When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.
– Harriet Beecher Stowe
Blog
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Hang in There!
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2:30am
Woke up at 2:30am to find that it’s that time of the month again. It’s fantastic how I can wake up at such odd hours. But it was good or else it would be quite a scene in the morning if I had just sleep through the night. It takes a lady to understand what I’m talking about in this first paragraph.
Went to work and applied for Chinese New Year leave. 4.5 days carried forward from last year. Took 2 days off this year’s annual leave. Total 6.5 days taken. All approved! Yippie!! I better enjoy to the maximum when I fly home this time.
Training on new phone system. We’re using Cisco. It’s quite cool.
“Grace, kenapa suara kamu semacam? Sakit ke?”
“Saya sakit kerongkong.”
“Oh, patutlah, suara kamu lain.”
I didn’t mention it but I took sick leave yesterday to see the doctor to get rid of my sorethroat.
“What is wrong with your company?”
“Work with your company can die eh!”
“I want it NOWWW!!!”
Today is quite a “sakit hati” day but I just let it pass. Today’s a day I allow customers to scold, rant and complain without me explaining much because my throat is still a little sore and I didn’t feel like fighting today. I can expect a harsher Monday though.
More training on new phone system, this time only for our department. It’s going to be different. No more direct lines for us, which means my favourite customers won’t be getting me directly anymore. If they are lucky, I will be serving them. Else, not.
We are measurable now, which can be both good and bad but I’m starting to feel like everything is being controlled to a certain extent that there is lesser freedom because they could even track how long your break is, that is the time you use to go to the toilet, go to the pantry, go for lunch and stuff like that. All conversations are recorded. All incoming calls are recorded. Missed calls. Dropped calls. Even outgoing calls, so no more calling your boyfriend using the company’s phone because firstly, they could trace it from the number. Secondly, all conversations are recorded, you wouldn’t like someone else to listen to your lovey-dovey stuff.
Couldn’t fight at the gym today because I didn’t have the usual energy level stored. I walked on the treadmill instead of running. Managed to work out on the cross trainer as usual. Cycled but it was slower and the more I cycled, the more I yawned. Didn’t sweat enough so it wasn’t fun enough but I was tired. Maybe because I’m on medication and it’s that time of the month.
But what I like about all this gym sessions is that my menstrual pain has disappeared and I’m really happy with that because when I have one, it’s really painful. Therefore, this is another point to motivate me to exercise more.
Have an enjoyable weekend!
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Where’s the Sincerity?
I have always liked talking to my sister because we can just talk about anything. Today was one of the day we get to talk during dinner and I cherish moments like these. Especially now that I don’t get to see her as often as I want, since I’ll be away working and she’ll be studying in college.
I’ll tell her about my work, my job, things that I like and hate. She would tell me about her days in college, things that she likes and hates.
I like it that in spite of the 3 years age gap and the fact that I’m working and she’s studying, she is still able to understand what I’m saying and most importantly understand how I really feel. Maybe that’s because we’re sisters but then I see other siblings that simply do not click so I just feel blessed that I am able to connect well with my sister.
I find that it’s not easy to find a friend, and I mean a true friend at work. At least, it is happening for me now.
Things are not really going well between me and another colleague. We take turns to drive to work everyday. We work together. We have lunches together. We even exercise together after work. Even though there are so many things that we do together, we are talking lesser and lesser.
I know it’s normal for her to not acknowledge my greetings everyday. I would normally greet her “Morning” each time I get into her car and vice versa but she doesn’t say a word. I found it pretty weird and uncomfortable but somehow told myself maybe she just doesn’t like to say good morning at all. Not only that, I say “bye bye” without getting a “Bye” in return. It happens everyday that now I don’t even feel like greeting her in the morning and when we say goodbye. Sometimes, I still do greet her but I just feel a little hurtful sometimes when I don’t get any response. Am I being too sensitive here?
Sometimes, during lunch, she doesn’t talk. I try to ask her questions but she would only reply with a word and then show no interests in continuing to talk. Then, I continue to ask more but she keeps doing the same thing, answering me with a word only and then I figured I better stop before she starts to get really annoyed.
At the strike of lunchtime, it is automatic that we would leave our workplaces and head for lunch without having to call out for the other. That’s fine but there are times, she just storms out of the office and walks really fast, like she doesn’t want you to catch up or she’s just really hungry ( I always make things up to comfort myself.) I find this uncomfortable too. At times, when we are walking back to our office, she could just disappear. She wouldn’t tell me that she wants to go stop by a stall to get ice cream or some groceries. She would just, you know, go her own way.
She’s not the quiet type because I do see the “other” side of her. We used to talk and get along quite well but lately she has just changed. Other people will not notice it because she “appears” different when she’s with the rest. And when you notice that there is a difference how she’s treating you and the others, you sense that something is wrong somewhere but I just don’t know what is it because I’ve always been myself all this while, right from the day I’ve known her.
Sometimes I think this has also cause me to be unhappy about working here. Imagine having to go through that everyday and I have no choice but to go lunch with her because that’s the only time we can go out since it has been assigned that two must stay behind to keep the department occupied. When she’s on leave, I feel unpressured and comfortable because I wouldn’t need to guess to see whether she’s moody today or not. I can decide where I would like to eat. She decides most of the time because I always let her have her say. I used to suggest when she asks and when she doesn’t, but more often than not, she either give me this “yuck! I don’t want to eat there” look or suggest somewhere else instead and I’d be wondering since you already have a place in mind then why give me that shit look when you ask me for a suggestion?
These are all little things but it is bothering me because if given a choice, I want to get along well with someone and not to be given such cold treatment. I know I sometimes can be quiet too but I will answer when asked. I will greet others when I see them and I’d always smile. I won’t just walk away. But I’m starting to do it now because I’m really upset about being treated that way and I don’t like what I’m doing.
I just don’t know what has went wrong and I’m a little upset why things have to be this way. There are times that I want to ask her whether there’s anything wrong that I’ve done but I just don’t know how to. I’ve always give in and suiting myself to her mood. It has been like this for a few months now. I feel tired.
Then, I’m always continually seeing newer colleagues being bullied or made fun of intentionally or unintentionally. Sometimes I feel angry when I see cases like that because I know it isn’t always the new colleagues fault but the way that the other have already feel biased and prejudice towards them. What I can do is to not be in that biased group and help them as much as I can. But it’s not easy as well because the others would think I’m on their side and not with them so they’d think otherwise. I can’t help it really if others would think that way. I just feel injustice when I see my new colleagues being treated unfairly.
Just imagine, you are new and you don’t know how to solve a problem. You ask someone who knows but she told you the wrong thing, either she’s deliberately putting you into trouble or just giving you an answer to shoo you away and not to bother her. Then, you do exactly what you’re being told to do but to find out that it’s the wrong party that you’ve approached. So, of course, you feel disappointed, lost and more confused and with no answer to solve a problem. That is already bad enough, isnt it? But then, someone knows about it and start to spread the mistake you’ve made to other departments, to the same group of biased and prejudice people. And they start to laugh about it. Cruel, ya?
It happened and while they may think it’s funny to laugh over it, I feel pity for that girl because all she wanted was an answer to the solution but in the end, she was taken for a ride just because they think it’s fun to talk bad about someone else and putting others down for the expense of their own entertainment and happiness. The new girl doesn’t know the later part of the story, that her story was being spreaded to others and was laughed at. I’m sure if I am her and I know about what happened. I would feel really terrible.
Don’t you just wish people to be more sincere?
I’m still trying to adjust myself to survive in this environment. Come to think of it, maybe it’s not mainly and solely the job alone that is making me feel sick and tired, but all these “games” people play with one another. Maybe it’s just the beginning, maybe there’s more to it. I just pray that I’ll be okay.
It wasn’t easy writing this because I think it’s too personal to talk about but it’s the real thing that has been bothering me and I feel so much better having written it. As the words flowed, the tears did too. It’s just another way of letting it out.
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God Knows Best
A poem faxed to me by Pappy.
God knows what’s best for us
So why should we complain
We always want the sunshine
But He knows there must be rain
We always want the laughter
And the merriment of cheer
But our hearts will lose their tenderness
If we never shed a tear.God tests us often
With suffering and with sorrow
He tests us not to punish us
But to help us meet tomorrow
For growing trees are strenghtened
If they withstand the storm
And the sharp cut of the chisel
Gave the marble grace and formGod tests us often
And for every pain He gives to us
Provided we’re patient
Is followed by rich gain
So whenever we are down
And whenever we feel that everything is going wrong
It is just God’s way
To make our spirit strong. -
3 A.M
Quote of the Day:
Every move must serve a purpose. – crazypoogleI woke up at 3 am and couldn’t get back to sleep. I suddenly find myself awake with my mind filled with junk. It’s like you’re trying not to think and telling yourself to sleep but your mind keeps bothering you with things. I don’t know why but my job haunted me last night. I think I dreamt about it too. I was cold but I was also sweating.
Toss and turn. Toss and turn. Didn’t work.
And so this morning I woke up with such puffy eyes, a sorethroat. As usual, I didn’t feel like going to work. It took me some time to talk myself into it and finally jumped out of the bed as fast as I could so that I don’t dive back onto the bed again.
Work wasn’t that bad today. A customer said, “Saya dah nak lemas ni tahu kerja dengan company ni!” but it doesn’t affect me much because “Saya pun tengah lemas ni.”
Had to endure 8 hours of fan-blowing together with the already very cold air-conditioning. A colleague who’s pregnant is feeling hot even though it’s really cold and the fan was targetted at her which means it was targetting at me too. I couldn’t tell her I’m cold because she’s pregnant so I just had to sit through the winter.
Mr.Boss wanted me to complete some e-learning stuff and another boss wanted me to help her with her department’s intranet site. I was quite happy with the arrangement because calls today are much less and if I didn’t had the two things to do, it would have been very boring indeed.
Two more days to the weekend. Saturday, please come quick!
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About Thinking and Quitting
Went to meet up with a Business Consultant today. It was actually Pappy’s order for me to meet this guy because he invested in some business and I would be the one managing it together with my sister and a very important person in my life. I’m a total idiot when it comes to business but I will try this one because I always believe in Pappy. In fact, I should be thankful that he’s doing all this for me, my sister, and a very important person in my life.
Whenever Pappy has the chance, he would encourage us to go into business. He’s an example of a person who quitted his stable job and started up business on his own, in a place farway from his home (Pappy is from Muar, Johor) with practically nothing but courage and a wife that supports him.
Looking at how things are now, I see Pappy as very capable. He is my superman, fulltime advisor, part-time ATM (He would help to top up my Touch N’ Go card and fill my car with full tank of petrol when he feels like it) and a wonderful guardian.
So, I’ll try this and see whether it would be a success.
Apart from that, I’ve been thinking, thinking, thinking. Went to fight at the gym. Then, do more thinking, thinking, thinking.
I’ve got this plan that has been playing around in my mind for a few days already and I think it’s a sign that I need to do something about it. Really do something about it.
I might plan to resign earlier, maybe even before I get another new job if it is going to take awhile. The truth is I can say I cannot take it anymore, if not this just wouldn’t come playing in my mind for no apparent reason. If there’s still a gap in between after I quit and before I move on to a new job, I’ll take it as a break.
The very important person in my life says, “Just quit!”. Actually, he has been saying this much earlier to me but I have not taken any action yet. He even predicted that I might not quit this job that early as I’ve planned because he said he understands me, which is true in a way. Sometimes, it’s just so hard for me to just do one thing because I think too much.
Iris says she is not too sure and it is entirely up to me because I am the one making the decision and I should know whether it’s right or wrong.
A friend said, “Why are you forcing yourself to like your job?”
Another said, “Life is too short.”
So now I’m going to tell Mummy about it and see what she says. I expect her to say, “Really cannot already ar?” And then I’ll start with my stories again.
See the amount of assurance I need from all parties?
Then, I would need to seek advise from my fulltime advisor by writing him an email and see what he has to say. I hinted to him that I’m starting to look for a job when he called me just now.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m updating my resume.”
“And send it to where?”
“Everywhere!”
He laughed.
Besides the resume, I would need to learn how to write a resignation letter. I have never written one. Love letters I can write but not resignation letter. It’s all about writing so I”ll just look for some sample and customize it.
It’s time to wake up from dreamland to face the realities of life tomorrow again when I start to work.
Chinese New Year, can you please come quicker?
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Conversations
“Can I speak to Ms.L please?”
“May I know who’s this on the line?”
“Can I speak to Ms.L please?”
“May I know who’s this on the line?” I asked again because I thought she didn’t hear what I said.
“Can you let me talk to Ms.L first or not?” I know she’s going to be a difficult one.
“Okay, hold on.”
*puts on hold*
*dials extension number and starts chanting, praying it to be answered*
*nobody answers*
*release hold and prepare for rollercoaster ride*
“I’m sorry but she’s not at her desk.” At times, I really feel like I’m a receptionist.
“I called just now also not at her desk. Is she working today or not?”
“Yes, she is.”
“Then, why is she not at her desk?”
“Most probably she’s in the washroom.” This is when you need to have some storytelling skills.
“Why so long?” Some questions are best left unanswered.
“May I know what is it regarding?” You need to turn the situation around.
“It’s about my booking.”
“Hmm, okay, so you want to revise your booking?”
“How come you know ah?” She sounded like she was going to swallow me.
“I was just asking.” Trying to save myself from being swallowed.
“Did I speak to you just now?”
“No, you didn’t.” One must tell the truth.
“Can I have the booking number please?”
“Aiiiiii!! 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.”
“May I know what is it that you want to revise?”
“Place of delivery. I spell it out for you.”
“D.U.N.K.E.R.Q.U.E” Ah ha, she didn’t know how to pronounce the word. Dunkerque is in France by the way.
“Can you please revise it for me now?”
“I won’t be able to do it for you now because I would need to pass this on to the booking department. I’ll get them to revise it for you as soon as possible.”
“I need you to tell me a time.”This is tricky. No matter how helpful you are, it’s best not to promise a time because you won’t know what you’ll get by just promising.
“I’m sorry but I can’t promise you a time.”
“Just give me a time.”
“I’m really sorry but I can’t because I’m not the one doing it.” You must learn how to say no politely.
“30 minutes is it enough?”
“I’m sorry but I really can’t promise you a time.What I’ll do is remind Ms.L again about it.”You must learn how to say no politely and persistently.
“I don’t want you to remind her. I want some action to be taken.” Words can mean differently to a customer.
“Okay, I’ll surely pass her the message and she would revise it accordingly for you.”
“I don’t want you to pass her the message. I want it to be looked into.” Sometimes, people just want to hear the magic word and if they don’t, they take it as something else which actually means the same thing anyway.
“No problem. We will get it done for you.” You’ve got to reassure them.
“If I don’t get this today, it will be another day wasted and I don’t want that. The consignee will complain……..” Ear plugs needed to filter grandmother’s stories. They always like to have the last word and we just listen patiently.
I felt so abused after that but I kept reminding myself about tomorrow. It’s a holiday, remember? Then, I continue to answer calls again until a customer popped me a question.
“Grace, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m good. Why?”
“You sound…unwell.”
“Oh, no, I’m okay.”
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Lazy Sunday
A lazy Sunday spent watching a French movie, Marche de l’empereur, La (March of the Penguins).
Penguins are very tough and resilient, having to endure the bitter coldness and long miles of what seemed to be endless ice walks. The way they care for the young, sheltering them from bad weather and withstanding hunger for a few months is worth applauding.

The movie gave me a different perspective about penguins because all I know about them is cute, cute and cute. I still remember seeing a penguin in the Singapore Zoo, staring blankly at the mirror, looking at itself for so long, not moving an inch even though it was feeding time. It was funny. Then, you’ve got the psychotics penguins from Madagascar if you still remember them.
Remember, cute and cuddly, boys. Cute and cuddly. Just smile and wave, boys. Smile and wave.
Did some laundry, read the papers, cooked, replied a letter I have been putting off so long and now it’s time for a nice warm bath.
I’m especially excited about going to work tomorrow because after that I will have a day off on Tuesday since it’s a public holiday. Yippie!
P/S: To learn more about Purple Wabbit, click here.
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The Dog
A friend sent me something on Horoscope for Year 2006. I’m born in the year 1982 and I’m very proud of that because it’s a wonderful year to be born in. Just look how wonderful I am. (*You can start throwing eggs at me*)
And so it says:
The Dog has the sense of responsibility and very loyal to the boss. For now, yes.
The female is most loyal to the husband and dotes on the children. I don’t know because I’m not married, therefore do not have any children unless you consider Ducky one.
Due to environmental influence, their dedicated character is ever changing. They are quiet with slight stubbornness. Mum says I’m stubborn.
The Dog’s strong point lies in their careful thinking and fights steadily. Therefore, very often, they can evade the crisis and move towards the successful path. I think I think too much. I hope the latter part is true that I’m moving towards the successful path.
They are enterprising business minded. But there will be risk involved if the sprint is too great as he is not careful enough to notice the risk around him.Are you sure I’m business minded?
Most Dogs are loyal, honest and have a sense of duty. Need I say more?
Their sense of responsibility is very heavy and has a lot of friends.That’s you!
In the Dog’s life, luck has always been good. It is due to a fact that they cannot recognize their strong and weak points that causes a slow response and leading to a late success. Yes, they can be rather blur and stupid at times.
In love aspect, whether it is male or female, they are always firm and faithful. Once falling in love with opposite party, they do not break faith. This one must ask my boyfriend.
In the beginning, if he/she discovers that they are not suitable for each other, he/she will stop the relationship.That is why I have broken up 4 times previously and I hope the number just stops there.