A Pat, A Cake

I manage to catch up with Tara last week after not seeing her for a while. She was griping about the hours put into her job when others shirked their responsibilities, how her work goes unnoticed and that on one occasion when someone bought them cake, it was given to someone else instead. A few days later, Sim called to catch up over coffee and as we got to talking, the conversation seemed to take on the same theme. How unappreciative the bosses are... favouritism amongst colleagues... etc etc.

There have been numerous times when i know the management had to make difficult decisions yet the staff failed to see the reason of it. Instead of looking at how things can be improved, situations were treated with disgruntled murmurings. It made me wonder then, are these 'real issues' or merely a perception of things? Are we expecting pats on the back and rewards for everything we do? Perhaps the question should also be "Have we really done that well to deserve so?".

This is an excerpt from the movie The Devil Wears Prada which made me ponder:

Andy: No, I don't want to quit. That's not fair. But, I, you know, I'm just saying that I would just like a little credit... for the fact that I'm killing myself trying.

Nigel: Andy, be serious. You are not trying. You are whining. What is it that you want me to say to you, huh? Do you want me to say, "Poor you. Miranda's picking on you. Poor you. Poor Andy"? Hmm? Wake up, six. She's just doing her job. Don't you know that you are working at the place that published some of the greatest artists of the century? Halston, Lagerfeld, de la Renta. And what they did, what they created was greater than art because you live your life in it. Well, not you, obviously, but some people. You think this is just a magazine, hmm? This is not just a magazine. This is a shining beacon of hope for... oh, I don't know... let's say a young boy growing up in Rhode Island with six brothers pretending to go to soccer practice when he was really going to sewing class and reading Runway under the covers at night with a flashlight. You have no idea how many legends have walked these halls. And what's worse, you don't care. Because this place, where so many people would die to work you only deign to work. And you want to know why she doesn't kiss you on the forehead and give you a gold star on your homework at the end of the day. Wake up, sweetheart.

SIGH!!

Wired Differently

It has been just one of those weeks when technology decided to go against me. The email server has been going bonkers at the office. Then a few days ago, the broadband at home died. When i tried to use my mobile, there was NO SERVICE! And the next day, at an event, my camera didn't work when i switched in on, even though i had already charged it the night before. AARRGHH!!

Luckily, the mobile & camera was ok the next day but it was utter agony when we couldn't figure out what was wrong with our broadband. Ok, i admit... i'm too dependent on the internet. It felt as if i have been alienated from everyone. Yes, pathetic that i have more friends virtually than in real life. But that's not the point here.

Naturally the 1st thing i did was call the service provider to complain. Then after rounds of checking this, that, try this, try that, area service down, area service ok.... the problem was STILL there. Then i tried disconnecting the wires, modem, router and reconnecting them, called tech friend to ask for advice, fiddle here there, STILL not working. To cut long story short, after having different ones telling me they didn't know how to resolve the problem, i found out it was the phone cable that was broken. So armed with a screwdriver and pliers, i attempted to fix it and VOILA! :D

As i thought about what had happened, it made me realize how easy it is to point fingers at people when things go wrong. In this instance, the 1st thing we complained about was the service provider, how incompetent & inefficient they are. Then being annoyed about no one being able to help. And in end, having to fix it myself.

It brought to mind the various conversations and incidences that i've encountered with friends over the past weeks. How similar it was that we often jump to conclusions about things and get angry 1st. Worse when we fume for days over how unreasonable they are. When sometimes, perhaps what we see on the surface is not really the issue after all. And if you take a bit of time to look at the situation, sometimes it's not that difficult to rectify the 'problem'. Just need to remember we're all 'wired' differently. Of course, important to know which wires not to cross also but i guess a little 'jolt' sometimes helps us learn not to make the same mistakes again. ;)

The First of Many

Ugh.. *groan* is it 2009 already? Gosh... cannot believe i only went to sleep 5hours ago. No, i did not go out partying nor was there any alcohol involved. In fact, i spent the whole time slumped in front of the TV. :P

Sorry, Foodie Queen... i know you said you wanted to live vicariously through me... but all i did was have Ramlee burger, Cheezels, Chickadees & 3-in-1 Nescafe. :) Some celebration eh?

But i DID manage to see the fireworks going off at various hotspots from the balcony. Probably the first time i've managed to see it properly. Usually i'll either miss it coz i lost track of time or the view is blocked. So yeah.. last night was nice.. not Times Square splendour... but still nice. ;)

Anyway... before i forget the real reason for writing this... (i AM still in sleep-deprived stupor)... i just want to say, i hope this year brings better things for everyone. I know the world is in a mess right now.. but hey, we're still here... alive & well. So here's to the first of many greater blessings to come. ;)

Happy 2009!! *hugs*

Then there was you

It's officially the last day of the year. I remember starting the year full of uncertainties, wondering if i could be strong enough on my own... still reeling from the disappointments of the year before.

Looking back, i realized i was never alone. Throughout the year, i have been blessed with different ones being there for me. Some were there only for that moment and some... are crazy enough to still stick around and put up with my neuroses. ;P I'm thankful for encouraging words along the way and even more... the unspoken understanding & silent presence when i needed it the most.

Now, as i look to tomorrow, i know it would not be an easy road ahead but for certain, the journey will be better with friends by our side. So as we celebrate the coming new year, once again, i hope i have been that good a friend to you as you are to me. ;)

*hugs*

Snap, Crackle and Pop

For the longest time i've been telling myself that i needed a break.. a holiday. I came back from my trip, thinking that i would be refreshed... rejuvenated... raring to go. Instead, from the day i stepped back till now, things have not been going as well as it ought to. It is like a dark cloud that's hanging over us and we have no idea how to make it go away.

Suddenly, it's as if we're been snapped at over little little things. Granted that it's not the best of times for everyone, but whatever frustrations there might be, it seemed as though nothing we did was right. Things are not 'good enough'. The 'way things are being done' is inappropriate. The 'explanations' fall on deaf ears. It's disheartening to see different ones being brushed off even though i felt they had tried their best to please. Perhaps what i fear is that these tiny cracks in their psyche (daily) will one day break their spirit and motivation to try any more. :(

Mind you, i've not been 'spared' from these either. It is a bitter pill to swallow but having a few good friends around help soften the blows. The 'yumcha' and impromptu off-key singing session with M2 certainly lightened things up. (Gawd.. i better hide the video Ken took of us). I'm glad Tsing accompanied me to Csu's bro's wedding (yes.. it's that long-winded). And yeah, it would've been a little unnerving for me to be there on my own... not because i can't... but being 'emotionally drained', having a friend by your side makes a whole lot of difference. I'm still laughing over the way Tsing and KY sang-along to Wham's Wake Me Up Before You Go Go. Hahahaha.... Think there were a few more Top of the Pops songs the band sang, which also set off a few more rounds of laughter.

Oh... did i mention that the band members wore wings and they're called 'Chinese Angels'?? Hehehehee........