folklore.

sometimes I think I'm starting to spend too much time with my parents, because everything they say is beginning to sound the same. but maybe it's really them. while we were in the car on our way to an aunt's house last Sunday, my dad told me about the time when he couldn't afford shoes, basically lived in a hole with his entire family and had to walk 'a few miles' to school. his story sounded strangely familiar, then I realised my mother said the exact same thing. apparently last time, people were always poor, mee rebus used to cost 10 cents, policemen wore shorts, climbing trees were fun, and school is always far away.

firstly, why can't people just move closer to school? or go to one closer to home? why is it that in every story my parents tell me, they have to input some kind of lesson learnt from suffering and poverty? I believe my dad when he said he was poor because he has pictures to prove it (pretty ironic, since I thought cameras were expensive) but my mother, mind you, my mother lived in a pretty big house with 9-10 of her siblings (I gave up counting years ago) and she had an awesome childhood. is it a parents thing, to make your child feel guilty for being fortunate enough to live in the new millenium, and you know, for having enough sense to go to a nearer school?

(at this point I realise NTU is 1 hr 30 minutes away from my house, but this is only because I have no choice. my point is, I would if I could and it's the thought that counts.)

I wish listening to their stories were simpler and more entertaining. I don't really want to know how small their old houses were compared to ours if I'm gonna have to feel bad about it. I respect the past, I'm curious about it and I love it when my parents share, I really do. it's just that sometimes life with them (especially in the car) feels like a very long History class with very bad Jeritan Sepi moments, and you want to escape but the bloody school bell never rings.