Rejuvenated

This time round, it was just a simple thanks. Nothing fancy.

***********

I met up with L for dinner tonight to catch up. L is my classmate from uni days and she's one of those smart girls who graduated with first class honours. And she's hardworking too, unlike the slacker me. We had a really interesting conversation about the markets, jobs, people from our graduating batch, etc.

L just tendered from her civil service job and is now actively looking for a job in the private sector. Brave of her to do that in such turbulent times, especially when the private sector is slashing jobs like crazy and we've been hearing soundbites of retrenchment of front office staff.

L confided in me that she's feeling apprehensive about the job search ahead, but I feel that she should be patient and not devalue her working experience and 1st class honours and just settle for the first offer that comes her way.

Both of us love the markets and it's painful not to be involved in a job that follows the economy actively. But it's even more painful to be at the thick end of the action and start worrying that a fat pay cheque would no longer be sustainable because the job landscape is not as rosy as 2007.

I'm glad I'm free of financial commitments. If I had bought a car or property, I would have been cursing - oil prices have rendered driving extremely expensive, and property prices have begun their decline.

I'm still in two minds in whether to park my cash in unit trusts to capitalise on the lower prices now or whether to purchase dividend yielding stocks. 9% per annum isn't too bad at this point in time. Direct stock holdings are a little too volatile at the moment and I prefer not to take the risk right now.

L mentioned to me that I sounded extremely chirpy, must have been the effects of my new job. Personally, I do feel that my mood has been on the upward trend. It is rejuvenating hanging out with my training batch mates, most of them are still young and full of zest and all ready to go.

I'm still young but I feel old already. In my previous job, I've had to tone down and suppress my enthusiasm and try to be serious all the time in order to sound convincing in front of all my business associates. It's tough meeting all those people who are so much more experienced than me. It's enriching but it's been draining, physically, emotionally and mentally. Which is why it's refreshing watching all those training mates of mine. They really are fun people.

Movies, play pool, hang out at cafes, dinner, shopping, and they went Zouk (Mambo) last night. I would have gone if I didn't have to teach BC.

As my new colleague S told me, I've left something I don't like, don't turn back and look behind. How I agree with her.

Saying so, I'm still in my honeymoon period - the training phase. I have only 1 more paper to clear, compared to some of my colleagues, with over 10 papers left to clear. I've been procrastinating cos my boss wants me to start proper once I clear the last paper... Well, I have 2 weeks of training left, and I'm going to make the most of it.

Don't be surprised if I start complaining three weeks later. I'm a true blue Singaporean after all. =)