Monday, August 20, 2007
As he talks, I listens. The memories as a 1960's child still lingers deep within the 50-year-old him. He climbed the coconut trees, he jumped and swam the Singapore river, he caught the spiders...were what he always spoke of. The life back then was simple. Chickens, ducks, goats, cows roaming freely around the kampong sites. Healthy vegetables farmed with sweat and pain. A bowl of noodle that only cost 20cents. Two movies on the open ground with wooden chairs for 50cents. Black and white television was an expensive luxury. Always running off to the neighbour's house to watch the cartoons and the shows with 'flying' people and wired-hung clouds. Amazed with everything that appear on the black screen. Curry chicken, desserts made were shared among the kampong family. Everyone knew who's living at the left corner of the extreme sites. Locks were redundant objects. Every house welcomes anyone at the door. Being able to finish secondary education was like an university student now. An university student was found one out of fifty people, therefore was classified as the 'superheroes'. Education was not all that mattered. Caned for not doing homework was like playing playstation. It doesn't matter. They complained, parents said they deserved it. Sue-ing the teachers for abusing the kids never was in their dictionary. Being able to live each day with fun and adventures were what they wanted. Contentment. As he talks, I listens. With envy.
Thirty years from now, what will the memories as a modern child be for us? Recollection was hard, huh? Perhaps, all we do remember was how hard we slogged throughout our lives. After 20yrs of education, comes the job. Strive for higher posts. Promotion. More work. More money, perhaps. Better living? Hmm.. if u meant the luxuries. With all that in exchange of the natural essence of living. How will you define the meaning of life then? The time of life is quietly ticking away. Unnoticed. Humans, aged, ill-ed and died. If it was to stop today, have you live the life you want? Are you happy?
hope continues; 10:27 AM;
