Not a Good Motivation

About a month ago, one of my colleagues nearly went over to a foreign bank in Singapore to work when he was offered a job there. I felt privileged to be the first one to know about his intention when he informed me and wanted my opinion on his potential move. First thing I asked him is what his reason is for wanting to leave and go there to work. Though he had told me before that money is not the best of motivation to be considering for a job change, I knew he found it quite tough to live out what he said before. The salary offer (after conversion) was more than twice his current salary, which I considered to be on the high side for his age.

To answer his question to me, I quoted his statement back to him. He knew it all too well but it was hard to pass out the opportunity. Then, I asked him further if he’s willing to go back into the “fire pit” (this bank is his previous employment and it's famous to drown it's employee with work, just that this time it’s in Singapore). After some thinking, he said that his only motivation to go there is the salary package. Given a choice, he said he wouldn’t want to jump into the “fire pit” again. So, I sort of said that he has answered his own question.

Last Thursday, we had received our bonus letters. This colleague of mine got a really good bonus and he said it made up for the "missed" opportunity. So, I jokingly said that he had me to thank for advising him against leaving otherwise he would have missed out on the bonus, thus should share his bonus with me, haha. We’ve waited patiently for this bonus since beginning of the year. Strangely, the excitement didn’t last long. So, I told him that money is definitely not the no. 1 motivation at all when considering a job change because the excitement won't last long, whereas good working relationships go a long way which is what we are enjoyin at the moment. It also felt good to be able to play a part in someone else’s decision making. After all, I told that he’s truly an asset to our team.

Looking Old?

Natalie in Bangkok
Originally uploaded by ngoy.

I can't resist to post this because she have this too-mature-looking face for her age.

This is taken when we were in Chinatown, Bangkok.

Buck Up

CACS Team
Originally uploaded by ngoy.

Today, I've just lectured one of my colleague in the photo. I've refrained from doing it for quite some time but I thought I've to for the good of the person. Being a freshie, the person hasn't shown any drive to learn at all and expects hand-outs.

It's no wonder our local graduates are finding it tough to land a job, especially when graduates are everywhere.

Valentine's Day

I couldn't ask for more than a great family for Valentine's Day like the picture below. Unlike previous years, we didn't have anything special planned (partly also because of CNY exhaustion). However, I thought I'd put down some thought for this day.


BLC Christmas 2004

As I was driving home this evening while listening to the radio, a caller responded to some Valentine's Day question by saying that this day should not be just confined to 14th February but should be an everyday event. Instead of blowing our budgets, pockets and wallets on this day, we could think how we could love and serve one another on a daily basis, may it be our spouse, children, parents, siblings, friends, etc.

Then come 14th February, it'll be of more meaning to celebrate because it will be the climax to our daily affection shown to people and not a once a year event.

A Quiet Birthday & Anniversary

After such an eventful CNY a few days ago, we've resorted to a very simple celebration. Furthermore, it's a mass celebration of 4 birthdays (myself, LKS, LL, my mum-in-law) which all falls in February.

It's a quick 4 years for SL and I. With His strength and guidance we survived the highs and lows of the "Life Together as One" journey. Our hope & prayer for many years to come...

"Lord, may our love for each other constantly remind us of Your love for us. Let us not keep the love for ourselves only but to share it with those around us. When the going get tough, may we put our differences aside and your values first."

Whirlwind of Events

I seldom leave my handphone on at night, however last night I just felt the urge to leave it on just in case someone need to reach me. I got a call at 5.40am this morning from mum informing me that my grandma has just passed away.

We had to pack up quickly and get ready to return to KL for the funeral. As I was about to start the car, I found out that it won't start and the problem was with a dead battery. Thank God my father-in-law could drive me to get a new battery.

We reached KL quite exhausted in the evening and then took a nap before adjourning to the funeral later in the night.

The next day, we spent the whole morning and afternoon getting ready to proceed for the burial in Nirvana Memorial Park. Everything went quite smoothly despite the rush to get the funeral completed before the CNY. It was quite sad to see some family feud which happened during the funeral. Rather than allowing my grandma to go peacefully, one of my aunt chose to create a scene.

After all that, we had to rush back to Penang for SL's family reunion dinner which we missed as we arrive quite late in the night 8-(. Phew! I'm glad we survive these 2 days.

Resignation

SL just tendered her resignation yesterday citing the work overload and constant sickness from her pregnancy as the reason. However, her MD didn’t accept her resignation. Instead, he told her to hire 2 more executives to assist her in the department and her pregnancy would be over in 6 months.

Last night, SL and I deliberated about the offer to stay and the assistance provided. I told her that she can stick to her original intention and don’t have to stay. Finally, we arrived at a conclusion which requires the MD to think about a proposal which SL has just given him this afternoon. She would stay on on 1 condition, to be able to work on a part-time basis (more like ½ day work in the mornings only) and take a pay cut. Otherwise, she’ll train someone and work right until before her delivery.
She told him that he can think it over his CNY holidays, which is what he originally told her to do 8-).

Misunderstanding

Last night, the passage of Joshua 22 caught our attention during our LG. Temper, anger and tension flared when the 9 ½ tribes of Israel heard that the 2 ½ tribes had built an altar, assuming it to be for idol worship. The 9 ½ tribes were determined to prevent another provocation of God’s wrath and therefore were at the verge of war. Fortunately, they gave the 2 ½ tribes a chance to explain themselves and a war was averted.

It’s all a misunderstanding. This is all too familiar even to this day. How many times have we jumped to conclusion after hearing only one side of a story?