My Childhood

Well, my childhood.... It was fun! I stayed with my granny until I was old enough to attend school! It was certainly lonely days without having many kids around to play with me, but I was occupied by drawing weird stuff like girls in the "Qing Dynasty" costumes, watching TV, talking to myself & watching my granny work in the kitchen.....

My granny used to bring me along with her to watch Chinese operas, she'll buy me some little snacks like the "tutu" cakes & I’ll behave myself.... But I was never a boisterous kid; I was really quiet & docile! In the weekends, my folks will come to visit me & we'll shop at Yaohan. They used to buy me sweets & ice cream whenever they visit me, that was my happiest moments.... I never like getting my hair cut since young, so my granny will "bribe" me with a bag of little biscuits (remember those little biscuits with icing toppings?) & I’ll sit still.

I remember watching all kinds of programs on TV.... Even those Indian movies with my 3rd auntie, who used to be such a TV addict like me too! The first thing I learnt to read in the newspapers was the TV guide...maybe that contributed to why I’m working in a TV station now!

I was such a loser when I was young; my younger sister bullied me all the time! She was such a little devil, she was really naughty but smart.... So, she played tricks on me, her older but not so smart sister! Ha! Ha! Like any other siblings, we have our favorite parent, my sister is closer to my mom & I have a special bonding with my dad!

I used to perform in school all the time, since kindergarten, coz my principal & teachers loved me...storytelling, singing, dancing, fancy show contest or playing the piano...Piano lessons were something I used to dread...I used to think why on earth did my mom made me study the piano, take dancing lessons, drawing lessons, it made my life so miserable at that time! I used to also hate my mom's friend's daughters coz they were always making comparison...but now, I’m really grateful to my mom for what she has done! She has given me choices in life, for me to appreciate the finer things in life no matter art or music.... It’s always in me.

I was fortunate enough to start traveling since young, I think it was Primary 1, my 1st trip was Malaysia, then in Primary 2, we went to Thailand with my aunts & granny. In Primary 3, Indonesia, then subsequently Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan.... After my PSLE, we went to Japan & Korea...I guess I was more fortunate than my classmates were, I was able to see the world at a young age.

I studied in 3 Primary Schools, no, I was not expelled or whatever, but it was mom's ideas. My first Primary School was Nan Hwa Primary, I was there for 4 years (plus Kindergarten) my principal was really fond of me...she though that I was really cute! DUH???? Then I was in Norfolk Primary School for a year; I was really close to my classmates & teachers.... I cried almost everyday when I knew I had to transfer to another school! My last Primary School was Hong Wen, I had the best teacher there, Mr Yeo Ching Hai. He made us copy proverbs, idioms, any new vocabulary words in our notebooks...told us interesting stories, encouraged us to read. I had a busy life when I was in Hong Wen, I was the class monitor for my 2 yrs there, accompanied my class for singing performances, took part in storytelling contests, involved in the school library, campings...

I think my childhood days were the best, we were not rich but my parents gave me everything I ask for (they still do). Though i've never said anything to them, I LOVE THEM very much!!! My granny is the most fabulous person too, her cooking is superb & she's always so understanding...OOhhh, I miss my carefree childhood days........

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