How I learned how to float

When I was studying in a teachers’ college, I joined the swimming club. Not knowing anything about swimming, I started off with floating. My college mates supported me while I was made to lie horizontally on the surface of the water in the Penang Club’s swimming pool. It was my first lesson at floating. With their support, I was floating all the while. However when they let go of their hands, I was sinking and they had to help me out of the water.

It was only during the second lesson that I managed to float. My college mates cheated on me without me knowing it. Although their hand had left my body, yet they said that they were still supporting me. Finally I realized that I could float. From then on, I tried a few times and managed to float after being taught the tricks, that is to lie with the head slightly bent backwards and felt relaxed as well as thinking that I was sleeping on my bed. In this position and the right state of mind, I was able to float. Though I have not been to a swimming pool for years, I think I can still float.

Mum Spoke to Me in Malay

On fine morning in December 1971, I received a letter from the Ministry of Education directing me to go for medical examination. Soon I was formally accepted as a trainee teacher in Malayan Teachers College.

The first week was orientation week. It was a very tight schedule. In the morning, we had to march round the field. Games with the seniors were held in the afternoon. Night time was spent listening to lecturers about course structures or attending a ball. The seniors must have purposely held the dance parties so that they could dance with the juniors.

Throughout the orientation, all directions and instructions were in Malay. Not a single session was done using English. One night, one strange thing happened to me. My mother was talking to me in Malay in my dream as she had never spoken in that language! The effect of the day must have taken its toll on me at night.

This is the experience that I can recall until now.