WRITING FROM OSAKA

Arrived in Osaka on Monday morning.  The red-eyed flight was torturing, managed to catch only about two hours of sleep.  Weather here is hot, was expecting it to be cold as it is supposed to be autumn now, but it’s more like end summer.  The japs are environmentally friendly, so their office is airconed but set at high temperature.  We were told it is about 27 deg celsius in office building.  The study group members from Singapore were fanning themselves mad as we were in our business suit.  Each time after the high ranking officer of the hosting company finished with his speech and took leave, most of us would quickly remove our jacket.  Only today we managed to have some cool comfort in Daikin’s Call Service Centre.  Of course, Daikin is dealing in aircon, so must keep their office cool…

My last visit to Japan was in 2004.  Till now, their service standard maintains.  The hospitality of the hosting companies was overwhelming.  See, our coach was parked one street away from two of the hosting companies’ offices and they actually sent us off, all the way to the coach, stay in line and bow as the bus started to move off.  The superb service culture was also seen in the retail.  

Visited four companies in these two days.  In fact most of their system is already being practised in Singapore’s companies.  I guess they are more successful in their results probably due to their culture and pride in their job and nation.  It will probably take a long time for Singapore to emulate the service standard.   

Have been feeding on bento sets.  They are nice to look at and for me, it’s nice in taste too, but some members just could not get use to the cold food.  Bought some old-fashioned chewing gums for the kids and office staff too.   The shopping centres close at 8 or 9pm and most shops are already closed by 8pm, so each day after our programme, we would start our shopping spree and catch a bite on the way.   Stress man….

HAPPY MEMORIES FROM BANGKOK

I’M BACK, I’M BACK, I’M BACK

Hey, have been missing in action for a while.  Got very caught up with study and clearing work before my holidae.

Had a good break in Bangkok last week.  Think both Ronald and Des enjoyed the trip too.  For once, I feel that I actually left my other obligations (like work, family, study, etc) aside and went all out to enjoy.  

And now return to hell….exam tonight, 2 projects to submit next week and hell lot of board papers to prepare in the coming weeks…what a life..sigh…

Tomorrow’s my marriage (ROM) anniversary.  Des is going for NE show, will not be back till late, so me and Ronald can have a nice time out…wonder if he still remembers the story about his fren throwing away the S$1,600 diamond ring….

Tomorrow’s also boss’ birthday.  Birthdays are fun thing at my workplace because of the Fish! culture here.  Boss likes meat, so instead of the usual cake, we presented him with a plate of char-siew and roast pork, ah…so sinful… Anyway, he’s got his cakes cos his birthday celebration started 3 days ago.  Told him his birthday maciam National Day, got run-up programmes….Think his only regret is that Charlie is not here to join in the celebrations.  Boss still misses Charlie a lot, but sure getting over slowly.

Since Charlie’s passing, some of my colleagues have changed their perspectives and outlook, including myself.  Just feel that life’s short, so must live it up…guess that’s why I made an effort to enjoy my Bangkok trip (so sad right? must make effort to enjoy  .  On the same pretext, 2 of my colleagues (both currently going through divorce) have become an item and contemplating to get hitched just after 2 months plus of courtship…hmmm….life’s short?!?!  Anyway, wish them all the best.    

EVERYONE’S GOING HOLIDAY

This week is quite depressing leh….everyone’s going holiday..what am i doing here? sigh….

Office mood is sober cos of Charlie…the send-off last Friday was sad, I returned to office with 2 puffy red eyes and used up 4 packs of tissue….more if I hadn’t used hankie at first.  

Think about it, Charlie’s demise had somehow pulled the staff closer.  U see, in most companies, the other staff levels would try to siam the managment staff and my role as Admin Manager cum PA to the office god (my GM) would mean  a double whammy, cos people always have the impression that PA carries tale to the god.  The situation is not that bad in my workplace as my boss’ EQ is good.  Thought he’s tried his best to bridge the gap – he jokes, greets, speaks their lingo.  For me, my interaction with other staff levels is cordial, but close to a few only.   Somehow, there will always be a gap.  

A few of them stayed back till 2am in the office to compile a video clip for the funeral and did a nice album for his family.  At the funeral, the comfort given by the usually distant staff was a surprise to me, be it a simple hold of hands or a hug on the shoulder.  Was so touched when two staff bought flowers and chocolate to cheer me and GM up on Monday cos they know we two are closest to Charlie.    I think my boss is also very thankful for the comfort and gesture.  Thanks to all of you.  One HR consultant who has been working closely with us on staff development programmes mentioned in his condolences that knowing the closeness of our staff, the loss will be strongly felt.  He is right, guess the sober mood in the office will take a while to disappear.

Other depressing stuff….Des’ revision and exam, me down with bad cough and damn sore throat, preparation of board papers, and new term starts tomorrow….another 3 months of late nights…….arrrgh!  I WANT TO GO ON HOLIDAY!!!!!! 

THE MEANING OF PLANNING (IN THE CORPORATE WORLD)

Saw this very apt 顺口溜：

规划规划 (plan)， 纸上画画，

墙上挂挂， 不如领导一句话。

so short-, mid-, long-term plans are bullshit, good for show only.  The top talks, the staff slogs. 

SAD LOSS

Lost a colleague to liver cancer on Monday.  Charlie had fought the illness so bravely over the last 3 months, despite being hit by it so unexpectedly.  Though he was not the nicest guy to work with due to his arrogance and aggressiveness (to some of our colleagues), he and I enjoyed the kinship between us.  He used to confide in me on work frustrations, interesting sightings.  We shared gossips, silly jokes, CDs, etc.  He’s a good guy, always true to his feelings, never pretended.

As his family was so saddened by his passing, I was tasked to check on funeral services, columbarium, choose photo for his wake and prepare his obituary.  Cruel task….. another cruel task landed on the multimedia designer, who was tasked to compile a collection of his photos from our company’s photo library on his mom’s request.  My colleague was weeping as she browsed through the library, saddened further when she saw photos of Charlie smiling from ear to ear.  Sad…

To Charlie, thank you for including us in your short, well-lived 35 years of life and for entering into our life, sharing your happiness, sorrows and other moments.  You’ll be cherished and fondly remembered…may you rest in peace.

   

PODCASTS TO SHARE

Some interesting podcasts of Mr Brown:

http://mrbrownnetwork.com/media/mb/tmbs-070412-the_collection_exercise.mp3

http://mrbrownnetwork.com/media/mb/tmbs-070417-up_your_cup.mp3

http://mrbrownnetwork.com/media/mb/tmbs-070419-top_dollar.mp3

EASIER BEING A MAN OR WOMAN???

Easier to answer this question in the older days…but not any more.

Had Workplace Law exam on Wed night (7-10pm).  Result for assessment (the first 50%) was released on the same day, so thought should go see result first then decide how pia i should be for the exam.  Scored 44/50, so rightfully only needed another 12/100 marks to pass.  So jokingly I told my course mates that we should just do 1/3 questions and go home early.  We ended up using the full 3 hours + 10 minutes reading time cos thought should take the chance to score distinction to decorate our result slip…

While waiting for permission to leave the exam hall, des messaged me and asked if i was on the way home cos she had some maths sums for me to do (me do her maths sum? i study or she study? chey…actually she meant needed me to teach her).  Told her to get dad to teach, she said dad rather worked on her craft than to teach maths!!!!  It was almost 10:30pm then.  by the time i reached home would be close to 11:30pm.  told her to go to sleep and i would teach her the next morning. she decided that her alarm clock should go off at 5:30am the next day. poor gal but glad that she has the sense of urgency.

If you can remember, i’ve been having this headache for a couple of days cos of stuffy weather and late nites.  Juz when I was glad that the exam’s finally over, i had this to contend with…wtf….

Fair enough, dear hubby fetched me from the train station.   But still buay kam wan, asked him how come he couldn’t help des with maths.  He simply claimed that the teaching methods nowadays are different, so dunno how to teach.  Worse still, he blamed and wanted to complain to the teacher for giving homework since they went for excursion (road safety park) in the afternoon.  pointed out to him that the issue was not with no time (she had the whole evening/night) but rather no parents were around to coach.  Must change his surname to Lai…. :< 

Went through Des’ worksheet on ratio, actually could solve the problems but referred to her textbook to see if they are using other solving method.  while going through her textbook, hubby asked jokingly “u also dunno how to do ah??”.   Walau, couldn’t help still gave me this kind of crap….boil man…  Finally went to sleep at 1+am.   then woke up at 5 the next morning.  

Juz don’t understand why men can take it so easily…this is not sexist remarks but a lot of female colleagues/frens oso face the same problem…of course lah, they’re not the universe…but hor, still true lor…   

RELAX…

Finally the term is over.  Hope I can enjoy the 10-day break before the new term begins, and the long-awaited break is not screwed up by some blocks of wood.

Should be able to scrap through that dreadful marketing research module.  Some of my course mates were actually hoping to have half the co-hort fail/did badly for the module so that the passing mark can be moderated downwards…so bad… Whatever is it, I just do not want to take that module again PLEEEASE…

BE BACK SOON…

Hang on, there, my blog is still active, juz that have no time to update.  busy trying to make head or tail of the subject that I am currently doing.  sianz and siong man….everydae headache.  exam next wed and thu, so should be back to blog by next weekend.