I’m back, in more ways than one, and it ain’t necessarily good…
Well, Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls,
I am back – more or less – after pulling a disappearing act for close to half a year.
“What have you been up to?” you ask.
“Well, nothing much,” I reply,
Except going through a hell of a ride.
But for starters…
I am “Back” in Real Estate
Just about half a year ago – at the get-go in the beginning of this year (that will be 2025 in case this website lasts) – I smugly declared a clean break with real estate, after dipping my toes in and out of the industry since 2005.
Please refer to my previous post if you don’t know what I am talking about.
Well, guess what?
I am back in real estate, not that I had done anything significant with it in the previous run/s, and not that I expect to do anything with my licence in the future either.
A traumatic, life-changing event that triggered a series of other traumatic, life-changing events convinced me that EVERYTHING in life deserves a second look, and a SECOND chance.
We don’t just amputate a body part just because it ain’t perfect – that’s no way to treat body parts, and that’s no way to treat humans.
In the same way, my relationship with real estate and the people in there ain’t perfect.
So I am back, with my favourite licence and business cards, and that’s probably where the buck stops.
But I am ok – because only God knows what tomorrow holds.
I will just bask in the glory of the licence and business cards then.
I am Bald Again!
Beyond backtracking on my earlier decision to call it a day in real estate, I also reversed an earlier decision to grow out my hair.
For as far as I remember, I have not had much luck with hair.
According to my so-called friends from a long distant past, I have always had a problem of a receding hairline.
This friend of mine had very luscious hair for a guy. He was frequently slated to be the Alpha male of our group, with protruding teats to boot, accompanied by a lot of brawns and absolutely no brains.
He was always first to point out that I had a receding hairline, whenever the opportunity arose.
Well, a superior at work would always point out an opposing viewpoint – that I had a high forehead, not a receding hairline, and that people with high foreheads are smart, and should be listened to.
I don’t care two hoots whether mine is a case of an early onset of alopecia, or if I was indeed innately smart.
Since hair had not much hope with me, I would just shave it off.
So I now look like this (again):
Until I successfully grow out the hair, of course.
I Now Teach at Stalford Academy
Since February or so, I have been teaching at Stalford Academy.
In so many ways, this is really so sad.
I have made it a lifelong aim to escape from teaching, but now, it does seem I am more entrenched in the profession than ever.
The silver lining here is that ALL of the students are from China.
Those close to me will know I have a natural weakness for, and affinity with, those from China.
Not just because I am Chinese.
Already, 75.9% of the resident Singaporean population are Chinese. Just because I am one Chinese out of the many Chinese doesn’t mean that I will definitely love and welcome those from China.
But I also know, once these China students of mine master English, they will conquer the world.
Which is what I always tell them:
中国人只要学好英语就能称霸天下。
So guys at Stalford Academy: please work hard.
And me? I have to work harder.
But my energies are dwindling and I will probably need to take a backseat from at least the way I teach – soon.
But I always strive to make a contribution when I can.
So Godspeed!
Everything Comes to an End
One thing I have come to realise this year, is that everything comes to an end.
There is no pushing, there is no pulling, when your time runs out, it runs out.
Reminds me of these few lines from Shakespeare, from Act 5 Scene 5 in Macbeth:
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
We all hope to signify something; I hope to signify something, but from the way I see it, we really have not much choice over it huh?
Right now, I only have memories.
Till the next time, friends (I hope you are one).
