Bouncing In The Hundred Acre Wood.: July 2008

When I was just a lil girl.

I remember my sister would put me on the back seat of the bicycle and cycled me to the coffee shop nearby. She'd order a bowl of lou-xu fen (mouse noodles) which costs RM0.50 for me, kids are supposed to eat lou-xu fen, I used to believe this until I turned 10. My drink would be nothing other than hot milo, this is another rule for kids. Then she'd put me on the back seat again and send me to the kindergarten 500 meters away. I remember I was the quietest girl in the class. I had no cute face, no nice pink dresses, no barbie doll long hair, no 100% for my exam. I didn't even get a consolation prize in the colouring competition which I tried so hard to win. During the kindergarten convo, I played as a tree in the sketch. I think I would not be noticed if my skin is not dark. I remember my childhood friend laughed at me and called me Malay girl. Even until now he still think it's funny.

When I was a bit elder.

I remember my sister would walk me to the school. Every Monday morning, she'd say "Don't step on the grass!" "Don't dirty your shoes!". Sometimes she'd buy me a pack of nasi lemak which costs RM0.60, sold by the stingy lady who refused to give extra bit of sambal. I remember I was still the quietest girl in the class. Ordinary, not the good girl whom liked by the teachers, nor the naughty girl whom always get caned. My skin didn't get any fairer.

When I was a bit more elder.

The boy next class said my skin colour is special, another called me his wife, and I received the first love letter in my life. I won third place in a few story telling competitions, Priscilla always beat me flat by winning the first place. We started to get close, and because of her popularity in school, I started to have more friends. She taught me to read teens magazine, we would talk about Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys. I was chosen as the class monitor, teachers started to remember my name. I finally got a human character in the sketch.

When I was more than a lil girl.

My sister taught me to tailor my uniform so that it will look nice just slightly above the knee. I didn't bother to avoid the grass on Monday anymore, and my school shoes were never white. The boys in the bus sent me notes everyday to ask for my number. I was the pelajar cemerlang even though I always sleep in the class, and because of that, I was still the quietest girl in the class. I represented the school in a few national competitions, and involved in a few school events. I have more friends in and outside the school. Even though I'm not a kid anymore, I still drink milo and dislike soft drinks. Till now, my skin is still as dark as usual.