It has been
about half a year since I last posted but much has happened over this period and
I thought to give a quick wrap up before 2018 concludes.
Sometime
in the middle of the year, we were invited to pitch for an e-cigarette company.
There were some discussions as to whether we should be working for them and management
eventually decided that we can work for them as long as the team members on the
account are comfortable. The argument as I understand it, is that many people
would die from smoking traditional cigarettes anyway, so e-cigarette is an
alternative which still allows smokers to get their nicotine fix without the
combustion of tar which is supposedly the killer. Don’t really agree with this
logic since there is absolutely no reason to get people hooked on nicotine,
smoker or not, but I did tell my boss that if I have to, I will help out if
required.
We then
had a string of few new business wins with big names and big fees. The new
Director CY also got us a blue-chip client. He sits right next to me so… talk
about pressure! That said, it was a very difficult time for employees as everyone
was getting crushed by the sheer workload.
CY and
I were then scheduled to go on reservist at the same time in September, noting
the workload and manpower state, my boss panicked and told both of us to
request for deferment. My request failed but fortunately, CY’s unit granted him
the deferment.
Our new
Operations Manager, JT, decided to organise a cooking class for the team as
part of a team-bonding exercise. We were asked to cook paella (first time I
ever heard that term). We were supposed to form teams of four and as I was the
odd one out which nobody wanted on their team, was designated to be the instructor
chef’s assistant.
Reservist
this time was fine. It was quite challenging to get in touch with work and I
just gave up all together. Right after reservist, I only had a week in the
office before I would leave for my trip to China, Cangzhou – the second stop in
my Martial Arts World Tour. The martial art I was seeking to learn then, was
Bajiquan. Even when I was in China, I did try to get in touch with work, but it
was very difficult due to the lack of a stable connection – I also eventually
gave up and decided to focus on my trip. The trip was very enjoyable, although
the training was tough. After the first day of training, my legs were so sore I
had to take a break the next day. I then progressively excused myself from the
night classes and then the runs. They must have thought I was a weakling! I am
just going to chalk that up to old age. I drank quite a bit of baijiu (and some
other alcohol) when I was in China. Being the foreigner, I would always be
offered and would have to offer a toast to everyone present during meals. I
didn’t have much experience with baijiu previously, but it was horribly strong
and whenever I got back to my room, would try to gulp down litres of water to
hydrate myself.
The
extended period of which I was away from office and work would give me much
time to think and reflect.
When I
eventually got back to work, I struggled very much to get back into the flow of
things and did feel rather lost at times. I had many continuous nights of
working past midnight which was really draining.
My boss
then told me to accompany her to the UK to attend a company gathering. I didn’t
really want to go since I was swamped with work at that time and it would be
disruptive, but I didn’t have enough “social capital” then to worm myself out.
I thought long and hard when I was at the airport and during the incredibly
long flight, and made a decision. The company gathering was at a hotel in the
countryside in Hampshire which was peaceful and quiet, and was a chance for me
to meet many of my colleagues from the UK.
After
Hampshire, my boss gave me a ride to London where I will be working over the
next few days at the company HQ. In the car ride, we spoke about how the Asia
office has come a long way and I decided to tell her about the decision I made
on the flight. I resigned. She said that she knew the time would come
eventually, and she knew that I would not change my mind once I had decided to
move on. I then proceeded to say that I am aware of how swamped everyone is
with workloads and “within a reasonable period of time, I would like to help
with the transition”. Long story short, that became a notice period of around 5
months. Not sure if that is the best move. Every single day here, now that I
have resigned, is excruciating.
I have
decided to teach after leaving and I know very well that that would mean
starting from scratch since it is a mid-career switch. I will have to go
through the NIE programme and work my way up. I expect a huge pay cut and some
changes in lifestyle will be required. I have had mixed reactions from family
and friends on my decision, but no matter – I know that this is going ahead.
I also
caught up with a friend in the UK who has been seconded there for a long-term
assignment. He has been my national service and reservist buddy for many years
and yet another of my good friends who have either relocated or gotten married.
LAB is relocating to San Francisco, LT is relocating to Tokyo and AS is
married. I guess in a certain way, I am also moving on, although whether or not
it is progress, is yet to be seen.
My dad had semi-retired previously but due to cash flow problems, had to go back to work. He first tried being a cab driver but was unable to take the working hours. He then went to be a security officer at Changi Airport and couldn't take it either. He now wants to break the bond and will need to pay a penalty fee. I know that he is advanced in age and that his back is giving him problems, but sometimes I really wonder if the problem lies in his outlook on life. He has been in the family business for so long, he doesn't really know what it is like to work for others. He doesn't keep up with technology. He constantly complains that such work is demeaning as he is a university graduate. As I am right now, I'm not sure I have the capability alone to ensure both my parents retire and also put my sisters through their studies.
To think some of my peers still consider me very wealthy...
[Quotes]
“Progress isn't made by early risers. It's
made by lazy men trying to find easier ways to do something.” - Robert Heinlein
“And a step backward, after making a wrong
turn, is a step in the right direction.” - Kurt Vonnegut
“You will find that it is necessary to let
things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy.” - C. JoyBell C.
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