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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!!!!!!
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.
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.
who says wat