An attempt to convey a few of the thoughts & feelings of an expatriate teacher in sunny Singapore (and adjacent spots on occasion.)
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Tea Time
Henry James summed it up nicely in the opening sentence of what I think is his best novel: Under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. But, unfortunately for poor Henry, he never had the opportunity to attend afternoon tea as provided by my Missus, which lasts considerably longer than an hour, I can tell you. This afternoon provided yet another outstanding example, and, to be honest, agreeable is too mild a word to express my feelings with regard to the utterly satisfactory nature of the proceedings. Some evidence above, and this inadequately represents just the opening salvo of the affair.
My vision: retirement and a life of leisure.
My mission: to manage decline gracefully.
My goal: to get to the end of the day in one piece.
Born in Manchester, I am at present living and working, as a teacher of English, in Singapore, having done so since 1988. My wife, Noshayati – whom I call Noi, and others call Yati – is Malaysian, and we travel frequently to her homeland, where most of her family live (in Melaka.) We own a house in Kuala Lumpur. My sister and family still live back in Manchester and we try to visit occasionally.
I used to work for the Ministry of Education in Singapore, but since 2007 have been employed directly by an independent school here. It pays the bills.
I converted to Islam in 1997 and find myself even more interestingly placed in the world as a result. I like occupying intersections. They afford useful perspectives.
I’d like to think I have a sense of curiosity which keeps me young. But the jury is still out on this. A good day is one on which just about everything seems interesting. Some days are not so good, but I'm not so naive as to believe I have any right to expect otherwise.
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