What a year! 2008

2008 is ending!!!! What a dramatic year that costs me my mum, money and matrimonal home. it was an "annus horribilis". Mum died in early March after the condition deteriorated much and fast after Christmas 2007. Before we knew it she could hardly eat and her frame was that of a small teenage person. It does not take too long and soon its goodbye, funeral and ashes.

In September we moved to Neptune Court next to Mandarin Gardens. Its sad that we are leaving our matrimonal home, the love nest that we took much pain to design and furnish but we really did not have a choice since the new landlady wanted to almost double the rent. Living in the next door estate saves us $500 a month and we ended up with double floor space. My regrets are the lack of crucial facilities and amenities like swimming pool, sauna and steam, gym and much needed covered walkway in this retirement ville.

Its funny but after I pumped in much $, from my mum's estate into the stock market with a medium to long term view for the sake of Rachel's future, the credit crisis spreads. I lost a few thousand. At the same time, many students decided not to continue their lessons and we had our family income almost halved despite over tithing 12% this year. The financial stress caused us to lapsed all insurance plans once again and be behind in payments including rent. This sort of led Yan to want to return to the professional working world for some form of financial stability.

Yan will start January 2009 with a new career doing something that he was trained in -architecture. Whereas I will continue into the same year with more chores including that of my dad's house and the ever heavy and lonely yet honourable responsibility of home schooling our only child. So far Rachel is liken to a Spongebob that very eagerly learns whatever is being taught and she excels in art and music. In fact, i am now her full time music teacher as well due to budget concerns.

Will i be able to do well musically in 2009? Its my goal to play so much better and I really need to find time to practice and experiment on my beloved instrument. Will 2009 be another hectic year when I try to take care of my dad by travelling to Sengkang often and spending time with him while juggling the ever increasing chores, with ironing yan's many work shirts and pants thrown in. Am i going to live life with my child alone most of the time either at home, in dad's place or in the malls until we have funds for her classes likely, swimming, art, Chinese, French, ballet (optional). It seemed we are living in very different worlds.

Nothing matters more now than Rachel's happiness and future...........