Stay strong and journey on

We were at the Meet & Greet with Cinderella at United Square on 5 June 2016 when I happened to see this slogan on a huge poster hanging from the ceiling..

In a span of 2 months between May and June, we bought our new place, sold our current place and I decided to resign from my job.

In spite of the instability of the company and Hubby's advice to leave, I have been procrastinating with the idea as I enjoy being able to work independently here and my boss does not mico-manage me.

All of a sudden it seems that my pathway has now taken a different turn. My boss informed me of her resignation last Friday and my future here is unknown. To add on the pain, all my colleagues in London will be asked to leave by end of July.

I finally agreed.. To take a break and see what comes along for me.

From August onwards and at least for a few months, I have a new role as a SAHM and we will welcome our new house in September/October.

Changes along the way... and more to come. 

"Stay strong and journey on"... this slogan is for me.

终于

忍了, 等了。將近一年。成長了很多。最後，一年半後，我放棄了。

我不會奉承上司。不會説是非。埋頭苦干在這里原来是行不通的。還摸明其妙的被老闆， 大老闆捅了一刀。同事也不是真心。真的很難過。非常累！人言可畏。。太恐怖！

選擇花一个多月陪玉欣，帮忙媽媽，在妹妹做月时給于支持。就在做了决定的几天後, 之前应征的工作聘請了我。還愿意讓我5月才上班。

好期待。。能有机會陪家人多一点。能休息。

希望一切會是好的。新的环境是比较適合的。美好的日子，能拥有嗎？

有所启發

昨天看TVB港劇 - 4个女人3个Bar时, 有两句金玉良言。突然之間我被點醒了。。

What doesn't kill you, will make you stronger.

People that you met, things that you encounter are all meant for a reason. These people and things appear in your lives for you to learn something. So don't be unhappy, don't harp over these people or situations.

YES!! Why do I want to be upset over these crap... waste my time, energy and brain cells. Afterall, with my experience and work hard attitude, I am sure I can find some place, some one who would appreciate and reciprocate.

7 good years in my career - no complains at all. I think I am blessed.

Whatever I am experiencing right now is a TEST! Thank you for all the "education". I can overcome! Shoo Shoo... you crappy people!

好的上司，好的同事。。還眞的可慾不可求。

等待

第一次有這種等不及的感覺。毎一天都好累，撐得非常辛苦。

强顏歡笑。。抱着一天過一天原來不容易。

人言可畏。。好恐怖。

重蹈覆辙

一年後，我又来到交叉口。为什麽又那麽辛苦。我分不清她是人還是鬼。我能忍受嗎？我应該選择离开嗎？

又再一次的啟示。我想我要勇敢一点，去試試。我能試应不同的环境，工作，人。。

只要有机会。。希望能够開心点。找到事业上的满足感。

加油秋雲！

The new beginning

Tomorrow is the BIG day.. My 3 week break is ending. I had a very good break with some me-time, more time with my mum, a short getaway with hubby and so much time with my little gal. Awww I will surely miss all the things I do with her. I seriously can't bear to go back to the work life... faints! But is time to be back to reality! After working since 1999, this is my first long break, with work out of sight and out of mind. I am very thankful for having this opportunity....

I am also excited to see my new colleagues, desk, environment, processes and learn new things! Very nervous too.... hope all is good!

Good luck to myself~~ ^O^

Counting down...

Today is the last Friday that I am working here. One colleague came by and tell me she will miss me. Someone that I don't work frequently with. That moment..I am touched. I am very blessed to have nice colleagues over the past 7 years. No back-stabbing or gossiping type. The lunches invites over the past weeks.. I am so thankful. Two new colleagues that I barely knew actually invited me for lunch. I am sure I will bring along good memories with me.

Beautiful office and full of professionalism

Had the first round of interview with a company located at Ocean Financial Centre, 38th floor today. On the way there, the taxi driver told me it is a very new building. Since my first job out from school, I have never worked in companies at Raffles Place area. It's been 13 years...

Like how the headhunter described, the office is so new, so spacious. As I sat at the receptionist area, I was so amazed by the view. It overlooks the entire Marina Bay area. Beautiful! It makes people less nervous.

The receptionist is friendly and the huge TV shows the activities of the company.  Very nicely done.

The HR specialist is very professional. The hiring manager seems easy-going person.

It is the best interview session I had. The questions asked are quite demanding but can feel that the company is very serious in getting the right fit for the role and company.

Overall, the feel is very good, positive. Even if I am not selected for the second round, I am happy to have visited the office! And to have more exposure. :)

In two minds

The feeling is not good.. I haven't been like that before. I am always a decisive person. For the past month, I am just like that. I cannot seem to make up my mind.

I hear 2 voices in my head - You should stay on in your current job - you are so familiar with everything. Then there is another - There is no more prospects here - See how they treated your staff and you. If there is good one out there, accept it!

I am all willing to learn new things and I know I will be easily adaptable to a new environment.

But my concern... Will it be a wrong move? It is not always that the grass is greener at the other pastures. Will I regret? Now that I have more commitments, can I afford to go through everything once again??

I don't seem to have the courage I had before. 7 years ago, I bravely accepted the role here and the 3 weeks overseas training in US. I am prepared to learn new things. A new path... As long as there is a chance to grow and better pay, I will just accept it.

I continue to be open to options as I cannot convince myself that I should reject any interview opportunity.

And right now I am a step closer to a job offer. This makes me nervous again...........

Mixed feelings week

2013 is indeed the year of change.

Had the usual monthly chat with my boss in US and the news broke. One of our Singapore activities is moving to US and my report will be terminated. For the past few months, we have traders leaving, being terminated. And even backroom staff is not exempted. The morale in the office is extremely low and people are wondering when their turns will be. Most of us are having the "live by the day" attitude. Just do our work.

The low trade volume is the main culprit. So it is clear. I can understand the company's decision but they have forgotten when we have high trade volume since last year till January this year, all of us slogged hard. Unfortunately, the traders left one by one... after the major restructuring.

I am glad that over the years, my immediate boss in Singapore had been reciprocal and given me the flexibility in my work. I am able to learn and grow. I really missed the old simple days.....

When he moved on to another role, I was given a new role by US and new reporting 2 years ago. Although I would like very much to stay on with my role, I still embraced it and learn within the job. I met with challenges especially from my staff. It has finally been overcomed. And I slowly gain confidence in my leadership skills.

And now with the new decision, I had to change my reporting again. This time, I am back to square one.

7 years flew by.. met with several major changes but this current restructuring is the most critical and shocking.

This is truly the reality. I still find it hard to accept although I know I have to.

I need to take a step back, re-think about my role and my development with the company.

                                ~~ I feel it is time to think about myself ~~

Happenings ~~ the past year

I am back again! After almost another year..

With many hats, I have been busy being the wife, mummy, daughter, sister and employee. Many changes have since taken place both at home and work and I guess more changes are expected....

It has been an amazing journey watching Clarisse grows day by day. At 10 months old, our little gal began her time on her fours. At exactly 15 months old, our little gal is no longer on her fours. That marks a new beginning. Step by step... she is running now. At 21 months, 2 weeks old, she walks steadily and runs very fast. Watching her laugh heartily and laugh with her is my favourite thing to do now.  We find ourselves sing and dance with her. Another favourite pastime now! We are truly blessed with a cheerful, smiley, friendly and bubbly little buddle of joy.

As she enters the "Terrible Twos" stage, it marks a challenge for herself and the people around her. As I read, she is slowly finding her own identity and recognising the ability to say NO. This is the time of putting discipline in place. To show her what's right and wrong. Her favourite phrase is "don't want"! Haha!

Offcially said goodbye to the yao lan, baby bathtub, night milk feed.. Our decisive gal made the decision herself. Next to go is the pacifier!

Being a cancerian, Clarisse is very close to the family, especially the mummy. With no same age friends, cousins or neighbours, her friends are mainly the adults. That really makes her separation anxiety stronger. She probably needs more time to overcome...

I am so much looking forward to the Threes, Fours, Fives... :))

Today is my first after-work dinner date with Hubby. It's been so long that we can have dinner together on a work day. Only 2 of us. A good one. I am thankful that my mummy, the doting grandma to Clarisse, is willing to look after her for one night. Looking forward to the once in a month routine soon!!

Work wise.. I am missing the old days. No late night calls, no reporting, no people management. Simple and small setup. 2013 - the year of change. More to come...unexpectedly. That's the reality in the workplace. Keeping my fingers crossed... hopes for the best....

Had the best memorable birthday and wedding anniversary in November and December 2012! And I had my little wish fulfilled...more me-time! Alas! I begin to realize how important is that in order to become a better mum....

Right now, my hope is that no matter what changes lies ahead, I can truly embrace them.. 平安就好.

2011 ~ 第一个工作日

二零一一年一月三日：第一天工作。

还好，一切顺利。公司很安静，大家都不忙碌。石油市场还在休假。

好的开始。。希望接下来的日子，公司能赚钱，把2010年的亏损赚回来。也希望工作一切顺心。

加油吧!!  : )

转烈点

今天早上在车上与老公聊天，他说我离开旧公司是对的. 我也是这么认为。

4 年前决定找新工作是我人生的转烈点。。旧公司并不认同我的大学文品。因为我是以理工学院文品加入公司的。薪水少，工作压力大，人事非常复杂，没办法学习。。

新公司需要我去美国实习。我一向害怕一个人搭飞机，更何况是要去那么远的国家。不过，那是我唯一的机会，一定得好好把握。

勇气 +  毅力 ~~  我就这样搭上这个旅程。。

我想这是注定吧。。要我长大，勇敢一点，走出自己的框框，看看世界。加油吧 !!  : )

I am in Europe!!!

Bonjour!!! First greeting I heard in Geneva, Switzerland.... Geneva is mainly a French speaking place..... But luckily most of the people can speak English....

The flight from Singapore to Zurich was great! Of all my long haul trips, this is the best.... I could sleep for 7 hours for the 12 hours flight. I watched 2 movies too - The Proposal and Night in the Museum, Part 3..... Nice!! Food was good.... As it was a night flight, I was served supper and I was surprised to see Bak Kut Teh in the menu. Initially, the air stewardess said it was not enough and I chose Thai fish curry set instead. But she came over shortly and said she found some of it and I was served that. It was really good...even had the black soya sauce condiment, you tiao, peanuts and salted vege.... The seat is great too! The air stewardess were very friendly and helpful..... So different from all my previous trips to US.....

From Zurich to Geneva, it was a 30 min flight. As it was also business class, I was served yoghurt with fruits and nuts.... Yummy!! We were also given a toblerone choc..... small one..... ;P
Upon arrival in Geneva, I found the shuttle bus station and took the bus to Movenpick hotel..... Besides a small hipcup of the access card to the lift and room, all are good.....

Right now, I am waiting for my colleague to arrive...... Probably we will have dinner together later....... After that, hope I can sleep well and get myself prepared for day 1 in our Geneva office tomorrow....

Shall update again............ cheers!!!!