Well, due to some stupid HR rules, it seems like I’m too qualified for the new position I applied for so I won’t get the job. Con is that my career growth will be slower in the long run (6th-10th yr period). Pros is that I dun take a pay cut, and that my next salary revision will be in Jan. This will mean I’m yet another step closer to my…

I’ll take one in maroon please!

On a sad note, another close colleague of mine has left the company last week. Kinda sad to see him go. It was fun when we were all sitting together. We used to be such a great team, the 3 of us. Office has been kinda quiet now. Nobody to gossip or bitch about with. Just another boring work place now.. kinda crappy.. All the fun people have left

The 3 of us during happier times

Went to botanical gardens with Mariz on Sunday. I will always remember this one incident that happened there when I was young. I was trying to feed the swans, and as they were far away from me, I got impatient and leaned forward over the lake, as much as I could, hoping that the swan would reach me faster. What happened next was I fell into the lake. Bwahahhaa…. and my mum was so shocked. Ended up trying to dry all my clothes under the hand dryer in the toilet

Anyway, I had the camera with me to just try out the new Zeiss lens I bought. Took a few scenery pictures and this is how it turned out..

I really liked how this one turned out. The contrast, the colors, the sharpness… brilliant!

And since I also had a model with me, I took some portrait shots

The economic recession is worsening.. I’m very lucky that I’m not so affected by it. In fact, I think I’m doing pretty decent so thank god for the rezki (blessing) that I’ve been given.

I’ve decided to apply for the new position. From initial talks with their manager, I might have to take a 30% paycut. This really is a lot of money considering bad times like this but looking at the near future, it might just be a very very worthy investment. I hope I’m not wrong about this but I’ve asked around enough people to come to this decision. I’m glad to get the wonderful appraisal and reference from my prev manager which hopefully, will lessen the pay cut.

I won’t know the outcome of the application. Not even sure if I will get the position in the first place but when the time comes, I hope I can decide. To carry on with my current position, or embark on a new journey

Thank you for being understanding. I’m sure you know that lots of plans will need to be put on hold should I take the new route but I hope everything turns out fine…

Will it be wise to take a paycut now, to ensure that I will be marketable in the future? To give up whatever I have gained the last 2 over yrs, to start back from scratch in a new specialized skillset? A skill set that will ensure I will easily be able to find jobs outside of HP, and still earn a respectable amount?

So, I’ve been thinking a lot the last few days on where my current career will take me. Sure, I’m happy with my pay. Nothing to complain there. I’m paid a very very high rate now but what about in the future? I’m pretty much stagnant now. Also, I realized what I’m getting paid now, no other company can match and should I leave HP, i will never get a job outside which can match my salary now. This puts me in a very tough position.

I now have an option open up for me. I can continue with where I’m currently at, and start to specialize in dot net, or I can take a huge pay cut and be groomed to be a SAP analysts. People I’ve talked to say SAP will be better in the long run but the pay cut…. hmm.. Decisions decisions..