Ex-boss

I wasn't always in the education industry.

Years back, in another life, I was in the insurance industry. At 23, fresh out of university, my first job was as a Marketing Services Offier at  Malaysia British Assurance Bhd. It's now called Allianz. As starter jobs go, it was okay. We were recruited to service banks and companies who were already clients, and our KPIs were to make sure we don't lose them, and, grow the portfolio. I got bored after awhile. 

Still, I will never forget Jimmy Ng. My ex-boss. My first boss. And he was a really good boss. I recently met up with him at his club. 20 years we lost touch and he still looks the same. Still got hair.

Can you believe this guy? He's 66 this year. You got to wonder what he's taking.

I spent about six months under his tutelage, then went off to work in the Penang branch. Can never thank him enough. The six years I was in insurance, I couldn't find anyone else who could hold a candle to him. Great mentor.

Thank you Jimmy.

I'm home

I've come home. Happy happy happy.

I have been in Kuching for 17 years.

Got married, had my three darling kids, and found a job that I love. Some wonderful times, some difficult times. But no matter how difficult, I am grateful for those years away. Grateful that I have my lovelies, grateful that I have learnt much, grown much. Grateful that God has put in my path people from whom I drew strength.

But now I am home.

My kids are happy. And I am happy. Every weekend there is something to do, somewhere to go. And my mum! Me thinks she thinks I'm still a baby. She's been keeping tabs on me, that woman. One day she's telling me to come home early. Another day she's chiding me on the shorts I wear. And every week, she makes it a point to bring over home-cooked food. Groan... Mum! I'm in my forties, for goodness sake! But you know, I can't begrudge her for fussing so. Mothers la kan. And she's probably making up for the 17 years of missed opportunity. I so love her.

My dad too. Every time he comes over, he finds something to fix. He has so far replaced all my door locks, changed the toilet seats, changed the lights, and fixed whatever the kids wanted fixed. Dear dear Kongkong.

Sometimes I sit back and think how strange that life has come a complete circle. I remember leaving home at 19 years old, all ready to explore the world and prove my super independence. And went all the way to New Zealand, without knowing a single person there. For four years, I studied when I felt like it, and worked when I needed money. Which was a perpetual thing really. I loved the freedom. Nobody cared what I did.

Fast forward 23 years later, I'm home. The phone's ringing, and it's my mum asking if I had eaten, what did I eat, what did the kids eat.

Home sweet home.