Mdm Low grew up in a kampong with no running water, cooking over charcoal and reading by kerosene lamp. She watched her world change from wet markets to supermarkets, from cash to digital payments. Recently, standing at a hawker stall trying to scan a CDC voucher while people moved quickly around her, she felt that old, familiar feeling of catching up all over again. At 86, she is still learning, still adapting, one step at a time.
My name is Mdm Low, and I am 86 years old this year. I grew up in a kampong where life was simple. We lived in an attap house, used kerosene lamps at night, and cooked with charcoal. There was no running water in the early days, so we had to carry water home. Most of the time, we bought what we needed from small provision shops or the wet market.
In the 1960s and 1970s, my family moved into an HDB flat. Life became more convenient, with electricity, tap water, and proper kitchens. Over the years, I saw many changes from wet markets to supermarkets, and now to digital payments.
Recently, I experienced this change again when using CDC vouchers. At first, I found it confusing because everything had to be done on a phone. In the past, we only needed cash, and transactions were simple. Now, even buying food requires scanning and clicking.
The first time I used the voucher at a hawker stall, I was slow and unsure. People around me were moving quickly, and I felt a bit stressed trying to keep up. But after a few tries, I slowly became more familiar.
Singapore today is very fast-paced compared to the past. Although it is sometimes difficult to follow, I understand that change is part of life. Even at my age, I try my best to adapt, one step at a time.
Things are very different now, but I am glad I can still keep up in my own way.