Betty Teo and Low Ray Teng
Betty Teo:
My family lived in a Geylang Kampong in the 1960s. My father was a driver. My mother passed away when I was seven years old. I have three sisters and one brother. Life was simple and tranquil.
The trishaw was very popular in the early 60s. Most trishaw drivers were dark and strong. They fetched us to school and everywhere. It was fun taking the trishaw especially when the strong wind blew. When it rained, the uncle would put on a piece of plastic sheet to shed us from the rain. Often we were wet but we enjoyed the rain. It was so refreshing.
I disliked going to the public toilet using the bucket system in those days, especially at night. I had to bear with the smell. There was no public health standard. I love to visit the provision shops. They sold almost everything and often the owners were kind. Somehow I enjoyed watching the Chinese wayang. It was like carnival time with sticky lollipops for the kids.
Tick tock tick tock. I would rush out of my house with a plate and an egg. Uncle would cook my favourite char kway teow on the spot. It was so delicious and steaming hot. And only 20 cents. I also loved the ice ball with colourful syrup drizzled onto it. Only 5 cents.
We moved from kampong to an HDB flat in Toa Payoh in the 70s. I missed the kampong spirit. The HDB flat was spacious and cleaner. There was no kampong smell. No more fetching water from the well. No more going out to the public toilets. Though I could recall so many good memories living in the kampong, I feel safe and proud living in our own house.
Low Ray Teng:
My father is a Financial Controller, who works long hours. I treasure the pockets of time I spend with him when he returns from work. My mother stays home to take care of me and the house. The meals she prepares always exceed my expectations. Some of my favourites include her sweet & sour pork and daikon beef stew. I am an only child, and sometimes wish I had siblings.
From primary 1 to 3, I was enrolled in a small neighbourhood school. The school has just opened, so my cohort was considered the “pioneer cohort”. I made my fair share of friends, but sadly have not kept in touch with them. To them I said sincere goodbyes; some others are best left forgotten. I would like the opportunity to meet my friends again.
In Primary 4, I was transferred to Henry Park after passing the GEP test, I was forced to cut my old ties and start afresh. Luckily, my classmates were in the same boat, having transferred here as well. Almost no one knew anyone else in that room. Making friends was easier than expected.
In that class, I have no idea if we were taught things that were not taught in the other classes. Interclass interactions were limited. I remember that the biannual awards ceremony would be dominated by my class. However, I never received any awards. I remember the feeling of isolation, one class against the rest.
Joining a secondary school with my experiences, I thought I had down first impressions and the process of making friends. However, COVID upended my idealised fantasy. I think everyone learned how to adapt to the times. We had to. This pandemic was also important in alerting us to the frailty of normalcy, and how easily it can be disrupted.
