Family, Me, Ponderisms, Slumming

Single Mom For The Week…

…and I survived. I need a t-shirt now (?).

What once was super stressful for me to even consider 5 years ago, being a single mom for the week when my hubby went out of town for work wasn’t so bad as I thought it would be.

Perks:

  • I have older kids now, and the only thing I have to be concerned about is my little “three-nager”.
  • My babysitter for 10 years is heaven-sent, though she couldn’t watch the three-nager for 1 day.
  • Ability to work-from-home on the 1 day my babysitter isn’t available. (Thank you, boss!!)
  • Neighbors with same aged kids as mine who were willing to look after them today (no school due to Memorial Day weekend).

 

Though it wasn’t so bad, I just hope it will not be an everyday thing (*virtually glares at hubby who isn’t here yet till tonight*), but at least I’m happy to know that we can adjust when these things have to happen.

Blah, Me, News, Ponderisms, SharePoint, Technology, Work Drama

Lately, I’ve Been

It’s been a while since I posted anything here. I’m more active in sharing tidbits of thoughts in Twitter, or sharing some funny or thought-provoking pictures/posts in Facebook. If I post a picture up, it will usually be through Instagram (then fed through my Twitter feed) for insta-memorable moments, or Facebook for full-on albums.

Things I’ve been posting here lately are cool technology or interesting gadgets. I’m such a gadget whore. I can’t get enough of it. Thankfully, though, I’ve been keeping myself in check in not getting overboard (but oops! guilty: recently backed this).

However, I figured I should post more here. It would be a waste if I didn’t do anything with this site much, right?

I guess I can start with what’s been happening lately. You probably remember about my promotion last year in July. It’s been going steadily, though our application still hasn’t gone live company-wide. Lots of assessments, tweaks, and the three major reasons: compliance, governance, and budget. I learned these three big words from working on one single application to implement (another big word for me) for the whole company. This is a big deal, though. Such a huge undertaking to be had. This will change the whole company’s thought processes on how we collaborate and work. I’m even praying that I will be able to work from home full-time. Maybe.

So I’m doing all these meetings, doing all these testing, doing work, and everything. Right? Busy? Yes, sometimes. There is, of course, a lull once in a while right now because we are still in the planning process. However, my boss (manager) doesn’t think I’m doing enough. I don’t “have enough drive”. I’m not doing as much as my counterpart (there are two of us in the team) does.

What does he know? My co-worker has 8 years of experience in this. I have only 6 months experience in a product that was only introduced to me in passing due to issues of it when I was in customer support.

What does he know? He tells me he’s helping me get my foot in the door. Okay, so he did get my foot in the door, but c’mon now, give me some slack. I’m still learning. Heck, I don’t even have formal training in this. Send me somewhere where I can get validated.

I’m not aggressive. I do the work on what I’m handed to do. I accomplish things. I’m not just slacking off and doing nothing. I just do my job too fast.

Another thing there: too fast. I came from a world of customer support in the IT world, where “fast” is always the go-to thing we have to do to help the customer. I’m not used to wait-a-week-or-so-before-you-finish regimen when I can do it in less than five minutes. My philosophy was always “Work first, play later.” and from my husband, “Why let someone else do it, when you can do it yourself.”

I do things fast when I know I can do it that fast. It’s just to hard to go slow. But I have to do it. I have to be PC (politically correct), too. I can’t step on anyone’s toes. I have to wait for someone else to do what I could probably do. It’s hard, and it’s quite an adjustment, but I have to — no, will — do it. I’m just going to have to grit my teeth and bear it.

I do admit, there is a lesson on easing off on projects and waiting for a while. I’ve learned a few hard lessons on that, actually. So, it does pay off, and I won’t get my ass handed to me. I just have to slow down…and be zen.

I guess this post turned into a work rant. Heh. Sorry for the rant, just needed to get it off my chest. I feel a bit better now. I’ll just stop now and go back to work.

 

Baby, Grr, Me, Ponderisms, Technology, Who Moved My Cheese?!, Work Drama

Changes and Stuff

Just wanted to tell everyone I’m still here. Since 2014 has started, I decided to make the one-photo-a-day challenge for this year. So keep an eye out on those posts from my Twitter feed on the sidebar of the blog. I am also trying to move my media blog to somewhere else than another WordPress site. I know, I know, I always change stuff. I need to stop! But I can’t! Hehehe! But anyway, I’m in the process of moving it from here to there.

In other news, I’ve been so busy at work. Operations is becoming more and more Service Desk, which makes me sad, and makes me so busy. And also, my manager wants to change my schedule. Again. Grrr. And yesterday, I learned a co-worker didn’t show up at all for the Operations shift! It doesn’t look like he was fired or anything, but this is the first time in my almost 13 years working here that a shift has not been covered. There’s something more going on in the “backend” that I am allowed to know. So much drama. I know more changes are coming. I think I’m going to wait it out for another 2 years and see if this job is still good for me. I’m not as happy as I was when we were still Operations. Maybe it’s time for a change soon. Sigh.

Me, Ponderisms, Work Drama

First Day At The New Space

So, here we are. Finally, at the new space. I was more surprised at the emptiness of our old cubicle, though (they moved our PCs). I guess it just hit home that we won’t be sitting there anymore.

I went with my girls to the office last Thursday so they could see my new cubicle. I think they liked it, but it’s not as spacious as it had been in the old area. The SD had provided some potluck food for that day as well, to welcome the “co-habitation”. It’s too bad there were so much carbs (cookies, pasta, regular soda), so I just had to take a little bit of them to prevent me from getting a high blood sugar count later.

Today is really my official day back to work at the new space. It’s a bigger area, but there’s more people, too. I can’t take a nap like I used to, though I’m surprised J had his pillows and blankets out when I came in to take over the shift. However, the other guys seemed to be nice. I mean, they’re human, I know, but how “free” can I really be around them? Can I play games when I’m bored? Can I do this and that? Can I? Can I? I guess I’m just treading water for now. At least this girl during my shift today seemed nice enough and gave me some good pointers and even sent me her “cheat sheet” on how to troubleshoot some issues.

It’s also hard to get adjusted in not seeing the Computer Room. We have this window that we look back and see if people are in there or if we hear an alarm or something. I guess I’ll have to make more trips to walk around and check it.

I do like my new cubicle (because I have my own desk that no one can dirty, unless they use my PC)  but I’m not sure about my chair yet. It’s one of those expensive ergonomic chairs but I’m so used to this simple chair I had in the old space. Being pregnant and sitting on this new chair is either not helping me at all or helping me a lot. It’s really weird. I guess it’s another thing to get used to, or just get my old chair back.

Here’s to new adventures. I do love adventures, even if they are good or not. It’s still a good learning experience either way.

Me, News, Ponderisms, Work Drama

Officially Official

So, they’ve (work) been saying this for months now, since the start of the Service Desk (SD) move back in November last year that my department (OPS) is FINALLY moving to the SD location.

I knew it was inevitable. Despite our protests, negotiations, and discussions (MEETINGS!), we will still be moving. And that move starts tomorrow. It won’t  really truly make an impact on me until I come back to work on Saturday, but I know some people (her) will be feeling the brunt of the move of it tomorrow. And she’s all “awone”. Awww.  Well, unless one of the other staff is staying till late. I’m just waiting to see what she will rant about tonight after everyone is gone after business hours. I know I don’t like it, but I have no choice but to listen to it.

I’m always positive about changes. I know they can be a pain sometimes but there’s always a sense of “adventure” that adds to it. I know I’ll be happy I won’t be sitting next to her (and hopefully not smell her smelly farts – yes, it’s terrible). And I will have my own computer and desk (cubicle). Even though I have a positive outlook, I still have misgivings on this move. Because it’s not common sense. It’s hard to explain but yeah.

Also, I’m sure after all this is said and done, there will be more changes on the way. Maybe…just maybe…there will be something like, “Oh, this didn’t work, let’s go back there.” Well, here’s hoping, or not? I’m just torn in between “two worlds”.

So, here’s looking forward to Saturday.

Me, Ponderisms, Work Drama

“Living The Dream”

As I was going up the elevator to the second floor where I work, I had a little how-dee-do with one of my co-workers:

Him: “Hi, how are ya?”
Me: “I’m good. How about you?”
Him: “Oh, just living the dream.”

Living the dream?  I asked him what his dream was, and he said vaguely that the dream is what you make it.  That made me wonder, as we walked out the elevator and I went to my work area.  Hm, what is my dream?

I guess I would say, being happy.  But that would be vague, right?  It could be anything and maybe everything you can think of.  If I would be more specific, I would say this:

Seeing my daughter’s eyes light up as I walk in the door.
A butterfly kiss.
A hug.
A simple touch on my hand, just telling me that he’s there.
Laughter.
A call from a long-lost friend.
Picture-taking with loved ones.
A stroll around the neighborhood.
Saying hi.
A smile.
Giggling so much you can’t stop.
Staying healthy.

There is so much more to “living the dream”.  How do you live yours?

Me, Otaku, Ponderisms, Reads

Manga, Anime and Other Stuff

I’m becoming a fan of manga (Japanese graphic novels). Call me a late bloomer, hehe. Ever since Luci and I started hanging out at the local Barnes and Noble store at the mall, I look through some of their manga stock. It’s sorta like my passion for fantasy novels. With manga, it’s like a fantasy book with pictures. ^^

I always love a good story, especially when it comes to fantasy, comedy, and romance (love-hate relationships). I’m a sucker for those. Maybe that’s why I liked Love Hina, Dramacon, Hot Gimmick and the current one I’m reading: Bleach. Bleach manga is action-packed, but I must say they really keep you wanting to read more and more when they leave you hanging at the end of a chapter. Why is it like that? It’s so frustrating! LOL.

Aside from manga, I like to watch anime (Japanese animation), too. Since they show Bleach at Cartoon Network, I watch it and compare it to the manga. They’re almost the same but, of course, the anime is like a short-cut version. That’s why I like comparing both of them…I will at least get more of the gist when reading the manga, but I love to see them in action in anime.

I’ve also finished watching the first season of Mahou Sensei Negima. It’s very a very nice anime, and I suggest you watch it (you can search for it in YouTube). It has a mix of comedy, fantasy and romance (all of my favorites!).

On the home front, since today is Halloween, I dressed up Dani for the occasion (you saw her costume already from my previous post). She’s sooo cute, especially with those little pumpkin shoes. What’s funny, though, is that a couple of my friends mentioned that it was a carrot costume. I wonder how that is? Anyways, we’re not trick-or-treating this year. One: it’s too cold. Two: I’m working. Three: Luci doesn’t want to. They’re just going to give out candies for the other little ones.

I used to remember one of the Halloween days in my teen years, that I hung out with my friends from church and we went to my first ever boyfriend’s (though he wasn’t my boyfriend at that time) house and watched Stephen King’s The Sleepwalkers. Those were the days. I really miss it: the camaraderie, the closeness of our friendship, the happiness I felt when I was with them. I really miss it a lot. *sigh* I feel so sentimental now.

Well, here’s to friendship, anime and manga. *toast*