Taman Pekaka, Gelugor

While working at the Library in USM, Minden, at first we commuted daily from the family house in Ayer Itam. The girls went to the kindergarten in the campus, and later to the school in Minden Heights. It was pretty stressful with the traffic jam all along the way, so we rented a house in Taman Pekaka, a stone's throw away from the campus. Ok, it was less than ten minutes by car, which was very convenient for everyone.

B at the Minden Heights Kindergarten sports day (CNB 1986) 

A at the same kindy sports day (CNB 1986)

We moved to a house next door when the owner was transferred to Sarawak and offered us his house for less than what we were paying. And so we moved. It was at this house that we once had nine cats. Yes, you read right, 9 cats! It started out with B rescuing a little kitten at the back of the house. Now this little kitten, Abie, grew into a big cat and produced another four kittens. So there were five. Then another cat, a stray (we call it Erra) came and brought in her three kittens. We did not invite them, but they made themselves at home anyway. And so there were nine altogether! I had a tough time feeding them and cleaning up the cat litter. Once, Abie got bitten by a dog and so we had to take her to the vet, and later nurse her till her wounds healed. One day when she was all healed and okay, Abie disappeared and till today we don't know what happened to her. Her kittens had grown so we gave them away. Erra went on her way, because after all she was a stray who would never stay. (How do you like all this rhyming so far?) Her kittens also followed suit. And me? Well, I ended up with nasal problems which the Doctor said was caused by all the cat dander (and poo, too!)

When the girls were in primary school in Minden Heights, I had a stint being a committee member of their school PIBG (Parent Teacher Association). It was an eye opener for me, as I did not realise how difficult it was to participate in the running of the school, without really running it. Go figure! You actually end up being peacemaker for both parents and teachers. I did my part for the school library by getting in some book donations and also ran reading competitions for the students. On the whole I think B and A enjoyed their primary school years.

B and A plus friends Aziah and Fadil on A's first day of school
(CNB 1988)

Spot A in her Class photo (1988)

Secondary schooling for B and A was at the St George's Girls' School. The school was in town so they had to take the school bus. They did pretty well in school, both becoming prefects. During the school holidays, when they could, they volunteered at the public library and worked at McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and Baskin Robbins. It was good experience for them. Later they both entered uni and graduated succesfully, B in Linguistics and A in Law. They both have their own stories to tell.

B at her graduation,USM (2005)

M and I celebrate B's graduation (2005)

A at her graduation, UiTM 

In Taman Pekaka, we moved a second time. This time to my sister's house in the next street. She had moved back to the family house in Ayer Itam because her own was being repaired. When it was ready, she was not ready to move back in, so she asked me to stay there instead. And so we moved again! There is a Malay saying Tujuh kali pindah, papa ('Move seven times, you end up a pauper', or something to that effect). I think I have moved more than seven times, so maybe that's why my pocket/bank is nearly empty... such is life!

M and moi in Taman Pekaka (BB 2005)

A studio family photo (1990)

19.. - 2007