I am still here
Category: Uncategorized | Date: Aug 03 2008 | By: Siew Te Wong
I am still here. Here mean still on the surface of the Earth! Is just that I am away from Sabah for the past two weeks or so. Here is an update for what’s going on:
After the operation to remove the lipoma in me late last month, I recovered really well from the surgery. The big next thing on my agenda was to rapped up and pack up my work in Sabah for the past three years, and arranging and planning for the BSBCC project, because I am leaving Sabah to Montana, USA, to continue my very last stage of my doctorate program. The first part of the journey started by traveling from Sabah to Taiwan in mid July to meet up with my family.
Family? Yes, I do have my own family. Yes, I am married. Not only that, I am married with 2 lovely daughters. Not many people think that I am married with two lovely daughters as a field biologist chasing bears and pigs in the forest. Yes, I am married with two daughters! Because of I am married with two daughters and have to chase bears and pigs in the forest, I cannot do that in the forest at the same nursing my two months old daughter, Evelyn at that time (early 2005). So I left my family in Taiwan (my wife, Chia-Chien, is a Taiwanese). Yes, you can say that I abandon my wife and daughters for three and a half years, but no, I did not abandon them, but being separated from them. Over the past three and a half years it was a not easy time for all of us as a family I have to say. But not, after three and a half year, the good news is: “daddy coming back!!”
So, over the past two weeks I am in Taipei, Taiwan, a big city of forest that made from tall concrete buildings, fill with people and traffics. We get ourselves ready for the next stage of the journey and next stage in out life: traveling to Montana, USA, and back to my campus life in University of Montana.
Now we all pack up and I am ready with eight 23-kg suitcases, 6 carry-on, two kids, and a lovely wife. The second stage of journey will start in few hours time. We will fly from Taipei to LA, then transit in Salt Lake City, and finally Missoula, after close to 24 hours journey. Wish me luck!
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12 Responses to “I am still here”
Parent of a UM sophomore., on 03 Aug 2008
Your pictures are wonderful.
Go GRIZ!
Paula, on 03 Aug 2008
Oh this is wonderful Wong. I know what you mean, I had to make tough family decisions too. I took my son to the states for my PhD and to the forest with me for 6 years to study elephants from age 2 (no wonder he’s so crazy now but at least he loves elephants). We will miss seeing you chasing bears and pigs in the forest, but I’m so happy that you are with your family and that your good work will continue. What are you studying in Montana? Make sure you visit Yellowstone!
sheryl, washington dc, on 04 Aug 2008
You have a lovely family, Wong. The girls are just adorable. I hope you packed up your winter clothes because I can’t imagine there’s much summer left in Missoula.
Yes, you should get to Yellowstone and try to see the remaining grey wolves. They’re back on the Endangered Species List for now, but there’s another hearing in November. Oh, and send photos of any bears you see. Good luck!
s.
Lucia Cristiana, Brasil, on 04 Aug 2008
I Wish all luck of the world for you Wong!
ST Wong, on 05 Aug 2008
Hi all,
We finally made it to Missoula after some 24 hours of travelling. I will try to sattle down here in the next few days and will not have regular internet access for the next many days. Thanks for your support and I will write more later.
Wong
TZ, on 10 Aug 2008
Dude, all the best to your new chapter … back to campus… how i wish… anyway, enjoy your stay in US eh! :->
TheTeach, Seattle, on 15 Aug 2008
Wong, you have a beautiful family. Welcome to U.S.! The Montana experience will be most enriching for you as a naturalist. Quite the contrast to the thick rain forest habitats to which you are accustomed. This is “Big Sky” country! I wish you rich natural adventures and successful studies. You’re sure to have many encouters with North American black bear, and even grizzly, should you seek them out. Best Wishes
Siew Te Wong, on 22 Aug 2008
Hi The Teach,
Thanks. We finally settle down here in Missoula after spending 2 weekends looking for used furniture, household appliances, etc. So far the family is doing well. Winnie and I both ready for school that will start next week.
FYI, I have been living in Missoula for 10 years and have been spending several summers trapping black and grizzly bears for US FWS. I sure did encountered many bears during the stay and working in the wilderness areas. Missoula is a place I cannot complain much except lack of Asian groceries stores!
Pin, on 03 Sep 2008
Hi Wong, I wasn’t know that you are married until visiting your Blog, and find out you have two really lovely kids. Good luck to your study, family and your conservation project.
Siew Te Wong, on 04 Sep 2008
Thanks Pin, yes, I have been married for 10 years by now!
Lesley Small, on 10 Sep 2008
Hi Wong, your family are beautiful and must be glad to have you at arms length. Good luck with your doctorate in US - worlds away from your bears. I hope the sun bear project continues and that funding in the future will come through. There’s a lot of bears that have better lives because of you already - can’t wait for the next chapter and hope to be around to help. The world needs more Wongs!
Siew Te Wong, on 10 Sep 2008
Hi Lesley,
Thanks for your nice words. Thanks for all the support all these years. It was this kind of supports and spirits that keep us going in the field, at the conservation center, or where we are to help the bears and their habitat. Although we are now in the brinks of bankruptcy, there is a plan to organize a fund raising dinner in November which we hope to raise enough amount to build the bear house and let these bears have better living environment. We will definitely get the publicity in entire Sabah or even in Malaysia after on the evening of November 14th! Wish us luck and keep praying for the bears and us. There are no rooms for failure from now on. We must get this right this time!
~Wong
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