Angels around us.

God bless you Calven.

People at work have noticed how down I was the past few days, and even our project director did. He's the big boss for this project. Fortunately he's one of the easiest to talk to. Basically I told him everything that I wanted to get off my chest. It was so generous of him to spare me an hour or more of his busy schedule listening to what I have to say, encouraging me, uplifting me, and giving me valuable advice.

I was honest in saying that working in Singapore was actually Plan B, and that I used to have Plan A and I anchored all my dreams there. When things didn't work out I had to start from scratch again and I am still figuring out where to go from here. He was very empathetic because he had a similar experience. Love lost turned out to be his career's gain, because he's one of the youngest Big Bosses in our company. But anyway, it was a relief that he could relate and he could see where I was coming from. One beautiful thing he said was that it's amazing I was still able to accomplish things even when I was a total mess when I started work, and that I should give myself a pat on the back.

So I'll do that. *gives myself a pat on the back*

I told him all the things that upset me at work. Things like being exposed to the elements - hot sun, rain, dust, etc; the long working hours that sometimes make me feel I'm deprived of my life; not being taken seriosuly; being intimidated; and I also added I myself make my life more difficult by the way I react to things. I can be very irritable and blow tiny things out of proportions.

He shared how he always has this 5-year plan and suggested that I make my own, not just so he can know me better but most of all so that I can know myself better and give me direction for my life. It can be revised from time to time to make it more realistic, and because some things are just beyond my control.

Anyway I actually have a 2-year plan, and I even sent a copy to my parents.I keep it in my wallet so it's always with me. And yeah, actually I am still on track based on that plan. But recently I've been encountering HUGE obstacles, and I expected to have some - but right now really is a true test of endurance and determination to reach the goals I've laid out for myself last Oct 18th, 2008 for the next two years.

I was touched when he said I am a key member of our team and my role would become more significant in the coming year.It is going to be a tough year. This MBS project is the biggest gamble my company has right now. We may not make any money, or we might even lose money, but he acknowledged that our site team has been giving our 110% for this project. It's just that we have a very tough client which is very hard to please.

I can see my boss's genuine concern for our welfare and aspirations in life. He said that if one day I decide to leave MCD, he will give me his blessings and not try to stop me, but if I decide to come back, just give him a call and he will give me a job. He has this open door policy and believes that whatever I learned outside, I can still apply in MCD if I decide to come back.

In short, our little chat was very, very helpful and encouraging. It was just the boost I needed to go on when I really felt like giving up.

Cheers to you Calven.