It’s been a mega long time since I updated. Sometimes I feel like giving up this blog. I have lots to share – my mind is always turning cartwheels, but it’s a chore to get it all down in writing. But there is something that always bring me back here to give a very, very occasional update, though I don’t know what that motivation is.
Anyway, I am very grateful that we are finally able to open up here in Singapore. My sister and nephew was able to fly back for over a month’s stay in February, and she plans to come back again later this year to make up for lost time. She is making all this effort partially because my dad is on borrowed time.
My dad has a lot of health issues, as I have mentioned before. In the space since the last update, he has gathered more. Basically, his heart is failing, his kidneys are failing (on the brink of needing dialysis), he has some spinal issues that causes bad back pain but which cannot be resolved efficiently via surgery as his heart will not be able to take major anaesthesia. He has also just been diagnosed with early prostrate cancer, but which seems dormant at this point, so we are not going ahead with treatment yet. We also just found a lump in his thyroid which is yet to be diagnosed.
Despite all this, there is not much sadness or fear in the air at home. My Dad has been incredibly accepting of his all his conditions. He has also indicated that if any of the treatment will impact his remaining quality of life, he might decide not to go ahead – like chemo/radiation etc for cancer. He has also indicated that he might not want to go for dialysis if it is ever needed, but I am not so sure of that, because I understand it’s a horrible way to go. But we are not at that stage yet, so it’s moot for now.
Anyway, he knows what is coming. We only hope that with proper diet, exercise and being in a healthy mood, we can have another 8-10 year more years together.
My mother, on the other hand, has completely recovered from her brain surgery. Although she still needs to be monitored regularly for tumour regrowth, she is otherwise fine for now. The brush with death has caused quite a few changes in both her and my father. She takes things much easier these days, and don’t stress herself. She also treats herself as and when she wants. She hopes to get another overseas trip in before her mobility declines further, so for her sake, I hope the COVID situation gets even more stable in the remaining year and I can bring her for another trip.
My father is also treating my mum much better these days. I think there is some guilt for the past and also some realisation that he really relies on her a lot, so he better treasure her while she is around. They still have their squabbles, but these days it’s a different kind of squabble. It is the kind that brings a smile to your face, because there is a lot of affection behind the squabbling.
For myself, I finally got my eczema flareup under control. It took me about 8 months and thousands of dollars but I am almost back to normal now, so all is well.
I am still working, but mainly working from home for now. I actually gave my notice to quit last August, when my eczema was still going strong. I had decided to go for a dual approach – both TCM and Western dermathology, and needed time off for that. I also wanted more flexibility in timing, in case my parents needed me.
However, my boss still hasn’t found a suitable replacement – mainly because she can’t pay what suitable candidates are asking for and not really wanting to compromise on her requirements. We had an agreement that I will continue to work for her at the same pay until she found someone but I would work only a four day week, and I would be able to take additional leave as I needed. I also wanted to work from home primarily, going into office maybe one day a month. This saves me two hours on the road per day. I am happy to continue indefinitely on this arrangement with her, and I am confident that it will take some time if she wants to find some one suitable within her budget.
Throughout the whole COVID and job situation, I have been constantly hit by how much stress I have been relieved of by my pursuit of FIRE and the presence of passive income. At no point in the past two years have I been stressed out about money, nor was I hesitant to quit my job when I felt I needed to look after my health.
Currently my annual expenses stay more or less stable at 20-22K . My rental income brings in about 17K annually. So I only need to find another 5K annually at most. I can easily cover that with a part time job, which I plan to do once I conclude my current employment, so I don’t need to dip into my investments. I can actually try to bring my expenses down further, but it might affect my quality of life a little, so for now I’ll stick with it.
Anyway, life is…not exactly perfect, but good enough. With all that is happening in certain parts of the world, my little slice of life on this tiny little island is heavenly by comparison. I give thanks in my heart when I have a meal. I give thanks again when it is storming outside and I am safe inside my own flat. I give thanks even when my father complains about having to go to the hospital twice to thrice a week, because he can still get comprehensive and cheap healthcare.
So, until the next time I update, I hope everyone keeps safe and all the strife in the world gets resolved soon. Bye till then.