com/2017/04/29/mystery-bloggers-award/
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Thank you so much, Gaz. It is very kind of you. I will put a link up to your stuff on my Awards page 🙂
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Cool. Thank you very much Mabel.
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I love the painting on your home-page header… did you paint it? It’s gorgeous (:
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Thank you so much. Credit has to go to an illustrater called Anna, and here is a link to her work: https://www.instagram.com/pinodesk/ 🙂
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Thanks, Mabel. Her work is gorgeous, with a consistent, yet also diverse aesthetic, she now has another follower (:
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Anna is an amazing illustrator, and a great person too 🙂
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Hey Mabel, thought I would say hi and encourage you with a thank you. I’ve been reading a few of your posts and they have been a blessing to me. You speak well and I quoted you in one of my own blog posts! Your experiences helped clear up mine as a Chinese-American, and I didn’t realize that Asians in Australia face similar issues. Keep on writing!
Moire
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Thank you so much for the kind words, Moire. I really loved the ‘…why are you white?’ post that you wrote. It has so many thoughts on being Chinese-American, and you also voiced some of my feelings which I haven’t been able to describe in words. Personality vs values is such an important concept to think about and you have made me look at it in a different way. Once again, thank you so much and it is so lovely to have connected 🙂
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Your stories are amazing! Thank you for sharing with us
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Thank you, Wilson! You do amazing work in Uganda.
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Thank you, I loved your comment!
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No worries, Wilson. Hope to hear from you again soon. Meantime, keep doing the good work in Uganda.
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Thanks, now my son and I came back to the USA, but I keep in touch with the people in Uganda and taking care of them in one way or another!
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Hello! I just discovered your blog – I am a Malaysian migrated to Sydney after studying and falling in love with this beautiful country. However, there are some darker sides to life in the lucky country and some of your posts really strike a chord on what being ‘Asian Australian’ is. Keep up the good work!
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Thank you so much for stopping by, Sue-Wen. It is so true there is a darker side to life in Australia – it’s a fact and something all of us should talk more about. Stay safe and take care.
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Super Blog!
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Thank you!
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HI Mabel! It’s great to meet you & find your blog! As someone who is still struggling to find that perfect compromise between Chinese values and Western mindsets, I completely understand the transition you make in everyday situations. I look forward to reading posts on your blog and engaging in discussions on multiculturalism and diversity 🙂
~Jade
P.S. I’m also Chinese-Malaysian!
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It really is so hard to find a compromise between Chinese and Western values… I guess people will talk and judge but at the end of the day, our lives is ours to live. Amazing you are Chinese-Malaysian too! So glad to have connected with you 🙂
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Hi Mabel! So lovely to meet you! Thanks again for visiting my blog earlier today. 🙂 What a fun photo you have of Link trying to pick up a fight with you. 😉 I look forward discovering and reading your blog! We seem to have a lot in common, apart from all things art – and here I include writing as well – I´m also very interested in multiculturalism. Have a happy weekend! 🙂 ❤
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It is lovely to meet you too, Sarah. You have lovely photos and art on your blog 🙂 It does sound like we have things in common – multiculturalism, writing, art, healthy food, and more. Happy weekend to you and see you around ❤
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Thanks so much, Mabel! And also for the follow!! 😀 Really look forward to read your future posts! Hugs! 😀 ❤
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I also look forward to following you. Many hugs across the miles, Sarah ❤
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Many hugs back to you, Mabel! ❤
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Hello Mabel,
I missed your mail and just found it yesterday.
Please find the reply and waiting to share more information on the upcoming post 🙂
Best Regards,
Sreejth.
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Thanks for letting me know, Sreejith. I sent you a response. Talk soon 🙂
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Lovely to meet you! I appreciate your openness to different cultures, what a demonstration of loving and courage to deeply listen. ❤ And, congratulations on writing your first book! Blessings to you — Debbie
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Thanks, Debbie. Lovely to meet you you. We all learn so much if we listen to each other. I’m still writing my first book, and it’s going well ❤
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I love the charming drawing on your banner and pleased that you commented on my blog yesterday. Now, I’m commenting on yours.
There is much to admire here, including the fact that you embrace diversity. Again, thank you, Mabel!
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Thank you very much, Marian. The header was designed by a wonderful artist called Anna/Pinodesk 🙂 So lovely of you to stop by here, Marian. You are very kind and hope you have a wonderful day!
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You have a really nice site here Mabel, will drop by later in the day!🙂
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Thank you so much for your kind words and for stopping by 🙂
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