adios amigos, my first post of twenty sixteeeeeen

Belated merry christmas and happy 2 0 1 6 !

My last post was in mid December and I think it was good that way. It's the time of the year when everything and everyone is sprinting for that last lap towards year end, and I had no regrets at all being so busy. It feels good and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I spent the first few days of 2016 taking my well-deserved break upon the end of my 6 months internship with Citibank. Boy, it feels so awesome and even though I may not have done the most productive things, me feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to live 2016 now definitely made up for it. No regrets!

2015 was a revolutionary year for me, and definitely a distinctive year in my growth as a person. On the first day of 2016, I'm glad I could safely say that there is nothing I did in 2015 that left me with regrets. Absolutely no regrets.

2015 also gave me 2 life changing decisions to make and both times I've chosen the path less traveled. I would like to consider myself brave in this aspect and being courageous was one of the best things that had happened all these years. I'm so proud of myself... Both dilemmas which I've been given are happy dilemmas.

1. The first one was regarding my internship. Back in Sem 2 this year I've already planned to take a 6 months internship. It was a decision I made for myself to either, beef up my resume or explore my true interests before I really try out the accounting route. However even though I applied during the sem and also after the sem, I received no news. So for the first 2 months of my summer break, I was literally hobo-ing and at a loss perhaps because I can't really fly away somewhere because what if suddenly an internship opportunities come up, and I can't really just waste my time away to keep applying when maybe it is just not the season to hire. It was really quite vexing because after exchange, i was so determined to travel again at least in summer break. But I've got to settle my future first so that have to gave way. (On hindsight, that's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for what I have now.)
   
   So I picked up some part-time jobs, kind of re-living my post-O/A Levels periods when we feel so shiok to have earned a few hundred dollars in a matter of days. Also took the break to really spend some me-time. I remember Sam and I went for a really last minute interview for an events job at MBS. On hindsight, it wasn't as educational as I thought then, but I'm really thankful for the opportunity to be rubbing shoulders with Americans and sharing about each other's lives. Also rubbed shoulders with many big bosses and CEOs in the aviation and satellite industry hehe. Kind of my first real insight on how networking works.
   
   So yeah, it was a good few days! Super happy to be working with Sam too even though we are located at different places. :) And then, this is also the period when the calls from Citi started coming in.
   
   The problem was, I think in July I secured an internship at SAP. And I remember how much I love the interviewer and thoroughly enjoyed the interview process. It was one of the crucial moments that grounded my liking for foreign expats in the work environment because they bring to us so much more perspectives and ideas and ways of doings things. I cannot emphasise how much I love it. I was so ready to embark my journey with them even though it's not related to what I study at all, I'll be handling the social media aspect of the company, brainstorming for ideas to help bring the employees closer on the same platform... (I am still so impressed when the interviewer really wants to use my ideas that I thought of on the spot during the interview... It's really rare to meet bosses who are so ready to pass you the power to actually implement something.)
   
   So when Citi calls me I was stumped. It was a real dilemma because my ideal internship would be in an industry close to what I'm majoring in, which is what Citi is. And ideally it would be a great platform to open my eyes to what I wish I could learn more about. Citibank is literally the ideal internship I see myself in back in Sem 2 and even though it took them 3 months to get back to me, and it means I have to forsake the opportunity at SAP which I've already accepted, it was hard to give up the offer. There were 2 offers, the first one in Segments Strategy and Management, and the 2nd one in Wealth Management's Product Control. 2015 showed me that in this pressure cooker environment, what is deemed to be good is the one that is more prestigious, and Wealth Management is the department that is most sought after by many.
   
   Just wanted to say I have no regrets choosing the path less traveled, choosing the less prestigious one taught me so much more and I'm very sure, challenged my limits so much more too. I'm happy that I fulfilled what I wanted to achieve, and also answered the questions that I want answers to at the end of the internship. It was right for me and hence yay no regrets!!!
2. Second dilemma concerns my first career. Talking about it still gives me shivers. And I'm glad the decision was well made a few months ago, thanks to my colleagues and advisors... I know it's the right decision because I have no regrets to date and I am proud of making that decision. I now believe that all good decisions are born when they have experienced their fair share of disapprovals and raised eye-brows. It's sticking to what you believe is good for you and tiding through the waves of doubts that will give you the conviction to see it through the end. That will be the most rewarding feeling ever. No regrets. I'll pray for the strength and positivity to tide through the hell times. I think not many industry can get as hellish as the one I'm starting my first career in. 

Sorry the long post! These are words I never got the time to record and so unleashing them all now. There are infinite lessons in 2015 and I guess these 2 are the bigger milestones in my life. Will share more in another post.

I feel so tired after writing all these haha. I shall take a break now and prepare for my training later on on the field! It's time I get my body moving.

What I hope to share in the next few posts:

• Citi Experience
• Family holiday to China
• Lessons from 2015 and aspirations for 2016

Ending off with this,

"Life is a beautiful collection of temporary experiences. Treasure your unique collection, and enjoy sharing it with others.'' - Matt Kahn

Thank you for reading and thank you for letting me share my life with you.