My Longkang

Original conversation in Hockkien

Pic from archives

Have you eaten? You have a good woman. She looks healthy and strong.

I was born in 1913. I came from China as a young girl. The Second World War was a difficult time, After the war, I worked as a house servant for a family. When the wife died I took her place. None of the children are mine. We had a dinner, took photographs and then we were husband and wife. Things were simple. The family wasn’t rich.

This area used to be a good area. Now with clogged drains and frequent flooding, it has become a slum. You can see many people of other races from the rural areas renting rooms here now. The original families have moved out..

I used to be mobile. After falling three times, I can no longer move around. I wait for my grandchildren to prop me up against the chair every morning. I look out the window and see my neighours. I have not been upstairs for almost ten years.

My grandson is a good man. I wait for him to marry and then I am ready to die. I tell you every body is afraid to die. Whoever tells you he is not afraid to die is a liar. But I am tired. Very tired. My mind is alert. I know everything that is happening around me. But I can’t make my hands and legs move as I want them to. Nowadays my hearing and eye-sight are no longer as good as it once was.

I sometimes fall asleep at my chair. My husband and some of my children are already gone. I will join them soon. I will be in My Father’s home soon. I am tired. I will be ready. Every body has to go some time. I don’t know how many more Chinese new year i can still celebrate with my family. Only God knows. I think all my friends are no more.

Be a good man. Do no bad things and always save money for your old age.

Deco pic from archives

I had intended to blog about this for a few weeks but the subject matter is unpleasant. However I met a man yesterday who changed my mind. After talking to him I decided to share his experience so parents out there may be more aware of the potential of their children mixing with the wrong sort and going astray.
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Character : Jerry, mid twenties.

Jerry : The minute he came in the hall, we knew we were doomed. It was supposed to be a friendly match. But we needed to win. Our girlfriends were there. He came in a Vios which was normal enough but he was dressed as if he had stepped off the pages of a sports magazine.
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Character : Mid twenties and expecting the first baby.

Fiona: I married too young. I thought i would have a few years after marriage before having a child. The child came within the first month. I have still a few more months to go. My husband is never around as our working hours do not match. My mother in law drops in all the time to spy on me and my housework.
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Character : Late 30s, father of three and active in non-governmental organizations. Very fair complexion, big eyes, well toned and good with his hands. Generally known to some of his closer friends as Mr Pajero in jest.
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Character : Beth, early fifties, female.

Beth : Did you see that? She said her baby is cute. Her baby smiles when she touches the baby. Everybody has babies. What is so special about her baby? All babies are the same. She looks like that and her husband has a laborer’s look. How beautiful can the child be?
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I was at the market this morning and I noticed a retailer had hiked up her price. She is being opportunistic. I am sure her costs haven’t gone up. However I didn’t create a scene. I just left and told her I changed my mind. The next retailer was selling at the old price.
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Pic from archives

Character : Slightly tanned, 1.65 m and 75kg. Age : uncertain.

Bengbeng: Selamat Gawai.

Loren : I am going home on the 28th and coming back on the 4th. It is not the same for Gawai as when you last visited. The long house has already been converted by SIB ( Sidang Injil Borneo ) a church group. There will not be the usual festivities. Cara lama tak pakai lagi. We may end up like the Chinese living in terrace houses except we call it rumah panjai.
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Character : Fiona, late twenties, female, and presumably ready to settle down. Vivacious and gregarious.

Bengbeng : Selamat Gawai.

Fiona : Belum lagi. Lama lagi. ( Not yet. A long time to go ) Look at the foremen. He is Iban. He is reading the building plans.All the workers are following his orders. Did you hear that? He said, ” You “. Itu bahasa orang putih. In my longhouse the educated ones also speak ” You and I ”
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Pic from archives

This post is a follow up to lillian’s post

As you read you must remember I was just a child so the perspective is from a child’s perspective.

Character : male, Chinese, middle aged.
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