Heart Space #49: Guiding Principles


This should be the last post with regards to the mind bogging question that has been lingering on my mind for so long. I think to start with, one decision must always be based trying to achieve the best outcome. However, the definition of 'best' itself, is up to million ways of interpretation. I shall define how I see it. A best outcome is where it is a fair compromise on all stakeholders and yet meet the intended objectives. It's never possible for a complete win-win situation, someone else must lose out.

So this is what is fair.
1. Minimal disruption to Faith school
2. Letting the wife do whatever she wants or decided
3. Best situation for any unforeseen circumstances that may develop over the coming months.
4. I am still 'allowed' to take the B job if I want.

So these parameters constrict the options left. It's either take B job with limited visits & lengthy time away; or
immediately seek alternatives for a local job. The choice is clear.

Not the best 'feel' about the choice though... but it has to be done.

Heart Space #48: Costa Rica

With all the writing from the past 3 projects, there's plenty of practice for my next big book. Haha. But seriously, there's plenty of time to do writing, personally, not just for work. I am penning this while waiting for 45 minutes for the dryer to finish up.

Here in Costa Rica, where I have been here for 2 weeks (with 2 more to go)... it's a lovely place. Weather varies at about 8-18 degrees whole day and they have 2 seasons, the dry and the wet. We didn't go out much as firstly we do not speak their language that well, and we heard it can get quite dangerous outdoors. As such, we have been on only 1 trip to the Arena Volcano, around 90km away from San Jose in the province of Alajuela. As part of the tour, we get to go Baldi hot springs. Though the ride was long, the volcano wasn't erupting, it was a nice trip away from work..

As we are only here for too short a time, we didn't bother to cook elaborately. We eat out almost every lunch, and the food has been pretty good but expensive. Thankfully breakfast is included in the hotel, so that saves us the money and time to prepare breakfast. Dinner was usually skipped for me as I am tired by 8pm. The sun sets about 5:30pm and my work/sleep cycle has been messed up, but I have kind of grown into it.. Oh, since we stay above the morning breakfast area of the hotel, I am always awoken by the clanging of the plates as the waitress prepares the table for breakfast. This happens from 5:30am in the morning.

Work officially starts at 8am till 5pm. The driver (yes, the company has a driver for us) is never on time and over time, we go down to the lobby only at 8:10am. The trip back is self funded as he is always unavailable to send us back to the hotel. Moving around is by taxi, and the taxi starts from 530 CR colons ($1.40 SGD). After a while, it jumps about 10 colons per seconds!!!! So a long trip will set us back quite a bit. Unlike in the Bahamas where we get to drive the car on weekends, even if they provide the car, we will certainly get lost. The roads are pretty unmarked, as in there are no clear indications on the direction of the roads.

At work, the clients are fantastic. They are super nice people and can see that some enjoy their work a lot. The people, I heard are the happiest people on the world. In my view ,they have the best teeth because almost everyone brushes after every meals, something I feel we should try to do more.

Every Friday towards Christmas, they play this game under the instruction of the boss, "Friend or Foe". The objective is to write a story about a gift that you want to give to some of your colleagues. If you are a "friend", you can buy something he needs. If not, you can buy something to make fun of him. So far, in the last session, I have seen pop-up dick, vibrating dicks, condoms, retro glasses, chocolates, underwear, lingerie, mugs, fake toys, coconuts, bras, you named it, they had it. The most creative part of it is that they will weave a story.. usually about a scandal... and they will do a lot of photoshop about photos to proof the scandal. I bet they must have a folder where all the faces of the people resides, so that they can explore their own creatively. Oh, did I mention food and drinks are also provided. I have since provided my BBQ pork and floss from Singapore.

However, I am looking forward to go back Singapore, for it will mark the beginning of a lot of things... and who knows, the end of this traveling job.

I will miss it...

Some of their letters

Heart Space #47: Emo Me & Him

Every time that I am away, I can get quite emotional, and like my friend Francis said, this job is not good for me as I am too emotional. Don't get me wrong, as I do not break down and cry. I feel it's a good thing to be emotional; I loved my wife more, my kid needless to say... I love her to bits. I have learned to appreciate the things in life back home a little tad better too. It is who I am, and if you cannot be yourself, who else can you be?

As days draw closer to my return date, there is still no news about the offer. I have to make a call, and I do not know how the coin would land. Kenneth told me, in a totally different context that God had it all planned out. He is where he is now, not because he planned it, but it unfolded for him. I guess you can read it that way, but the thing is, I felt I have planned it. Years ago, I wanted to do IT, so I got into a polytechnic that does IT course. Then I went to Australia, as planned because I know I will not be able to get into local university.. (bleah) but also it is a shorter path and I can gain some exposure living overseas. It turned out better than expected, as I met my wife... (ok, this probably planned by greater power). When I came back, I followed a friend and joined the IT consulting company. I stayed there till I decided to call it quit. That's when my major milestones were planned out. I took a 6 months break, (or as long as it would take) to find a job that I want, which is Project Manager role. Local SI came along, and offered me exactly what I was looking for. I spent 4 great years in the company , learning things that I was never exposed to. When it's time to relook at what was lacking in my resume, it was the exposure that an overseas job can provide, POP came this current job.

Now, I am at a lost, no further plans as I didn't plan to stay so short. Maybe it's time that in His hand that I should trust...I so need a sign and I need it fast.

Heart Space #46: Decisions and Decisions.

These few days required me to make decisions with regards to the balancing of my work and personal life. The outcomes of any decision will not only affect me, but my family as well. Here are the choices:
1. Continue, and proceed to Bahamas with my family
The upside of this is that the family will be together, yet can earn the bonuses that are due in April. The downside of it, however, is that should my wife be pregnant, arrangement has to be made for her to come back Singapore first, maybe even without me; for the project is 9 months and I do not wish her to give birth in Bahamas. How about the gyane support down in Bahamas, and also the amount of Faith stuff that we have to bring.... to last 9 months... amazing.

2. Move on to a new job
Upside, is I will get to stay in Singapore more regularly, and hopefully get an huge increment in the process.
The downside, is that there is absolutely no news after the interview despite having an excellent interview according to the interviewer. I hope news come soon, as I would want to give ample notice to IDAi should I decide not to go to Bahamas.

3. Join NCS back
Upside is that it's definitely local based job, which means I will be Singapore all the time. Did I mentioned an alright increment? That would give me no worries about the family and the pregnancy should it happen.
Downside of it, is that I will be going back to project delivery and also to an ex-company. How many of us did that? I am not sure.

Decisions decisions... so far, it's 2, then 1, then 3... For some reasons, didn't feel very compel to take option 3 even though it seems as best... Who knows, I might just do that