Lessons Learnt

This month has been a month of lessons for me. Allow me share them with you.

Lesson # 1: Money is Not Everything but Everything Is Money
Ever since I took on this new job, I haven't got my first pay. This is common, as it usually takes 3 months for the first pay to be banked it. My parents and family members have been helping me a lot as I need money for everything; food, transport, rent etc...I was running broke and had really drained my family, when they asked me to try to request for advance from my employer. When God closes one door, He'll open another, they said. I told them that I had never heard of such a thing here and I didn't think it was possible. But would try nonetheless, although I wished I didn't have to.

Lesson # 2: God is Above Everything
I casually asked the Assistant Accountant if requesting advance was a practice of new comers but she said there wasn't anything like that.( "I knew I was right," I thought to myself)..And continued my day, as usual. As I was sitting in front of the pc in the office, an Admin. officer came and asked me how I was managing financially. Before I could answer, he said he knew it must be extremely difficult and told me to prepare a letter to the Director, requesting an advance from the Club.

I remembered the Assistant Accountant's words and decided against it, but the next day, the Admin. officer came and reminded me to prepare the letter again. "Why not? No harm trying", i persuaded myself, and prepared the letter. I was just looking at the letter which I prepared, when the Assistant Accountant came into my room to get my signature. She saw the letter, and to my amazement, she said that through the Club, it was totally possible. She took the letter from me and said that she'll make the necessary arrangements,and I'll be getting some cash to roll soon! Praise the Lord!He is really so compassionate...helping me even when I was reluctant to try for myself.

Lesson # 3: Expect the Unexpected
When I first came to Kuantan, my aunty arranged for a temporary accomodation for me in a very distant relation's house. I stayed there for 2 weeks and went for a week's course in Malacca. After that, the Methodist pastor here made arrangements for me to stay with a church member near my workplace.

It was supposed to be permanent but she's moving to KL, thus, I have to move elsewhere. I was informed at the last moment, but she's been gracious to allow me to stay until she moves. In the mean time, the pastor found a different room for me to rent, which is not too far from my workplace, and I was supposed to move in yesterday. However, only yesterday, the lady of the house informed the pastor that she can't rent out the room. She said that she's renting the house from a man who is not allowing her to rent out the rooms individually..and that she's planning to move out soon too. Well, fine, I can try to see it from her point of view...But seriously, it sounds pretty lame to me..she had tenants in the past for years...If she wasn't keen, she shouldn't have agreed right from the start...at least I wouldn't have stopped searching....Never mind, life is not a bed of roses. I shouldn't be surprised.

Anyway, the pastor managed to find me a different room, in another church member's house. But this house is very much out of the way from my workplace. I can't find any colleague who's living near there. I'm supposed to move in tonight but am trying to find other althernatives. Another uncle (my newfound relative, as you would understand if you read my post, "On a Sunday Morning" assured me that he'll find me a nearer room in two days...But i'm holding on to "Expect the Unexpected"...

I'll be going on away on a course this Thursday till Saturday. Hopefully by the end of the week, I'll have a more permanent place to rest my head...i'm tired of living like a nomad... One thing for sure, somehow or rather, I'll find a way. God sent me here. He won't leave me in the streets.

Lesson # 4: Be Careful What You Don't Wish For
When I was in school and in university, Accounts was never one of my favourite subjects. Although I scored pretty well in it, I always wished that I will never have much to do with it in work...But here am I, head over Administration and FINANCE department...I'll have to see more of accounts soon...but I know it will do me good. So, here I am, ready to learn.

Another thing, when I used to follow "The Apprentice," and watched the candidates take on construction related tasks, I used to think to myself that I wouldn't like that...I just don't fit into that, I thought. And I wasn't at all worried of getting involved in such aspects in the future because I believed that my scope of job would never lead to that...But once again, I'm wrong. The DEVELOPMENT Officer here is being posted elsewhere and I will have to replace him in his duties. To start with, I've been handed the plan of the new office being constructed in a different area, and I was told that I have to deal with it, at least for now...It feels like life is giving me all that I never asked for..... The thought of learning appeals to me, but when it is attached with "Authority" and "Responsibility" at it's end, I can't help feeling intimidated...Anyway, I'll cherish the opportunity and try to make the most out of it.

In conclusion:

Learning is not a final destination but a lifelong process. May the good Lord help us to always be willing to learn and to give thanks in all circumstances:)