i...like...my...job...>.<

I usually don't tell people I'm being sarcastic because I like to think that you guys are smart enough to know.

Anyways. I really do like my job even though I may sound otherwise. What turned today from "I like my job despite the stresses and hours" to "I tell myself I like my job so that I can maintain my sanity" was the Komuter trains.

My direct supervisor had already given the green light to go back earlier so that I could take the conference call at home. the 2000 call was inevitable because the other parties were from Chicago (0600) and UK (1200). I thought to myself I could still reach home and quickly grab dinner if I took the 1821 train back.

The train came late (not surprising, but still, no harm hoping) and since it was late for almost half an hour, there were already too many people waiting. All these people started pushing and shoving when the train came. Some were left behind.

Since I didn't get on board that train, and having no hope (stopped hoping by then) that the next train would even come on time, I decided to walk back to the office to stay back and take the call.

I decided to finish up some work in the meantime. By then, everyone had already gone back, leaving me to have the whole office to myself. Wowee.

The call which was supposed to last half an hour extended to almost an hour, but that was not a problem. I was already alone when it started, so it made no difference. So I decided I might as well follow up from the call, finish a bit more work so that by the time I left, I would be eligible for the dinner and cab claim. :D

I don't get richer or feel better like that, but was too lazy to think about what to eat later at home and since the Komuter had already disappointed me, taking a cab would be a nice change. Besides that was my first time taking a cab alone.

Thank God I got back to the station (where I parked my car) safely. I prayed that I would get a good driver. He turned out to be quite talkative, even gave me some tips and asked me to share them with my friends!

1. To insist on receipt, not merely for claims but more on safety
2. To take note of the cab's registration plate, and to make sure it matches the ones in front, at the back, and inside of the cab
3. To notify friend/kin of the number plate

i love my job!

I just got home.

Wait, lemme shower and update a little more.

But before that, if you ever read that I still like my job, either I'm being sarcastic or psyching myself so that I can continue doing this while maintaining my sanity until the end of the project. :)

2nd week, 6th day report card

I wish all work weeks are like this. Last week I started on a Thursday, this week Friday's a holiday. And yet, it feels like I've already worked for a whole month already.

Having a steep learning curve in a perpetually evolving complex organisation and dealing with various time zones all make what I do very maddening at first.

I thought perhaps it was the adjustment in schedule, or the commuting in a less-than-perfect public transportation system, the traffic crawls, but now I know it's the initial adrenaline rush. I'm so exhausted but in a happy way.

This week I got thrown 2 deadlines on the same day. Since the project has already begun, and we are still trying to lock down on plans, I didn't get to find out about what I had to do (well I knew, but not the specific deadline) until the day before.

I think I thrive on changes and challenges (but not on a constant basis, of course!)

The fun part was completing my part that late evening, then passing them on to the hiring managers in the US and UK to do their parts, and coming in the next morning to find that the deliverables were successfully completed, and getting a happy email from the boss.

From what I understand, the pace will only pick up even more in the coming weeks as we prepare for the visit from the leadership team and present our updates and achievements to them mid December.

As I reflect on what this new phase mean, and even though it will get tougher and there will be bad days too, I hope to remember to keep thanking Him for His favour.

3rd day report card

Thank you all so much for your wishes and notes :) Am happy to share that I've started my new job just last Thursday (if you haven't already translated my blog post that day :D)

I have lots to talk about, but soooo tired! Today is only my 3rd day, and yes I'm very exhausted by this sudden change in schedule and routine. Not proud to say I'm back in the rat race, simply because I never liked working. Some people may say they want to go back to work when they're studying, but not me. If I could I'd wanna be studying forever, so much so that my brother said I should be a professional student!

Anyways. 1st day was krazy. Was scheduled to have some form of orientation/induction at the company, but no one was there to greet me at the office because the admin staff who was supposed to help me get settled in, totally forgot that she had a medical appointment. A bit hard to explain where the rest of the staff were, but let's just say it's partly due to the complex matrix that MNC's are quite famous for, and the rather sudden manner I was brought into the company.

Since the office was quite empty and there was nothing I could do being there, I was told to go directly to the client's office. I went there with an extra "burden", the company laptop. In a sling bag. (I specifically mention this because this will be a separate post)

So I went to the site, meeting had just started and some bosses were there already. One of the big guys flew in from India to give us an update on the status of the project. Suffice to say, all the jargons, processes, diagrams and flowcharts made almost no sense to me because they were in SAP and energy, 2 fields which I have no direct prior experience in LOL! And the meetings went on from morning till evening.

And yes, all these on my first day. The project head, who is my line manager had a 90-day plan, broken down into 30-day chunks which was very good in managing the workload. Each of us had different pieces of the puzzle to finish up, and if we are on schedule, would be able to complete the big big gigantic puzzle by the end of the 90-day period.

But, I must say that even though I was kinda nervous in the beginning, especially when I didn't even have proper access to my company's system and emails (it's like going to a lecture hall without lecture notes! Yes I'm that kind of student :)) I found it all very exciting because I love tackling new challenges (am also kinda sadistic :p). This would be my first time working in an MNC, serving an MNC client, and having to collaborate with stakeholders and colleagues from all over the world.

To be honest, I am still trying to figure out what exactly I'm supposed to be doing and have tonnes to read and catch up on if I am to deliver my portion. It looked really daunting the first day, but as I eased into the team and the company, gradually find myself understanding bit by bit what those jargons and processes mean.

beautiful savior

Jesus, Beautiful Saviour,
God of all Majesty,
Risen king,
Lamb of God,
Holy and righteous,
Blessed redeemer,
Bright morning star

All the heavens shout your praise,
All creation bow to worship You

How wonderful, how beautiful,
Name above every name, exalted high
How wonderful, how beautiful,
Jesus your name, name above every name, Jesus

I will sing forever, Jesus I love you, Jesus I love you

嬉しい

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今日は契約をサインして、明日は仕事を始めます。ちょっと早すぎるので、緊張しているのに楽しみにしています（＾・＾）☆神様の祝福を感謝します！皆、祝いましょう！o(^^o)(o^^)o わくわく

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satria's wedding & jalan-jalan jakarta

Someone once quoted that IUJ is like a mini UN. We have students representing about 50 countries at any one time, and this coming from a graduate campus that has a compact size of not more than 250 in total.

The fact that we have friends from all continents of the globe was one that we lived and breathed while doing our Masters degree. Now most of them have returned to their home countries upon graduation, and are living lives which are impacting businesses, governments and NGO's.

It was nice to see that my Indonesian friends have settled down nicely back in Jakarta when I paid them a visit recently. When we went our separate ways after graduation, I had to accept the fact that I might not bump into them anymore.

Even when the wedding invitation came from Satria, and I was happy for him, I was a bit hesitant due to my current situation. I would have had no qualms about reserving a flight on the spot if it was otherwise. I jokingly told him that I would not be welcomed in Indonesia due to the recent Ganyang Malaysia plan which somehow arose from misunderstanding between these 2 neighbouring countries.

Because Eugene made a call to me personally and assured that we would be taken care of, only did I decide to go. So I booked the flights, made arrangements with other ex-classmates and took it as an opportunity to take an even longer extended break! (while trying hard not to feel guilty)

This would be my first wedding invitation overseas, and a delight actually because of the kinship with all of them. I remember Satria who attempted to cook porridge for me when I fell sick during my first winter in Japan. I think I recovered not because of his cooking, but because I was really amused at the effort he took (^.^)

So even if I had to use "future" money, this was still a once in a lifetime affair and besides, great excuse for a reunion with the rest of the gang too. May flew in from Tokyo just a few hours after me, and we caught up with Sirilak who managed to arrange a business meeting in Jakarta with her boss in Thailand. Our senior Rizzqi and his wife were also there.

Ricky, Eugene and Arie, co-hosts for the bridegroom took very good care of us, making sure we tasted the best Indonesian culinary could offer and even brought us out to Bandung to visit the famous Kawah Putih crater lake on a packed weekend. To me, it was truly royal treatment!

I never expected anything out of going to Jakarta, other than witnessing Satria's special day. I even told them I wouldn't mind if I had to sleep on the floor as long as I had a roof over my head. To our surprise they took us to a hotel at Pluit, known to be a Chinese Indonesian area. It was very decent, and came with free breakfast and commendable service.

I felt so touched that they went to lengths to ensure we had a comfortable stay, that I did not want to leave Jakarta. I cried a little was almost at tears saying goodbye at the airport.

Even though I can't fully repay them for their generosity and warmth (but I hope to be able to reciprocate when they come over next time) I brought back with me these lessons :
1) To be a better host to my foreigner friends. When I was hosting Yuri and Geoff, I had just returned to Malaysia myself and since was still adapting back, was very new at bringing people around despite all the wonderful things I've talked about Malaysia in Japan.

2) To be appreciative more tolerant of Malaysia's traffic condition. I don't know if Jakarta has one of the worst traffic in the region, but I really salute their drivers for being sane and cool despite the ridiculous honks and bizarre driving skills! You need guts to drive in Jakarta, that's for sure. The closest analogy I know of are the Penang drivers who have to look out for the motorbikes that weave in and out of traffic as and when they wish.

Amazing what seemingly spontaneous trips can do. Totally no regrets going off like that, even if it meant breaking my principle of not visiting a country twice!

Oh, speaking of international friends, I was also invited for a wedding of another MBA friend in Laos, which falls on the 18th. Yes, that's tomorrow! Really wish I could go, especially since I've never been there before, but flights are really too expensive, and I have something big coming up real soon ;)

christmas illumination

Christmas in Western countries begins after Halloween. Alden had posted some pictures of the lights in London, and it reminded me that Yuri had also sent me some taken with her mobile in Tokyo.

Believe it or not, I have not captured a single shot of the Christmas illumination in Tokyo during my time there!

Christmas in Japan also begins after Halloween. In fact, a lot of Western holidays are celebrated with much anticipation by the Japanese. I'm (still) surprised at the scale and detail with which the Japanese celebrate this year-end event, whatwith all the lights and glitter, parties and presents, hype and hope. Malaysia hasn't even started decorating yet!