2010 in review and on to 2011

I was meant to post this a few days earlier, but I have been so busy! I still want to list down the highlights of 2010 for myself.. it has been such an eventful year for me, I am so grateful for being blessed with all the love and amazing support network around me (family, friends and even at work).

The most significant event for me in 2010 is that Grumpy and myself finally tied the knot! We had such a beautiful wedding shared with our closest family and friends. People made the effort to travel from abroad (and interstate) to celebrate with us on our wedding day. The day was perfect, I could not ask for more. We went for a honeymoon a few days after our wedding and had such a wonderful trip.

The other eventful moments of the year:

- I went camping! haha Who ever said I was high maintenance?

- My much loved car was damaged in the hail storm and written off. BOO!

- Went back to Malaysia for my grandfather's 90th. It was also some sort of a family reunion as it has been more than 10 years where all of us grandchildren were actually back in KL at the same time. Shortly after, my grandfather suffered a bad stroke that has taken away much of his memory and things has changed significantly since, but he is such a trooper and I admire him so much because of it.

- Worn a wig for the first time at my BFF's birthday party in Sydney.

- Went skiing with friends this year... after a long period of time, and I loved it!

- I saw Tiesto, Lady Gaga, U2 and Jay-Z. Each of them, a different genre, but all of them were absolutely brilliant.

- We did our first real DIY home renovation project! We changed the floors in our living room from carpet to floating timber, all by ourselves! I have not had a chance to blog about it yet, but I will at some point post some photos here.

- I was able to spend a bit more time with my parents. I realise that I normally only get to see them for about two weeks in the one year. But in 2010, I was able to see them for about 7-8 weeks, all split up in different trips, but it was good! I think that they really appreciate me being home more often and I am glad that I was able to be there with them.

- I went to Perth with Grumpy, and while I was there, I got offered a new job with a different company.

- I still cannot believe this was the year I resigned from a job after being so comfortable there for many years. Working with this company, I have grown so much as a person both professionally and personally. This was the company that brought me to Dublin to have the time of my life, and has also given me opportunity to be part of many significant projects. Lets not forget the company that sent me back to KL twice, staying in a 5 star hotel and eating all my favourite food back home on company expense. This was the company where I made so many friends, had the chance to discover new cultures, different languages... I will definitely miss it! And so they say.. life goes on...

2011 I hope to....

- Enjoy my new job. I know I will never have the same experiences or work environment as before, but I most certainly hope that things will work out and I will continue to learn new things and take up new challenges.

- Continue with our mini home renovation project. Next up, is the carpets. We need to change new carpets in all the bedrooms. And there are little things in the house that I keep wanting to do but have not had the chance to make it happen as yet. Laziness is a big part of it, but can I blame it on financial constraints as well?

- We will be going to Japan in a few months. Really looking forward to this.

- Eat healthy, continue to exercise, read more books, and I know this sounds weird, but I really don't mind keeping a low profile this year...

- Be kind, be considerate, be loving and caring, compassionate person to all my loved ones especially to my husband and my parents.

So there we go, lets welcome the New Year with as much hope, faith and love as before! I wish all of you great happiness, good health and much love, laughter and joy!

Just Stop

This is exactly how I felt like today...

And I will explain why..

So on Tuesday, my bosses were asking me what I want, what I really really want... And nobody mentioned numbers, so I told Belgian Chocolates that is was very hard for me to think it through if I do not even know how much they wanted to pay me to stay. "Yeah I know" that was his response. So I waited..

Every few hours, he would send funny emails persuading me to stay. As an example, we started off with some emails, purely work. Then we got side tracked and started talking about silly things like my workmates choice of jewellery.

Then he went "And btw who am I gonna talk fashion with...???"

I replied "Tahiti party boy (the newest member in our team who is French speaking and they get along very well)" Then I added "Problem solved".

He responded "Salary raise, next client or even Lux based project you work on, problem solved you stay"

Hahahahaha nice try indeed!

That was on Tuesday. He rings me late in the evening asking me to wait. He is making phone calls all around, trying to get the counter offer through to me with real numbers.

So I wait.

On Wednesday, still no news except that some bosses agree and want me to stay. I said to him "I really cannot wait anymore, don't waste your time, serious, I am ready to move forward now with the other company"

He is persuasive and insists I give him another day. I said I was going to hand in my physical contracts first thing Thursday morning. He has until Thursday morning to give me a number!

On Thursday morning itself, the phone rings and he informs me that he has the 'go' from two bosses in Lux. Then he said he's contacted our Australian head of HR, who is actually Canadian, and is already making her journey back to Canada for Christmas. She still replies on her Blackberry while in transit. Right... still no numbers. And its already 10am.

He asks me to give him until end of the day because of the time differences between everyone. I told him he was twisting my arm, and he said "I would never do that! I won't twist one arm, I twist both arms!"

At around 11am, the Canadian email came through, next step was the approval of her boss, who is the global head of the HR in the Asia Pac region, and he is French but sits in Singapore...

Far out man.

Finally at lunch time, he gives me a number. He says it is a significant jump in bands, etc etc. Sad to say, it was still below the amount that I was currently being offered in the new company.

Hence the picture of the raccoon above sums up how I have been feeling all week. Resignation on Monday, took them four days to decide whether or not its worth to keep me, and then to disappoint me with that crap!

Counter Offer

I woke up this morning and whipped up my resignation letter in less than five minutes. I got Little Miss-Whats-For-Lunch to send me her previous one, she resigned in July. I changed the dates and the names and I thought I would feel a bit sad, but I felt fine.

Two people knew I was going to break the news today, Little Miss-Whats-For-Lunch and Sydney Boy. Little Miss-Whats-ForLunch said she wished she was a fly on the wall (when I was going to have this conversation with Belgian Chocolates). I told Sydney Boy what she said, and he replied "We all want to be a fly on the wall!!!!! Can you call him via conference call and we will all dial in?" We all cracked up laughing, I swear.

As Belgian Chocolates is currently in KL, I waited until the team finished our daily catch up with him, then I requested for him to stay on the line, as I wanted to speak to him alone. The other three guys in my team were giving me funny faces, and Belgian Chocolates even said "Oh no, is it something bad?" in front of the team, I assured them "NOOOO!!" hehehe

Immediately as the team left the room, I was straight to the point "I'm handing in my resignation effective today, my last day will be on January 7th". My boss did not believe a word I said, and he thought I was joking. Seriously, why would I want to fool around with something like this?

The next hour was quite difficult. Tears were rolling down my cheeks, and he was so sad. He said he felt betrayed. The problem with him is that he cannot separate the two worlds - work and personal. He said he was going to give me a promotion, blah blah blah. I assured him that he was not the reason I am leaving, but it was more the role. I am ready for a new challenge, learn new things, be part of a new business, etc. I even assured him I was not going to be very far away, just two floors below. Haha (you would think I would get another job far far away from 101 Collins?!)

Finally we hung up, and in less than 10 minutes, I was off to lunch with Little Miss-Whats-For-Lunch. As we sat down, she immediately received an email from Belgian Chocolates, and he was telling her how upset he was.

He did not ring me for the rest of the day. Instead he spent his time talking to Little Miss-Whats-For-Lunch and another team mate.

Finally at about 9pm, as I stepped out the shower, there were two missed calls from him. I called him back. He said that he just got off the phone with our bosses in Luxembourg, and they would like me to stay. I kept saying to him "Oh gawddd" and he said to me "Yes... Oh Tuhan!" (the few words he learnt from watching Malaysian telly). They said to him "Ask her what she wants, and we will be able to work something out". They said they will give me a promotion... There will be more money and a change of title, but essentially doing the same thing again. Do I want to stay? If I do, I reckon I would be shitting myself in a few months time..

What should I do?

Job Offer

So... as we are approaching Christmas... I am feeling a bit overwhelmed.

I have had a hectic couple of weeks so far. I find myself rushing for appointments and running errands, it is exhausting! But highlights include an awesome U2 concert, a holiday to Perth and a new job offer! Also, I have had both my camera's ruined by others. First, my very reliable Canon digital compact which Grumpy dipped into sea at Rottnest Island, WA. Second was my Canon SLR... which my dog pulled from the dining table and it came crashing down on the floor. OMG I am THIS close to strangling both of them!

The dog has been extremely upset with me since I returned from KL as I have changed his sleeping arrangements. I have stopped him from coming up to our bed since my hay fever this year has been really bad. I know he loves sleeping on a comfy (and expensive) Sealy Posturepedic, but I just cannot have the 'transporter of all germs' snoozing on our bed anymore. And so to retaliate, he has been up to no good when left alone at home.

I have heaps of pictures to share, I uploaded all of them in to my new 27 inch iMac, and it crashed on me two days ago. It was only a month old.... yes one month! WHAT on earth is going on here?!

The most significant event would be the job offer I will soon accept.. this is with an Australian company, which I used to work for a few years ago. I am happy that I finally got a job offer after many months of job hunting. It was not easy! The hardest part for me will be tomorrow....

That is when I will announce it to my boss, Belgian Chocolates. He is not here in person at the moment, as he was seconded to the KL office for two months. So I will have to do it over the phone, which... in my opinion, works to my advantage. Oh god I hope it does! You see, he is such an emotional person. He is, after all, European! There were pros and cons working with him. The best part is that he lets me be my own boss. I loved it! With my work, he lets me drive and run my own show most of the time. I know he trusts me, and he thinks very highly of me, so it will be sad for me to leave this job with a boss like him. But I am so ready for a new challenge! A new year, a new job, new environment, new people...!

Will write more tomorrow. Good night!

Someone Like You

I'm a hugeeeee Adele fan. I love her. I absolutely loved her first album, '19', and even used one of her songs 'Make You Feel My Love' in my wedding DVD. And now she has a new album, '21'.... (her age) and I can't wait to get this album!

The album only comes out in February next year, but there are 2 videos which are already available. I wanted to share with you this song called 'Someone Like You". Its amazing, I love it.. her voice is amazing..

Enjoy!

Exhausted

I am finally back home here in Melbourne. I arrived a week ago and since then I have been busy with many different things. First was trying to get up to speed with work. Then I was trying to catch up again with friends.. and also, my cousin from Malaysia came over to Melbourne for a holiday. My cousin stayed with us for a few nights, and we were busy organising dinners with the rest of the family here. I am slightly exhausted and have not really been feeling the best. I do not know what is wrong, but maybe I am just looking forward to some alone time.

On Saturday, one of our friends tied the knot at a beautiful reception place called the Ascot House. It was also the first wedding we have attended since our own. Despite the wet and cold weather, the wedding turned out quite lovely and I am very happy for the bride and groom.

Little Miss Bargain Hunter flew down to Melbourne for the wedding.

I did not end up going in to work today. Last night, just around dinner time, I had quite bad tummy cramps. I thought it would have gone away this morning, but it did not. Grumpy stayed home to "care" for me, while playing a new PS3 game that he bought. We went to see the doctor and I have to be a bit careful of what I eat the next couple of days. My mum insists I go on a detox program. Hmmm... what is a good one?

Second Time

I am currently in KL at the moment. I arrived about two weeks ago for work. We are at the second phase of our Australian project. Three more nights, and I fly back to Melbourne. I miss my hubby and my puppy so much.

On the other hand, its nice to see my parents again. They are thrilled to have me back home for the second time in such a short period of time. With this trip, I am much more familiar with my surroundings, the people and my work experiences.

I have the same accommodation arrangements as my previous trip. Staying at the hotel on weekdays, and then back with my parents on the weekend. I was even getting used to being spoiled (served) by the hotel staff, which is terrible, isn't it? I wake up each day at 6.30am, go downstairs for breakfast... I sit down at the table and they automatically bring me my usual cup of tea and whip up a delicious omelette each morning for me. When I finish work, I get picked up, I arrive at the hotel, they serve me drinks and nibbles... go back to the room, get fresh fruit delivered, plate of cookies, bottled water, room service, massive bed... okay I should stop. I am not a princess!

Tomorrow is my last day of work here in the KL office. It is actually Diwali.. and a public holiday in Malaysia. Happy Diwali!!!! I have a team of 6 Indians this time round, out of 13 people! One guy might argue that he isn't Indian, but Singh... *rolls eyes* Am I being ignorant by saying its all the same? hehe.. Imagine trying to remember 13 new names all at one go? And 6 of them with unique (and long) names? Its hard, trust me!

However, it is still business as usual, and we must go in to work regardless.

While business trips are interesting and challenging, both personally and professionally, as it takes you out of your comfort zone, the daily routine, etc... I must say that I find these business trips quite exhausting. I am feeling a bit lazy since I completed my part of the job on Tuesday. The three extra days here (yesterday, today and tomorrow) are for me to ensure that everyone is fine and to support the new Business Experts from Melbourne.

Okay, I am going to call it a night. Last working day here in KL.... hmmmm.. did I mention that my boss is thinking of sending me here again next year? >.<