I never really had an opportunity to go through a full introspection for 2009.
I mean, I've had 'eureka' moments from time to time, but never that time where I sit down and mark myself against my objectives for this year.
So for this post, I'm doing just that!
Below are my "carefully" identified pre-conditions and arguments about a year ago when I was trying to decide whether to accept this opportunity and repatriating my family back to Manila:
1) That this opportunity presents a possibility of migrating and settling in the United States.
2) That due to the low cost of living in Manila, compared to Muscat, that I can expand my savings potential by a conservative three-fold margin
3) That further career development in terms of professional trainings is possible due to the progressive nature of the company and of the job itself
4) That I could complete a post-graduate/or another bachelors degree - further opening doors to other career choices/opportunities.
Well, here's the low-down:
Item 1 (Did not occur) - The possibility of travelling to the United States was struck down early (1/2009) due to budgetary concerns in the organizations, in lieu of the economic fall-out in the States and as well as the recent mergers and acquisitions, orchestrated by the company by late 2008.
Item 2 (Did not occur) - The potential savings brought by the lower cost of living, was effectively leveled-off by the sheer deductions and taxes drawn from my monthly compensation. I did account for this possibility of course, but did so, with a naive, sort of childish/fantasy-like rigor... By not factoring in the compounding effects of the local inflation rate, escalated cost on basic necessities (utilities, petrol, water, basic services, etc) - I've essentially made a serious mis-calculation. Thus, effectively striking out this item from my list.
Item 3 (Did not occur) - This item hinged very closely with item number 1. The opportunity to gain further certification in my field is not possible locally, therefore, when the news that no travel-advise will be given for 2009, this too obviously was stricken out from the record.
Item 4 (Did not occur) - Due to the nature of my work, that we support most endeavors in locations with 8-13 hours time difference from the Manila, it was a struggle to a family man like me, whose domestic responsibilities essentially takes 40% of my offline hours to pursue another degree or any post-graduate degree for that matter. I simply cannot function effectively with less than 4 hours of rest daily. Don't say I didn't try though - I actually had myself enrolled for a post-graduate class, but had do drop a week later because I feel like collapsing to the sidewalk .
All in all, I just feel that there is really nothing to cheer about, even with the local holiday scene... *Big sigh!
