It has been a year since I last posted anything. For some people, a year went by in a flash with it being pretty much the same like previous years (well basically same plot but maybe different actors/actresses).
I actually envy those guys/gals.
I remember reading the opening line in Sydney Sheldon's Doomsday Conspiracy ages ago and goes something like this :
"May you live in interesting times" Ancient Chinese Curse (which has been quoted also by Bobby Kennedy, Magnum P.I and Star Trek)
2009 was that for me : interesting times.
The year began tumultuously with the deepening of the financial crisis and the merger with the MalignantLynch. The office was a stressful place to be filled with rumours of uncertainty and the whispers of "cost optimization" a.k.a chop chop derby. Slowly people around you literally disappeared. The popular "1 hour's notice" made it reaping rounds and heads -some unfamiliar and some were dear dear friends- began to roll. I get stomach cramps everytime I see the HR personnel, hoping it was not me...it was very very intense.
Anyway, by some miracle of fate (and also my dear ex-boss' last act of kindness-he was one of my dearest friend who got the axe), instead of being in the chop chop derby, I was actually promoted! Bizarre as it was, I was thankful. Within a week of that, we (the missus and I) received the happy news that we've been waiting for all these years : we are expecting!
Months passed and life turned out brighter. Not only I was assured of my position at work in the post-merger organisation , the ultrasound confirmed our wish that it will be a girl and we'd have a pair of a 7 year old boy and a girl.
In between we took some time off for some fantastic quality time in Bangkok and Beijing as well.
Then out of the blue, I received a call from a CEO of a middle eastern bank based in Singapore. He heard that I might be open to a career change (honestly, I have no idea from where) and that they are setting up shop in Singapore and would like me to be on board. It's a regional head post (a step up from my then position), based in Singapore (closer to home, religious classes for my Son, easier to eat and pretty much the same like KL-only more organised I think) and of course it brings in more dosh :)
It was a no brainer though I must admit that in a weird peculiar way, I will miss Hong Kong-especially the wonderful people I've known throughout the years
Then it was the whirlwind move : I had about 3.5 weeks to sort out EVERYTHING. The admin nightmare of leaving the country : notices to school, utilities and CLEAR TAXES etc and the hosts of farewell lunches/dinners/even breakfasts (though I must say, this made me really sad-leaving some of the most amazing people I've ever met)
Crazy crazy months it was : May, June & July. Adjusting to a new job, a new country. everything must be set up again (another admin nightmare!), new house, new car (i absolutely love this one though, the dream car is finally mine!..hehehe)
Once the dust had settled, I pretty much had everything going my way. On top of the world and thinking nothing can go wrong.
How wrong I was. As it turns out, God had something else in store and its not glittering fate.
October brought tragedy and sadness. Our little daughter finally arrived but was promptly taken away after 2 days and 10 hours. Nur Sara Aleesya was born with Trisomy 18- a rare genetic affliction that resulted to her being born with a whole host of organ deformities : heart, lungs, esophagus, brain..We were told that usually, patients with Edwards Syndrome/Trisomy 18 would not even survive to term. In a way, we were blessed, that we had the opportunity to meet our little Sara.
For the best account of these challenging times, I would recommend wifey's beautiful writing at http://mylittledomain.blogspot.com/
So here I am now. Picking up the pieces of a shattered dream and a much affected and changed life. I know we will recover in time and this is a record of this journey and I do hope I can write more and not take a hiatus anymore.....
Wish me luck...
I actually envy those guys/gals.
I remember reading the opening line in Sydney Sheldon's Doomsday Conspiracy ages ago and goes something like this :
"May you live in interesting times" Ancient Chinese Curse (which has been quoted also by Bobby Kennedy, Magnum P.I and Star Trek)
2009 was that for me : interesting times.
The year began tumultuously with the deepening of the financial crisis and the merger with the MalignantLynch. The office was a stressful place to be filled with rumours of uncertainty and the whispers of "cost optimization" a.k.a chop chop derby. Slowly people around you literally disappeared. The popular "1 hour's notice" made it reaping rounds and heads -some unfamiliar and some were dear dear friends- began to roll. I get stomach cramps everytime I see the HR personnel, hoping it was not me...it was very very intense.
Anyway, by some miracle of fate (and also my dear ex-boss' last act of kindness-he was one of my dearest friend who got the axe), instead of being in the chop chop derby, I was actually promoted! Bizarre as it was, I was thankful. Within a week of that, we (the missus and I) received the happy news that we've been waiting for all these years : we are expecting!
Months passed and life turned out brighter. Not only I was assured of my position at work in the post-merger organisation , the ultrasound confirmed our wish that it will be a girl and we'd have a pair of a 7 year old boy and a girl.
In between we took some time off for some fantastic quality time in Bangkok and Beijing as well.
Then out of the blue, I received a call from a CEO of a middle eastern bank based in Singapore. He heard that I might be open to a career change (honestly, I have no idea from where) and that they are setting up shop in Singapore and would like me to be on board. It's a regional head post (a step up from my then position), based in Singapore (closer to home, religious classes for my Son, easier to eat and pretty much the same like KL-only more organised I think) and of course it brings in more dosh :)
It was a no brainer though I must admit that in a weird peculiar way, I will miss Hong Kong-especially the wonderful people I've known throughout the years
Then it was the whirlwind move : I had about 3.5 weeks to sort out EVERYTHING. The admin nightmare of leaving the country : notices to school, utilities and CLEAR TAXES etc and the hosts of farewell lunches/dinners/even breakfasts (though I must say, this made me really sad-leaving some of the most amazing people I've ever met)
Crazy crazy months it was : May, June & July. Adjusting to a new job, a new country. everything must be set up again (another admin nightmare!), new house, new car (i absolutely love this one though, the dream car is finally mine!..hehehe)
Once the dust had settled, I pretty much had everything going my way. On top of the world and thinking nothing can go wrong.
How wrong I was. As it turns out, God had something else in store and its not glittering fate.
October brought tragedy and sadness. Our little daughter finally arrived but was promptly taken away after 2 days and 10 hours. Nur Sara Aleesya was born with Trisomy 18- a rare genetic affliction that resulted to her being born with a whole host of organ deformities : heart, lungs, esophagus, brain..We were told that usually, patients with Edwards Syndrome/Trisomy 18 would not even survive to term. In a way, we were blessed, that we had the opportunity to meet our little Sara.
For the best account of these challenging times, I would recommend wifey's beautiful writing at http://mylittledomain.blogspot.com/
So here I am now. Picking up the pieces of a shattered dream and a much affected and changed life. I know we will recover in time and this is a record of this journey and I do hope I can write more and not take a hiatus anymore.....
Wish me luck...
