"It doesn't take much to make you happy eh?"
Was it Patrick who said that, or somebody else? It must be Pat because he is the only person I've met up with. I could not remember what I said that prompted Patrick (assumedly) with that comment. He's not wrong. Predominantly, I am easily pleased. That has not changed all my life.
Since my childhood, I did not ask for the best and I treasured every scrap of possession I had. I used lego to play M.A.S.K. I used lego to play Sky Commander, Centurion, Silver Hawk, Transformers and everything in vogue in my time. A standard set of lego was all I had. I treasured it and never complained. Nobody needed to tell me about the kids in Africa. I knew I was already more fortunate than some other kids in Singapore.
As I grew up, nothing changed. I was equally happy with my panda brand shoes. They lasted the same duration being dealt harshly with on the football court as the US Masters brand. Plus, no matter what they said, branded items never grant you additional real skills.
My first vehicle I drove in Singapore was a Renault Kangoo I bought for S$14,800 with 5 years COE remaining. With the S$600 monthly reimbursement and S$400 petrol allowance from my ex-company, I could have gotten a proper car. I didn't. That was good enough for me. It would have eventually became my wedding 'car'.
Our wedding was a simple affair. No BMWs, no expensive banquets. We humbly lined up what we could afford, that 4 tables with no intention of getting anything monetary back, sticking by the traditional practice of 请酒.
The last phone I purchased for myself was a Motorola Razer. No iphones or anything or that sort. I am using an old Nokia E72 given by my ex-boss. If he didn't, I'll be using that Motorola, until it breaks down. Recently during work, I burnt a hole in a T-shirt I wore since I was 13 years old. I was upset. I wear fake crocs and cheap stuffs. Call me anything you want, I don't give a hoot.
All my life I felt blessed to have what I have. I am given a good wife and a baby. Life has treated me well. Being negative does not make me unhappy. My child-like curiosity is still preserved, it makes me easily amused. Very often I laughed at little things that peers may find me bo liao doing so. It's a good thing for me though, I'm cheap to run.
Perth still amused me in many simple ways. Little things brings me happiness day to day. The only thing I lack is a good guffaw with a group of friends. That, you cannot do it yourself. It's not quite fun if you think about it.
Let me share some small but nice things that lightened my mood over the month:
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| Kid looking like he is gonna hump a kangeroo |
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| Passion fruits growing outside Joanna's house |
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| We got a big bag of grapes, potatoes and mushrooms all for just A$4.00 at Woolies |
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| Rather affordable cherries |
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| Watermelon growing wild in abandoned land nearby |
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| Horses trotting past just outside our house |
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| A neighbouring field, wish my buddies are here to kick a ball with me |
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| Looking for snacks at 3am after work and spotted this |
You don't sound like very typical Singaporean guy. Good on you! That is the way to live!
ReplyDeleteHow's a typical Singaporean guy should be? Share with me?
DeleteI wouldn't use the word "should" because it is not a standard that one should follow. I guess it is more of observing the majority and discovering some similarities. I seldom see people choosing the same option as you did. I doubt majority will be contented with the choice of the car and mobile you choose - especially when they could have easily afford a better one. You know what I mean =)
DeleteAh, that's where the confusing lies.
DeleteI could not easily afford a better car or mobile. That might be what I failed to highlight :)
It is also the contentment with you choice.
DeleteAwesome looking field for playing soccer
ReplyDeleteit's quite good for a casual jog, kite flying or just sit down there in cooler seasons too
Deletethe first kangeroo pic.. LOL!
ReplyDeletetat's a HUGE bag of grapes! and so cheap!! OMG! looks yummy...
the field is pretty~!
the last pic is awww so sweet~~ hehe =D
-Julia
I may be misleading. the big bag was on special offer. they were shouting when jen and mil walked into the supermarket. so they just grab one of the bag. all going for $4. It was A LOT, like u said.
DeleteI wish i have some of my frens here to enjoy these with me.
Aiyoh, you are truely Singkapo kia leh! Hehe. Those are not passion fruits hor, they are pomegranate are widely grown as an ornamental in pots in the gardens and almost along every corridor in the housing estates.
ReplyDeleteHonest mistake Sir.
DeleteI know it was pomegranate, Joanna can attest to it. but I keep calling it passion fruit from time to time.
:)
Beautiful pictures! Looks like a great place to just live life as it is.
ReplyDeleteThe wise will know the weight of possessing. Happy is the person with nothing to lose and everything to hope for =).
~ Joelyn Alexandra
Despair is the person who hopes for everything but get nothing :)
DeleteInteresting to know got people out there also like that. But I am the paisan one, the sweater bought 18 years ago only dare to wear go out, the other one bought 26 years ago, wear at home only!
ReplyDeleteMy 2nd sister has an unglam name for me. Giam Chek (stingy uncle). I got that label when I was barely a teen.
DeleteHard truth but it sounds like u are a giam chek/giam gu too :D
as long as not giam or "cat" to those around & dear to you, the rest got good excuse - merely reduce, reuse, recycle & reconsider, u were just doing it ahead of it's time!
DeleteYou remind me of my yournger son when he was small.
ReplyDeleteHe loved those small die-cast cars and we would buy him one or two once a while or on his birthday.
On one occassion, when he was a little older, we let him 'test drive' one of those small electric cars(one you sit in to drive) in the shop. After a slightly disinterested test drive, he declined the offer to buy it for him and, instead, asked for 2 tomica cars again.
On another occasion, when grandpa brought him out, grandpa came back feeling quite surprised and puzzled the boy rejected his offer to buy him a bigger toy car. You know how grandparents like to indulge the grandkids!
Around the same age and at christmas time, grandpa was again taken aback when the boy offered to turn on the christmas tree lights for him only to turn it off almost immediately so as "not to waste electricity".
As far as my wife and me can recall, we didn't teach him to be like this.
He is still not spending a lot on buying things now he's all grown up.
I am glad you are able to find happiness here and there in Perth and, now you have Albany, I am sure you will be even happier!
Good for you bro.
You're blessed Pat. This son won't give you trouble such as getting himself into credit card debts, gambling debts or borrow money from you to buy funny stuffs in future :)
DeleteWish my daughter will grow up to be careful with money.
I like the little message on the grapes,Jen left you.I changed from calling my wife "loh Po" to "mummy" since my son came to our lives. My son would get very cheese off "Daddy! she is not your mummy, she is mine! Stop calling my mummy..mummy.He would defend his right that mummy is his and his alone.haha Have you started calling Jen.. mummy?
ReplyDeletehaha...yes I called u stingy some years back because I think we should relax and reward ourselves sometime, not lavish but decently priced new stuff..eg. new clothes for new year? Anyway, I was glad and quite proud of you for not being 'giam' for proposal to Jen..hehe
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