On Call

Today. Which is I suppose, preferable to a "MUST COME TO OFFICE" instruction.

Anyway, we worked till quite late yesterday evening at the office. When boss came around to ask if I wanted to order in dinner at 10pm, I shook my head, still optimistic that I would be able to go soon and catch up with hubby at home (probably supper for him!). I guess boss had a different view though, but nevertheless (bless him), just nodded and told me to finish up my bits and then he would wrap up the rest.

I asked "Are you sure?"
He declined my offer to stay on.
I wasn't going to ask twice. Thanks!

It must have been my conscience but I just couldn't sleep past 6 this morning. Logged on and noted that the report has been sent for review at 1am in Bahrain, i.e. 8am in Melbourne - poor boss. But nope, no feedback received from Down Under - meaning no action required yet on our end.

There were still a few loose ends I had promised to tie up today and send across to him. And I did, by 8 in the morning. Unfortunately, the internet connection at home is still as crappy. After an hour of futile attempts to e-mail the promised deliverables to my boss, I gave up and drove to office just to send that one silly e-mail with the attachments.

Lurked around a little to see if boss would respond with any immediate comments. Nada. So I drove back home instead, where I am currently lounging around, waiting for the call or sms for further assistance required.

Don't like the waiting, but heck, at least I get to watch television, which I haven't seem to have done for absolutely ages!!!

Amwaj revisited

The guys finally moved in during the week and we took the opportunity to drop in to say hi and check out the new pad yesterday evening.


The two bedroom unit they are renting seems quite spacious and I thought the common area had a better layout than the three bedroom unit we viewed the last time round.


At least, the open kitchen overlooks the dining area, rather than (awkwardly) the living room.


Apparently the bedrooms themselves are smaller than the other unit we saw. We didn't request to peek as it was after all their personal space :)

View from the living room


Adjourned for dinner thereafter. At least that brief outing gave me a semblence of a break before another anticipated week of nightmares, officially kicking off after the conference call tomorrow morning I think. *sigh*

Trying

So the letters were received yesterday afternoon, but I missed the SMS-es as I zonked out in LalaLand till dinner time. Anyway, to make amends, I booted up the work laptop in the evening.

The task was simple. Since the greenlight was received, I only had to send the information over. The content was already duly sorted over the course of the last two weeks. So really, no further brain power required - only click and send.

Except.the.internet.at.home.is.so horribly.slow.and.unstable.

-____-

I couldn't send a single e-mail through despite being logged on for most of the night!!!!! Argh. And I need to forward at least 50 e-mails. Shucks.

Tried again this morning, but to no avail. So, left with no choice, am heading to the office now - fingers crossed in hope that the internet connection is better there. Otherwise, I am so doomed.

This really is a test of patience. But I forsee today to be a silly long wait for attachments to load and e-mails to be sent. All aggravated of course by the document size limit imposed on my company's e-mail and my banged-up ol' work laptop which is fond of lapsing into seizures and freezing from time to time. Oh joy!

I wish I had someone to delegate this to. *evil cackle* But for now, it is just me.

Weekend

Finally here. I almost thought it would never come!!!! A pal's facebook status read "TGIF on a Thursday - too early?"

What do you mean? I start counting down from Sunday (the equivalent of a Monday back home) - tee hee....at least I am honest.

But the summer seems to be busier than anticipated. Instead of slowing down, things seem to have picked up rather. I guess complicated by boss being away from the office and thus, we have to resort to communicating via e-mail/ brief phone calls. No more convenience of just popping into his office and plopping down on the chair, before we both discuss/ rant face to face etc.

Ha! Simple things we take for granted.

I do miss him quite a bit. Was so glad when he popped into the office two days ago, even if it was for a short period of 30 minutes only. I'm soon beginning to discover that he may be the only person in the office who does not speak in riddles and accepts as well as practises the concept of calling a spade a spade, even if the blow is diplomatically softened when the old spade is described to be plated in gold leaf (not important to mention that this is peeling off) and tied with a red bow (nevermind if it is grubby).

Maybe I exaggerate but it is sometimes exhausting listening to someone on the other end rambling on about something AND missing the point totally, when all is easily resolved and surmised in one simple sentence. Argh. Maybe I am spoilt, often sheltered from the challenges any other person would generally face at work.

*shrug*

Soldier on I must. He's not due back in the office till end of July.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

"Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows"

The quote from British poet John Betjeman sets the tone for this touching tale of friendship between two eight-year old boys - a Nazi and a Jew, who despite being separated by the electric fence on the perimeter of the concentration camp, managed to forge a unique bond. This film portrays how some of us, given the circumstances are required to grow up quicker than others.

If the film is this good, the book authored by Irish John Boyne should not be disappointing as well. Definitely next up on the reading list.

Zee Avi

Have you heard of her yet?



She grows on you. And she's Malaysian :)

Progress

Things are well here. Am still swamped at work but at least, I've received 5 out of 12 responses - almost halfway to completion! And thankfully, quality of work received (thus far) has been quite acceptable.

Tomorrow will have the luxury of working from home before heading to the office after lunch. Just because the African teams will be online then, and I anticipate having to make phone calls to chase, chase, chase. [No way I am using my personal mobile for this!]

Fingers crossed, they will keep their word and achieve the deadline agreed. *sigh* but we all know that would just be waaaaay too easy innit!??!

Anyway, need to be firm with cut-off (at least for the first draft). That leaves me Saturday to tidy things up for boss' review before release to the client on Sunday.

Busy, busy, busy.

PS: Haven't been online much for the past week - hope things are well at home!!