Archive for the ‘Worklife’ Category

Yes, I was away for 3D/2N last weekend for my department’s annual offsite. I had missed the previous 2 years as I was pregnant so I was realy looking forward to this one. And by far, this is the most luxurious offsite venue, and the first time extending it beyond one night.

Eventhough transportation by bus is provided, a few of us including myself decided to take a drive to save some time. And save some time we did – we’d arrived at Club Med in less than 3 hours PLUS a speeding fine! Needless to say, we took 4 hours on the return trip

It was my first time to Club Med. The resort is nicely spread out although the rooms are sparse. I’ve been told that it was intentionally sparse so that people get out of their rooms. I love the “Full Board” concept – everything included eg. activities, food, open bar. Did I mention the open bar? That meant there was nothing between me and the open bar. No husband (not like he would have stopped me; more likely he will sapu everything), no kids. The bar stocks everything from fruit juices to mocktails to cocktails (note to others: must try their “Monkey Juice”!) to hard-core liquor. It’s a pity champagne wasn’t on the list, though. But I tell you, the open bar was great. You can take your drink ANY WHERE you wish – by the pool, in your room, by the cushy cabanas, or just simply walking around their vast grounds.

Food is international buffet-style every meal, with snacks in between. The spread is huge and changes with every meal, and because it’s part of the package, you can even “ta pau”! So it is not a surprise that I over-ate. There are tons of activities planned although we didn’t take part in most as we had our own team-building activities. The more interesting ones were the bungy bounce and flying trapeze (at 8 metres high!), both of which I was way too much of a chicken to attempt.

Before I could say “Arabian” (that was our offsite theme), the weekend was over. Why no photos? Hey, in my drunken stupor, any photos taken wouldn’t have turned out nice anyway! But here’s one of me with my colleague in our costumes.

Next Monday marks the day I return to work having taken 6 weeks off to deliver a child. I’m returning 2 weeks ahead of schedule to fulfil a request from my boss. Am I happy? I look forward to :

- installing a routine back into my life

- enjoying my morning cuppa uninterrupted

- undisturbed lunch breaks

- going for a run at the gym/hairwash/pediacure/facial over lunch

- speaking technical terms which don’t revolve around milk, diapers, burping or poo

- chit-chatting with a few close colleagues that I have

- at least one hour of solitary moment to myself when driving to/fro work; just me and my thoughts

On the other hand, I will miss:

- sitting in my pasar malam shorts and T-shirts with holes the whole day

- napping in the mornings

- napping in the evenings

- napping at any time in between whenever the baby sleeps

- sleep-training Bradley; I’m almost there though not quite. I hope my MIL doesn’t ruin it for us.

- blogging & Facebook-ing

- hanging out at my parents

- all the extra time when I can get a lot of chores done

- spending quality time with the boys

And I’m definitely NOT looking forward to:

- horrifying traffic in the Golden Triangle, especially if it rains and/or it’s a Friday

- dealing with imbeciles at work whose combined IQ is lower than Bradley’s

- and other work-related stress

Back to work, peeps!

My confinement lady leaves tomorrow morning. I am feeling bittersweet about it. It means I will be able to reclaim my kitchen (and house!) and I’ll be able to wash my hair everyday and drink Coke! However, I will miss her wonderful cooking and also her help, especially during the night. I suppose all good things must come to an end.

She was supposed to stay with me until 11th Oct as her next job isn’t due till the 16th. However, her customer called her today to inform her that she has already delivered, 2 weeks early. Hence she has to leave because she had taken on this job prior to my extending her. Tough luck for me as I only managed to sneak in one week of proper rest. In addition, my boss called and requested me to return work on the 19th, which is 2 weeks ahead of my formal return due to resourcing issues. I’ve agreed out of goodwill and commitment.

This time around, it’s with a tinge of regret that I didn’t manage to do the things I’d planned to do during the confinement period. Perhaps it’s written in the stars that I’ll be a fulltime slave to my boys – at least for the next couple of years

There are advantages of working in an international organisation. One of them is the opportunity to meet Henry Wanyoike and his running partner, Joseph Kibunja, up close and personal. Henry is a blind runner who has inspired thousands others across the world through his “never give up” attitude. More information about him here. He was in KL recently to participate in the KL Marathon and to also help raise funds for charitable organisations.

Henry is a very friendly & down-to-earth person and was so obliging when everyone horded him to obtain his autograph. Of course I was one of them. Afterall how often do you get to meet a Paralympic double gold medalist?

What do you know – KLIA has free wifi! As many of you know, I am an IT-idiot so probably free wifi to you is something very common but the fact that I brought my laptop out to do some work while idling some time prior to boarding and the computer detected Wifi AND I had managed to connect to it (ok, so it only involves a click of a button), it is an amazing feat for this sua-ku mummy!

So once I was connected, I forgot about doing my work and just HAD to put up a post. I’m going to Jakarta for work – very short trip, just overnight. I have not been to Jakarta before so it’s a bit of an adventure for me. Best bit of the trip? I’m looking forward to ONE night of uninterrupted sleep yayyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!

I just hope that I don’t come across anything unpleasant (like, a bomb!) during my stay there. Wish me luck – think I really need it this time!

I have been with my current employer (and current department) for the past 10 years. Yes, it was my first job out of uni and I’ve never looked back. I really enjoy my work because I find it a new and revolutionary area, and I take pride in my work. There’s not one day where I don’t leave the office feeling that I have accomplished something.

Of late, this feeling has been more muted. I realised that after all these years, I’m ready to move on to something bigger. I have only been looking at Malaysia and Vietnam, and it’s no longer challenging. I spoke to my regional head last year and he promised me to move me into a bigger role. I have already identified and started grooming my successor.

Just last month during our my annual appraisal, he told me that he would like me to move out to Singapore in the second half of this year to take on a regional role. This is a fanstastic opportunity for me and it will open many other doors since most of the Group-level functions operate out from the Lion City.

Having many discussions with VT, I have decided that I will give this opportunity a miss, for the following reasons:

1) It’s difficult for VT to find a job in SG in this line of work where contacts are vital. It would be like starting all over again for him. That’s unfair to him.
2) With baby #2 on the way in July, that makes moving country even more difficult
3) Rental of apartment and hiring of maid & babysitter would leave us financially-drained

And the main reason is:

I don’t want to move and find out that everyone ends up being miserable just because I wanted career advancement. Family is and has always been my primary priority. This is the moment when I need to prove it. And there would be no regrets because at the end my life, work is nothing but a means of putting food on the table (and Astro on TV!) but family, now that’s EVERYTHING!

So much is going on right now that I’m really starting to lose grips of things! Sorry I haven’t been hopping over to your blog and I’ve been slack about updating my own as well. Here’s the story……..

The Good
After weeks of feeling tired all the time, a little home kit proved what I suspected – I’m expecting #2!!! It’s still very early days – only 8 weeks now and I’m very cautious as I had a miscarriage prior to Bryan. So no celebrations yet, people! Never theless, VT and I are both overjoyed by the thought of having another child. EDD is July next year, just a month short of Bryan turning 2. I’ve been put on hormone pills (same as when I was preggers with Bryan) and they make me nauseous and tired the whole day. But the pills are supposed to boost up the embryo’s life support hence I’m gladly taking them.

The Bad
Bryan is down with diarrhoea again. This is only 2 weeks after recovering from the previous bout. This time, his bum-bum is all sore that when he poo-ed last night, he cried in such pain that we rushed him to the A&E at Damansara Specialist Hospital (my paed’s clinic was closed due to the public holiday). The doc prescribed some cream, Smecta and also pain-killer, which I’m weary about. Anyway, this was right after I’d returned from work so didn’t get to sit down for dinner till past 9pm. This morning, he poo-ed twice in a span of half hour so I made sure I changed him and kept his bottom dry and comfy. Poor boy! I am considering giving him the Rotavirus jab since he seemed to catch the diarhoea bug fairly often.

The Ugly
The internal auditors have been auditing my department for the past 2 weeks. I have been under a lot of strain and stress as a result. Not like I have been proliferating money from the bank but because this particular auditor has “bad blood” with me hence is out to “kena” me. I supposed all this really took a beating on me because during the scan this morning, the ob-gyn saw some bleeding near the sac and I’ve been sentenced to more rest and no stress.

As a result, I’d stayed home today and rested very well.