Today was a rainy rainy day from the moment I woke up.
Such is the atmosphere where all things turn surreal, everybody's around you going about their own businesses.
and also a time when you are amidst everybody but in your own umbrella world.
even as I hurried into the shelter and out of my umbrella.
it continued to linger around me

I saw afar, the newly renovated coffee shop of old.
amongst those that newly sprang up to the left and to the right..
I decided.
to see if i could spot any reminiscent of the past - my past
I walked through every store, supposedly to find a satisfaction for my growling stomach
but looking instead for familiar faces and signboards.

I found one - the kueh tu tu man with his ancient tools.
his bulky metal box with secret little compartments that never fails to amaze the customers as they wait without complaint. Low technology, delicious but time consuming to make delicacies.
simple happiness has been resounding in my life for some time now
and even more so when I finally got my kosong kueh tu tu-s:)

I can still remember making a fuss and wanting Daddy to carry me so I could see Uncle Kueh Tu Tu do his rhythmic stunts while preparing the kueh tu tu-s. white round pleasures of flour. and to my surprise, 21 years later. The prices are still the same - 3 for $1, coconut or peanut :) But being a weird kid I was/am.. I always wanted only flour. I'm glad that over the years, more people have joined the camp of "oleh! kosong kueh tu tu!"

I still sat down, with my disgruntled tummy, at the old meepok store.
new tables, new helpers, and a new sign saying "Self-Service"
the boss was Daddy's friend and we used to get free flow of soup with extra ingredients in our mee.
because of health reasons he merely leased the store to others.
leaving behind only the familiary utensils and tools

I sat down and ate my yummy mee.
I looked up and saw children coming back from child care.
I listened, and heard them speak as I used to.

Just a stone throw away, was my childcare.
Proudly, St. Andrew's Cathedral Childcare Center.
where they served egg mayonise sandwiches on Tuesdays and Oats on Thursdays.
Where I made my first best-friends and imagined being on The Power Rangers' space crafts after our meals and was busy fighting aliens whilst pressing imaginary buttons.

The heart of my neighbourhood.
has been thorugh 3 major renovations over the last 2 decades.
and every new beginning just dilutes the flavour furthere, uproots the hearts of many and live us lingering and finding less to hold on to.
I honesty was quite fearful that Uncle Kueh Tu Tu wouldn't be around anymore. That I won't have yummy chee cheong fun to eat in the mornings.
for one, my favourite chicken rice and char siew rice store has been gone.
Nothing anywhere ever tastes the same, despite trying to find one.

I see, that even though ambition and the lure of a glamorous life may seem to be all so fulfilling.
Maybe I'm not one suited for it.
After all the crazines and fun outside.
I need a place called home. a place of security. for that should be the core of everyone. and what fills it should only simple and good.

I believe that life should be filled.. primarily with simple happiness :)

Labels: nostalgia, sillythings