Decor of relatives’ homes we visited were almost same as the previous year. The most obvious difference visually is that the aunts and uncles are older, the kids bigger, taller. I am glad my 3 sons are looking forward and feel excited to visiting relatives….their motivation comes from the red packets collect from the seniors.

My eldest son Robin, never expected to meet aunts and uncles younger than him. This relative, we didn’t visit for more than 4 years. Some of my husband’s cousins are teenagers younger than my sons. Chinese has the tradition to address each person’s seniority, some titles like 2nd uncle, 3rd aunt but not so simple and in dialect, depend on maternal or paternal side. Sad to say we begin to lose roots of our dialect, we don’t know how to call. The children giggled at the strange fact that aunts and uncles may not be definitely someone older than them.

My kids envy me very much because of the size of my red envelope Marc and other bosses gave me. When I was a kid, I gave all my red packet money to my mother….

There’s another lesson we can learn, too, from that resourceful little ant I mentioned at the start of the chapter. That lesson is to keep your goals flexible.

When that ant encountered something he was incapable of climbing over, he didn’t just keep walking straight into it again and again, hitting his head, without changing direction. He shifted course, found another way around – and kept his journey on track.

There is a lesson to be learned in that, about the way we set our life goals and pursue them. I’ve noticed that people who accomplish a great deal know better than to keep hitting their heads against the same high obstacles. They know that life goals are adaptable. They can change.

Positive change is not always comfortable, More often than not, it requires breaks in routines and familiar ways. Here are some statements I’ve heard from people who have encountered obstacles in their pat – and who are finding their way around:

I’ve been out of work for nearly a year. Even when I think I’ve found a job that I could handle quite capably, I just don’t get excited about it – and that lack of enthusiasm shows when I go in to interview. I think it’s time for something new.

I thought I wanted to work in the legal profession, but I’m finding myself called to do something different with my life.

My parents always wanted me to excel as a classical pianist, and I tried. I think I’m destined go find my happiness in another kind of work – although it might disappoint them.

Obstacles come in many shapes and sizes – and they can suddenly appear in many places in our lives. In most cases, they are really valuable signs hat our goals and ambitions are not serving us as well as they once did.

More and more today, I encounter people who are empowering themselves to make midcareer changes and transformations – often involving considerable risk and sacrifice. The growth they achieve is usually greater than they could have realized by remaining stuck in repetitive patterns – another name for “ruts” – that were no longer moving their lives forward.

I know one worman who snjoyed a successful career as an executive for several decades, but who then became a teacher. She described this change as her “new lease on life.” And I know a man who went the other way. He left the teaching profession and became an executive at an advertisement agency, He, too, is elated at his life change.

As Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote, “One thing I’ve found out about his life is this. It’s not so much where we stand, but in what direction we’re moving.”

What a profound, yet simple thought.

Embrace change, When we do, and the change is the right one, it’s like having the wind at our backs, filling us with strong energy. We can move our lives ahead again with confidence, and our lives become renewed and refreshed.

Procrastination has its repercussion. Tasks which were left undone came to haunt me: Marc emailed to me about my ex-boss’ Bertrand’s driving license.

Bertrand’s driving licence was lost during the time of his relocation. So when he came to Singapore in June, he applied for a replacement personally at Traffic Police Division at Ubi Ave.

The license was sent to Marc’s home by registered post twice but because Marc’s family and domestic helper were out of town, postman made 2 deliveries in vain.

Marc gave me the reminder slips from SingPost and Bertrand’s passport copy but I didn’t act on it quickly. Now I realized how stupid of me to sit on it when I could complete the task in few minutes saving me from the agony.

I was in the class when Marc asked about this again. So I sms Serena to scan the docs and email to me. Although I don’t like my Blackberry to come into the picture, this time I have no choice as I want to get things done.

I called Singpost to check whereabout of the registered article. It was sent back to traffic police on 2 aug, long before Marc passed me the registered article reminder slips to follow up.

I replied email to Marc and Bertrand, apologize for not acting fast. I told them actions I intend to take and ask Bertrand for an authorised letter which he asked his PA to do.

FRIDAY, 26 AUG 2011

Morning before lesson, Goh drove me to Traffic Police Division at Ubi. I didn’t expect any positive outcome, thinking if I know where the licence is, I can consider myself lucky already.

Traffic Police Div opens at 8.30am. This means I would be late for class. Anyway, it’s the only way because it closes at 5pm (I can’t make it) Tomorrow is public holiday. I also want to settle the things quickly.

I was the first “customer” of the day according to the queue number.

The lady in late-40s attended to me was called Ms Winnie Lai. I explained to her why I was there and showed her the document in soft copy (the email in blackberry). She said she couldn’t accept soft copy like this.
Moreover, it’s so small she couldn’t see.

She asked me to show her the Employment pass number. As Bertrand is PR, his licence is in NRIC. I didn’t have a copy. I quickly called Serena in the office asking her to scan the ic copy in my pink file which she did. The officer, Winnie Lai then retrieved record from the system.

While she was doing it, I engaged her in some small talk. She asked me who was Bertrand related to me and why I did so much for him. I told her that Bertrand is my ex-boss. Even though he had already relocated, I will still be his representative in Singapore doing errands for him.

She got Bertrand’s driving licence from one of the many envelopes placed behind her.

Winnie then said in Chinese I’m a very good person “ni de ren hen hao” (Haha! I was flattered). To my surprise, she passed me a small slip of paper asking for my name and phone number, saying when she goes travelling she wants to call me. I was so shocked.

I gave her my name card.

I also asked her name and when I said I wanted to send feedback about her, she pointed the feedback form at the side of her table. Of course, I wrote good things: Ms Winnie Lai has gone the extra mile to accommodate to my request when I collect ex-boss driving licence despite no hardcopies are available.

It sounds so bizzare, from a stern-faced officer to a new friend. The main thing is – I got what I want.

What a wonderful experience.

Although I don’t know whether she will contact me, the outcome is fantastic and unexpected.

I believe I made her day too. I think I made her feel important.

During lunch hour at SIM Library, I was trying to get a photocopy of driving licence for record. Because I would send by DHL from my home in the evening. Then at library, I realized that cash card is needed. I only have ezlink. The librarian Shida photocopied for me, free-of-charge. In one day, I completed 2 feedback forms to compliment staff customer service.

I also thank Serena for helping me. I am lucky because my husband is on leave today. I was very late, then stuck in traffic jam at PIE, bottle-neck at Braddell Road and near Farrer Road. Arrived at 9.45am.

I shared this story with my course-mates and we had a good laugh. They said I can be a MediaCorp actor. But I was stating the facts and didn’t make up stories. What I did was to get empathy from Ms Winnie Lai and Ms Shida. I have to say I am thick-skin lah! Can blare out mushy sentences many people dare not to say, lower myself and make the other party feel important.

Good karma. Law of reciprocrity. Law or attraction….whatever you call it.

This is a slide in the parenting talk regarding self-esteem I took photo on 5 March at my sons’ school Maris Stella High School and bring home.

I remembered the parents were asked why one needs to study hard.

I think the principles basically applies to everyone. Replace the word with “Why I want to succeed in life”, “Why I want to win that medal”, “Why I want to…..”Fill in the blanks.

I told my husband, “I need a rest. I am tired. Children need us. We want to go to your mum’s house” as reason why I don’t want to go China Square. This weekend there is a toy and collectible fair at Suntec City. I think it’s just a waste of time to proceed business at China Square Central just to “please” the “few little cats” (literally translate from chinese xiao3 mao1 ji3 zhi1).

It was hard to persuade him to forego a day’s of earnings. To let go is not so easy. One man show is difficult. We need about one hour to put and the display and one hour to keep. In the end, he listens.

Gone fishing today…

I took a nap. When I woke up for lunch, I told all at home that I felt I had not slept for one hundred years. It’s a good time to do housekeeping of emails from blackberry and look at pictures I took in the past – then I saw this one. I also read a book which I bought long time ago, at Popular Bookshop at SIM using the discount vouchers issued SIM Members Day.

I missed the event this year

Perhaps you are questioning yourself: am I doing the right thing? I regret that I didn’t work hard when I was …..”

Life is a series of problem-solving situations. The success or failure of our lives depends on how effectively we meet and solve whatever problem lies before us. As some wise person once said, there are no simple problems after kindergarten.

Success is most likely when we make just one resolution, focus on it alone, and patiently give it plenty of time.

Decide to adopt a positive attitude
Resolve to be kind in all circumstances
Refuse to give up despite all obstacles
Leave the past behind and move on

You can meet me and my family at Changi Village Basketball Court on most Saturday evenings.
Sunday 11am to 5pm, we will be at China Square Central.
15-19 August, we will be at National Technological University (NTU) Canteen B.

Tell your friend about us.