When I was young...

It's not easy to be born into a big family of 13 members..and no doubt I came from a well known family in my hometown, but well known is not always equal to rich. My family business is initially a sundry shop selling sundry goods such as rice, sugar, cooking oils etc, but later transformed into a business of selling prayer items, how it came to be I really have no idea. I was too young to know such things at that time and even until now.

Heard from my dad and uncles that it was my grandfather who started business since he came to Malaya from China many many many years ago..at that time carrying out business by riding a bicycle and the goods are hung around the bicycle..it was known as a 'klentong' man in the past. Maybe the sound of the pots and wares hitting against the side of the bicycle while it is moving makes such a 'kleng klong kleng kong' sound..and maybe it was this that this name came about..yes, it is a malay word 'klentong'.

At which year he came to Malaya I do not know, and at which year he owned a shop to do business I do not know either,you see, this is a disadvantage when you are the youngest in the family. The elder siblings treats me like a little baby because of the age gap..therefore I do not learn much from them or have any serious communication with them either, what do you expect to say to a naive little boy playing beside the 'longkang' and running up and down the stairs most of the time?

I never saw my grandfather and grandmother before, they left the world even before I was born. My only memory of their faces were from two black and white potrait photos hung in the living room of the shophouse on the second floor.

The shophouse has 4 families living together at that time, my dad's and 3 other uncles with their wives and childrens. It was a very crowded house indeed..imagine we have to take turns to take a bath as there were only one bathroom. The business is runned by my dad and his brother, guess it's a family business passed down from my grandfather.

My younger days was spent staying with my sisters and brothers in another house whereby my parents stays at the second floor of the shophouse taking care of the business which is quite far away from where I stay. Well, at least I gotta see my parents and some of my other brothers when they come to visit us every night, usually to watch TV or watching VHS tape, remember at that time there were many TVB tapes for rent and video tape renting business are good. After a few hours, they went back to the shophouse to get ready for tomorrow's shop opening routine.

I do not have much memories when I was young.. some of those memories still stuck on my mind is that there was one particular CNY I was very happy waking up early in the morning of the new year, wearing new clothes and socks, and drinking lots of fanta, kickapoo, soyabean etc..was wondering why this memory still sticks until now. Another unforgettable incident is where, during a family dinner at home, while drinking duck soup, accidently poured the soup on my thigh..I ended up getting angry of the spilt soup, the burning sensation..cried and run straight upstairs to the bedroom. I am a spoilt kid really, with hot temper and a cry baby too :)

Next blog..my school days!