Life in Tiong Bahru [ Pt. I ]
It seems like whenever a big turning point comes knocking in my life, I tend to shy away from friends and my acquaintance. Could I be hiding any sign of weakness? Or I just want to avoid answering too many questions. Anyway, I didn't shut off myself from anyone because I was depressed nor was I trying to evade any questioning. I was just too engrossed in job searching in Singapore. And trying to keep myself focussed on some other matters as well.
Everything else is good except one single hurdle I've to breakthrough. These days it is more difficult for a foreigner to start his first job in Singapore, especially when he has no experience in the industry, no Permanent Residence nor has he had any formal or partial education here. It is made worse, when recently, there is this regulation whereby if a person quits a job too frequently, or too early for another job, he may have difficulties getting a work permit the next time. With that, now I not only have to pick the right one for job advancement later in the years, I also have to make sure the pay package is good enough for 2 years, for me to send home at least some money to pay for my laptop installment. I'll set aside S$500 for that purpose. Next comes lodging. I will not stay at Ben's place for too long to avoid any form of friction with any of his family members. I want to maintain a good impression with them. So far, after more than 3 weeks here, things have been going well so I count my blessings.
It seems like I might be heading for a good direction now. At least those phone calls from prospective employers and the second interview I'm to attend next Monday sounded promising to the point where I am convinced because I was told by one interviewing manager of a company I applied to, that if I manage it like I did in the first interview, I'd should have no problem sealing it with the "boss BOSS".
On Sunday, Ben and I decided to take a good walk around Tiong Bahru, after a filling lunch at the temporary food square near the Tiong Bahru MRT station. While at that, both of us, equipped with our tools; he with his Nikon D2H and I with his Nikon D70, took a long, intensive walk in the quiet but charming Tiong Bahru neighbourhood, discovering quaint but no less interesting subjects before finally adjourning our walk in Chinatown. Can you believe that? *winks*
Along the way, we came across brightly painted benches at a ball court, an injured pigeon taking a stroll, some life among the hedge and weeds, and some cats though I only took interest in one of them. We often overlook the beauty of things that surrounds us. They may be little things, ugly things, or just a big, old furniture. Some of these things have life. A history they have been through. A journey, never one could have imagined. Pre-production. Reproduction. Abuse. Love. Competition. Replacement. Decay. Scrap. They are all part of a cycle of life we are connected to in ways greater than the routine things you do every day. I understand there is this movie about the theory of "relativity". It started from someone killing a rat or something. And when the rat was disposed, it led to something else.. a chain reaction! Now, what's my point. I don't know. This confused, clueless ideologist just knocked off the theory of "relativity". *grins*
