Freshoor

Kaya hindi ako maka-goal goal this month! The deficit was spread out to all of us, huhuhu

http://business.inquirer.net/money/features/view/20090609-209633/Weve-got-it-all–almost

Highlights of 2008 (Long post)

 

1. Being assigned in Davao for 10 months for my third job rotation. I moved in January and moved back to Manila in November– this is where I spent majority of my year. I lived in my own small apartment, did the groceries and cooked for myself, and spent the weekends alone. I was out clubbing every Saturday night, seeing the same people in the same place. I learned to drink a whole lot of beer (especially if it’s ice cold) and resurrected my craving for chicharon bulaklak, yech! I took swimming lessons, caught up on the TV series I missed, and started going to the gym and dieting. Of course for the first half of my stay I spent most of the time preparing for the upcoming Module 4 exams. I didn’t really have a group of friends I hung out with but I met a couple of people I went out with from time to time. I actually got to explore the city more when I took my visitor friends around– John Rae, Cy, Angeli, Anna, Lotte, Bea, Mark, Edward, and Cathie.

   

  

Overall being in Davao was a great experience since the city was very safe, clean, and everything was near to each other. People were also very warm and accommodating. However living by myself and being alone most of the time magnified my feelings to the nth level! Haha. I was away from my family and friends, and had so much time to think and dwell on things I probably should not have dwelled upon. I’m glad to be back now– and I’m not ready to be away from everyone important to me yet again…

2. Travel. This year was probably the last I’m gonna travel as extensively as I did. Since I’m done with my MISE training and won’t have any more Modules in Europe (hence no more opportunities for Euro sidetrips), I don’t see myself travelling too far anytime soon. In February me and Angeli attended our friend Meryl’s wedding in Jakarta, spent the weekend with our fellow SEA MISEs touring around the city, and went to Bandung to go shopping at factory outlets!

   

In May I went to Copenhagen to attend Module 4, then took a graduation sidetrip with Jason, Sushil, Li’en, Kim, Zi and Meryl to Greece– Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos. Santorini was great, I could get married there! We drove around in a rent-a-car (I drove!), and the highlight was going up to this place called Oia to watch the sunset– apparently the best in the world– on my birthday… where they surprised me with a cake, flowers and gifts! We partied and spent time at the beach in Mykonos, Greece’s party island, for 2 days. Then I spent a night and met up with my Dutch MISE friends in Amsterdam, my favorite city– my third time there! 

   

  

For the latter part of the year I went local! :P I went to General Santos and Cotabato for business to attend meetings with our key clients. Well they were just a 3-hour drive away from Davao so maybe they’re not counted? :P In September I spent 4 days in Iloilo, and took a 3-hour per way roadtrip to Roxas. This December I finally went to Tagaytay again, after 5 years! I would have wanted to spend the last days of the year with Angeli in Ho Chi Minh (sorry dear!), but I figured I’d save the travel for ‘09.

   

3. Graduation from the MISE program. I finally graduated from the 2-year program! After 3 job rotations, 4 Modules, a whole lot of travel and meeting a big bunch of people from different cultures and nationalities, I got through! There were big bumps along the road– humbling ones, at that, but I got through them and I’m proud to say this is one of my major achievements. But I also went through… (read on to the next item)

 

4. A major career change. A month after getting back in Manila, being into my Process Excellence position at MCC and before pursuing expatriation for a MISE graduate, I decided to resign from the company and pursue a career in fast-moving consumer goods. Beginning January 5, I’ll be working as a Sales Trainee/ Account Manager for Colgate-Palmolive– new year, new job, new life! FMCG has always been the industry I wanted to be in, and now that my applications materialized, there’s no better time to grab the opportunity while I’m still young and haven’t stayed too long in the company to find it harder to leave. Ultimately I will want to be in Marketing, but Sales is a good springboard into getting more holistic experience– especially now that one foot’s already in. I also wanted to find an industry and a job I know I will be passionate about, something I know I will put my heart and soul into and push me to the limit. So there. I’ll be starting my new career in a few days ;)

And now on to the more dramatic things…

5. Goodbyes (and airports and airplanes). I’ve said more goodbyes this year than I ever have; I have a feeling I’m already numb to it. I said goodbye to my family and friends before I moved to Davao, to my MISE friends after Module 4, my close friends who left Maersk, my Davao family when I moved back to Manila, and to everyone I’ve worked with when I resigned this month.

  

 

But like I already said before, I really don’t like the feeling of goodbyes anymore. I’ve said many other tearful goodbyes this year, and most of them related to saying goodbye in airports– with me moping about them on lonely flights home! When I said my last major goodbye this year to the company I’ve been 2.5 years with and with colleagues who’ve seen me through my weight transitions (LOL!), I didn’t really feel anything. I felt that after all, real friends will keep in touch.

6. Rejection. Just like goodbyes, I’ve experienced more rejections this year than I have in my life! When I was having a career crisis towards the beginning of the year, applying to jobs in FMCG and not receiving any feedback– that was a lot. Unsuccessful applications for expat positions I was interested in also made up for more of those. The biggest one though was more related to feelings for someone, eeeeek! The gist: I felt things I’ve never felt, did things I never did before, and said things I never thought would come out of my mouth! Looking back I probably just overestimated. Well, expectation management probably got the best of me. And though things didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to, there’s no better thing to do but move on and start with a clean slate in ‘09. Nevertheless, I don’t have any regrets since it can all be charged to experience!

2008 was such a growing pains year for me. I’ve experienced all sorts of emotions– from being over the top happy, excited, kilig, to being devastated, sad, lonely, disappointed, depressed, and bitter. I’ve been through major successes and failures, realizing that I’m only human, I’m no island, and that once things hit rock bottom there’s no other way to go but up. I’ve learned so much about life, other people, and most of all about myself– how I am when I’m alone, when I’m sad, when I go through failure, and the lengths I’d go and the things I’d do. I’m sure that this is not yet the worst, but at least I experienced all this to prepare me for when that time comes– I just have to get through these things to make me stronger. I would say I didn’t like this year, but it’s probably the best one so far in terms of teaching me about life, being mature, and realizing that anything that happens will be the result of my deeds and decisions. I’m sure in 2009 I’ll see the fruits of my “hardships”. I can’t wait to start with a clean slate ;)

And moving on to more interesting things, here are some of my resolutions for 2009:

• Save save save! I didn’t get to save much due to all my travels and expenses, but I’d like to take this seriously in 2009. If 2007 and 2008 were spending years, 2009 will be my saving year.
• NO MORE OF THEM SHORTIES!!!
• Lose more weight… at least 10 more pounds before the year ends
• Take my work seriously
• Enjoy the single life– do all the clubbing, parties and drinking I want… I’ve only got 3 years before my ideal marrying age, hahaha!
• Meet as much people as possible and expand my network

I’m sure 2009 will rock. I will make it. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Last day

Yesterday was my last day at the office. It was the last time I was gonna walk the aisles, ride the elevators, and tap into the doors at One e-Com Center as a Maersk employee, as a MISE graduate, as an employee with a 2.5 year tenure. The next time, I’ll be walking through the doors as a visitor.

Somehow though it didn’t feel like my last day. Maybe the feeling of having to leave my “2nd home” for the past 2.5 years was overtaken by my excitement for the Christmas holidays. Or maybe I didn’t feel like I was leaving at all– since what, or rather, who was there to leave anyway? Most of my closest friends from the company have resigned and moved on before I did. Maybe the feeling of being back in the Manila office hasn’t really sunken in, after my 9 month stay in Davao. Or on a positive note, I didn’t feel like bidding a tearful goodbye since I know I’ll just be in touch anyway, and my real friends will always be my friends regardless of where we all work. 

In all fairness I gained new friends in MCC when I came back. It’s a good thing they were the people who were my age, with the same wavelength, and who shared the same interests as I did. If at all I felt a slight tinge of sadness that I won’t be around next year for the MOA lunches, group chats, and random laughs around our tables. I don’t wanna think anymore about what I’ll be missing though! But with the flurry of goodbyes and “keep in touch” last words that I’ve witnessed and said this year, the feeling doesn’t have the same effect on me anymore. Taking it positively, I’m a person to always keep in touch if we’re really friends. On a negative note, have I become numb to it?

I hope not. Maybe I just need 2009 to sink in– once the new year, new job, and new life sinks in, then I’ll feel that this is goodbye. Well not really since we’re all in the Philippines anyway, and at least on the same island (Luzon)! And hey, it’s not like I’m leaving for something bad– the reason why I left is that there’s something better.

Last night a lot of us ex (yes I’m one of them now!) and current Maersk people got together since Vince (a former colleague who’s now working in Singapore) is in town. There were actually more ex-Maersk people now! I’m glad I dropped by since I got to see them again and catch up– especially now that I’m part of the “resigned” club! It wasn’t my goodbye dinner/ drinking/ videoke yet, which I hope to celebrate either after Christmas or next year. It was another good times moment, and just goes to show that there are no excuses for NOT keeping in touch, even if you’re no longer with the company!!!

And so I therefore conclude that goodbyes to me are pointless. I won’t need to say goodbye to you if I know we’ll be in touch anyway :)– And I just hate that I said too many of them (both cheerful and tearful) this year. Ah, well. This post has been too gloomy, it’s Christmas! I should be in the festive mood!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

The announcement

 

I handed in my resignation yesterday. The letter was actually ready last Monday but I was just waiting for my medical exam results before I can formalize my resignation. Yesterday morning, HR informed me that my medical results are all ok and that I may now resign.

 

I decided not to prolong the agony and just do it in the afternoon– and so I did. I resigned first to our HR Manager, then to the Country Manager, then to my immediate boss. I was anticipating it was gonna be extremely difficult, but they were extremely understanding and supportive of me and what I wanted– I’m happy that this is gonna be a good parting. My letter’s pretty much self-explanatory anyway :) [I've just dropped the names in making this post]

 

As I will discuss with you personally, this is to officially tender my resignation effective Wednesday, December 24, 2008.

 

I have decided to pursue a line of work in the fast moving consumer goods industry, where I would like to build my career in Sales or Marketing. I believe that this new endeavor will put me on the right track to achieving my career goals and aspirations.

 

It has been very fruitful and enriching to have graduated from the program, and the past 2 years have given me so much experience and wisdom in more ways than one. However, I have realized and validated that my career interests, aspirations and goals are not in line with what the company can offer me currently and in the future—despite the breadth of both global and local opportunities that are available to a graduate.

 

I am very grateful for all the support and understanding you have given me, especially to keep me in the program. I find it difficult in writing to express my regret for not having gone through expatriation and repatriation, in return for the 2 years of training that I have received from the company. I am leaving only with gratitude for everything I have learned and experienced, and it is with optimism that I hope you understand my reasons for leaving.

 

 

New year, new job, new life! I find it heavy to be parting– this is my first job, and I’ve learned so so much over the past 2 years. All my closest office friends are gone but I’m gonna miss the young crowd here. Sayang din with all the training I went through– I could really make it big. However, we just have to move on in pursuit of what we want, especially while we’re young with all the room for idealism. I’m optimistic about 2009 and my new life to come :)

A new chapter

A new chapter in my life is coming!!! I’ll be an “HG” soon. :)