My Last Week...

please don’t be misled by the subject…
i am not dying…
i am referring to my last week with the company i have spent my last 4 years and 9 months in…
as the day for me to leave the company gets nearer…
i am feeling more and more sad (or “sadder” for the sake of my team who could understand the joke)…
this job is the longest i have ever been…
my first job was 4.5 years, followed by short stints of about 1 year each in my next 2 jobs…

since i tendered my resignation, i have been busy with farewell lunches and dinners…
could not fit everyone into my schedule eventually…

started clearing my cubicle as well as the things in my notebook…
so much of junk to be disposed of…
i could not believe myself… to be such a slob…
sent boxes after boxes of materials to the shredder…
without much consideration…
just do it, a wise ad once said…

the morning of my last day was spent with my ED…
discussing with one of my staff on taking over some of the review responsibilities…
did not allow that to spoil my mood for the rest of the day…
after lunch, together with another colleague whose last day was also today, we went to Goodwood Park to buy their famous durian puffs for the office people…
went around distributing at around 4pm…
busy taking photos with colleagues from various Departments…
left the office at around 7:30pm…
had dinner with my staff, my ex-boss and a couple of colleagues from another Department…
took more photos after that…
had my goodbye hugs from all of them…

another ex-colleague SMSed me this morning that i should just leave as per normal…
so that my staff would not feel the loss…
but i don’t think it works that way…
reality will still set in on Monday when i stop turning up for work…

my staff insisted on getting a Swatch for me…
after much deliberation, decided on a very retro one…
thank you everyone for their wishes, kind and encouraging words…
as well as all the gifts and presents…
you guys take good care too…
and most importantly, stay connected and keep in touch…

specially dedicated to my staff:

to Khim Siong,
do take up the challenge to hold the fort after my departure…
there is no right time to lead a team…
you have to explore and find your way around…
only through that are you able to decide for yourself whether you are cut out to be a leader…
i will be waiting for you to drive me around in your new car pretty soon ya…

to Ling Ling,
gonna miss all the silly jokes we had throughout the 2.5 years together…
keep me updated with all your travel plans…
and remember to continue with your yoga sessions…

to Peter,
unfortunately you were not present on my last day…
hope your operation wound has healed and everything is alright by now…
i always admire your ability to juggle so many things at one time…
but do dedicate equal (if not more) time to work too…
remember it has to be work-life balance…
not either extreme… ;-p

to Ranelle,
being the youngest and the newest, you have shown great courage…
and like you said, being the rebel, you have adjusted well in Singapore…
hope you continue to learn about our country and the financial industry…
although i was not the one who interviewed you, i was glad that we had quite a good working relationship…