Happy Retirement

The day has come. Can’t remember how long exactly she’s been with us, but the day has come.
It is time for Wajem to return home, after years of working as our domestic worker.
Probably around 22 or 23 years of service with us.

Due to her becoming 60 soon, the normal regulation would be that MOM will not allow renewal of her work permit.
This was shown in the last work permit renewal. Instead of the usual 2-year permit, the previous renewal shows that it will expire on her 60th birthday.

Anyway, it is time for her go back, retire, and enjoy her life back at home.

I told her my nephew Benjamin wants to give her a dinner treat at his home on 3 Feb, which was last Friday.
What she didn’t know is that my family was arranging a surprise for her. 
Her 60th Birthday cum Retirement surprise.

My sister arranged some food delivery for dinner. Ben’s home was decorated with some stuff. We prepared a big family picture for her to keep as remembrance as well. A cake was pre-ordered for the evening too.

That late afternoon itself, Karinna and I went to collect the cake at Parkway Parade. Together with the framed-up picture, we drove to Tampines and put at Ben’s home. Then we went back home to pick Wajem and Zyan so that she won’t get to see the cake.

There was quite some traffic jam that day. 

As we came back to Tampines, we made her to be the first person to enter Ben’s home.
Voila! My siblings, nieces and nephews were there clapping and wishing her well for her coming birthday.
Then one by one, those who want to bestow her with gifts and such, took their turn to present their gifts and took pictures.
Much like award ceremonies like that. Main character is her, the rest were just supporting actors and actresses for the event. LOL

Could see that she was indeed very happy that evening.

Fast forward to today.

Yep, this is the day. 
She was already all prepared in the early morning. Her luggage was ready, hand-carry was packed. 
All the document was given to her prior to today, the special pass required, her passport etc.
She then walked Penny one last time in the morning.
I guess the dog would also know that there would be 1 less person in the house from today. A lot of packing was done for the past weeks actually. :P
In total, she had sent back home 8 big boxes of items before today!

Went to airport. Few others went as well. 
Small little problem when check-in. I wrote her name wrongly as compared to passport! 
Malay ladies usually have “Binti” as part of their names. I spelt as “Binte”. 
Alamak. 
Luckily, they can just do some manual correction. 
Any issue with automated gantries at the immigration, she was advised to do the manual process with the officer available at the immigration counter.
Her luggage was also right to the tee at 30kg. No more, no less. Perfect!

Had some coffee and breakfast at the Kopitiam there. 
Then it was time for her to go to the custom.
With some heartfelt thanks from everyone, she left for her journey back home.

Wajem, thank you for the services provided for past 20 over years.
You have indeed served my family well.
Terima kasih.