I have finally taken up the offer to be an International Graduate with Standard Chartered Bank. Its been 3 weeks since I left my previous organization. There are many reasons why I left but it was mainly due to opportunity. I can say that I do not regret the new exposure. I am always one who loves to learn and progress. I think the Bank is an excellent platform, I have been attending the induction and it has been great. I will be in Consumer Banking, yes in people banking, my cup of tea.

Back to where I used to work, sure, there were many bitter moments but there were also certainly the best of times that I would miss.

I will be dedicating this post to all the things I will be missing and the highlights in my short career stint in sustainability and the agriculture business.

I will definitely be missing the great people who colour my life there. The various friendly / helpful / odd (??) General Managers Managers, Assistants, Agronomists, Safety and Health Exec / Officer, Staff, Workers who all had interesting things to share with me. The various lessons learnt, may it be on how to lead, how to manage people, how to appreaciate people, to technical knowledge on oil palm, safety and health, legal requirements, etc. Its always a high point whenever I meet people in general who are willing to go the extra mile to make a difference. I believe that is what being a leader is all about. Making positive differences. Starting a wave of change. Breaking the mode of indifference. Including each and everyone in the process as everyone always has a share to contribute. I always believe in investing in the "little people", the "little voices" as I know how is it like to be left out. Having been left out before and fighting my way to be recognized, I always look out for humble people and will never forget my roots. Strong roots make for a strong tree.

I will also miss the "heritage bungalows" that we used to stay in. Yes, it wasn't much of a place to stay with cockroaches running about (refer to my old post), but it was certainly rustic in its own way. And I must say that starting a career living a bungalow is really quite cool. I was quite fortunate to have bungalows with sufficient water and electricity so far. I remembered the last time I had to stay in a staff quarters during my Industrial Training, most of the time there was no water and I had to take water from the Emergency Shower.

Of course, Estate living was also quite interesting in a mundane sense. Getting to know the workers, what motivated them, reminding them of their purpose in life and perhaps making their days better and more toleratable in a foreign land such as ours. Its really a ripple effect to me. When people are happy to work for you, they give their best. Of course there is a need to draw the line, but I always believed in creating a positive work environment.

The friendly and warm hospitality of the Estates in most places were also a highlight. It was really nice to see how much effort is put up for us even with the scarce resources that they had. With that, I am truly touched.

Meeting nice Managers has also been one of the best points of my careers. I think the best ones are the ones who are willing to listen, accept change, and who are proactive to making things happen. I will take all these lessons and apply them to what I currently do.

I will also be missing the wonderful individuals within the industry, the various networks that I have made has made quite an impact and I am happy for it. When news spread that I was leaving the industry, there were some "captains" of the industry that called me to talk me out of it. It was certainly a kind gesture but I decided to take on the new role head on and learn some good working habbits along the way.

I will miss working with so many wonderful people. Of course there were people who gave me a hard time, peers and management units alike. But I believe these people has given me great lessons on how to deal with difficult individuals and reiterating the fact that can't seem to fit in my head that "you just can't please everyone". I always believe there is a compromise that can be made. But sometimes people just don't gel with you. Its just who they are I guess.

I will miss MALACCA. Yes, its my 2nd home. They have almost everything from semi free food to beaches to spa's to tourists spots to nice shopping malls to Karate lessons to the Malacca Toastmasters. It was certainly fun. I just didn't like driving so much (more of the fuel rather than the excellent scenery on the way and driving itself) there as it takes about an hour plus one way.

I look forward to new challenges and a steep learning curve in this new job. I have been so very fortunate to be able to get to where I am. I come from blatantly different background, minimal experiance, and almost no inkling to what banking is all about. I hope the last year and a half has brought a positive change within the people I have met so far. Thanks for the advice, support, encouragement and just 'being there', will definitely remember all of you. If you do know me, please do keep in touch.