This is the year where I have the most loh hei - 3 times with my colleagues (different groups) and once with my family. Hopefully, this will help me usher in the good luck and signify a good start to the Tiger Year.
Let us roar to great sucess, health and happiness.
Showing posts with label Working Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Working Life. Show all posts
February 28, 2010
February 25, 2010
Reunion with my D & D colleagues after 3 Years
This year, I truly make a very conscious effort not to fly them aeroplane again. Nevertheless, I still expect an earful from our leader - Yen, especially about my disappearing act for the past 3 years. I have often missed their invitations to lunch, dinners or any special celebrations, until they were on the brink of giving up on me.
Each of them took turns to chide me for always missing in action. However, they were also forgiving, knowing how wrapped up I could be over my work when skipping lunch time and packing in could be the norm during my peak period.
I was surprised that after 3 years, we could still fall into easy banter and comfortable teasing. The meal was one full of laughter and gossips about our latest developments. Of course, the main objective of the meal was the loh hei to bring in good luck for the entire committee.
Since I did not see them so often, I insisted on taking a group photo at a site that many commented looked picturesque. I should really make an extra effort to get together with them more often.
Each of them took turns to chide me for always missing in action. However, they were also forgiving, knowing how wrapped up I could be over my work when skipping lunch time and packing in could be the norm during my peak period.
I was surprised that after 3 years, we could still fall into easy banter and comfortable teasing. The meal was one full of laughter and gossips about our latest developments. Of course, the main objective of the meal was the loh hei to bring in good luck for the entire committee.
Since I did not see them so often, I insisted on taking a group photo at a site that many commented looked picturesque. I should really make an extra effort to get together with them more often.
February 17, 2010
Ushering Luck - Wearing Auspicious Colour to Work
I am certain many of you would have received this forwarded email just before the Lunar New Year on which zodiacs should wear what colours when you report to work on different days. For the fun of it, I did try to follow the colours recommended last year.
However, when I saw the same email this year, I started to question its validity as the same colours were proposed for all the days. Shouldn't there be a different set of colours proposed for different years? Hence, this year, I have decided to just wear what I like on the first day I reported to work.
Surprisingly, many of my colleagues were trying to usher in good luck for the new year. Many abided by the recommended colours for their zodiac signs and turned up wearing the same colours as they were of the same signs.
Other than wearing the right colours, I guess the more important thing is to have the right positive attitude. If you are a firm believer of the law of attraction, then positive thoughts will translate to good luck for the whole year.
However, when I saw the same email this year, I started to question its validity as the same colours were proposed for all the days. Shouldn't there be a different set of colours proposed for different years? Hence, this year, I have decided to just wear what I like on the first day I reported to work.
Surprisingly, many of my colleagues were trying to usher in good luck for the new year. Many abided by the recommended colours for their zodiac signs and turned up wearing the same colours as they were of the same signs.
Other than wearing the right colours, I guess the more important thing is to have the right positive attitude. If you are a firm believer of the law of attraction, then positive thoughts will translate to good luck for the whole year.
February 12, 2010
Special Time-Off. Hurray!
Our company has done well for the past quarter. In recognition of the hard work we have put in, a company-wide half day off to all employees except for those who need to stay back due to exigencies of service. This is indeed a much needed break as I can catch-up on last minute CNY preparation.
January 23, 2010
Saturday? Again...
I have lost count of how many weekends I have worked this year from budget as I was covering another colleague which meant a pretty steep learning curve to understand the business and immediately apply for budget analysis.
Again, I worked from 9 am to 5 pm on a Saturday, sacrificing my weekly yoga class and being late for an appointment with a friend.
It was not so easy to immediately transit from work to leisure. My friend could tell that I was still pretty stressed and uptight. I hope I had not spoilt the evening for my friend being such a spoilsport.
Again, I worked from 9 am to 5 pm on a Saturday, sacrificing my weekly yoga class and being late for an appointment with a friend.
It was not so easy to immediately transit from work to leisure. My friend could tell that I was still pretty stressed and uptight. I hope I had not spoilt the evening for my friend being such a spoilsport.
January 21, 2010
Average 5-hour of Sleep Work-Week
Sometimes, my colleagues and I joked that our intense and often painful annual budget exercise was very much like labour pain. At the moment that we were going through the exercise, the pain was excruciating. However, once it was over, we soon forgot about the lack of sleep and the mad rush. When the next budget exercise arrived, we often could not remember what we had gone through the previous year(s).
This week was the most intense, or should I say peak, of the budget exercise. We were preparing for the CFO review the following week. We had to update the pack which would be shown during the review session. There were all in all more than 700 slides to be updated among the 10 of us. At this rate we were going, we would soon be able to write an encyclopedia for the budget analysis.
To get all the slides updated in time for review with bosses, we were all sacrificing sleep by working till past mid-night. Being more of a morning than night person, I chose to go home and sleep before midnight but woke up at 4 am to continue with the work.
As the days passed, I was feeling more and more zombie-like. I wondered how long this adrenaline would be able to keep me going...
This week was the most intense, or should I say peak, of the budget exercise. We were preparing for the CFO review the following week. We had to update the pack which would be shown during the review session. There were all in all more than 700 slides to be updated among the 10 of us. At this rate we were going, we would soon be able to write an encyclopedia for the budget analysis.
To get all the slides updated in time for review with bosses, we were all sacrificing sleep by working till past mid-night. Being more of a morning than night person, I chose to go home and sleep before midnight but woke up at 4 am to continue with the work.
As the days passed, I was feeling more and more zombie-like. I wondered how long this adrenaline would be able to keep me going...
December 30, 2009
Quiet Week
Typically the last week of Dec will be a lull month for most companies and departments. However, for people in the Finance Department, it is often not so. Most Finance folks will either be busy with closing of the accounts or with budgeting exercise or both as most companies in Singapore have financial year end either in December or March.
There was no black-out period for budget for this week post Christmas and pre-New Year. However, many of the line managers and finance managers were clearing their leave, so the office was exceptionally quiet. It was a fantastic time to catch-up on work.
Despite it being a productive week, the post Christmas mood wiped out any mood for working. How I longed for going on breaks too.
There was no black-out period for budget for this week post Christmas and pre-New Year. However, many of the line managers and finance managers were clearing their leave, so the office was exceptionally quiet. It was a fantastic time to catch-up on work.
Despite it being a productive week, the post Christmas mood wiped out any mood for working. How I longed for going on breaks too.
December 22, 2009
Winter Solstice
I was having a 'discussion' with my boss on what was the meaning of winter solstice. You must be thinking we were such a cultured group to be talking about Chinese traditions. Well, we were more of idle chatting than engaging in some intellectual discussion. He argued that Winter Solstice signified the end of Winter while I speculated that Winter Solstice marked the beginning of Winter. In the end, no conclusion was drawn as both of us were not 100 percent certain of our own guess.
P.S. I did a google and it seemed that Winter Solsticewas not either the end or the beginning of Winter. It was supposed to be mid-Winter. Looked like both my boss and I were wrong in our speculations.
P.S. I did a google and it seemed that Winter Solsticewas not either the end or the beginning of Winter. It was supposed to be mid-Winter. Looked like both my boss and I were wrong in our speculations.
December 21, 2009
Cupcakes from Colleague
My colleague made cup cakes for us in celebration of the Christmas. She was always an expert in baking. Her cup cakes, in the eyes of novice like me, were certainly on par with the professional.
As the cupcakes were home-made, my colleague has put in less sugar than those sold outside. it was heavenly. I felt guilty chomping down such a pretty cake.
Hmm, I should ask her for the recipe. She certainly inspired me to bake...
As the cupcakes were home-made, my colleague has put in less sugar than those sold outside. it was heavenly. I felt guilty chomping down such a pretty cake.
December 15, 2009
Support From Boss
I must have looked dreadful. The stress must be getting to me till people around me start to notice my frowns and tired appearance. My boss decided to have a one-to-one with me to find out how I was getting on.
I have always have a rather open communication with my boss. Hence, I have no qualms being upfront with her on my worries about my latest portfolio change when I was tasked to cover a colleague on maternity leave. This colleague's portfolio was already quite big in itself. I have only relinquished half of my existing portfolio. Moreover, this was the budget period. I had to cram all the product knowledge within a short period of time and to be able to intelligently apply all business knowledge to the budget submitted. Business acumen could only be built over time through product and market familiarity. I usually held high expectations of myself. Hence, I was very apprehensive about whether I would be able to do a good job.
My boss after hearing my concerns assured me that they had confidence that I would be able to pull through all the challenges ahead. She also highlighted the bosses would provide whatever support that I needed to complete the analysis including running through with me some of their focus areas so that I would not go on a wild goose chase of information to reach a finding that might not be as relevant.
I was very grateful for the talk. It was a vote of confidence by my boss. At the same time, it also showed that my boss was not blind to the stresses that we all faced one time or another with the challenges that came our way. I nearly teared during the talk from being moved by her concern and support. I was truly glad I had such a supportive and knowledgeable boss who could guide and support me through work challenges.
I have always have a rather open communication with my boss. Hence, I have no qualms being upfront with her on my worries about my latest portfolio change when I was tasked to cover a colleague on maternity leave. This colleague's portfolio was already quite big in itself. I have only relinquished half of my existing portfolio. Moreover, this was the budget period. I had to cram all the product knowledge within a short period of time and to be able to intelligently apply all business knowledge to the budget submitted. Business acumen could only be built over time through product and market familiarity. I usually held high expectations of myself. Hence, I was very apprehensive about whether I would be able to do a good job.
My boss after hearing my concerns assured me that they had confidence that I would be able to pull through all the challenges ahead. She also highlighted the bosses would provide whatever support that I needed to complete the analysis including running through with me some of their focus areas so that I would not go on a wild goose chase of information to reach a finding that might not be as relevant.
I was very grateful for the talk. It was a vote of confidence by my boss. At the same time, it also showed that my boss was not blind to the stresses that we all faced one time or another with the challenges that came our way. I nearly teared during the talk from being moved by her concern and support. I was truly glad I had such a supportive and knowledgeable boss who could guide and support me through work challenges.
November 26, 2009
Awkward Lunch
I should stop trying to be nice.
We have a new addition to your team. When we were organising a group lunch to a Japanese restaurant offering lunchtime promotion, I suggested inviting the whole team despite some of the colleagues expressing reservations and wanted to keep to the usual lunch khaki. I thought an informal lunch would be a good opportunity to bring everyone closer.
Of course, I was proven wrong again.
It was an awkward one hour. The conversations were stiff. As girls, we could not help getting excited over the impending delivery of oneof our colleagues. the new person sounded abit uncomfortable especially when we touched on epidural and other stuffs relating to delivery. We also did not hvae alot of common topics.
Was it strictly due to rong frequency or was it due to simply generation gap? The new person was about 2 years younger than me and might be the youngest among our group.
After the lunch, one of my closest colleagues subtly hinted to me that she viewed lunch time as personal time and would prefer to spend it with people she was more comfortable with. Uh-oh, me and my stupid ideas. Perhaps, other than thinking from the new person's perspective, I should also respect the wishes of my other team members.
We have a new addition to your team. When we were organising a group lunch to a Japanese restaurant offering lunchtime promotion, I suggested inviting the whole team despite some of the colleagues expressing reservations and wanted to keep to the usual lunch khaki. I thought an informal lunch would be a good opportunity to bring everyone closer.
Of course, I was proven wrong again.
It was an awkward one hour. The conversations were stiff. As girls, we could not help getting excited over the impending delivery of oneof our colleagues. the new person sounded abit uncomfortable especially when we touched on epidural and other stuffs relating to delivery. We also did not hvae alot of common topics.
Was it strictly due to rong frequency or was it due to simply generation gap? The new person was about 2 years younger than me and might be the youngest among our group.
After the lunch, one of my closest colleagues subtly hinted to me that she viewed lunch time as personal time and would prefer to spend it with people she was more comfortable with. Uh-oh, me and my stupid ideas. Perhaps, other than thinking from the new person's perspective, I should also respect the wishes of my other team members.
November 12, 2009
Heart-to-Heart Talk with Mentee
My mentee had joined the company for about 3 months before I had chance to have a more informal chat with him on how he was settling into the company. With the frantic pace of working life, most of our conversations thus far was restricted to how to go about getting the work done. Being a fresh graduate with zero permanent working experience, I vaguely recalled working could be rather daunting. This was especially when you were suddenly hit with a cold harsh realisation that studies never adequately prepared you for the working life.
I always believed that such informal talks should be best carried out away from the office. When a person felt relaxed then could they be more open, both in terms of speaking their minds and listening. Given my meagre pay, it was hard for me to bring the mentee to a high class cafe for such talks. The most economical choice was Killiney Coffee Shop.
Fortunately, the mentee was relatively open about his apprehension and some of his feelings about the job. I was surprised that some of what he felt was similar to my initial concerns in my first job. Feeling inadequate when doing assignments and morale affected by close friends who resigned were common concerns. He was pretty appreciative of this gesture of having informal chats which boosted my confidence that I had done the right thing.
I could perfectly understand some of the disappointment faced during work and the insecurities surrounding a new environment and work performance. However, one had to persevere and weather the storms as it was part of personal development and character building. After the initial steep learning curve, working life could also open up one's eyes to a whole new different world.
I always believed that such informal talks should be best carried out away from the office. When a person felt relaxed then could they be more open, both in terms of speaking their minds and listening. Given my meagre pay, it was hard for me to bring the mentee to a high class cafe for such talks. The most economical choice was Killiney Coffee Shop.
Fortunately, the mentee was relatively open about his apprehension and some of his feelings about the job. I was surprised that some of what he felt was similar to my initial concerns in my first job. Feeling inadequate when doing assignments and morale affected by close friends who resigned were common concerns. He was pretty appreciative of this gesture of having informal chats which boosted my confidence that I had done the right thing.
I could perfectly understand some of the disappointment faced during work and the insecurities surrounding a new environment and work performance. However, one had to persevere and weather the storms as it was part of personal development and character building. After the initial steep learning curve, working life could also open up one's eyes to a whole new different world.
October 15, 2009
Mentoring
When I was first given the assignment to mentor, I looked forward with glee. Maybe when you measure me on technical skills on a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 being the worst and 10 being the best, I think I will take the spot of about 6 to 7. If you now place me on the same scale for soft skills, such as leadership. coaching, EQ, etc, at best I will be a 3. Don't take this as me being humble, even though humility is a value that I think we should uphold. I am simply being honest and realistic.
Poor guy, being the chosen one to be my first 'tester', will probably suffer under the rather erratic and unorthodox coaching skills that I am going to apply on him. What to do? With no formal training on mentoring, my unconventional coaching skills will probably be a concoction of the various guidance that I am fortunate to be on the receiving end since the start of career (if you can epithet my job to it).
2 months into this mentoring, the poor guy seemed to have lower and lower enthusiasm and confidence. If this does not mean anything to you, all I can say is maybe you should join me in this acquisition journey of soft skills. His voice became softer. I even detected a slight hint of quivering when he spoke. Notwithstanding my rather retarded sensitivity detector, the alarm within me still went off large and clear. Beep - Bo - Beep - Bo. Have I been too harsh with him?
With the younger generation, they need a different kind of coaching than what we have been bestowed by our seniors previously. They have more fragile self-esteems. They are more idealistic about their career, their ambition and work-life balance. Between the stick and the carrot, the delicate balance is more in favour of the carrot. We are talking about the 'strawberry' generation after all.
The 'throw-into-the-deep-sea-so-that-you-learn-how-to-swim' approach is perhaps too aggressive. The 'you-should-take-initiative-if-I-remain-silent' stance is perhaps too subtle for him to pick up. Maybe the 'strawberry' generation requires more hand-holding. His crushed confidence means that I need reverse the mentoring approach. It is time to introduce more prep talk and more patience - both clearly are not my forte.
Hence, I decided on a heart-to-heart talk with him on some of my working maxims (if I may crown them that). I told him to speak with more confidence. I told him that I espoused independent learning and doing and not spoon-feeding because in work, there was never right or wrong, but different styles. Hence, what worked for me in terms of learning might not work for him. Of course, I could not help but throw in the all-encompassing statement which I was constantly reminded of in my previous job. I told him that being a person placed on fast-track program, he needed to work harder and learned faster than most people. It would be pressurising but the effort put in now would be useful as he progressed in his career. Hence, he needed to learn to prioritise and multitask more than others (one of the reasons for feeling down was because it was quarterly reporting and he had problem juggling normal reporting, shareholders' reporting, business cases and quarterly profit analysis.)
With the prep talk done, I sent him to review the business case again because he had left out some details. Hopefully, I am helping rather than doing him in. My colleagues who overheard the conversation thought I was still not being very harsh. I hope they were right.
Poor guy, being the chosen one to be my first 'tester', will probably suffer under the rather erratic and unorthodox coaching skills that I am going to apply on him. What to do? With no formal training on mentoring, my unconventional coaching skills will probably be a concoction of the various guidance that I am fortunate to be on the receiving end since the start of career (if you can epithet my job to it).
2 months into this mentoring, the poor guy seemed to have lower and lower enthusiasm and confidence. If this does not mean anything to you, all I can say is maybe you should join me in this acquisition journey of soft skills. His voice became softer. I even detected a slight hint of quivering when he spoke. Notwithstanding my rather retarded sensitivity detector, the alarm within me still went off large and clear. Beep - Bo - Beep - Bo. Have I been too harsh with him?
With the younger generation, they need a different kind of coaching than what we have been bestowed by our seniors previously. They have more fragile self-esteems. They are more idealistic about their career, their ambition and work-life balance. Between the stick and the carrot, the delicate balance is more in favour of the carrot. We are talking about the 'strawberry' generation after all.
The 'throw-into-the-deep-sea-so-that-you-learn-how-to-swim' approach is perhaps too aggressive. The 'you-should-take-initiative-if-I-remain-silent' stance is perhaps too subtle for him to pick up. Maybe the 'strawberry' generation requires more hand-holding. His crushed confidence means that I need reverse the mentoring approach. It is time to introduce more prep talk and more patience - both clearly are not my forte.
Hence, I decided on a heart-to-heart talk with him on some of my working maxims (if I may crown them that). I told him to speak with more confidence. I told him that I espoused independent learning and doing and not spoon-feeding because in work, there was never right or wrong, but different styles. Hence, what worked for me in terms of learning might not work for him. Of course, I could not help but throw in the all-encompassing statement which I was constantly reminded of in my previous job. I told him that being a person placed on fast-track program, he needed to work harder and learned faster than most people. It would be pressurising but the effort put in now would be useful as he progressed in his career. Hence, he needed to learn to prioritise and multitask more than others (one of the reasons for feeling down was because it was quarterly reporting and he had problem juggling normal reporting, shareholders' reporting, business cases and quarterly profit analysis.)
With the prep talk done, I sent him to review the business case again because he had left out some details. Hopefully, I am helping rather than doing him in. My colleagues who overheard the conversation thought I was still not being very harsh. I hope they were right.
September 17, 2009
Phew! Passed!
Whoppee! I finally passed the test though not as well as I expected. The guy who sat beside me in the last module and got the highest mark in the first module now obtained full marks. Although my results had improved but marginal.
Never mind, I had passed. Phew!
Never mind, I had passed. Phew!
Burn Mid-night Oil
It has been ages since I burn mid-night oil to study. Yes, burning mid-night oil to rush for projects and presentation slides are common for my work. Burning mid-night oil to study is totally a different experience. For one, working is usually more intense and engaging, so there is no slack time for any sleep bug to take over. Studying requires concentration which is an elusive exercise during the wee hours.
I have never been a night person. Even during school days, I never burn md-night oil to study. The few feeble attempts were disastrous with me not be able to study effectively at night nor concentrate effectively in the day. In the end, I ditched whatever mid-night oil plan and just studied in the day. Whatever I could absorb, I would absorb. Even if I could not finish studying, a good night's sleep with a fresh mind would be better than a groggy mind with 10% more knowledge. With a sharp mind, at least I could still analyse on the spot even if I could not recall the concept.
I had never learnt from those failed attempts, had I? I again tried to study in the night, but my eyes became heavier and heavier slightly past 9 pm. The 8-hour of hard concentration in the day seemed to sap all my energy and left me utterly exhausted by 9 pm. Nothing got in. I gave up and slept and decided to wake up at 3 am to continue because I still had another 100 pages more of notes to go through.
When the alarm clock sounded at 3 am, I dragged myself out of bed despite the protest from my brains and eyes. I started reading and finished reading by 4.30am. I was not sure how much has gone into the brain, but I could not care less. I was dozing off. I needed all the brain power to last throught the day and test.
Good luck to myself.
I have never been a night person. Even during school days, I never burn md-night oil to study. The few feeble attempts were disastrous with me not be able to study effectively at night nor concentrate effectively in the day. In the end, I ditched whatever mid-night oil plan and just studied in the day. Whatever I could absorb, I would absorb. Even if I could not finish studying, a good night's sleep with a fresh mind would be better than a groggy mind with 10% more knowledge. With a sharp mind, at least I could still analyse on the spot even if I could not recall the concept.
I had never learnt from those failed attempts, had I? I again tried to study in the night, but my eyes became heavier and heavier slightly past 9 pm. The 8-hour of hard concentration in the day seemed to sap all my energy and left me utterly exhausted by 9 pm. Nothing got in. I gave up and slept and decided to wake up at 3 am to continue because I still had another 100 pages more of notes to go through.
When the alarm clock sounded at 3 am, I dragged myself out of bed despite the protest from my brains and eyes. I started reading and finished reading by 4.30am. I was not sure how much has gone into the brain, but I could not care less. I was dozing off. I needed all the brain power to last throught the day and test.
Good luck to myself.
September 14, 2009
Back at Six Sigma Course
Today was the first day of the module 2. It was good to see my classmates again after more than a month. However, it was also demoralising to try to switch back to the studying gear. Concentrating on the lessons for a full 8 hours is tougher than I thought.
This was especially when we kicked off module 2 with many statistical tools such as ANOVA, Chi-square and T-test. Testing for Null and Alternative Hypothesis was something that I probably had in-depth study when I was in JC and subsequently university. Yet, most of these tests were mere names where I could not remember a single thing of the concepts behind these tests. Name-dropping was certainly not enough if I were to pass the test 3 days later. It seemed like I would have a lot of studying to do in the next few nights.
Oh dear! I felt so ashamed that my grey fluff seemed to be deserting me at this crucial hour. Maybe these statistical toold were simply too complex that my brains performed an auto shut-down. Not only did I not get a single thing into my RAM during class. The worst was I even had trouble keeping my eyes open. To think that statistics used to be one of my stronger subjects. I could not believe that my brain power had degenerated so rapidly over the past 7 years.
Maybe I should seriously consider a part-time course to upgrade myself to keep my brain power exercised.
This was especially when we kicked off module 2 with many statistical tools such as ANOVA, Chi-square and T-test. Testing for Null and Alternative Hypothesis was something that I probably had in-depth study when I was in JC and subsequently university. Yet, most of these tests were mere names where I could not remember a single thing of the concepts behind these tests. Name-dropping was certainly not enough if I were to pass the test 3 days later. It seemed like I would have a lot of studying to do in the next few nights.
Oh dear! I felt so ashamed that my grey fluff seemed to be deserting me at this crucial hour. Maybe these statistical toold were simply too complex that my brains performed an auto shut-down. Not only did I not get a single thing into my RAM during class. The worst was I even had trouble keeping my eyes open. To think that statistics used to be one of my stronger subjects. I could not believe that my brain power had degenerated so rapidly over the past 7 years.
Maybe I should seriously consider a part-time course to upgrade myself to keep my brain power exercised.
September 12, 2009
Back to Books Again
I am resuming the Module 2 of Lean Six Sigma next week. Before I start module 2, I better revisit what was thought in Module 1 again, especially when I have to cram all the studying to 3 nights since the mornings will be filled with lessons. This time, the studying will be more stressful as there will not be a weekend break for me to catch-up on the studying. With my rusty mind, absorbing on the spot is definitely out of the question.
Pre-course preparation has to start this weekend. This is also to ensure that I do not make a fool of myself in front of my all so intelligent and knowledgeable classmates. So, it is time to hit the books again.
Oh my, it is tougher than what I have thought. Previously, the revision was a crash-course cramming of as much information into my grey fluff of a brain as possible. It was never meant for long-term retention. This meant that I have lost almost 99% of the knowledge from one-month ago. Hence, this weekend's revision is almost as good as studying anew.
Urggh, I have lost touch and momentum after so long. Every time, I turn the page, the words float in front of me. I feel like going into la-la land. No matter what, I must persevere. I cannot be the first one to fail this course.
Pre-course preparation has to start this weekend. This is also to ensure that I do not make a fool of myself in front of my all so intelligent and knowledgeable classmates. So, it is time to hit the books again.
Oh my, it is tougher than what I have thought. Previously, the revision was a crash-course cramming of as much information into my grey fluff of a brain as possible. It was never meant for long-term retention. This meant that I have lost almost 99% of the knowledge from one-month ago. Hence, this weekend's revision is almost as good as studying anew.
Urggh, I have lost touch and momentum after so long. Every time, I turn the page, the words float in front of me. I feel like going into la-la land. No matter what, I must persevere. I cannot be the first one to fail this course.
September 09, 2009
Chiong
This is destined to be a week of chionging - dialect for rushing or charging, that is if I wish to be able to make it for a four-day course next week.
The course happens at a bad timing. It is the week of financial review. It is also the week of mid-year forecast review. Given that the product I am handling and the expense item I am handling are missing the target big time, the depth of my analysis will also have to be big time. By out of action for 4 days in one of the most crucial week can be relatively unfair to my colleagues and boss.
The way to ensure that my course will not inconvenient anyone and still be able to attend the course to get my certification. There is only one solution. I will need to work doubly hard the week before the course so that I can clear as much work as possible.
So it's chiong, chiong and more chiong. It is a small price to pay in order to ensure that I can attend the course in peace.
Chionging is part and parcel of my work life for the past 7 years. In fact, I should be glad that I only have to work until 10 pm each night instead of past mid-might. I will survive!
The course happens at a bad timing. It is the week of financial review. It is also the week of mid-year forecast review. Given that the product I am handling and the expense item I am handling are missing the target big time, the depth of my analysis will also have to be big time. By out of action for 4 days in one of the most crucial week can be relatively unfair to my colleagues and boss.
The way to ensure that my course will not inconvenient anyone and still be able to attend the course to get my certification. There is only one solution. I will need to work doubly hard the week before the course so that I can clear as much work as possible.
So it's chiong, chiong and more chiong. It is a small price to pay in order to ensure that I can attend the course in peace.
Chionging is part and parcel of my work life for the past 7 years. In fact, I should be glad that I only have to work until 10 pm each night instead of past mid-might. I will survive!
August 13, 2009
Back To Reality
After so many days of training, I am finally back to reality. Work has piled. Urghh! It is time to bite the bullet and just work.
August 11, 2009
More Training
For the past 2 weeks, I have been spending at least 2 days on training and this week is no exception. I am at the Serangoon office training for our Business Warehouse system. Training provides a good respite from work and to keep up updated but it can be disruptive if there are work to be done. Again, I have to steal time off training to catch-up on work and to answer queries from the line. Sigh!
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