Crazy Weekend

I organised a Spanishinsg gathering at Singapore Flyer on Saturday. Eight people turned up for the event. That's considered not bad for a gathering. I spent a fulfiling 30 minutes with the group. We then headed to Killiney for drinks. Eventually, we decided to split up as some girls want to shop and relax, while the guys were considering a movie together. I joined the guys to check out the timing for the movies. In the end, we ended up drinking at Ice Cold Beer @ SMU. I drank two bottles of Corona, and felt a bit tipsy. I guess it was because I didn't really have my lunch and have drunk with an empty stomach. After the drinks, we went to Raffles City for dinner before joining the girls at Boat Quay for the water show (an arts fest opening ceremony's performance). However, the place was so crowded with people, O and I went to Double O for a drink as there is free admission as part of its anniversary celebrations. I had my third drink of the day. Eventually, O and I decided to join the girls again at an expat's party @ Kallang. I took the last train back home on Sunday.

I spent the rest of Sunday resting at home. I only head out for a haircut at Bukit Timah in the morning. It was a peaceful Sunday, except for the disturbed calls and sms from a "friend". I shall not reveal the content. But I would say I wasn't too sure if he was going to be a "friend" to me anymore. I knew at that point in time I could no longer make him one. I didn't even bother replying. What makes me even more angry with him was the fact that he woke me up in the middle of the night. I was so tired today due to the insufficient of quality sleep till I forgot to update my report for tomorrow's early morning meeting. I would probably have to head to office at 7am tomorrow to finish it before showing my bosses.

Spanish Interests

Another episode of the infotainment program hosted by Belinda features a guy who was offered a job in Switzerland to work for Schwab Foundation. The foundation focused on matching social entrepreneurs to resources all over the world. The job is not only interesting, but also a noble mission to assist the less fortunates. The amazing thing is that the guy's wife also gave up her job to follow her husband to Switzerland for two years. Now the guy is starting another company called Volans Ventures together with some former colleagues from the Schwab Foundation. His new role will even be more challenging with a lot of traveling involved in Asia.

The program is really motivating. I really wish I could be offered a job that is as interesting and fulfiling as the guy. It would be amazing to help out the less fortunates in South America. Not only could I practise my Spanish, I could also gain a chance to really make use of what I learnt during the South America Business Forum I attended two years ago.

My current job is challenging, and I must admit I am pretty reluctant to change anything to the current status. Perhaps you called that complacent. However, I've been thinking whether what I am doing now is what I am good at. At the same time, I believe there's no place for me in media if I even decide to go back. Not in terms of technical knowledge. Rather I meant doing media is what I like but not necessary what I am good at.

Should I continue to get complacent? Or should I seek to pursue my interests? It's such a dilemma.

Sakura International Buffet

I went Sakura at Orchard for international buffet with my mum and a group of aunties. It might seem like a surprise why would I go with a group of aunties. In fact, I know some of them. Most of them are my neighbours. One of the aunties has even watched me grow up. Amazing, isn't it?

The food was not bad. There was quite a variety of food, including scallops, sashimi, sushi, prawns, oyster, shark's fin soup, cream of mushroom, dim sum, tempura, ice-cream and sorbets, satay, grilled meat etc. My favourite is of course the sashimi - the fresh salmon, maguro and prawn. In addition, there was a selection of drinks like mocha, milo, ice tea, lemonade, coffee and tea, etc.

Perhaps it was a Saturday (also the eve of Mother's Day). There were a huge crowd of people. The place seems especially popular with young people. I would suggest this venue for gathering next time. It would be nice to have buffet with a group of friends. I am sure appetite improves when you have friends around.

Mounting Pressure

I'm slowly adapting to the role of a marketing officer. My manager also gradually letting me meet my portfolio of customers and handle requests of those customers. I am also starting to feel the pressure mounting at work. More expectations come not only from my customer, but also from my manager.

Although I am certainly underpaid as compared to industry rate, I think my job is challenging by nature. The work itself involves a steep learning curve. I am practically learning on the job most of the time. Every customers has unique issues to handle, and only when they have requests, I will learn what are the procedures involved. As usual, double standards occured everywhere. I have to always check again and again. I must have pissed off many colleagues by asking too many questions everyday. Haha~ I guess it's all part of learning experiences.

I have my annual leave in August approved. However, I have yet purchased my air tickets. Nor have I booked my accomodation. Tentatively, I should be visiting New York and Toronto. Time to save money for my trip!!!

Politics

I hate people who stirred up trouble at workplace for nothing. These people create unnecessary rumours about others. The worst is they try to instill their own perspectives into others' mindset.

There's this new girl at my workplace. I can feel her hostility towards me. I am not being sensitive this time. You can feel the thorns behind every words she said to you. I have no idea why she doesn't like me, but speaking behind my back is horrendous.

I was supposed to hand over my previous role as an admin support to the marketing officers. Apparently, she didn't understand those things I taught her. In the end, she started making claims to everyone she works with in my division that give them the impression I didn't do a good job.

Imagine a new girl in the department already making such assumptions and making unfounded claims!

I guess she was too used to more politically entrenched work environment (She was from my neighbour upstairs that is known to be quite a political hot zone). That's the only reason I can only think why she couldn't stop herself from being political at workplace.

I just need to watch my steps at work...

Time Flies...

Time really flies when you're fully packed with work. It's been almost half a month since I took over the customer portfolio. I am still trying to get used to the life as a marketing officer. At the same time, I must bear with all the "coaxing" I get on a daily basis. These "coaxing" can be the nagging of my customers, or of my boss. I am certainly taking everything at stride at the moment. All these are part and parcel as I continue to move along the learning curve.

My boss is very strict. I always try my best to reach her expectations. Although she always seem very serious and solemn, she is a very nice and experienced manager. She's a local but she can speak and understand fluent Japanese. I am really impressed by her efficiency too. I really think I learn a lot from her when I went on customer visits with her. In order to reach her level, I must really put in a lot of hard work.

I am not exactly sure if I can achieve my 2009 dream now. But I wish I could go on my leave in Aug.

P.S. I am planning to go on a slightly long trip to visit my friends on the other side of the world. It's definitely not Latin America this time.

Brand New Beginning

The whole of this week has been hectic. I am transfered to the team officially as a marketing officer. I am supposed to take over a portfolio of customers from a colleague in my team, whose last day was on Friday. That means there is only one week for that colleague to handover. I started visiting some of the customers. As I am still pretty new to the role, I have been staying late to get myself familiarise with those customers. At the same time, I still have a lot to learn as a marketing officer. Though those things I've learnt over the last few months during the graduate trainee and the two months as an administrative officer are still pretty useful.

P.S. It seems like a brand new beginning for me...