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Hebitch
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Mother
Bitched on: Monday, October 30, 2006
Time: 10/30/2006 12:31:00 AM
My sisters, cousins, their kids and I call my paternal grandma 'Mother'. Like in 'mother' mother... I have no idea how that all started and who started it. Weird huh?
What's weirder is that we call our youngest uncle 'Boy'.
*scratch head*
Good news and bad news.
Good news: my grandma got discharged from the hospital in time for the festivities.
Bad news: she is still bedridden...
Even though I have visited her a couple of times before at the hospital, it was still startling to see her again on Hari Raya (Aidilfitri or Eid ul-Fitr). Her skin is now pulled so tightly across her skeletal frame. And she looks so frail, small and shrunken like a child.
And it was also bitter-sweet cause I think she remembers me now.
Unlike those times when I had visited her at the hospital. Then, I had to remind her over and over again who I was; and everytime when she remembered, her eyes would light up, but just for a while.
On Hari Raya, she didn't need me to remind her who I was this time cause she looked at me with those 'knowing' gaze and that smile... it was so sweet to see her smile.
However, she was quiet most of the time and that could probably explain why she didn't ask me who the hell I was...
Still, that smile was comforting to see...
:)
Yet, she still has her fiery temper; evident when anyone accidentally touch her leg or adjust her blanket (cause she is in so much pain...). Its so scary to see that side of her...
Sigh...
Been having nightmares that something had happened to her.
And I would wake up with a hell of crust in the eyes (eye shit lah... trying not to be crude) from all those sleep-'tearing'.
Crap, I even cry in my sleep!
That's not all, I have also been having nightmares (more like flashbacks) to that day when my maternal grandma died (both my granddads passed away before I was even born).
Its all fragmented but I remember all those pieces of my memories so vividly.
I remember that call my mum got from her youngest brother that their mother was suddenly very ill.
I remember that long taxi ride with my mum, my aunt and cousin to my uncle's place.
And that smell of incense lingering from the house to the lift lobby.
Even at the long corridor from the lift lobby, I remember hearing the Islamic prayers from the house.
I was too young to know but my mum, as well as my aunt, realised.
The realisation sunk in (more like caved in).
I will never forget that moment when my mum laid her eyes on her mother's still body. She was almost hysterical. Blaming herself for not coming sooner.
My grandma... her body, laid there in the centre of the living room, covered partially with a cloth. Already, she was surrounded by 'faceless' men (strangers to me at that time) offering prayers to her departed soul.
Finally, I would remember seeing her face. As if she were sleeping...
And that's when I would wake up from this dream. Fearful that it would happen again...
That it would be too late.
Update:
I went to see one of my grandaunts (Mother's sister-in-law) today, she's close to 90, bedridden, unable to talk or eat solid foods. She is feed with tubes and has to wear a mask connected to an oxygen tank.
She too is small and frail like Mother.
But she has been like this for close to 10 years now.
And it made me wonder, would you want to live to a hundred... like this?
Related Entry:
Life before Death.Labels: grandma, personal
 
You know you're an architecture student when...
Bitched on: Sunday, October 29, 2006
Time: 10/29/2006 12:49:00 AM
My seniors gave this 'guide to architecture' when we went to our freshmen camp a few months back. It was a guide to help us during the next 4 or 5 years in the course; it had stuff like where we can buy model materials, modules to bid, 24-hour makan places (eateries) and other archi-related stuff. It ended with a tongue-in-cheek, "You know you're an Architecture Student when..."
I thought it was a joke but its true....
You know you're an architecture student when:
- Your concept of time is not forward, but a countdown from when the project is due (what time is it? 4 hours till...)
- You slice your finger and the first thing you think of is if you'll be able to finish your model (in my case, I was yelling for satay sticks instead of the plaster)
- You say, "It's only midnight- I have plenty of time to finish."
- You confuse today and tomorrow.
- You carry a toothbrush in your backpack . (I borrow toothpaste from my friends)
- You confuse sunrise with sunset.
- the alarm clock tells you when to go to sleep. (so true!)
- You know what UHU taste like. (and white glue... NEVER super glue)
- Breakfast is your 5th meal of the day.
- You hear, "Didn't you wear that yesterday?" followed by, "and the day before that?" (I try to change my tee at least; can't say the same for some studiomates...)
- You understand what 4B, 2B, B, HB, H, 2H and 4H means and have lots of each type.
- YOU ALWAYS WRITE IN CAPITAL LETTERS.
- You put a scale under everything you draw so that people know how big it is.
- You start replacing pictures of your friends and family with pictures of buildings.
- The biggest decision you have to make near the end of the term is, "autocad, viz, pencil or ink?" (we haven't reach that stage... yet...)
- Watching the sunrise means you haven't gone to bed yet.
- You never have enough wall space to pin things up.
- You no longer leave the studio to sleep, you just crash on the table...
- You always have a supply of portable and non perishable food (I have cup noodles...)
- Midnight is considered early evening (yup...)
- Push pins become a valuable commodity.
- You draw perspective of your friends room on your BU homework just for the fun of it.
Argh... its so true... No joke.Labels: architecture, school
The Festive Joy Horror
Bitched on: Saturday, October 28, 2006
Time: 10/28/2006 06:43:00 PM
You mean I'm a granduncle?
My cousin and my aunt reconciled after years of not on speaking terms.
Its Hari Raya- a season to forgive and forget.
And I didn't know why they didn't forgive and forget for the last three years...
And within those few years, a lot had happened...I don't even know how the fight began - I try (...try...) not to be so kaypoh (busybody).
But all I know is that she had totally shut off her mum ever since my uncle's death. That was the last time I saw my cousin and her family.
My cousin, for your information, is in her late forties and her eldest son is older than me by a couple of years. This is kinda normal for a Malay family. My mum had 8 other siblings and naturally when my grandma was pregnant with her seventh or eight child, my eldest aunt was pregnant with her first... and that goes on and on...
Us, Malays, reproduced like rabbits. We didn't just stop at 3, we ('we' and I mean Malays of yesteryear) had at least 6. And age is never a concern. Like my 40-something uncle who had another child just a few years back.
Its not just family gatherings which are difficult, remembering the names of your cousin or even how you should address them is confusing- uncle or just cousin?
And early marriages are a norm for us Malays (yesteryear AND present). But its for different reasons. Yesteryear, Malays get married young and then they start a family.
But now, its (oh-oh) pregnancy first then marriage.
At least that's probably true for my cousin's eldest son.
You mean he's married now? When?
And he has two kids now?
What a difference 3 years can make.
...Labels: holidays, Malays
Yay yey, Hari Raye!!!
Bitched on: Monday, October 23, 2006
Time: 10/23/2006 12:48:00 AM
I've been so busy the past month, I barely realised its going to be Hari Raya all over again.
Not sure why, but I'm really not in the festive mood this year. Probably because of all the coming deadlines looming over me.
Shit man... So many projects, essays and other stuff all due almost the same time.
Man... No wonder, I was so into the workload that the Ramadhan month went passed so quickly...
Speaking of Ramadhan, its probably the seventh year that I have fasted the entire month without a break.
Thank you. Thank you.
Would have been the 8th year if not for my 'A' levels in 2003.
Couldn't tahan (take it)... lol.
Anyway, that should be expected of someone my age (not too young and not too old and sickly). And also because I'm male and I have no excuse to not fast (womenfolk who are ehem... having that time of the month can't fast).
I almost past out of dehydration while at my field camp during my stint in the Army. But I pulled through amazingly. Can't say the same for some of my friends though.
Speaking of which, guys who are openly (and shamelessly) not fasting during the month really sicken me...
Like this young Malay couple I had the misfortune to share the bus with while I was on my way to school. It was really sickening cause they were eating KFC fried chicken and other side dishes on the bus!
I know they would obviously be 'embarassed' to be seen not fasting and eating in the KFC restaurant. But on the bus?!
Come on.
Have some decency and consideration. Not only are you blatantly not considerate to the bus driver who has to clean up after you, you are also openly eating in front of other people who might be fasting (like myself). And that was so... unbelievably inconsiderate.
I would understand if you were not Malay, but being one... and not fasting... that just irks me!
If you aren't fasting in the first place due to whatever reasons (menstruating or what, I dunno how this applies to that guy), have the decency to eat at home or somewhere private...
At first I thought it was just the girl eating but then I caught a glimpse of the guy also munching on a burger.
Sickening. Shameful. Disgusting.
They were so happily eating an entire KFC feast and were 'oblivious' that there were other Malay-Muslims around them, bothered and irritated like myself.
Shame on them...
And that couple wasn't the only isolated case. I had another encounter with another young Malay couple on another bus.
This time they were so touchy and lovey-dovey that I felt like puking. Seriously.
They were making out and trading saliva with each other...
And boy, were they loud.
In case you are thinking that I was some perv who kept staring at them, let me tell you that I was seated first and they happened to have chosen a seat in front of me.
It was really an eyesore.
For the benefit of non-Muslims, according to Islamic law, an unwed couple shouldn't be behaving intimately like this.
Heck, in fact, contact between a man and woman (without blood relations) is strictly forbidden.
Furthermore, its the month of Ramadhan, supposedly the holiest month.
And that was what the guy behind me actually told the misbehaving couple when he confronted and berated the couple. The couple was actually too shocked for words and I couldn't stop smiling. Haha...
Serve them right.
Actually, I shouldn't be bitching about them...
I'm supposed to be doing good deeds and forget bad habits.
And its also the season to seek forgiveness and spread compassion...
Oops... My bad.
(Contrary to popular belief, Hari Raya Aidilfitri itself doesn't mark the new year, its just mark the passing of the month from Ramadhan to the month of Syawal)
So since this is the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, I would like to take this chance to seek forgiveness from all my friends and family members for all my wrongdoings (I've just saved money on buying Hari Raya cards... lol... oops)...
So to all my friends,
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin.
To all Muslims around the world,
Eid Mubarak Greetings and may peace be upon you.
And before I forget, to my all Hindu friends and readers,
Have a Happy Deepavali.Labels: holidays, Malays, religion
Take a trip down memory lane.
Bitched on: Sunday, October 22, 2006
Time: 10/22/2006 02:20:00 AM
To those of you born in the 1970s or 1980s, take a trip down memory lane...
You would remember brushing your teeth with a mug in Primary school during recess time.
You will squat by a drain with all your classmates beside you, and brush your teeth with some coloured mug.
The teachers said you must brush each side 10 times (vertically, not horizontally).
You paid 40 cents for a packet of Chocolate or Strawberry milk every week in class.
You went to school in slippers and a raincoat when it rained, and you find a dry spot in the school to sit down, dry your feet, and wear your dry and warm socks and shoes.
SBS buses used to be non-airconditioned. The bus seats were made of wood and the cushion was red. The big red bell gave a loud BEEP when pressed. More importantly, bus fares barely reached 50 cents.
There used to be colourful tickets for TIBS buses. The conductor will check for tickets by using a machine which punched a hole in the ticket.
Envelopes were given to us to donate to Sharity Elephant every Children's Day.
Every Children's day and National day you either get pins or pens with 'Happy Children's Day 1993' or dumb files with 'Happy National Day 1994'.
You grew up watching He-man, Captain Planet, Transformers, Silver Hawk, Kimba the White Lion and Mickey Mouse. Not forgeting Ninja Turtles, My Little Pony, Gummy Bears, BananaMan, Power Rangers (the dinosaur ones), Gloworms and Smurfs too...
You've probably read Young Generation magazine.
You know who's Vinny the little vampire and Acai the constable.
And you solved the mysteries of the Bookworm gang with Smarty, Mimi, Simone and Samseng.
Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, The Three Investigators, Famous Five and Secret Seven were probably the thickest story books you thought you would ever read. Even Sweet Valley High and Malory Towers. There would be spelling tests and mental sums to do almost everyday. Your form teacher taught you Maths, Science and English. Your English workbooks were made of some damn poor quality paper that was smooth and yellow. The worksheets were made of brown rough paper. Science was fun with the balsam and the angsana being the most important plants of our lives, guppies and swordtail being the most important fish. We carry out experiments of our own to get ourself badges for being a Young Zoologist/Botanist etc. Who can forget Ahmad, Bala, Sumei and John (eternalized in our minds) from the Mathematics textbooks? You barely bat an eyelid when the teacher tells you to line up according to height and hold hands with the corresponding boy or girl. Either that or you protest violently and call the other girl or boy smelly, wet, disgusting or all of the above. There were at least 40 people in one class. In Primary Six you had to play 'buddy' to the younger kids like big sister and brother. Class monitors and prefects loved to say "You talk somemore, I write your name ah!" Lets face it, they were all bullies who were good at sucking up to teachers. Speaking of teachers, teachers hit you... hard... and parents encouraged that. Public caning was a norm. School dismissal timings were normally around 1 pm for the morning session and 6pm for the afternoon session. After school, you longed to buy tibits called Kaka (20 cents per pack), and Tora (50 cents per box), that came with a toy which differs every week. Not forgetting the 15 cents animal crackers and the ring pop, where the lollipop is the huge 'diamond' on the ring.
Forget card games, 'catching' was the game you can play anywhere, anytime (even on the school bus).
Boys loved to play soccer with small plastic balls in the basketball court.
Or catch fighting spiders and battle them with friends.
If spiders were too 'scary', we substitute them with rectangular erasers with flags of some exotic countries.
Zeropoint and fivestones were a hit with the girls.
There was once the craze for Tamiya cars and toy dispensers where you had to slot in a coin and twist the knob, while your other hand anticipated the toy to appear.
20 cents for colourful rubber balls (that are super bouncy) and 50 cents / 1 dollar for toys in plastic egg shells.
Colourful waterbottles (with some distorted Disney cartoon characters) were slinged around your neck and it was a must-have everywhere you go.
We wore BM2000, BATA, or Pallas shoes.
Large, colourful schoolbags (around the same size as lil' you) were carried around (and then passed on to your mummy to carry for you after school).
You brought every single book to school, even though there was one thing called the timetable.
Cute, isn't it?
Bloggers Note: Courtesy of Suhaila, with my own editing.
Labels: rubbish
The One that you'll only get at the end...
Bitched on: Friday, October 20, 2006
Time: 10/20/2006 12:28:00 AM
It's Japan. What more can I say? Its a Nike ad by the way... Muahaha... Labels: YouTube
The One that will make you go, "Huh? WDH?": Part 2
Time: 10/20/2006 12:13:00 AM
Oh my God, when will all these bad parodies end?
The guy looked like he didn't need much special effects make-up...
Muahaha...Labels: YouTube
The One that will make you go, "Awww...."
Time: 10/20/2006 12:08:00 AM
I find this incredibly cute.
Short but extremely cute...
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Mother
Bitched on: Monday, October 30, 2006
Time: 10/30/2006 12:31:00 AM
My sisters, cousins, their kids and I call my paternal grandma 'Mother'. Like in 'mother' mother... I have no idea how that all started and who started it. Weird huh?
What's weirder is that we call our youngest uncle 'Boy'.
*scratch head*
Good news and bad news.
Good news: my grandma got discharged from the hospital in time for the festivities.
Bad news: she is still bedridden...
Even though I have visited her a couple of times before at the hospital, it was still startling to see her again on Hari Raya (Aidilfitri or Eid ul-Fitr). Her skin is now pulled so tightly across her skeletal frame. And she looks so frail, small and shrunken like a child.
And it was also bitter-sweet cause I think she remembers me now.
Unlike those times when I had visited her at the hospital. Then, I had to remind her over and over again who I was; and everytime when she remembered, her eyes would light up, but just for a while.
On Hari Raya, she didn't need me to remind her who I was this time cause she looked at me with those 'knowing' gaze and that smile... it was so sweet to see her smile.
However, she was quiet most of the time and that could probably explain why she didn't ask me who the hell I was...
Still, that smile was comforting to see...
:)
Yet, she still has her fiery temper; evident when anyone accidentally touch her leg or adjust her blanket (cause she is in so much pain...). Its so scary to see that side of her...
Sigh...
Been having nightmares that something had happened to her.
And I would wake up with a hell of crust in the eyes (eye shit lah... trying not to be crude) from all those sleep-'tearing'.
Crap, I even cry in my sleep!
That's not all, I have also been having nightmares (more like flashbacks) to that day when my maternal grandma died (both my granddads passed away before I was even born).
Its all fragmented but I remember all those pieces of my memories so vividly.
I remember that call my mum got from her youngest brother that their mother was suddenly very ill.
I remember that long taxi ride with my mum, my aunt and cousin to my uncle's place.
And that smell of incense lingering from the house to the lift lobby.
Even at the long corridor from the lift lobby, I remember hearing the Islamic prayers from the house.
I was too young to know but my mum, as well as my aunt, realised.
The realisation sunk in (more like caved in).
I will never forget that moment when my mum laid her eyes on her mother's still body. She was almost hysterical. Blaming herself for not coming sooner.
My grandma... her body, laid there in the centre of the living room, covered partially with a cloth. Already, she was surrounded by 'faceless' men (strangers to me at that time) offering prayers to her departed soul.
Finally, I would remember seeing her face. As if she were sleeping...
And that's when I would wake up from this dream. Fearful that it would happen again...
That it would be too late.
Update:
I went to see one of my grandaunts (Mother's sister-in-law) today, she's close to 90, bedridden, unable to talk or eat solid foods. She is feed with tubes and has to wear a mask connected to an oxygen tank.
She too is small and frail like Mother.
But she has been like this for close to 10 years now.
And it made me wonder, would you want to live to a hundred... like this?
Related Entry:
Life before Death.Labels: grandma, personal
You know you're an architecture student when...
Bitched on: Sunday, October 29, 2006
Time: 10/29/2006 12:49:00 AM
My seniors gave this 'guide to architecture' when we went to our freshmen camp a few months back. It was a guide to help us during the next 4 or 5 years in the course; it had stuff like where we can buy model materials, modules to bid, 24-hour makan places (eateries) and other archi-related stuff. It ended with a tongue-in-cheek, "You know you're an Architecture Student when..."
I thought it was a joke but its true....
You know you're an architecture student when:
- Your concept of time is not forward, but a countdown from when the project is due (what time is it? 4 hours till...)
- You slice your finger and the first thing you think of is if you'll be able to finish your model (in my case, I was yelling for satay sticks instead of the plaster)
- You say, "It's only midnight- I have plenty of time to finish."
- You confuse today and tomorrow.
- You carry a toothbrush in your backpack . (I borrow toothpaste from my friends)
- You confuse sunrise with sunset.
- the alarm clock tells you when to go to sleep. (so true!)
- You know what UHU taste like. (and white glue... NEVER super glue)
- Breakfast is your 5th meal of the day.
- You hear, "Didn't you wear that yesterday?" followed by, "and the day before that?" (I try to change my tee at least; can't say the same for some studiomates...)
- You understand what 4B, 2B, B, HB, H, 2H and 4H means and have lots of each type.
- YOU ALWAYS WRITE IN CAPITAL LETTERS.
- You put a scale under everything you draw so that people know how big it is.
- You start replacing pictures of your friends and family with pictures of buildings.
- The biggest decision you have to make near the end of the term is, "autocad, viz, pencil or ink?" (we haven't reach that stage... yet...)
- Watching the sunrise means you haven't gone to bed yet.
- You never have enough wall space to pin things up.
- You no longer leave the studio to sleep, you just crash on the table...
- You always have a supply of portable and non perishable food (I have cup noodles...)
- Midnight is considered early evening (yup...)
- Push pins become a valuable commodity.
- You draw perspective of your friends room on your BU homework just for the fun of it.
Argh... its so true... No joke.Labels: architecture, school
The Festive Joy Horror
Bitched on: Saturday, October 28, 2006
Time: 10/28/2006 06:43:00 PM
You mean I'm a granduncle?
My cousin and my aunt reconciled after years of not on speaking terms.
Its Hari Raya- a season to forgive and forget.
And I didn't know why they didn't forgive and forget for the last three years...
And within those few years, a lot had happened...I don't even know how the fight began - I try (...try...) not to be so kaypoh (busybody).
But all I know is that she had totally shut off her mum ever since my uncle's death. That was the last time I saw my cousin and her family.
My cousin, for your information, is in her late forties and her eldest son is older than me by a couple of years. This is kinda normal for a Malay family. My mum had 8 other siblings and naturally when my grandma was pregnant with her seventh or eight child, my eldest aunt was pregnant with her first... and that goes on and on...
Us, Malays, reproduced like rabbits. We didn't just stop at 3, we ('we' and I mean Malays of yesteryear) had at least 6. And age is never a concern. Like my 40-something uncle who had another child just a few years back.
Its not just family gatherings which are difficult, remembering the names of your cousin or even how you should address them is confusing- uncle or just cousin?
And early marriages are a norm for us Malays (yesteryear AND present). But its for different reasons. Yesteryear, Malays get married young and then they start a family.
But now, its (oh-oh) pregnancy first then marriage.
At least that's probably true for my cousin's eldest son.
You mean he's married now? When?
And he has two kids now?
What a difference 3 years can make.
...Labels: holidays, Malays
Yay yey, Hari Raye!!!
Bitched on: Monday, October 23, 2006
Time: 10/23/2006 12:48:00 AM
I've been so busy the past month, I barely realised its going to be Hari Raya all over again.
Not sure why, but I'm really not in the festive mood this year. Probably because of all the coming deadlines looming over me.
Shit man... So many projects, essays and other stuff all due almost the same time.
Man... No wonder, I was so into the workload that the Ramadhan month went passed so quickly...
Speaking of Ramadhan, its probably the seventh year that I have fasted the entire month without a break.
Thank you. Thank you.
Would have been the 8th year if not for my 'A' levels in 2003.
Couldn't tahan (take it)... lol.
Anyway, that should be expected of someone my age (not too young and not too old and sickly). And also because I'm male and I have no excuse to not fast (womenfolk who are ehem... having that time of the month can't fast).
I almost past out of dehydration while at my field camp during my stint in the Army. But I pulled through amazingly. Can't say the same for some of my friends though.
Speaking of which, guys who are openly (and shamelessly) not fasting during the month really sicken me...
Like this young Malay couple I had the misfortune to share the bus with while I was on my way to school. It was really sickening cause they were eating KFC fried chicken and other side dishes on the bus!
I know they would obviously be 'embarassed' to be seen not fasting and eating in the KFC restaurant. But on the bus?!
Come on.
Have some decency and consideration. Not only are you blatantly not considerate to the bus driver who has to clean up after you, you are also openly eating in front of other people who might be fasting (like myself). And that was so... unbelievably inconsiderate.
I would understand if you were not Malay, but being one... and not fasting... that just irks me!
If you aren't fasting in the first place due to whatever reasons (menstruating or what, I dunno how this applies to that guy), have the decency to eat at home or somewhere private...
At first I thought it was just the girl eating but then I caught a glimpse of the guy also munching on a burger.
Sickening. Shameful. Disgusting.
They were so happily eating an entire KFC feast and were 'oblivious' that there were other Malay-Muslims around them, bothered and irritated like myself.
Shame on them...
And that couple wasn't the only isolated case. I had another encounter with another young Malay couple on another bus.
This time they were so touchy and lovey-dovey that I felt like puking. Seriously.
They were making out and trading saliva with each other...
And boy, were they loud.
In case you are thinking that I was some perv who kept staring at them, let me tell you that I was seated first and they happened to have chosen a seat in front of me.
It was really an eyesore.
For the benefit of non-Muslims, according to Islamic law, an unwed couple shouldn't be behaving intimately like this.
Heck, in fact, contact between a man and woman (without blood relations) is strictly forbidden.
Furthermore, its the month of Ramadhan, supposedly the holiest month.
And that was what the guy behind me actually told the misbehaving couple when he confronted and berated the couple. The couple was actually too shocked for words and I couldn't stop smiling. Haha...
Serve them right.
Actually, I shouldn't be bitching about them...
I'm supposed to be doing good deeds and forget bad habits.
And its also the season to seek forgiveness and spread compassion...
Oops... My bad.
(Contrary to popular belief, Hari Raya Aidilfitri itself doesn't mark the new year, its just mark the passing of the month from Ramadhan to the month of Syawal)
So since this is the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, I would like to take this chance to seek forgiveness from all my friends and family members for all my wrongdoings (I've just saved money on buying Hari Raya cards... lol... oops)...
So to all my friends,
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin.
To all Muslims around the world,
Eid Mubarak Greetings and may peace be upon you.
And before I forget, to my all Hindu friends and readers,
Have a Happy Deepavali.Labels: holidays, Malays, religion
Take a trip down memory lane.
Bitched on: Sunday, October 22, 2006
Time: 10/22/2006 02:20:00 AM
To those of you born in the 1970s or 1980s, take a trip down memory lane...
You would remember brushing your teeth with a mug in Primary school during recess time.
You will squat by a drain with all your classmates beside you, and brush your teeth with some coloured mug.
The teachers said you must brush each side 10 times (vertically, not horizontally).
You paid 40 cents for a packet of Chocolate or Strawberry milk every week in class.
You went to school in slippers and a raincoat when it rained, and you find a dry spot in the school to sit down, dry your feet, and wear your dry and warm socks and shoes.
SBS buses used to be non-airconditioned. The bus seats were made of wood and the cushion was red. The big red bell gave a loud BEEP when pressed. More importantly, bus fares barely reached 50 cents.
There used to be colourful tickets for TIBS buses. The conductor will check for tickets by using a machine which punched a hole in the ticket.
Envelopes were given to us to donate to Sharity Elephant every Children's Day.
Every Children's day and National day you either get pins or pens with 'Happy Children's Day 1993' or dumb files with 'Happy National Day 1994'.
You grew up watching He-man, Captain Planet, Transformers, Silver Hawk, Kimba the White Lion and Mickey Mouse. Not forgeting Ninja Turtles, My Little Pony, Gummy Bears, BananaMan, Power Rangers (the dinosaur ones), Gloworms and Smurfs too...
You've probably read Young Generation magazine.
You know who's Vinny the little vampire and Acai the constable.
And you solved the mysteries of the Bookworm gang with Smarty, Mimi, Simone and Samseng.
Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, The Three Investigators, Famous Five and Secret Seven were probably the thickest story books you thought you would ever read. Even Sweet Valley High and Malory Towers. There would be spelling tests and mental sums to do almost everyday. Your form teacher taught you Maths, Science and English. Your English workbooks were made of some damn poor quality paper that was smooth and yellow. The worksheets were made of brown rough paper. Science was fun with the balsam and the angsana being the most important plants of our lives, guppies and swordtail being the most important fish. We carry out experiments of our own to get ourself badges for being a Young Zoologist/Botanist etc. Who can forget Ahmad, Bala, Sumei and John (eternalized in our minds) from the Mathematics textbooks? You barely bat an eyelid when the teacher tells you to line up according to height and hold hands with the corresponding boy or girl. Either that or you protest violently and call the other girl or boy smelly, wet, disgusting or all of the above. There were at least 40 people in one class. In Primary Six you had to play 'buddy' to the younger kids like big sister and brother. Class monitors and prefects loved to say "You talk somemore, I write your name ah!" Lets face it, they were all bullies who were good at sucking up to teachers. Speaking of teachers, teachers hit you... hard... and parents encouraged that. Public caning was a norm. School dismissal timings were normally around 1 pm for the morning session and 6pm for the afternoon session. After school, you longed to buy tibits called Kaka (20 cents per pack), and Tora (50 cents per box), that came with a toy which differs every week. Not forgetting the 15 cents animal crackers and the ring pop, where the lollipop is the huge 'diamond' on the ring.
Forget card games, 'catching' was the game you can play anywhere, anytime (even on the school bus).
Boys loved to play soccer with small plastic balls in the basketball court.
Or catch fighting spiders and battle them with friends.
If spiders were too 'scary', we substitute them with rectangular erasers with flags of some exotic countries.
Zeropoint and fivestones were a hit with the girls.
There was once the craze for Tamiya cars and toy dispensers where you had to slot in a coin and twist the knob, while your other hand anticipated the toy to appear.
20 cents for colourful rubber balls (that are super bouncy) and 50 cents / 1 dollar for toys in plastic egg shells.
Colourful waterbottles (with some distorted Disney cartoon characters) were slinged around your neck and it was a must-have everywhere you go.
We wore BM2000, BATA, or Pallas shoes.
Large, colourful schoolbags (around the same size as lil' you) were carried around (and then passed on to your mummy to carry for you after school).
You brought every single book to school, even though there was one thing called the timetable.
Cute, isn't it?
Bloggers Note: Courtesy of Suhaila, with my own editing.
Labels: rubbish
The One that you'll only get at the end...
Bitched on: Friday, October 20, 2006
Time: 10/20/2006 12:28:00 AM
It's Japan. What more can I say? Its a Nike ad by the way... Muahaha... Labels: YouTube
The One that will make you go, "Huh? WDH?": Part 2
Time: 10/20/2006 12:13:00 AM
Oh my God, when will all these bad parodies end?
The guy looked like he didn't need much special effects make-up...
Muahaha...Labels: YouTube
The One that will make you go, "Awww...."
Time: 10/20/2006 12:08:00 AM
I find this incredibly cute.
Short but extremely cute...
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About heBitch
Shazi ~ sHa-Z ~ Ezan ~ Izan
Typical Virgo:
perfectionistic, idealistic, vain, materialistic, elitistic, analytical, skeptical, devoted, loyal, romantic
Typical youngest child:
pampered, stubborn, spoiled, adventurous, demanding, free-spirited, spontaneous, charming, very much loved
I am a dreamer who keeps waking up to nightmares.
My online profiles...
My online album...
My other blogs...
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Other Bitches
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Bitchings
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Mother
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You know you're an architecture student when...
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The Festive
Joy Horror
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Yay yey, Hari Raye!!!
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Take a trip down memory lane.
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The One that you'll only get at the end...
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The One that will make you go, "Huh? WDH?": Part 2
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The One that will make you go, "Awww...."
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So that's why they smile...
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I hear stupid people. I wish they were dead.
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To blog or not to blog?
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Life before death.
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Good for Hady.
He-Bitch in the Middle East
He-Bitch in the US of A
He-Bitch Down Under
Strictly Architecture
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