I don't listen to Chinese songs. I got to know about Teresa Teng from an intern's mother in the following way. I had a free lunch from an intern's mother. 

On the 10th day of Chinese New Year (CNY), the intern's mother invited me for a CNY lunch at a Novena Square Chinese restaurant to thank me for accepting her daughter as an intern. CNY lasts 15 days. Traditionally, Chinese people in Singapore celebrate by eating "raw fish" with slices of vegetables. It is a ritual for friends, business people and families to get together. 

A brand new silver Mercedes 250 rolled outside my Surgery on a hot February afternoon at 1 pm to pick me up for the lunch appointment. The intern's aunty had just got her new car on the eve of the New Year and had arrived with her sister who was the intern's mother.

My friend Khin Khin was visiting me at my Surgery. I asked Khin Khin to come out so that I could introduce a role model to her. I hoped that Khin Khin who wants to be a business woman would be able to see a successful business woman who was doing the type of business she was going to do. The aunty got out of the car and shook hands with Khin Khin instead of saying "hello" from inside the car.

At the restaurant, the aunty who would be paying for the lunch said: "No raw fish today." It was impolite to ask why but I could guess.  As a business woman, she must have eaten so many raw-fish dishes with others and could be tired.

The aunty announced to me: "I am a vegetarian. But all of you eat meat." She checked the menu and ordered meat for us and a small plate of rice and vegetables for herself.  She even offered me half of her small bowl of her rice. "You ought to eat more," I said to the aunty who was as slim as a mannequin or the fashion model on the runway. "You need to put on some weight, otherwise you would get bone fractures when you grow old."

She looked more like a woman in her late 30s although I presume she was a decade older.  She would be a slimming centre's model.  She presented a well-groomed image and that is important for business. First impressions count. She was dressed in a glittering violet dress and wore light brown long boots. The intern's mother, her lady friend and I were wearing dowdy outfits.   

The aunty took out an NTUC (National Trades Union Congress) Insurance birthday voucher which entitled her to $100 off the price of lunch at this restaurant. She gave it to the Captain. "No, we don't accept this voucher today. It is to be used for weekends and holidays like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day."

"Today is the 10th day of CNY," the aunty replied. "In CNY, there are 15 days of celebration and so the 10th day is a holiday. The voucher does not specify that it was not for use for the 15 days of CNY." This cut no ice with the Captain. The aunty stood her ground on the basis of principles. The Captain was firm and refused to budge. The three guests minded their own business. 

The aunty apologised to me after losing out to the Captain who had her instructions. The intern's mother said: "It is embarrassing for the doctor". After all, the aunty had bought a new Mercedes. This meant that she was not in need of this discount voucher. "And embarrassing for two accountants," I added oil to the fire. The mother said: "Two CPAs."

The aunty did not reply. I don't think it was embarrassing. It was business. A free voucher was to be claimed. The intern's mother said: "Phone the (name of a Chinese newspapers). They give $50.00 if they publish such news."

"At least you recover 50%," I said.  "Yes, do it," the two bean counters encouraged her. "The NTUC should not mislead us."

What was there to talk to 3 career women who had seen at least 40 - 50 years of life? We lived in the same period of time. So, I asked whether the intern's mother had attended the ABBA musical show in Singapore and heard their songs.

"Who is ABBA?" the intern's mother asked. She said: "I listen only to Chinese songs. My favourite singer is Deng Lijun." I had heard about this famous Taiwanese pop singer and asked: "Do you mean Teresa Teng?" The mum did not know but the aunty rescued her and said yes. 

The lunch was fun as all could make small talk. The lunch crowd thinned and we were still talking about our experiences in our different businesses.  

I checked out Teresa Teng on www.youtube.com later and discovered that she had a large fan base as she could sing in 6 languages. She could sing English songs too. A good one is Stevie Wonders' "I just called to say I love you" are at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIc1aodkQk0

One of her famous folk songs and romantic ballads is:
"The Moon Represents My Heart". See:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97-GXzi6PPw
 

The above translation of her song was not the complete lyrics but it would do. Unfortunately she died of an asthmatic attack at the age of 42 years. That was 15 years ago. For asthmatic sufferers, always carry an anti-asthma injection syringe but none will do it and so many would die from sudden asthmatic attacks.

TIPS FOR STUDENTS
Listening to her Chinese songs could help Singaporean students finding difficulty in studying Chinese. Pop songs in Chinese may help them to be motivated and to  learn more about the Chinese language.