Last week

So week one of unemployment was spent in Bali a land of sun sea and beautiful underwater life. So sad to be leaving tomorrow but all good things have to come to an end. Updates soon, but for now, we are going to enjoy waves lapping onto the shore the salty sea breeze and the last awesome sunset.

Q3 round ups

Officially Q4

Last Wednesday was our 6 month anniversary back in Singapore. As the cliche goes, time flies! We are now set up in a little apartment near my parents, have rekindled old friendships, and forged some awesome new ones. For so many reasons and more, I am thankful. 

This week was a week of many changes.

:: I finished my 6 month contract in a PE firm and for once in my life, I thoroughly enjoyed my work. I had super understanding boss, lovely colleagues who will no doubt become long time friends, interesting work, and a good work life balance. Why did it end? We got acquired some months back and my job is likely to be moved to the Middle East. It was a tough decision as to whether or not I should have stayed on for 6 more months and 'see how', but I knew things were about to change by the end of 2012. I have good memories of this place, and I hope to keep it that way.

:: During my 6 months stint, I also busied myself with looking for a more permanent job, and hesitated between staying some time more in the financial services, or moving onto a more operational role. During this time I have been very blessed with a few options (all very different) on the table. For 18 months when I was desperate to get out of my old job in London - the phonecalls for interviews were few and far between, and the results, almost always disappointing. There were several twists and turns to getting to the next stage, and I have had to deal with some sticky situations (no less all caused by me), but I have been blessed with a supportive family, group of friends, and fairly understanding and kind 'adverseries'. For this I am very thankful.

:: On to the new role, the organisation is not one that is very well known on the high street, and whilst I will be doing all things (i.e. saigang!) involving APAC and the role is highly operational, it is a step towards being closer to a management team so the stategy aspect called very much to me. The other big plus, is that the global team in which I will report into is based in a country where Mr Mo is from. I don't know if doors will be open for us there in the future, but i guess it is a start.

:: This whole 6 months was a period of self-discovery, learning how to make choices, deciding what I wanted, and assessing how much of a risk taker I am (not very much it seems).  With three of the four options imperfect, I had to take the best decision with the information I had to hand. What I have come to learn that when so much thought and consideration has gone into the process, there can be no wrong decision, just a life choice that one makes. What happens there on is that you just bite the bullet and move on. Recently,  I re-read an old motivational classic 'Who moved my cheese?' The additional twist to that 'movement of cheese' is also the type of cheese available at the different cheese stations. Try, like it or hate it, then decide if you will stay or go in search of new cheese. Easier said than done? The most difficult part is breaking through that mental block -- actually 'deciding' to 'decide'.

:: My little sister graduated from university - the last of us 3. She's been stellar in supporting the family, and i am thankful that we have become much closer these days despite our age difference, and our bonds are strong. A lady at the photography studio said to me last week 'i'm so envious, your sisters and your mom all of you are so close, like old friends. It is so unusual to see such a tight knit family these days'. I smiled a little, my mom had a big smile when I told her that. 

:: Lastly, I also celebrated my birthday in Singapore for the first time in half a decade. I am thankful for family, friends and my loved one who have been so thoughtful to remember, taking time out to have dinner and cake, so many wishes on facebook (though more a function of the fact that timeline re-set my privacy settings more than anything) and messages from old friends asking how life is. I have no lack of any needs or material wants, no need for birthday gifts, just a thought and a gesture, is more than I could ever ask for. My most thoughtful present this year, is my dad singing me a birthday song with a big smile on his face. People who are close to me know that I am grappling with a challenging situation at home with my dad's condition. Words and smiles from him, is more than anything I can ask for.

Now onto the last quarter, may the next few months be full of adventure, joy, and good things to come. I look forward to discovering 'new cheeses' but for now, it's hello Bali for a full week!

xx