Last overseas assignment for this year

I had been busy preparing for the Bali trip last week and this meeting in Kuala Lumpur the past 2 days. Yesterday after the meeting, my colleague brought me to a shopping mall (similar to our Far East plaza) and we shared a KFC snack plate. After dinner, we went for drinks at Pavillion. This morning, we had some Maoshanwang durians during a tour of a facility. At least there were some good memories for this trip.

Bali last week

I was in Bali early last week for a short meeting. It was super hot and I didn't have time to explore much other than an hour walk after dinner and a 20 minute walk after lunch. The shops were selling pretty much the same stuff and it's amazing that the tourists could enjoy the scorching heat and sun tan.

Work trip in Bangkok

From Mon till Thurs, I was in Bangkok with my colleagues for a meeting. I didn't explore the city much as I was in the hotel most of the time or in my room at night. The room was comfortable, the meals at the hotel were quite yummy and the Thai people organising the meeting were nice and hospitable. Like my previous trips, I always missed home, my family, cats and S.

white clouds and blue sky

Aren't they lovely? This was captured when I was on the way to the plane that will bring us back to Singapore.

Angkor Wat again

We visited Angkor Wat on our last day in Siem Reap, but at a later time between 9+ to 10+, before heading to the airport.

Dinner at Abacus Cafe at Siem Reap

For our last night in Siem Reap, we went to a French cafe. I like the look of the cafe. Most of my colleagues preferred meats for their main course. I had seabass which was alright. I was more impressed with the chocolate truffle and ginger ice cream. The best dessert I had this week.

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

I have been in Siem Reap for a meeting with my colleagues since Monday afternoon. Yesterday morning we woke up early so that we can catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat. It gave me the opportunity to use my Olympus Pen :)

Retreat and brunch

This morning, my colleagues and I gathered @ Food for Thought @ Botanic Garden for our department's retreat. It's nice to be away from office at a casual setting and yet have a serious discussion about future work plans and current challenges while drinking and eating.

Wake and lunch

As we grow older, there seems to be more wakes than weddings happening in the year. It's sad to see loved ones of close friends leave this world. While consoling our friend yesterday, others were also sharing experiences to lighten up the mood. Our friend asked me to help her water her money plant while she is away from office. It will take her a while to feel less sad without her mom around. We headed to the nearby hawker centre for a nice simple lunch before going back to work.

Work and interests

Earlier in the week, I was feeling a bit stressed at work but it subsided as my colleagues helped to provide advice and support. I always count myself lucky that my colleagues and I work together as a team. However, every now and then, I will be asking myself what I would like to do, as even though I have doing the same work for a decade and always do my best, I don't feel passionate about my work.

A new colleague who know me for about 2 months was asking me during lunch time about my career plans and encouraged me to be proactive and consider pursuing overseas studies. He has done that and feels that he has learned a lot from his experience. I might have seriously considered that if I don't have strong bonds with my family, cats and also S. I have no desire to leave them and stay overseas for a year or 2, especially when I believe I can still learn and grow while staying put in Singapore too.

On Wed evening, after a satisfying 4km jog with Fion and her friend Anna, we had dinner at Anna's place with her family. Her triplet 4yr old daughters are adorable and friendly. Anna and I were sharing the recipes of the cakes we have baked and like. I'm itching to try baking them when I'm free. I enjoy time with friends as well as time by myself doing stuff that I like. Of course it will be great if I can feel similarly at work, but I guess I can't have best of both worlds and have to be contented in the meantime that my job can feed me, the cats and my interests :)

Bored @ work 仕事がつまらない

What I do during lunch time and after work are more interesting :) again at this time of the year, I'll ask if it is time for me to exit. But I'm still clueless what I want to do.

昼ご飯の時と仕事のあとにはおもしろい。なにが欲しいますか。することを考えている。

Career interest and plan

This was the part of my performance appraisal form that I had to ponder over yesterday afternoon. After doing similar work for a decade, I think it's time for me to be posted to other department. I may have to work harder or even on weekends and nights but I think it may be inevitable if I want to learn new things.

At 33 and single, I may have the energy and time for new work experiences but I also like to have enough time for my loved ones, cats, myself and good friends. I shall see what plans the bosses have for me, after I indicate my interest to move out. Then I will make my own plans :)

My water holders in office

At one end of my workstation, I have a filter jug, a mini flask, a cup from Cat Welfare Society, a Naglene bottle and my new cup with cute black cats all over :)

Messy workstation

I've heard that the state of one's room and workstation reflects the state of mind. It has a bit of truth, I think. I can work in this mess as I usually just focus on my pc and the notepad on the left of the keyboard. I actually need only a few items from the piles of mess :) I really need to clean them up soon.

My job is to support others

A few days ago, my HOD asked me to list down a few projects that will help big boss remember my contribution to our company. Sadly, till now, I can't think of any, as my core work is really about supporting my colleagues' projects, channeling requests to departments and coordinating, etc. There are no projects I can call mine :( I did share that with my HOD (who joined us 3 months ago) who was apologetic and understands that i have doing work that is not appreciated.

I am not ambitious but I have been questioning whether I should be more proactive in finding more meaningful work than just continuing working like this.

A break from office

I managed to complete the urgent work and left office around 12.40pm. The other work stuff can wait till tomorrow, as I want my afternoon break. I bought some nice chocolate truffle cake for family and I'm sitting in the bus, looking forward to the rest of the day :)

Destress therapy

I'm feeling a bit stressed about work this week, as emails, phone calls just kept coming and a few colleagues came over to my workstation to discuss about work. My plan to churn out some minutes of last Friday's meeting by yesterday has been ruined. I intend to do so at home tonight as tomorrow morning will definitely be busy and I want to take a break from work in the afternoon in peace. I'm glad I can still enjoy my meals and time with loved ones and in the mood to blog :) this photo was taken from inside the bus on the way home.

Evening on Semakau Landfill

I didn't take a lot for dinner and just sat there enjoying the company and cool breeze.

On the way to Semakau Landfill

Dinner after a long day @ work

I have been awake since 5am, reported for work at 6.30am and knocked off at 8.15pm. Long day means lots of food required to keep me going :) I had (1) a substantial breakfast of chocolate chip cookie, 2 slices of multigrain bread and a passion fruit, (2) a piece of super sweet fruit cake and Milo, (3) lunch - economy rice with veggie, toufu and fried fish, (4) a muesli bar and a lemon barley soft drink. (5) For dinner back home, had to make myself a simple omelette and make a sandwich with wheatgerm and cucumber. I also ate the panda cake mom got for me :)