After 17 years of being a stay-at-home mum, Lydia rejoined the workforce in 2009 to run an English language centre. She has four children aged 9 to 20 years.
Author of six books:
1. Congratulations! You have won – A guidebook on how to maximize your chances of winning competitions – Malita Jaya, 2001
2. Life’s Like That – Scenes from Malaysian Life – Pelanduk Publications, 2004
3. Honk If You’re Malaysian – MPH Publishing, Jan 2007
4. Do You Wear Suspenders – The wordy tales of Eh Poh Nim – MPH Publishing, Mar 2009
5. Stretching Your Dollar$ and $ense – More than 300 money-saving tips for anyone and everyone – Marshall Cavendish, Jun 2009
6. Fun for Kids in Malaysia – An essential guide to fun-tastic activities for children, Marshall Cavendish, July 2010
Her articles have been published in magazines, newspapers and websites. She was a columnist with Yellow Post, a now defunct weekly newspaper and she wrote the occasional Word’s Up, Eh Poh Nim column in The Star’s Mind Our English page. She was named a Best Teleworking Mom by Nestle and e-homemakers.net in 2004.
Location : Klang, Malaysia
i was totally blown off by ur books,life’s like that…i love it…-especially the raisin part-wish u luck in the future…
Jeannette, Thank you for your kind words.
Hi, miss Lydia, how do you do? THis is Khong from Cheras, KL. Read about u and your blog in today’s Star. I’m Chinese and I’ve been Chinese-ed all my life. Now I teach English. To me it’s like a miracle. Actually I taught cos I already closed my Movie English Learning Station. We know the ways we Malaysians speak English; such as “go outstation”, [kerlig](colleague). So i”d show the students some punch lines taken from movies like etc…to show them the correct ways to express themselves. Now I’m looking for a job. I’m a polio victim and I have suffered from this thing called sciatica. On rainy days i’ll be in great pain. It’s ok. Keep fighting the good fight, right? Let’s work it. You may visit my blog. Most of my stuff is written in Chinese but you can check out my comics. Yeah, i was a graphic major from MIA. THe world is so full of possibilities. Who would have thought a guy like me would have taught English.
blog.sina.com.cn/m/littlePrinceDVD
Please leave a comment if u wish.
Peace and God bless.
Sincerely yours,
khong
Lydia, I finally bought your book- Life’s Like That, I’m half way thru it and so far I love your book. Very entertaining and amusing, hehe =)
Hi Khong, I just saw your comment here. Sorry I didn’t reply earlier. I hope you’ll be able to find a job soon. Have you heard of Yvonne Foong? She has nf2 disease and she has done so much to raise funds for herself. You will be inspired by her story. She has even written a book and she’s only 20 years old. Here’s the link to her website : http://www.yvonnefoong.com/ Nice cartoons on your blog. Did you submit them to The Star? They pay RM50 per cartoon, if I remember correctly.
Hi Izairi, thank you very much for popping by. I’m glad you like the book so far.
Hi Lydia,
I was reading Straits Times when I heard your voice in RTM TV1 this morning. I was quite impressed with the ‘wawancara” about the book. Initially, I thought the book was written in bahasa Malaysia.
Congratulations & Well done! As I’m a Singaporean, I don’t know when I can expect to get your book. Looking foward to your new book, “Corruption!”
Hanafi, Thank you for your kind words. It’s nice to know Singaporeans are tuning in to our stations. Actually corruption is not the topic of the next book, hehe, just one of the topics that could’ve been in the book but wasn’t.
A desperately writing housewife with one husband, four kids
Wow, where the H@%$& do you find the time to write left alone to contemplate about life!! How about having a couple more kids , make it the Patridge family.
Desperately writing housewife? means you write to get out off family desperation or get out of your frustration as a housewife?
One more water…As the song says, “ Bridge over troubled water”
Cheers,
Chris
Opps…
Here my sign off note…
Have a good durian day!!
Chris
http://www.DurianRoom.com
Dear aunt lydia.
Haha cause thats what i should called my senior ma! Just visit your blog after reading it in http://www.yvonnefoong.com
Nice one.. i’ll look out on your post next time..
Hi Fiona, thanks for popping by. You’re welcomed to call me Aunt Lydia
Chris, I write desperately so I can see more cents in my bank a/c. Wishing you a good durian day too, especially now it’s durian season.
Hey Lydia, I don’t like your expression “a desperately writing housewife.” Wrting ought to be a passionate and enjoyable hobby. I’m sure your hubby approves of, and even supports what you’re doing.
Uncle Tan, I’m passionate about writing and enjoy it. ‘Desperately writing’ doesn’t take away the pleasure of it all. My husband does approve of my writing.
My mom, sis and I read “Life’s Like That” few years ago and absolutely loved it! I’m now halfway through “Honk! If you’re a Malaysian”…
Just wanna drop in to give you more encouragement (hopefully for a new book too, *wink wink*) but i can see you have lots of supporters already! ;D
With you and other Malaysian icons…
Malaysia memang boleh!
in Christ,
MelC
Hi MelC, thank you for your support – the more the merrier.
Just helped in keeping your book on the MPH Best Sellers list. Halfway through Honk! right now, and I’ve never felt as quite “proud” to be a Malaysian in such a long time.
All I can say for now is “Keep up the good work”. I’m kinda disabled by a stomachache due to excess wind by laughing too much right now.
Hi Kurogane, thank you very much. Lovely compliment – I’m all puffed up now. May I recommend poh cheh ee for your stomach wind.
hello, just dropped by from myklang.com
check out some klang bloggers…hehe
cheers!
Wahlau, thanks for dropping by. Klang bloggers need more exposure…
I can’t find your Congrats book in MPH, Popular or Borders… is it still available in any outlet in Penang???
MelC, I saw Congrats in MPH MidValley but I’m not sure if the Penang outlets stock it. If you really want to have it, I could mail you a copy.
Hi Lydia,
As a fellow Malaysian in Canada, I just want to say that your book Life’s Like That is filled clever wit and humor. I enjoyed it thoroughly and couldn’t put it down as soon as I started on it. I’m currently writing a book as a well. It’s a feel good book basically and it’s incomplete but you have, in many ways, inspired me to finish it asap!
Thank you.
Elaine
Hi Elaine, thank you so much for your kind words. I visited your blog and drooled over the food pix you’ve posted. You write well. I hope you finish your book soon. If you’d like to share with me what you’re writing, please email me.
I’d love to have the book! I’ve been searching for it since Life’s like that… but will it be too troublesome to mail it to me… *slightly embarrassed smile*
MelC, I’ll email you.
I’ve enjoyed reading your articles which are fun and stimuliating since I started to read The Star online a couple of years ago.
Hi Jeffrey, thank you for popping by. Glad you like the articles.
Hi Lydia, I’ve finish reading your book, Honk, If you’re Malaysian. I think it a great book. Well done.
Hey! Yeah, I’ve also finish reading your book, ‘Honk If Your Malaysian’. Very funny! Especially when you mention Malaysian that try on dresses, take pictures, and post it in their blogs. WHOOPS!!! Guilty as charge…
Keep it up! I’m also a ‘Teh’ family XD
nmfairus, thank you for yoru compliment.
Sanko, now I know your’re a young woman. My teenage daughter also likes that Savvy Shopper article.
Thoroughly enjoyed your book especially the section on Manglish. I could not put your book down once I started. I shared the sentiments of the things you wrote about in your book “Honk if you are Malaysian”.
It is so sad that people do not realized the damage they are causing to English language. I am no snob. We do not have to speak like “orang puteh”. The important point here is speak and write proper English so that people can understand what we are trying to say. And I hope people will realize this soon and contain the damage we have done.
By the way, I am Singaporean.
Hey, Judy, thanks for your comment. Singaporean or Malaysian, we share lots of stuff, don’t we? Perhaps the title should be renamed to Honk! If You’re Singaporean for the Singapore market. May I ask where you bought the book?
Surfing your blog has become my favourite pastime every day. i bought your book “Honks, if you’re Malaysian” last week and I really enjoy reading it. Yunno something, it’s also a way to de-stress myself while reading your book.. you’re really great and keep it up…
God bless
Winnie from Klang
Winnie, thanks, and for calling the other day.
Dear Lydia,
You’ve probably received numerous compliments of this nature: but reading your blog alone got me intrigued, so I can’t wait to go out to MPH and get your books! I’m an aspiring writer , but I don’t know if I’ve got it. Nevertheless, I’m just writing, and writing, and writing…and maybe one day I’ll get lucky- you’re a role model for writing mothers out there!
Cheers!
PL
Pinlean, Thank you. Continue to write and do send your work out.
This is the first time that I read your article appeared in Yellow Post which I picked it up a free copy from TM Point. It was well written. I like the way that you wrote, it’s simple and obviously enjoy reading. I will certainly buy a copy and please recommend the first book for me before my departure to overseas.
Regards,
Lee
Dear Lee Ah Wa, thank you for your comment. I’m glad you like my stories in Yellow Post. Honk! If You’re Malaysian would be a good book to read, especially if you want to share the book with foreigners about our culture.
You look so familiar..
dear lydia, after watching your talk show in astro channel i am interested on honks book. i went to kk to find it but unfortenatualy i cant get it. so i just want to clarify either i can order by post and what is the cost for that book including postal fees. tq
Hi Gan Ah Ju, thanks for popping by here. I’m surprised KK bookstores do not have stocks. Have you checked MPH and Popular? Anway, you can order by post via http://www.mph.com.my.
Honk! is retailed at RM29.00. MPH orders to East Malaysia are shipped at RM10 plus Rm2 handling fee. For West Malaysia, it is RM4.90.
Dear Lydia Teh, tq for the information. I will try it. Anyway good luck in future undertaking.
Hi! I just finished reading yr honk book & i had a blast. As a mother of five yr “flying stationery” was quite familiar in my household. I look 4wrd 2 reading all yr books…. Cheers from Keningau, Sabah.
Edleo, thanks for dropping by. I’m glad you enjoyed the book. Now that the kids are growing up, the flying stationery syndrome has abated – a little.
Hi Lydia, I love your book very much! I read it before I sleep. It’s like my bedtime story… ehehe.. well, to answer gan ah ju’s question, I bought the book at popular bookstore in Centre Point, KK. You can also get it at Popular City Mall, KK. Happy reading!! =)
Hi babysamm, thanks for the info. I hope Gan Ah Ju pops by to read this comment. Bedtime story, ah.. that’s a first
wish i had writing skills like that, lydia.. i’ve not watched the asian idol but what a surprise Singaporean Idol managed to clinched the top spot.. He’s quite a charm.
I’m a Malaysian, living in Singapore, by the way..cheers!
Hi Constance, thank you. Hady can melt young girls’ hearts lor.
hi lydia.. i have been reading yr articles in yellow post. they r really interesting. i m really curious whr do u find time to write with a husband and four kids..
btw, happy early new year!!!
Hey Lydia. Your book is awesome, with a capital A! Love you book. This is one of the best non-fiction book i have ever read.
Hi yuyin, thanks for your comment. I’m going to revert to non-fiction stories in Yellow Post. Finding time to write is the easy part, doing the actual writing when I have time – that is the difficult part
oneof’my’manyreaders, thank you very much for your compliment. I do appreciate it but I believe there are many better books out there too.
Happy new year all.
hey lydia.
well, i bet they are gonna b interesting though they r goin to be non-fiction..
juz created a new blog. stop by if you’re free. i juz posted two posts though.. i din really thought myself wud start one too.. till i read those comments here. it gave me inspirations..
http://youth123life.blogspot.com/
whee~~~ happy new year!!!
happy new year!!!
Yuyin, happy new year and all the best for 2008.
hye lydia
im hasnoriah (u can call me nor). i bought Honk! yesterday at borders, timesquare. actually i was attracted by the illustrations bcoz im kind of person that judge the book by its cover.*wink*.after reading it, i have no regret at all by doing so..im halfway through the book. thank you for writting such a nice interpretation of malaysians. i love your writings.by the way, im a student of english language and literature in UIA, gombak. my lecturer has asked for us to write a critical analysis on any malaysian writers.so, after reading it, i decided to write an essay on Honk!.
im very happy that i actually got the courage to write to you..:)!!wishing you a prosperous new year!!
nor
Hi Hasnoriah, your comment just goes to show how important book covers are. I’m glad that you’re enjoying the book. Thanks for choosing to write about Honk! in your ‘critical analysis’ essay. I hope you will do well in the paper. Happy new year to you too, Nor.
Hye! i just discovered ur blog after i bought ur Honk! if u r malaysian. Congrats! It’s a good book and i’m lovin it
Hye Siti! Thanks for popping by here. Looks like McDonald’s advertising campaign is really effective. So many young people have dropped by here saying ‘I’m lovin it” to my books. Hehe, I’m loving it too.
I want this book bad. I try to win all the time but it’s only happened a couple of times.
wow.i like your site.i like your eh poh nim stories in the star.you’re great
Hi sucammil, thank you for your kind words but greatness is not mine la.
love ur books!! *admire*
so, going to release more books? waiting eagerly~~
Hi Lydia! Let me start off with saying that I love your books, “Life’s Like That” and “Honk! If You’re Malaysian”. I recently read them and I couldn’t put them down. I am 14 and I live in Australia but a true Malaysian at heart. As I was reading your books, my family was beginning to get alarmed as I erupted in laughter at random moments while reading.
Thanks for providing me with one of the most entertaining books that I have read and reading them made me really miss the bumpy roads of Malaysia, the mamak stores and our favourite chicken rice man. My mouth is watering as I write this thinking about all my favourite Malaysian foods (especially my durian).
lilgirl, thanks! What sort of books do you like to read? More like Honk! if you’re Malaysian and Life’s Like That?
jellyanonymous, thank you for the lovely comment. I’m happy that my books are reminding you of Malaysia. If your friends ask you of your home country, you could lend them the books to read, ya? I’m sure when you come here for a visit, the first thing you do is to head for the mamak’s, right? That’s what a friend of mine does, and he’s just studying down south a hop and a skip away with their roti prata. But it can’t compare with our roti canai!
Hello Aunty Lydia,
I thoroughly enjoyed Life’s Like That, which I bought a few years ago. When Honk! was out, I was back in Sydney and now, I can’t wait for September to arrive so that I can lay my hands on a copy of it!
Hi Jing, thanks for dropping by to comment. September is just round the corner!
lydia!!!
I love ur books!!!So so so so so much!!!But i still can’t find your first book yet!!!Though i’ve read the other two..
If i can find your book i’ll rewrite here again…If i can…
hehehe…^^…
Hi animefanally, the first book is out of print but you can buy an e-copy through http://www.cottonbooks.com. It’s different from Life’s like that and Honk in that it is a guidebook giving tips on how to win competitions. I’m glad you like my books. Keep reading. Happy new year.
Hi,
stumbled upon your website by sheer luck but upon reading all the feedback and comments, you come across as a very approachable lady with a gift for words….. and so very conscienscious in replying so honestly….. Must say Honk was fabulous reading…
Keep on writing…. blogging….. happy gong xi fa cai!
Hi cinajim01, thanks for your nice comments. Yeah lor, I am very approachable
I am 12 years old girl but i like your book,such as Honk!if you’re Malaysian and As I Was Passing By 1 n 2 which are written by Adibah Amin and you are the author.I also are reading do you wear suspenders.I will support you no matter what you are doing.
Hi Izan, that’s so sweet of you. Thank you for your support. Hope you continue to read more books in order to improve your English. I’m a fan of Adibah too
Thanks lydia
I knew better malaysia because of you.
thanks to my friend to introduce you through your book. http://ary-amhir.blogspot.com/2009/11/gara-gara-ncik-lydia-teh.html
salam
tijok
Hi Tijok, sama-sama. I went to your blog and tried posting a comment twice but somehow it didn’t appear. But thank you for writing about Honk! If You’re Malaysian in your blog. If there is a book like Honk on Indonesians, it’ll help us understand each other better.
Hello
Your laid back yet factual style of writing certainly struck a chord with me and i can say for a fact that i enjoy your writing as much as i enjoy British Veteran Jeffrey Archer’s. You are currently on my to-read list. Keep churning out quality products and the readers will stay glued to them like ants on a chunk of candy.
I am also an aspiring writer, if i could one day be half as good as you, it’ll be worth whatever it takes.
Chris Peng
Singapore
Hi Chris, a rare occasion indeed for a Singaporean to comment here. Appreciate your kind words. I still have much to improve on. Read a lot and practise your writing – and you’ll be on your way to becoming a published writer.
Hi Lydia. I am really excited reading your books. I have two copies of your books; Life’s Like That and The Wordy Tales of Eh Poh Nim. Both of the books had enrich my language as well. And I am waiting for the new book written by you.
hello Lydia.I start picking up Honk! in year 2007,then i moveover to look for more of your previous books. I really like Honk! and Life’s like that. I look for some of your other books in popular bookstores, but ,the search brings nothing.I will look in MPH soon.
I laugh alot and when i read your books, i feel happy and all the worries just poof off.
Wish you all the best in your book sales and always think positive.
Regards,Ryne
See my photo Blog: http://www.maspics.blgospot.com
not read any yet but will do one day
Ezad, you might want to get Honk! If You’re Malaysian in the meantime.
Ryne, thanks! You can get Do you wear suspenders? the wordy tales of Eh Poh Nim from mph and popular.
Dear, Lydia.
Am Indonesian just returning from a trip to KL. I picked up your book ‘Honk if You’re Malaysian’ in airport. I had to sit on vomit smelled seat (the earlier passenger puked there and it couldn’t cleaned thoroughly, according to the stewardess) and reading your book had made the situation more bearable.
Am interested in buying more of your books – the bestseller ‘Life’s Like That’ and ‘The Wordy Tales of Eh Poh Nim’; wonder if MPH Online cater to overseas buyer ? Coz buying from Amazon is twice expensive !
Anyway, best wishes to you and your beautiful family, and greater success of your books. In Indonesia we say ‘semoga laris seperti pisang goreng’.
Hi Becky, I’m happy to hear that Honk! has helped you to stomach the smelly seat on the plane.
Life’s Like that and Eh Poh NIm are both available at http://www.mph.com.my. Since you are in Indonesia, I think the postal charges shouldn’t cost too much.
Thanks for your well wishes. Semoga laris seperti pisang goreng – we love pisang goreng in Malaysia too! The English equivalent is “Hope it sells like hot cakes.’
great book! i even use it as one of my official text book for my critical reading lecture
students found it great as well.
32. A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to ahospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was,a nurse said, No change yet.
Need to contact u, im Soraya, daughter of late Angela Milo. .Do drop an email. .Tq.
My name is %name&% and first of all I wish to say great post.
I have a little question that I’d like to ask if you don’t mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing. Recently I just can’t get my head clear so that
I’m able to concentrate on my ideas. I love writing once I get into it, but in most cases I feel as if I end up losing the first 10 to fifteen minutes pushing myself to focus. Do you have any advice or methods?