CNY Year of the Ox

Year of the Ox

So finally, the Ox has arrived. This is the year, I can withdraw my CPF and finally it dawn on me that I will have a few more years of working life left. Last year seem to zoom past me so quickly and I believe this year will be no different. My only wish is to stay healthy and the economic meltdown will dissipate as fast as summer comes, though I think this is farfetched, perhaps during summer in Australia.

The year of the Rat was inundated with so much negative news both locally and from the rest of the world. The world including Singapore will be facing the worst recession in 60 years. Nobody can escape the contagion of negative sentiment. As the statistics confirming recession streamed out from one country to another, reality finally sank in. No more state of denial and living on false hope. Now I just pray that the recession is “not too long”.

It will be a very worrisome years ahead. There just too many uncertainties in this world. We in Singapore just hope the major powers namely the US, Europe, Russia, China and India do not clash economically or politically. But with a new US government, somewhat testy relations with China can be anticipated as new US president certainly has to do some posturing. People said, when elephants fight, the grass get stampeded. Our three nearest neighbours will most likely be bogged down and consumed by domestic elections. I hope we do not become their bashing boys.

Today is Chinese New Year, and I am writing all these inauspicious staff. I know many adult celebrating this CNY felt some awkwardness and sense of trepidation. I know I am not in the minority.

As with every CNY, my parent say I will be one year older. When I was young, it’s a happy occasion because, it means I will have more freedom and do more things. Now that I am getting older means I have to think about retirement and worry about my health. Notably, my pair of legs has lost the vitality I used to have. On the positive note, I can enjoy and appreciate more of the simple things in life. My children are closer to the finishing line in term of education. I had fulfil most of my aspirations and don’t really yearn for any recognition, status or power. I am not perturbed by how other perceived me for what I wear, drive or use. I don’t need Mercedes and Rolex to make a statement.

Over the years, the first day of CNY begins with breakfast together. This was followed by photo taking with my family. First itinerary was to visit my brother Bobby and has lunch in his house. Then we visited my mum’s brother family in AMK. We returned home for a short rest and then we went to my In-Law house in Jurong West for dinner.
This has been my routines since I got married. We had steam boat for dinner. Tomorrow we will host my extended families as well as In-Laws and families.

-----------------------------living to see the world---------------------------------