A place I grew up at
I moved to Yishun when I was in secondary 1. My childhood years were at Toa Payoh, but Yishun was where I saw (most of) my schooling days right up to adulthood.
My parents were hawkers at Chong Pang market, and as most children of hawkers, we were expected (and ordered) to help out on weekends. On weekends, the market is a noisy, bursting place of activity with bargaining moms, playful children, chatting elders and throngs of families. It's chaotic but lovely in an endearing way.
But endearing is not a word I'd use back then. I disliked being there when I was young. I disliked the noise, the sweat, the madness and frustration with serving customers, not to mention being yelled at by Mom from time to time. But I mostly did what I was told to, even though i resisted it inside.
Fast forward to 2016 - my parents have long retired, and Chong Pang is now a place I seldom get to visit. Had it not been for the cheque that I had to pick up from our lessee, I would not have gone this morning.
It was quite lovely to find myself amid the morning madness. It was nice to see families huddling together for breakfast, people queueing for their choice of food, couples feeding each other, mischievous children running into my knees.
I'm not someone who enjoys reminiscing old times, but I do admit it's nice to look back, sometimes.
My parents were hawkers at Chong Pang market, and as most children of hawkers, we were expected (and ordered) to help out on weekends. On weekends, the market is a noisy, bursting place of activity with bargaining moms, playful children, chatting elders and throngs of families. It's chaotic but lovely in an endearing way.
But endearing is not a word I'd use back then. I disliked being there when I was young. I disliked the noise, the sweat, the madness and frustration with serving customers, not to mention being yelled at by Mom from time to time. But I mostly did what I was told to, even though i resisted it inside.
Fast forward to 2016 - my parents have long retired, and Chong Pang is now a place I seldom get to visit. Had it not been for the cheque that I had to pick up from our lessee, I would not have gone this morning.
It was quite lovely to find myself amid the morning madness. It was nice to see families huddling together for breakfast, people queueing for their choice of food, couples feeding each other, mischievous children running into my knees.
I'm not someone who enjoys reminiscing old times, but I do admit it's nice to look back, sometimes.