It was his day today and he didn't dissappoint. First, he brought business cards for distribution promoting his new career (never mind he is 65 already) as a swimming coach. Second, he had a speech prepared and thanked all his bosses (never mind he is retiring). Lastly, he made everybody do a yam seng for him, well almost. You see, he did all the "Yams" and we all had to do the "Seng"s. See video below.Well, it was his day and no one can begrudge his moment of attention after more than 40 years in this organisation. As a young engineer almost a decade ago, I had already heard of him and his professionalism and the discipline he demanded from his subordinates.
In his speech, he shared that he held 3 jobs before joining the present organisation. First, as a char siew bao seller at Kampung Telok Blangah who was slapped by a gangster because he dared ask the gangster to pay for two siew mais. He recalled those were the days before independence and shop owners had to pay protection money. This practice stopped in the late 60s.
His second job was a (re)-bar bender. No mechanisation in those days. Your muscles were all that you had.
His third job was as a plumber in a factory and he was the only one in the entire factory!
Despite his advancing age, he enrolled himself to be certified as a NROC swimming coach. The demands are exacting and only a small percentage pass every time. Yet, he made it.
So, to wish him well in his next career, the gift we got for him was a full body suit, with the word "TEACHER" printed in front and the NROC logo on the two sleeves. I think it is a fitting tribute to the man.
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