~ The Road Less Travelled ~

I'm at a crossroad. Career-wise. Left with very limited choices and tougher when one don't have a creative answer when posed with the question "what do you really want to do?"

I am not sure, to be honest. Baking cupcakes seems like a feasible option. You're your own boss, able to operate from home and "trade" cupcakes online. And if money runs out, eat the leftovers. And grow fat.

My career has somewhat paved its own course. Choices were 'made' for me. I simply obliged, in view of the needs (or wants) for money, nice clothes, a roof over my head and some grub. I wanted to earn and that was the driving factor. It didn't help that mum and dad wanted me 'home". Hop-on-the-first-flight-right-after-my-last-final-paper-exams state of urgency. But I was unrelented.

Being the rebel I was (am still now), I stayed on and jumped head-first into the non-glamorous world of consulting. And stayed on for 2 years until I was ticked off for not delivering. Despite the late nights and juggling between multiple roles. I was the associate cum dispatch girl cum event organizer cum scape goat. And the only 'little"one among 10 big bosses. No kidding, 10. So I quit. But I learnt and moved on. Without a tinge of regret. In fact, I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for that short stint in consulting.

But not before I spent 6 months in a bank with nothing much to account for other than the "banker" title. And a un-precendented notch-up in terms of popularity. Bankers equates to loan approver. Only I don't approve loans. I merely issue letters to re-claim loans and sometimes properties. And after 6 months, all I learned was business writing (ah-long) skills and not how to count. Nothing strategic or stimulating. Made worse by the existence of big bosses who will wait by the elevators and observe who leaves at 5.30pm, on the dot. Dude, if you want me to work beyond 5.30pm, then put that in my employment contract. It says working hours - 8.30am to 5.30pm, no?And even if I do stay, I'll be warming my ass, browsing the net and dropping cookie crumbs on the keyboard.

So here I am now and have been for the past 3 years. My 3rd year anniversary is short of three days. And what have I got to show? Both tangible and non-tangible achievements but most importantly, respect and recognition. And moolah to shop, and to satisfy my shoe cravings.