Unfulfilled ambitions

1982

Miss Sheila asked me what I wanted to be. The idea of getting a job was totally alien to me. I glanced at the grammar textbook and replied, "Lion-dancer!"

"You won't find much work with that. You'll only get to dance during Chinese New Year."

Hmmm...that didn't sound right, coming from her.

Meng Hua, who was seated next to me, gave a nudge and muttered under his breath, "Pilot! Pilot!"

"OK, I'm going to be a pilot."

Everybody smiled.

1984

Fifth uncle hollered, "Don't support your glasses with your fingers!"

Not knowing what to do while wearing glasses for the first time, I did whatever he told me.

"You're short-sighted now. There goes your dream of being a pilot."

I bit my lip. Not because I couldn't be a pilot.

***

1990

"You make it sound so simple," said Jane. "You're really good at explaining things."

"Nah..." I turned positively pink while she giggled.

"Have you considered being a teacher in future?" she asked.

In fact, I did. I remembered all the good teachers that came along and made a difference, not because of their extensive knowledge but because of their outlook in life. Just average Joes and Janes trying to make sense of the world in simple & dignified terms.

1992

"Have you thought about what you're going to do in future?" Mum asked as she flipped through the forms for admission to university.

"I want to be a teacher," I replied.

"Teacher?" Mum snorted. "What good is there in being a teacher?" The derision continued for a few more sentences which I cannot remember.

"But I like teaching."

"No. You're going to study to be a doctor in future," she said, with a degree of finality in her voice.

I retrieved the forms, minus her signature.

I bit my lip. Not because she didn't like the idea of her eldest son as a teacher.

***

2007

The opthalmologist flashed a wide smile at me as he switched off the instrument. It was a smile worth at least a dozen dental advertisements.

"Tell your friends about me," he boasted. "I can help them!" he continued, thumping his chest and flashing the thumbs-up sign.

I looked around and revelled in near 20/20 vision, bearly 48 hours after surgery.

Perhaps second chances do exist...