Sunshin3

Never ever get the Mario and Sonic Olympic Games edition if you are a noob at the Wii.

After two hours of intense tummyaches from laughter, i have come to the conclusion that I really sucked at playing the Wii. But i have to admit, the whole interface is damn cool.

Probably the only thing that was slightly frustrating was the sensor but well, maybe it’s thy player itself.

Of all places, in the office.

Talk about benefits…

It’s not exactly a great day when the first thing you do in the office is to kill a cockroach that had probably been running around your table the past few days.

For some strange reason, we had an intense discussion over a matter which we had both discussed previously.

And essentially, i realised that behind the intensity was a plea. That he needed me more than anything else to help him cope with the increasing amount of work.

But i am stunted for now.

I must admit i must have been sleeping not to examine the rationality of the situation like a lawyer and i do wonder now, that when he’s away clearing his exams, would i be able to survive without him?

Because when he’s away, it means that i have to take over his tasks. With everyone hoping and expecting so much out of me, it’s hard to breathe sometimes.

I do love every bit of this job, despite the long hours and irresponsive counsels. Perhaps He is right.

I do really need to grow up even faster.

Ironically, having two monitors does help! (Even though I superficially feel like a techie geekorette..)

Compared to three months ago, affairs at work and expectations are better managed now. There are times that I still fumble but I sense that they are a lot happier with my turnaround time. That being said, the attorneys are aware that I’m single (I can’t disguise the red eyes), hence the quicker response time and longer working hours.

Probably the most important issue at this moment is whether I should pursue my studies this year. This thought is not new and I have been deliberating it for a while now.

For the first time, money is no longer an issue but a choice and the only factor is time.

Feels kinda weird but empowering at the same time although if I do end up studying this year, I will probably have to keep both jobs to continue paying the rent and everything else.

Sigh.

There’s one thing that I really dislike about leave applications. They have this column or section (differs for each organization) that requires you to fill in the reason why you’re taking leave.

It makes applying for leave worse than applying for a job.

The last time I tried to apply leave to take my cat out for his annual jab, they disapproved it. I wonder what they would say to my request above.

All in good fun yeah?

Tough is an understatement to describe my week.

I used to think that it was great to handle a regional role because of its challenges and progression to a regional role was somehow, the natural thing to do after being a manager for close to 2 years.

For those who are stuck in regional roles, i feel your pain. For those who are planning to take up that portfolio, please think twice.

It took me three months and a pep talk by my partners to get up to speed.

I have 20 jurisdictions reporting to me, which also essentially means that 20 different legal systems to think about. Time zones is just a fraction of the problem.

It’s the daily correspondences, monthly reports, legal issues that relates to another jurisdiction that kills you.

With no intentions of sounding out any prejudices, i have realised that Bangladesh, India, Thailand and the Philippines are countries that have caused many sleepless nights for me.

And many more to come.

I’m just glad i’m not expected to travel.

Despite the obvious, the position is challenging and has given me a competitive environment to grow, which was exactly what i asked for when i looked around.

I am not complaining, but in Old boy’s words, “Just a statement of fact.”

I totally forgot about my 3pm teleconference call with the associate and our clients and went to happily catch Old boy for some oxytocin relief when he called me at 2.45pm after his meeting. Thankfully, the associate wasn’t upset but he was laughing at how I left him alone to settle the client.

Sigh, my priorities are honestly screwed up. Then again, it’s not even my project!

Grr.

The morning started with a damper.

I was supposed to fly to Hong Kong on 22nd, thereafter hop to Macau for a night before going over to Guangzhou with Old boy. Of course, the unexpected happened and Old boy’s Guangzhou leg is off.

I do not mind forfeiting the train tickets that I have bought to Guangzhou and the ferry ticket that I bought for Macau because it isn’t very substantial. However, my air ticket has been issued and because payment has been made by the travel agency, refunds will have to wait 3-6 months as per SQ’s refunds policy.

So I thought I’ll skip the Macau and Guangzhou leg and just spend 3 days in HK. Common sense would be that the fare should be cheaper right?

Guess how much the travel agency wanted to charge me.

S$998! And SQ is only quoting S$645 for a return leg to Hong Kong!

Honestly, I am upset, not because effort and resources were spent but because of the inflexibility, lack of options and ridiculous additional charges but there is nothing much I can do. It is either I proceed with the trip alone, postpone since the validity is one year or cancel it. Postponing isn’t a good option unfortunately because of certain circumstances.

Whichever way, I still have to make payment and it sucks. It’s just a question of how much more am I willing to pay for a trip with no benefits or how much lower do I want to go to get my money back.

Old boy is not having it easy either because he was rather looking forward to this trip and the best I can do is just give him a smile and comfort him that it’s ok. I know he would appreciate if I didn’t throw a tantrum.

Ah well.

Such is the life and happenings of a non-exclusive relationship. Parents never ever tell you that your boyfriend’s bosses are like their first wives.

They have the first right to refusal, anytime.

Amidst the gloom, there is a silver lining.

My very first research report has been published although no names are indicated because it’s a firm contribution kinda thing. But i am happy to be recognised for my efforts and it isn’t every day of course that the Executive Director commends you on a report well written.

But it also means heavy involvement come June 2008 during the Singapore International Water Week.

Ah well, the things we do for what we love.

4 glasses of champagne, two glasses of red wine, 1 glass of white.

And a very happy sunshin3.

It’s more drinks again this Thursday and i hope the stand-in boyfriend can hold his liquor well.

Sigh, i wish i could make my life more comfortable sometimes.