Mummy Yam is Back to Work!

It has been a week since Mummy Yam returned to work..Initially thought I will have some time to get back into work momentum but didnt expect myself to be facing urgent matters to handle right away. I've no choice but to force myself to retrieve data from my "backup drive" in my brain and quickly get hands-on the tasks. Other than having to cope with stress of the work, I also have to handle all by myself as boss is still not back from her maternity leave. On top of that I have to better manage my time as I need to go pump milk, wash n sterilise the equipments 2 times a day. Every morning I also have to wake up earlier to pump milk before going to work. *Tired* Although there are more challenges for me to cope, I find it surprising that I'm coping ok! Maybe my stress level tolerance has increased with the coping of a baby at home for the past 3 months...Motherhood indeed has made me grow stronger n more matured.

I dun dare to think of my baby when I am busy at work thou I really miss her a lot. Only dare to look at her pictures and think of her when I am at my milk expression sessions. I was so lookin forward to knocking off work everyday & wish weekends can quickly come so that I can take care of her myself. So contrasting situation now comparing to my 1st month with her..haha...

At first I thought I can count on the maid who have been with us for almost 2 months, to take care of Kayla together with my in-laws. But sigh..already facing problems with her barely 1st wk I return to work. My FIL is missing 2 special $5 notes from his wallet which he keeps as collection. And from that day onwards, the maid started to show distraction in her work attitude and performed badly. Since tis is nt the 1st time of missing $, we decide the element of trust is no longer there, so have to send her back to the agency. We really have no choice but to send her back even thou we find her performance good. I wonder if we can still find someone as good as her the next round. Actually I still dislike the idea of hiring a maid again as I do not wish to subject ourselves to such nightmares again, I have no choice since my in laws need extra help taking care of Kayla. Unless if we manage to find a good bbsitter nearby then that's even better!

Well, take a step at a time and see wat God has planned for us bah...

Tired... and ill....

Have been quite tired for the past few days. Sleeping on my left side always gives me aches on the thighs and I have to turn to the other side often.. Not forgetting to mention that I have to wake up for wee-wee time, and also making sure I am safe from the partner's movements beside me.. So in fact I didn't sleep well at night..

At work, have to cope with more work as one of our colleague has tendered her resignation.. Well, it will just be more work for both of me and my pregnant boss for the subsequent few months. Gambate!

Maybe stress and tiredness makes my immune system weaker, thus more susceptible to getting ill... Moreover the horrendous weather that kept changing drastically - extreme sunny then rainy weather, makes me even more vulnerable. Caught a cold now and hopping to curb it and cure it before it explodes into full mode.

Previously was fretting over hiring a CL also puts another burden on my mind. Now finally it has been settled and one load off my mind.

I need a break away from work and city life...

My boss is pregnant too!!

Have not been bloggin regularly on my condition cuz always feel tired after work, and religiously have to sleep at 10p.m. everyday, if not will feel kinda unwell.. Tis could be an "early night" baby. But always tend to wake up in the middle of the night, feelin stomach empty and can't get back to sleep, like now.

Well, back to the topic. I've just told my lady boss about my pregnancy on last friday - when she got back from her long vacation. It was kinda awkward, din know how to put it across... din even mention the word "pregnant" throughout my whole sentence. I just told her I like to apply leave on this thursday, then following up with a "er... I am going for gynae checkup." Then she nodded and gave me a "ah I know why" look. She never said anything like "congratulations" or "how many months pregnant". Only ask me when I am due...I thought her expression reaction also looks kinda weird.. I can't put to words at that moment, just wondering is she not happy that I got pregnant at this point of time, or just simply not happy that I am pregnant.

Its only today, I know the reason why... She called me to a room in the morning, then told me that there might be some logistical problem this year... I thought there might be some problems in hiring temp staff or wat due to cost cutting measures by the company. Then she told me " The problem is I am pregnant too.."

"AH!" - Inside my mind I am both happy for her yet caught by surprise. How coincidental that both of us are pregnant at the same time. Hers was "accident", as per her account. And she only knew about it on her vacation. She is 1 month later than mine. So for the last quarter of the year, both of us will be away on maternity leave and only left the remaining legal counsel manning the legal desk. However she said that her boss will act as her support throughout this period of time. Definitely she is more important as compared to me la. But guess I have to make sure all the current records are well-kept and easily to be searched, for their convenience.

Well well well...Its really a coincidental surprise. She said that other people in the company sure tease us once they know about it. hee.

D&D 2008

Date: 14 Nov 08
Venue: Sentosa Resort & Spa
Theme: Disco Retro Nite

- This was a fun and cosy dinner - cosy in the sense its pretty small, and so "cosy" such that it was quite stuffy inside the dining hall! Ha.. Had a wonderful time seeing fellow colleagues dressing up, being called on stage (for best-dressed - Pei Pei!!!), and of cuz winning a BIG prize at the lucky draw!!!

I was pretty lucky in this year's D&D, got myself the 6th prize - Ipod Nano 16GB & Takashimaya Voucherssss...Quite a hefty sum : P Shall not elaborate here la. haha... You should see the wide grin on my face when I received my prize on stage! U may even thought that I won the first prize neh!

Company Teambuilding

Had my very first company teambuilding event after so many years of working. Finally felt a sense of (permanent) belonging to a company, passionate about my job and energized by the team and company's synergy. The teambuilding is held at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.

I've heard of this place but have never got my ass off to explore this place. Me went there with my family many many years ago.... Sounds like a "terrible" place to explore on a hot Saturday afternoon. Argh!

Surprisingly, this team event turned out fine and I got to know a few more unfamiliar faces in my company. We'd great teamwork, and we didn't turn up last according to our goal. Our team is called "Super Troopers" and had to come up with a cheer before the start of the race. Haha...

Anyway, here's some pics from the teambuilding event. Hope this has helped in fostering the colleagues' bonding with one another.

Intern Management

Bloggin via Wifi-my 1st time @ macs on my G900. Haha. Anyway I m killin time while waitin for Dear who's zeng-ing his car again n for d shops to be opened!

Well , bac to the main topic. recently we've an intern for 3 mths. instead of havin additional help,i tink i m havin a much harder time than b4.sigh.. prob its my time n ppl mgmt problem ba. Jux cant seem to hav enough of my own time. Being an "overly-eager" learner, she will also "bug" me at the wrong time to ask for more work, e.g. when I am eating my breakfast or when I am occupied with a task. Maybe she's still young and inexperienced bah, so also can't "blame" her totally. Hopefully she gets the "hint" after that...And also I can guess that her character is pretty ambitious, such that she is not someone who will be satisfied with just doing filing. So I can't possibly just throw all backlog filing to her like that. She needs to learn something substantial during this internship period.

Let's hope that with more time for myself , I can learn better to manage how to handle my own work and completing at the usual efficiency, yet at the same time, being able to answer to her queries and giving her enough tasks to keep her occupied! Its a learning challenge for me now..

My new colleagues - cum - Cyril's Farewell Dinner

Some pictures that I have of my new company and my new colleagues.

1) Legal Team - Had a farewell dinner for B (the male lawyer) at Waterboat House. Terribly expensive french cuisine. Nice scenic view of the SG Flyer and the skyline as we dine.. a pity I was sitting back-facing it.Sianz. But I got a good view of a suave French chef in the kitchen!!! Muhahaha... Guess it pays for my loss!

2) Cyril's Farewell Dinner - Yesterday we'd a small farewell dinner for Cyril, who came from Lux office for a 3-months exchange in SG office. He is a very nice guy, full of humour, and dedicated to his work and life. He loves SG very very much. Loves the FOOD here very very much.. Loves anything in BLACK PEPPER. Loves to try new stuffs.. Really admirable! Have been touring around in Asian islands over several weekends since he is now in the region. We exchanged quite a few thoughts of life through our conversations and I enjoyed them a lot! How time flies, and 3 months are over. Glad to have know this Lux guy thou.

My 1st unhappy work day at new company

I realise today...that working under a difficult female lawyer isn't easy.

Kena from her today. The 2nd time in fact. Even worse than the 1st time.

Not that she scolded me or wat. The way she "interrogated" me and as if "forcing me to a corner" was making me almost bursting!! Yet I cannot yell back at her. It's all started from misunderstanding her instructions and of cuz' miscommunication between us. But can't she sound better when askin me? She went " Didn't I tell you this? Didn't I? Did I? And you still went yes yes you understand." What I wanted to speak up for myself is that, I understand the task that you are askin me to do, and I understand that you need it by 12 noon today. At the same time, there was an earlier task that you've given me and it was also due by lunch time too!!!!! Since I was already half-way doing the earlier task, I decided to continue it then move on to the new task. You also din say that you need the new task as first priority. I really feel the pressure when speaking to her, and hate most when I caught her at the wrong time, or when I can't perform something up to her expectations/instructions. Sigh...

To me, she is also someone quite fake. When I did something right (something simple), she will use strong words like "Excellent! Good Job! Well done!"  I will think, no need to be so 夸张 right? Say a simple thank you I already very 感动 liao, no need to gei gei use tis kinda words bah... She also  got this lawyer's temper and airs lor.. Buay tahan..

I hope I wun step on her tail again.. Please... I am afraid I may break down if she keeps forcing me like that...

Secretary's Week Lunch

Din expect myself in for another free Secretary's Week Lunch Treat this year cuz technically speaking I am an Administrator, not a Secretary. Anyway, since they have decided to include me, so be it! Ha!
1 nice free meal to enjoy mah

Lunch is at Equinox - An exquisite selection of International Buffet. Had an excellent bird's eye view of the Singapore city from 70th floor of the building. A pity we din manage to get a table near the window.  Well, I still manage to get some nice pics on my hp camera (Stupid me. Brought along the camera with no batt!)

~Can see the Singapore Flyer at far end on the left hand side?~

~Esplanade and the vast sea view~

~The tall office buildings (including my office building just right opposite!) & the short shophouses~

Among the 6 of us, I am the only young one in the mid 20s age range. The rest are all aunty-range. Felt real odd and out of place, but did try my best to fit into the group. haha.. Can u imagine them even engaging in a discussion about "senior citizen ezlink card"? My goodness! I am so out of it!

Spread was alright. Took a bit of the foodies I like/can eat, - from the starters, main dishes, japanese sashimi, to the desserts. So overall I am not over-stuffed with food.. Nothing in particular that I really find it fantastic.. But something to mention that this is my first time trying foie gras. Tastes like fats, yet a little nice with its baked taste, accompanied by the sweet jam by the side. Really something different and a new experience for me, thou' I won't spend money to have that.

1 April : My 1st Day @ New Workplace

It's April Fool's today! Nobody played any tricks on me and neither I played any on others.(Think I am gettin too old for April Fool's jokes liao! Ha!)

Anyway, today's my 1st day at my new workplace. My goodness! When I saw how cramped the morning train was, I was astonished! Have not been taking MRT to work for close to 2 years liao.. didn't expect that I cannot even squeeze into a single carriage!Have to wait for the 2nd one somemore.. Guess I have to get used to it liao...

As my new company in Singapore context only occupies 2 levels of office space, it is much much smaller in scale as compared to my previous company. Even in terms of infrastructure and facilities, also not as well-equipped. However I feel that being small has its advantage, cuz I will get to know everyone in time to come.. I like tis 'big' family feeling.. Warmth and close-knitted. So long the company benefits are good, who cares about the physical size of its staff strength! My colleagues are kind to me and I feel comfortable working with them. Hopefully we will build up strong teamwork gradually. At least for the 1st day, they have not overwhelmed me with too much info/ work so I can pick up at my own pace.

I feel very welcomed especially when I saw the email and intranet announcement of the newcomers in this month. Seeing my name and brief introduction of my previous work experience makes me feel proud! I also got a HR Induction Pack consisting of the company's mug, notebook etc! Call me sua-gu but I feel really different when I received such treatment. I have not gotten any of these in my 2 previous companies.. so it really elevated my pride being treated as a permanent staff! I am glad I made the right choice in joining this company..

With this good start, I hope it will lead to good working days in the future! I must Jia You!

Mixture of Emotions

Today marks my last day of work with DB. A mixture of emotions was surging inside me...

~ Unwillingness
    After knowing so many nice people around me for the past 1 year, and having to leave this familiar environment and the nice people, I am simply feeling unwillingness to part with them...It is just so hard to say goodbye to all the people whom I have forged friendships with...

~ Sad
    Of cuz' I am sad. But luckily I wasn't betrayed by my tears.. I kept an emotional distance from the closer ones so that I wun cry...

~ Swarmed!
    I was absolutely swarmed with endless work on my very last day of work, with all those hiccups happening out of nowhere! Oh my goodness! Can't the problems stop surfacing and let me have some more time to handover my stuffs to the replacement?

~ Relieved..
    After all the war-fighting for the whole day, I was like.. "Ahhhhh" - Relieved as I managed to settle the unsettling stuffs before I leave.. Now I can leave with a peaceful heart and mind.. Hate it when things get boggling in my mind.

~ Satisfactory
    Managed to be so "productive" even on the very last day... Felt satisfied when able to solve the teething problems..Cool siah!

~ Gratefulness
    Am so so so grateful for the well-wishes and the positive compliments that I have received all around.. Very touched too....

~ Happy
    Happy to know that people like me for the person I am, for the work I have done, and for the good working relationships that we have maintained all these while

Team Lunch -cum- Farewell Lunch

Group Photo

My boss - Steve the Australian Big guy in pic,  and my Corp Sec team mates - Kenneth the shorter guy in pic & Cecilia the aunty with specs, and my boss's boss's PA - Connie the one in pink, gave me a farewell lunch treat @ The Noble House on last Thursday.

They are very sweet, even got me a farewell cum appreciation gift... Honoured to be appreciated by them. Its a Swarovski crystal pendent - My ever first Swarovski gift..

I want to say how much gratitude I felt towards my ang-moh boss (He is my small boss, cuz I only helped him as an assistant 25% of my time, whereas 75% with Corp Sec). He has been a very caring and "real" boss. When I say real, I mean he is not those fakey person kind. We showed each other a lot of concern. Probably this is boss-and-subordinate fate bah. He is one of the reason that I feel quite reluctant to leave the company.. Cuz' it will be hard to find another good boss like him... Thou he felt sad I am leaving, he is happy for me... I know he does..

My lunch Kaki - cum- IM friend in DB (IM refers to our internal chat message): Connie

(Pic took at X'mas last year)

Without her, my life in DB will be mundane and lifeless.. Without her, I wouldn't get to know a new friend cum senior. Without her, my lunches will be damn lonely... Thru her and our constant messaging, we provided a support and listening ear for each other. She say she will miss me a lot after I leave, cuz she can confide to no one when her boss started rattling at her for no reason (always).. sigh..me too.. If I meet any unhappiness at new workplace, I also duno can tell who liao... Nevertheless, I wan to thank her for being there in my life for the past year.. It is also fate & chemistry which make us click, despite our 10 yrs of age gap.. that's wat she always said! haha...

The Corp Sec Team (Doesn't Kenneth look like MC King? hee...)

Something to mention is that, we are all born in the year of Dog! Cecilia being the most senior (12 x 2 times of my age) while Kenneth is 12 x 1 time of my age. A big generation gap you can see! The dynamism is certainly lacking in such a huge age-gap team. Well, despite some unhappiness felt while working with them ( non-initiative of attitude, pushing work to others, and drawing a clear line on job duties, sloppiness, lack of leadership etc), they are good people who are nice to me. Cecilia will sometimes buy breakfast for me, treat me to fruits and snacks etc, and even taught me things based on her experience. Its truly a experience getting to learn from someone so senior (in age). I have to also thank them for guiding me in my job, and giving me an opportunity to work in the area of Corp Sec. If not, I will not have the exposure and got the new opportunity in the new co.

*Touched*

Recently I have been "slowly" informing people whom I worked with, whether internally or externally, on my leaving...

Most of them are shocked that I am leaving, and surprisingly I received quite a few phone calls right after I sent them the email notice. Most touching is that, they initiated lunch dates with me, sort of farewell lunches before my last day.. Thou for some, we may not have seen each other at all, or for some, we may not be very close yet have plenty of correspondences and interactions.

These type of relationships make me touched..They make me feel the warmth in this human world..They make me feel appreciated and loved. They make me feel that, despite I have always been just a "Temp staff" in the bank, I am being treated as one of them! To me, I always try to ensure that I give them good support so as to create a good working relationship with one another. Guess my efforts paid in the end

I wana say a BIG "Thank You" to everyone of them..Everyone who have left their footprints in my past 1 yr and 3 months...

A piece of happi news to share with all...

After 1 yr & 1 month's time as a contract staff, several job applications and job interviews that I have went lately, I have a piece of happy news to share with all concerned friends...

I have finally found a permanent job!!!

Lucrative fringe benefits, higher salary package (as compared to my current contract job), MNC working environment, and prospective learning opportunities in an area whereby I could further develop my career in. Also, the 2 Lawyers whom I am working under are nice friendly people, and look like a young dynamic pair! Very look forward to this new job opportunity being offered.

After all these happening, I've come to realise - Everything happened for a reason...

The reason why I say this is: If I have not been given the opportunity to work in a MNC banking environment in my previous job (despite the unhappiness it has brought me), I will not be selected to work in my current job. And without being exposed to doing Corp Sec work here, I wouldn't know I like this area of administration work! So, without this 1 yr plus experience in Corp Sec (despite having to sacrifice my benefits by being a Contract staff), I wouldn't have a chance to be selected by the new company! See! Everything happened for a reason!

So, most importantly is Don't Despair when things dun seem to go your way, or in your advantage in your current situation. Don't Give Up even though you may need to make some sacrifices along the way..God has everything planned for us...Always do your best and one day you will find the path that you want to take..

I am now glad that the path that I want to take seems to be much clearer and brighter for me..At least I know which way I am heading towards..Unlike when I first graduated from Uni, I was lost and did not know what I like to do or what I can do...I just bump my way here and there.. Finally..things are starting to pick up after 4 years working in the society...

*My 1st 2008 resolution fulfilled! Yipee!

If its not meant to be, its not meant to be...

Sigh...got a rejection email from a prospective employer whom I have seen for an interview. Quite disappointed cuz I was looking forward to hearing some good news from them this week. Probably I am not as good as I thought I will be. I lose out..lose out on experience, lose out on professional qualifications, lose out on possibility of having a baby in the very near future, lose out due to the current bad job market...

As the market for Corp Sec is very niche, I wonder how soon will I get a perm job soon... And with the bad stock market situation, hitting hard on banking sectors, I doubt I will have a headcount generated for me.

Sigh...If its not meant to be, its not meant to be...

Tai-chi in office

I've come to learn a new skill in office - Office "exercise" - Tai chi

Cannot always take everything to do by ourselves, cannot always be others' scapegoat while they get away with it. So, have to learn to play tai-chi. Push back others' responsibility to them and make it clear that "Hey! Please dun always push to me to do ok? You've to claim your own responsibility ok!" Most importantly you also have to show the others that he/she is the right person to be approached, and not ME!

Sounds crude ya? Have to learn to be smart sometimes. *shrugs*

I can be nice to people who has an ethical sense of responsibility towards work. Not towards lazy people who tend to tai-chi to everyone except themselves. (especially the backlog shitty job). Be careful of that shit-bomb! I have been kena many times cuz I am the most junior-est. Forced by circumstances. But then, that is where I learn to "play smart" at times.

Fed-UP!!!

Fed-UP with...

- Work! 'K' procrastinating and kept delaying on doing things till they accumulate and accumulate like a pile of shit, or kept delaying and delaying till the very last minute... I can't stand it cuz' I report to him, and things can't move on if its all stuck there!! I can't tell him off, cuz as I said, I report to him! Do you know why is he not "free" to do? Cuz' he is both occupied with work (which I believe that he has lotsa things to do) and personal affairs (e.g. paying of bills lah, surfing websites for receipes lah, tour trips lah..) I don't care what he is doing in his "Free" time in office.. But I have been practically reminding him over and over...verbal reminders, pleading memo notes, and I even prepare the email fdraft for him you know!!! I wan to give up on him liao! Idiot! The thing is why does it matter to me that he doesn't do the things he's supposed to? Cuz' earlier on he gave me instructions to arrange for certain meetings, and after I managed to get a suitable date from the busy schedules of the big bosses, he delayed in sending out formal notification!!! So what if the date that we have chosen got booked by other events cuz' you never care to finalize it? And we don't have all the time in the world for the operations side to prepare the materials for the meeting if you keep delaying sending out the notification. Do you understand???

Fed-UP with...

- MSN platforms got blocked in office!!! Sob sob... no more frens-frens connection liao...