Promotion?? ahak ! ahak!

One morning about a couple of weeks ago, I was surprised by the interest from the HQ is Switzerland to have me lead quite a high profile IT post for one of the business groups. Not prepared for such a news, I was speechless for a few seconds when it was conveyed to me by my boss. Hmm ... this sort of thing doesn't always come your way. This is probably the only opportunity I could ever get in this company. And when could it be more perfect than now. Petrol price in Malaysia is soaring, my daughter is still very young and I hate my current car. Excited? Of course. But, I played it cool.

As of today, I know the final figure that I would be getting in Baden. Not exactly as I anticipated but at the same time not so bad. I would be going under the LTAP policy - LTAP stands for Long Term Assignment Policy, which essentially mean I would be an expatriate under the policy's term of employment. Unlike the "local" package that some get when relocate to Europe, I'd be getting housing allowance, car / transport allowance, paid children education (which is irrelevant to me for the next 4 to 5 years), paid annual return home, mobility premium (a sum of money they pay prior to the relocation) and a few other benefits. Quite good.

Last night, I gave the official acceptance of the offer (in principle). The figure has been improved slightly although is still well below my request. But OK lah. Within the next couple of weeks or so, Ayen an I shall be going up for a visit. May be for 2 to 3 days. Just to see the place (more for Ayen as I went there before) and meet up with some key people whom I will be working with. Too bad ... baby has to stay with my mom.

Zurich Street Party 2006 ... Here I come!