Understanding Through Research

Writer relaxing (and studying) by a beautiful dam

Hello JeweLztory ! Haven’t updated this blog for a bit. I have been outstation from the main office (work) to the East Coast here in Malaysia and I must say I do enjoy working here ! I get to share my opinion and ideas, and present them to my colleagues. Recently I proposed the idea of conducting an in house research study to analyze the relationship and correlation between medical leaves and productivity, and how these two are interrelated, and how to reduces total number of medical leaves by promoting a healthy lifestyle to all level of workers. Some risk factors to diseases and pathologies are associated with our daily lifestyle and routine which we don’t deem risky and hazardous in the short nor the long term. I will have to wait a bit till I get the approval..! On top of that, I never thought I would ever initiate a research proposal ! The curiosity bug must have caught on me ! haha.   Mean time, life is a notch slower.. Been lazy NOT doing my training and regular workouts ! Have to get back on track soon. 2011 is just around the corner. I AM excited. 2010 had been quite a year for me I can’t describe it in word. I am looking forward for a slower 2011, do less things (anything) but focus on quality. Among the things that I am looking at is improving myself as a person. Quality check and control is important though at times we tend to let it go for a while only to come back and clear the same old mess again. That is one thing I love about new years. It’s natural (and occasional) to set new goals AND reset old goals, for the betterment of our own lives. What about you ?  Any resolutions you want to share?

 

mj

 

 

First month at work !

Last Tuesday marked the first month of work ! and officially now into my second month. Received me first official pay slip today. Only opened it in the car after I reached home. Good news is good to be shared with loved ones so that it becomes more meaningful. That was what exactly what I did. Through SMS ! This I do not take it from the material sense but of the achievement. It is a big deal as it is pertaining me. You have all the right to be proud of yourself ! A month of work has passed by not too quickly and I have to make sure that the desire to work harder and better this soul and self will keep on burning !

I am an example of a late entree and never a second do/should  I feel that I am ‘late’. Every person will have his or her own pace. In their career path and journey which they take, getting to know one self is most important. Work should not change you. You on the other hand can seek to ‘find’ and discover yourself. If you have been controlled by others before this, it ain’t the case anymore. Do not be too proud, hold tight those two reins, but don’t forget to loosen up a bit. Guide the way and be the captain. Lead, and do not just follow. Find your rhythm and never worry of rushing anywhere. What do they say about life again ? ‘It’s the journey that count’s.. not the destination’ . As for myself, I would love to make worthwhile. The journey as well as the destination.

I am looking for challenges. Both to overcome them as well as to test myself. Every second in life is a test.  But when it is set as ‘default’ , we become unconscious of it, and choose to live life for granted, taking it as if we have all the time to ‘live’ our life. Make it more special and interesting that’s when you start making your own obstacles and challenges to achieve ! I have a long way to go and this is only the beginning.

A few tips if you just started work :

- be nice, polite and courteous to your colleagues and bosses at all time

- be humble but don’t make yourself look like anyone’s slave. you are working by your own rights !

- networking. this is the best time to overcome any shyness. Talk to colleagues from inside and outside your department. Invite them to lunch . It can appear that you are trying just too hard if you over do it. Balance is key. Talk to your bosses, there is no harm greeting them ‘Good morning’ and asking if they have taken their breakfast. Be sure not to ‘routinize’ your questions !

- Learn. Don’t be shy to ask if you are not sure of anything regarding work. Show that you are sincere and interested to learn so that you can do your work. Your colleagues/bosses will feel that you appreciate their presence. Again, don’t over do it. You have to do your homework too !

Where ya goin' ?

DEDICATING THIS POST TO ALL THE LOVELY PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO HAVE MEANT THE LIFE TO ME. THANK YOU ALWAYS, FOR ALL THE KIND AND GENEROUS THOUGHTS, OPINION, ADVICE AND TIPS . MOST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR ENCOURAGING AND SUPPORTING ME TO BECOME A BETTER PERSON AND VALUE LIFE . ‘JASAMU DIKENANG’. THANK YOU.

Work : Day 10

Exhausted ! I had more than 10 tasks earlier in the day. Manage to get it done, one at a time. I just knew that designing an organization chart can be very VERY testing ! I had to edit the chart 2-3 times till I finally it done. The laptop has not been set up, and IT technician was busy/not around. So had to ask favour from my colleague. And the dreaded common photocopy machine kept on swallowing the papers and get them jammed up. Had ample of exercise walking in and out of the room to get the job done. One think I learnt today, follow the template and guidelines given to you ! Or else all the steps in completing a task will jumbled up.

Had to arrange for a couple of interviews, something I am getting more familiar with. I did not get enough sleep last night.. in the name of updating the blog and editing photos ! Must have slept for less than 4 hours. After sahur I didn’t sleep. By noon I was already zombied. And today is the first day Jasdeep is not around. He ‘handed over’ before he left, but he was suppose to complete his task before he left !I love challenges, and I took the lack of sleep, loads of tasks and the minus-Jasdeep-day as reasons to prove to myself I can.

I gotta stay back to complete some work as well. Even manage the time to organize an interview. I was [helloo.....im just up..! slept like a rock frm 9.40pm till 5am !!! ]…ok..where was i..?

Well, I stayed back at work till 6.20pm before attending a charity program.Spent the evening with a group of 4-11 year old kids from an orphanage. Such a bliss to have them ! Finished the program around 9pm, headed back and was simply relieved to reach home… I was tired but still manage to write a few lines in the blog before I slept..oh dear…. simply goes to show my body has its limit, that if it has been reached.

I will stop now so I can proceed doing other things. Like sleep ! hahah.. alritey..

The adorable kids & myself. They had a great time yesterday !

That's Dayang, 5, in the light blue headscarf. She's so cute. Earlier she had a cut on her wrist and i took her to the pharmacy, bought a First Aid, cleaned her wound and bandaged it.

Work : Day 7 & Day 8

Day 7

An interesting day. Had new staffs coming in and we did the routine introduction to all staffs. I had to tag along as I myself need to get myself familiar with the various department. Had to follow up with a few up coming training program for the staff. New things to learn everyday. My colleague promised to bring home made chappati for me tomorrow. hahaha..nice !

My lappy’s charger decided to blow up the night before.  During lunch break, made it quick trip to an IT mall. Got my life back for 17p bucks after a 20bucks discount..!! Came back to the office not on time. Lucky thing I told the manager i had to make the trip before I left !

Day 8

A generally quieter day .. my deskmate (yeah I have a deskmate) was so bored he decided to take a doze ! But we were busy earlier in the day. I had to handle 2 interview. 1 candidate came late.. she couldn’t find her way. Well, that’s why she need to up her creativity and use the google map ! And the other came late asking. And boy did she have the guts to request to delay the interview for 1/2 an hour !! dang… who does she think she is..?! Never do that if you were to go for an interview folks !!

New assignment awaits me later on today !

Work : Day 4 & Day 5

Day 4.. I was given a new task. And a long explanation by the Asst. Mgr… Didn’t look that complicated but to get my thoughts organized with the over-flooding of more and more info seemed tricky. Made the calls I needed to make and walla… Its done ! Now have to follow up only

Day 5 .. Not that busy a day.. I didn’t have anything particular to do. So I was busy refreshing all info input, and planned for the things I need to do next week. I have to really gotta work on my organization skills. Nobody said its easy !!!!

So first week of first, done !!! I hope this coming week will be a better one.

Fooling around at the lift lobby befoer I left the office on the first day of work !

Work : Day 3

I got my first few ‘real’ tasks today. Basically some interview confirmation calls, then had to follow up with the manager and interviewer. The thing which struck me was, that there were different little specific steps and procedures which I had to follow to complete a so called simple task. Tried my best to be organized by putting everything unto record (the procedures and templates etc). Jasdeep , again, helped me a lot in familiarizing me with the routine. The phone call to the interviewee was a bit weird. It was my first time to make such a call. I maybe talkative with friends but when handling a task like this, I can’t simple blurt out anything or speak very frankly. But of course, I should not talk in a too formal a tone. I guess it takes practice ! (what else could it be).

Lunch time..another task ! Some stuff to do with recruitment. Also interesting. And later on, a briefing with the department manager. I would call it a lecture rather than a briefing. Many topics were covered quickly. In length and also depth. Some were revision of what I learnt in personnel psychology, and organizational psychology. The overview given on HR (Human resource) was very interesting and I am really glad that none of what were presented to me and Jasdeep was totally new. Some additional and new stuff yes, but wasn’t hard for me to understand. Labour act/Employment Act are pretty interesting stuff to me. I got the Employment Act book. An interesting read awaits. My manager also mentioned about Industrial Relation. Another interesting topic ! Warrghh… my job becomes more and more complicated everyday as there are so many things which I must know what and how to do it. And there is certainly plenty I need to know, learn, read and study. Seeking knowledge is like an endless journey. It gives you the content to fill the empty spaces in your mind and soul with.

Like you, I have some weaknesses. One of them is talking confidently. Maybe with the things I am familiar with I can talk smoothly.. i.e. : about sports, training and such..! but with HR even though I am interested in the field, that ability to speak well in front of an audience or a stranger IN a professional setting it not secondary to me. I still need to learn and practice this.

I have yet to renew/refresh my office wardrobe. I hope I can do it soonest. I think I’ll hit the sack now. Hoping for an early day tomorrow.

To those of you who are about to start work, take 1 day at a time and learn how to be organized in your work and dealings. Love your job (as much as you can) and balance it with your life. That if achieved, will give you that balanced career, God willing. I am at the earliest point of this long path ahead of me. I do not want to rush but I know there are so many things I should be learning in such a short time. My dad reminded me yesterday I should portray a pleasant character, and show that I am hardworking at work  (and off work too of course). I will do my best.

Love life, Love yourself love your loved ones. Nothing means a lot to me than the meaningful people in my life. Life is short. So make the best out of it. I keep on telling myself reserve no place for hatred in my heart. Not even a micro bacteria length bit. Julie, do your best.. and be strong girl…

I thought I looked good in this photo.. but I am not sure of keeping long hair for work.. to messy and consumes a lot of time and effort to keep it looking good !!!

Work : Day 2

Second day of work I didn’t have to go to the office. Attended an English business writing skill. The participants; 24 of us from various posts and departments. 9am till 4.30pm. I was suppose to come earlier to help my colleague but didn’t make in on time to help him set up the venue. Anyways, pretty interesting stuff which I learnt from the module. Basically a lengthy ‘revision’ on grammar, and the common mistakes made in business as well as general writing/conversation. In the afternoon I got a little bit sleepy.. (note: I wasn’t the only one). Lunch break I had no where to lie down or lean my head, so I ended up ‘hanging out’ at the washroom. A cool washroom..all marble..! the floor and wall. I was smart enough to find a little corner which I could sit, stretch my legs and lean my back..! The huge washroom was ‘the’ place. I was THAT sleepy. Anyways, I washed my face when it was time to resume training (lunch break was 1/2 an hour).

Later part of the class we had to do a group task; how to reply to complaint letters. Interesting as I never learnt about it before. Some homeworks was distributed before the instructor called it a day. (Phewww!). Tired and ..sleepy.. I went back..only to go out again to meet my friends who were joining me for break fast. I was totally stoned after dinner..went back..and zzzz…

Work : Day 1

I didn’t exactly woke up late on my 1st day of work, but I was taking my time a bit preparing myself hence the 15 minutes delayed departure from home. The traffic wasn’t that bad and I manage to arrive on time. A suit jacket and a knee length skirt was my uniform on my first day. Reported duty.. and sat beside Jasdeep a colleague in the same department. Enough space for 2. He’ll be leaving in September and I’ll take his space after that. Fast forward 8 hours later, I have picked up quite a few things today. Things to do, to read and to know. I also learnt that a few things you gotta initiate on your own as your colleague and superior may not have the time to tell you what to do. If a pointer is given to you, take it down. Jot it and make sure the finer details of things are not missed i.e. the password for the printer !  I gotta learn real quick. Was also given the task to handle a candidate who’s in for her 2nd interview ! Jasdeep gave me lots of advice and pointers. Thanks ! Anyways, the office was freezing cold by middday. Lunch break was 1/2 an hour (coz its fasting month). I didn’t go out as I was fasting plus I don’t think half an hour gives me time for anything much to do outside the office. So I just stuck to the desk and did some reading. All in all I found the first day rather interesting thought there wasn’t exactly a lot for me to do. (well not yet i suppose!)

Looking forward to day 2..!

Work : Day 0

My mind is all jazzed up. Tomorrow will be my first day of work. Like at last ..! My focus, to be WELL ORGANIZED and take one day at a time.. I have a life ahead of me and I should take every second worth living.

For starters.. I can’t quite decide what to wear tomorrow. I am not rushing to have a new collection of office attire in my wardrobe. Hope to hit the stores tomorrow after work.

All the best to myself..!

Me and my primary schoolmates !