VOICE OF A YOUNG MOTHER IN SINGAPORE

[pirate]

This grandma also knows how to pull a fast one. As far as I can tell, penicillin, television, FM radio broadcasts, electric typewriters and ball-point pens were all commercially available before 1952. No wonder sometimes the young don't believe us. :skeptical:

[wonderm]

slmkhoo:

MR06:

:faint:


http://i49.tinypic.com/2mxqul1.jpg\">

Sorry, was that an explanation? This not-yet-grandma can't see because it's too small!

Can see but still catch no ball because it is not an explanation. Luckily it seems I am not the only one who needs a \"more obvious explanation\".

[Harlequin]

Howard Hughes flew his \"Spruce Goose\", a H4 Harlecules Aircraft made from wood, in 1947..... after he built Huges H1 Racer, a racing aircraft in 1935....


So, I wonder what was 1952 like? May be there were lesser \"Howard Hughes\" alike among us to beat...so life was easier and happier :?

Edit to add on:- H4 Hercules- built from wood because of wartime restrictions on the use of aluminum and concerns about weight.... it is the largest flying boat ever built and has the largest wingspan of any aircraft in history.

[sharonkhoo]

pirate:

This grandma also knows how to pull a fast one. As far as I can tell, penicillin, television, FM radio broadcasts, electric typewriters and ball-point pens were all commercially available before 1952. No wonder sometimes the young don't believe us. :skeptical:

Well, it depends on whether you are talking about Singapore or the whole world? I believe TV only reached Singapore in 1963. Not sure about the other items. And it depends on circumstances too - although colour TV apparently reached Singapore in 1973, my family only got a colour TV in 1979, and my husband's family even later.

[Harlequin]

The author mentioned dime and gallon, thus my conclusion is it's referring to the USA.

[sharonkhoo]

Harlequin:

The author mentioned dime and gallon, thus my conclusion is it's referring to the USA.

Now you mention it, that's true. I had forgotten. I still wonder what the relation to this discussion is? I know I do a lot of the 'When I was your age...' to my kids, but that's just to show them that change is a given and they mustn't get lazy and allow themselves to get into a rut.

[wonderm]

slmkhoo:

Harlequin:

The author mentioned dime and gallon, thus my conclusion is it's referring to the USA.

Now you mention it, that's true. I had forgotten. I still wonder what the relation to this discussion is? I know I do a lot of the 'When I was your age...' to my kids, but that's just to show them that change is a given and they mustn't get lazy and allow themselves to get into a rut.

Haha, when I do that to my kids, it is to show them how fortunate they are, so they don't take things for granted (esp when it refers to the better school prog they have now). So same story, different lessons to be drawn?

[Harlequin]

wonderm:

slmkhoo:

[quote=\"Harlequin\"]The author mentioned dime and gallon, thus my conclusion is it's referring to the USA.

Now you mention it, that's true. I had forgotten. I still wonder what the relation to this discussion is? I know I do a lot of the 'When I was your age...' to my kids, but that's just to show them that change is a given and they mustn't get lazy and allow themselves to get into a rut.

Haha, when I do that to my kids, it is to show them how fortunate they are, so they don't take things for granted (esp when it refers to the better school prog they have now). So same story, different lessons to be drawn?[/quote]

When I was visiting the Forbidden City at Beijing... the only lingering thought was-- Mine! How lucky I am!!..... imagine the Emperors had to sleep without any airconditioning, with subzero temperature in the winters and the scorching summers... How crippling the Emperors were without motorized vehicle in the v-a-s-t palace... Each time he has to summon for someone and when he wants to have a word with him....the list goes on... If only these Emperors knew how we live our lives today!

So, I learnt better to embrace all competition for it bring forth a better life.

(This is my 4yo girl's favorite bedtime \"story\".... She practically asked all that she could asked about how the Emperors and their households manage their lives in those days of pre-tech era... and her conclusion is, the BEST time is now, and that she is heavenly fortunate!)

[sharonkhoo]

wonderm:

slmkhoo:

Now you mention it, that's true. I had forgotten. I still wonder what the relation to this discussion is? I know I do a lot of the 'When I was your age...' to my kids, but that's just to show them that change is a given and they mustn't get lazy and allow themselves to get into a rut.

Haha, when I do that to my kids, it is to show them how fortunate they are, so they don't take things for granted (esp when it refers to the better school prog they have now). So same story, different lessons to be drawn?

I don't always feel that my kids are more fortunate than I was, actually. With fewer possessions, choices and distractions, life was actually simpler. Now I see them struggling with too many gadgets and games, too many phone calls and messages, too many calls on their time, too many choices... it's tougher in many ways. Also, because we have lived overseas for most of their lives, they've had more changes and less stability and continuity than I had, so that's tough too.

[concern2]

MR06:

:faint:


http://i49.tinypic.com/2mxqul1.jpg\">

:? ..... :scratchhead: ......