Never did I expect that 1 year from my last day as an auditor, I would still be unemployed... By choice.
Many friends have commented that I've been lucky living life like a 太太, having no work and going for afternoon teas at whim. But life is no sunshine and butterflies with no income and lots of expenditure. There are many moments when I wallow in self-pity having no additional money to shop or do some extra-chio gelish on my finger tips like I used to. Yet, I count each moments that I never had with my family and friends as a blessing,
The past year saw many moments spent with my family which I'd never have a chance to if I was still working. It also saw a marriage strengthen as we spent more time together. Here are some of the highlights of the past 12 months:
1. Afternoon NTUC shopping with Mum & Dad followed by tea
Mum and Dad always end work by 4pm, which leaves them the rest of the afternoon to hang out at the supermarket and even have afternoon tea after that. I never had a chance to know my parent's routine until I started hanging out with them when I stopped working.
Happy moments shopping at the supermarket is priceless.
2. High-tea with Mum & Dad at "atas" places
For a man who loves his kopi compared to a latte, I love bringing Dad to see the world at "atas" places. Mum gets her share of high-teas whenever she goes with her friends, but it's still fun bringing them to places that youngsters go to these days.
Who would forget
the day at TCC by Keppel Bay.
3. Weekly marketing with Grandma at Toa Payoh Lor 1 and Lorong Ah Soo
Marketing with granny opened my eyes to the cheap hawker food at the markets. There was soya milk for $0.70 at Lor Ah Soo and delicious hokkien mee for $3 at Toa Payoh Lor 1.
Not to forget the
UGGLI MUFFIN where the stall uncle always gives me extra ones when I buy.
4. Spending more time with Grandpa
I'd never forget Grandpa carrying me and applying ointment for me after I just got caning from Mum for being naughty. I was about 5 years old then.When I was still in University and I casually told Grandpa that I wanted to eat ice-cream, he bought Magnum Ice-cream for me the next time I visited him. Grandpa was a thrifty man who mends his own shoes to save money from buying new ones, yet he spent $5 on a stick of ice-cream because the mini-mart owner told him that it was the best ice-cream for someone my age.
Grandpa and grandma saw me lesser when I started working and only visited them once every fortnight, compared to the weekly visits while I was still studying. And each time I only stayed for an hour compared to the hours I used to spend at their place. Even when I stopped working, more time was spent with Grandma as Grandpa still chose to involve himself in the family business despite his age.
When Grandpa was diagnosed with cancer early this year, I jumped at the opportunity to bring him for his chemotherapy sessions as it meant more time with him. Even though I had planned to start working this year, I shelved the plan as no money earned could replace the time spent with Grandpa.
Spending this huge amount of time with Grandpa is priceless.
5. Having a meal at the hawker with both my Grandparents for the 1st time
Not that my grandparents are snobs who don't eat at hawker. Instead, they are homely people who rather pack the food home to eat. Hence, imagine my joy sitting at the hawker eating with them both. I literally stared at them eat while smiling like an idiot.
6. Celebrating my birthday with both my Grandparents after 2 decades
It is something very simple, but for me... it is pure joy.
This is THE PHOTO OF THE YEAR!
7. Hanging out with cousin Christine for the 1st time after a decade
Hate it when time flies so much that my parents and grandparents age so much. Hate it too that kids are growing up so fast these days. Gone is the 8 year old I brought to the zoo and now, I have a 18 year old who is legal to even drink!
Who would have thought that
our day out would be so fun?
8. Getting back to our dating days.
The past 2 years at work haven't been the best for our relationship. I was stressed and constantly losing my patience with him as every little time to me was precious to be wasted. We used to spend hours on a meal, chatting about anything, yet it started to become a eat-and-go-home-ASAP matter.
On my last day of work, we finally sat down to eat for the longest time. I had nothing on my mind, no emails to haunt me, no rushing home to sleep because I was too tired. We finally could enjoy our moments together and be how we used to be when we started out.
Hence, if anyone would to ask why I had remained unemployed for the pat year considering the income loss that I suffer,. I'd still choose this route that I've taken, as each moment spent with my loved ones is too precious to trade it for any job in the world.
