What if...

You know that feeling when you have to choose 1 out of 2 options? No you can't take both. Not even neither. It's as if, if you don't choose 1, then it'll make your life miserable. Entirely. 

Reflecting my life speaking from today, I'm glad I made the right decisions. I hope. I believe.

Somehow, somewhere hidden inside of me, (and always will stay there...) I question, what if? Below are among the many life challenges that I had to leave behind. Just because I had to choose 1. An only 1 life decision from another.

What if I actually pursued my studies in accountancy at Politeknik Kota Kinabalu in 2007? Will I be an accountant today? Will I be making a lot of money? (As what the people around me always tell). But then again, I don't like accounting. I cant even cope well with the terms debit and credit. So what if I pursued? I might be repeating subjects semester by semester. I might even drop my studies halfway through. Oh so many consequences.

What if I actually pursued my studies in Arts and Design in UiTM Sarawak in 2007? Despite being the happiest person on Earth (for merely 2 minutes) while reading the offer letter, deep inside I know, this is not the path I will be taking. But now that I can pursue my childhood ambition, what's stopping me? Why sacrifice something I love doing, to something I've never set my heart into? Something I've never see myself doing since, forever? But then again, what if I pursued the course? Will I actually be successful in the creative industry? What are the choices of career do I have? What are the chances of me being successful, despite confronting the real world challenges with so many talents and skills? How do I actually define successful?

What if I accepted the offer to be the Merchandising Exec at Times Bookstore right after graduating? Will I get to practice what I've learnt in uni? Procurements, quality management, logistics, supply chain and such? As what is reflected in the Job Description. Will I get to manage my own bookstore?

What if I accepted the offer to become Marketing Exec at Tesco in 2013? Will I be able to organize and manage my own Tesco chain? Will I be able to plan out a creative marketing strategy to attract customers? What if my ideas are limited? What if it's not available at times that is needed the most? I might be counselled for not performing well. I might even get sacked.

What if I continued to stay as temporary Economic Affairs Officer in MATRADE? Will there be any chances of me being a Contract officer then? Hence, permanent? Will I get the chance to pursue my dream to travel the world and coordinate international events? What if I'm not good enough? And that this position requires more experience and understanding not only economically, but global issues related to trade? What if after my contract ends, will there be any more chances of renewing them? Or will it end despite not even prepared to be jobless yet?

Well, all those what-ifs can actually cause me a headache sometimes. Why think deeper when everything has become history? Point of the matter is, there are reasons to why I'm living my life as of today. Sometimes I wish I had a time machine, and redo what I wish I had. But theres no way thats gonna happen. Thats the most impossible thing any human genius can invent. As a Muslim, I have redha with whats written. Sometimes in life, despite having choices, theres always a situation when it becomes 'no choice'. What I do with such situation? I take it as a new experience and as an extra skill to develop. Which is a good thing. Plus, I still have this 1 hope and dream that I can forever pursue with dedication. I want to become multitalented. Now here's why I have no grudge against the what-ifs. Just go with the flow. There's just so many things to explore, that sometimes we question, What next?

When i grow up, i wanna be...

Topic of the day: Ambition.

Little artist dreaming big.

My first ambition ever, since pre-school was to become an artist. I've always loved drawing. I'm not good at drawing, but i have the passion to learn. Until my dad suggested me a new ambition: Architect.

Becoming an architect for me, was to draw house plans. As far as i understood. At least that's what my dad explained to me. Besides, i was only 8. How on earth should my dad explain in detail what an architect is. As if i'd understood. 

Things changed after high school. Okay Yong. Architect really isn't your thing. Cuz the utmost important thing you need to be well good at; Physics, is really not your best friend.

Okay, i suck in Physics. 

Graph the graphics.

Fashionista wannabe

Cartoonists lined up

So then, i dream of becoming a graphic designer. Or maybe a fashion designer perhaps? Oh..oh..i know! A cartoonists! Yes..dream big Yong. So i applied for these courses to further in my university level.

Later after the application, i was called for an interview for Art and Design course in UiTM. Few months later, i found out i Passed the interview. Yahoo!

But after thorough discussion with my parents, they suggested i change the course. Cuz Art and Design doesn't seem to be able to go far. Plus, like i said earlier, i'm not that good in drawing. I wasn't born to be good at drawing. Perhaps with a little practice, i could become better. But with such competitive world out there, i might just be seen as a midget.

Plus, i strongly believe that if i listen to my parents, i would have their blessings. Blessings are wayyy important.

Salute u Pat!

I remembered my dad telling me. When he was little, he wanted to become a military pilot. Seeing his dad (my late granddad) worked for TUDM. But my grandmom opposed the idea, saying it was dangerous. 

At the same situation i faced, he agreed to change ambition.

And because my dad listened to his parents, he was blessed. So i'm hoping for the same fate to occur to me.

I hope that an artist, architect, graphic designer, fashion designer or a cartoonists is not meant for me. 

I was heartbroken. But i do see a brighter future if i don't go on with it.

Future me?

Now that i'm studying business, i'm still not clear whether or not i should be involved in this business field for my future career. Cuz business has never been my interest. But i sooo hope there's a wisdom behind it. 

Amin.