Another Crossroad - Part 2

Continuing from where we were in the first part of this topic, Alpha-Male returned from Ta1wan.

He made a bee-line to my office as soon as he got to the office and shooed my assistant away whom I shared my room with.

Once the door was shut behind her and locked, the conversation started.

With GM, it was a curt but friendly conversation. GM made it known that he was merely playing the role of the messenger and that we were not to be shooting at him.

Alpha-Male tone of voice was that of a softer elderly gentleman. Saying that the numbers were not final and open to negotiations.

Er.... good cop bad cop?

I revealed that in the short period between the bombshell and this conversation, I have already activated my feelers and made contact with KL. Perhaps, it was intended to make known to him that I will not be cornered into accepting whatever nonsense they intend to dish out to me.

I have a way out. Well, sort of at the moment.

Still, the sentimental masochistic fool in me is yearning to take on this bull of a challenge by the horns and wrestle it into a whimpering calf.

I shared also with the folks I have been talking to, that KL is a job somewhat like a goalkeeper while this one in QQland is that of an attacking playmaker.

Think Roy Keane. Think Eric Cantona. Think Zinedine Zidane.

KL is somewhat like trying to windsurf in the swimming pool of somebody's condo. I want to be swashbuckling inside eye of a hurricane while staying afloat in the swirl of the whirlpool. Coz when I get through the storm, that cup of coffee in the calm waters thereafter is going to be tasting mighty fine. Oh and did I mention the booty that I would be sitting on while sipping the cuppa?

Well, that is IF I survive the storm.

So perhaps for now, I am stay put but leaving my feelers out there. KL is not ready for me to cross over as I am scheduled to meet them again in KL during the coming CNY.

Thus until now till CNY, I guess I'd still be hanging around here.

Besides, I still have a bottle of gin at the pub that I haven't finish.

Image Credit: http://dreamwalker.files.wordpress.com

- Voxeros

Another Crossroad

It's coming close to two years since I left home for the Land of Taobao and all I can say is that it has been a joyful ride.

The work has been very challenging in both sense of the word and it has made me feel alive again.

Now the time has come as I reach yet another crossroad.

When I was back in Singapore just last week, I was approached by another company to join them.

It was totally out of the blue and I was baffled by the cloak-and-dagger approach as they sounded out my dad first about me.

Why couldn't they just come talk to me direct? My dad and I knew these guys for decades and I continued to keep in touch with them even when I was in Taobaoland during my first tour of duty, when I got back and when I left for Taobaoland again for a second stint.

I concede the fact that I am most flattered by their gesture and the fact that they 指名道姓 wanted me first, then figure out the job scope and rest of the details later, was just the cherry on top.

Still the cynic in me says not to pop the bubbly until the dotted line is signed.

However, the truth of the matter was that I turned them down. Well, not exactly an outright rejection but I kinda gave a non-committal answer saying that I need some time to think about things.

The reason I didn't jump at the chance right away was that the current company that I am working now is undergoing a very unstable phase and the bridge is going to be burnt if I decided to jump ship at this time.

I told them that I am interested but I felt a need to fulfill my commitment to my current employer. I would consider moving when the company finds a stable footing.

Then yesterday, GM called from a closed-door meeting and the news broke. Looks like the company wants me to take a pay-cut or take a golden handshake.

Perhaps the planets were aligned in my favour as I marveled at the sequence of events, how they fall into place neatly like a well-scripted choreograph.

In a way, the decision was one of no-brainer. I mean, do I really have a choice?

Still, I am a little bit hesitant as I am not willing to let go of the current trapeze without the other one in sight. I have made that mistake once when I was younger but certainly not ever again. Especially now when the stakes are much higher as a result of my age.

I have yet to tell them of my decision as I wanted to speak to Alpha-Male in person even if it means bidding adieu.

So, the new horizon ahead.

As I have shared with a few people during my earlier trip to Singapore, the job is based in Kuala Lumpur. I understand that the conglomerate has just spun off a new business unit in Singapore and I believe they are playing the "you-get-to-go-home" card to entice me.

Oh how wrong are they going to be. I am never going to return to Singapore. The prospect of Kuala Lumpur appeals to me more. Perhaps I am a junkie for all the perks and benefits that comes with the title, "Expat".

No way am I heading home to Singapore. Nothing there for me.

I rather be out roaming the world and enjoying my freedom to the fullest.

More updates when I get more info.

Image Credit: http://watermarked.cutcaster.com

- Voxeros