so, my ex-boss, Ms Coach (as her fave bag brand and her super-ability to coach/mentor me) decided to return to the Investment Banking market once again and she, surprise surprise, chose the IB House that I'm currently working in. I couldn't complain though, this is just like a April blessing for me because I adore Ms. Coach since forever. OK. I could continue gushing but it'll take another para to fill all in while I want to write about is a blessing in disguise.
in the afternoon after I'd received my pink slip (still easier to say than 'laid off'), Ms. S and I sat in the Pacific Place Coffee Bean, trying to cheer each other up. We sat on the compound of coach looking over to Jakarta Stock Exchange, the very place where we just got kicked out from. We laughed over some satirical joke, over the irony of the situation while trying to hide our shock and tears.
being ever two ambitious girls we discussed about what we are going to do next. well, I did plan to get off the country as soon as I could ditch the CFA test while Ms. S plan to work for Ms. Coach pro-bono (Ms. Coach has her own fund business, unfortunately it also collapsed following the global stock market meltdown), as long as she could stay in the business, that what she said. Although not long, we returned to the topic that clouded our head.
at that time, the very Bible verse that I remember was the one about how God has this grand plan and pieces are falling into its places just as how God want it to be. Then I had the urge to challenge my faith and tested God's statement on how faithful he is. So I said over and over, loudly to Ms. S, that I know this happens for something that I don't know yet but I just knew that the plan is going to be beautiful that when the time comes I'd be sharing the words of joy and gratefulness.
maybe the fact that Ms. Coach is back into the business and becoming my boss is one of the beautiful result that I thought back then (If I have to tell the story about how Ms. Coach was getting the job, you'd think that it is some sort of scenario that I had made up~) or maybe it is just one of the pieces that falling into places for me to get to the finish line.
Either way God, He has some decent sense of humour! He put in our heart an emergency button called faith, that during the times of no hope, we could turn it on and start believing that there are hopes although we couldn't see it with our physical eyes.
I'm learning, from the small thing such jobs, to bigger things like love. I'm still learning.
Showing posts with label job. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job. Show all posts
stop being a bitch
I stumbled upon one of my friend's Facebook notes regarding a person that has treated her so badly. In one unimaginable way that I thought only happened in sinetron. And after all the shenanigans this 'difficult person' pulled, she reaped her 'reward'.
Sweet, sweet revenge, huh, C? Especially when justice is served without having yourself included in the blooded battle. That is what the church may call, victorious. ^^v.
I don't believe in karma but I do believe in the saying of 'treat other like you want to be treated'. Because really, never will we know in what form a 'help' can come in our way. Which is what I found out as well this week, about a person who invisibly supported a friend in need.
Just like any typical week, I spent my Monday/Tuesday hanging out with my ex-colleague, Miss S, for lunch. She was telling me that she called our old office to speak to Mr. A, the legal director, asking for some sort of work related help. Not long after they talk nonsense, Mr. A asked her, "So, how's work? You like it there? How's Mr. B going?"
Mr. B used to work in our old office, but in a different era. Miss S, without any suspicion answered that Mr. B is alright and that she's is pretty settling in to the new office.
"I'm glad I could help." Mr. A said.
Miss S told me that she suddenly sense something weird from the statement, "What do you mean, Pak?"
"Lho, it was me who called Mr. B and hooked you two girls up for interview with him after the layoff."
What? It was him?! Mr. A who is typically acting ignorant about work and we sometime tease for his porn-joke? Mr. A who even didn't acknowledge us when we were beyond our mind that day? He was the one who promoted us to Mr. B?
Right after I got my pink slip, I received a text message (exactly on the next day) from Mr. B asking for my CV and proposing for interview. I just directly assumed that it was my ex-HOR that inform Mr. B about our condition. Both Miss S and I never got a chance to confirm who was it and we both just assumed it was one of the research people we know through out two years in the company. Little did we realize that Mr. A was the one who thinking about us and acted fast. And little did he know that my spirit was lifted a little higher that day. I get this 'out-of-jail/unemployment' card pretty fast, huh!
Oh well, so the story ends happily. I got a chance for an interview and realised that the job wasn't for me but it fit Miss S like gloves. While me, here I am, fully content that being nice to people that other may not think earns the respect, while sometime could be undervalued, is actually one of the treasured character.
Sweet, sweet revenge, huh, C? Especially when justice is served without having yourself included in the blooded battle. That is what the church may call, victorious. ^^v.
I don't believe in karma but I do believe in the saying of 'treat other like you want to be treated'. Because really, never will we know in what form a 'help' can come in our way. Which is what I found out as well this week, about a person who invisibly supported a friend in need.
Just like any typical week, I spent my Monday/Tuesday hanging out with my ex-colleague, Miss S, for lunch. She was telling me that she called our old office to speak to Mr. A, the legal director, asking for some sort of work related help. Not long after they talk nonsense, Mr. A asked her, "So, how's work? You like it there? How's Mr. B going?"
Mr. B used to work in our old office, but in a different era. Miss S, without any suspicion answered that Mr. B is alright and that she's is pretty settling in to the new office.
"I'm glad I could help." Mr. A said.
Miss S told me that she suddenly sense something weird from the statement, "What do you mean, Pak?"
"Lho, it was me who called Mr. B and hooked you two girls up for interview with him after the layoff."
What? It was him?! Mr. A who is typically acting ignorant about work and we sometime tease for his porn-joke? Mr. A who even didn't acknowledge us when we were beyond our mind that day? He was the one who promoted us to Mr. B?
Right after I got my pink slip, I received a text message (exactly on the next day) from Mr. B asking for my CV and proposing for interview. I just directly assumed that it was my ex-HOR that inform Mr. B about our condition. Both Miss S and I never got a chance to confirm who was it and we both just assumed it was one of the research people we know through out two years in the company. Little did we realize that Mr. A was the one who thinking about us and acted fast. And little did he know that my spirit was lifted a little higher that day. I get this 'out-of-jail/unemployment' card pretty fast, huh!
Oh well, so the story ends happily. I got a chance for an interview and realised that the job wasn't for me but it fit Miss S like gloves. While me, here I am, fully content that being nice to people that other may not think earns the respect, while sometime could be undervalued, is actually one of the treasured character.
For the love of the country
I was a mere rookie in my previous company and was only working for one full year when few analysts from the ASEAN team and I got a chance to go for a marketing trip in Singapore. I thought then, with my very positive mindset, how hard can it be to convince these people to invest in Indonesia’s “X” industry? It is such an investment heaven!
Right, I was so freaking naïve.
I realized after few meetings that Indonesia’s slot was set aside to the end of each meeting. When they were nice, they’d say, “We’re saving the best for last.” Even I couldn’t believe that. And sometime I could just sat there in the fancy meeting room listening at each country making their presentations until the time was up. Or if there was still enough time I have to rush through my presentation so they could have Q&A session. Thank you very much.
I got so self-conscious that I asked my senior what I had done wrong. Did I look too nervous, too young, too inexperience? (Well, I did back then so he said so).
My senior was a 40s Singaporean uncle who always take pleasure in having a cigarette break in between our meetings. “But here's the fact, no body really knows Indonesia, especially these young fund managers. The market is too small for them to care. They just don't have enough information to make something out of it. Granted, they are more positive than their seniors who were in the industry during 1997/98 crisis. But their view on Indonesia is guarded by the foreign media who is not particularly fond of your country, dear. So it is your job to teach them.” He smiled. Puff. Puff.
And this was early 2008, before recession really hit Asia.
Why such skepticism? Why does Indonesia is being punished so badly? Are we such an easy scapegoat? I kept asking.
Going into my third year in the industry, it is pretty clear how very negative foreigner could view Indonesia; particularly during hard time such this. Most are preventing themselves to invest in Indonesia with excuses that our Government has rotten systemic and regulation problem, which is undeniable true, and that was the main reason for them to drive away to a safer haven.
We couldn’t blame them though; many of them were screwed over by Indonesia’s unfailing bad corporate governance during the crisis 10 years ago. And just like a broken heart, you could always forgive, but never forget.
But if we jump into the skepticism boat as well, who'd defend this country? Well, it is not always rainbow and sweet things. But could it be us that given away the impression that this country really not worth living? And if not us, who else could give a balance view about this country?
Right, I was so freaking naïve.
I realized after few meetings that Indonesia’s slot was set aside to the end of each meeting. When they were nice, they’d say, “We’re saving the best for last.” Even I couldn’t believe that. And sometime I could just sat there in the fancy meeting room listening at each country making their presentations until the time was up. Or if there was still enough time I have to rush through my presentation so they could have Q&A session. Thank you very much.
I got so self-conscious that I asked my senior what I had done wrong. Did I look too nervous, too young, too inexperience? (Well, I did back then so he said so).
My senior was a 40s Singaporean uncle who always take pleasure in having a cigarette break in between our meetings. “But here's the fact, no body really knows Indonesia, especially these young fund managers. The market is too small for them to care. They just don't have enough information to make something out of it. Granted, they are more positive than their seniors who were in the industry during 1997/98 crisis. But their view on Indonesia is guarded by the foreign media who is not particularly fond of your country, dear. So it is your job to teach them.” He smiled. Puff. Puff.
And this was early 2008, before recession really hit Asia.
Why such skepticism? Why does Indonesia is being punished so badly? Are we such an easy scapegoat? I kept asking.
Going into my third year in the industry, it is pretty clear how very negative foreigner could view Indonesia; particularly during hard time such this. Most are preventing themselves to invest in Indonesia with excuses that our Government has rotten systemic and regulation problem, which is undeniable true, and that was the main reason for them to drive away to a safer haven.
We couldn’t blame them though; many of them were screwed over by Indonesia’s unfailing bad corporate governance during the crisis 10 years ago. And just like a broken heart, you could always forgive, but never forget.
But if we jump into the skepticism boat as well, who'd defend this country? Well, it is not always rainbow and sweet things. But could it be us that given away the impression that this country really not worth living? And if not us, who else could give a balance view about this country?
city lite
Since I've moved in to my new office, (a bit deeper into the heart of Sudirman compare to my previous one) I feel more weirdly attach with the city I work in. Surely, Jakarta is no Sydney, nor is it New York or London. Not even HongKong or Singapore. *Note that I NEVER work more than 3 month in those cities cumulatively~
But I guess Jakarta is a home, despite all of its wackiness. The unbelievable bus. Questionable bus-way. And the pillars that are supposed to be monorail (what's up with that?!). The ever annoying motorcycle (will I ever move on from this topic? I don’t think I ever will). Crazy car drivers. Then there is traffic jam which usually due to some stupid excuses.
Last Monday, while I was stuck in my car for five minutes in front of my office I couldn’t help to laugh. Everything just seemed to stop as far as my eyes could see, even motorcycles were struggling at the pedestrian walk. It was just like a scene out of those ‘Armageddon’-like movie where the citizen is rushing out of the city to get away from meteor/zombie/disease of your choice. It was so surreal.
(Then I found out it is because of this high-profile occasion in Semanggi that polices are stopping traffic coming from ‘Old Town’ (a.ka Kota).)
Do I hate it? Oh, do I sometime can’t help but wanting to cuss! But my cursing will have no positive impact, will it?
Traffic problem is just one way to picture it, but life in Jakarta is just too unpredictable in every aspect. There’s simply no historical pattern that technical analyst would cry themselves to sleep. Life is just so unpredictable that I could not help to embrace it. If you thrive for manageability/predictability that developed countries are offering, you'll be sorely disappointed.
Some of us may have the choice to work outside the country, which I say, lucky you. But nothing will remain the same after you work down herein Jakarta. Really, on a bright side you’ll appreciate much more of what you currently have. On the brighter side, maybe you will, like me, try to embrace every second pass and make the most of it :). Happy working.
[ Do you know: during the day (in the working day surely), Jakarta population is typically double or even triple its population during the night? ]
But I guess Jakarta is a home, despite all of its wackiness. The unbelievable bus. Questionable bus-way. And the pillars that are supposed to be monorail (what's up with that?!). The ever annoying motorcycle (will I ever move on from this topic? I don’t think I ever will). Crazy car drivers. Then there is traffic jam which usually due to some stupid excuses.
Last Monday, while I was stuck in my car for five minutes in front of my office I couldn’t help to laugh. Everything just seemed to stop as far as my eyes could see, even motorcycles were struggling at the pedestrian walk. It was just like a scene out of those ‘Armageddon’-like movie where the citizen is rushing out of the city to get away from meteor/zombie/disease of your choice. It was so surreal.
(Then I found out it is because of this high-profile occasion in Semanggi that polices are stopping traffic coming from ‘Old Town’ (a.ka Kota).)
Do I hate it? Oh, do I sometime can’t help but wanting to cuss! But my cursing will have no positive impact, will it?
Traffic problem is just one way to picture it, but life in Jakarta is just too unpredictable in every aspect. There’s simply no historical pattern that technical analyst would cry themselves to sleep. Life is just so unpredictable that I could not help to embrace it. If you thrive for manageability/predictability that developed countries are offering, you'll be sorely disappointed.
Some of us may have the choice to work outside the country, which I say, lucky you. But nothing will remain the same after you work down herein Jakarta. Really, on a bright side you’ll appreciate much more of what you currently have. On the brighter side, maybe you will, like me, try to embrace every second pass and make the most of it :). Happy working.
[ Do you know: during the day (in the working day surely), Jakarta population is typically double or even triple its population during the night? ]
welcome (back) to the nasty corporate world, b****!
no. my friend didn't necessarily say that, but it was close. i gave her my new office email so she could welcome me back after my one-month seclusion and that was her first email.
my new place is not nasty though. but i can understand her point of view as we share bitterness as the impact of being politically incorrect.
it does, however, give me an idea to launch a new project of 'Welcome to the nasty corporate world!' a.ka 'Corporate world 101' a.ka 'Corporate world: from the horse mouth' (just saying, I haven't got any title yet~)
undeniably, you're part of it or you will be. I'm sort of wanting to share the experience of working in our lovely capital city, Jakarta, so that when the time has come you will be ready. (or if it will never come, i'll say, lucky you.)
so. i will go find as many as ladies who'd like to share me some experience and give me some point of view on the corporate world they are currently cruising. and hopefully some gossips along the way.
why ladies? oh, boy, corporate world is a junk full of man, so enough already.
help is much needed so~ help!
my new place is not nasty though. but i can understand her point of view as we share bitterness as the impact of being politically incorrect.
it does, however, give me an idea to launch a new project of 'Welcome to the nasty corporate world!' a.ka 'Corporate world 101' a.ka 'Corporate world: from the horse mouth' (just saying, I haven't got any title yet~)
undeniably, you're part of it or you will be. I'm sort of wanting to share the experience of working in our lovely capital city, Jakarta, so that when the time has come you will be ready. (or if it will never come, i'll say, lucky you.)
so. i will go find as many as ladies who'd like to share me some experience and give me some point of view on the corporate world they are currently cruising. and hopefully some gossips along the way.
why ladies? oh, boy, corporate world is a junk full of man, so enough already.
help is much needed so~ help!
the office
My new boss character is just out of a movie.
He could be Monk with the craziness that Monk can be. You name it. He looks like the OCD type.
He's sort of funny-man as well, with his overwhelming nervousness and non-existence calmness over how people think. On how I think.
Yesterday, when I asked the time he expects me to come, he said whenever before nine am. Of course, that would be really great if the company is not in 3-in-1 range of fire. That's beside the point. When I told him that I want to attend the morning meeting he became really nervous and told me that I just have to relax at this point in time and when I attend the meeting I could just sit and listen. *That's why I want to join, btw, but he has the need to spell it out. So I let him have it :)
Then this morning he called me again to his office to talk about~ dressing up. He seemed so worry on how I think or maybe how other think on how I dress up. It was so funny and I didn't mean to be mean. Anyway, I wore my comfort clothes today (on my second day).
Comfort clothes are like comfort food, it is comfortable for you but doesn't add any value to your look.
My comfort clothes include pant suit with wide legs, striped button blouse and zara oversize knitware. I looked like trash. Apparently, so does other in the research room. They dressed down. So down that I'm a ten.
Although, yeah, yesterday, as I thought that they will take me around, I put on my nicest top and skirt a la 50s.
Haha, but that's so funny though. I couldn't hide my smile.
Maybe later he will comment on my makeup also :)
Just to make things straight, he could be the nicest boss I have *I mean real boss who hires me*. He is real genuine person and I really like him. I hope him the best in this world.
He could be Monk with the craziness that Monk can be. You name it. He looks like the OCD type.
He's sort of funny-man as well, with his overwhelming nervousness and non-existence calmness over how people think. On how I think.
Yesterday, when I asked the time he expects me to come, he said whenever before nine am. Of course, that would be really great if the company is not in 3-in-1 range of fire. That's beside the point. When I told him that I want to attend the morning meeting he became really nervous and told me that I just have to relax at this point in time and when I attend the meeting I could just sit and listen. *That's why I want to join, btw, but he has the need to spell it out. So I let him have it :)
Then this morning he called me again to his office to talk about~ dressing up. He seemed so worry on how I think or maybe how other think on how I dress up. It was so funny and I didn't mean to be mean. Anyway, I wore my comfort clothes today (on my second day).
Comfort clothes are like comfort food, it is comfortable for you but doesn't add any value to your look.
My comfort clothes include pant suit with wide legs, striped button blouse and zara oversize knitware. I looked like trash. Apparently, so does other in the research room. They dressed down. So down that I'm a ten.
Although, yeah, yesterday, as I thought that they will take me around, I put on my nicest top and skirt a la 50s.
Haha, but that's so funny though. I couldn't hide my smile.
Maybe later he will comment on my makeup also :)
Just to make things straight, he could be the nicest boss I have *I mean real boss who hires me*. He is real genuine person and I really like him. I hope him the best in this world.
Nerve
I start working tomorrow. A new place. An extension of life in the investment banking industry. Lucky me, I got a second chance.
So now I'm moving my stuff over to my grandparent's home up in the town~ while watching Enchanted in cable. So I feel like writing so much. Especially since I target myself with 120 entries for this blog this year (such a low low low target) well, compare to 26 last year~
Anyway, given the time I spent doing nothing down under, I have picturing how my room will look like. I have two projects. One in my grandparent's, one in Bandung. The one in my grandparents will have green/blue/gray color scheme while the one in Bandung is more girly with red/pink/white/choc. I'll surely update it here once I finished with them.
I love decorating. It put me off the reality.
So now I'm moving my stuff over to my grandparent's home up in the town~ while watching Enchanted in cable. So I feel like writing so much. Especially since I target myself with 120 entries for this blog this year (such a low low low target) well, compare to 26 last year~
Anyway, given the time I spent doing nothing down under, I have picturing how my room will look like. I have two projects. One in my grandparent's, one in Bandung. The one in my grandparents will have green/blue/gray color scheme while the one in Bandung is more girly with red/pink/white/choc. I'll surely update it here once I finished with them.
I love decorating. It put me off the reality.
thanksgiving 2009
So, a LOT has happened in the past two months.
HIGHest level of stress with the test et al
And finally the most interesting time of all: I got the pink slip
I’m not so sure whether I could talk about the retrenchment as it is only one week and I’m still employed, maybe in few months?
However, it was in between shocking and expected but I don’t think anyone can exactly prepared for that. Just like dying – not that I compare the importance – but at least I still got second chance.
Anyway, a LOT of lesson learned. Many of those could be not be disclosed here. There are things that I will repeat in the future, some things I will change.
I got the news on Thanksgiving, so I think its only fit to be thankful today:
I’m thankful this time shows who really care, despite me in bad position
I’m thankful that it gives me more time to study for the freaking CFA exam
I’m thankful that the exam is over (2-fateful-hours ago)
I’m thankful that I have more time for my physical health
I’m thankful that I still have a great boyfriend
I’m thankful that I could go for holiday now
I’m thankful that I could have time
HIGHest level of stress with the test et al
And finally the most interesting time of all: I got the pink slip
I’m not so sure whether I could talk about the retrenchment as it is only one week and I’m still employed, maybe in few months?
However, it was in between shocking and expected but I don’t think anyone can exactly prepared for that. Just like dying – not that I compare the importance – but at least I still got second chance.
Anyway, a LOT of lesson learned. Many of those could be not be disclosed here. There are things that I will repeat in the future, some things I will change.
I got the news on Thanksgiving, so I think its only fit to be thankful today:
I’m thankful this time shows who really care, despite me in bad position
I’m thankful that it gives me more time to study for the freaking CFA exam
I’m thankful that the exam is over (2-fateful-hours ago)
I’m thankful that I have more time for my physical health
I’m thankful that I still have a great boyfriend
I’m thankful that I could go for holiday now
I’m thankful that I could have time
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