I Open at the Close

Earlier this year, I had set four resolutions that I have to achieve by the end of the year. It's end of February, and I'm happy to share that I have achieved resolution number 4, which is "Something something that unfortunately cannot be shared publicly".

Last year I had decided to add colors to my resume. So I resolved to get a new job in 2011.Alhamdulillah, that could not happen soon enough as I will start Chapter II of Ajan's Career this week. Well, technically, it should be Chapter III, but Scicom didn't count because i was there for only 4 months. Not long enough for me to even remember the menu at the cafe.  

I remember the first day I joined the organization (hereinafter to be referred as SCM) four years ago. My first assignment was writing Minister's speech for the company's annual dinner. Speech as in, FULL TEXT speech, alright. Due to my limited knowledge and experience of the organization's roles and my limited vocab (despite years of blogging, kesian), I found that assignment terribly, terribly difficult.Thanks to my boss who had patiently vetted through my countless draft speeches, I managed to complete it But come dinner night, Minister decided NOT TO READ that speech and I was like, bloody hellll was it that bad that she didn't even want to read it?! Four years later, speech writing is still the most difficult assignment that I wouldn't even wish on my worst enemy (or maybe I would). 

My first job (hereinafter to be referred as SCM) has taught me a lot of precious lessons and has helped me know myself better. I found out that I work better with clear-minded people. That people that may seem nasty can actually be excellent mentors, if you look beyond the negatives. That good leader don't always make nice friends. That being a boss means making unpopular decisions, which always make you seem like the bad guy but not necessarily one. That I work better under guided pressure. That I like working with numbers. That I enjoy using Excel. That I'm quick at adapting to new softwares. That I love doing mind-mapping. That I actually can create good rapport with people despite me being an awfully quiet and reserved person. That I can turn networks into good friends. That what I think about people's perception of me is not always right. Most importantly, I know that I don't work with hidden agenda. I work because I want to work. Ikhlas, orang kata.

I have also learned that no matter how bad the situation is, it's not all that bad if you have good people, even better, friends, around. I've laughed and cried with them. I've made silly jokes to them (and often, about them). We've hugged each other. Oh, and two of them had kissed me on both cheeks and forehead. Yeay!

I'll miss that place. After all, given the time I've spent there, I should be calling it home and home,  second home. I'll miss the people I've worked with. I'll miss my cubicle neighbors. I'll miss my colleagues who always make silly jokes about each other. And I'll miss making jokes about them too. I thank Allah that our paths had crossed, that Allah has opened their hearts to take me in the first place. But I have to ask you God, why do you have to make me too sentimental? I could do with being a bit more macho, you know?

I hope that the Chapter II will be better. After all, that's why we all move on right? In search of a better opportunity, better life. 

So Chapter II, bring it on baby!

They even made a slide show about me! Aren't they sweet?