Home Sweet Home
It was 7:00pm. I looked out and was glad to finally see light at that hour - a sure sign we are moving into spring. Suddenly it brought back memories of my days when I worked in Kuala Lumpur. That was the hour I would be on my way home on the KTM commuter train, just about a halt or two before mine, Telok Gadong.
There was a sense of relief to be away from the maddening city crowd. Within an hour, I was in a much more easy-going atmosphere. The walk from the halt to my house took about 5 minutes - 5 minutes of getting in touch with local feel. From the sounds of the crows perched on the electrical lines and around the sundry shop/mini-market to the chatter of people in the restaurant having dinner.
There was a sense of relief to be away from the maddening city crowd. Within an hour, I was in a much more easy-going atmosphere. The walk from the halt to my house took about 5 minutes - 5 minutes of getting in touch with local feel. From the sounds of the crows perched on the electrical lines and around the sundry shop/mini-market to the chatter of people in the restaurant having dinner.
Then, I finally arrive at my gate. Back then, it was safe that we did not need to lock it all day. Our dogs did the job of warding off strangers. So it saved me precious seconds that would take to unlock the gate. My specific memory of this hour was after my niece was born. My mum helped look after her during the day. I looked forward to returning everyday - not only to be in the comforts of home but to play with my niece. I remember how her face lighted up when she saw me at the door. When she started walking, it was such a delight to watch her use the rails to help her down two steps from the dining room. Once she had her footing in the living room, she would run over to me for a hug and kiss. Then, I would proceed to my mum's room, sit on the floor, chat with her for awhile and watch the little girl's antics. If my brothers were home, they would soon join us in the room.
When I first left Malaysia, those memories kept me going yet made me feel sad - I was missing home. These days, they just make me feel nostalgic for the days gone by. Just one memory of coming home at 7:00pm leads to other memories of simpler days.
24 comments:
It's sometimes the most unexpected things that can trigger a memory...
Hi WP
So true. Even sipping tea at 4pm brings me back to the days when we used to sit down for tea. It was the conversations and sharing of everyday things that made life much simpler.
Sigh. Now I feel homesick! ;-(
Dahhlinggg, only old people get nostalgic, heh heh heh...
awww Puteri ... I know how you feel. :(
Apandi
hahaha ... very funneee!
You should know, my dear, you write nostalgic stuff too. :P
Hi JT,
I was always nostalgic & reminiscing when I lived abroad too. Anything that reminded me of home, would surely bring on the memories & sometimes tears!
Hi Ruby
We appreciate home more when we are away, don't we?
I think we also tend to become more discerning with our choice of friends and some things in life.
That's just how things are isn't it. We grow up, things change. yet we're still living.
Maybe i have to be a little older to understand this point of life. :)
Hello Clarisse
I think we keep discovering and understanding life as we get older.
When I was in my 20s/30s, I understood better where I was and who I was then compared to being a teenager (when I thought I knew a lot... haha). Now, that I am a decade older from the time I got married and moved away from home, I realised a few more things in life. It is a constant discovery.
You have a great week. :)
Dear JT
Now that i am working again, so many things remind me of my working days back home! Esp coming home to my mum's homemade curries! Yum! Also, i miss the working culture back in Asia, it much more relax and warmer than here. But i am learning how to adapt quickly and bring all that asian work ethics into my belgian office hahahahah. Take care and hope easter was well spent. Hugs.
Hi Mush
When I was working in the States, I did find a difference in the work culture. Although my office did not practice that crazy overtime work (in Asia, it is almost a norm and hardly anyone gets paid for it), I missed the warmer atmosphere. Not sure what it was. Maybe it was the scenes of the evening - stalls with food, meeting familiar people at the train station, running quick errands.
I seemed to have 'lived' more when I took public transport than driving to work and back.
All the best with in your Asian-inspired Belgian office. :D
Hi JT ,
When I was living abroad , Sundays in fall and winter made me felt more homesick than spring and summer , maybe the gloomy days brought back the memories of my home sweet home.
No matter where we are , our old sweet memories remain .
Take care ...enjoy the spring spirit :)
Hello Sarinah
I think it is the gloomy days that makes one miss home more. Those are the days too when I think of my parents and some very special people who have gone from this world.
That is why I love spring and summer. It is so bright and cheery. Sure, there may be gloomy days but they are not prolonged.
You take care too.
telok gadong as in telok gadong klang?? small world indeed. i used to live there for a while back in the 70's. i used to go to klang convent school during primary years but when we moved to shah alam in early 80's i stopped schooling there.
nostalgic indeed!
Hi KC
Yes, Telok Gadong Klang.
wow ... small world! We moved to that area in 1980. My sister was in Convent 2 from 1980 to 1983. I went to Convent Secondary the year we moved there (do the math! haha)
gosh! i lived there in a housing area (single-storey house) which unfortunately couldn't remember its name but i still remember the street where i lived on - jalan bakawali! and i remember there was a kindergarten nearby, an old-fashioned bakery shop, train barrier in the middle of the road leading to a kampung school something like that...i can't really remember..sigh!
i still don't know if that housing area still exists because the last time i went there the main road leading to that area is somewhat closed perhaps they have alternative route i dunno..
clearly... you have moved on and adapting well in the new place :)
Hi KC
Oh yes, Jalan Bakawali. I know that road (the name, at least). Now it probably looks different after so many years. Also, whenever I am home, I hardly go that way. So I can't really tell what has happened to that road. Those days, I used to drive around and got familiar with the surroundings.
From your description of your previous place, that sounds like what I remember of that place.
If you stayed back in Klang, I would have probably seen you around the area. :)
Hi Zewt
Oh yes, that is for sure. I have moved on. I have been able to adapt to just about any new place we moved to. Just that sometimes, I just miss the good old days. Back when parents were alive and times were simpler. :)
dear JT;
not only that, we've probably even went to the same school!
err, is there by any chance you know this person - nancy lee pillay? she probably went to the same school as yours. her father is indian and her mother is chinese. she was my childhood best friend back then and we lost contact since i moved to shah alam...sigh!
OMG!!!! KC, you know Nancy Lee. I never knew her last name was Pillay (or just never asked). I believe we are talking about the same person. I met her parents when I hung out at her house a couple of times - yes, mom Chinese, father Indian. (living in Bakawali area or thereabout).
We were classmates (from Form 1 - Form 5). After Form 5, we went our separate ways. I have a specific memory about her - I remember she, another girl named Rohana and me went to KFC after our last SPM paper. It was so much fun and a huge relief. :) That was the last time I saw her. sigh
dear JT;
shut up!! that must be the same girl we're talking about. i wonder if she remembers me...i was her neighbour who lived opposite her house in jalan bakawali. do u know where she is now? probably went to overseas to further her studies??
i remember she has cute dimples on her cheeks...
thanks JT for layan me with this nostalgia...hehe
Hey KC
You shut up! hahahaha
We are talking about the same girl. Yes, she has cute dimples. Sweet girl, soft spoken (unlike this devil). :D
I have no idea where she is now. I lost contact with many classmates. I need to ask one whom I am still in touch with. Maybe she will know. I am also guessing she may be overseas.
No problem about going down memory lane. Good to know we know someone in common. :)
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