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The Apricot Outlook Of Katherine Koon Hung Wong
I was born in Honolulu, Oahu, territory of Hawaii in 1951 at Kapiolani Hospital. We moved to San Francisco in 1958; one year before it became our 50th state. When I was 50 years old, I visited the hospital where I was born at Kapiolani Hospital. I found out from the lady at the gift shop that after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, the Labor and Delivery department was located in the basement to protect the mother and baby. Then later on it was moved to the 3rd floor.
I am the oldest of 6 children and the 4th grandchild but the first grandchild to carry on the Wong name. My brother, Wesley, is the 4th born and his 1st son, Daniel, is my father’s 4th grandchild and the 1st to carry on the Wong name. My father was the 4th of 6 children and my mother was #7 of 8 children. My parents were the first from both families to get married.
I have a BS degree in Business Management- Personnel and Industrial Relations at California State University, Hayward and a AA degree in Retail Marketing at Chabot College, Hayward.
I work full time at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Oakland, CA as a Certified Nurse Assistant in the Operating Room department for 14 years and also part time on weekends with 2 clients in Home Health with 1 of the clients as an Licensed Vocational Nurse for another 42 hours.
I have worked worked in the Paint industry for 34 years with Sherwin Willians, Glidden Paint, and Fuller O’Brien Paint. I was a security guard for 8 years and I still carry a current security guard card. I was also a newspaper boy for 10 years. My first job was at Kentucky Fried Chicken from Thursday January 11, 1968 to 1972 and started at $1.35 per hour and 4 years later, I was making $1.85. My first raise was on March 2, 1968 for $0.05 cents. Then, I went on to become the Assistant Manager for Shakey’s Pizza.
I have gone on several Surgical Missions to Guatemala twice and once to Equador as a Sterile Processing tech.
I was first interested in genealogy in 1972 and wrote to my grandfather, Leonard Wong. He wrote to me on November 11, 1972 and I still have the letter.
I am planning my first trip to China to visit my great grandparent’s villages in October 2018.
I was participating at the American Cancer 24 hour Relay for Life walkathon at Oakland Technical high school on Saturday July 19, 2014. We started at 11:00 a.m. and I walked continuously around the 1/4 mile track until 4:00 a.m. the next morning when my son, Kayin, called me and said “Dad, aunty Linda just called me and said that grandma was dying. I had just completed 200 laps and had to leave the field. I drove south about 30 miles to Fremont where my mom was being transferred to Washington Hospital from Parkside Care about a half mile away. She passed away in transit.”
I am the oldest of 6 children and the 4th grandchild but the first grandchild to carry on the Wong name. My brother, Wesley, is the 4th born and his 1st son, Daniel, is my father’s 4th grandchild and the 1st to carry on the Wong name. My father was the 4th of 6 children and my mother was #7 of 8 children. My parents were the first from both families to get married.
I have a BS degree in Business Management- Personnel and Industrial Relations at California State University, Hayward and a AA degree in Retail Marketing at Chabot College, Hayward.
I work full time at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Oakland, CA as a Certified Nurse Assistant in the Operating Room department for 14 years and also part time on weekends with 2 clients in Home Health with 1 of the clients as an Licensed Vocational Nurse for another 42 hours.
I have worked worked in the Paint industry for 34 years with Sherwin Willians, Glidden Paint, and Fuller O’Brien Paint. I was a security guard for 8 years and I still carry a current security guard card. I was also a newspaper boy for 10 years. My first job was at Kentucky Fried Chicken from Thursday January 11, 1968 to 1972 and started at $1.35 per hour and 4 years later, I was making $1.85. My first raise was on March 2, 1968 for $0.05 cents. Then, I went on to become the Assistant Manager for Shakey’s Pizza.
I have gone on several Surgical Missions to Guatemala twice and once to Equador as a Sterile Processing tech.
I was first interested in genealogy in 1972 and wrote to my grandfather, Leonard Wong. He wrote to me on November 11, 1972 and I still have the letter.
I am planning my first trip to China to visit my great grandparent’s villages in October 2018.
I was participating at the American Cancer 24 hour Relay for Life walkathon at Oakland Technical high school on Saturday July 19, 2014. We started at 11:00 a.m. and I walked continuously around the 1/4 mile track until 4:00 a.m. the next morning when my son, Kayin, called me and said “Dad, aunty Linda just called me and said that grandma was dying. I had just completed 200 laps and had to leave the field. I drove south about 30 miles to Fremont where my mom was being transferred to Washington Hospital from Parkside Care about a half mile away. She passed away in transit.”
66 pages, Paperback
First published January 14, 2019
2 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 26, 2020
It is highly recommended.
This book provides a revealing and thought-provoking insight into a Chinese woman´s life. “The Apricot Outlook of Katherine Koon Hung Wong” is a real-life story written by Dennis W.C. Wong, who is Katherine´s own daughter. It is definitely moving and absorbing.
The story is told through the eyes of Katherine´s daughter who wants to tell how a Chinese woman grows up and builds her own family in America. Besides, it shows the value of having a close-knit family and how members help one another in critical situations.
In a nutshell, this book lived up to my expectations since I read a story of love, resilience, endearment and courage. Even though Katherine went through ups and downs during her lifetime, she had the strength of keep on going with her life and make a change for her family and her. What I also liked about the book is that I learned more things about Chinese culture which is very interesting. Quite frankly, I enjoyed this book! It is concise, moving and highly recommended.
This book provides a revealing and thought-provoking insight into a Chinese woman´s life. “The Apricot Outlook of Katherine Koon Hung Wong” is a real-life story written by Dennis W.C. Wong, who is Katherine´s own daughter. It is definitely moving and absorbing.
The story is told through the eyes of Katherine´s daughter who wants to tell how a Chinese woman grows up and builds her own family in America. Besides, it shows the value of having a close-knit family and how members help one another in critical situations.
In a nutshell, this book lived up to my expectations since I read a story of love, resilience, endearment and courage. Even though Katherine went through ups and downs during her lifetime, she had the strength of keep on going with her life and make a change for her family and her. What I also liked about the book is that I learned more things about Chinese culture which is very interesting. Quite frankly, I enjoyed this book! It is concise, moving and highly recommended.
October 27, 2020
Author Dennis D.C Wong wrote an amazing and moving family tale that leaves you on the verge of tears. “The Apricot Outlook of Katherine Koon Hung Wong” is a delightful read which has only eightY-four pages and is divided in two parts: The Apricot outlook and Beyond the Apricot Outlook. Also, the book offers a glossary and that is something I really liked because it has a lot of Hawaiian terms and I could learn a bit more about that dialect.
This novel is about a Chinese woman, Katherine Chun, who grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii and moved to San Francisco and Hayward after she got married. In this book, it is described all the jobs she had, the ups and down in her marriage and her deep feelings.
All in all, this book is amazing down to the last page. The characters are well-portrayed; I could easily know them and, thanks to the author’s writing style, I could imagine what they lived. It’s an easy read and I would say it’s perfect for taking on holidays. I would definitely recommend reading it.
This novel is about a Chinese woman, Katherine Chun, who grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii and moved to San Francisco and Hayward after she got married. In this book, it is described all the jobs she had, the ups and down in her marriage and her deep feelings.
All in all, this book is amazing down to the last page. The characters are well-portrayed; I could easily know them and, thanks to the author’s writing style, I could imagine what they lived. It’s an easy read and I would say it’s perfect for taking on holidays. I would definitely recommend reading it.
September 10, 2020
I could say this book is one of the best books I have ever read. The Apricot Outlook Of Katherine Koon Hung Wong by Dennis W.C. Wong is one with a very interesting plot and concept. It's a family story with Chinese charcaters that show sensible values and lessons. I have never read a book with this kind of storyline before so it felt really refreshing for me. This book tells so many things that will enthrall and captivate you.
One of the things I loved about this book is its cover which is raw and real. I loved that it featured the photo of the whole family. Also, the illustrations in the book add magic and beauty to it. It really made me feel the Chinese tradition and culture. When it comes to the writing style of the author, there is no doubt that it was ecxellently done and with so much passion and enthusiasm. I highly recommend this book to everyone!
One of the things I loved about this book is its cover which is raw and real. I loved that it featured the photo of the whole family. Also, the illustrations in the book add magic and beauty to it. It really made me feel the Chinese tradition and culture. When it comes to the writing style of the author, there is no doubt that it was ecxellently done and with so much passion and enthusiasm. I highly recommend this book to everyone!
October 28, 2020
“The Apricot Outlook of Katherine Koon Hung Wong” is a book written by Dennis W.C. Wong. This is a book that attracted me from beginning to end. It tells the heartfelt story of a Chinese woman and her family. The story begins with Katherine growing up in Hawaii, then we read about her teenagehood when she started working, and then, after her marriage, she and her husband moved to San Francisco. It tells the ups and downs she went through and how she faced every situation.
It is a well written story that makes you think a lot. It is written in the author’s mother’s own voice and it is as if you can hear her. The narration of events is very clear and descriptive, making you feel you are inside the story.
I would recommend this touching story. I liked it very much.
It is a well written story that makes you think a lot. It is written in the author’s mother’s own voice and it is as if you can hear her. The narration of events is very clear and descriptive, making you feel you are inside the story.
I would recommend this touching story. I liked it very much.
January 9, 2026
Moving, Personal, and Rich with History
This heartfelt memoir is a powerful reflection on family legacy, perseverance, and lived history. Through vivid personal details, from growing up across eras and industries to a lifelong dedication to caregiving and genealogy, the author honors heritage, hard work, and love. Honest and deeply human, this story resonates as both a tribute to family and a meaningful record of a life well lived.
This heartfelt memoir is a powerful reflection on family legacy, perseverance, and lived history. Through vivid personal details, from growing up across eras and industries to a lifelong dedication to caregiving and genealogy, the author honors heritage, hard work, and love. Honest and deeply human, this story resonates as both a tribute to family and a meaningful record of a life well lived.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews