Extraordinary year

I have neglected my blog this month, but I can't remember/don't know the reason. It's probably a combination of busy+lazy. I don't even remember what are the activities that I participated in, so its difficult to do "catch up" postings.

It's a very unlikely time to do a posting now, but I'm at it right now, typing away in my office cubicle, at 6pm on a Tuesday. I do not know what I want to write on really (cos I've not blog for so long). Then, I finally found myself ready to do a posting on my very extraordinary 2011.

I have not told anyone, and I don't think I mention on this blog before, that 2011 is an extremely hard/difficult year in my working life.

I graduated in 1996, so I have been working for 15 years now. During these times, I've gone thru' many different kinds of years. Some are youthful, blur and busy (my first job in audit), some are happy and stable (my first few years in my 2nd job), some are very stressed/political (my last few years in the 2nd job), some are extremely unhappy because I didn't like my boss (my 3rd job, which lasted only 1yr 4months).

I've been with my current company (4th job) for slightly over 6 years now. Unlike my previous 3 jobs, this is where I found a fulfilling career. I like my job, I enjoy working with my bosses and people around me, and most importantly, I know how I am contributing to the company. This is not surprising, cos it takes some time (9 years in my intial years) to build up my knowledge and capability as an accountant, the skill which then I apply to the jobs in this company during these 6 years. I grew with the company and the finance team, facing tasks and challenges, and solving issues. I get my recognition too. There are many extremely stressful situations too, but this comes as part of the job as a manager, earning a manager's pay.

Then in 2010, Chartered was sold and bought by a new investor, and the company became GlobalFoundries. A lot of challenges came along, and everyone gear for them as much as we can. 2010 went by, without much problem eventually.

I could never have imagine 2011 to be what it is now. It was an extraordinary year, with the most difficulties that I've ever faced in my 15 years of working life. I encounter major problems, one after another, putting the count at 5 to 6 as of now.

I know that I'm a changed person now. I learn a lot through these crisis. The most valuable lesson is that people mature and toughen in time of adversity. I goggled the meaning of "adversity" and these are some of the words I see as I scroll down the page:
"discover your capability. It introduces you to your real you, and then, bring out the best in you"
"we find out how well we stand up to the trials in life that test our faith in ourselves In times of adversity"
"courage/strategy to survive time of adversity"

Also, I have lots of thoughts and views on the meaning of "committment". It is defined as "promise". There's all kinds of commitment, such as commitment to God, commitment to marriage, commitment (promise) to do a simple act (bring your child to the playground?). So what makes a person stick to his commitment. On what circumstances can one be justified to break a commitment? I can hardly declare that I have the most correct understanding of commitment, nor can I boast that I have the correct attitude towards fulfiling my duties, but I'm proud that I have done my best for some people I care for. Just last week, someone feeling down asked me "I don't know how long more I can last..". Very candidly I replied "As long as you can, as long as you want. So long you try your best; that's all that matters". My dear friend, one day if I fail you, are these enough justifications for you to bless me?

There are many life lessons that i have yet to experience. Life is an interesting journey. I hope I can be a better man (woman) after every year thru this life journey. Lastly, I wish my friend "J" a speedy recovery, and my friend "MYNAME" a safe and joyful road to 2nd motherhood. It's time for me to go home, to the persons that I love most. I hope I have the wisdom to impart to her good values and strong character, to equip her with the necessary skills to enjoy an eventful life ahead of her..