What happened to “care for soldier”?

What happened to the core value of care for soldier? 

Before I begin, you have to read this. It is the heart-wrenching story of how 2 parents lost a perfectly healthy and able-bodied son. Their son, who fell while in a military camp, has been in coma for the past 3 years. Heart-wrenching, because the parents who are poor cared for and brought up their son, only to lose him. Despicable, because the organisation and people (involved in this case)  showed little or no sense of remorse or willingness to bear the responsibility. 

No prizes for guessing which organisation it is. 

I just feel so disappointed, so lousy. Are we really that hard-up? Is it too much to ask to pay for the complete medical bills of one who lost almost all his functions whilst in your camp? If people in your camp are not under your responsibility, then whose responsibility are they under? 

Thank God justice was served in the end. Praying that God provides the parents with the strength, and may He bless the lawyer who provided the parents with the free legal service.

Employed

Tomorrow, I begin my first day of work, at least one which is on a long term basis. I cannot wait to get started, although I know its going to take some adapting after I’ve been bumming around for the past 2 months. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to finally earning some money as well. 

Caught this show today, and its the best I’ve seen this year, maybe, even my favourite movie. Yes, its that good. World War 2 fans, this one is for you. It doesn’t get much better. 

Movie money is burning a hole in my pocket.

Edit: I’ve updated the About page as well! =)

Work woes

Before I get started on all my updates, a movie I caught yesterday, and one I intend to catch next week. Both are really good. From my own opinion and others I’ve heard. 

 

I haven’t blogged too often over the past month, despite having more time than possibly any other time in my life. The job search has been depressing, to say the least. I went to 10 different recruitment agencies, sent out possibly 40 emails and got nothing more than a couple of pathetic and insulting offers. A couple of recruitment agencies did not impress me too much, one of them asking me to travel all the way to Jurong East, promising me a “couple of available positions”, only to inform me later that those positions weren’t available as yet. Infuriating, frustrating and disappointing all at the same time. I was slowly slipping towards becoming bitter and disillusioned with everything around me. Even my quest to become a more skilled modeller seemed to be going backwards rather than forward. I wish I could say I trusted Him, but I know I failed to. 

Yet, if there was one thing that was comforting during this period, it was that the people around me helped me massively. So many of the church members offered to help me check out with the human resource personnel in their companies to see if there was any temporary job opening. Some contacting friends in their previous work places. My aunties too, who checked out their places of work. And my parents, who were a great source of encouragement to me. And understood why I rejected some offers. And at the same time helping me through a time when I severely lacked self belief. I really thank God for all these people whom He has placed in my life. Although I did not get a job from any of them, but their effort, care, concern and prayers have given me a glimpse of love as spoken of in the Bible. One which looks out for the good of others, which is self-sacrificial.

Over the past week, I have received quite a number of phone calls, gauging my interest in different positions. One to work as an office boy in a foreign bank. One to work as a customer service personnel (read: receive phone calls) at a logistics firm, from 7pm to 2am, mondays to fridays. Another, to teach english at a secondary school in my area. I said yes to all of them, even though I was uncertain about some. I dearly wanted to be employed, to be able to contribute a little money to the home, instead of living off my parents. Yet, none of them shortlisted me for an interview. 

This Monday, I finally got a concrete offer, and it was to be a technician’s assistant for a day. I agreed, and on Tuesday, I was carrying tool boxes, following technicians around to either install or repair household appliances such as fridges, washing machines and stoves. Because of the prestige and cost of this particular brand, the houses I went to were some of the nicest penthouses in Singapore. One of them overlooked Lido, Takashimaya and Tangs. The other overlooking Katong and East Coast Park. Little wonder, because a fridge from them costs $16,000. I felt pretty useless that day, because the technicians didn’t even bother to get me to help them. So all I did was to carry their stuff around, and tag along, feeling lost. I probably received more phone calls than do anything else that day. But it was nice, to visit all these beautiful penthouses, houses I will prolly never get to stay in during my life. That evening, I got my first big break. I got a call from a Primary school, to go over the next day, 4 Feb to do relief teaching. Relief teaching was always the temporary job I had wanted to do. I had always wanted to go back to Zhonghua to do contract relief teaching. The money was pretty good, and I relished the challenge of “really” teaching. I figured it would be a good experience. But all my “beautiful” plans came tumbling down when the position in Zhonghua didn’t open up. I realised too, that I had trusted more in my own plans than to commit any of them to my heavenly Father. Nevertheless, it was nice to finally get the chance.

I was so excited that night, I woke up a couple of times thinking it was time to prepare and go to school. I half wondered what would it be like to stand in front of a class of kids and teach them. I hoped I would leave a positive impression too, so that I could go back there again. 

Its interesting, because over the 2 days I taught, Wednesday and Thursday, I taught almost all the different levels. On Wednesday, I took 2 Primary 4 classes for Art, a primary 6 class for Tamil, and another for a free period. On Thursday, I taught a Primary 2 class for a total of 3.5 hours, and they tortured me. Took a Primary 1 class for half an hour too. They were the best, listened to every single word I said. It has been an excellent experience, and I really wish I could spend my entire break just doing relief teaching, although I think I would prefer the challenge teaching in a secondary school brings. It would involve a more complete experience, because I would probably have to prepare my lessons in advance. Right now, I just hope to improve on how I control the kids, and just get a little more familiarised with the system of the school. I hope I can improve at a greater rate than that of the school running out of patience with me.

On Friday, I got my second big break, this time I was shortlisted by a church for an interview on the coming Tuesday. Its for an administrative position, and the church is located in Paya Lebar. If they offer me this position, I will most probably accept it. I need some stability in my life, even though the working hours will be much longer, and the pay much lower than doing relief teaching.  I do realise I cannot be going to sleep every night not knowing what I’m going to do the next day, not knowing when I’ll be able to make some money. I do need to start saving, because I’ve not been able to save anything ever since my ORD.

I really thank God for the varied experiences He has allowed me to enjoy. Even though, there have been many depressing moments when I have been rejected time and again by companies and agencies, I know that this is all part of His plan for my life. And the 5 short days of employment, have been a new learning experience every day. From being among the rush hour crowd of executives in Raffles Place, and staring out onto the Marina Basin from my position on the 37th floor. To being a technician’s assistant. Carrying toolboxes, pulling trolley bags, moving around Singapore and going to some of the most expensive and luxurious penthouses. To teaching and taking care of kids in a primary school.

I know I couldn’t have asked for much more.

Help me to trust in You, Lord.

Every step of the way.