When Opportunity Knocks ...

I would say that quitting my job, and leaving the rat race some two months ago has been one of the better decisions I’ve made. I don’t miss work at all, but I guess that is because I am kept occupied with some itty-bitty writing jobs that trickle in every now and then.

I officially left the working world the second week of June. Many events happened between then and now, one of which the demise of my father. I was glad that my leaving the working world had given me the time to be with him during the last days. But of course, there are regrets.

Now, let’s get back to today. Yesterday my successful entrepreneur aunt called. When she introduced herself, I knew what she wanted. Her daughter had called me a few times in the past years to ask for a favour. My aunt, it seems, is in the midst of writing a book and wants someone with good English and good at writing to do it for her.

I declined the request made by my cousin, stating that I have never written a book and it is too big a burden. Of course I didn’t let out that I have doubts over my ability to write a chapter, let alone a book. But this time round my aunt made the call to ask me personally. She’s a lovely lady but she’s relative, and how could I say no. This time, she explained that she’s actually written the book, save for one chapter, and wanted me to write that chapter. Information would come from her and I would be required to ‘interview’ her to get the information.

I said I could give I a try, and suggested that we meet on Wednesday or Thursday to discuss content. Oh … my aunt did say that she wanted to have the book completed before Ramadan starts.

*GASP*

I can’t say no, can I? But what I did say was I would give it a try. And no, we didn’t discuss payment.

I told my mom about the request and if I interpreted her reaction correctly, she’s not too keen with the idea and muttered something like perhaps I should start looking for a job.

And guess what? Just last week, a certain ToOoTs told me her cousin was looking for someone, on behalf of an international agency, with PR and a branch of IT background. So I thought, heck why don’t I give it a try and quickly updated my CV to highlight that I am no longer gainfully employed and despatched it over to her.

And this morning, that agency called and asked to meet up.

Oh wow!

Am I excited? I am more scared than excited, really. I don’t even know if I want to go back to work but remembering my mother’s expression yesterday, I guess she thought that if I had a full time job, it would be easier for me to turn down such requests.

We’ll see how it goes.

note: My aunt hasn’t called to confirm if she’s able to see me tomorrow or Thursday.

When Enough is Enough

This is my first week of leave. It ends tomorrow, after which I will be jobless. :D

Can't help but grin there because the feeling of not having to go to work and deal with ridiculous demands and crazy deadlines / timelines is simply undescribable.

Really, it does.

The thought of not having an income trickling in at the end of the month is not worrying, at the moment, because I have saved and scrimped the last year, just to make sure that I have enough ready cash to fall back on. But how do you know when enough is enough? I guess you don't, or rather, I don't because I kept on saving and scrimping until I got tired of working.

That's when you know you have enough.

:D

Friday @ 5:30pm

Friday @ 5:30pm marks the last day I am gainfully employed, with regular monthly tax deductions made to the Inland Revenue Board. It was supposed to be Thursday but management has asked me to extend one more day to Friday, to complete the whole working week.

My handover was scheduled yesterday afternoon, but something came up and it got postponed to later in the day. That however didn’t happen at 6pm and I was itching to go home already. So I suggested today at 9am.

Still nothing.

But Friday @ 5:30pm will still be my final working day.

:D