So I imagine myself being interviewed in the cool of the garden, for a local magazine.
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY?
I remember when we were in primary school and living upstairs in a shop house. My parents warned us about many undesirable characters living along the street, so we hardly went downstairs to play. What we did was we created our own fun upstairs. There was always a great supply of stationery - paper, felt pens, paints - so I would draw and write stories about living in a different world and a different time. I had a big empty box where I would store all the little crafts that I made from popsicle sticks, matchboxes, clay or paper mache. We also had a blackboard at home and we would enact classroom scenes with my sisters as teachers and myself as the student.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST BOOK YOU LOVED?
The Mystery of the Missing Necklace - a book in the series of Five Find-Outers and dog by Enid Blyton. Immediately I became an avid fan of Enid Blyton's and would devour all her books with a ravenous appetite. It was then that I became acquainted with toffee apples, humbugs, English meadows, picnic hamper baskets, boarding schools and frisking lambs - which probably explains the anglophile that I am.
WHAT'S YOUR BEST HOLIDAY MEMORY?
Holidays were a luxury and we didn't go anywhere as not many people owned cars then. I remember we had to take a taxi to a waterfront called Minyak Beku, about six miles from home. Six miles seemed a very long journey and we had a small picnic there. The taxi waited for us and took us home.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Like what Piglet said to Pooh bear, "If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you." That is what I tell Mike.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
My children. They have surpassed my expectations.
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST ATTRACTIVE QUALITY - AND WHAT IS YOUR MOST?
Anxiety about my children's well being. I am disciplined, industrious and committed to whatever I do, however small. I mean what I say, and I say what I mean.
WHAT'S THE FIRST THING YOU'D DO IF YOU WERE THE PRIME MINISTER?
Put an end to race based politics and policies and focus on needs instead.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
Certainly not material things. I treasure family and friends.
WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?
Good coffee. I try to limit myself to 2 mugs a day. I am still trying.
WHAT'S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN?
From my mother: Do not worry about how others will think or talk about you. If you think you are doing the right thing, go ahead, because the future is yours, not anyone else's. Those tongue waggers will not be there for you when things go belly up.
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES?
People who are visionary. People who stand for what they believe in. People who make a difference in the lives of others. Examples are: Copernicus. Alexander the Great. Napoleon Bonaparte. Catherine the Great. Florence Nightingale. Doctors without Borders.
WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY?
When I read about so many people dying because of COVID19.
WHAT SONG WOULD YOU LIKE PLAYED AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Turn! Turn! Turn! by the Byrds. And maybe if my children could just play a piece of music for me, like they did at our wedding.
WHAT KEEPS YOU AWAKE AT NIGHT?
Crafting and writing. When the creative juice flows, I would hate to stop it. So now that I don't have to depend on the alarm clock to wake me up for work, I know I have the privilege of sleeping till noon if I must.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST PASSION IN LIFE?
My family. I will give everything and anything to see their joy complete.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FILM?
Sleepless in Seattle. Entertaining, easy to watch, lovely ending. Two of my favourite actors: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. I even know that the teddy bear is called Howard.
WHAT'S THE LAST TV SHOW THAT YOU BINGE-WATCHED?
Anime - Ponyo, Forest of Piano, My Neighbour Totoro, Whispers of the Heart, You lie in April.
WHAT PHONE APP DO YOU USE MOST?
Whatsapp. I'm more comfortable writing than speaking (eg. skype or facetime) because I can think over what I want to say before I actually write it down.
WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 18 YEAR OLD SELF?
Get out of a relationship if you know it is not going to work. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that he will change for the better.
WHAT JOB WOULD YOU BE TERRIBLE AT?
Minding someone's child full time. I will be terribly anxious if the child falls down or hurts himself and I can't discipline the child in love ( the way I would when my own child is naughty).
WHAT DO YOU REGRET NOT DOING IN THE LAST YEAR?
Nothing. I traveled much, loved much, ate much and rested much.
