of beehoon and excursion...

*thanks to Penang Heritage for pix

16.2.2010

Dewan kindergarten

How far back can one remember of his childhood? I suppose it is humanly impossible to remember events of the pre-toddler stage of one’s life. Memories of events happening in the toddler era may appear in flashes akin to light from a stroboscope or illuminating disco light from the dance floor. These events may be also be reinforced by old photographs and stories from our mothers.

The earliest vivid recollection of my childhood would be my kindergarten excursion to Bukit Dumbar in Penang. I was studying in Dewan kindergarten in Sungai Gelugor. I was considered privileged to be sent to a kindergarten as it was not a practice then. A day before the trip, Amma promised to prepare my favourite beehoon to take for the excursion. I would probably had a nice sleep dreaming about beehoon, tauhu (or tau kwang as it is called in Penang), prawns and its other ingredients that all of us overslept, only to be awakened by the honking of the school master’s Austin ‘65. In midst of all the pandemonium, I refused to go for the excursion as I would not be able to taste my favourite dish. After much coaxing by the Che’gu and Amma's hurried cooking, all was settled. I joined the trip, had my beehoon, and got the class photograph taken only to be reminded again and again about the ruckus I created before the trip!

I also remember vaguely how Amma went to hospital one day in 1969 to buy a baby. I was cared for by my parent’s tenant (Puthu Attei) overnight. She only came back the next day with a baby girl, not a baby boy that I asked her to get! I was so disappointed with her.