Wednesday, February 28, 2007

An Enquiring Mind

My Goodness! It's been such a long while since I posted hasnt it?

And it is not for a lack of interesting things happening to me. I have gone through what I am sure the hundred (thousands) of other bloggers go through when they go so far as to open the "New Post" window but then just close it. Too lazy, not inspired, just plain cowardice, lack of discipline, call it what you will. Ah Well... now I am posting, let us hope I finish it.

So can you put a price on a human life?

Of course not. We generally put a price on most other things (including other 'lower' animals) but human life is generally seen as being sacroscant and with immeasurable value. Thank Goodness for civilization as we know it now.

But what CAN be measured in monetary terms is the effort that goes towards saving a human life. And if you think I am talking baloney... why do you think doctors are some of the most well paid members of society? (Functioning societies at least)

Anyway... those of you who have been interested in my particular odyssey will know that I had a near miss incident at the end of last year and spent 8 days in hospital. What most of you will not have known is that I got slapped with a twenty thousand dollar hospital bill. US$. ($US20,000.00) And before I go on....


IF YOU DONT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, GO OUT AND GET ONE RIGHT AWAY!!!


Ok ok ok... my bad! I SHOULD have gotten health insurance as soon as I got into NZ but I didnt, I mean... I have never been majorly sick in my life before and I just kept postponing it! But thats all in the past now. So not only am I stuck on blood thinning tablets for a while but I also had to contend with a crippling interest free payment plan.

I said "had", its not all doom and gloom.

I realized while I was in hospital just how much of an impact I have had at work. My boss and indeed the whole Fonterra management structure were and have been absolutely wonderful. And my boss gave me good news some weeks ago that she (and HR) would be absolutely delighted to offer me a more permanent contract after my traineeship is over! I am one of eight AIESEC interns here and I am the only one who has received this offer.

The original payment plan with the hospital was based on my 18 month contract with Fonterra and was spread across my remaining time in NZ. I would have been paying more than half of my salary from Fonterra (Did I ever mention how GOOD the salary is?) and after my other bills, it would have been a real slog I can tell you. And I would have done this for 12 months! But now with the offer of the contract from my wonderful first class; market leader; progessive and innovative company (just in case my boss is reading) I can spread the payments across a more longer period than 12 months.

I actually made one payment in January and boy... It was worse than when I was living in one of the most expensive cities in the world and earning 350 Euros a month!!!

So now I am in the process of getting things finalized with NZ immigration so I can have something formal to present to the hospital and in the meantime, I still have to make some sort of payment to the hospital, which I am. I have however drastically reduced the amount I am paying .

However... my one and only big brother is getting married in June in Nigeria and I happen to be best man! (More on this later) So in order to make sure I am there to prevent my bro from bailing out on the day... I have had to get a second job!!! (Think Flight ticket, paying for the tuxedo, spending money... and I am soooooo far away)

Yep... I am now working a second job in a really trendy hotel in downtown Auckland city. Its actually less than a hundred meters from Fonterra Center so it works out really good since my place is just 15 mins away as well. Check out the website on The Quadrant and 'we' even have a blog!

So from 1300-2200 NZT, I am a corporate Customer Service Executive with major accounts in the Middle East and moving millions of dollars worth of milk products every week. And from 2230 to 0630 the next day for 4 nights a week, I am a concierge in the Front Desk department of The Quadrant. I make sure Guests get a big welcoming smile when they arrive, help them with their lugagge and generally strive to ensure their every need is met while they are staying with us!

Welcome to the real world.

I called a friend in Nigeria and when I told him, he commented, "You poor lazy mummy's boy, how are you coping?"I work 16 hours a day now and for someone who has been used to sleeping at least 8 hours a day... my poor body found it hard going the first week. This is my second week and I am still adjusting. I leave The Quadrant at 0630 (no exceptions) and I'm in bed by 0700. Get up at 1230 and rush around trying to get ready for Fonterra. I am so thankful that I do not have problems falling asleep.

I am also thankful for a lot of other things.

- For being alive to have these 'challenges' (I could be dead)
- For being blessed with such an optimistic personality
- For the support of my parents who would have sent me financial assistance (but they are not)
- For my siblings with their constant show of love (even if they still treat me like a kid);
- For friends and colleagues;
- I am thankful for AIESEC and the experiences I had there

My dear friend Kene Umeasiegbu it was, who said to me when I was leaving for New Zealand. "Approach each experience with an enquiring mind..." I take this to mean that I should not fall into a 'routine' and closed mindset but constantly seek to learn and truly "live". Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish you might say.

So expect a lot of exciting new stories from my new job, I already have quite a few... "Naked people opening their doors to collect room service; A bewildered elderly guest who thought he wsa in Australia; Nafeez, the ebullient manager I work with..."

Endless, endless journey called Life!

3 comments:

Kristi said...

hey Ladi,

Yeah, we were all very shocked in the MC when we heard what had happend to you. Has made me think as well that it's time for me to get health insurance, seriously...

It's not easy having two jobs. I'm glad you are doing ok and looking at the positive sides. See you in Auckland in April:)

cheers!

Anonymous said...

My friend - that quote at the end is what keeps me sunny all year long no matter what...

"Stay hungry, stay foolish" - from the legendary Stewart Brand to the visionary Steve Jobs.. best advice anyone's ever been given. :)

Congratulations on the offer! :)

kikelomo said...

Laaaadajay,

I always dey gbadun you. Good one again.