Sometimes I feel like I get taken for granted.

Usually when someone asks me to do something for them, if I am able to do it, I normally wouldn’t say no.

But sometimes, I just wish people would put in a little effort to try to sort their tasks themselves before asking me to do it for them, especially when the information is readily available and all they need to do is put in a little bit of effort to digest and make sense of the information.

I find that a lot of people would just look at a task on hand and immediately say “I don’t know how” before trying to dig a little deeper to find out the details and how to go about completing the task. And mind you, this is not only work-related. And it bugs me because when they ask me to do it and I find the information so easily on how to complete the task, I’m like “Did they even try?”.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m more than happy to help someone out, especially if they are having problems or incapacitated to perform their tasks. But it annoys me when people, who are perfectly capable of carrying out their tasks, don’t make the effort to do so before asking someone else to do it.

You are busy, I am busy, everyone is busy. Although I am happy to help you out, it would be helpful if you put in some effort and try to do your homework to complete your task before giving up and asking me to do it.

I should learn how to say ‘no’ sometimes. Because trying to juggle my work and schedule, AND worrying/thinking about other people’s tasks is just too much.

Ugh.

Fever + aching limbs + runny nose + sneezing fits + sore throat = perfect recipe for the flu.

Am annoyed with the doc who told me to get the flu jab because although I know it doesn’t prevent all strains of flu, it didn’t decrease the severeness of the symptoms of those it doesn’t protect against. Especially when the doc who was pushing for me to take the jab told me “Oh, even when I get flu now, I only get very mild symptoms and can continue working.”

Bleargh. Did she forget to mention that different people react differently to it? It’s all about setting expectations, man. Hmph.

This bout of flu put me out of commission for 2.5 days.

Update

A friend remarked that she doesn’t mind getting asked the “When are you having kids” question because it shows that people are concerned and that they care.

Well, good for her if this makes her feel good.

But for me, I strongly disagree with this if I were in the same situation. I’m a private person – always have been, most likely always will be – and questions like this annoy me and make me uncomfortable. Call me sensitive or whatever, but it is MY life, MY decision to make and MY decision if I choose to discuss this topic with anyone aside from my partner. And no, I do not wish to discuss this topic with anyone aside from my partner. Why don’t people get this?

And it gets on my nerves when people try to frame the question like another third party had asked it (which may or may not be true) but they are just as interested to find out the answer.

Thank gawd I only encountered 3 instances of this during this CNY. That’s 3 instances too many for my liking but it could’ve been worse. Phew.

~~~~~

What I’m NOT looking forward to this Chinese New Year is people (read : family and/or relatives) asking me/us when we are planning to have kids *rolls eyes*

I think of all the personal questions one usually gets bombarded with by people who think they are showing concern (e.g. do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, when are you getting married, why are you still single, etc.), ”When are you going to have a kid” is the most impolite (in my humble opinion) question and I detest it.

Why would I want to announce to the world when/if I plan to have a kid? As far as I’m concerned, this is none of anyone’s business except mine and my partner’s. In another scenario, imagine a couple who has been trying significantly long to have a child but were unsuccessful. How would they feel if people kept bringing up the topic and harping on the fact that they still haven’t had a kid yet?

Anyway, this is one part of the Asian culture which I could do without i.e. people automatically assuming that you are ready to start popping out spawn the moment the reception is over *rolls eyes again* As if that is the only reason to get married. Sure, it might be true for some people and they can do whatever they want for all I care, but I do not wish to be lumped in the same category.

People might think they are being caring by asking these questions but seriously, it is such an intrusion. Because most likely I won’t be able to tell the person off; I just have to grit my teeth and pretend to appreciate the concern *barf*

When people tell you it’s the biggest day of your life, don’t ever believe it.

Because you know what? It isn’t yours to begin with.

I get very irritated when people don’t know how to keep public restrooms clean.

You’d think corporate people would be more civic-minded but no, they are not.

I am especially annoyed when they don’t clean up their mess after they use the toilet because I have to clean it up so that the next person who uses it after me (when there’s a queue) doesn’t think that I am the one who made the mess.

Maybe some people need a crash course on how to use public toilets.

1. Pee in the correct hole.
2. Flush the toilet when you are done.
3. Clean/wipe the toilet seat if you had any mis-aims or accidents.
4. Throw tissues into the dustbin provided or flush them down the toilet.
5. Use the bidet properly i.e. don’t wet the entire stall.
6. Throw sanity napkins into the disposal provided and make sure it’s gone down completely. Don’t just leave it on TOP of the lid.
7. When the restroom is crowded, don’t flick your hands to shake of water after you’re done washing your hands. People do not appreciate being sprayed with water on their legs and/or pants.

Seriously, how difficult is it to clean up after yourself after using the washroom and apply the fundamentals??

Project A : 4000+ mandays
Team size : 50 at peak
Duration : 1 year

Project B : 80,000+ mandays
Team size : An army
Duration : Across several years

Scope : Similar for both.

If this is not a recipe for failure for Project A, I don’t know what is.

~~~~~

On the other hand, it feels good to be recognized and appreciated by my peers.

I did a series of .ppt decks in preparation for a project which never took off. When it did finally take off, I was unfortunately assigned to this current hellhole of a project. But my colleague who was in the same team at that time managed to get back to that project and on two occasions, she MSN-ed me :

“Your decks are really useful!”
“AI LING!!! I miss you!! Please come back!!!!!!!”

Even my peers can show some appreciation. But I guess the big bosses think it’s too generous to give a word of praise now and again.

Had a short powwow over cake and coffee, with the app manager after our gruelling full-day session with the client.

He is from the London office and he shared the differences between his office and the KL office.

The stark differences between how the London office values their staff vs. the KL office is quite appalling.

It seems that the London office sincerely cares about things like their employees career path, interests, work/life balance and they actually take the time to listen to their employees. They structure the teams based on the people, not the work. Whether they do this just to keep people happy or they sincerely do care about their staffs’ interests and welfare, I don’t know. But the end result is, people are happy with their work, people are happy to work for the firm, which ultimately leads to people being loyal to the company –> lower attrition rate.

Here, out of all the crappy things happening, the most insulting and demotivating thing I have heard coming from someone up there is that they (the bosses) will not hesitate to remove anyone who doesn’t perform, from the project. And I have also heard of one of them (the bosses), coming to check on my team at 10pm because he doesn’t think we are working hard enough.

What a way to motivate your staff! Already we are given an impossible timeline to meet and an equally ridiculous scope to deliver, and we are already working our butts off to deliver the work (I have colleagues who work till the wee hours and also weekends to get the work done, every single day and weekend), now they threaten to remove us from the project if we don’t deliver?!

You know, I am not surprised at all when people decide to resign. Not at all surprised.

You would think a large multinational firm like this who claims to have every benefit in the working world, would have proper policies and procedures to ensure their staffs’ welfare but in the end, they are just like any other chinapek company out there. Well, the KL arm, that is.

People tell me to detach myself from work and just do what I can but I find it difficult to do so because I must do my best because that is my nature. I cannot deliver something substandard. And because of this, I will get affected by all this nonsense because crap, my contribution is not being appreciated! How can one not be angry and demotivated?!

Being very emo at the moment because I am feeling very shitty. And I don’t need anyone to tell me to (1) quit my job and find another one, or (2) deal with it coz this is how every organization works, because that is not the point.

Seriously. I will bite.

Why is it when we are kids, we’re so eager to grow up. But when we’re adults, we keep wanting to be kids again.

Life is so blaaaahh… bored, restless, demotivated, unappreciated… and the damn ectopic thing is back again. Gah!

There must be something more to life than this… must dig deeper and find it before I combust and *poof*.

But really, I shouldn’t complain. At least I’m healthy (for now) and don’t have to deal with a terminal illness. Note to self : Must.be.thankful.

…when people think that I don’t know what to do and they feel it is their duty to tell me what to do.

…when people make it seem like they are helping me but in reality, they are trying to steer my actions in the direction that they wish.

Seriously… can people just leave me alone to do things the way I want it??? This annoys me to no end!