Reservist went by pretty well. Rusty as I am, I managed to get the FRV award for the third time in a row. Looks like another free room at a Bintan resort is once again sponsored. The planned trip is a long way away in November though.
At work, we have hired another analyst, AS. As usual, it seems too early to tell whether she's one for the long-term but we'll see. She's been helping our with the new office move and has yet to officially start analyst work. There was a day where the analysts decided to use LAB's house as a temporary office. Working without the higher ups present, without formal clothes, and without an office can be pretty refreshing! LAB's aglio-olio wasn't half-bad at least.
Anyway, as far as work is concerned, the analysts, mainly LT, LAB, and myself, are on the verge of losing it. In fact, just last week, LAB broke down and cried while working. Truth be told, I very much wanted to break down then as well, but I knew that if I did so, things would fall apart. Anyway, maybe her crying was a good thing. Our boss felt sorry (although she couldn't do anything to help us since it's orders from London), and told us to take a few hours off to Din Tai Fung for a good lunch. That treat was nice although this whole working arrangement is not sustainable. I expect many more of these "break-downs" to occur if a solution is found soon.
This entire thing has kept me on edge. There is this unofficial pretense that I have to keep up because I am the most senior analyst, but it is really not easy especially when I myself is barely staying afloat. The higher-ups seem to have a certain expectation of me to hold things
together but that is oh so difficult. I have never claimed to be a
pillar that never falls (déjà vu), and any expectation otherwise is unrealistic. This has resulted in me being edgy and in a very rare occurrence, I actually snapped at JZ when she gave me work at 11pm that was due for 11.30am the next day. Eventually I did work through the night to rush it out but I'm pretty sure I took a rather harsh tone with her (a Director, no less!). I really don't know what's happening to me. I believe that I am no stranger to hard work and pressure, and that under normal circumstances, I would NEVER EVER do that. Definitely not to my superiors and not even to my juniors. That night was a pretty bad night for me, and so... that just happened. Things are kinda awkward at the moment with both of us refusing to acknowledge what happen.
Anyway, I am still trying to keep in touch with ex-analysts MC and SO. While Tulchan's working environment is far from ideal, I have to admit that it does breed good friendships. LT, LAB, PL, and me went for badminton yesterday. This finally happened after so many attempts. Previously, something was came up to derail plans. It was full attendance since MC had to cancel last minute, but at least the curse seems to have been lifted... somewhat.
I went JB last week with C to unwind. C got new specs and a wallet, while I got new shoes. With the ringgit have fallen as it was, everything seemed a bargain. Hopefully, the rupiah would keep falling as well up till our Bintan trip. One thing that should also fall is the haze levels, which is rather bad recently. And that can be quite a bummer.
Come November, I will be competing in another martial arts competition. And until the competition is over, I shall keep m mouth shut. All I know is that I need to work out... soon...
Speaking of working out, a few weeks back when me and my colleagues were going for lunch, we saw a girl that collapsed in the middle of the road just behind a hotel. Being the good citizens that we are, we went over to check on her. Basically, she appeared to have fainted and was struggling to get up because her head was spinning. My female colleagues attempted to support her up and I gave them moral support through eye power. They failed. The girl collapsed again in the process. I took that as a sign that I had to help. I just scooped her up in my arms and carried her into the hotel lobby. I might sound bad for saying this, but petite girls can be deceptively heavy! My biceps ached the very next day.
Anyway, the hotel staff weren't very welcoming and was reluctant to let her stay. That girl managed to say that her boyfriend was nearby at a restaurant. With LAB and MC watching over her, me and LT went to get her boyfriend. To his credit, he jumped up from his seat instantly and followed us. We managed to get some first aid from the hotel to tend to her wound she suffered due to the fall and finally went to get lunch.
I remember that my mum and I were having a conversation regarding her semi-retirement. She asked: "你养我啊？". At that time, it was the "原谅孩儿不孝， 孩儿无能" joke moment. But right now, she is working at McDonald's. I know that this is a temporary job while she slowly adjusts to a new lifestyle, but still.... for some reason, that "原谅孩儿不孝， 孩儿无能" joke now seems less funny.
[Quotes]
"Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint." - Mark Twain
"Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume its addressed to someone else." - Ivern Ball
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