In Jakarta

A new week begins in another city. I can't explain it, but I'm loving the work trips very much. There's something powerfully addictive about pulling double shifts on these trips (meetings in the day and clearing emails at night), learning new things at an accelerated pace and being entrusted to my own devices. I relish the independence and the flexibility on these work trips. These are my motivators at work. They make me want to live up to that trust placed in me, and do more.

Flying economy on work trips took a bit of getting used to, but it's alright. Luckily my portfolio looks at the region that's never more than a 6-hour flight each way. I've developed my coping mechanism of declining meals to sleep through the flight. As tiring as it gets at times, I wouldn't trade this to stay put at home. Travelling, to me, isn't a perk. Neither is it a chore. It just is.

Work trips have allowed me to cultivate secret projects, see the socio-economic realities of the cities, as well as enable me to keep in touch with the friends living in the various countries. I can't be more grateful. In any other job, I'd have to do weekend jaunts and be very hard-pressed for time.

As a couple, the man and I are very used to constant travelling. We like it that our respective work trips hone our individual perspectives and world views. Do we miss each other? Not particularly, not when there's Skype. (This is the part where I want to fling the useless work laptop across the room) Have I mentioned that the man is a very good writer? He is very eloquent and spouts artistic snarky lines. That makes communication a breeze. I think the only thing he's worried about having me loose in certain shops with his credit card very handy in my wallet. Heeeeheeeee.