An email, tens of hugs and hundreds of kisses later... it is never easy to say goodbye

With the handing over of the much delayed resignation letter and the sending of an almost poignant email, the 3 years journey in New Zealand is sealed with a kiss as the date draws near and the reality of our home coming sinks in.

With mixed feelings I sent this today:

Dear Wellington Team,

I tried to type this email a hundred times now but couldn’t seem to get it right because I am someone who has never learnt to say goodbye, more so to people whom I had grown to love and enjoy being in the company of.

After 3 years in this beautiful land and over 2 years in this company which provided more opportunities than I could ask for, surrounded by wonderful people like yourselves who had forever changed my world view of New Zealanders (in a positive way no doubt!), a few colloquial jokes I learnt along the way (I still couldn’t decide if the blank look I gave was funnier than the joke itself), the time has come for me to return to Singapore.

3 years ago, I took the leap of faith and got out of the comfort zone in my journey to New Zealand when Caleb and I decided life is about experiencing the new, not living the old. In the last 3 years, I learnt how very enriching life could teach me when I have nothing but faith and love in my hands. After 3 occasionally challenging but nonetheless wonderful years, it is now time to return back to Singapore in our pursuit of career opportunities and physical closeness to our family and friends who had never left our hearts. Now that I have people etched in my heart at both sides of the planet, it was never an easy decision to make.

I had notified Graeme this morning about the date I leave (I am glad his heart was strong enough to avoid a cardiac arrest because my own heart was pounding from a decision which I still find it hard to come to terms with at times). At the very least, I know I will still have a wonderful Christmas function with you people next week. I guess we will never lose our sense of wonder as I witness the copious amount of alcohol a Kiwi can drink and similarly you will forever be perplexed with the frequency of a Singaporean girl's hunger.

I will miss you all, tremendously.

Love,
Cheryl

Tears are shed with many hugs and well wishes. Despite the cultural and racial differences being the one and only Asian amongst a team of Caucasians, we formed a bond so strong it amazes me at times. They are professional at work yet crazy at play, prudent with clients yet openly affectionate within the team.

In the words of my colleagues and how they love to say it when they call it a day, I say the same to them now: Well played, Team! It's been one helluva ride with you guys.