You know how I was saying that the hours are better in PR?
--> me
*eats words*
Ok lah, in all fairness, it was an unlikely confluence of factors that made the past week One To remember...
I think I am becoming a borders/book nut. Haven't finish reading the three books I got from the borders warehose sale and I just bought another two books tonight. The joys of payday.
The past week, though siong, has reminded me why I took this job. Because although at times it can be supremely frustrating (how to answer queries when you donch know anything?) it is also intensely rewarding when you know that you've done your little bit to make a difference.
In the past week, we helped to tell stories that wouldn't otherwise be told. We inspired hope and maybe even set some people on their way towards forgiving those in their lives they've determined aren't worth the time.
I was particularly blown away by the 84-year-old volunteer who has been doing what he has for more than 50 years.
50 years! You can go through the Singapore education system 4 times!
He just sat there, happy to be part of the interview yet you get the sense that he would've been equally content if we never asked him a question. He spoke less than 20 sentences throughout the 1.5hr interview - even the brief sentences he uttered were terse and abrupt.
"It gives me great joy," he said, explainnig why he has come faithfully, week after week, for the past 50 odd years.
Perhaps simple words such as "great" and "joy", are adequate adjetives for this man who has clearly led a simple life and has no need for hyperbole.
And now his story will be told - simply. Just the way he likes it.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Settling in
So it's been about three weeks into the new (old) job and the 40th floor feels kinda like it did before. Sure, things are different as a member of the perm staff (man I sound so old), but I firmly believe that things can be just as rosy.
The colleagues have been great so far. There's the IT guy, who's just damn damn damn funny and cracks me up every time I listen to him mumble a wisecrack.
E.g. upon seeing the magazine JUICE at coffee bean, he exclaims: "Eh, got Zhup." That's OCM for you.
I'm sitting in a nice spot, albeit slightly exposed, but with gd people around. I like my neighbours. Everyone I've met recently has been asking how's work etc etc so I think I'd better think out loud here.
People - One of the most important things to me in work, school (and possibly life) is the people I surround myself with. You spend too much time at work to not befriend your colleagues. So that's been great; we've been running together on Wednesdays, which is our outing day.
Informal, of course, because the formality of office team bonding sessions... just kinda makes it slightly less fun. We've done running, tennis, next up is bowling this wednesday - watch out Remy!
Job scope - I'm the go-to guy for printers and a government account. The govt account, I like. Printers....ehhhh...dun mind lah - mai hiam buay pai.
The kinda work I'm doing now is just above what I was doing previously, but with slightly more accountability and more expectations. Always, always underpromise and overdeliver. Duffy was right.
I'm also thankful for the CSers who've gone into journ - it makes the job sooo much easier when you can just talk without the code. Press releases become secondary when you have no need to disguise, dress and hardsell. Same factory, friend.
Time - Right now, I'm getting in at 830 (thanks to my man Kev, who began the carpool) and leaving at around 630. This is really really important to me. Balance, like Frazer notes, is what it's really all about. Work hard, work smart, then go home.
Till the next update!
The colleagues have been great so far. There's the IT guy, who's just damn damn damn funny and cracks me up every time I listen to him mumble a wisecrack.
E.g. upon seeing the magazine JUICE at coffee bean, he exclaims: "Eh, got Zhup." That's OCM for you.
I'm sitting in a nice spot, albeit slightly exposed, but with gd people around. I like my neighbours. Everyone I've met recently has been asking how's work etc etc so I think I'd better think out loud here.
People - One of the most important things to me in work, school (and possibly life) is the people I surround myself with. You spend too much time at work to not befriend your colleagues. So that's been great; we've been running together on Wednesdays, which is our outing day.
Informal, of course, because the formality of office team bonding sessions... just kinda makes it slightly less fun. We've done running, tennis, next up is bowling this wednesday - watch out Remy!
Job scope - I'm the go-to guy for printers and a government account. The govt account, I like. Printers....ehhhh...dun mind lah - mai hiam buay pai.
The kinda work I'm doing now is just above what I was doing previously, but with slightly more accountability and more expectations. Always, always underpromise and overdeliver. Duffy was right.
I'm also thankful for the CSers who've gone into journ - it makes the job sooo much easier when you can just talk without the code. Press releases become secondary when you have no need to disguise, dress and hardsell. Same factory, friend.
Time - Right now, I'm getting in at 830 (thanks to my man Kev, who began the carpool) and leaving at around 630. This is really really important to me. Balance, like Frazer notes, is what it's really all about. Work hard, work smart, then go home.
Till the next update!
