As most of you would know by now, I am currently in between jobs. According to Economic theory, I am officially not considered unemployed. Why? For the very fact that I am 'in the process of looking for a job'. Good news for the government statisticians and the Minister of Labour. And so, when you read in the local media (or any foreign media for that matter) that the unemployment rate is at 3%, you can put a hold on the celebrations. I am supposed to fall under the 97% who are employed.

Hogwash!

So what exactly is a regular day like for one who is an 'employed' person without a job. Well, I do keep my routine as normal as possible like any work day. I wake up at 9am (just a teensy weensy later than usual) and begin my day. Have lunch between 12.30pm to 2pm (I try to have it with friends, just like any work day) and then get back to doing my chores. In the evenings, I will then cook for the family, wife-y and me! What chores do I have to do? Well, pay bills, get the house in order, job hunt, catch up on reading...you get the drift.

Like in every battle, every general must have his battle plan. For me, it is still Work-in-Progress. Why so? Will I go back into Marketing? Will I do something completely different?

A good chat last night with one of my best friends, Jack, over a cuppa at Starbucks re-affirmed the need for a battleplan.

Now, if I were your typical yuppie, the battle plan would be rather straightforward. You plan, you execute. Just as if you owned your life.

As a Christian, we need to clear our plan with our Boss first. Why?

'What know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost....and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price....' 1 Corinthians 6:19

Now, for some of you out there, you might say, 'Wah lau! It's your life, live it! Carpe Diem! You are the Master of your own destiny!'

Really?

Exhibit A - Please direct your attention to a certain acquaintance of mine who sought all ways to secure his position in the company. He is now resting at home for 2 months after going through a quadruple heart bypass (it's 5, for the not too numerically inclined in the English lingua franca)

Exhibit B - Strapping tall dark and handsome young lad with bright future ahead asked to leave even before confirmation. Reason? Caught wilfully conducting a misdemeanour at the work place. This lad should be also nicely resting at home right now. (welcome to the club pal.You're still employed though, just no income)

Both of the above are true stories that happened within this month.

My point is, while non-Christians are not actively answerable to a higher being, we as Christians are. And for those who claim to be Christians and do not look like they answer to any higher being, good luck to them. Think of it as taking your boss's Ferrari out for a spin (without telling him of course) while he is in a board room meeting. Career limiting move. Tsk, tsk, tsk....

And so, I am currently waiting for my Boss's approval and comments on some of my plans for the job hunt. Does that mean I do nothing and just wait for my Boss to tell me what to do? Nope! My Boss is not the kind where you go to mountain top and wait for coconut to fall from sky. Afraid it does not work that way. It would be a little like this:

1. Trust that Boss will show you best plan

2. Clear any ulterior personal motives (basically, let Boss control you and not you control Boss)

3. Repent of your current blackmarks (or sins) in your life

4. Be the Christian He wants you to be

5. Acknowledge His power

6. Wait for directive

7. In the meantime, expose myself to available job options. Talk to people in the industry and continue the research

And for those who think I am pulling these nonsense from the air, go read Psalms 25.

Oh yes, now this picture was taken at Shinjuku, in Tokyo during my recent trip to Japan. I could not resist but snap a shot of this chap holding this really DUBIOUS looking sign. Just so you know, I took this from about 50m away, thanks to my nifty last-season's-model Panasonic Lumix. I could not figure out why he was holding the sign in the middle of a busy walkway. Poor English? Heck! Give me the sign! I would take over his job anytime! Serena suggested that it could be a nice way of pimping. Yep, Shinjuku has also a vibrant red-light district. Honestly, where we were did not look red-light to me. You want red-light, try going to the Paris one, around the Moulin Rouge. That IS red-light.

I digress.

In line with this chap's desire to give away free hugs, I have also come to the conclusion that I should create the habit to start kissing girls. This, I solemnly declared to the wife. Her reaction was dead panned with a reply of 'My husband has gone off his rockers' as she continued putting the clothes into the wash. Really, our culture does not encourage any show of affection. Where is the love? Hidden somewhere between the heart and the oesophagus I propose. But why can't we openly express our care for friends? I slap backs and do Homy hugs with my bruthers. With Singaporean gals, it's usually the knowing look of 'uh huh, I acknowledge your presence with mental hug'.

So guys, hug and kiss the gals but don't make 'em cry. And to the Ti Ko Peh uncles who are volunteering to do it for us....Get a Life! (or go to Geylang. I understand Batam got vice cops on patrol these days)