Hi
In 1977, after struggling with my PSLE, I did not know how I passed my Chinese, but I managed to go to SJI at Bras Basah Road.
Managed to get into the 2nd last class, in Sec 1. Just show you how blur I am.
Well, I was in 1C10. Class of notorious boys who disliked studying, always caught talking loudly and made to stay back many times afer school for being so noisy that the best class (which happens to be next to us) always complained about us.
We had a real funny teacher that taught us History. His name was Mr Bernard Wong. He sometimes would carry a piece of chalk like one would hold if he was smoking. He would actually smoked the chalk!! Also, when we were doing our test, he would even tell us what page to look at to COPY!. Once my friend did not study the topic on Babylon - but decided to write about the FA cup Final that year. Guess what he scored - 75 marks.
Sec one and Two were always playing soccer and playing at Plaza Singapura. School results were always about borderline, hence, I only managed to get to an Arts class. Also because I always failed my Chinese. - Arts 10.
I gues that the turning point in my life that I realised that in order to get anything in life we have to work hard on it. My late Sec 4 form teacher, Mr Lee - died at a ripe age of 45 - never gave up on us guys who always think we would never do well in our weak subjects. For me I was very weak in Science, Only had a score of 20 marks in my Sec 3 finals. Mr Lee would sit down with us and made us believed that we could do it and believed that we can do well if we just believe in ourselves. To my surprise - I scored A2 in my Prelims, and a 3 for My O Levels.
I will always remember Mr Lee for the fun he brought in life during Sec 4. He always played with us Soccer and treated us like friends than students. Also the class is still the closest I had as friends compared to all the years of studying. I will always remember the camping trips, going to friends' house to do our ten years series, playing soccer at Fort Canning, and meeting girls at functions. Some of my classmates said that no matter what happens in life, we will always have time for us buddies in Sec 4.
I remember once when we were having my GCE O Level Chinese oral exam - I only took 5 minutes whereas, other students would take 30 minutes. You see when I was asked to read the passage I just reade the first word and the last word. Even before the invigilator asked me if I was ready I said I finished! He nearly fell off his chair. I must hold the record for the dumdest and fastest student. My friend Glen Goh who was after me just stared at me and said - "Wah so fast enh?"
everytime I said this everyone will laugh.
I will always remember the stalls at Waterloo street in the '70s that sold the Mee Soto, Mee SIam etc. Such variety. And ah the bookstores at Bras Basah, the pirated cassette tapes at the alleys. I miss the carefee life and the friends then, I am guilty of sometimes offending some of my former classmates but they will always be my friends in my heart.
Till then..........
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
My funny Army checkup
I just had to write this short and funny blog in case I forgot.
When I had to enlist for the NS, all of us had to go to Dempsey Road for our Medical Check up.
The things they ask us to do for this check up is always the butt of jokes for all the female population.
We had to check our weight, and as you remember I was a very skinny boy, and always the male nurses will give me a stare and a shake of the head when they read my weight.
The they checked our eyesight. It seems ridiculous for us short -sighted guys to take out our glasses to read the number on the wall. Of course we will not see anything, yet they say things like when do you see. Dumb right!!!
Well then came the part where all of us have to strip to our underwear only. No shyness now.
I don't know why but always at this part of the building - the old female officers - will always walk into here to look at us. Must be very deprived that they had to look at 18 years boys with only their underwear on., Must have given them many sore eyes...Ha Ha !!
Then we were asked to go into to see the MO (Medical Officer) in twos. I went in with one guy - who look like your typical Ah-Beng. We were then asked to take off our underwear in front of the MO and then asked the most embarassing thing in your life. Cough and then jump with your male jewels in front of not just the MO but maybe 3-4 medical male NS guys. Must be they highlights of the day.
Well, the Ah Beng, took off his underwear, and hold and behold, his bush there was dyed blond. Everyone bust out laughing and to embarassed him even more as some of the guys called their friends to come in and see the yellow - Cock hair . I will never forget the look on the Ah Bengs face. He was like a naked monkey in a shop window. The MO didn't know what to do but told him to dye it back to black.
Must the funniest check up then. But they are even more funny ones I witnessed when I was doing my NS. But will mention them later ................
When I had to enlist for the NS, all of us had to go to Dempsey Road for our Medical Check up.
The things they ask us to do for this check up is always the butt of jokes for all the female population.
We had to check our weight, and as you remember I was a very skinny boy, and always the male nurses will give me a stare and a shake of the head when they read my weight.
The they checked our eyesight. It seems ridiculous for us short -sighted guys to take out our glasses to read the number on the wall. Of course we will not see anything, yet they say things like when do you see. Dumb right!!!
Well then came the part where all of us have to strip to our underwear only. No shyness now.
I don't know why but always at this part of the building - the old female officers - will always walk into here to look at us. Must be very deprived that they had to look at 18 years boys with only their underwear on., Must have given them many sore eyes...Ha Ha !!
Then we were asked to go into to see the MO (Medical Officer) in twos. I went in with one guy - who look like your typical Ah-Beng. We were then asked to take off our underwear in front of the MO and then asked the most embarassing thing in your life. Cough and then jump with your male jewels in front of not just the MO but maybe 3-4 medical male NS guys. Must be they highlights of the day.
Well, the Ah Beng, took off his underwear, and hold and behold, his bush there was dyed blond. Everyone bust out laughing and to embarassed him even more as some of the guys called their friends to come in and see the yellow - Cock hair . I will never forget the look on the Ah Bengs face. He was like a naked monkey in a shop window. The MO didn't know what to do but told him to dye it back to black.
Must the funniest check up then. But they are even more funny ones I witnessed when I was doing my NS. But will mention them later ................
My Schooling Years Part 1
My schooling years is very varied
I started my kindergarden in Sunshine Kndergarten. It was situated in a shophouse where Heeren is at now. Do you remember a shop that sold swimwear. the Kindergarden was next to it.
My memories of my kindergarden days is crying for my parents when they were dropping me off school. Sleeping lessons (yes, we had lessons on how to sleep) - must be why I like to sleep now.
My grandmother who lived at Emerald Hill, will pick me up after school. She was a typical Nonya lady that always cooked nonya biscuit like kueh bulu and kueh bangkit. My favourite but nothing like hers. we always will miss her biscuits.
My grandmother really dotted on my cousin who was 5 years older than me and she came to visit him whith all the Chinese new year goodies for him till he was 12 years ol!!
I remember going to the Singapore Chinese Girls' School tuckshop to buy lunch after school.
I was a bored boy waiting for my dad to fetch me home at about 5pm everyday. Sometimes I get my head stuck in the wooden poles at the base of the window of the typical Nonya house then.
I truly miss those days now as the house was always very cool no matter how hot the days were.
When my granmother died in the '70s. They sold off the house for peanuts then. No one could have known the value it could accumulate in the '90s when such houses were in demand.
I then was staying at Thomson Road just 2 minutes from Essex Road - St Michael's School. (Now it is call SJI jr.) Personally I am against this change as it just killed off the old school. Even if they say it is the same - who will remember St Michael's school for the next 50 years if the name has changed. Policies can change but name are very significant. Well that is my opinion.
The six years at St Michael's School to me was just fun - playing soccer before , at recess, and after school. There was this rule at the school that immediately at the end of the recess period, a bell will ring and all boys were to freeze. Yes, we were to keep still of whatever we were doing. We naughty boys especially when we were in the upper primary level. whill pose in funny position like lying on the field, pretending to be flying or jumping. Once, we even pretending to be fighting. Reminiscing, this must be the funniest time of my days in St Mike's.
Also, when it rains heavily, the entrance of the school will be flooded. Once, my good friend Eddie, and I were wlking home and suddenly he disappeared. I look for him and to my horror he fell into one of the drain. Luckily nothing happen to him just feeling very wet and embarassed.
Once, during assemblym my classmate - who is now a doctor- Named Jean - recited the Singapore pledge: He said: "We the citizens of pigs, we lived in dirty pig stys, regadless of our big bums, regardless of our breath.......". He would say this loudly for many days. Then one day, the Discipline Master called for him and asked to recite it to the whole school. Must be frightening for him then, but it always gives a good laugh now when I think of this.
I remember playing games like - "Bottle-cap fighting", marbles, throwing the coin to the line, buying planes cards to see who has the best specs. Also, eating at the school had funny items like put chilli at your koropok. Prawn Haeko - the black paste you put at your rojak - with sugar at the biggest slice of your bangkwang.
Fortunately, many of my classmates are friends till now as many of us studied together till Sec 4 - wow ten years together. That is why I always have this circle of friends - even if we don't see each other we always will call each other when we see one in the streets.
Next I will mentioned my days at St Joseph's Institution. Till then ................
I started my kindergarden in Sunshine Kndergarten. It was situated in a shophouse where Heeren is at now. Do you remember a shop that sold swimwear. the Kindergarden was next to it.
My memories of my kindergarden days is crying for my parents when they were dropping me off school. Sleeping lessons (yes, we had lessons on how to sleep) - must be why I like to sleep now.
My grandmother who lived at Emerald Hill, will pick me up after school. She was a typical Nonya lady that always cooked nonya biscuit like kueh bulu and kueh bangkit. My favourite but nothing like hers. we always will miss her biscuits.
My grandmother really dotted on my cousin who was 5 years older than me and she came to visit him whith all the Chinese new year goodies for him till he was 12 years ol!!
I remember going to the Singapore Chinese Girls' School tuckshop to buy lunch after school.
I was a bored boy waiting for my dad to fetch me home at about 5pm everyday. Sometimes I get my head stuck in the wooden poles at the base of the window of the typical Nonya house then.
I truly miss those days now as the house was always very cool no matter how hot the days were.
When my granmother died in the '70s. They sold off the house for peanuts then. No one could have known the value it could accumulate in the '90s when such houses were in demand.
I then was staying at Thomson Road just 2 minutes from Essex Road - St Michael's School. (Now it is call SJI jr.) Personally I am against this change as it just killed off the old school. Even if they say it is the same - who will remember St Michael's school for the next 50 years if the name has changed. Policies can change but name are very significant. Well that is my opinion.
The six years at St Michael's School to me was just fun - playing soccer before , at recess, and after school. There was this rule at the school that immediately at the end of the recess period, a bell will ring and all boys were to freeze. Yes, we were to keep still of whatever we were doing. We naughty boys especially when we were in the upper primary level. whill pose in funny position like lying on the field, pretending to be flying or jumping. Once, we even pretending to be fighting. Reminiscing, this must be the funniest time of my days in St Mike's.
Also, when it rains heavily, the entrance of the school will be flooded. Once, my good friend Eddie, and I were wlking home and suddenly he disappeared. I look for him and to my horror he fell into one of the drain. Luckily nothing happen to him just feeling very wet and embarassed.
Once, during assemblym my classmate - who is now a doctor- Named Jean - recited the Singapore pledge: He said: "We the citizens of pigs, we lived in dirty pig stys, regadless of our big bums, regardless of our breath.......". He would say this loudly for many days. Then one day, the Discipline Master called for him and asked to recite it to the whole school. Must be frightening for him then, but it always gives a good laugh now when I think of this.
I remember playing games like - "Bottle-cap fighting", marbles, throwing the coin to the line, buying planes cards to see who has the best specs. Also, eating at the school had funny items like put chilli at your koropok. Prawn Haeko - the black paste you put at your rojak - with sugar at the biggest slice of your bangkwang.
Fortunately, many of my classmates are friends till now as many of us studied together till Sec 4 - wow ten years together. That is why I always have this circle of friends - even if we don't see each other we always will call each other when we see one in the streets.
Next I will mentioned my days at St Joseph's Institution. Till then ................
Monday, March 12, 2007
"CRY BABY"
Hi again,
I always loved airplanes and from the time my dad brought me to Paya Lebar airport to look at the SIA Concorde.
It has always been my dream to be a pilot. Guess God has other plans for me as my eyes is "Cocked" my degress is about 800 degrees for both eyes. Maybe my son or daughters can be one. Will discuss this later.
Well, when I was a young 3 years old, I always hated going to the barber. As you know I stayed in KL till I was 5 years old. My dad or Mum will had to sit at the barber seat with me on their lap. You see, I was pinched badly by the cutter that looked like a crab claw - do
n't you remember it. (it look like a piler that had claws). see below. they always cut my hair at the back of my head with my skin.
I always cried like a pig put to the slaughter. My parents said the barbers always were afraid of me. Must be 20 minutes of hell for them. Now we have the electric ones that is so safe.
When I was young till maybe till 25 I was very skinny. My weight was like 40kg till I was 18 years. I had nicknames like skinny baby or broomstick or cricket while in school. But with drinking of Coca-Cola and eating nights snacks, I am a BIGGG 65kg now.
I have stopped drinking Coke after so and I have dropped to 62kg and a good BMI scale. I just drink green tea now. Must be afraid of looking like a pregnant man.
I leave you with this thought: If you had a choice to relive just for a day what would you want to do again in your childhood??
For me will the the days I can play soccer with my friends in primary school.
A good friend always told me : the best years are when we are schooling - just worry about our studies and ENJOY !!! the memories of my schoold days.
Till then .......
Introduction - my First 5 Years
Hi
I am starting this blog to have my say and maybe leave my thoughts for anyone who cares.
I am a father of three - 2 girls (Claire and Caroline) and a boy (Paul).
I was born in Singapore in the old Youngberg Hospital - near the Mount Vernon Columbarium. The doctor that put me in this world was Dr Tooth. When I was young and my parents drove past the hospital I awlays imagine the hospital like some horror movie.
When I was 1 year old , my Dad had to be posted to KL, so me and my sister had to "migrate for 5 years in Pertaling Jaya. Till today I ways have this attachment to PJ as I grew up there and fond memories are always with me.
Once, I remeber showing off to a neighbour that I could cycle my tricycle like a "pro". Like a 3 year old I showed her that I could cycle backwards!!. I remember my dad was preparing satay for a party - boy I remember we had big parties with many "stars" from the Malaysia Movie industry as my Uncle Jackie knew them through his horse racing circles.
Back to my cycling - I cycled backwards and then the back wheels caught the drains and I fell backwards and hit my big head at the concrete steps. So hard I hit it that the concrete broke off. (Till today, the current family staying a the old house , the step had the part of the concrete the fell off)
Of course I scream like hell, till today I remember my dad carried my to look for my mum, and told her I fell. Then, my dad realised why his hand is all wet. Then , really hell broke loose, I had a 2 inch cut at the back of my block head. They rush me to the PJ hospital, and the doctor just sewed my without any anethestic, boy I still remember the pain.
My parents begged the doctor that I don't have to stay in the hospital, but me taken care at home. Big mistake, as when I slept on the sofa that afternoon, I fell off it and had a big lump on my forhead.
Just imagine the stupid look of having a big lump on ht eforehead and a big bandage at the back. Must be the nest custome for the year. Well, till today I show my kids of the where the cut is on my head. My wife tells me that maybe by falling down, I am so "ding -dong" (My wife nickname for me)
Times at KL was always fun, so much so that even the fresh milk - the magnolia one , in the triangle packaging - was delivered to the house door step. Once, I being so fickle told my mum one moment I wanted the milk and the nest minute said no. Then I decided I wanted it the delivery man forgot to pull his hand brake and the van move into and fell into the drain. I was quite a devil then.
I also remember my relatives from Singapore came to visit, afer visiting my aunty who was a nun staying at Segamat. My mum will always ask me and my sister to collect cow dung at the back of my house. The trails of a young boy. Sometime reading the Lat comics - does bring back the memories of staying in KL.
We had to return to Singapore when the racial roits happened in the '70s. If there wasn't any roits then, I believe I will not come back to Singapore. Well, that just a thought, till the next posting I tell you about why I was a cry baby
Later........
I am starting this blog to have my say and maybe leave my thoughts for anyone who cares.
I am a father of three - 2 girls (Claire and Caroline) and a boy (Paul).
I was born in Singapore in the old Youngberg Hospital - near the Mount Vernon Columbarium. The doctor that put me in this world was Dr Tooth. When I was young and my parents drove past the hospital I awlays imagine the hospital like some horror movie.
When I was 1 year old , my Dad had to be posted to KL, so me and my sister had to "migrate for 5 years in Pertaling Jaya. Till today I ways have this attachment to PJ as I grew up there and fond memories are always with me.
Once, I remeber showing off to a neighbour that I could cycle my tricycle like a "pro". Like a 3 year old I showed her that I could cycle backwards!!. I remember my dad was preparing satay for a party - boy I remember we had big parties with many "stars" from the Malaysia Movie industry as my Uncle Jackie knew them through his horse racing circles.
Back to my cycling - I cycled backwards and then the back wheels caught the drains and I fell backwards and hit my big head at the concrete steps. So hard I hit it that the concrete broke off. (Till today, the current family staying a the old house , the step had the part of the concrete the fell off)
Of course I scream like hell, till today I remember my dad carried my to look for my mum, and told her I fell. Then, my dad realised why his hand is all wet. Then , really hell broke loose, I had a 2 inch cut at the back of my block head. They rush me to the PJ hospital, and the doctor just sewed my without any anethestic, boy I still remember the pain.
My parents begged the doctor that I don't have to stay in the hospital, but me taken care at home. Big mistake, as when I slept on the sofa that afternoon, I fell off it and had a big lump on my forhead.
Just imagine the stupid look of having a big lump on ht eforehead and a big bandage at the back. Must be the nest custome for the year. Well, till today I show my kids of the where the cut is on my head. My wife tells me that maybe by falling down, I am so "ding -dong" (My wife nickname for me)
Times at KL was always fun, so much so that even the fresh milk - the magnolia one , in the triangle packaging - was delivered to the house door step. Once, I being so fickle told my mum one moment I wanted the milk and the nest minute said no. Then I decided I wanted it the delivery man forgot to pull his hand brake and the van move into and fell into the drain. I was quite a devil then.
I also remember my relatives from Singapore came to visit, afer visiting my aunty who was a nun staying at Segamat. My mum will always ask me and my sister to collect cow dung at the back of my house. The trails of a young boy. Sometime reading the Lat comics - does bring back the memories of staying in KL.
We had to return to Singapore when the racial roits happened in the '70s. If there wasn't any roits then, I believe I will not come back to Singapore. Well, that just a thought, till the next posting I tell you about why I was a cry baby
Later........
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