Cool On The Exterior, Warm Within
Nooo Privacy
Sunday, October 01, 2006 @ 1:30 PM
Been listening to my neighbours quarrel for the past half hour, not that I'm keen to. However, I couldn't understand a word of it, coz they were spewing angry words in cantonese.
These are relatively new neighbours, who just moved in adjacent to us a couple of years ago. I've lost count of the years myself. Mama and sonny are the only ones left, after daughter married and moved out, followed by two deaths in the house. The first one to go was their adorable pet dog, Pocky, followed by ah ma who didn't seemed to be conversant in mandarin.
Pocky first aroused our interest in this family, coz being young, inquisitive kids, my bro and I were naturally attracted to animals. The most distinct memory was of me feeding bits of twisties to Pocky through the open door, trying my best to be discreet. However, I soon found that I wasn't that successful coz ah ma yelled at me to stop doing it. Hah.
When Pocky left, we were not aware of her demise. It was only after a long while that we started to notice her absence, the lack of barking, especially when my bro and I raced each other down the corridor.
Ah ma left the world sometime last year I think and the most memorable incident was of mama moving out of the flat temporarily, after the funeral. She was getting spooked. Which made me curious because why would someone be afraid of the spirit of a dear relative?
Omg, they are at it again. After the temporary lull, mama and sonny started bickering once more. Tsk.
There's a lack of privacy living in HDB flats. All of us are pigeon-holed together in such a way that we can't help but be kaypoh. How I wish I understand cantonese, so that at least I would be hearing words instead of static now.
I've never been really close to my neighbours. On the whole, I find them rather irksome, especially the aunties whom you meet in the lifts and quiz you on your results for every subject. What's the point of comparison when your son is in a different grade and from a different school? Bah.
Things used to be good in the kampungs, they say. The camaraderie, the feeling of security even when all doors are left open etc. Where is the kampung spirit now?
~~~
A hectic month ahead.
Meanwhile, I'm trying my best to complete two projects due for submission mid next week, after which I'm due for mugging till end of Oct.
Had to miss two gatherings this week due to school and work commitments and thus, aggravated my craving for fish & chips.
Which makes me wonder why I'm perpetually hungry these days.
~~~
I had a weird dream last night. It was about a lion ambushing the house, sauntering in and rendering us speechless in fear. I called 999 for help but took a long time in conveying the message as I had to whisper and hide my hp from the lion's view. However, when the police arrived, I chased them away to save their lives. There were only two policemen. How to defeat a lion like that?
Told you it was a weird dream.
