The Job and the Transition - In the Blink of an Eye

Entrance to Veson Offices

While free time in Boston has provided much pleasure for both of us, weekdays John is wrapped up getting to know all about his new job with Veson Nautical, his colleagues, and preparing for his role in Singapore. There is much learning to be done about the marine industry as well as the software products developed and sold by Veson. John has found his technical prowess with the software a bit challenging,  yet other areas of management and strategy provide opportunity for him to show them how he can really contribute. During meetings and discussions he is pulled into he's found himself adding useful commentary and suggestions in part because his breadth of experience bridges a variety of disciplines and exceeds that of many in this young company. But that youthfulness also imparts energy and playfulness evident in office accoutrements like after-hours ping pong as well as social events like twice weekly lunches, a cocktail party in celebration of Veson's new offices and a pig roast on another occasion. Altogether, John is truly enjoying his work for the first time in a long time. 

In due time, it's all coming together and more detailed planning for our transition overseas gets going too. We spend several hours on the internet exploring different options for our initial stay in Singapore and decide upon a 1-bedroom apartment  at Central Square Village in the central business district within walking distance of the offices there. John and the HR team work out our travel plans as well as healthcare and employment issues unique to Singapore. A consultation with the travel clinic at Mass. General Hospital provides the necessary vaccinations (which John always enjoys - not!) before our departure and we are ready to go!

In large measure our journey and moving plans have all gone very smoothly. We are so grateful for support from so many who helped make this as painless as possible. Now that we are on the verge of our departure, there is of course one hiccup throwing a kink into our carefully laid plans. That hiccup is the shipment of some of our household goods from Colorado.

The original delivery date in Cape Cod was to be the week of September 18th. At the last minute we were informed that our small shipment would be delayed until they could find a truck in the area to add it onto another load but oh, we are told rest assured it will arrive no later than October 1, the last "allowable" day according to our contract. Both of us are quite unhappy and nervous about this. For one thing, it shortens or eliminates any opportunity to sort through some of those items to retrieve things we need or want to take to Singapore with us. For another, October 1 is literally only days before our flights to Singapore. Sure enough on September 30th the driver calls to tell me he has broken down in Kentucky and delivery will not likely occur until October 4th! Aiiyahh!! This is totally unacceptable so frantic calls with the shipping company in Colorado and another to the headquarters of the trucking company ensue. Finally we are promised that somehow they will get our delivery made on Monday, Oct. 3. It feels like threading a needle and we are just praying that there are no further delays.

On Thursday, October 6th we are heading to Singapore with several suitcases in tow.  If you've read my previous posts, then you know that we've been quite busy. Despite all that or perhaps because of it we've enjoyed such a rich fulfilling time here it feels like our time in Boston has gone by in the blink of an eye.