This iron went all the way back to the 60s. She used to have 2 irons. The first one had a rooster on the cover. I think the first one was broken. This is the second one. I remember very well the one with the rooster. My mother was ironing my uniform till she fell asleep and knocked her head on the rooster.

Mr. Tan: I went to Zhong Zheng Secondary School when I was thirteen years old…wore white shirt and white shorts. The cloth they used to make the shorts was like those they used for army uniforms. It was much thicker…much more durable. But was very crumpled after washing. And then, you use starch and the iron. There were electrical irons in the past but my mother dared not use. She was afraid of being electrocuted. (Mr. Tan opened the iron cover and showed where to put the charcoal). This iron went all the way back to the 60s. She used to have 2 irons. The first one had a rooster on the cover. I think the first one was broken. This is the second one. I remember very well the one with the rooster. My mother was ironing my uniform till she fell asleep and knocked her head on the rooster. That’s my mother. She’s over 90 years old. I don’t think she remembers this incident…of her knocking her head on the iron. But I remembered well because she was hurt as a result. She did not go to the doctor. She doesn’t like going to the doctor. Even now, she refuses to go see the doctor. Isn’t my mother great? Madame Lim: The ironing board was a wooden plank, with a piece of cloth over. You put it on the floor. Mr. Tan: In the past, we used charcoal for cooking. Food cooked with charcoal is more fragrant, such as the Kong Bak, cooking slowly over charcoal. Soup as well…cooking slowly over charcoal. We still have the charcoal cooker. It’s outside the flat because we did not want to throw it away. We used it for cooking soup, for Kong Bak…but not anymore now. We use the slow cooker now instead. There was no specific time to iron the clothes. I don’t have that many sets of school uniform, so sometimes it took place in the early hours, when my pants could not dry. My uniform was the one that needed ironing. My mother made my uniform by herself, as she knew how to sew. In the past, most of us made our own things rather than buy from a shop. Madame Lim: Well, they were not electrical appliances. Mr. Tan: My mother has 11 children. So whenever we eat out, there are 5 tables. The Charcoal iron reminded me of my mother, and my childhood. Kids now have it easy. I have not shared the story of the charcoal iron with my children. Only to you…not even my wife until now. This is my story.

We were poor in the past. My neighbor had a television and we would go to their place to watch. They were very generous…their doors were unlocked and our 2 families could wander into each other’s homes. My mother was still very strong. She was born in 1935. I’ll ask her to come and meet you. Let’s take a photo of us together. You should smile! Be happy! Is the watermelon sweet! Of course it’s sweet! My mother said, “Don’t sell the charcoal iron”. We are Hokkien folks. You can speak Hokkien to my mother. She knows Japanese language too. She learned it during the occupation period. You remember you knocked your forehead on the rooster? Madame Png: Never mind. It’s OK. Yes, I remember ironing his pants. Mr. Tan: In the past, we spent our leisure time watching the television and listening to Rediffusion. It’s over there. On the wall. Madame Lim: This is the newer version. The older one is squarish and bigger. Mr. Tan: Her mother listened to Rediffusion by herself too. She lived to a 100 before she passed away. I followed the martial arts stories on Rediffusion. When it is time for the program, we will all listen and enjoy. Would you want to sell the charcoal iron? Madame Png: It’s so old already…who would want it? Mr. Tan: Of course they will want. You want to sell? Madame Lim: Will we sell if someone wants it? Mr. Tan: Of course we are not selling. Can’t sell! Madame Png: I did not buy the iron. It was specially made to order. Costs $10. Mr. Tan: That’s a lot of money during that time. There was a metal shop in Arab Street that made this. Madame Png: When the electric iron broke down, I will use this charcoal iron. Mr. Tan: She can still mend her clothes and wash her own clothes. She is very independent. After surgery on her eye, she could see much better. In the past, she would walk from Whampoa to Chinatown. Took her a couple of hours. Now she takes the bus using her Pioneer card. She’ll eat anything. She’s very perculiar with her food. She loves Bird’s nest…Essence of Chicken.