Michelle Aung Thin

“…’sensations of rootedness,’ imagined through associations with blood and soil, may be expressed as maintaining equilibrium. This paper contributes to understandings of ‘plurality’ in colonial Burma and ‘Anglo-Burmese’ experiences and identities.”

“In November 2017, I travelled Business Class from Guangzhou, China, to Yangon, Myanmar. I was trying to catch the end of a conference — which, incidentally, meant flying into Yangon on the same day Pope Francis was flying out. There must have been some embargo on seats that lifted at just the right time, because my travel agent found a seat available in Business Class that was also in my budget. It was, in fact, the same price as economy.”

“I have an accent, and when Australians first meet me, they often want to know if I am American or Canadian. Then, because of my looks, they want to know whether I am part Asian. And then they want to know how long I’ve lived here, in Australia.”

“I knew it was wrong as I left the store, the box sitting flat and heavy in my black and white plastic bag. But there’s a weakness I have for paying less than full cost. If I haven’t really earned a thing, it becomes that bit more precious.”