Ceritalah People’s Museum

This Pooh Bear is one of the first stuffed toys that I bought for my children. It is probably 27 years old, as old as my eldest daughter. It also reminds me of my son. He used to love his Kim Lee t-shirt, which when he was two years old, the sleeve goes all the way down to below his elbows. And the length of the shirt actually goes up to his knee. And he still keeps this t-shirt.

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I remember just a couple of years ago, he tried to wear it. And when he put it on, he actually looks like the Pooh Bear with the shrunken t-shirt. This is very memorable to me because when I look at the Pooh Bear, I remember my kids and especially my son.

My son advised me to bring this ball. He said “I have had this ball from small to big. I love this ball. Take it with you but don’t lose it”. He used to play this ball with the father and sometimes I would join. He would enjoy laughing and sometimes even quarrel by saying “Hey, it's my turn, you sudah kalah!”

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Last time, when we lived in a terrace house, he could play with the neighbors, friends and even classmates but now we have moved to a flat with a small compound. So, we can't play anymore but got lah! Sometimes we go out but we have also gotten busy with work and don't have much time. So I keep this ball as a remembrance of the times we played together. 

The Batik pattern reminds me of what I used to give to my friends and visitors from overseas because it represents Malaysia. And of late, our country really portrays this Nyonya culture, whereby many wear Batik Sarong. Everywhere you go with events or functions, you see a lot of these ladies wearing kabayas. I feel that it really enhances the lady's figure and it's very elegant. 

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I'm one of the Nonya dancers who wears themkebaya when we dance. I joined the Rose Charities where there's a dance coach, which teaches dances and I like to dance very much. So, I enrolled. That's when he took me in, he asked me, Do you dance? I said yes, but not Malay dances. I danced during covid following Youtube videos but I find for my age,I can't do something that is very vigorous, like zumba. So I feel that Nyonya dancing is very relaxing, it's very classy, and I like the costume.

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 So I will keep on dancing, hopefully.

Bonjour, je m'appelle Diamond ring. I am a ring made in the 1950s and was sold at a famous french jewelry store in KL. I was bought by a lovely young couple eager to be married. I was worn by a stylish, fashionista lady. She wanted to open a fashion designing company but had given that dream up for marriage and family life. After being worn for years and years, I was handed down to her grandchild, as my owner was moving to London. I became the most treasured and fashionable piece in her granddaughter's life. Until today, I remain a timeless, vintage ring for the fanciest events. 

Many years ago I participated in the SEA Games. Actually it was in 1977, which is actually 47 years ago. Seems like a lifetime for some people, isn't it? But at that time I was young and very enthusiastic about games. I chose archery because it was very new at that time.I cannot run fast, I cannot jump, but archery is something that I can train the skill in and have the opportunity also to represent my club, state, and then later, the country.

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After the games in 1977, I was very young and I just got married. In 1978, I had my first child and that was what put the stop to my archery. Because with archery, we need a lot of time in the field to practice, which I don't have the luxury of after I have a child because I was working at that time. Last time when I was not having a child yet. We could spend hours in the morning until night. We practiced in the youth park, in some Chinese recreation clubs, or some field for many hours a day. I loved participating and working as a team, because I know that nothing can be done alone.

After my parents divorce, which I didn't know of, my grandma decided to step into my life for good. We had to move to a whole different state. Not only did I lose my best friend, I lost my dreams and my home. I've always had a reason for the things that I do and I was too busy finding a reason for the divorce that I forgot how to live a happy life. My grandma was worried that I would go astray so she wanted to gift me something precious, something for me to treasure. And she gave me a Bible. She thought about buying me a gold chain but she knew that gold can be bought anytime and anywhere. She wanted me to have something permanent, something that will never change. So, a Bible was given to me during my 9th birthday. After 8 years, I have yet to open and read it, because I know she would want me to remain strong to my faith. There is more to my story, but I’ll leave it like this. 

Tick! Tick! Tick! It was my first digital watch. The watch was a gold coloured casio that I got from my dad as rewards for scoring in my final examinations. The watch was once very special to me… Until the strap tore a couple of years later. Instead of restoring it to its former glory, I kept it as a memorabilia. The scratches were like “battle scars” and it resembles everything I've been through with the watch itself. Today it sleeps in my pencil case and reminds me of how special it was to me once upon a time. 

Life is a beautiful thing that has been given to us from God. It is always the good as well as the bad which makes it much more meaningful. Well, personally I feel that my amma (grandma( was one of the main reasons for who I am today. She is no more but a symbol of her love was given to me, her ring. Although it's just a ring, it reminds me of the beautiful memories we had.