Do you know Ah Hock, when I was a kid, I wanted to be a Chicken Rice man. I simply love chicken rice and would eat them almost every other day (that explain why I am always in the TAF club when I'm in primary and secondary school!). How nice if I can learn how to cook them and save me the hassle of going to other stall to eat them.
But as I grow older, my mum told me that I'm stupid if I be a chicken rice man. No future, she would use to say. Then soon after, she force me to study hard and I ended up in a top JC. There I have a glimpse of what competitive society is about. 1 mark difference would sometimes determine the standing in class. Although I used to score an average of 75 marks in my exams (which I personally felt that I was good and indeed put in a lot of effort) but often rank the lower half of the ranking in class. My parents often interested in the final output (which is the class ranking and overall ranking) and they often said I'm lazy and stupid and would enroll me in several tuition classes. 75 marks! Stupid? I never felt this way about myself. I put in sleepless nights and pay attention in all my classes. Inside my heart, I knew I did the best I can. But how come they just cannot understand. Soon, my world is simply filled with mathematical equation, scientific formulas, chinese and english proverbs. Friends, social life? I consider these luxuries and will often appear in my dreams only. After A-level, I managed to get into a reputable university. I always interested in films and often watch different genre of films at home. But my parents said studying film is a 'sure die' thing and they wanted me to study business. There I was spending 4 years of my life, mugging business theories, models and processes and not knowing what is life about.
After graduation, I apply for position in a bank and got in. I work very hard and tried not to get involved in the so-called office politics. My mum say getting into office politics can be dangerous and could cost you your job. Therefore I just stick to just doing my work, thinking that working hard will please my boss and he will reward me with promotion soon. However, I soon realize that I was too naive. A colleague of mine backstabbed me and soon my boss thought that I was useless and unproductive. But I was the last to leave everyday! Yeah, cause you are too unproductive that you need more time than others! My boss said. But I never complain about anyone or gossip in the office! That's because you have low EQ and no friends! Soon, I was shown the door.
After I was fired, I decided that I'm not going to be M.r. Nice Guy anymore. Soon I was in another company, playing along with the office politics, bootlicking and backstabbing. However, I realize I was not as hardworking or productive as I was in the former company. But the irony is, I got promoted and the boss seemed to like me a lot! I came to realize, life isn't so honest and what the school taught are often what I label as 'morally correct' but ' socially unusable'.
When I read your autobiography, I remember my childhood dream. Actually it might not be so "stupid" to be a chicken rice man after all. But now, I have too much commitment and burden. I have finance the bank loans and I need to save for my unborn child's future. I want him to go to the best Secondary school, best JC and into the best university. I want my child to study chemistry and business double degree as I believe that is the demand in the future. Sorry, I wanted to be a Chicken Rice Man but I can't. Anyway, your story motivate me. But its just the circumstances I'm in that prevent me to do anything.
Don't need to remember me.
Inspired-to-be Chicken Rice Man
The above story is fictional.
1 comment:
i wonder what you're thinking.
anyway great story. :)
-yiling
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