SHE.HER.

10 Jul 2010 (Sat)

I was away with a bunch of my project mates to Malacca. The purpose of this trip was to meet up with the project mates in KL. Thus, we decided to meet halfway in Malacca. The whole trip was all about food. Had Bak Kut Teh, Chendol, Satay, Satay Celup, etc. Stayed at Renaissance Hotel - nice and spacious room. Slept at about 2.30am.

11 Jul 2010 (Sun)

Woke up at 11am, preparing to check out at 12pm. After checking out, we went to a place behind the hotel for Yong Tau Foo. So yummy! Especially the Kway Teow Dry - love the spring-iness! After that, bid goodbye to everyone and headed to straight to Singapore! On my way, I SMS-ed hubby to be on standby to fetch me in 2+ hours time.

After I crossed the Customs at Singapore, I SMS-ed hubby to head to Pasir Ris to pick me up as that is where my colleague will alight us. While we were heading towards Pasir Ris, hubby sent me a very sweet SMS "I went to get you a surprise for our upcoming 1.5 years wedding anniversary. Hehe... I am very sure you will love it to bits..." Melted upon seeing this. He's just so sweet! How not to love this man?! Asked him what he did over the weekends when I was in Malacca, he said he was cracking his head how to surprise me. Oh man! *Feeling guilty that I did not get anything for him from Malacca*

Anyway, he picked me up at Pasir Ris and he kept prompting me to ask him what he got for him. I pretended to be non-chalant but he kept changing whatever we were talking to this topic 'the surprise he got for me'. I tried to guess by asking him where he got the gift from etc. I really couldn't guess it, and so he said it's in the car's boot and I will see it as soon as I get down from the car. Saw a COURTS plastic bag... but was is in it?! *shrugs*

Ta-dah... Answer revealed!

Logitech Wireless Mouse - 4 greatest benefits I like about it: 1) Able to use it on any surface; 2) Able to scroll left & right. 3) On/Off switch; 4) Battery can last for 15 months! Hubby has one of this and I have been ranting how good it is! Now, I finally own one!!! Same colour as hubby - Red! CHIO!!!

That is only part 1. I wasn't expecting part 2. I am stunned for words when I saw it!

It's the latest Canon Ixus 130 - latest model, can you believe it?! I totally wasn't expecting this! Furthermore, it's PINK in colour! Woohoo! Now, onto the benefits:

1) 14 Megapixels - compared to my Sony T30 - way better!
2) HD Video
3) Miniature Mode - turning life-sized subjects into miniatures with a snap!
4) Fish-eye mode - Makes small things large, square things round and whatever your imagination takes you to.
5) Smart Shutter - automatically snaps with a smile or a wink! Comes with face detection too.
6) Colour Swap & Colour Accent - plays with colours!

And many more...

Now to share with you the new toy/gadget in my bag in pretty pink!

Hot pink!!! My favourite... And did I mention to you how cool the pouch is? Check it out yourself!

Pretty, sleek pouch! Together with the camera, it is still very light! Suitable for bringing it out everyday!

The pretty gadget - Canon Ixus 130!

Another shot of the sleek black pouch!

The all-in-one package. Check out the little compartment for an additional memory card. Isn't it sleek? *loves it*

The IXUS pouch with the IXUS lanyard. Woohoo! I love it! I love it! I love it!

And all these wouldn't have been possible without my man who wants to give me a surprise for our upcoming 1.5 years wedding anniversary on 15 July 2010 and of course, our 11.5 years anniversary on 20 July 2010. Now, I need to crack my heads for his surprise. Guess I'll just treat him to a very nice meal for a good celebration of our anniversary.

-=Loves hubby=-

Hubby says this place is getting dusty and spidey webs are growing! Xin left a comment and asks me to update too. Since I am sitting here in Starbucks (Marina Square) waiting for hubby to finish his expensive lunch at Hai Tien Lo, Pan Pacific Hotel, with his colleagues, I shall make use of the time to give some updates. Oh! And if you ask me why I didn't join my hubby, it's because he didn't want to bring me. LOL. Nahzz... I told him I don't quite like the food over there, thus, I shall give it a miss so that I don't waste his money.

Now to the random updates!

26 June 2010: Colleague - Ivan's wedding at Pan Pacific Hotel.

Hubby is sending me to the hotel. Reason: lots of road closures due to NDP rehearsal. Thus, the scarely cat me who is afraid I will get lost using another route there, hubby has to send me there.

Some beautiful night shots while being stuck in a bad jam on ECP.

27 June 2010 - brunch at Jiang Nan Chun (Four Seasons Hotel) with hubby & in-laws.

Very special deco. Now, on to some of the food:

Beancurd skin with prawns. Yummy!

Peking duck - personally feel that the duck fragrance is not there.

Har Gow with very fresh prawns! Thumbs up!

Carrot cake - not too bad.

Shark's Fin soup. Notice the whole piece of shark's fin?! Yum yum!

There were a lot of variety. However, certain dishes may be way too bland, and certain dishes are really salty. Fish was not too fresh with some fishy smell. Overall, I do not think that it is worth the money (about $60++). Anyway, this is hubby's friend highly recommended place to dine in. I told hubby it's too expensive to my liking! So I guess we won't be going there again.

Moving on to some more serious topics. 1st July marks the last day of my boss, SH. It was a teary week ever since she broke the news of her resignation to me about a week back. I expected it but just couldn't accept it as it was too-fast-too-furious. This place that I am in now has certainly changed its colour/culture/everything since 1 Jan 2010 upon the transformation. There are many things which both of us disagree with, however, have to do it because bosses always override us. We put up a good fight together each time we are faced with challenges and crossroads. If not for her, I would not have stayed on. I would have moved earlier this year as there was a time when I really wanted to give up and move on.

A bit about the history of my boss, SH, and me. We met sometime towards the end of 2007 when I was representing my department then for the DND preparations. SH was the chairperson of the committee and I like her drive in doing things. The way she has a take off for every meeting really wow me! It was towards the end of the DND preparations that she asked if I was interested to join her. I checked with her on the job scope etc. and wasn't even knowing what to really expect, I asked for a transfer, thinking I will have a brighter future with her. Alright, to tell the truth, there were a lot of push factors at that time too when I was not too happy where I was. I frequently felt that the boss then wasn't worthy of me working so hard for. I couldn't agree with a lot of job allocation as most of the time I was doing a lot but not really appreciated. And the major push factor was the boss then couldn't see that knocking off on time = efficient when I was producing high quality work. Instead, she saw it as not enough on my plate. Oh well! That was the story then which I could still remember vividly. Anyway, the transfer finally effected on 17 Mar 2008.

When I first join SH and her team, I was no important person and frequently felt what was given to me wasn't enough. I had too much time to idle which is not what I would like. I would rather be busy and learn more things as well as gain more knowledge. Anyway, shortly, I was asked to join her in a regional project where I need to be stationed in Bangkok for a while. I took up this offer as I knew this would add colours to my resume and I was grateful for the opportunity. I was on this project till about July 2009, when it was kind of getting boring and also, my senior in my previous team will be taking up another leadership role with the transformation. It was then that I requested to join back to the team and SH also requested for me to join back the team. No doubt the project days are the happiest days (actually the free-est days), I get to learn so much more back in this team. I value add a lot more then when I was in the project team.

The days after Jul 2009 were really hectic. Working late every day with no meal allowance (due to cost cutting measures) and even had to work from home on weekends and days when I was on MC. However, the knowledge I gain really makes all this worthwhile. Despite the hard work, I still enjoy myself very much. Then, things start to change a little. We had a new colleague on board, FLY. I think it's a totally job misfit for him. Couldn't see eye to eye and can be quite stubborn to learn, asks all sorts of weird questions etc. Anyway, FLY resigned and left in Apr 10 when my buddy, A, also left for maternity leave in Apr 10. When SH knew A was pregnant, she spoke to me and said she is selfish but wish that I will not get pregnant in the same period. I understand where she is coming from, so I said ok.

Thus, in the beginning of May 10, it was just left with me and my boss, SH. Everything was going on fine but SH's complaints were getting more by the day which gave me signs that she will leave anytime. I just did not expect it to be so soon, thus, I could not really accept it when she broke the news to me. I really learn a lot from her and I am where I am today because of her, in terms of personal and professional growth.

Now... on to the days without her. When the news was out, SH's boss, SL, talked to me for 1.5 hrs on the first day. SL spoke of the plans he had for this team and mentioned that he will be getting a replacement for SH. I welcomed the idea with my resignation in mind. At that time, I really don't know how I could survive without SH when I am still so junior. Many thoughts on my mind such as can I work well with the replacement of SH etc. Many people told me to stay on and see, and not to make a haste decision to leave.

On the 2nd day, SL talked to me for another 1.5hrs asking me if I would be comfortable to take up the position instead. He mentioned he is confident of me as he has seen how I worked etc. He spoke of the career path he has in mind for me and my future will be bright if I stayed on. I know he is just trying his very best to retain me for fear that I will leave with SH. Then, the team really has no one to get things moving anymore. It was all his retention strategy. He asked for my commitment which I just brushed it off. Why in my right frame of mind will I commit to him? I don't even know how it will be like for me moving forward.

Anyway, a lot of details in between. And now, I am officially a team leader. In the hierarchy, I am the youngest and most junior (in terms of rank) with all those who are on the same level of the hierarchy with me. The first 2 days was memorable with back stabbing, gossips, jealousy all seen/heard. People doubt my capability or probably just jealous. Oh well! SL pre-empted me with all these and he says it is bound to happen. The most hurting part is to hear gossips/slander from a team leader whom I used to work so closely with everyday. We will share each other's burden and I will try to help as much as possible. what happened was she told SH I was very proud, arrogant and not approachable, where in fact I did not speak to her a single word for that day nor passed by her. I was maligned. I told SH the whole situation and really cried the whole night, even after I reach home. The next day, SH helped me to resolve the issue by talking to that lady. Oh man! All the office politics! Get me out of it! I just want to do my work and make sure I shine where I am right now till the day I couldn't take it anymore, my boss, SL, will see that letter from me.

Of course, on the other side of the coin, there were people who congratulate me and happy for me that this is a good progression for me etc. The past 2 weeks were nerve breaking and also, a test to me. The future is now uncertain and I hope I have what it takes to stay as a team leader as I know many people are watching. Being me, I just want to prove I have what it takes!!!

If you were me, will you stay as a team leader (progression/position) leading a small team, gaining management experience/skills or will you leave and be a team mate elsewhere and you don't know when you have the team leader opportunity again? In other words, will you rather be a big fish swimming in a small pond or a small fish swimming in a big pond?

-=I am fighting on for now=-