This blog started as a monthly summary of events, but a lack of discipline seemed to have hindered that objective. Can't believe that the last post was more than two years ago. My memory seems to be failing me quite a bit these days, but I'll try to pen down the significant happenings thus far since the last post in 2019.
2019 - 2020
After a few more attempts, I was still not granted an interview with MOE. Eventually, I decided to give up and focus on the private tuition industry. I started out looking at a few tuition centres and offered my services. I managed to get a few classes from these tuition centres as well as some private students through tuition agencies. It wasn't particularly lucrative at the start but it was just that - a start.
However, no one could have predicted that barely a month after, Covid-19 would sweep through the world, causing Singapore to go into the "circuit breaker" period. This was particularly painful for me as it meant an almost complete loss of income. I had to scramble to invest in certain hardware and equipment to ensure that I could salvage what little income I could from those that I somehow managed to convince to switch to online tutoring.
Thankfully, after struggling for two months, I received a phone call that would turn things around. It was from an organisation that caters to mainly expats from China who are looking to migrate to Singapore for various reasons. Preparing these expats' students for entry to Singapore government schools or international schools based here is part of the service they offer. Naturally, it was an extremely good fit since most of the tuition sessions are conducted online. All I had to do was to brush up on my Mandarin since a good deal of translation is required.
That really turned things around and I managed to regain some momentum in terms of teaching and my finances. I no longer had to skimp on meals.
JK has since moved to Beijing for work. It was regrettable that I missed the last gathering we had since that would have been the last time before she went to Beijing.
2021
Of course, dedicating myself into the tuition industry full-time has changed my lifestyle and affected my social circle quite a bit. Since I no longer had constant interaction with peers, I found that the pool of people I can really go all out and bitch to all problems regarding work and other issues shrunk drastically. Some of my closest friends have since grown more distant for various reasons. C got a girlfriend and his availability became extremely limited. It is almost impossible to get him out without his girlfriend tagging along. LAB has gotten married and emigrated to Germany. AS also got married, quit her job, and is now pursuing her MBA. Everyone seems to have moved on which makes staying close rather difficult. Of course, the Covid-19 restrictions didn't help either.
NAN and TW also got married in 2021 and I attended both weddings back to back. JA and VAN are set to be next with weddings set for 2022.
That said, there were some good news as well. I have officially cleared all 10 cycles of my national service this year. Not bad considering I cleared it at 32. No more disruptions to work and life although it's quite sad that I can no longer take IPPT (and the prize money). Guess there is now even less of a motivation for me to keep fit.
My sister also came back to Singapore after finishing her Masters in Singapore. There was some issue with her having to pay for the tests and accommodation for her quarantine period, but guess that couldn't be helped.
My aunt also decided to move to a smaller flat and, after I helped her with some of her stuff, decided she didn't want the old TV anymore. I decided to bring it back home and use it as a second monitor. I originally intended for it to help with online tutoring but its main purpose is now to watch TV shows.
The tuition gig has also become much more stable with a good mix of income from tuition centres and private students. To be honest, during the circuit breaker period, looking at my savings plunge and the numerous failed applications to MOE, the only thing keeping me going was neither faith nor confidence; it was pride. In general, most of my students are rather well-behaved relative to how I was at their age.
I also recently engaged a tutor myself to teach me H2 Math. She's a year younger than me but I don't think she knows considering that way she interacts with me! She must think that I'm some 20 year old boy looking to gain extra knowledge. As she's always with a mask, whenever she comes over, I've not once seen her face.
The company that I mentioned earlier, which caters to Chinese expats, is mentioned that they would like to discuss a potential conversion from my current freelance arrangement to either a full-time or more committed project basis. This wasn't the first time this was mentioned though. They previously raised it towards the end of 2020 but both sides did not follow up and it just ended there. Let's see what will come out of it this time.
The principal of a tuition centre I freelance at wanted to introduce her niece to me but I felt awkward so it didn't progress beyond me getting her number. Imagine dating your boss' relative!
I met JT and YT a couple of times this year to catch up and both of them seem to be doing well, if not incredibly busy. Have wanted to meet together with CY before the end of the year but it seems that is not quite possible considering their schedules.
I have been trying to make a list of people that I should catch up with and is slowly going through it. Besides LAB and AS obviously, many others also made the list, which made me realise how out of touch I am with many people in my life. I suppose this is what it means when people say that maintaining friendships require effort.
As we approach the end of the year, I really hope that we will see the end of the pandemic soon. The disruptions has gone on long enough and hopefully, things will be getting back to a more normal stage in 2022. One can hope!
"If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today." - Thich Nhat Hanh
“Tomorrow is no place to place your better days.” - Dave Mathews
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