S Y Tan and Muhammad Syamil
S Y Tan:
I was enrolled in a kindergarten for two years. I was a very active primary school student participating in many sports. Though less active in secondary school, I swam practically every weekend, building up the stamina to swim non-stop 20 laps, albeit at a leisurely pace. My favourite subjects were General Paper and English Literature.
I grew up in the 1960s and 1970s which were tumultuous years in Singapore. My father’s rice trading business was severely affected though it did not collapse entirely. Money was therefore tight. After ‘O’ Levels I decided to look for a job but jobs were hard to come by during these years. It took me some two years before I was employed.
I knew I had to upgrade my skills and qualifications. Took up a loan for typing and stenography. A few years later I signed up for ‘A’ Levels as a private student in the evening. Later, my employers sponsored me to take up a 2-year professional diploma. My subsequent employer also sponsored me to sign up for a part-time degree course. I was awarded a degree at a ripe young age of 40!
In the course of my work and learning, I was schooled on the need for retirement planning. I started to save and invest in my 30s for my retirement. I had travelled enough both for work and pleasure and would sometimes indulge in buying some branded goods. Working was a means to an end and while I enjoyed working, I had no plans to work beyond 60 years old. So I sold off my car, bought a small HDB flat and started living more simply in my 40s; I retired before 60. I went for a volunteers’ orientation with the National Library as I want to take the focus off myself.
My volunteering plans with NLB fell through due to some injuries which inhibits my mobility functions somewhat. My friends are not news buyers and they are busy working. So I would summarise key news articles/sermons and send to them. Sadly, I later injured my wrists so I could not type as well. But there are other ways of engaging with them besides having meals together. When they go through rough patches, I would accompany them for hospital treatments or just to be with them if physically feasible for me. Otherwise, I would video chat with them. In turn, they readily come to my aid when I need it. There are meaningful ways of keeping ourselves engaged even when we have limitations. More critically our lives are enriched by others/friends where mutual care and love is shared.
Muhammad Syamil:
I was very active in primary school. I was also a stubborn kid in primary school. I spent my time playing football after school hours. I will spend my time outside playing until late in the evening. My parents were worried because back then, I do not have a phone.
I was less active in secondary school. Secondary school was more fun because I was more exposed to more stuff like playing other sports, spending my time with friends to hang out at nearby malls. My favourite subjects are Mathematics and History.
I spent my childhood in the early 2000s. My father works at SBS Transit as a technician. I remember that I do not have to pay for bus fare when I travel with my father every time we went out. After my ‘N’ Level, I decided to go to ITE to further my studies. After 3 years in ITE, I graduated with two certificates in NITEC and HIGHER NITEC.
My next challenge was serving my National Service. That was my greatest challenge as I did not know anything about it. I managed to learn so many things such as discipline and being independent. I managed to complete my 2 years of service with a sense of accomplishment.
At this point of time, I still don’t know what job I should look for. My parents support whatever I am doing, either looking for jobs or furthering my studies. So I decided to further my studies in polytechnic. Currently, I am in my 2nd year in polytechnic. From here then, my journey continues. Do things you enjoy, do not do things you are being forced to.
