The First Of Everything

Have you ever reminisce about the past where you smile to yourself and say, “That’s the first time I did that”. Well, I too am sometimes drawn back to my past just thinking about the first time I did that, or did this; went there or went here, have that or have this, and the list of the first for everything goes on and on. Here I’d like to share with you on ten of my first time of everything.

First favourite book
Honestly, I don’t remember the first book I owned, however I do remember liking a certain book when I was little. A book that I would read over and over again without feeling tired. It’s an old Malay folk tale called Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup. I used to cry (nearly all the time) when I read the part where the mother ran in search of the batu belah batu bertangkup because she was disappointed that her son Pekan ate the last telur ikan tembakul. It was heart wrenching.

First soft toy
Gosh.. this is something that is difficult for me to recall because I do not own any soft toy when I was small. In fact, I was afraid of dolls and puppets. So when girls my age played with soft toys, I would be climbing trees and swim in rivers with the boys. But, let’s see… I guess it would have to be the panda soft toy, about the size of a pillow. Ayah bought it for me when we were in the UK (when Ayah did his PhD). I hugged it when I went to sleep at night. I remember bringing the panda back with us to Malaysia, but somehow I don’t know where it is now.

First jewellery
Has to be my gold baby bangles that my grandmother gave me when I was a baby. In fact, I still have them. I think I will be passing them to my daughter.

First Tadika
Tadika Kemas near the simpang of Kampung Tanjung Petai. I went to the tadika for two years i.e. when I was 5 and 6. I remember my grandfather used to send us (my brother and I) to the tadika every morning on his motorcycle and fetch us around noon. Those were good times.

First fight
My grandmother (arwah) used to laugh whenever she remembered this. I think I was 5 years old. It was a squabble between Ateh, Jain both boys mind you, and myself. We were in front of my grandmother’s house but I don’t remember what the fight was about. Jain took a swing at me but I ducked so his hand kena the mata kucing tree. Then Ateh took a swing at him, whereas I was shouting at the top of my voice telling them to stop fighting. I shouldn’t have opened my mouth coz I kena also. All of us ended up with bruises and small cuts. It was funny.

First best friend
Definitely Haslinda when I was in standard 1 to standard 3. We were the exact opposite of each other. She was fair whereas I was dark, she was lemah-lembut whereas I was a tomboy, the boys seemed to like her in a girly fashion, whereas boys liked me coz we were satu geng. But we somehow lost contact when I followed Ayah to the UK.

First boyfriend
Believe it or not, but I have never had a boyfriend before I met up with my dearest Bie. Yeah I had admirers (surprisingly quite a few, considering I wasn’t that pretty – looks fade, personality flourishes – that’s what I believe in, and that’s how I got the admirers… I think.. hehehehe). And yes, I go out with them. But never anyone that I can call as my boyfriend. So I would have to say that my first boyfriend is Bie. And that was back in February 1998.

First Job
As a temporary teacher teaching standard 2 and 6 at a primary school in Seremban while waiting for the A-Level results to come out. That was the first time that I had ever received a salary.

First car
Silver Wira eroback 1.3. In fact, I still drive it. And it’s been five years now.

First devastating death
It has to be my grandfather whom I called Tok Yah. He was Ibu’s father. I grew up surrounded by Tok Yah and Uwan (my grandmother). They took care of us when we were little up until the day Ayah whisked us away to the UK. We missed them like mad. Tok Yah died of an unknown illness. The doctor himself didn’t know what his illness was thus did not know how to cure him. I was in PPP/ITM when it happened, all ready to manage an event at the Siswi college. I was Block 4’s president. As usual, I called home to ask how Tok Yah was because the last time I saw him that weekend he was in the hospital. I didn’t kiss him as usual coz I didn’t want to disturb him sleeping. No one seemed to be home. Maksu wasn’t home, my parents weren’t home and Pak Ngah was also not home. His daughter was home though and when I asked her on Tok Yah’s conditions, she said she didn’t know. I was mad at her. How could she not know how Tok Yah was. I called Wanteh’s house and her daughter picked up the phone. She cried even before I could ask her anything. My heart was thumping like crazy. The only house, which I didn’t call, was my grandparents’ house (it was weird as to why I didn’t call the house first). So I dialed the number and Ibu picked up the phone. She passed the phone to Ayah. Ayah told me to get a grip on myself and that Tok Yah had passed away. I couldn’t hear him anymore. Tears were rushing down my face. Without I realize it, I was wailing like mad at the public phone booth. Apparently Tok Yah had passed away for 3 days. My parents didn’t tell me because I was having my A-Level trial exam. Up till this day, I remember the event that happened surrounding his death like as if it was yesterday. I still cry whenever I remember it.

I think that’s just about it. There are a lot more, but I think I better stop it at that.

Now… whom do I wish to tag into doing this. I think it would have to be:
1. Yamm
2. Pah
3. Murni
4. Zha
5. Maie
6. Liny

As for the others tu, rasa diorang malas kot. BUT, if you want to, why not. I would truly appreciate it. If you don’t have a blog, just list your first of everything in the comment box. That’d be cool.

Those who have been tagged, hope to see your respond soon.