June Holidays, 1993
I was in secondary 2. With the exams over, I was looking forward to play time. But my buddy Mahathir had a different idea. I never asked where he gets his “lobang” from, but he suggested that we get a vacation job in Arnold’s Fried Chicken, Woodlands branch. I don’t remember rejecting the idea, but i must have thought that it’s a good idea since we can get money and stuff. Can’t remember what i used the money for anyway, but the memories working there are here to stay.
I had a hand in preparing the chicken from breading to frying (it’s just a 2-steps process, actually). That was quite straight forward, but I had more of a challenge preparing that ice kachang. Manual work is not really my forte, so I fumbled a lot with the ice shavings. Arnold’s has also taught me a very important life skill that I used till today at every buffet. I’m talking about the art of snowballing the ice-cream off the tube with the steel scoop to top-off the ice kachang. The toughest part of the job? Closing time, coz it’s time to clean up and the place would be a huge mess.
The most frustrating part of the job is the mealtime. Much to my disbelief, the meal entitlement for staff is limited to fries, coleslaw and buns on top of any drinks – that means NO CHICKEN. Can you believe that? But someone told me that it could be helped – just get your own raw chicken. The seasoning flour is free for consumption. Cook it and it’s yours! I’ve seen someone do that before. But i remembered being pretty contented with the fries, coleslaw and bun with bandong combo. I could have virtually as much as I want 
. Maybe I couldn’t afford the chicken back then.
So I bade goodbye to the job after the June holidays are over. Arnold’s Fried Chicken remains to be the darling of my gut to this day, but frankly, I prefer to be the consumer rather than the crew. It’s quite a loss to society that Arnold’s have to close down their branch at Woodlands Central. That spot is now taken up by Sheng Shiong supermarket, and it doesn’t look like it’s closing down anytime soon like many outlets before it. A&W used to be at the spot too. I wonder if there’s such thing as an alumni at Arnold’s, maybe I could get a preferred rate or something. I don’t mind being Arnold’s ambassador or mascot at all if the opportunity comes, hur hur hur..
Anyway, hope to hear from you soon and take care. Don’t forget to write!
