Had I known that retirement would be enjoyable, I would have retired earlier. No more waking up early, no more meetings, no more "earth-shaking" decisions to be made, no more rushing in airports and living in hotels! I'm free!

After having worked for 40 years of my life, you'd think I would be at a loss as to what to do with all the time that I have now. Not so! Because all the time is MY TIME now and I can do whatever I want to do with it. That is such a liberating feeling.

Of course, I still teach and do consultancies occasionally, but only when I choose to do so. Otherwise, time is spent being quality controller, inventory manager and all-purpose assistant of our youngest daughter (whose on-line wholesale garments business is run from the house), making my origami handicrafts, playing my favorite computer games, communicating with friends, reading, enjoying music, walking around - the possibilities are endless!

After having my last major surgery (multiple bypass) in late 2006, I now look at things in a different light. There is beauty in simple, ordinary things. I have tremendous patience and don't stress easily now. What happened to the hyperactive Teng? She's still there, but the "hyper" has been toned down. You can say, she has mellowed with age. There have been other changes too. Whereas before, exercise was not in my vocabulary, it is now a must, albeit only brisk walking (following my cardiologist's instructions). The downside is that I am not allowed to dance for more than 10 minutes. What a change for the former "Disco Queen"!

Retirement means sitting back, relaxing, enjoying life in general and reminiscing about both the good times and the bad, the "what ifs", past glories and embarassments, far-off relatives and old friends, and chuckling at some of life's ironies. But most of all, doing the things one had postponed to do, when one was busy working, and relishing every minute of the time we spend with our family.