For those of you who don’t already know, I am changing jobs soon. My last day is on the 17th of April, and then I am flying to Melbourne for 3 weeks before I start my new job. Over the last few weeks, I have been clearing the work assigned to me, handing over tasks, and today I sent emails to my clients informing them of my departure and thanking them for their support and kindness over the past few years. I have been in this company since January 2nd, 2001, and I must say, it has taken me to places I never would have gone myself. My first overseas assignment was in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam way back in 2003. And then I traveled to Jakarta, Hanoi, Phnom Penh, Dhaka, Colombo, Lahore, Karachi, Beijing, Shanghai, Ulaanbaatar and Seoul.

Some trips were short, a few days, and others in total was almost 2 years. When I wrote the farewell email to some of the clients I was filled with such fond memories of their warm hospitality. If I had to rank the best place I was ever sent to, I would say it was Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The winters were bitterly cold, yes, but it was a place where I made many good friends, and did some amazing things like rode a camel and spent the whole day horseback ridding tending sheep! I met so many people, Malaysian Auditors, Russians businessmen, Irish Social workers, Mongolian Bankers, friends all.

My second favorite place? It would be Vietnam for sure. Both Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi are nice, but I enjoyed HCM better. The awesome food, the nice people, the time spent with Sara there. The adventures! The 3 hour motorbike ride to Vung Tao. Something I will never forget!

Saying good bye is never easy. I have invested so many years of my life into this company, and though it may seem that I am excited to go, I do leave with a heavy heart. 7 years 4 months of my life. I can remember my first day here, I can remember the good times, the though times, all memories I will bring with me.

When people just blame you for mistakes done by others, not bothering to find the facts, and made up their mind what the problem is. When you make big sacrifices, yet they think its part of the Job, when you stand alone on the battlefield, facing the enemy, and there is no reinforces on the way.

And there I was working and then suddenly we heard that announcement sound, you know, the one they play at the airport. And the voice goes…

Attention please. You will be hearing the fire alarm. Please do not be alarmed.

And I was like? What? Huh? And then he came on again

Attention ladies and gentlemen. We will be testing the fire alarm. Please do not be alarmed.

Haha. They should have had a fire drill today, I am sure half the office would have gone opposite to the opening of the Pavilion today. I will probably go there for lunch just to check it out.Will update with pictures later.

I got up and I felt great. I went to the gym, and still I was ok. Got to the office, had breakfast, and suddenly I feel feverish and have a head ache. Sigh. Took two panadols, and If I don’t feel better by lunch, me gonna go home.

Well, its never truly new in the pure sense of the word, as its not freshly out of a box, and they have been previous users, but I manage to get this baby for myself. Nobody wanted to use it, cos apparently it caused their palms to sweat. Me? I love it. Its small. Its light. Its fast. And very good for planes. Woohoo.