a place unchanged in 35 years
ang mo kio swimming complex
vibrant in my youth
or at least in my memories
the place looks tired now
but still hopeful
I watch my 7 year old daughter
treading water
so much more confident than myself at that age
and see her chatting with another pint sized girl while waiting for the coach to tell them what to do
she makes friends wherever she goes
swimming class, gymnastics, dance class, karate class.
the pool was always a place of excitement for me
also embarrassment, as I recall how I wore my swimsuit back to front unfamiliar with the crossing over straps
and my innocent mother trying to send me in swim aged 4 in just shorts
arguing with the instructor
but she's just a small girl
amidst the shades of red these memories bring
I recall some happy spots
a friend I too had
karina
who would do amazing somersaults in the water and walk on her hands while I oohed and applauded by the side
the stone diving steps still overlook the water, I've stood on them but can't remember being brave enough to leap from them them
now I sit at the broad grandstand structure with just 4 rows. Singapore was smaller then!
and note the the red bricked facade of the pool and the green hedges that actually as a wall
pools then for me were bright red walls
brown grandstands
Blue Water
and off white diving boards
and those little triangular flags
strung across the pool.
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