Recently, I met up with my insurance agent for a thorough review of my insurance policies. I asked him does I have enough coverage. He told me that when I reached the age of 60, I should have at least half a million dollars either in saving alone or together with the life plan that I bought, it should generate about that amount. Half a million dollars isn’t enough at all! He told me if I want to retire comfortably, I should have at least one million dollar by then! I was blanked for a while.

The question here is how much is enough? What is our need when we aged? Lots of Money, Health, Happiness, a Life…or a little of everything? Let says we have the money, then what are you going to do with your money? Imagine yourself in the shoe of a 80 years old man/woman. Would your motivation be travelling? Fulfilling your dream? Buying a big house for your grandchildren? Learning a skill or… Maybe we can ask around the next time we make friends with some elderly folks.

My recent holiday retreats has allowed me to reflect on my life in these past years. What have I done? What have I missing out? As an art instructor teaching cartooning and fine arts, I am constantly aiming for mastery in the area of teaching (crafting and delivery of lesson) and has taken steps to upgrade myself. In the past years, I have enrolled in diploma and certificate courses that is related to art teaching such as Specialist Diploma in Art Education (NIE-NTU) as well as courses and talks that is related to teaching arts for special need chiildren (SSTI). Tonight I shall be attending a new course, Teaching The Arts in an Early Childhood Environment, conducted by Seed Institute.This is a three month certificate course that shall allow me to understand more on teaching arts to preschoolers between the age of 4 to 6 years old.  Thank you NAC for the heavy fee subsidy in all the courses I have enrolled, without which, the course fees itself can piled up to an easy10K!

As an art educator, it is necessary for us to build our teaching portfolio and gain enough teaching experiences and knowledge in the field of art education. However mastery of skills in the area of fine arts and cartooning is also important. This is the second portfolio that teaching artists like us should have! These are the areas I need to work at and the year 2016 is the perfect time to do so. The direction is set and I have resolved most of my mental cluttered, what that is needed to be done is to DO IT.

Action is LOUDER than Words

Have more Patience and Empathy

Put on something Different

Keep On Track in the rat race

Be Yourself at the end of the day and Do what you Enjoy / Enjoy what you Do

Get ready for more Ridiculous Cartoons :)) in 2016