phinmag: a personal experimental media project

But seriously, who is Phin?

My name is Phin, the creator and author of this website. Yes, it’s my real name though it’s not a name I usually use (I’m mostly known as Andrea). It’s my Chinese name and should be pronounced as “ping”, which means “apple” in Chinese. But in the context of this online project, “Phin Magazine”, it should be pronounced as “fin” instead.

Clearly, having a Chinese name also means that I’m actually born of Chinese heritage. I was not bestowed a Chinese name because I was adopted or taken in by some Chinese kungfu master as his ‘child’. Besides, a kungfu prodigy by the name of Apple does not instill fear on anyone. Trust me. Apple will be bludgeoned into a pulp (pun intended) by every wimp in town.

Being 100% Chinese doesn’t mean I speak fluent Chinese. Though I do speak two Chinese dialects (but not very well, I’m afraid), I can’t speak or read or understand Mandarin. I generally speak English daily. My thoughts are in English as well. In a way, I am sort of multi-lingual. Well, it is only natural to be multi-lingual if one is born and raised in Malaysia. Everyone here speaks a minimum of two to three languages either including/excluding their respective mother tongue. My linguistic skills are kind of a mish-mash. I am not thoroughly fluent in all languages or dialect I speak. So forgive me if my eloquence in the England gets crushed under the London Bridge at times. Afterall, I learnt English through years of American television and books.

Being Chinese also doesn’t mean I’m a math whiz. I’m a numerical dyslexic. I have trouble reading numbers and it takes extra effort for my brain to register a number. I can’t count properly. I always failed math in school. Never ask me for my phone number. I can never remember it well. Besides, I never call myself so how would I know what’s my number. Duh.