My friend who's been reading my blog asked me for an update on the work politics here. Well, there isn't much to update for now. The work schedule issue is still on hold. I guess the suggested changes will only be implemented in next month's schedule.
As for the 2 teams, no fights or unhappiness for the time being. *cross my fingers* Due to one member going on leave, we had some slight changes in the team members. A pair of sisters who were initially in different teams ended up in my team. That's a problem coz they are so close they must always be together. The younger sister is replacing the team member on leave, so of course i would expect her to take that team member's work station. And it happens to be the opposite station of her elder sister, meaning when the elder sister is at position 1, the younger sister will be at position 4, so they will seldom be working together and will exchange postitions at break times.
I know they aren't happy when i didn't allow them to be stationed together nor let them go for meals/breaks together. But work is work, u can't always expect to be with your relative or friend at work. And it's very common in companies where relatives are placed in different departments or teams deliberately. However i would try to be flexible sometimes , e.g. when one of us was on MC & the work station positions had to be adjusted to cope with the manpower shortage.
Talking about manpower shortage, we are the pitiful team with only 6 members (the other team has 7) & we have to depend on the manager's personal assistant to cover us for meal breaks. We usually can cope with just 5 persons by getting one person to cover 2 work stations. But our stupid manager insisted that there must be one person for each station, so he said his PA will cover for us during breaks. But his stupid PA is always late in coming to cover us for breaks, making my members very pissed off. Recently one of them was hopping mad when he didn't come to cover us for lunch on time, so she shouted into the walkie-talkie, ordering him to report to the station immediately! He didn't reply, so her boyfriend called him & he said "he's on his way". We decided to go ahead with our breaks without him coz we had no idea how long his "coming...on my way now" is gona take.
I'm not too bothered by his absence though. I feel that it's his responsibility to come and cover for breaks on time. If he's late, i'd just follow the usual practice of 1 person covering 2 stations & let my members go for their breaks. But when one member is on MC & our strength is down to 5, we would barely make it unless someone comes to help. Usually that "hero" is this particular indian general worker who's always helping us & taking care of us. On our recent full-day shift, one member was on MC & our hero was on leave. My manager was quite worried coz we had a VIP coming on that day as well. In the end my manager & his PA came to cover us during meal times. Knowing that the 2 of them can't cover us for long, we had to shorten our break times. At the end of the day when we added up all the meal & break times, we realised it's less than an hour! ~ 20mins each for lunch & dinner, 10mins for afternoon break. Despite the lack of rest, I'm proud to say that my team survived it! Girls, I'm so proud of u! It's just 4 more months to go... *jia you!!*
Any other matter to complain about? hmm.... the driving issue. It's still not settled. I'm really so sick & tired of fetching such a big group of people around. Past few days i was on morning shift. When work ended at 3.30pm, i'd drive the morning team home, then return at night to fetch the afternoon team home. Sometimes i'm very tired but i can't sleep early coz i've to fetch the afternoon shift. And sometimes the general workers & AV guys would join.... so i'd be fetching up to 12 persons home at night. It's very stressful to fetch so many people. What if we meet with an accident? *choy!!*
I'm back on afternoon shift for the rest of this week... then I'm off to Kyushu for almost the whole of next week. So prob no job complaints till i return... or so i thought... actually i still have lots to complain... this time about the visitors... but that'd probably in another blog entry coz there's a lot to complain about...
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Uneventful off-day
Well, as the title suggests, I spent my off-day doing nothing much.Woke up early in the morning to do household chores. I’m the only one at home who’s particular about cleanliness & tidiness. The other 2 roommates don’t really seem to bother. Maybe it’s because they know I’d do it? Or they don’t mind the mess?
I went for a haircut after that, followed by karaoke session. I had actually wanted to go alone, but 2 of my team members know that I’m going karaoke & suggested that we go together. It’s not very nice to reject them, so although I’d prefer having the room all to myself, I could not really do so. Maybe it’s the age gap or difference in music preference, whatever they sang didn’t interest me, neither did my choice of songs interest them. So I thought I might as well end the misery for both parties by leaving early. I had to buy some groceries & go home early anyway. So after just 2.5hrs at the karaoke, singing only a few of my list of songs, I left. I’m definitely going back for a longer session all by myself in future!
Back home I spent lots of time trying to figure out how to buy the bus ticket from Osaka to Kagoshima. And checking out the train schedule from Nagoya to Osaka. Read some blogs, surfed the net a little…. One of my team member & our wardrobe manager came over at night to chat with us. Then they started shopping online.... but I preferred to go dreamland. I’m saving up for next week’s trip, so shopping’s out for me for the time being…
That’s my off-day. Next week’s off day will be much more eventful coz I’d be traveling in Kyushu!! So excited now!! Look out for my Kyushu adventure updates here!
I went for a haircut after that, followed by karaoke session. I had actually wanted to go alone, but 2 of my team members know that I’m going karaoke & suggested that we go together. It’s not very nice to reject them, so although I’d prefer having the room all to myself, I could not really do so. Maybe it’s the age gap or difference in music preference, whatever they sang didn’t interest me, neither did my choice of songs interest them. So I thought I might as well end the misery for both parties by leaving early. I had to buy some groceries & go home early anyway. So after just 2.5hrs at the karaoke, singing only a few of my list of songs, I left. I’m definitely going back for a longer session all by myself in future!
Back home I spent lots of time trying to figure out how to buy the bus ticket from Osaka to Kagoshima. And checking out the train schedule from Nagoya to Osaka. Read some blogs, surfed the net a little…. One of my team member & our wardrobe manager came over at night to chat with us. Then they started shopping online.... but I preferred to go dreamland. I’m saving up for next week’s trip, so shopping’s out for me for the time being…
That’s my off-day. Next week’s off day will be much more eventful coz I’d be traveling in Kyushu!! So excited now!! Look out for my Kyushu adventure updates here!
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Updates
After informing a few close friends on the change of my blog address, I received a message from my long-lost frog prince. We’ve sort of lost contact for a period of time… guess he was busy with studies & work overseas. I was very surprised & happy to hear from him.
Dear Prince, if you are reading this, I want to let u know that I really miss you very much.
Wishing you were somehow here again ...
wishing you were somehow near ...
Sometimes it seemed ... if I just dreamed...
somehow you would be here . . .
Hope we have a chance to meet up in the near future… in S’pore, Japan, US or ???
The work schedule issue is on hold now, waiting for our manager to approve the suggested schedule. The 2 teams’ relationship is back to normal I guess… It’s been quite peaceful at work the past few days, no disputes or major problems. We had a short meeting with the Director of the Spore Pavilion 2 days ago. Apparently Spore Pavilion is ranked No. 1 among the other countries, and No. 6 after Japan’s corporate pavilions. Hmm… I really wonder what visitors see in our pavilion. Did they really enjoy being drenched by fake rain?
The director kept asking us for feedback but our team refused to comment anything coz we’ve agreed to discuss as a team first before voicing out to the management. Sometimes I wonder why we should bother to give feedback & suggestions when they don’t really act on them… but I still did a brief meeting with my team yesterday. Now I’m considering whether to brief my manager first about our feedback before the meeting, or inform both the director & my manager at the same time at the next meeting…
Work aside, I’ve an exciting plan coming up…A trip to Kagoshima!! Kagoshima is at the southern part of Kyushu. It’s very far from where I am now. I’d probably end up very broke after the trip but I’m still going coz I’ve a friend staying there. He’s my internet friend’s friend. We met at the Expo last month. Though we didn’t talk much to each other, I feel we’d get along pretty well, therefore I accepted his invitation to go to Kagoshima. Another friend of mine also highly recommended me to go to Kagoshima coz it's a beautiful place. I just bought a travel guidebook on Kyushu… need to plan the places to go to during my 4 days there. I’m so excited!!
My recent off-day was spent on grocery shopping & at the Expo. Yes, I finally went to explore the Expo after working there for almost 2 months! I went to Global Common 1 which consists of the Middle East countries, China, India, Korea… Most of the pavilions are impressive from outside but boring inside. I just popped in & out of pavilions, spending less than 15 mins in each pavilion coz it’s so boring, the exception being the Korea pavilion. Most pavilions are like mini trade fairs, selling jewelry & souvenirs. The Korea pavilion is different ~very impressive artistic design inside the pavilion. I liked their 3-D animation movie most ~ nice soundtrack, and the ending was so touching that I nearly cried.
After I was done with Global Common 1 pavilions, I went to watch the “Evening at the Koi Pond”show which is supposedly similar to the musical fountain at Sentosa. What a disappointment it was! I gave up on it after 10mins into it… I wonder how many would watch thru the full 30mins show. My last stop was at the Earth Tower which features the world’s largest kaleidoscope. Queued for 15 mins, looked at the kaleidoscope for 5 mins & I’m done. Beautiful but can’t keep my interest for long. Moreover I had to return to the S’pore pavilion to go home with the team who’s on duty. I didn’t take any photos at all coz nothing’s that nice, or maybe I’m so sick of the whole site… Hope it’d be more interesting at the other pavilions that I’ve yet to visit…
For this coming off-day I’ve originally planned a trip to an amusement park at Mie prefecture, but because some of us can’t make it, it’s postponed. Quite disappointed coz I’ve been looking forward to it. But it’s a blessing in disguise as well coz I need to save up for the Kagoshima trip. Hmm….for this coming off-day I’d probably just go cut my hair & sing karaoke alone… I miss singing my Glay songs!!
1 comment:
Karaoke??!!!!!....I WAN TO GO!!...Miss those days in Okazaki where we were singing and screaming away like crazy, together with yr Kakis! And not forgetting the freezing COLD weather and the Bicycle experience! ahahaha
Dear Prince, if you are reading this, I want to let u know that I really miss you very much.
Wishing you were somehow here again ...
wishing you were somehow near ...
Sometimes it seemed ... if I just dreamed...
somehow you would be here . . .
Hope we have a chance to meet up in the near future… in S’pore, Japan, US or ???
The work schedule issue is on hold now, waiting for our manager to approve the suggested schedule. The 2 teams’ relationship is back to normal I guess… It’s been quite peaceful at work the past few days, no disputes or major problems. We had a short meeting with the Director of the Spore Pavilion 2 days ago. Apparently Spore Pavilion is ranked No. 1 among the other countries, and No. 6 after Japan’s corporate pavilions. Hmm… I really wonder what visitors see in our pavilion. Did they really enjoy being drenched by fake rain?
The director kept asking us for feedback but our team refused to comment anything coz we’ve agreed to discuss as a team first before voicing out to the management. Sometimes I wonder why we should bother to give feedback & suggestions when they don’t really act on them… but I still did a brief meeting with my team yesterday. Now I’m considering whether to brief my manager first about our feedback before the meeting, or inform both the director & my manager at the same time at the next meeting…
Work aside, I’ve an exciting plan coming up…A trip to Kagoshima!! Kagoshima is at the southern part of Kyushu. It’s very far from where I am now. I’d probably end up very broke after the trip but I’m still going coz I’ve a friend staying there. He’s my internet friend’s friend. We met at the Expo last month. Though we didn’t talk much to each other, I feel we’d get along pretty well, therefore I accepted his invitation to go to Kagoshima. Another friend of mine also highly recommended me to go to Kagoshima coz it's a beautiful place. I just bought a travel guidebook on Kyushu… need to plan the places to go to during my 4 days there. I’m so excited!!
My recent off-day was spent on grocery shopping & at the Expo. Yes, I finally went to explore the Expo after working there for almost 2 months! I went to Global Common 1 which consists of the Middle East countries, China, India, Korea… Most of the pavilions are impressive from outside but boring inside. I just popped in & out of pavilions, spending less than 15 mins in each pavilion coz it’s so boring, the exception being the Korea pavilion. Most pavilions are like mini trade fairs, selling jewelry & souvenirs. The Korea pavilion is different ~very impressive artistic design inside the pavilion. I liked their 3-D animation movie most ~ nice soundtrack, and the ending was so touching that I nearly cried.
After I was done with Global Common 1 pavilions, I went to watch the “Evening at the Koi Pond”show which is supposedly similar to the musical fountain at Sentosa. What a disappointment it was! I gave up on it after 10mins into it… I wonder how many would watch thru the full 30mins show. My last stop was at the Earth Tower which features the world’s largest kaleidoscope. Queued for 15 mins, looked at the kaleidoscope for 5 mins & I’m done. Beautiful but can’t keep my interest for long. Moreover I had to return to the S’pore pavilion to go home with the team who’s on duty. I didn’t take any photos at all coz nothing’s that nice, or maybe I’m so sick of the whole site… Hope it’d be more interesting at the other pavilions that I’ve yet to visit…
For this coming off-day I’ve originally planned a trip to an amusement park at Mie prefecture, but because some of us can’t make it, it’s postponed. Quite disappointed coz I’ve been looking forward to it. But it’s a blessing in disguise as well coz I need to save up for the Kagoshima trip. Hmm….for this coming off-day I’d probably just go cut my hair & sing karaoke alone… I miss singing my Glay songs!!
1 comment:
Karaoke??!!!!!....I WAN TO GO!!...Miss those days in Okazaki where we were singing and screaming away like crazy, together with yr Kakis! And not forgetting the freezing COLD weather and the Bicycle experience! ahahaha
Monday, May 09, 2005
It's the work schedule issue again - Part 2
The work schedule issue is driving me NUTZ!!
This morning, I was informed by my team member that the schedule has been changed again. The moment I reached the pavilion in the afternoon, Team B’s members also informed me about it. And one of Team B’s members kept asking me about my opinion on the schedule ~ what our team wants so that she could do a proper proposal on a schedule that would be fair to both teams.
I’m already fuming mad from the sudden changes in schedule & she kept talking to me about it, explaining herself about the issue as she’s apparently the one who suggested the initial change of schedule. And it’s meant to be just her “personal suggestion”… Well, our dumb manager assumed it represented the views of the whole team & came up with that 2nd schedule which pissed Team B off, so they clarified themselves & he came up with the 3rd schedule which pissed us off.
And last nite someone from my team complained about it to the manager (w/o anyone knowing) and he changed it again this morning, pissing everyone off now! I’m of course mad at the member for complaining to the manager, thus causing this sudden change in schedule. I’ve since told her off about it. She’s quite apologetic about it. Haiz… guess whoever suggested anything related to the schedule didn’t expect their casual remark/suggestion to cause so much trouble. I don’t blame them cause I know they meant well when they suggested the changes, but sometimes I can’t help but be mad with them due to the trouble created as a result of it.
Damn that stupid manager for not using his brains when planning schedule or implementing suggestions. Looking at the way the manager works now, I think we’d better think twice before making any suggestions in front of him. Hmm…maybe we should agree on the procedure of discussing with everyone before voicing any suggestions to that dumb manager. No doubt it means it’d take a longer time to get things done, but at least everyone is aware of & agreeable to the suggestions.
Sighz… this has become a team vs team issue as well. One member of my team didn’t want to change shift coz she didn’t want to work with the other team. And that pissed one of the members off and she wanted to trash things out. She felt it’s related to the shift schedule issue as well. I really have no idea why my member refused to join the other team… probably she’s too used to our style of working & didn’t want to change. But this came at the wrong timing ~ when we are still in process of solving the work schedule issue. Now everything’s lumped up together… sighz…
I’m not that angry over the schedule thingy anymore but guess I need time to revert back to the same old me when facing Team B. Since the schedule saga started, I find it difficult to joke with them like I always do. Seems like other members of my team feels the same way too… we don’t know how to face them as if nothing happened. Sighz…I really hope things would be back to normal soon….we mustn’t let this matter spoil our friendship & team spirit… what can be done now? Will someone pls teach me??
This morning, I was informed by my team member that the schedule has been changed again. The moment I reached the pavilion in the afternoon, Team B’s members also informed me about it. And one of Team B’s members kept asking me about my opinion on the schedule ~ what our team wants so that she could do a proper proposal on a schedule that would be fair to both teams.
I’m already fuming mad from the sudden changes in schedule & she kept talking to me about it, explaining herself about the issue as she’s apparently the one who suggested the initial change of schedule. And it’s meant to be just her “personal suggestion”… Well, our dumb manager assumed it represented the views of the whole team & came up with that 2nd schedule which pissed Team B off, so they clarified themselves & he came up with the 3rd schedule which pissed us off.
And last nite someone from my team complained about it to the manager (w/o anyone knowing) and he changed it again this morning, pissing everyone off now! I’m of course mad at the member for complaining to the manager, thus causing this sudden change in schedule. I’ve since told her off about it. She’s quite apologetic about it. Haiz… guess whoever suggested anything related to the schedule didn’t expect their casual remark/suggestion to cause so much trouble. I don’t blame them cause I know they meant well when they suggested the changes, but sometimes I can’t help but be mad with them due to the trouble created as a result of it.
Damn that stupid manager for not using his brains when planning schedule or implementing suggestions. Looking at the way the manager works now, I think we’d better think twice before making any suggestions in front of him. Hmm…maybe we should agree on the procedure of discussing with everyone before voicing any suggestions to that dumb manager. No doubt it means it’d take a longer time to get things done, but at least everyone is aware of & agreeable to the suggestions.
Sighz… this has become a team vs team issue as well. One member of my team didn’t want to change shift coz she didn’t want to work with the other team. And that pissed one of the members off and she wanted to trash things out. She felt it’s related to the shift schedule issue as well. I really have no idea why my member refused to join the other team… probably she’s too used to our style of working & didn’t want to change. But this came at the wrong timing ~ when we are still in process of solving the work schedule issue. Now everything’s lumped up together… sighz…
I’m not that angry over the schedule thingy anymore but guess I need time to revert back to the same old me when facing Team B. Since the schedule saga started, I find it difficult to joke with them like I always do. Seems like other members of my team feels the same way too… we don’t know how to face them as if nothing happened. Sighz…I really hope things would be back to normal soon….we mustn’t let this matter spoil our friendship & team spirit… what can be done now? Will someone pls teach me??
We are not full-time drivers!
Just in case you aren't aware of this... i'm one of the 2 drivers for the guides. I was stupid enough to apply for an international driving license when my manager requested me to do so. There're only 2 persons with this license among the guides, so we were arrowed to be the team leader cum driver. Damn the manager! We aren't paid extra yet we hold additional portfolio! Extra responsibilities = extra stress.
Today one of my team members requested that I fetch her home at night in case she can’t catch the last bus tomorrow coz she's going out. I turned her down immediately. Felt bad to be doing that, coz that means she would have to walk at least 40mins home from the train station. I’m actually ok with fetching her home, but if I agree to that, this would make me & Team B’s leader their personal drivers. Before long everyone would be expecting us to fetch them home late at night. So I had to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Some members are already taking us for granted, fetching them around. We often feel obliged to agree to their requests coz where we stay is quite inaccessible, but I guess there should be a limit to everything. We didn’t come here as full-time drivers. As if our own guiding job isn’t tiring enough, we now have an additional burden of driving. We’ve been pressing our manager to settle this driver issue but nothing’s been done yet. Probably one day we’d both go on strike then he’d do something…
Today one of my team members requested that I fetch her home at night in case she can’t catch the last bus tomorrow coz she's going out. I turned her down immediately. Felt bad to be doing that, coz that means she would have to walk at least 40mins home from the train station. I’m actually ok with fetching her home, but if I agree to that, this would make me & Team B’s leader their personal drivers. Before long everyone would be expecting us to fetch them home late at night. So I had to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Some members are already taking us for granted, fetching them around. We often feel obliged to agree to their requests coz where we stay is quite inaccessible, but I guess there should be a limit to everything. We didn’t come here as full-time drivers. As if our own guiding job isn’t tiring enough, we now have an additional burden of driving. We’ve been pressing our manager to settle this driver issue but nothing’s been done yet. Probably one day we’d both go on strike then he’d do something…
It's the work schedule issue again - Part 1
Remember my complaint about the work schedule?
Someone from Team B came to ask me about the schedule yesterday, whether my team’s ok with it, and she wanted to discuss it further. However I was in a rush so didn’t get to discuss it with her. Soon after Team B’s leader approached me to discuss about the schedule as well. Seems like they either realized the schedule’s unfair towards us or they know we are pissed off with them over this, coz I don’t remember them being so enthusiastic about discussing the schedule when they first suggested it to the manager without informing us. Anyway, that’s the past. Let’s hope this schedule issue can be settled soon.
I realized I’ve misunderstood Team B’s leader when we trashed things out yesterday. Apparently he didn’t have much say over this matter. Hmm…seems like he has problems with his team members who don’t seem to be respecting his authority. It’s tough on both parties (leader & members) coz we are peers on the same hierarchy, what right do we have to enforce our authority on them even though we are appointed team leaders? Guess I’m lucky that my team members still give me a bit of “face”. But i'm still not too pleased that after the 2nd schedule was out, he didn't discuss it in detail with my team before approaching the manager to change it. On one hand i give him the benefit of doubt on not knowing what his members has suggested to the manager regarding the schedule. On the other hand, knowing that he did approach the manager about it, i can't help but feel that he does know what's going on & is in a way involved in it.
End of Golden Week holidays
Finally had my 12 hours of sleep, but still feel tired… Been sleeping late & waking up early these days, and 2 consecutive days of hangover made me so tired that I went to dreamland almost immediately after I went to bed and didn’t wake up till 11am this morning. There’s another fireworks outing last night. Didn’t join them coz it’s too cold outside & I’m quite tired. Sighz… missed 2 fireworks outing already… When will be the next one?
The Golden Week holidays are finally over, meaning working hours are back to normal. However it also signals the start of our “yellow cap zombies” nightmare. “Yellow cap zombies” = Japanese elementary school kids. They are a nightmare coz they come in big groups of 20 – 80 (record was 160 of them!!), snatch umbrellas, duno how to open/close umbrellas, scream when it rains, point (read: poke) the umbrella at us… *headache*
I'm on afternoon shift today. Think it won't be crowded... would prob just be like the usual crowd before the GW holidays. But this "good period" will end once i'm back on morning shift... *it's the yellow caps!!*
The Golden Week holidays are finally over, meaning working hours are back to normal. However it also signals the start of our “yellow cap zombies” nightmare. “Yellow cap zombies” = Japanese elementary school kids. They are a nightmare coz they come in big groups of 20 – 80 (record was 160 of them!!), snatch umbrellas, duno how to open/close umbrellas, scream when it rains, point (read: poke) the umbrella at us… *headache*
I'm on afternoon shift today. Think it won't be crowded... would prob just be like the usual crowd before the GW holidays. But this "good period" will end once i'm back on morning shift... *it's the yellow caps!!*
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Work schedule woes
Woke up early yesterday & couldn't get back to dreamland. Instead of idling around, I started researching for information on hot-springs around Nagoya. Most are quite far & expensive, so I settled for an amusement park that has hot-springs in there as well. Did a simple proposal & sent it out to the guides... wonder if they’d be keen to go...
It's still early after the above was done, so I went to explore my surroundings with another member. We went to a park nearby... quite ulu but nice place for hiking. Tempted to start hiking immediately but didn’t wana risk falling coz we were wearing flip-flop slippers. Hmm... maybe I should organize a group hiking trip there!
We were on afternoon shift, so cooked lunch at home. My roommates cooked fried rice ~ delicious!! I’m trying to lose weight so had to resist eating too much of it, but I can’t resist cheese and wine. Craved for it 2 nights ago & bought it from a supermarket after work. The Japanese red wine was a disappointment but I love the cheese!! I wanted to get another bottle of red wine last night but everyone wanted to go home early so I dropped the idea. Settled for the remaining Jap red wine, followed by Umeshu (plum liqueur). Think I drank too much last night, my face turned very red and there were red patches all over my arm & legs… still have a bit of hangover now…
There was a fireworks outing last night, but I didn’t join them as it’s windy & cold. Didn’t want to take unnecessary risks with fireworks. Stayed at home to drink & surf net & chat with my roommates…
After work, we were informed that the shift schedule has been changed according to suggestions by Team B. I knew things were bad the moment I saw one of my team member’s face turn black when she saw the new schedule. She remarked loudly that the new schedule is unfair. I tried to calm her down a little and told her we’d discuss it at home instead. At home, she said “Team B’s members had better not step into my room today...” Hahahaa…
Back home, a few of us studied the schedule together. Compared to the first 2 schedules, this new schedule is quite unfair towards us. I don’t ask for a schedule that favors us only, but at least one that is fair to both teams as far as possible. The original schedule by the manager was taxing for both teams. The 2nd schedule suggested by Team B but misunderstood by the manager was a little taxing for them on a few days, but I had suggested that we can switch the shifts during that few days to make it better for them, but they weren’t keen on it. Instead they went to push for this new schedule which seems to make life better for them only.
I’m very disappointed with Team B’s leader for not discussing this issue with my team before proposing it to the manager. This schedule not only affects them, but us as well. We are 2 teams working separately but what we do will affect each other. Don’t they get the point? How can I teach them to get out of their “I, me, myself” mentality? The world doesn’t revolve around them. To say they are still young isn’t a good excuse… I’ve much younger members in my team but I’m very impressed by their level of maturity & team community spirit. We are a team, we have to be united & care for one another. Whatever we do, we must consider how it would affect the rest of the members.
A neutral party has suggested that we trash this issue out with Team B. In my opinion, if this works I’d definitely do so. But from what I see, no matter how the schedule is changed, there is bound to be one team that will be affected unless we can do slight changes during that few taxing days. This, I’ve suggested when the 2nd schedule was out but Team B wasn’t receptive to my suggestion. Our manager isn’t too pleased with the request in change of schedule as well.
I plan to do a lunch meeting with my team later to discuss on this matter. I’d suggest leaving the schedule as it is and look at June’s schedule to see if it’s fair to us. I wish to encourage them to persevere on, take things in our stride ~ we are short of manpower but we will not to let this fact affect us. We’d try to make do with this shortage & help cover each other if one gets too tired.
1 comment:
OMG! It's getting political manz! Lata beta Be prepared to bring some parangs, beer bottles, chairs, wooden planks etc. in case negotiation fails! ahahahahhaa....Ok, juz mi crapping again!Anywayz, it's like tat one...duno why some ppl so selfish...wonder in their previous life are they fisherman or something. My office now oso got 1 gal...so f**k-up! Same mentality..."I, me, myself". Duno wat's their problem hor! Kaoz!
It's still early after the above was done, so I went to explore my surroundings with another member. We went to a park nearby... quite ulu but nice place for hiking. Tempted to start hiking immediately but didn’t wana risk falling coz we were wearing flip-flop slippers. Hmm... maybe I should organize a group hiking trip there!
We were on afternoon shift, so cooked lunch at home. My roommates cooked fried rice ~ delicious!! I’m trying to lose weight so had to resist eating too much of it, but I can’t resist cheese and wine. Craved for it 2 nights ago & bought it from a supermarket after work. The Japanese red wine was a disappointment but I love the cheese!! I wanted to get another bottle of red wine last night but everyone wanted to go home early so I dropped the idea. Settled for the remaining Jap red wine, followed by Umeshu (plum liqueur). Think I drank too much last night, my face turned very red and there were red patches all over my arm & legs… still have a bit of hangover now…
There was a fireworks outing last night, but I didn’t join them as it’s windy & cold. Didn’t want to take unnecessary risks with fireworks. Stayed at home to drink & surf net & chat with my roommates…
After work, we were informed that the shift schedule has been changed according to suggestions by Team B. I knew things were bad the moment I saw one of my team member’s face turn black when she saw the new schedule. She remarked loudly that the new schedule is unfair. I tried to calm her down a little and told her we’d discuss it at home instead. At home, she said “Team B’s members had better not step into my room today...” Hahahaa…
Back home, a few of us studied the schedule together. Compared to the first 2 schedules, this new schedule is quite unfair towards us. I don’t ask for a schedule that favors us only, but at least one that is fair to both teams as far as possible. The original schedule by the manager was taxing for both teams. The 2nd schedule suggested by Team B but misunderstood by the manager was a little taxing for them on a few days, but I had suggested that we can switch the shifts during that few days to make it better for them, but they weren’t keen on it. Instead they went to push for this new schedule which seems to make life better for them only.
I’m very disappointed with Team B’s leader for not discussing this issue with my team before proposing it to the manager. This schedule not only affects them, but us as well. We are 2 teams working separately but what we do will affect each other. Don’t they get the point? How can I teach them to get out of their “I, me, myself” mentality? The world doesn’t revolve around them. To say they are still young isn’t a good excuse… I’ve much younger members in my team but I’m very impressed by their level of maturity & team community spirit. We are a team, we have to be united & care for one another. Whatever we do, we must consider how it would affect the rest of the members.
A neutral party has suggested that we trash this issue out with Team B. In my opinion, if this works I’d definitely do so. But from what I see, no matter how the schedule is changed, there is bound to be one team that will be affected unless we can do slight changes during that few taxing days. This, I’ve suggested when the 2nd schedule was out but Team B wasn’t receptive to my suggestion. Our manager isn’t too pleased with the request in change of schedule as well.
I plan to do a lunch meeting with my team later to discuss on this matter. I’d suggest leaving the schedule as it is and look at June’s schedule to see if it’s fair to us. I wish to encourage them to persevere on, take things in our stride ~ we are short of manpower but we will not to let this fact affect us. We’d try to make do with this shortage & help cover each other if one gets too tired.
1 comment:
OMG! It's getting political manz! Lata beta Be prepared to bring some parangs, beer bottles, chairs, wooden planks etc. in case negotiation fails! ahahahahhaa....Ok, juz mi crapping again!Anywayz, it's like tat one...duno why some ppl so selfish...wonder in their previous life are they fisherman or something. My office now oso got 1 gal...so f**k-up! Same mentality..."I, me, myself". Duno wat's their problem hor! Kaoz!
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Do you hear the people sing?
Do you hear the people sing? Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start when tomorrow comes!
Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?
Then join in the fight that will give you the right to be free!!
Do you hear the people sing? Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start when tomorrow comes!
Will you give all you can give so that our banner may advance
Some will fall and some will live will you stand up and take your chance?
The blood of the martyrs will water the meadows of France!
Do you hear the people sing? Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start when tomorrow comes
This song from the musical "Les Miserables" has been running thru my mind the whole day... and i've been crazy enough to be singing it at work. Come to think of it, it fits the mood of the guides here! Remember we are the S'pore Pavilion slaves? hahaha...
I used to be crazy over this musical. Learnt the songs during my secondary school choir days. Watched the musical twice. Bought the cassette (CD was too expensive during those times), later bought the LD, then DVD. Tried to play the pieces on piano as well. This is how crazy i was over it! Wonder why my craze for it started today... straight after i reached home from work i started searching for its mp3. Failed, but managed to get Realplayer version. Not of good sound quality, but at least i still get to listen to it! Do listen to it if you can... i'm sure you'd like it too!
2 comments:
Heya Princess BaoBao! So glad to hear from you... Les Miserable indeed! The Phantom of the Opera (theatre) is coming to Columbus, OH this August! Whooot! ^o^Aiyoh, I'm so very guilty of losing contact! Sumimasen!!! (^^;) Oh yah hoh... when you are planning your little trip back to the Land of the Rising Sun?! Let me know, 'k? And do KIT, sweetie, thanks! Lurve ya, *smoochie* Edz
Oops. Typo in my previous comment... what I meant to say was when did you plan to stay (for _good_?) in the Land of the Rising Sun? ;)Hahah... Ok, seeya around! I think. Maybe. Errmm... well, I probably won't be going back to Singapore anytime soon, so if you can (ever) spare some time to fly about, let me know and then mabbie we can meet half-way the Pacific... in Hawaii, ok? OK... ^_^Luv,Edz
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start when tomorrow comes!
Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?
Then join in the fight that will give you the right to be free!!
Do you hear the people sing? Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start when tomorrow comes!
Will you give all you can give so that our banner may advance
Some will fall and some will live will you stand up and take your chance?
The blood of the martyrs will water the meadows of France!
Do you hear the people sing? Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start when tomorrow comes
This song from the musical "Les Miserables" has been running thru my mind the whole day... and i've been crazy enough to be singing it at work. Come to think of it, it fits the mood of the guides here! Remember we are the S'pore Pavilion slaves? hahaha...
I used to be crazy over this musical. Learnt the songs during my secondary school choir days. Watched the musical twice. Bought the cassette (CD was too expensive during those times), later bought the LD, then DVD. Tried to play the pieces on piano as well. This is how crazy i was over it! Wonder why my craze for it started today... straight after i reached home from work i started searching for its mp3. Failed, but managed to get Realplayer version. Not of good sound quality, but at least i still get to listen to it! Do listen to it if you can... i'm sure you'd like it too!
2 comments:
Heya Princess BaoBao! So glad to hear from you... Les Miserable indeed! The Phantom of the Opera (theatre) is coming to Columbus, OH this August! Whooot! ^o^Aiyoh, I'm so very guilty of losing contact! Sumimasen!!! (^^;) Oh yah hoh... when you are planning your little trip back to the Land of the Rising Sun?! Let me know, 'k? And do KIT, sweetie, thanks! Lurve ya, *smoochie* Edz
Oops. Typo in my previous comment... what I meant to say was when did you plan to stay (for _good_?) in the Land of the Rising Sun? ;)Hahah... Ok, seeya around! I think. Maybe. Errmm... well, I probably won't be going back to Singapore anytime soon, so if you can (ever) spare some time to fly about, let me know and then mabbie we can meet half-way the Pacific... in Hawaii, ok? OK... ^_^Luv,Edz
Friday, May 06, 2005
Off days....
Like the new look of this blog? Since my team usually do not go out before & after work when we are on afternoon shift, I have lots of time to update this blog… so happy to find this sunflower blog template… This week’s off-day was spent doing nothing much. Together with another team member, I went to search for a particular big shopping mall but failed to find it. However along the way we found a nice park & areas with beautiful greenery. We’d probably plan a picnic session there one day! Went shopping at a small shopping mall ~ bought a pair of cheap shoes specially for work at the pavilion. Did grocery shopping as well. Spent the rest of the day doing household chores & cleaned up the van with 2 other members.Hmm…. the next off-day’s coming soon… what shall I do then?
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Golden week nightmare
This week’s the Golden Week in Japan ~ week of consecutive public holidays. It’s GW to them, but Nightmare Week to us. Working hours are extended & the crowd increased tremendously. My team’s the “lucky” team that did a full-day shift when the extended hours were implemented. It’s just an extra hour of work, but it has a great impact on us psychologically, esp. since we dread full-day shifts (usually 12.5 hrs).
On that full-shift day, one team member was down with flu and left early. So it’s just 5 of us on duty, stretched to the limit. Meal times had to be shortened and break time was cancelled to cope it. We had to depend on our “hero” ~ a general worker there ~ to help us during those times.I'm so glad the shift schedule has been changed such that we don't have to do the morning shift the day after the full day. After the crazy full-day, today's afternoon shift ended early coz there wasn't much crowd. Another 3 more days of GW holidays to go...
On that full-shift day, one team member was down with flu and left early. So it’s just 5 of us on duty, stretched to the limit. Meal times had to be shortened and break time was cancelled to cope it. We had to depend on our “hero” ~ a general worker there ~ to help us during those times.I'm so glad the shift schedule has been changed such that we don't have to do the morning shift the day after the full day. After the crazy full-day, today's afternoon shift ended early coz there wasn't much crowd. Another 3 more days of GW holidays to go...
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Escape route found?
Escape from what?? From life of a S’pore pavilion slave!Life sucks as a guide at the S’pore pavilion. I’ve not been more miserable about work than this I think. I’ve been writing about this on this blog, of which my sis is a fan of it. She cares a lot about me and felt that my parents should be aware of what’s going on in Japan now, so that they can find a way to help me. I didn’t tell my parents what I was going thru as I didn’t want to worry them.
I was very surprised when my close friend told me that my mum & sis told her to persuade me to quit this job. “Oh no, now my parents know about this!” I spoke to my sis online and was told that my parents are sad that I’m going thru this s*** in Japan and wants me to go back to S’pore. They are very serious about it, with my dad asking me to send my contract back to S’pore so that he could get his lawyer to check the contract, whether I could break the contract without having to pay any compensation to the company.Take the escape route? Or carry on with life of a slave?
I really wish I can quit this job. I knew this job has no relevance to my career plans, but it could help me brush up on my Japanese. However I ended up with duties at the pavilion that allowed very little interaction with the Japanese visitors ~ mostly menial work of distributing & collection of umbrellas. I thot “if I work in Singapore, what I learn in a day there would prob be equivalent to what I learn here in the whole 6 months”. When I thought thru this deeply, I realized that it’s not the quantity of what I learn that matters, it’s the value of what I learn that’s important.
No doubt I learn nothing from menial tasks at the pavilion, but I learn how to interact with people from different walks of life, manage a team, improve my interpersonal skills. I learn how to manage my emotions as well. I still go thru extreme mood swings occasionally but I’m trying to control it better in order not to affect other people.
When I knew of this escape route home I was both happy & troubled. On one hand I can’t wait to quit, on the other, I didn’t want to leave the team. If this was right in the beginning when we first started, I’d have jumped at this chance to leave. But after having worked together for a month, going thru all the s*** together, I can’t bring myself to just leave like this.
Think of the implications… we are already short of manpower, if I leave & no replacement is found, the remaining team would suffer, esp. if some others follow suit. If I quit, what would happen to the morale of the remaining members? As it is, morale is pretty low now & I don’t wish to make it worse by quitting, leaving behind people who wish to leave but can’t do so due to various reasons. Unless the whole team leaves together, my departure would not be a show of battle against the management, but start of an additional workload nightmare for the remaining team. I love my team of guides and want to be there for & with them. We will survive thru the remaining 5 months together.
Although this job is physically taxing & frustrating, I’d try to find ways to cheer myself up. I guess this is the most important lesson I’ve learnt here so far ~ to take things in stride and be positive. And I would say that being with a great team helps.
I’m a happier person ever since I knew of this escape route. It’s not knowing this route that I’m happy ~ it’s knowing that my family is behind me, supporting me that I’m touched and happy with. I’ve learnt to appreciate my family more, not to take them for granted. From this matter, I’ve also learnt to consider beyond my own needs & to think about others. Being able to care for & share with others is a joy. Trust me! To all at home, thanks for the possible escape route. Thanks but no thanks, I’d persevere till the end. I’d not be a quitter!
I was very surprised when my close friend told me that my mum & sis told her to persuade me to quit this job. “Oh no, now my parents know about this!” I spoke to my sis online and was told that my parents are sad that I’m going thru this s*** in Japan and wants me to go back to S’pore. They are very serious about it, with my dad asking me to send my contract back to S’pore so that he could get his lawyer to check the contract, whether I could break the contract without having to pay any compensation to the company.Take the escape route? Or carry on with life of a slave?
I really wish I can quit this job. I knew this job has no relevance to my career plans, but it could help me brush up on my Japanese. However I ended up with duties at the pavilion that allowed very little interaction with the Japanese visitors ~ mostly menial work of distributing & collection of umbrellas. I thot “if I work in Singapore, what I learn in a day there would prob be equivalent to what I learn here in the whole 6 months”. When I thought thru this deeply, I realized that it’s not the quantity of what I learn that matters, it’s the value of what I learn that’s important.
No doubt I learn nothing from menial tasks at the pavilion, but I learn how to interact with people from different walks of life, manage a team, improve my interpersonal skills. I learn how to manage my emotions as well. I still go thru extreme mood swings occasionally but I’m trying to control it better in order not to affect other people.
When I knew of this escape route home I was both happy & troubled. On one hand I can’t wait to quit, on the other, I didn’t want to leave the team. If this was right in the beginning when we first started, I’d have jumped at this chance to leave. But after having worked together for a month, going thru all the s*** together, I can’t bring myself to just leave like this.
Think of the implications… we are already short of manpower, if I leave & no replacement is found, the remaining team would suffer, esp. if some others follow suit. If I quit, what would happen to the morale of the remaining members? As it is, morale is pretty low now & I don’t wish to make it worse by quitting, leaving behind people who wish to leave but can’t do so due to various reasons. Unless the whole team leaves together, my departure would not be a show of battle against the management, but start of an additional workload nightmare for the remaining team. I love my team of guides and want to be there for & with them. We will survive thru the remaining 5 months together.
Although this job is physically taxing & frustrating, I’d try to find ways to cheer myself up. I guess this is the most important lesson I’ve learnt here so far ~ to take things in stride and be positive. And I would say that being with a great team helps.
I’m a happier person ever since I knew of this escape route. It’s not knowing this route that I’m happy ~ it’s knowing that my family is behind me, supporting me that I’m touched and happy with. I’ve learnt to appreciate my family more, not to take them for granted. From this matter, I’ve also learnt to consider beyond my own needs & to think about others. Being able to care for & share with others is a joy. Trust me! To all at home, thanks for the possible escape route. Thanks but no thanks, I’d persevere till the end. I’d not be a quitter!
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