Page 40 - Cherished Memories of Yesteryears - A Collection of Grandparents' Life Experiences

My grandmother used to stay in
a kampung. Her parents had some
chickens and planted many guava
and star fruit trees. Her mother
always cooked at home, and my
grandmother loved her fried salted
fish the most because it was very
delicious!

My grandmother and her family
celebrated several Chinese traditions.
Her mother always made glutinous
rice dumplings for the Dragon Boat
Festival. My great-grandmother
also made Chinese New Year goodies
every year, like Kuih Kapit and
pineapple tarts. My grandmother “You can succeed in life as long as you can find
makes those for every Chinese New one thing that you are good at.”
Year celebration, too!

My grandmother had a lot of fun in her childhood. In school, my grandmother tried very hard but
She would climb trees to pick fruits and play sometimes couldn’t understand the subject and
Patok Lele with her friends. The game involved the would be scolded by her parents. This was one of
group digging a hole to put a short stick into it, the reasons that spurred her to take up sewing
angled at 45 degrees. They would then take turns lessons. She was a natural at it and soon was one
to hit it with a longer rod. They would see whose of the best in the class! She used her newfound
stick flew the farthest to determine the winner. My sewing skills to work part-time as a seamstress
grandmother still smiles fondly, remembering and support her family.
how much fun she had playing that game.
Cherish Yap An Qi
My grandmother had not forgotten that when she Primary 4.2
was fourteen, she could drive a motorbike, although
she was a very short girl and needed to wear a very
tall wedge slipper. She is very proud of herself!

36 Cherished Memories of Yesteryears