13/02 . When one door closes, another hole opens

This morning my boss told me that they're gonna get the new person to start on Thursday, hence effectively I'll come in to the office till Wednesday, because they'll need my laptop back and I need to vacate the workstation to make way for her. However, I'll still be paid till Friday (my original last day) - i.e. I'm being paid to go on holiday. hehehehehe...

I have mixed feelings.

When I've been informed that the job had gone to someone else, I was really demotivated. It was hard to continue to come in to office everyday to work, because all that I'm building now seems to be for another person's benefit.. but then again, I'm being paid to do the job. Now that I could leave 2 days earlier, I felt reluctant - and somewhat unprepared - just 2 more days!!!!!!! I guess, I'm really gonna miss the nice culture and relaxed environment, quiet corner table by the window with natural sunlight to cheer me up, and some of the nice colleagues here that has become good acquaintances (and yes, not forgetting the loads of nice looking young men from all over the globe!) ...

I was interviewed last Friday for a potential job. Got a surprise call from an ex-boss that her sister needs to hire urgently for a replacement contract HR Generalist and she thought of me - wow~ what perfect timing!!! It is with a rather reputable telecommunications company, and a contract position which have a slight chance of turning permanent. Payroll processing will be a large and critical part of the job on top of managing other general HR functions. I felt reluctant to take it up because it sounded like tedious hard work (plus lots of shit management and lack of support from other corporate functions) and I'd be expected to perform tasks which I generally "dislike". hehehehehe... And on top of that, I was feeling kind of "short-changed" because the salary budget of this role is EQUAL to the amount I'm being paid now. Wow, over here, I'm like on a honeymoon.... relaxed, having fun, having time to blog and chat on MSN, no boss micro-managing me, can come in late (that's the culture), happy hour every Friday, casual office wear, and a boss that appreciates my contribution and efforts -- hence the thought of being paid the same for a tough time is fairly discouraging. I've been spoilt.

However, a talk with a friend helped put things into better perspectives and wake me up to get my priorities right. She reminded me that right now, there are no other jobs waiting for me and I DO need to keep the cashflow coming because I have bills to pay, I do not have any savings right now and I still owe a debt of S$6000 to my mum and I want to be DEBT-FREE. Also, I should no longer look back at my last high pay and expect to be paid at that level. Well, I guess so... I guess the potential job that I was interviewing for had raised my hopes of being able to get a higher level job which pays a higher salary than my previous highest paid job. I have taken a 33% pay cut (initially 47% !!!!!!! but they gave me a $600 increase while I'm here) .... hence I could feel the pain. My friend pointed out that the salary my potential employer stated is already considered quite well paying. Yes, much is given, much is required. If I had been paid a high salary for a high level job, would I be able to perform and deliver to their expections and satisfaction????!!!!??? I guess it's time to be realistic and drop back down to earth. And time to brace myself for hardwork and stress and possible long hours ahead too ...(potential boss told me all about the challenges I'll be facing and the expectations of the job etc. etc. in a 2 hour discussion we had) - and stay focused on the goal at hand : Pay off the debts, continue the cashflow- and in 6 months' time I can start having my own money to spend as I like, and still have some to save up for the future. Who knows~ other opportunities may open up in the meanwhile! Will keep hoping.

I'm yet to hear the "good news". Hopefully within these 2 days I'll get an answer.... may it be favourable. I have requested for $500 above what I'm currently earning as a temp, and I hope they will be able to meet that - my potential boss did say she will try her level best to get the approval from HQ - It's a replacement position, hence they usually have to stick to the budget of what the current person is getting, though the maximum budget is $500 more. Hence I am praying hard that they'll be able to pay me at maximum budget. Also, I'll either start next week on the 20th, or 1st of March. I hope to start 1st March, because I am lazy. hehehehe....

On a positive note, my potential boss told me that she really really needs a permanent headcount to cover the contract position I'm replacing... hence she's "fighting" for the headcount. And once the job turns permanent, the possibilities of pay adjustments will be present - anyway I won't think too far on that, there are no promises. The contract starts March and will end in September, then if approved, it'll be extended again to next March. 6 months cycle... till it turned permanent. Byt the way, as a contract employee, I'll still have some minimal benefits : 1 day annual leave for every 2 months worked, and a reimbursement budget of S$100 for medical expenses. Hey that's not too bad! At least now I don't have to worry too much about medical expenses when I fall ill... sigh~

And I hope that the office will be nice too... nice corner private desk by the window, good facilities, nice fun friendly crazy colleagues and maybe lots of nice eligible guys to flirt with and oggle at!! hahahahahaha.....

I thank God for the doors that He had opened for me. Thank you Father, thank you for your grace and mercy and goodness. Thank you for your faithful providence over my life.

In the meanwhile, I just hope that there'll be more open doors. :-)