Retirement activities

I have been working at my "old " job on a new contract for a week . It does feel a bit odd though . I felt like I am a newbie on the job in many ways. It is a job that I have been most adept at . Yet , the feeling of the newness did not escape me. All my colleagues are the same; they treat me the same way. The place is the same. I know it is me. But, it does require getting used to the feeling that you are on a time limit.

Many of my classmates are not working anymore at this age. Fifty six , to me is still a very young age to stay at home & not contribute to society. I guess they have other ways to do so , & to their own satisfaction. Doing charity work , learning a new skill , having fellowships with friends , starting a hobby are some of the activities I have in mind. These are some of the things I am already doing. May be, add church work which I have put off for some time.

My job gives me a lot of satisfaction. I am happy to contribute to their recuperation & see the smiles on their faces. When work is over , I go home carefree. No homework to burden my free time.

Going on holidays & seeing places are also my favourite pastimes. Will be going to Chiangmai soon with hubby & friends. Looking forward to it.

A much needed rest

Today I am officially retired. After 36 years in service, I can call it a day . I have been on leave for the past 10 days. There was no urge to go anywhere. ( I even turned down a friend's invitation for dinner a few days ago.) Only a desire to laze around the house & feel the ultimate luxury of time on my hands. Lazy to wash the car , lazy to go into the garden & pull the weeds, lazy to clear the store room. Just want to laze, laze & laze. I never had this feeling before. There was always something to attend to in the past.

But today , I feel rejuvenated. I can take any bull by the horns. I have started to do all that needs to be done . And knowing me, all will be done in day. Feels good to be on leave like this. All my previous leaves have been spent travelling to places I had always wanted to visit. It was hectic . I felt tired after those leaves.

Celebrated my birthday yesterday at a Thai restaurant quietly with the children. Kin was on call & was unable to rush back from Penang. Better not , with the fuel hike & the unsafeness of the buses. I was given a very thoughtful gift. Yes , the children have been well brought up , like Weng said. All these blessings from the Almighty. " Give thanks with a grateful heart "

Have received a few calls from friends sending good wishes.

Low morale

It has been some time. There was so much uncertainty in the news. Anwar, Alantuya, PI Bala, SDs, threats, murders. What is the coumtry going into ? Not digressing into some lawless nation, I pray.

I thought the country was righting itself in many departments after March 8 2008. The present state of affairs is very unsettling, not only to investors but also individuals. Credibilty in the law enforcers seems to be a foreign word.

What is happening in the country as a whole seems to be affecting the GLCs as well. Incredulous siphonage of coffers drain a once prosperous establishment to zero. Benefits have been removed on a gradual but sure basis. Morale in the establishment has never been so low.

We can only pray this low national morale will not lead to extreme frustration. Riots and disillusionment will cause the individual & nation to fall apart. We have to watch our newly elected leaders to see what direction we are going.