In Singapore, everyone goes through just about the same various phases of life.
You’re given a ‘birth certificate’ when you’re born.
Or how about MINDEF sending your ‘National Service’ letter the moment you finish your studies.
To ‘CPF Minimum Sum Withdrawal’ letter at the age of 62 years old.
Well another one of these rite of passage I went through recently is receiving a letter from ICA.
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority that is.
The letter urged renewal of identity card, compulsory for all those that have turned 30 years old.
I made my old IC back in 1994 at the age of 16 years old, and a decade plus later, here I am again.
Interestingly enough, the letter has my highest education details as ‘Primary Education without PSLE/PSPE Cert’. Looks like I’m the redneck version of Singapore.
Well the re-registration of IC was a breeze as I did it online, but what irks me was finally accepting the fact I’ve reached the big three zero.
Trust me, when you’ve reached my age, you’ll go through some kind of denial.
The photo I used for the new ICI mean for me, where have the years gone to seh … as corny as it sounds, it went by so fast like a flash.
All my life, I’ve always been two steps behind everyone else, especially in the academic pursuits.
So don’t be a dumbass like me and mix around with the wrong crowd.
Parents know who your kids are mixing around, and give a damn/time on their studies/life.
I’m now out in the workforce finally and some 4-5 years behind my peers of the same age, trying to play catch-up.
At times, I felt I’ve been robbed of the best years of my life behind my research coat lab or the desk mugging.
I just wish I had some guidance when I was young, or career counseling that is the norm in school these days, rather than finding things the hard way and all alone going about it.
No point harping over this anymore eh, I just want my 5 minutes of whining.
I’m Uncle Sha, and yes I’m 30 years old, but still sexy as ever … tio?
dah tua eh?
hahahhahaa.
gosh!
Bluek :p
oh really damn..
how come you made your IC at 16? I thought back then all made it P6 or 12 years old.
Ni mesti hilang eh?
Erm nope didn’t hilang it.
I am older than you, so i reckon mine was done during my sec4, and you P6.
Or is this a ploy to remind me I’m that old! Haha
oh really damn..
how come you made your IC at 16? I thought back then all made it at P6 or 12 years old.
Ni mesti hilang eh?
Hey Uncle Sha
I can still remember when I turned 30, two years ago. I was having identity crisis and it was frustrating to try and fit in coz you no longer the young but still not quite the old yet.
But I went through it and still am. Love your blog as its pretty interesting coz you are an amazing malay in which I am too and we are not shy of talking abou things and be different. For me of course, was a loner all my life coz thats my comfort zone but now I have very dear friends whom I care for.
Good luck to you!