micro memoir
I joined the school Red Cross Society when I was in Secondary 1. We had to buy our own uniforms, but I could not afford a pair of boots. One of the leaders, Loy Sai Lee, and several teammates pooled their money together to help me. I went to Sungei
micro memoir
My eldest sister, Annie, was the light of our family. Although she stopped schooling after Primary 4, she was the most entrepreneurial among us and successfully ran a hair salon business. One day, while on a tour in Beijing, she did not return to the tour bus. The tour guide
micro memoir
I hated studying. I simply didn't know how to learn. I spent an hour trying to memorise one page, only to forget it after turning to the next. Every poor exam result made me believe my future was doomed. My mother warned me that without a good school
micro memoir
I joined officer cadet training but failed to graduate. I spent a long time reflecting on the reasons. Perhaps I was too shy, spoke too softly, feared making mistakes, and lacked the boldness expected of a military leader. I was more of an analytical strategist and planner than an infantry
micro memoir
Every evening, I sat on my father's lap at our front door as he read the Bible to me. I was too young to understand the words. I understood his voice. Years later, many verses have faded from memory. The feeling of being loved has not.
micro memoir
When I was in my twenties, I dreamed of becoming an electone player. The music moved me emotionally and lifted my spirits. Music made me happy. Every Sunday, I would visit Yamaha at Plaza Singapura to watch the free electone performances. One day, I bought two second-hand electones, one
micro memoir
It was probably the most embarrassing moment of my life. My Toastmasters club nominated me to represent them in a national humorous speech contest. I had rehearsed my speech countless times. Standing before a sea of people, I felt confident. Then, midway through my speech, my mind went blank. I
micro memoir
He helped me. Now I help. The mosquito coil was fragile. So was I. Whenever my small fingers snapped it, my father would quietly take over. Today, I help him with things he can no longer do alone. The circle has turned.
micro memoir
Every day I felt miserable at work. I literally dragged my feet to the office. My supervisor seemed determined to make life difficult for me and hoped I would quit. One day, my friend Billy Kueek reminded me that I had a choice. I could stay and remain miserable, or
micro memoir
During an in-camp training exercise as a reservist, my platoon commander suddenly ordered me to brief the men. The moment I opened my mouth, the soldiers laughed. I had a high-pitched voice and felt deeply embarrassed. At that moment, I wished the earth would open up and swallow
micro memoir
When I was studying at Playfair Primary School, I had to cross the road near the junction of Paya Lebar Road and Airport Road. One day, I stepped off the central divider without paying attention. A lorry whizzed past my face, inches from my nose. Had I taken one more
micro memoir
Every afternoon after school, our mongrel would wait behind the metal gate. The moment he heard my bicycle bell, he would jump up and wag his tail so hard his whole body seemed to bend with it. One rainy week, I came home and the gate was empty. I parked