Thursday, February 7, 2013

..... the good old days


Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: OC Chan <olivercc57@yahoo.com>
Date: February 5, 2013 11:34:52 PM GMT+08:00
To: undisclosed recipients: ;
Subject: Remember the Good Old Times
Reply-To: OC Chan <olivercc57@yahoo.com>





 Remember the Good Old Times

I used to buy things for my mum when I was a little kid. Frankly, I dont remember
bringing dollar note to shop, just coins.

10c usually..  for peanuts, quite a handful, maybe say 120g [which is now $1.88,
promotion price before CNY]

ikan bilis? also about the same handful.

so, it's not surprising that poor folks survive well on pan mien+ikan bilis. The vege?
just plucked off the fence coz these greens grow wild and plentiful.

porridge + fried peanuts + ikan bilis..  well, quite nutritious wo!

IN 1968-69, i paid $30 per month for full board [bed + meals], the food
of course was not fresh, but we did have mutton, beef, fish though..
and if we sneaked out, fried kuey tiao would be 30c with duck egg
bigger than chic egg]





You would love this email which brings back sweet memories of the good old days.
 
Hi To those of you in the baby-boomers group, may the below pictorial bring nostalgic memories to you..............

Those were the days, my friends ....

Wong Peng Soon was our favourite badminton player,https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO__5pT9u2-LgX2twUhJo5KNetqwJNDmICJC8EGDMTFkCfUiz6efxi0qe8cEDhDtJieqRAVyreUvV0Im0PpWfEDKsn-PXcEkUOGQ1LpKG8GYyHUAerofOxzJ4eQB6NPyTw9bnsmR1dyRI/s400/wongpengsoon.jpgGhani Minat was our favourite soccer hero, and
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlG-AqOBc2Qr7ZyniGxG09UQxRx6mSKmp83cXK3cYofuCvN3Z_w1LWYWd01WYRpqqzl-L4AIgteYUcT1XeWnR6gUIqJiVG05E1z-vyya0M9YLORHHieTQAhNteLyui1AKWv4Do7ebRTeo/s320/Ghani_Minhat.jpg
 
Rose Chan was our favourite entertainer.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcToPMh6-qS7jRIJioL0KSW6rbGAU1q1gEvhicRzNLGCX26oC-chbx1h4NCSbjaGSo0TqS2FW6Io0-Y3o7swSet4wxQbxLKHOLc2n2sqPIwRZQHeQkA6xm4sr2oud6fMCWPCqoehWBkYI/s1600/rose+chan.jpg
You are not cool if you do not have a long side burn, greasy hair (held together by Brylcream) with a floppy "bun" infront.  Then you are either an Elvis fan or a Cliff (Richard) fan.  You cannot be neutral.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghhMiRvO9XL5KWWFr1aXby7kdwA4GqRk2wq6P0dlXIbcJhEZ5DWRESkxm3mJSr_xUwtBZm1ZF8gksNwTbkYAgYjpLZJORcjSXmD9dBX7ZjDNQQy9_7KKTkMsebrRUMhpWq8-rWQ_nNMvg/s400/elvis+cliff.jpg
Films by P Ramlee always enjoyed by all Malaysians.  How can we forget classics like Do-Re-Mi and Bujang Lapok, and seeing P Ramlee dueting with Saloma on "Gelora", aaaaah ... that was something else.
 
 
Because we reared Siamese fighting fishes, the seller was our idol.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKw1jKj6EPVTZYY_GCMD4MXu0fA6O_V4CXi2XBGcDgLIwGYZcOhYrU99VQpXCfAwCSBTDbwiPWxrMqE_h3Q2sV9IhzQDqGt2tDq8WWUwNd9JIgfurNPzpGfyN60jkX3Ns5lhiJ5DxgB2o/s320/fish.jpg
 
Driving license renewal was by pasting an additional slip at the back of a small red booklet
  
Susu lembu was house delivered by our big friendly and strong Bahiii ............. on his bicycle in a stainless steel container. The container cap served as a funnel.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxZtKb6muV5FUhtzsfY7dH4jcZSTDNdqMIi31E9Yu85zk10FPywUsk1NNjf7AxU-MOAdqZxMzFjEE0r4_7Hj_7_G8LhuYhjW_NXYrSjYCJxgOLYa_OZF975rmi59i9iqKBnNIPyHPn_g/s400/milkman.jpg
 
Kacang puteh man came a-peddling, walking and balancing on his head 6 compartments of different type of murukus ...and we barter our old exercise books for a paper cone of kacang putih.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IoaGlwAtyj04-WszbK2mc6eiRhBOcqCjgZoI6B_EA-2jDhUhA906_KAGjyweS-_KQ90z8mqhNziTeyAubx6TPnq5CJ6-LqCWgd1ckyaNNQMbw4NOXll5Dj7Z7v_GiMp43Iz2QG57i_4/s400/kacangputih+man.jpg
 
We can enjoy monthly credit "facilities" from our friendly neighbourhood sundry shop by using the little "555" book.  This was the "credit card" of the day.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDH2Php9e58nKHUB3OO0ydNXrdY3mpLa9WX4cUAN8AGNpXVjVh3M84yvR6VWoaVqFGP-k6v3gZ-K9GRWYJHKzKNrRgL-TMUrjfOxiWhrYq692fmhnUP1KmVtBs4MJiW0q5pot0ko5nVA/s320/555+book.jpg
 
F&N orange was served in wooden crates and displayed on the table in the homes during Chinese New Year.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPcR17ruKKKmfsBVPKNpj5Rdy9QNj3aYczjpdasWaq75pi9TFDb_9nDAUhxU42tbd64PHftNdY8JGjjVl-3rV4_yaKtDrp5WEqKq2MZssDqOKmAxhg-KE79pkFayL37P75B3Q6joVUQQ/s320/F&N+drinks.jpg
 
M&M 's was called Treets ..
 
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnloIW1yvakBoJMNUXuixxjPb5RnCdNueQVFBEE3YfNDBxHoiC9rvT1N8A0vclft3ZHgWuEb3z2Eca0adsKWAAc44wkidAug5aWm5fpIND2rE3UBQgI2lYJ4dGHoalQaFoUz_JQgjnEQI/s320/M&M.jpg
 
Eating chicken was a treat that happened only once on Chinese New Year and once on "Chap Goh Meh", Deepavali, Christmas or Hari Raya.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77TiPX-FAqI8loRbdoHJpphz3FN4knxI-UC7fozl_1k6sLrUuAow8zayZTep4bdk7eAxXT3pxjrxFDKoK_dUMih3uifJL3y3wikIbfPr4LiQf6aPx4g9rENC1IAz2zakgbEhy4WUCfPw/s400/plate2.jpg
 
We always carried in our pocket a packet of fire crackers during the Chinese New Year.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0PyyM39OKAStfJzjujSBQVHGdVjGmtxbzdlq6uwQdIKtGD1en7AGsxa_iHVe6-4SdV18gR4P2LFHb4v0LOk2yeqfeqR4rnXEJG_4FJp-URgpj4YJmXlZhgv2VQdva1IZQw-K7vTLzvc/s400/firecrackers.jpg
 
We always carry a one ringgit note at night in case we are stopped by a mata-mata (policeman) for not having tail lights on our bicycles.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbOkjHDij4QFwsl6Fv7oxzHavtJWyZ29-yp39gtClIuBscLgbYVTJ1HvPvhVH8KBBVjRICuvWx9YO498cBNGgOoKV0oH06LhmyCHmpFCG84yUcbMftWjcZlVzV38cGQBc_VR_xpymW7Vs/s400/polis.jpg
 
One noodle 'chow kway teow' cost 30 sen and we bring our own egg.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kE4X8cIDS7DCHPHzEtZ9PkAuX9guHtwDGow6Zx_z7vbLA8UQQaqIXVacDe0gtbl_3F_IgAg0cviH8NVpNWlwvN_A0bGXZIIqsp1YSMDKHUiyPElN7dq3Sy0HmPuFNGXn32lnblAVOwI/s320/charkoayteow.jpg
 
 
One 'roti canai' cost 15 sen and one banana for 5 sen.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKbbtCxhCBwszdml5LoQIGzfdFAKlr8D2rwoJsMVDQf6Wf815fGCDDstn-ffYK_qP0F3W2dJkufXgFQvFOd-u2b5MwjcvVddAaKpU0kNeUTyFoliMsJosyc9brP3Np5Iq75QOaSsrTRA/s400/roticanai.jpg
 
We bought bangkali bread from the Indian roti man who paddled his bicycle around the neighbourhood with the familiar ringing sound from his bicycle.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBhHF0tsHeQ7kj4wo9TYp94_Mp4MBNmOHfSC0ctgkcurpZYXUC7SMjfp9rqynAQMhAMG6JpM0op7Vx6crrIiVfLq6Sl4NUn8_yJQn7YEuLGiJ6z7LRTFrR_7XtT28HagJPSjX5N7bcGQ/s400/breadman.jpg
 
Sometimes we bought cold storage bread wrapped in wax paper. Spread the bread with butter and kaya wrap with the wax paper and take to school.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-roKufZKWq_AgxoX5D_FADGtxVbxctHPF7vUF8yj1_vxJ9iE5O3a17mLMnAinX8k6WdZ-miO_jjASH53onX6vstL6IPvdzRECJMt0pg6medm64SoxdDSu-eyz84o3mvwEqoNWtS8Xc-o/s400/kayabread.jpg
 
Crop crew cut by the travelling Indian or Hockchew barber; 30 sen a haircut, all the way to the top. Reason?.. easy to dry when curi swimming. 
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrcBUC9nE0aC4L26BF8p2S7HwIOhmrpCv_Qm7tckt-3mo5BPjMI8bxMg2ALBqBf0naVSqlfxoWybgDBJw0_7BtfZaXPPD9hJteY8iPFbQ8hGfx6vPEYgQQ9sY0TOf7_9E8vFwOXzuJ6w/s400/indian+barber.jpg
 
During weekends, went swimming in the river, no swimming trunks, only birthday suits.  No one laugh at you whether your "kuku bird" is small, crooked, etc. 
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcjZH_JWkgdNyjq3dWSec1145oAeot6Jn5tJBIvGRDIkaWF-KLOS9XBWYJd0IiBy7EzpKnFSdDzsIR6n8PK6TMb2DfqrhKbG26mMTB5pD8g4lNEONqVMPWVOv6qxMPCxi-hl2GOTPPNo/s400/swimming+in+river.jpg
 
On Sunday morning, listened to Kee Huat Radio's "Fantastic Facts and Fancies", and Saturday, "Top of the Pops", both hosted by DJ Patrick Teoh who always ended his show with, "Here's wishing you blue skies."
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WfaxLmd587ZieX4GQ9RDjcmI7EEvp1xG5TOQ-R8qaOABXbQiq9UI4wb9vijY9BaVCQEhPDz3YRiqcoPsrAEzAWBkbW-xVlS6LGC-Bsz6l6n4BR1Rc_pScJYWx_mdfXK1IVOiOrYRrUw/s400/keehuatradio.jpg
 
Saturday morning, go for cheap matinee shows at the Cathay Cinema, usually cowboy shows or Greek mythology like "Jason and the Golden Fleece".
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXLAUG_N39ledLfyxPof1Xx3ucpDSlowPbEvk2FDWnTahHmiRTZJJhW8oXRGEIuhhQgcNgTyk1LSxecuXig2RD4DptfFLuGM3Eej6iLnfmPIjIwGhXYMbIDe9eduJeeQGsfeqeoAk3BM/s400/cathaycinema.jpg
The Cathay Cinema at Jalan Bukit Bintang [opposite the Federal Hotel].  First opened in 1959 with the film, "Campbell's Kingdom".
Father gave 70 sen for cheap matinee shows which normally started at 10.30 am on Saturdays and Sundays - 50 sen for the ticket and 20 sen for return bus fare, makan not included.  Nobody paid 1 ringgit for the 'Reserved' seat.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87QfIYWNxGIAGefMPrzeNyo2cxA62O5fYQbii2Nb0pPS71FYrBPL-3dMwkQtEHSApw7l8OOCCp73SdYO5G-KdOjM_ZmcnNvg8AV7RlJu7JV4b53u2r6c2q1xntCFqD0rE-4HJ9SexUmc/s400/poster.jpg
 
Believe it or not, we had double-decker buses owned by the Toong Foong Omnibus Company.  Whenever we boarded the bus, we would run to the upper deck to get a view of the journey.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuV76H1XbY1aXz2f58F4j12Buzom46qG5pTivh9G3pII0KGaAsxpXPhSYAQdgIAYdRmkQSt86pXEV2W86d5cZBvS2aEP-oTx-sUmY9ObDlS4nq-PJ1KynvozhGdTObLrkLuveSWWtJ6s/s400/toong-foong-2.jpg
The familiar double-decker Toong Foong bus
5 sen for kacang putih and 10 sen for ice "ang tau".  Sometimes, ice ball only 5 sen "pau ang tau" and half red sugar, and the other half black sugar or sarsi.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOg1uSkCxjX0yAm7v-HtDtn9KkA4GH6yxVeOlEX9eqdlbMErKMSwI3Zi03ygBuxGPG_lo23ijAx_Yr7-ayPPgDIxc6j1HS2ibplDYZ-jDKbIcMbAeYGDN0nfI7XS-plMM4kfOtKGrrXA/s400/abc.jpg
 
Never, never, never talked or mixed with girls until Form 5.  Learned the Waltz, Cha Cha, Rhumba, Foxtrot and Offbeat Cha Cha from a classmate's sister.
First time dancing with a girl, nearly froze and the heart went "botobom, botobom ..."
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR_xgy7xq1UnzFVj935EKDgK-95sln87443pJiok95mLLSwTeILaZ50r2q4j-XzxX5hcOxjSQRpwvZbBtmi-PQTukDqcHibjYqwyCisYoqSJDsQh7aXFH_VfxVyORrOPGjURMuMvgGkE/s400/dancing.jpg
 
Standard cure for headache, take Aspro.  We took a lot of sweet stuff like candy floss, fizzy drinks, shaved ice with syrups .... and diabetes was rare.  Salt added to Pepsi or Coke was a remedy for fever.  Tonic water always taken at the first hint of Malaria.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSx7blDf6hCIP4VNU5hmL60GVyfuFRgrPClSppt34rnapCFMdVWiTu4vDe1c2gKZvv2wLvbttLbZKalO8zjGPPo15aHI40obvF4axP_074whe4bbpgm_vLrK3VDdGSkLvO9_sogckqQxY/s400/aspro+.jpg
 
First time used a modern toilet, I squatted on it as I was used to using the "bucket system" toilet.  Our children will not know the danger of visiting the outdoor toilet at night, nor jumping in fright when the man collect the bucket while you are doing your business.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0VGSupQ-3IhybCtTnvy9UrAy_mQu-PjHviEF5CEeiAzewz1BgLZ5-NvLl09BZO0Aj2_NvTx4ZfIdG0bHmxqNEBgg4o97ZhUIYdJFspL7UMVoeU8kWe7FlQ9Ydls9_meFbdtPb_B9WQ8/s400/toilet.jpg
 Toilet paper is torn up newspaper on a hook which you have to crumple first before applying.  White toilet paper was an unknown luxury until I left home.
 
With mere 5 pebbles (stones), we could turn it into an endless game.  With a ball (tennis ball best), we boys would run like crazy for hours.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2H-HCtHzYfPz3Wc0_RFXujjudN1eiecxzozuD1cH8yHXp8hv4E7-0StwObtHtW0IdM6e4MwXBVqZ4bSzK9KWQk2A71WYEnXZ1-3FXjADLE6Mybr-9yOBL1AIBTu95w9RRvBI9TJBzYaU/s400/game.jpg
 
We caught guppies in drains/canals and when it rained, we swam there.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8oXUaGj-JEe8eHivaMv6aoByqFZY3z5n8cVHul4O4bW1mw5eDQP4kjHHn3OZ6zN4YulJ-dqSnN0tJShE3WCbzNDbEe1tKKqlPxStUT96lxUAlpjI4xVZR3G9KVyZoA_JIXeyNxkbQR4/s400/guppies.jpg
We ate salty, very sweet and oily food, candies, bread and real butter, and drank condensed milk in coffee/tea, iced kacang, but we weren't overweight because we ran, cycled or climbed trees all day.  We fell from the trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth, and still we continued the stunts.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzhmeZtI7CrmbLF2DaxuUqtZ9MaQmRcrX5-8sDFt6GVlYado84WlKjH-ofJmUOwmyNtTH_sXxGRrxGJD4Lsqv3fMe4ErXcR_-iYgn6MR8kb-_iUQ2kpK8INhvD77B-mYDyavJJxwpC4k/s400/treeclimbing.jpg
 
 We never had birthday parties until we were 21.
 
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We never heard of "bumiputra" and neither "1Malaysia", because we were already one Malaysian.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3zg9158bnTvM1MJo_-6guUjhllFoZuNTdVIcKjl-XW6HX3nsLLTRCCh8dMrAC9bKwHLqjbAgveyBXt8QbXjn0UzlquhMtofr2aZxGx1_xPZl8tX9kpc1D0igqMP6Vuh7B9ETO0TwPnA/s400/malaysian.jpg
When parents found out we were caned in school, it's certain we would get another round at home.  Parents always sided with the teachers.
 
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We fly kites with string coated with pounded glass powder and horse glue, and we cut our hand on the string.  Happiness is winning a kite with a local samseng.  I forgot, we also have to make our own kites to suit our "fighting styles".
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaSrzs25TtiJX77quRMmqQmTRfth7GBBnd9Cr6VNR6OEGI0oHf-N4RS1Zvd_k6P399afQ9NKesugw3HgBd6hYZFKCbeIgdP_FHUyL_wqFDCjmLocQi4_O9itl5MRRpQ0IBIBk5DtDNQU/s400/kiteflying.jpg
 
We are the last generation to know how to use logarithm tables and slide rulers.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSE76dJyTD1mOoIL4nZM4LoN-WxL-11WN4JbBAyRnoTnPDbkdibvl6s-N49nxNwsvuPDEbOsaoGBIm3XZFFDnKWL2JYkOxEiimefEuBZBwkrWJf7bbAfR9obF_-ndE64V2pdLlqkNM02Q/s400/sliderule.jpg
 
We had telephones which were really, really heavy weights.
 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwEox-R1zchKj4cfdXIiEQrj2eNnYpDtDy3rsvZ6V3g_JohFZD1DoTLJXbWs_TcSc2QkNgUVnaSOqCADUufG9KTvw_E24WcYZeDmVtkeL6Vd-_pOn3Uqd3oRftqe2FgrkHPip2mfyDZPY/s400/telephone+60s.jpg
 
And I believe, this generation produces the best parents because we remember the hard times.
 
      
 





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