Retirement

Retirement. A noun. Longman Directory states: "when you stop working, usually because of your age".

But many are not sufficiently prepared financially and emotionally for retirement even though they may have reached the retirement age...usually considered to be 55 years old. Today for some (who may be in the beginning of 50) it may not be an option but forced upon them either due to ill health or the loss of employment from retrenchment. Some companies are also using this economic downturn as an excuse to "kick out" their older staff..by "offering a beneficial retirement package"...which is targetted at those who are 50 years and older. However, if you look at the retirement package that is offered it is similar to those for retrenchment!!

Retirement. Why are many not prepared?.... Poor financial planning or more likely the lack of financial planning in the second life phase..i.e. the working phase, is the principal cause. Many have borrowed large amount of loans to finance their purchases of big ticket items like an apartment and a car or two (one for the wifey)...considered as a necessity, they say. Whatever remains from the wage income is put into small pools of funds for different purposes, the crucial being: children's education up to tertiary, annual or semi-annual overseas holidays to "destress" from hectic worklife. But a fund for retirement? Only if there were any money left.....into a savings account...."for a rainy day". But most will use the savings for punting in the stock market rather than making strategic investment plans which expose them to risks. Some do not even have life insurance or critical illness insurance to cover themselves.

Could it be an attitude problem rather than poor financial planning for retirement?
I think it is. Common attitude is why bother. Many has this archaic mentality that their children will look after them in old age since they had "invested" heavily on the children and thus the children are "obligated" as filial piety goes to take care of their parents in old age. No matter how much you have spent on your children to give them a good station in life that is your principal responsiblity as a parent. One should not look towards the children as a source of income for retirement but should be prepared financially to be independent and continue to enjoy a good life. Otherwise I think it is miserable.

Ageism

I wonder when will I be getting an opportunity to rejoin the workforce again. I am now classified under MOM unemployment status as a chronic unemployed. I have arrived at a station in life where age is a distinct disadvantage in the employment game. The corporate world deems that I am past my shelf life (anyone after 50 years old) for employment but physically and mentally I feel it is too early to retire as I could still contribute significantly my expertise and my accumulated experience to my employer.

The government is aware of this problem and has been emphasising that older unemployed workers should be given an opportunity to be reemployed upto 65 years old and such urgings are also well echoed by the various union leaders. But the corporates by and large are lending a deaf ear. Why? Because of Ageism.

Ageism is not peculiar to the present economic downturn. I became aware of its ugly head during the Asian Financial crisis when many of my friends and colleagues in their early to mid forties who lost their jobs had tremendous difficulties in getting employment again. I think most corporates believe that the older workers are an impediment to progress as they have fixated mindset, failing dexterity, inflexible attitude, sluggishness etc and the strongest underlying belief is that they being past their shelf life would be carry many inherent health problems (which can be very costly to the employer). Aiyoh, come on lah, look at the wealth of experience!! Nah, too expensive to pay as younger workers are cheaper, more versatile and are easier to train (hey, but there is monetary cost for training and there is a time gap before these young workers are up to speed, so there is also opportunity cost). What about applicants who are willing to take a lower paying job? Don't trust such applicants as when the economy picks up they will hop away immediately when there is a better offer from another organisation. It is really a catch 22 for us job applicants. No chance to get a similar job never mind but if we were to go for a lower paying job, we are considered flippant. Aiyah!

I understand that the government in order to solve this problem and ensure that older workers continue to be employed, will by 2012 create laws for employers to reemploy their workers who are at 62 years old for further years but will these new laws cover those who are already unemployed and seeking employment? I hope the new laws will cover this group too...otherwise many of us may have to consider taking up employment as "environmental engineers" or "hygiene environmental specialists"... plain speak...as cleaners for hawker centres and toilets (pathetic so many of them now)!! But then when we apply for such jobs the employer will say we are overqualified given our education level..who knows may be in a few years' time the minimum educational level requirement could be upgraded to a graduate degree for a cleaner level, a MBA as a supervisor for the cleaners and a PHD for a manager in the cleaning company??? May be such could happen when more than 50 percent of the population is above 62 years old..in 15 to 20 years' time?? I don't think so. The jobs will all be taken up by the China Nationals who are already gaining a good foothold in the various industries...so they are our competitors for jobs!!! What do you see???
However, I am not losing faith as surely there will be one or two enlightened employers amongst the dim witted who see the benefits of employing experienced jobseekers. So....Patience!!

Supermarket or Amusement Park?

Nowadays when you go to a supermarket especially in the heartland in the evenings or on a weekend you wonder if the management has also turned it partly into an amusement centre by allowing (tacit I suppose) parents to put their brats into the trolleys to humour them and pushing them around the supermarket...some parents even put 3 kids into the trolley...definitely not shopping but abusing the sole purpose of a trolley!! and some are not young kids...in some instances as old as 10 - 11 years...hello they got no legs to walk meh? Sometimes you hear a brat yelling to be quickly put into the trolley and in the process obstructing other shoppers who want to take out a trolley from the rack. I wonder if such parents (educated?? no??) understand social etiquette...I don't think so, otherwise they will not be so socially irresponsible...and causing inconvenience to shoppers!! Bo naou !!
I also blame the management for not taking any action (equal condone??) thus this is becoming a prevailing and growing practice of putting a child in a supermarket trolley...pushed around for a joy ride and turning the place into an amusement centre!! I dread going to a supermarket during evenings and weekends.

My Neutered Dog

My doggie got neutered 6 weeks back...a decision which was not easy to come by. I wanted her to have a natural life but she being such an ignorant, gullible and happy go lucky kiddie I have my doubts if she knew how to take care of herself and she is also in the "hiao" phase of her life. It was a friend's comment that since I always send her to the pet farm to stay the likelihood of her being raped is very high and then poor me will have a handful of unwanted illegitimate litter of unknown parentage...pariah? Rugilah! Also after childbirth she will look ugly...saggy stomach etc.. This caused me to have a nightmare. Gosh what am I to do if such were to happen and I just can't abandon those kids on the street (I won't have the heart to do so). Anyway AVA is very strict on this...rotan for the culprit???
It was a very painful experience for her and my heart went out to her. She endured 3 days of pain after the operation and didn't want to take the painkiller tablets to ease her pain nor her food...lying down in a corner quietly and giving me that mournful look every now and then...so, so pathetic lah..try to make me feel guilty for having caused her distress and pain...HELLO?? Worst and more humiliating was that she had to wear a "lampshade" over her head (looks like a monster out of space!!!) to prevent her from licking or biting off the stitches... for a week..as required by the vet but by the third day I have taken it off during the day but made her wear it at night...out of pity.
Within a week she was back to her normal devilish self although part of her tummy area was totally BOTAK!! Looks cute!
Today, maybe because she has been neutered she is more subdued and barking less (hurray!! more peace and quiet) but she is eating more...a voracious appetite and always seems to be hungry and getting fatter...a doctor friend said she is monopausing...alamak!!..at least no more PMSes!!! No wonder she barked so much and threw tantrums in the past... some pompous halal neighbours called SPCA and AVA to complain...they should understand that my doggie is a bitch what...anyway which dog don't bark?? A halal dog?
One good thing is that the price of the dog licence fee dropped from $70 a year to $14 a year...wah make money...huat ah!!!

Almost four and a half months have passed by and rather quickly as well. I am now feeling rather aimless and getting restless in not being able to rejoin the corporate world...not through lack of commitment but opportunities, given the current bleak economic environment.
It has dawn on me that I cannot switch and fit into the role of a Mr Househusband. Multitasking and passion are some of the pre-requisits necessary to become a very good housewife or househusband....for me multitasking per se is not a problem. I think it is the mental make-up (both attitude and aptitude of housework...traditionally men are very poor in) and the lack of passion for the role...not that I have never done any housework before, on the contrary, my mother was a very strong advocate of boys having to do housework and had always insisted as part of growing up that I have to share in doing some of the housework...not a pampered life! But 30 over years in corporate life have moulded me differently and definitely not for the role of a househusband...I have put my mind and soul into the task initially but this enthusiasm had worn off.
Now I find housework to be very mundane and boring...even cooking is no longer a challenge but has degraded to a very routine chore to be performed at certain set time of the day. Thus procrastination has started to creep in and the lazy worms (now you know why I want to ban worms!) have started their invasion as well...but thank goodness they have not reached the core yet!
Maybe I am missing the stress and frustrations so inherent in corporate life and the laughters and banters of colleagues. These are missing as a househusband and these are factors that keep your mind active and challenged and they may make or break your day....hmmmm....so retirement is not an option for now.

My washing machine suddenly went kaput...refused to work any more!! Not that I had abused it. Most frustrating is that it stopped after having added the soap powder on to the clothes and a few spins later....arrrgghh!! with all the soapy water undrained!!

It is not an old washing machine...it is considered very new..one year and one month old...problem is that it is a darned China made China washing machine with an Ang Moh brand name...and I got misled by the salesman of a big well known household retailer..with a megastore in Tampines next to Ikea...and the washing machine was distributed by/agency by a reputable company that carries many well known brand names...come to think of it such does not give any value to the distributor....but trust the Chinese that they will produce lemons and not quality products!!

Why didn't I call for the service repairman to repair the fault? Well, this is not the first break down...the door started giving problems 6 months after installation as it could not close properly as the hinges were loosen as not properly aligned and also cracks on the lousy quality plastic cover near the hinges...then the major problem arose..the pump went kaput after 11 months and 3 weeks later after replacing the pump it conked out again...the serviceman came again and this time gave me an Italian made pump. Apparently the serviceman told me that all the parts for this brand..Straaten..is reconditioned as they do not have originals....parts taken from other owners's machines (who have given up the machine)...alot of problems with this brand. That's why the door could not be replace!

This time the problem is with the motor and the drum can't spin and...my warranty had just expired!! so instead of having to pay hundred of dollars for the repair..which does not guarantee that it will last as the serviceman told me...dump it!

The washing machine was not cheap either as I paid $529!!! but like my friend says it is an expensive lesson learnt... never to trust any China product again (that goes for their canned foods as well). Look at all the contoversies...tainted milk powder, pesticide tainted buns, toxic toys..the list goes on...no integrity at all...only produce and sell to make money. What a shame!

5 Days 4 Nights Hong Kong itinerary

Making a trip to Hong Kong has to planned carefully before you depart as there are so much to do, see, explore and most importantly to eat...unless you are the category of people who eat just to live and not live to eat. Although the suggested itinerary is flexi but it is very food focused as the objective of going to Hong Kong was...to WAN SIK! So here's what we did...



Day One:

Very important is where to stay in Hong Kong to give you the best of everything and I would suggest Tshimshatsui...obvious lah..all the makan lobangs are there and even late into the night you still can get your supper and it is a very lively area too. All the hotels are located near the MRT entrances (exits).

If you take the morning flight you will arrive in the early afternoon and after check in you can go out for a light meal...dessert shops like Hui Lau Shan (on Haiphong Road) and Sweet Dynasty (on Canton Road..Haiphong Rd junction turn right..) are my favourites and so are those Hong Kong small eateries which serve delicious wanton noodles and best of all is their beef tendons/belly noodles and wash down with their special milk tea..lai char (along Cameron Road, Granville Road, Hankow Road, Haiphong Road etc). These are also open for breakfast and they have western sets too.

Dinner, if you are still exploring Tshimshatsui...drop in at Wu Kong Restaurant on Peking Road...serves great Shanghainese cuisine...lion head as a suggested dish..be careful...the servings are all very large..or walk further down Nathan Road to Shamrock Hotel where they have a restaurtant...serves very traditional Cantonese food and sea food too..or walk another kilometer further to Yau Ma Tei...London Restaurant on Nathan Road and many others. If you are going to Ladies's market at Sai Yeong Choi Kai...there is a good claypot eatery near Stanford Hotel and after that you can cross over to Langham Place for dessert at Honeymoon Desserts...great variety including durian!!

If you have a craving for Teochew food then take a taxi to Kowloon City which is a Teochew and Thai enclave...many Thai restaurants there too. We liked Soon Kee Restaurant for their Teochew food...Teochew owners...located at 41 Nam Kok Road, Kowloon City.

Tired???No?? Then take a walk to the Waterfront Promenade..nearer towards Star Ferry and have a beautiful night view of Hong Kong and the nightly laser show...if Chinese factories abstain from polluting the night sky!



Day Two:


After breakfast take the MTR to Wong Ti Sin Temple (station is Wong Tai Sin) as it is one of Hong Kong's most famous temples and is packed on each of the first and fifteen day of the lunar month. From there continue your journey on MTR to Kowloon Bay for a very delicious and sumptious tim sum lunch at Maxim Palace Restaurant in Telford Plaza...MTR station walk right in and to the right at the end of the shopping complex (shops opens at 11 a.m.). Maxim Palace's tim sum are sold on push carts and so you can check out what you want when each carts arrives at your table. Do try their desserts too especially the green bean soup..with a special kind of seaweed..that helps to cool the body..very popular during the SARS.

Be warned that Maxim is very popular and if you arrive after 12 p.m. you may have to take a queue number...definitely for Saturdays and Sundays but tim sum is still available the whole day except there is a special promotional price between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Bill is about HK$250 for 5 big eaters.

After lunch the suggestion is go to Sai Kung...in the past it was a quaint village but today it is the starting point for walks...many walking trials into the hills...very popular during the weekends and camping sites too...Honeymoon Desserts started their business in Sai Kung and still has a very large shop there.From Kowloon Bay take the MTR to Choi Hung for the mini bus (green) which station is just outside one of the exit..check the exit before getting out. The mini bus is very quick and gets to there in about 15 - 20 minutes and cost HK7.50. Alternativcely you can also take a bus..double decker and sit on top for a panaroma view as the bus climbs up hills and go down valleys into Sai Kung...slower pace too. Take the MTR to Diamond Hill and go up to the bus terminus and look for the bus to Sai Kung. Alternatively, you may want to venture to Lama Island for seafood. Rainbow Seafood Restaurant is one recommended. Do make a reservation as they also provide the ferry service from Central to the jetty next to the restaurant and vice versa.

Walk around the town and go for the desserts at Honeymoon, then along the waterfront...you see boats selling seafood and many locals buy from them and take home for dinner but you can also buy from them and then take the seafood to a restaurant of your choice..they will charge you a cooking fee and you can also order the vegetable and noodles dishes from the restaurants.

If you have time to kill then take one of the numerous boats for a ride to the offshore island which is popular with campers and then back for dinner.




Day Three:


Morning after breakfast take a taxi to Kowloon City...about HK$50 (but if you are more adventurous then take a bus..number 1A from Star Ferry bus terminus or along Nathan Road, Tshimshatsui and get off at the bus stop in front of the old Kai Tak airport...ask the bus driver to inform you when he reaches the destination) and explore the area...must do is the wet market and the shops fronting it...very cheap dried seafood like dried scallops, salted fish, fish maw, sharkfins etc.. and mushrooms (another place is of course the famous dried seafood street in Western District on Des Veoux Road West on Hong Kong Island...take a tram...Kennedy Town direction). In the market there are lots of Teochew foodstuff like preserved olives, salted small craps and shellfish etc. Also do visit Wo Kee Loong on 7 Tak Ku Ling Road, a very traditional Teochew pastry shop..yummy.

For lunch head for Sham Tseng...for Hong Kong's most popular roasted goose (the original place was a poultry farming village and some owners of the farms decided to roast their goose to sell which became very popular and Chan Kee and Yuen Kee grew in popularity as well). Suggest Chan Kee which is on the main road..Castle Peak Road..a taxi ride from Kowloon City costs about HK$100 or you can take the MTR to Tsuen Wan station and then get down to the mini bus station and take the bus that passes by Sham Tseng..driver will alert you if you let him know in advance). In the evenings especially weekends it is very crowded with locals..don't see many tourist...except the stray ones..

Afternoon go to Mongkok for shopping...taxi from Sham Tseng costs HK$100 if you drop in front of Langham Place Hotel...ha..dessert at Honeymoon on Langham Place...

Dinner you can cross over to Hong Kong on MTR to Wanchai and get out at exit A2 to head for Sang Kee Seafood restaurant...1/F Hip Seng Building, 107 Hennessy Road..you can see their neon lit signboard across the road...but do make a reservation...tel:2575 2236 and reserve their signature dish,,catfish congee..otherwise it maybe sold out....prices mof dishes are very reasonable and even for live fishes and prawns...they show it to you to confirm the weigh and freshness. 5 dishes with the fish will not be more than HK$600.


After dinner you can go down to Causeway Bay...if you like steamed milk then head for Yishun which is on the lane behind Sogo..opposite the taxi stand.

Day Four:

A morning visit to the dried seafood street at Western District on Des Voex Road, West would be very interesting and you can take the tram from Central or outside Admiralty station..tram that head for Kenny Town or Whitty Street..get down once you see the rows of shops selling dried seafood. Prices eg dried scallops are much cheaper.

For lunch go over to North Point..take the tram..fare is a flat HK$2..headed for North Point (final stop after passing through the wet market which comes alive in the late afternoon or Sakeiwan (drop off at a stop near the North Point MTR exit)..recommends Phoenix Golden Court Restaurant on 460 King's Road East (tel: 31029288) for their very cheap and sumptious set lunches..eg HK$288 with 5 dishes including a live steamed garoupa!..or take a tim sum set.

After lunch, shopping in North Point is interesting as it is very local and the wet market must not be missed as it comes alive after 3 p.m. Alternatively is to take the tram to Sakeiwan for a local atmosphere.

For dinner go to a very old teahouse, Lin Heung Tea House at 160 - 164 Wellington Street, Central. Do call up and make a reservation (Tel:2544 4556) as it is very popular with locals and also at the same time order the house speciality...stuffed duck. The food is very traditional home cooked variety...bittergourd with pork ribs, steamed minced pork with salted egg, deep fried sliced lotus roots with fish glue etc. Dessert is free and it is red beans soup.
On the way out...pay money down stairs (entrance)..you may want to buy some traditional pasteries for supper....or head down to Mak's Noodle (very popular for the wanton noodles) at 77, Wellington Street.
Having your fill of food, take a walk at Lan Kwai Fong and drop in at one of the numerous pubs for a drink and soak in the atmosphere. If you are still craving for dessert then go to IFC Mall for Honeymoon Desserts (shop no: 3013..3rd floor)...quite crowded after 9 p.m.


Day Five:

Last minute shopping (Uniglo at Miramar Shopping mall???) or have a hearty breakfast before going off to the airport...time flies when you are enjoying the run from one restaurant to the next for your food hunting.
Hope this suggested itinerary fits in with your next Hong Kong trip! And happy food hunting!!!