10 February 2020: First Day at Work in Singapore

 

This chapter highlights Kombani’s first professional day in Singapore while reflecting on preparation, opportunity, and lessons from his mother.

Context and Form

The chapter continues the epistolary style, addressed directly to Kombani’s mother, maintaining intimacy and reflective depth. The date, 10 February 2020, situates the narrative shortly after his arrival in Singapore and amid growing global concern over the COVID-19 outbreak.

The letter blends personal reflection, professional observation, and social awareness, showing how past experiences and maternal guidance shape present actions.

Plot Explanation – Detailed Analysis

The chapter begins with Kombani settling into his new professional environment in Singapore, immediately giving the reader a sense of place and circumstance:

“Today was my first day at the office located in Changi Business Park. I am now relaxing at the hotel residency and catching up on some work.”

This establishes both the physical setting (Changi Business Park, hotel residency) and his emotional state—he is adjusting, reflective, and proactive in organizing his work.

Kombani then contacts his new boss, Paul, via text. This interaction introduces an important character and links past preparation to current professional opportunity:

“Paul will be my new boss. I met him and Suman in September last year when my family was here for a ‘look-see’.”

The reference to the “look-see” visit shows the planned nature of his relocation and provides context for the reader about family involvement in his career decisions. It also introduces Suman, who will likely be important later.

Next, Kombani encounters the global reality of the COVID-19 outbreak, providing factual grounding in a contemporary global event. He learns about travel restrictions and Singapore’s DORSCON Orange alert:

“‘The government raised the DORSCON Level to Orange,’ Paul explained… ‘Orange’ means the disease is severe and spreading, but being contained.”

This highlights both public health awareness and the impact of global events on personal and professional life. Kombani’s inclusion of this detail shows his attention to context and responsibility in a new environment.

Despite the seriousness of the virus outbreak, Kombani notes the efficiency and preparation of the office while reflecting on his own emotional response:

“Everything on the outside is perfect, very well laid out for me. On the inside, however, I cannot help but feel inadequate.”

This moment shows humility and self-reflection, contrasting external professionalism with internal vulnerability—a theme of personal growth and adaptation.

The narrative then shifts to a flashback from childhood, connecting past experiences to current lessons:

“This reminds me of when I was joining school in 1986 and almost missed the opportunity… It was you who insisted that the school give me a written assessment, which I passed so well that Molo Academy Primary School had no choice but to admit me into their nursery section.”

This anecdote illustrates the mother’s influence in Kombani’s life, emphasizing her role as an advocate and guide. It highlights how maternal insistence and persistence created opportunities that shaped his trajectory.

Finally, Kombani reflects on the lesson of asking and advocacy, linking childhood experience to adult professional life:

“This, as I am learning now, is among the most significant things I learnt from you — the power of asking.”

This statement serves as the moral and emotional conclusion of the chapter, showing how past guidance continues to inform present decisions and professional confidence.

Key Illustrations and Insights

1. Physical and Professional Setting: Changi Business Park and hotel residency — shows adaptation to new environment.

2. Character Introduction: Paul as his new boss, Suman as part of family preparation — provides relational context.

3. Global Context: COVID-19 travel restrictions, DORSCON Orange alert — adds realism and urgency.

4. Internal Conflict: Feeling inadequate despite external preparedness — highlights emotional depth.

5. Flashback and Maternal Influence: Early schooling and mother’s advocacy — connects past lessons to present opportunities.

6. Life Lesson: The power of asking — central thematic takeaway for both personal and professional growth.

Simple Plot Flow

1. Kombani begins his first day at his new office in Singapore.

2. He communicates with his boss, Paul, and recalls prior visits.

3. Learns about COVID-19 precautions and travel restrictions.

4. Observes office efficiency and reflects on his own preparedness.

5. Remembers his early schooling and his mother’s advocacy.

6. Concludes with a lesson on the importance of asking for opportunities.

Persona and Voice 

In this chapter, Kombani’s voice continues to be reflective, observant, and sincere, showing a balance between professional awareness, personal emotion, and gratitude toward his mother. The text demonstrates these qualities through specific examples:

1. Professional Observation

Kombani carefully notes the efficiency, systems, and procedures of Singapore, showing his attentiveness and analytical thinking:

“Everything was prepared for me, including guidelines on how to access the building.”
“The levels of efficiency in Singapore should be a subject taught in schools around the world.”

These comments indicate that he is observing and evaluating his environment, not just experiencing it. His awareness of formal systems such as the DORSCON alert also shows professional responsibility:

“‘The government raised the DORSCON Level to Orange,’ Paul explained. ‘Orange’ means the disease is severe and spreading, but being contained.”

Here, Kombani’s voice is precise and factual, reflecting professional comprehension and attentiveness to safety protocols, as well as responsibility in following workplace rules.

2. Emotional Reflection

Despite his professionalism, Kombani’s voice is open about vulnerability. He contrasts the external perfection of the office and city with his internal feelings:

“Everything on the outside is perfect, very well laid out for me. On the inside, however, I cannot help but feel inadequate.”

This reveals self-awareness and humility. The narrative also connects to childhood memories to illustrate how past experiences shape current feelings:

“This reminds me of when I was joining school in 1986 and almost missed the opportunity… It was you who insisted that the school give me a written assessment, which I passed so well that Molo Academy Primary School had no choice but to admit me into their nursery section.”

By juxtaposing present professional challenges with childhood lessons, the narrator’s voice conveys a sense of continuity in growth, learning, and personal development.

3. Gratitude and Admiration

Even in this professional and reflective context, Kombani consistently acknowledges his mother’s influence, blending admiration with personal insight:

“This, as I am learning now, is among the most significant things I learnt from you — the power of asking.”

Through this statement, the narrator explicitly credits his mother for his successes, highlighting her role as a moral and practical guide. His admiration is understated but clear; it is not effusive praise but a recognition that her lessons continue to guide him in adult life.

In this chapter, Kombani’s persona is multi-layered:

• Professional observer: Notices efficiency, follows protocols, understands travel and work procedures.

• Emotionally reflective: Honest about feelings of inadequacy, links past challenges to present experience.

• Grateful and admiring: Continuously connects achievements and insights to maternal guidance.

This combination makes the narrator authentic, relatable, and instructive, blending real-world observation with personal growth and moral reflection, which is a hallmark of his autobiographical voice.

Thematic Analysis 

a) Preparation and Opportunity

A key theme in this chapter is preparing for and seizing opportunities, linking past lessons to present success. Kombani explicitly credits his mother for instilling the habit of proactivity and advocacy:

“This, as I am learning now, is among the most significant things I learnt from you — the power of asking.”

This reflection ties his first-day experiences at the office in Singapore to lessons learned in childhood, when his mother advocated for him to take the written assessment to gain admission to nursery school:

“If you had not asked on that day, I would not have joined school when I did.”

Here, Kombani draws a clear line between early preparation, parental guidance, and his adult professional opportunities. He recognises that success is not accidental; it comes from being ready and assertive.

CBE link: Learners are encouraged to prepare thoroughly, identify opportunities, and take initiative, understanding that success often follows readiness combined with action.

b) Professionalism and Global Awareness

This chapter emphasizes awareness of global systems, workplace structures, and public health, reflecting Kombani’s professional maturity. He demonstrates familiarity with modern technology and workplace practices:

“Mother, now we have mobile phones… we can also send virtual money to people, which they can either send to others or withdraw as cash.”

He also situates himself in the global context of the COVID-19 outbreak, showing awareness of international safety measures:

“News about the spread of the virus has been dominating the global airwaves since the end of January…”
“The Singapore government has also initiated contact tracing… The government raised the DORSCON Level to Orange…”

By including these observations, the text shows the reader that professionalism involves understanding both local and global regulations, and responding appropriately to crises.

CBE link: Learners can see the importance of being informed, aware of global developments, and following structured protocols, which is essential for responsible citizenship and career readiness.

c) Reflection and Humility

Despite entering a high-profile role in a prestigious global bank, Kombani is candid about his inner feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt:

“Everything on the outside is perfect, very well laid out for me. On the inside, however, I cannot help but feel inadequate.”

This emotional honesty reinforces the theme of reflection and humility. He does not present himself as unshakable or arrogant; instead, he shows that success can coexist with self-awareness and vulnerability.

Additionally, he links this reflection to childhood experiences, noting how he almost missed educational opportunities:

“This reminds me of when I was joining school in 1986 and almost missed the opportunity.”

By connecting past and present, the text teaches that reflection helps learners understand personal growth and areas for improvement.

CBE link: Emotional intelligence, including humility and self-reflection, is essential for resilience, learning from experiences, and managing professional and personal challenges.

d) Gratitude and Maternal Influence

The chapter continues to highlight the enduring influence of his mother on Kombani’s personal and professional development. Through her guidance and advocacy, she helped shape his confidence and ability to seize opportunities:

“It was you who insisted that the school give me a written assessment…”
“This… is among the most significant things I learnt from you — the power of asking.”

The narrative demonstrates that maternal influence is not limited to childhood. Her lessons about preparation, self-advocacy, and persistence resonate in his first day at the office in Singapore, showing the long-term impact of parental guidance.

CBE link: Learners can appreciate the value of mentorship, guidance, and family support in shaping personal growth, responsibility, and readiness for challenges.

e) Adaptability and Navigating Change

A subtle but important theme in this chapter is adapting to new environments and uncertainty. Kombani navigates a foreign work environment, stringent immigration protocols, and public health measures with composure and awareness:

“I smile. All the documentation is there… The officer finally stamps the relevant documents and waves me on with a smile. The glass gate slides open, ushering me through.”

The chapter also highlights technological and procedural adjustments, such as using mobile money, virtual communication, and understanding corporate bureaucracy.

CBE link: Learners are encouraged to adapt to new environments, think critically, and navigate changes with confidence and planning.

Characterisation 

1. Kombani

a) Reflective and Observant
Kombani pays attention to both his surroundings and the broader context. He notices small but significant details at Changi Business Park and in pandemic measures, showing that he is analytical and aware:

“Many people are wearing masks, temperature scanners are set up in public places, and flyers and pull-up banners urge people to wash and sanitise their hands.”

This observation reflects careful attention to procedure and societal norms, a skill crucial in both professional and personal life.

b) Grateful and Humble
He recognises that his current success is rooted in lessons learned from his mother. By linking his first day in Singapore to the early childhood experience of joining nursery school, he demonstrates gratitude and humility:

“This, as I am learning now, is among the most significant things I learnt from you — the power of asking.”

Even in a high-ranking position, he remains aware that opportunity and guidance were essential to his journey, reflecting emotional maturity.

c) Emotionally Honest
Despite the prestige of his job, Kombani admits vulnerability and self-doubt:

“On the inside, however, I cannot help but feel inadequate.”

This honesty makes him relatable to readers, showing that professional achievement does not eliminate human emotion or insecurity.

2. Mother (Indirectly Characterised)

a) Advocate and Enabler
Although she is not physically present, her actions continue to shape Kombani’s life. She ensured he had access to education despite systemic or personal limitations:

“It was you who insisted that the school give me a written assessment, which I passed so well that Molo Academy Primary School had no choice but to admit me…”

Her advocacy shows foresight, determination, and belief in her child’s potential, even in small but crucial ways.

b) Teacher of Life Skills
The mother’s lessons go beyond formal education. The value of asking, asserting oneself, and seizing opportunities remains relevant decades later:

“This… is among the most significant things I learnt from you — the power of asking.”

Through her indirect influence, Kombani internalises life skills that continue to guide his professional and personal decisions.

Literary Devices 

1. Direct Address (Apostrophe)

Kombani maintains an intimate, conversational connection with his mother throughout the text:

“Mother, now we have mobile phones…”

This device bridges the past and present, showing ongoing emotional reliance and reverence, even though she is absent. It also allows the narrative to blend personal reflection with professional updates, keeping the reader engaged.

2. Anecdote and Flashback

The author juxtaposes current experiences with childhood memories to draw thematic parallels. The anecdote about joining nursery school demonstrates continuity between maternal influence and adult achievement:

“This reminds me of when I was joining school in 1986 and almost missed the opportunity.”

Flashbacks serve as evidence for Kombani’s reflection on the power of preparation, initiative, and guidance.

3. Exposition and Technical Detail

The narrative incorporates specific procedural details of work and travel to create authenticity:

“…the bank’s senior management sent out a global broadcast prohibiting non-essential travel…”

These technical elements ground the narrative in reality, showing that Kombani is navigating not just personal growth but also complex systems and regulations.

4. Reflective Tone

The overall tone is calm, introspective, and analytical, blending professional observation with personal reflection:

“On the inside, however, I cannot help but feel inadequate.”

This reflective tone reinforces emotional honesty, showing readers that Kombani’s success is tempered by self-awareness and the lessons he values from his mother.

In this chapter, characterisation and literary devices work together to highlight Kombani’s growth as a professional and reflective individual while demonstrating the enduring influence of his mother.

• Kombani’s observant nature, gratitude, and vulnerability make him relatable and aspirational.

• The mother’s indirect presence underscores advocacy, life lessons, and moral guidance.

• Literary devices—apostrophe, flashbacks, technical exposition, and reflective tone—enhance realism, emotional depth, and reader engagement.

This combination ensures that the reader sees not only the plot of his first day in Singapore but also the continuity of maternal influence and the emotional landscape of the narrator.

Values and Competencies

1. Resilience – Handling new professional challenges despite global uncertainty

Kombani demonstrates resilience by adapting to a new work environment under unusual circumstances. Despite arriving in Singapore amid the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak and facing travel restrictions, he proceeds with his responsibilities:

“On the inside, however, I cannot help but feel inadequate.”

“…the bank’s senior management sent out a global broadcast prohibiting non-essential travel to, among other locations, Singapore.”

He acknowledges uncertainty and discomfort, yet continues to navigate the situation professionally. This models perseverance in the face of challenges—a key CBE competency for learners facing unfamiliar tasks or obstacles.

2. Preparedness and Responsibility – Bringing documents, understanding protocols, reflecting on lessons

Kombani shows responsibility through meticulous preparation. He carries a blue folder containing all required work and immigration documents and follows formal procedures:

“I have a blue folder full of documents. This time, I will not follow the usual immigration process I have taken on my previous trips to Singapore. Instead, I will do what the cover letter in my blue folder full of documents says…”

He ensures compliance with rules and regulations, showing learners the importance of planning, organisation, and accountability. Moreover, he reflects on lessons from his mother—the power of asking and preparation—to succeed in professional situations:

“This… is among the most significant things I learnt from you — the power of asking.”

This links personal responsibility with practical action.

3. Emotional Intelligence – Recognising feelings of inadequacy and connecting past lessons to present

Kombani demonstrates self-awareness by acknowledging his feelings of inadequacy even as he achieves a prestigious role:

“On the inside, however, I cannot help but feel inadequate.”

He also reflects on past experiences, particularly his mother’s guidance in childhood, and applies these lessons to his current challenges. This shows emotional regulation, reflection, and gratitude, enabling learners to understand that emotions are natural but manageable in professional and personal contexts.

4. Global Awareness – Understanding international health measures and travel protocols

The chapter illustrates Kombani’s awareness of global issues, particularly public health responses:

“The Singapore government has also initiated contact tracing… The government raised the DORSCON Level to Orange… ‘Orange’ means the disease is severe and spreading, but being contained.”

He notes mask-wearing, hand sanitising, and public information measures, demonstrating attentiveness to cultural norms and societal regulations abroad. For learners, this emphasizes the value of observing, understanding, and respecting global systems while navigating international or multicultural environments.

5. Gratitude and Agency – Acknowledging maternal guidance and applying it to new situations

Kombani consistently links his professional competence to the guidance received from his mother:

“This reminds me of when I was joining school in 1986… It was you who insisted that the school give me a written assessment…”

He recognises that his ability to act confidently in a complex international workplace stems from lessons learned in childhood—showing learners that personal agency often builds on past guidance and values. Gratitude here is active, not passive; he applies the lessons learned to new challenges rather than merely remembering them.