Soap Box: I read "Telling one's personal Singapore story' on the Straits Times dated 16 June 2008, Monday by Tessa Wong. Headlines Youthink. It droves me to write but took so long to decide as to send her my Singapore Story. Alas, I decided to write it in this blog...since this is my partial diary.So..here's my story.
Back in 1960's, when I was very young, aged about six years old, my late parent found new friends, a Malaysian couple in a ship that travelled to the middle east countries. They were about to perform haj in Mecca. Over the years, as time goes by, my family and the Malaysian family developed close relationship like brothers and sisters. Hence , we visited them in Klang, Selangor. They took turn to visit us in Singapore. It was easy at that time until one day, Singapore and Malaysia broke up in 1965. But our ties remain unchange till today. The KTM Railway Station leaves a mark, an icon, full of sweet memories between these two families. The Malaysian couple's son was always there to help his parent carrying the 'buah tangan' or gifts in the form of a gunny sack of tapioca crackers and a lot more goods. A gentle, nice guy who taught me about wisdom and exchanged ideas about school education in Singapore and Malaysia. However, I was'nt attracted to any male friends as I'm aware that we're very young. I gave him my autograph to appreciate our friendship for long terms.. but what surprised me was.. my photo was makeover with moustache and unkind words. I was sensitive that I put him out of my circle of friend's list without knowing that the culprits was his typical Malaysian school boys jeolous of him. No wonder he refused to return it in the first place.
My late father was a school principal in Tanjong Katong Malay School. Three of my nine sisters were teachers too. I had a wonderful life when I was very young. My three brothers have been very gentle and caring and I do'nt remember being hit by any of my family members. Reason being, according to them...I'm a soft-hearted, decent and loved by everyone in my family..Wow! I hope so.
When I was in primary school, I had great friends. One of them made it to National University of Singapore and married to Dr. Aziz, who now stays in a bungalow in Frankel Avenue. Her name is Roziah...well..that's my mother's name too. Others are Hamidah, Normi, Nisha, Zaiton the cutest. My life as a teenager was'nt as fabulous as I was in primary and lower secondary level. I had to struggle and learned the hard way to gain respect, recognition and rewards among friends and teachers.
As time goes by, my family members who stayed in a " rumah panggong", a multi-level kampong house which has 10 rooms for a big family like us were advised to shift to other district. This was due to the proposed development of the new flats-Eunos Area. It was sad to leave such a memorial home that I still could remember in my mind and dreamt of it several times.
My family moved out of Jalan Sri Gading off Jalan Eunos, opposite of Jalan Ishak. Then, we settled at a HDB three room flat at Geylang Bahru; the district where you can find the "kuda gila"-Singapore National Footballer Nasir Jalil; just the opposite block at that time. One of my primary classmates, Jamilah is married to Arshad Khamis( another icon ) now resided in Canada. Those were the days where I became 'hantu bola' (die hard fan) of Dollah Kassim, Quah Kim Song, Samad Alipichay but not Mohd Noh, because he belonged to Rahimah Rahim, the singer, at that time.The Singapore Stadium reminds me of my teenage era specially when we became the pioneers- secondary school girls to perform the malay dance for the opening of the SEAP Games or South East Asian Peninsula Games.
When I started my first career, I got a job as an apprentice draughtsman in an architect firm recomended by a caring lawyer, Mr. Cherliah. Life was full of anticipation. My big brother, Patrick ( colleague) was always on the ball...it was fun and exciting, like playing games. Our big boss, Alfred Wong and Mr. Ang are indeed very kind and helpful.. Another boss, Mr. Edward, a handsome one was married to an English woman. Working in this firm was never bored..We did'nt use computers at that time..besides drafting plans, detail drawings, we had the opportunity to do some spraying, colouring, model-making and etc. Sometimes, we went to the site location of that particular project for inspection. I can still remember my colleagues-sisters, Jenny, Marisa, Madeline and Jamilah. How I wish to meet up again.This is the company who designed the first Singapore Polytechnic, the National Theatre, Goodwood Hotel, Furama Hotel, Marco Polo and many others. When more people joining in, something tells me that I need to move up. And so, I decided to pick up interior design course and commercial arts.
Three years later, I joined the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation as a set designer. Here, life was full of expectation and challenging, though very exciting. As you know, you gain to see many stars and the up rising ones especially Zoe Tay and Fan Wong. I love Zoe ,Edmund Chen and his wife. I like Jack and Moses too; not forgeting Gurmit Singh and Hosen Leong. These are bright stars and friendly people, you know..My job as a set designer focus not only on malay dramas, children's programmes, entertainment, radio programmes but engaged with indian and chinese programmes too. Not to mention the outside settings and english programme. So, designers here handle any kind of projects be it big or small. My sweet memories are uncountable..including my first getting to know with my spouse...doing the big shows like Great Singapore Sale in Takashimaya, Funan Centre and Suntec City... I left the company after working for fifteen years to focus more on the development of my children especially in their education and sports activities. What a relief to see their success...Sometimes, I wish to go back to workforce now or may be start a small business...what business? Cannot tell.
