economy recession
Every headlines, every forwarded emails are really negative these days – news about the downward-spiralling global economy, the never-ending wars in Gaza, job lay-offs, pay cuts and forwarded emails on safety tips!! Ya know, nowadays I’m quite afraid to drive to places alone at night. A colleague got mugged the other evening (7 something, after work) whilst she stopped for car park ticketing at BJ Complex. A man in a motorbike smashed her passenger window and took her belongings. She had some scratches on her hands (luckily not her face) due to the flying broken glasses. She was in shocked. Sigh! When economy is bad, people lose their job and some people are capable of hurting another just for living and survival.
What lies ahead in the year of 2009 does not look very rosy. Switching job or career change have to take a back seat even though what i have now is not my dream job. A colleague told me several times not to make a hasty decision to resign last year and I have to admit he was right. All those bad news has become a reality in the year of 2009, the year of ox. A club member told me that in the month of february his company will announce d’ layoffs list. He hope his name is not in the list as his wife is expecting their second child this year. Another news is that many companies are having 3-4 work days and 1-2 days deduction from their annual leave. When there is no more leave left, it’s pay deduction for the non-working days.
Thus far, nothing of that sorts happening to my team, we are still able to claim overtime and have free delicious lunches delivered from outside to us during our hectic days. My current job is more routine, less satisfying, too easy and involves simpler programming skills. My previous job was challenging and very fulfilling, it allows me to be creative and the projects are usually big, plus i have more “power” or authority in my previous employment. This economic downturn thing has spoiled my plan for career change. I was angry and unhappy and distracted until two days ago. I learned from a wise friend that despite whatever else 2009 may bring, I should change and be more optimistic and enthusiastic. These are the keys to have a clear mind, staying focus to see through the dark gloomy economy clouds. I supposed I need to be thankful for at least being employed. Other people may want my easy job.
On the last note, do you know that the year of Ox seemed to be THE YEAR of economic recession? 1973 and 1985 was the year of a worse economic downturn and they are the year of oxes. Coincidence?
Funny pic source as credited above
