The places he took me to are not well known Malaysian historical spots but indeed have been accompanying him since he was young. It all started where the place he is working now, Salak South Market.
This place has been accompanying him for the last 7 years after they re-furnished the old market he used to work. He has been a butcher for more than 30 years and the market has left him all sorts of memory which he highly treasures."This is a place where I meet my friends everyday. There are customers who comes to the market everyday and gradually we became friends. We talk about everything, from politics to family issue and sometimes we even gossip," He giggled as the told me.
As we step into the market, a security guard came to us because the place was close by that time but Mr. Yee's appearance surprised him. They have known each other for a long time and as they meet, they kept non-stop chatting.
As I requested them to take a picture together, Mr. Security Guard was camera shy so I only manage to take a candid shot of them.
"Gerai Khinzir" is the stall where Mr. Yee works. He told me, "Everyday early in the morning at 5am I'll have to leave the house for work. When arriving the market, the sun has not even rise. This routine has been practicing for years."I asked him, "Isn't it tiring? But all your children has grown up, why do you still insist working so hard everyday?"
He smiled at me and answer, " I'm used to waking up early. My children are all grown up but they have their own career and family to take care of. They won't have much time to spend with me. Coming to work makes me feel happy, I enjoy seeing my friends at the market, we talk and we chat., and sometimes have tea at a nearby coffee shop. When you learn to enjoy, you won't feel that the work is hard anymore."
I was amazed with his answer and I sincerely respect him for such thinking.
Next, we proceed to the Residence Hall at Salak South Village. This hall was build about approximately 10 years ago. Even Mr. Yee couldn't recall how long was it. This is the place where the residents of the village held events and gatherings.
Before Mr. Yee left the village and stayed at Sri Petaling, he has always been attending functions held at the Residence Hall and he loves the atmosphere of people from the same neighborhood gathers together.
"It is happy when you see your neighbors and friends gather together to have fun. Sometimes they have this karaoke sessions for the old folks and I actually took part too! All the laughter filled in the hall is what I missed the most. All my memories here relate to people I care and I love." He said.
What he said reminds me how my residential area used to have gatherings and parties where the women from different units prepare food and the men will help out setting up the place. As for the kids like me, will run around chasing here and there with kids from other units. We always have parties on occasions like Mookcake festival, World Cup Final, charity carnival and etc. But as time passes, people who I know moves out and new people comes in, slowly this tradition is no longer practice by the residents from the same apartment as I am. I miss those days.
Later on, we proceed to our last station where Mr. Yee stayed since he was 10 years old. It used to be a wooden house located in Salak South Village and now is refurnished. His sister is now staying there with her family.
"This house has been here for so long. We were poor at that time, my dad worked as a factory worker and my mother was a house wife. I have 5 brothers and 3 sisters and my youngest sister is staying here now. You could have imagine how big our age gap could be, I'm 66 years old but she is old 45 years old." Mr. Yee told me.
"What memories did this place left for you which makes you felt emotional about", I asked him.
"This is the place I grew up, where I used to spend happy times with my siblings playing around and have fun. We always liked to play with the stray dogs, especially puppies. We will feed and play with them and thiswill just simply make our day!'
"The last memories of my parents were also left here before the left us and to honour them , my siblings and I insist this house will remain here and pass down from generation to generation. My parents worked very hard to bring us up and I love them very much."
It almost made me teared after listening to Mr. Yee. The love and passion in him touches my heart. I could feel how he treasures all the beautiful memory left by his parents. As the eldest in the family, he maintained a good relationship with his family and siblings. He believes a happy family brings luck and happiness.
Mr. Yee spoke to me in chinese, "I am only a butcher as my life may not be as exciting as others but I appreciate my life. As time goes by, the memory from the past plays a important role. Coming back to these places really brings me back in time and memories are all flashing back. Some are happy, some are pain, but they are all indeed bits and pieces of my life."
These words makes me appreciate my life more. It is not important how exciting that your life is, is how you view you life counts. I used to think my life is dull and boring but I've changed my perception. I can live a colourful life too, as long I work for it.
After the interview with Mr. Yee, I understood that emotional memories are not necessary in extreme painful or exciting places. A emotional journey brings you to a place where your heart is emotionally linked to it, and it leaves memories which you will never forget.
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