Friday, March 14, 2008

Endings

I've been working here for eight months, and tomorrow, I hand in my resignation letter and two weeks' notice.

It's funny. Someone pointed out to me, I was lucky to have that job. Most immigrants ended up bagging groceries at 7-11. Most don't get promoted after one month.

I am lucky. Don't get me wrong. I am very very grateful to my boss for taking a chance on me, and giving me an opportunity most people don't get. Heck, I was promoted after 1 and 1/2 months. Not many people can claim that.

I don't even know where I'll work next, but I am hoping to work at Starbucks for a while. And yes, I've heard the criticisms. "Why are you demoting yourself?" or "Isn't that a step down?"

Well, maybe it is. But I've always had this semi-dream of working at Starbucks. I've already been told that the status of barista isn't the same here as it is back home. Yup. I know that. I don't even DRINK coffee. Well, I can't stand it without half a cup of sugar and half a cup of cream. So. Why there?

I am looking forward to being a part of a team again, and coming up face to face with people. I am excited about being excited to go to work now. I want to work in a multicultural environment, and as we all know, there is no such thing as a perfect multicultural environment.

I am looking forward to walking down the street and not noting down the names and addresses on passing trucks as possible ad clients. I am looking forward to being able to open a magazine or newspaper and not go over the ads first, ignoring the editoral.

I want to be able to eat at a restaurant without feeling guilty because a.) I'm eating meat, b.) it's not organic, c.) it's not protein (long story there), d.) it's not fair trade, and e.) they don't use organic and biodegradable dishwashing fluid.
I am looking forward to eating lunch without having every single calorie and nutrient pointed out to me.

I am looking forward to working with people who have open minds, and a greater understanding of other cultures and a willingness to admit that maybe, just maybe, Asia is not just China or India.

I am also looking forward to not having my heart clench in dread whenever I get summoned to my boss's office, to not having to listen to lectures every five minutes from everyone else about why I am so lucky that I am in a 1st world country with people as educated and amazing as they are.

It's time to move on. And I am happy now that the end is in sight. Finally.

3 comments:

John said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
John said...

Kudos to you for being bold in pursuing what you passionately want in your life!

Unknown said...

Thanks, john. Now if only I can work up the energy to match it.