So it has been a while since I last updated this blog. Really there isn't a lot to update on now that I have returned to civilian life. But there are a lot of new and exciting opportunities that I am actively pursuing right now. Before that lets rewind and see what I have been up to.
Work
So I have been working with foodora now still since the last update. I applied for the KAM (Key Account Manager) position in Toronto which oversees accounts. Unfortunately I did not get that position. I think overall the interview went well. I believe the main reason I did not receive that position is because I expressed high interest in relocating to Vancouver since we are opening an office there. From my boss' point of view it is not worth the time and effort to train someone for a position and then simply have them relocate within one or two month. Especially since the KAM position deals a lot with relationship building and managing account with our restaurant partners. My argument against that was I would be able to wear many hats in Vancouver and provide onsite training to new hires there in either Courier Growth (My current role) or KAM (my new role).
In any case at that point I was not too disappointing since I was told Vancouver would open up in a few week-month. Vancouver was my first choice above all else. Since then I have not yet heard back and that is disconcerting.
On the other hand situation has changed in my own life. Ie. My girlfriend which I will get to in a bit. Thus I am not too concerned re: Vancouver right now. But I want to get out of the Courier Growth role at foodora. As I feel the room for growth and learning has stagnated.
Love
So as I mentioned in my previous post. I am currently going to Cancun with my girlfriend Izzy. I met her at my rock climbing gym. I love everything about this girl! She is smart, beautiful and has a great personality. My parents also approve. Especially my mom who told me: "Marry her next year." Haha
Anyways Izzy is a financial advisor for Sunlife Financial. She is a Chinese citizen but has PR in Canada. She can speak English, Chinese and Japanese. However we mostly speak Chinese since she feels self conscious around me. But her English is fully fluent.
We have really great conversations together and I love spending time with her. I feel I am a pragmatic optimist so this is not just a honeymoon phase. We have already talked about plans to move in this August.
Play
I have quit my job at the rock climbing gym for now. I really found it difficult to work two jobs and have a girlfriend at the same time. I have loved that job since day one and rock climbing is my passion. But alas somethings has to go.
I have also bought a slackline and have been going to the parks downtown at every opportunity I get to practice. Toronto in the summer is a pretty swell place.
Future Opportunities and Plans
There are some opportunities on the horizon. Here is my analysis of the situation.
1. Stay with foodora. In order for this to be worthwhile for me and the company. I need to move into another role. I must be constantly learning and advancing my career. Plus I feel I can be better utilized in other roles. Getting out of my comfort zone is a big part of this. I have learned almost 99% of everything there is to know to my position and I have settled into a groove now at work. The challenge is gone.
2. Apply for MaRs Studio Y. This program takes about 25 young people every year. Identified as the next leaders of industries who will effect system wide change across sectors. MaRs is the innovation hub of Canada. If selected for this program I will be rubbing shoulders with the best and brightest of Canada along side with the industry leaders of all sectors from Fianace, health to technology. I went to the open house before I left for Cancun and got a wealth of information from talking to previous years' cohorts. I guess the best way to describe this program is that it is an intensive immersive personal incubator. We have to go to MaRs from Wednesday-Sunday 9-5. We are allowed to maintain our own endevours on the side but it will probably prove very challenging and draining.
3. Apply for another job with another company. I have not yet actively started looking yet. Thus I do not know what the job market is like. However I have been going to a lot of networking events since coming back from France and I feel I am well established if I decided to go this route. However I really like the culture at foodora and would like to stay there is possible.
4. Give up everything and relocated to a tropical climate with my gf. I just read an interesting article online the other day about the price of real estate abroad in tropical third world countries. For about $40 000 Canadian you can purchase a home or condo in Thailand, Vietnam etc and have live in cooks and maids! Due to the exchange rate and the low wage of labor you can literally live like a king abroad for pennies on the dollar. To make it work we would have to have some sort of location independent job or open up a tourist oriented business. Ex. Dive shop, English school, Tourist company, Cafe, Restaurant. Scooter rental shop etc. The possibilities are endless and this is definitely a viable option. I know it may seem really far and out of the norm for many people. But I have seen it work first hand from living in Thailand for 4 month as well as my many travel.
5. Become a realtor in Toronto. The real estate business is booming in Toronto. Housing prices have been on the rise for the last decade with no stoppage in sight. Izzy and I know many older folks who have been just flipping houses and making a killing. To get into that game and really understand the market I need to become a realtor. As a realtor you have access to MLS which is the aggregate site for all the listings. As a result you have first dibs on any properties. With experience you will also be able to spot trends in market upticks for specific neighborhoods and strategically invest money there. My gf is a financial adviser. A lot of people choose to invest in property as part of their fiancial plan. We are both in our late 20s. Our inner circle of friends are thinking about or about to buy a house/condo. Thus there is already two ways to get clients. It would be the financial dream team; I can refer my clients to her and she can to mine.
That is it for now. This is just a quick analysis of the situation I could go on for days about these topics. But I will leave it here for now. Still in Cancun and it has been amazing! Paradise calls.
Peace from Cancun.
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