2017 in Review

I wanted to write this before the end of 2017 but January 2018 is almost over! Omg! 

Getting right to the point. The last few months of 2017 have been draining, physically and mentally, and weekends were naturally burnt for sleep, or to catch up on lost sleep. It took me quite some time to get back into routine yet I can hardly find time (and energy) to sit down and write something. Did I mention that I stopped swimming sometime in March and could not find the momentum back to continue? Even until now?

Looking back on 2017 and I’ll say it's a year of challenges – especially at work. 

A lot of changes and a whole lot of getting used to. 

In my company, organisational changes are very common every 6 months, people transferring in and out of teams. So, in Dec 2016, while I was still nursing the transfer (and taking over his portfolio) of colleague K in Sep 2016, I was told to be prepared for another transfer of colleague S that was due to happen in March 2017. Boss told me that the team in Singapore will downsize and move forward as a 2-man (or 1-man 1-woman) team, i.e., the Boss and me. That said, each country – particularly Thailand and Philippines – are expected to increase 1 member each so as to cope with the expansion speed. Yet sometime in Feb 2017, I heard news that I will also be expecting a new member here in SG. Frankly, I didn't quite understand why given that the local members have already increased. So yeah, 3 new comers in March to guide – 1 in SG, 1 in TH and 1 in PH. And on top of all that, our existing member in Philippines decided to leave the company (to somewhat pursue her dreams) and serve notice till September. I was so sad/ disappointed (not sure what word best describes how I felt) that I was the only girl left in the team, again? Just like when we started, but with a team of different people. But yes, the hunt for a replacement began and frankly I wasn’t having high hopes of another girl being assigned. Yet when the name came in, I went, “OH! It’s her!” – like a parent finding out the gender of their child for the first time. HAHAHA. Anyway, she was then assigned to begin in Jul 2017, so that the existing member could give proper OJT.

I would have thought that all this was enough changes to introduce to ONE TEAM for a year but, god was I wrong. 3 newcomers in March and 1 in July AND that’s hardly the end of it. In June/ July 2017, my boss started prepping me for his departure secretly. He told me that he is wanted back in Japan by the officers but there was little news as to what his next designation would be. In any case, I would be expecting a new boss by September 2017. 

WHAT THE HELL?!

Honestly, I didn't think it made sense at all. 

First, I am the only “surviving member” from the original team.

Second, I am currently juggling the training of 4 members, ensuring that their quality and standard stay the same or better.

Third and on top of all that, I need to figure out my new boss?

I am only 1 person.

How is it possible to manage?

Can it even be possible? 

Well, I couldn't and dare not even think more about it so I spoke to my boss about my concerns and being the ‘father’, he told me that he will always be there to support me whenever I needed his help, wherever he is. SO SWEET & NICE! BUT HELLO?! The stress building on my shoulders is no joke. It’s no wonder why my shoulders are getting stiffer day by day. HAHAHA. Anyway, for the sake of differentiation so that I don't get confused writing this while you read, he shall be referred to as “Papa Boss” hereon.

Prepping for Papa Boss’ departure was the hardest ever – more so than Colleague K and Colleague S whom I worked with for 3 years each, both entering and leaving the team 6 months apart. As I mentioned earlier, as the last standing member of the original team, I’ve worked with Papa Boss for a total of 4.5 years (March 2013 – Sep 2017). He’s always a tough boss, asking for the best of the best, ensuring that no compromises were made in the process of the opening. Sometimes he is so anal that you don't know what you can answer, except accept the fact that you could have done better. Yet he is also a father figure to me for guiding me and teaching me everything I know with regards to the work I do. 

For every transfer, I always tell them that there is no permanent farewell in this company because we’re always moving around. Yet somehow, when it came to Papa Boss’ transfer, I didn't trust my own words. I knew he was moving out of the brand (within the same company) and it felt too real, that this part of history, this part of what made me – me, was leaving. That said, I promised myself that there shall be no tears! Not that I am an unfeeling bitch, but I thought that I should be remembered the way I always am, positive and laughing. So yeah, no tears! 

And when the new boss came, it felt like I had to start anew. It took time to understand the new boss and his style of working. Coupled with the potential language barrier, damn was it draining. It got easier day by day and I guess, it was easier for me to understand what he wants to convey by reading the atmosphere and inferring it with the knowledge I had. All the good training from Papa Boss came in handy. Muahahaha. New boss is a areally nice guy. He sat me down and asked me what I needed from him. I told him that I felt like I’m stuck at a bottleneck if all I’m going to do is the same things all over. So, he promised to give me more opportunities at work and more learning opportunities to grow. So yeah, let’s just say everything with the new boss is good and I just need to get my head straight with the trainees. 

Anyhow. Enough about work. On a lighter and personal note, I am pretty happy that I manage to take more trips and explore more places in 2017 (albeit some of them were because of work).

• January – Port Dickson
• February – JB 
• March – JB 
• April – KL, Shanghai
• May – Bandung
• June – Genting, Medan
• July –JB
• August – Surabaya
• September – Surabaya
• October – JB
• November – JB
• December – New Zealand

If you search under the hashtag #ellietrotsabroad, it seems like I’m travelling every month! Although there are frequent trips for work (#nssnso) too.

In any case.

Thank you, 2017, for being such a challenging year. 

I believe 2018 will be easier because I am stronger. 

Here’s to more journeys and adventures in 2018…