[ilikeoldchangke]

I started with the basics of course at the nursery, mostly manual labour. The foreign workers at the company thought it was weird a kid like me would want to work in such a place.


I did exactly the same things they did. Unloading pots of palms and flowering shrub off trucks under the hot sun.



It felt good working up a sweat. After the unloading, it’s pretty much free time for me since customers don’t come in droves unless it’s around the festivities.


I would wander around the large garden, do a bit of pruning, some rearrangements, sometimes I would just sit and enjoy the shade and smell of the freshly watered plants.



Daisies, roses, sunflowers, palms, frangipanis, bamboo, being surrounded by them on almost a daily basis made me feel as if I’m working in a different country, a different place.

A far cry from the concrete city we live in.


When it comes to selling, it’s simple. Prices were clearly labelled but I was given the liberty to give a bit of discount.



Everyone loves discount.


From $6 pots of mint to a $68 dollar large shrub of rosemary, I can sell anything. I could bullshit about how bamboo would fit into a rich man’s garden and how having a water feature would help keep his mistress from straying.


I even sold a Japanese pagoda to a English man who left his wife and married his Chinese colleague.


I shit you not, I sold Venus flytrap and pitcher plant to the boss of a pest control company.

He says no way my plants is more effective that his chemicals in controlling pest population.


I gave him my honest reply.


Jackson : of course la boss… your one is weapon of mass destruction ley… insects sure die en mass..…. My plants…..is for national geographic documentary one….conversation starters…...i ask you I ask you…. You single right…. You single….



Boss of pest company : what has that got to do with this…. ??


I noticed he is without a wedding ring but what really gave him away was I overheard him on his phone earlier asking his friend to hook him up with another girl for a date.


High chance single eligible male.

Jackson : imagine you trying to strike a conversation with a girl about your work….which one is a better conversation started…. Bottles of chemicals…. Or these….


I pointed to the 2 pot of carnivorous plants.



Jackson : Natural…. Organic pest control….the inspiration behind the values you founded your company on….. Striking a necessary balance…

I stopped talking and wait for my bullshit to sink in.


Boss of pest company : that is absolute bullshit bro…….


There was a 2 second pause as he looked at the plants.


Boss of pest company : …………….. but i’ll take it…



Jackson : thank you boss….


I would give the occasional bags of fertilisers if I like the customers, sometimes I threw in a free pot. If I see kids running around, I might pass them a marble or two while their parents browse my wares.


I knew the other bosses and employees along the entire stretch of nursery.



Some of them gingerly commented that their kids don’t even want to come down and help out, choosing to settle for work in an airconditioned office.


Well, it’s their lose.


I come to work in shorts, singlet and flip flops most of the time. There’s really not a lot of work out that that can go with my choice of attire.


My grandfather told me manual labour and gardening don’t pay. I know that, but it’s something that I enjoy doing.


Grandpa : Singapore is not a place you get to make a living doing things you enjoy…….


Jackson : but if I don’t try….i’ll never know right… ? hahah


Grandpa : hahaha…. True.. true… ah gong don’t have much for you but I can guarantee you a roof over your head…the rest… you got to figure it out….


Jackson : That is more than enough for me….

My classmates thought my choice of part time work is weird too.

I don’t blame them.


I did a business course in polytechnic and my friends were saying if I loved plants that much, I should have gone and do something related.



Botany or something, landscaping, built environment.

I told the girls I wanted to start my own business and manage my own empire in the future. Shit like that sounds good to girls.


I was a little more candid with the guys.


I went to the business course for the girls. I hooked up with my first girlfriend in polytechnic within the 1st month.

At the end of the 1st year, I pretty much went though all the girls that looks above average that any guy would want to bed as long as you are not gay.



This pretty much meant I was labelled as a jerk by the end of the 1st year.


Well the truth is I don’t want to be too specialised in something. Dreams may be dreams but I’m well aware of the need to pay my bills and to take care of my grandfather.



I went through the list of courses available, not interested in engineering, not IT, not really into design. Business is pretty broad base, covers a wide range of subjects and it allows me more options when it comes to looking for a proper job after graduation.


I continued working part time for the landscape company until I graduated and when it’s time for me to enlist in the army. My boss wanted to go back and help whenever I can and I agreed.



Weekends after I book out, I would pop by for a few hours, make some extra dough, then head back to spend time with my grandfather.



The longer I worked at that landscape place, the more convinced I was that I wanted to go into it full time.


Not as an employee.



I wanted to be my own boss.


I told myself that every hour I put into the part time work then was me getting my experience level up.


One day, when I’m ready, I will take the plunge.


One day.



First, I need to get my national service out of the way first.


Now when it comes to the military, I have it all figure out. It’s really simple actually so for those who has yet to serve, take it from the old bird here.


Just stay low profile and invisible.





Really invisible.


No, I can’t do the minimum in the army, you’re going to get marked for death literally.

I can’t go all out thumping my chest, people will roll their eyes at you.



Stay in the middle of the bell curve.



Average brother, average.



Don’t be the first, don’t be the last. Stay in the middle and keep your mouth shut.


I ran at a comfortable pace, I did what I was told, and I kept my head down and smile. 2.5 years will pass in a breeze.

When it’s time for the acting session for everyone to demonstrate who has leadership qualities, I had to stop myself from laughing at some of the antics my fellow army mates were displaying.



Almost everyone wanted to be a commander, it was drama at it’s best.


Boys in the middle of transition to men or so they say are expected to roleplay and within that few hours, someone will determine if you are meant to be a leader.



When it was my turn to cross an obstacle as the commander, I did not even hesitate. I immediately asked for suggestions and I took the one that made most sense and needed least effort.



Least effort is the key. I didn’t even want to think of a solution on my own.


Jackson : that is an excellent idea brother…. We shall do that… hahahah…. You’re in charge…. Let’s do it.. come on !!...



After the whole situational test is over, I was pulled aside by the officer who was evaluating us.


Officer : Recruit Jackson…. Why…


Jackson :why what Sir…. ?



Officer : While everyone is trying to demonstrate what they can do….….. I see you spending the time trying hide from others what you are capable off…..leadership…. cannot be taught… it’s either in you or it’s not….. some people struggle with it their whole lives…..


Jackson : I just want my 2.5 years to pass…… I don’t want the responsibilities of having to take care of others….. and… I’m pretty sure I didn’t demonstrate any leadership qualities….


Officer : No you didn’t demonstrated any…….you merely put in the extra effort to hide any that you might have………


I was a little taken aback by that statement as he walked away with a smile.



Officer : …….what a waste….what a waste… haha…


Keeping to myself worked out pretty well for me for the first couple of months until something happened.


A man paid me a visit once day.



It was out of the blue, I was pulled out of my bunk and told to report to the office for some administration matter.



A man named Owen introduced himself to me.


Owen : Hi Jackson…. My name is Owen…. And I have a proposition for you….



Jackson : huh ? … why me….


Owen : We’ve been keeping an eye on you for a while….. since back when you were in school in fact…. You’re athletic….you’re fast… you can talk….and of course…. You topped your cohort in terms of results…… you are smart…. And you are low profile….. You’re raised by your grandfather…..I could go on…and on….



I said nothing and I just looked at that man.


He’s not in uniform, he came empty handed.


There were no other officers or staff in the office, just the 2 of us.



He’s waiting for me to talk, to ask him what he wanted but I’m not doing it.



Why should I ask when it was him who came to make me an offer.


We stared at each other for close to a full minute before Owen smiled and nodded his head.


Owen : We have…. An offer for you …. A career…. Like no other….


Jackson : err…. I’m not interested in signing on with the army….

Owen laughed.



Owen : I’m not with the army…..


Jackson : then where ?



Owen smiled and just raised his eyebrow.



Jackson : ermm… Navy… ? Air force… ?



He shook his head.



Owen : We…. Are a special group of people….and we do things that needs to be done…. In unconventional ways…… if necessary…



I slammed the table with my eyes wide apart and pointed excitedly at him.


Jackson :OH!!! OH!!! OH!!!.... FUCK!!!.. James Bond shit !!! you’re doing those James Bond shit right !!!!



Owen was a little taken aback at my outburst and with my enthusiasm.


Owen : Well… not exactly….


Jackson :No need to explain… sign me the fuck up… !!!! will I get paid… ? Do I get to drive an Aston Martin !!!! Bentley!!!…. I want a suit….. a tailored one…. What about my annual leave… bonus….. is this considered signing on ? …. Is there an official contract.. ?



Rubbing my hands eagerly I could see Owen trying to get a read on me.


Jackson : what ?



Owen : I usually don’t get this level of enthusiasm …. From potential recruits….



Jackson : Why not…??!!!



Owen leaned back on his chair and asked me some questions. I gave the right answer to them all.


Jackson : I will die for my country !!!!!! I WILL!!! I swear !!! confirm plus chop!!! Anything !!! I’ll do it !!! I swear my loyalty…. My allegiance…. Anything ….!!



Owen nodded his head after talking to me for 15 minutes before saying he will consider all applicants before getting in touch.


I smiled and shook his hands eagerly, giving him a thumbs up before he went out the door.



The moment the door closed, the smiled disappeared from my face.


He came in so cock sure he had me.

He came in empty handed, he said he’s been keeping an eye on me for a while.




I assumed he has access to my academic details, my performance in the military is average at best. Someone probably tipped him off about seeing someone with potential, that’s why he came.



He wanted to see if there is an unpolished gem for him to discover.


What made him come is not my academic past, it’s the notion that I can remain unnoticed and exists as an unpolished gem in a place where most are looking to excel.



He wanted that sense of control, or in my case, my desires to remain unnoticed.

I massaged my jaws and face, the exaggerated expressions must have pulled some muscles I seldom used. I left the office and I saw Owen talking to my Platoon commander.





I waved excitedly at him and gave him 2 thumbs up eagerly.



He put on his sunglasses and left.





Well, that’s the last I’m going to see of him I think.







Money, fame, glory , James bond stuff ? Not my style.



Simple, comfortable and a happy life with my grandfather, that’s what I’m talking about.



Bringing him overseas, sightseeing, holidays. Those are what I really wanted.





My time in the military flew by and I started work at a logistics company as an operations executive.



On weekends, I would still go back to the nursery to help out, not so much for the money, but more of my interest and to reconnect with my bosses and colleagues who were so kind towards me all these years.