The Time Has Come…

Well the anticipation, anxiety, stress and excitement has been building since the Singapore opportunity was confirmed, with the formal offer made to me on 21st April 2011.  I was just about to leave for my Easter and early-May Holidays, and the moment finally came to make a decision.

The time had come in my life, for me to start at looking at doing something different and experience something that would test me and really keep my brain ticking along.  I wanted to try something totally different to revive my mental and physical state of learning, development, networking and most importantly, pushing myself out of my comfort zone, was still showing that I have capabilities to do well in any role I find myself in.

American Express recently re-started the Global Rotation Programme (GRP) at the end of last year, an opportunity to relocate and transfer people between divisions, teams and most importantly, locations and regions to provide a well-structured learning and development programme for the employees who are willing and capable of such a transition.  Since experiencing a similar but non-related 3 month placement with Alpha Bank Greece in 2007 and 2 month placement with Citidela Banka Latvia (formerly Parex Banka Latvia) in 2009, I thought that I had what it takes to take participate in this programme.  It also took advantage of recent successes that I have achieved during the past 2 years working on a similar type of area of the business operations.

It was incredibly difficult to decline such an amazing opportunity, so I promptly confirmed my acceptance of the offer on the same day of the offer, and then the waiting commenced.  Coming back from my holidays, I then started planning physically and mentally for the change.  It was a significant change in my lifestyle, from my home comforts (including my little baby (Audi A3), my family and friends – and from the comfort of my work-role that I have doing for over 6 and a half years.  Wow – where has this time gone?  It has simply flown by!

I’ve been fortunate to have scheduled a number of leaving drinks, meals and sessions around Haywards Heath and Brighton, and managed to say my good-byes to the majority of the people I care about and respect.  I know it is only for 6 months, but it was important opportunity for me to feel at ease for the decision I had made.  So what can one achieve in 6 months, well I sure am going to find out.  It is certainly going to be tough at times, but you know me, I will make the most of it!  I will have fun, I will learn, I will experience, and I will have an adventure – and this is just talking about the work bit 🙂  Ha!  No seriously it will hopefully be an amazing cultural and life experience, something which I am very honoured to be part of and have the support of American Express behind me.  Thank you, I do sincerely appreciate the opportunity!

So without further ado, I welcome to my blog (outlining the text entries, photos and even audio entries of my trip) and showing what I get up to (good, bad and indifferent), during My Singapore Adventure.  So sit back, relax and enjoy my blog, let the experience commence…

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