Snippets from my childhood (Pt.1)

We will never get any younger.


I would always look back at the times when things were much simpler. When your routine starts with a simple morning stretch and yawn. And then proceed on to watching loads of cartoons while having a bowlful of kellogs frosties. Bathing was optional.

Okay, i admit it. I still sometimes do that.

The only thing that you'd think about each day was fun and games. Free from obligations. Free from the stresses of life. Free from adulthood. All you had to do was be a kid. Now, how hard can that be?

My normal holiday routine back then would be something like, head down to my granma's old bedok place before dawn, when everyone else in the neighbourhood was still asleep. The air was crisp and fresh. Cool breeze gently sweeps across your face. You would hear the chirping of birds, welcoming the new day.

I'd wait patiently in the living room, looking at the birds my grandfather kept, waiting for the first light of the morning and guessing who'd be the first one up. Once my granma was ready, she'd set off to the wetmarket with some of the boys in tow. First up was usually the herbs and spices, and then the seafood and meat. We would go in a clockwise manner. I hated everything about the seafood section. It was wet, smelly and dirty. Everything you'd expect from a wetmarket.

The fish weren't that bad once you learn not to breathe from your nose. The prawns were a killer. They would poke even through layers of plastic bags. And i was always wearing shorts, so i'd have to walk as if i was about to take off in flight. Breakfast would be last. My granma would wait under the block with the groceries, while we youngsters would go off and buy the food. It was usually mee siam, prata and halal vegetarian food. The last being my favourite.

We would buy from the uncle/auntie duo everyday without fail. The kind couple would reserve the green chilli for my granma. They'd recognise almost all of my aunties and cousins. We were loyal customers till the day they closed down. I still remembered my last meal there.

After buying the food, we'd meet back and then head home. Of course i'd be jumping all over, with the prawns poking my sides.

Thats all for now, i'll continue on another day. : )

Stories from a more recent time, i got attacked by bloody crows while out jogging just now. Someone has got to do something 'bout this real soon, or i'm gonna have to bring out my slingshot. And you do not want to mess with a man brandishing a slingshot. Ever.