Back at work

How has the past three months flew so quickly? Yesterday was my first day back at work, after my 2+1 months of maternity leave. It felt like I had only left two weeks ago. “Welcome home!” Some of my colleagues greeted me. “Home?” I asked, incredulously. I had left my home to be here. People talk of politics, naturally, but only casually. But I do notice that people are less hesitant and afraid to show support to the opposition now.

My inbox was so full, I had exceeded the maximum quota. I wonder whether any of the emails being kicked out were important. My colleagues who helped to take over some of my tasks during my absence quickly passed them back to me. “Attached is the latest files pertaining to blah and blah,” says the strings of emails sent to me yesterday afternoon.

I spoke to my boss and my boss’s boss. The words swim in and out of my head: …improve the demand forecast template… supply crisis in Bagan Luar because of a leaking tank… we need to complete customer performance analysis for 2007, it’s March already… tidy up contract gaps analysis… risk marketing will be placed under pricing desk… the closing for this tender is this Friday….

Only when he mentioned a good news, I lighted up: F will be joining our team? Yes, and he’ll be taking some of your tasks, Mynie. Good! Whenever we do something, we have to understand WHY we are doing what we’re doing. We can’t do it because ‘the boss asks us to do it’. Else, it’ll become too task-driven, robotic. We have to progress to strategic thinking, look at the bigger picture. With the time freed, we should have more time for this. Yes, boss you’re right. And I meant it! I really need to move forward and put my heart in my work. And the funny thing is – I honestly do like my job. So theoretically, I should be able to stay focused!

So, Mynie, where do you see yourself progressing in your career these next few years? Hmm, what I’m certain of is that I’m not interested to do sales in the field. I pefer to stay in the office – perhaps I can proceed to be a PA? Okay, another option is to go to BDM. But bear in mind, the job group after that usually requires field sales experience. Of course, I’ll give it a thought. Yeah, right. I have other plans for the future (may Allah help me with them), but I’m not going to tell him, am I?

I went back and picked up my kids at their babysitter’s house. How I miss you both, my dears! I had stayed (partially) at the babysitter’s home last week to familiarize them. For Munief, my biggest concern is to get him to trust and like the new sitter (his former babysitter didn’t want to continue). For Afiefah, the challenge is to get her used to using bottles. I should have trained her long time ago, perhaps the same time I started stocking up on EBMs a month ago, but I have forgotten! So last week plus the weekend was really intensive training for her. After trying 3 different teats, Alhamdulillah she can now drink her EBM via bottles. We arrived home at about 7. Home, where the heart is.


Stay ceria, my dears!