My New Working Life
I believe my parents have a great impact on me on my work ethics, and my mom specifically on my drive to lead a contributing life. In her latest letter addressed to her siblings and her children about her semi-retirement plan, I was touched by her passion in living fruitfully. My mom has a 20 years career as a translator. Running the risk of being corrected, here is my first attempt of translating her chinese letter to English.
~ the letter titled : My new working life ~
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I just celebrated my 65th birthday. Moving forward I realize that I need to reduce my working hours and to make time for leisure and entertainment. Hence I resigned from my current position of a full time chief librarian of Chung Hwa Middle School to work half time starting from next year. I shall be assisting in the library operations for 3 days a week
I graduated in 1964 from the then Nanyang University. In this 43 years of my working life I had experienced 3 different jobs; initially as a teacher, then a translator and in the latest stage of my career life, a librarian. Of all 3 jobs, I found teaching being the hardest and it lasted for only 5 years. Hence I have upmost respect for great teachers. Being a managing librarian is the most satisfying and fulfilling of all the 3 jobs I had. However the one job that gave me the most enriching life experiences and the financial well-being to raise my children was the 20 over years as a translator.
I am extremely lucky l to have the chance to experience 3 different career paths. All of them brought me great joy and upmost satisfaction. It is my wish to continue living meaningfully regardless whether it is a full-time or half-time jobs. In this respect, I feel utterly blessed to always have the support and encouragement of my 2nd sister.
To my dearest brothers and sisters who are still working, I wish you enjoy every moment of your working life. Do handle it calmly and steadily when you are faced with difficulties.
Wishing all great successes in their career, and good health
Sincerely yours
Sook Chen
21/12/2007
What if HDB flats can talk
Today when I walked towards my sisters' place and passed the many HDB flats, I wonder if the flats can talk like the talking trees in LORT, what will they be possibly eavesdropping - the 7 months bonus of the civil servants, the complaints about the space age public bus stop benches, a young parents worrying about their child's kindergarten or an old couple worried about the rising cost. May be neither of this at all. May be they just unconditionally shelter the majority of Singapore population in the best they can and tolerate the many cosmetic face lift that the residents have imposed on them.
Ice cream sandwich
It is after Christmas now but Orchard Road is still as crowded as was 10 days ago. Along the boulevard, at every 20 steps away is a mobile ice cream peddlar. I noticed the hottest selling iteam is a kind of ice cream sandwich - a rectangluar cut ice cream sandwiched between a piece sliced bread of rainbow colours. While everything in the city is way more expensive compared to KL, ice cream sandwich is a reasonable 1 Sin dollar.
The Famous Five and their Mom
I was sleeping in the guest room where there were lots of shelves storing our old family albums and books and pictures. This is a picture taken in one of those usual afternoons when we joined our dad for a jog at the nature's park about 20 minutes walk away from our home. There was a waterfall in this park but the local named this park "Tasik". Wondering why they don't called it "Air Terjun".
Merry Xmas
Wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ! A tree that illuminates the warmth of motherly love, waiting for us cheerfully when my sister and I arrived at our parents' home in Batu Pahat. We are not Christians but we like Christmas for its festive atmosphere and the feeling of hope and togetherness. There was no big Christmas feast but Mom as usual, present her famous curry chicken
Cat's Life
Max does nothing the whole day, except sleep, pooped, taking wind and chomping his cat cookies.
The untouched beauty
I was surprised to find such a traditional Malay house admist the metropolitan city of Singapore. Located about 50 steps away from my sister's apartment, I admired this beautiful traditional beauty while sipping my teh tarik. I noticed the bird cage and the shady mango tree. A while later, an old man with sarong came out to tend the flower beds.
As the Time stood still
The mime artists outside Paragon Orchard Road
Life immitates Art ?
Life immitates Art or the other way around?
Impressionist City of Singapore
Christmas carol, holiday shoppers, street performers, Philipino maids and tourists brought the hustle and bustle to Orchard Road, forming a collage of festive and merry making.
Chili Crab, anyone ?
Sister J suggested to have crab at Little Red House at Change for dinner. This gravy is heavenly when dipped with fried bun. Yummy
My bus driver
My bus to Singapore departed at 4pm. I am heading to the island country to attend a coaching workshop to upgrade my skill. Taking a bus proved to be a convenient and more economical alternative than flying. There was refreshments and sandwiches from Deli France served along the trip. We stopped briefly at Pagoh for a pee stop. I was amazed with the upmarket interior deco of Pagoh Rest Stop food court. I think it looks like a food court in the upmarket shopping mall.
Me the Gentleman Cat
This is Max, my sister's flat faced Persian cat. He is aloof, collect and with an air of arrogance. When come to photo time, he showed me his nose.
