One bumpy ride

Looking back on the past 8 months, I wouldn't say my life has been smooth sailing. I resigned from my stable job of 8 1/2 years!!! Reasons for writing the resignation letter? My car and debts would all be paid by my "retirement" benefits, bigger paycheck (my monthly salary after taxes and others deductions was a huge $60!!!), and the hope that I would be able to patch things up with the person I then considered my best friend.

Arrived at Malaysia before my best friend who was on vacation and had a good time. Things started to change the moment he arrived. Not wanting to clash with him, I shied away from the friends I just made because they were also his friends. I started going out with a new group of people and found my ground till one dreaded Friday. I was sucked into an intrigue and he was the center of it all. Things really got nasty and we got into a huge fight that I think ruined everything. I tried to hold on to the friendship but I think he gave up on it long before I arrived. The incident broke the last string holding whatever was left. We tried to make up on my birthday but there was still tension whenever we met. This time he said things I don't think I'll ever forget. TIP: You should never say "bug off" (he said a lot more, this is just a summary) to someone you consider a close friend. From then on, I had my final resolve on the friendship, it had come to an end. But then... I'm not all that bad. On his birthday, as the day was about to end, I gave him a call. Something I knew would put a smile on his face. The days following that call have been quite OK but I don't think I can give him that friendship I used to give. He'll just be another face in the crowd.

Another pothole on the bumpy road was work. My new job wasn't that pleasant as well. New environment, new system, new culture... In the end, I gave up. I began missing my friends, co-workers, the projects I left in my old job and to top it off, 2 of my close friends came here for a visit. They reminded me of everything I left back home. Writing another resignation letter wasn't that hard of a choice to make.

As I pack my bags and look back on those 8 months, I've come to realize that many good things have come out of this experience. I did get to make a few close friends. Pioneered the "Friday Group" and it has grown to cult like proportions :) *joke* I'll tell you more about this group in another post. I was able to go to Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia and Thailand. I love traveling. I got myself a laptop which I wouldn't even dream of if I had stayed at my former job. To sum it up, there were more good than bad. I'd say the bumpy ride was worth it after all...