Departmental Joy

The department (Finance + ICM) had an internal 'feast' to celebrate the Hari Raya (what else is there to celebrate in this month?). In previous years, usually an open house was organised by the dept in which we invited colleagues from other department to attend a feast. However, we decided to have a smaller scale 'party', which I think was more enjoyable and also there was more time to enjoy all the food. Together with the event, we also celebrate our big boss (Mr Patrick) birthday which fell on that day. I wanted to join as well in contributing to the party because my birthday will be in a few day's time, so just this once, I'd like to share it with friends at work.

I really like the department in which I'm working in now. It's a considerably smaller department that the one I was attached to before, so everyone knows everyone. I can't even remember all the operators' names when I was with the Operations dept, there were too many of them. We also do things together more often among Finance & ICM staff. Earlier this year, we had a Family outing in Kuantan, which was probably my first and last time I'll be able to join. It's rather a shame because Awi and Haziq couldn't attend it because Awi had just given birth to Haziq and they're all in Awi's hometown. It'd be kind of cool to bring the whole family and take part in all the events that were organised. Add to that, the numerous times we had lunch together, there is a good sense of togetherness among us. I'm not sure that I'd find the same sort of family spirit when I move to another company and department.

So, in the meantime, might as well enjoy what I have left. I've mentioned before the good relationship that I have with my colleagues in ICM. And there were times of conflict with the people on the first floor, but it's more like a big brother-small brother kind of thing. It doesn't last and at the end of the day, we realised that everyone just wants to do their jobs well. As the saying goes, all good things will come to an end. I believe things will change for me and for us in the coming months and while I'm not afraid of change, the apprehension is still there. Who knows what will happen next?

Lazy Afternoon

Don't tell the boss but I'm lazing around at the moment in the office. My notebook encountered some problem around noon, it became slow and suddenly upon restarting it, I just cannot log into the network. How ironic isn't it? The IT guy even have some problems with his PC. Anyway, I couldn't do much work without my notebook (just shows how much I use it in my daily work), so I did some 5S on my very messy work area. I removed unwanted paper and documents, cleaned the area a bit and pray that it will remain in such pristine condition for many more months.

So at the moment, I'm waiting for the time to go home around 5 and at the same time, downloading some apps for my new gadget, Treo 600. It's a pda-phone manufactured by Handspring, which runs on Palm OS. My other colleagues like Pocket PC so much, even Am is contemplating to buy the latest product by O2, XDAII. I supppose we're all just PDA or gadget freaks and considering we're in Terengganu, we must be among the most high-tech people here. Hehehe, no insult to the locals, okay?

We all each had a session with the boss yesterday which he said is part of his coaching for all the staff. It was quite good for him to do that because we were to share our concerns and get feedback from his as our superior. He also doesn't mind for us to give comments on his performance because he intends to improve and become better. I kind of like it for the boss to be like that because we can just be open and speak our minds with him. Not many bosses are like that. The one I used to have is kind of intimidating and liked to treat and make us feel small. It's not conducive to a person. Maybe because he thinks he's cleverer than everyone else.

Anyway, it's another afternoon to laze around, not that I like to do it often because there's so much to be done. However, circumstances doesn't allow it so might as well make the most of it lah...

The West Wing

West Wing is one of the best things that has been shown on TV. I just love this series. Hey, don't think that someone who follows Smallville and ALIAS cannot like something serious like West Wing. Basically, it is a drama on the lives of The West Wing staff, who for those without any ideas what the term means, is the President's of the United States office at the White House. The most powerful person in the world cannot do all the administration of the super power on it's own, right? He would need a chief of staff, press secretary, communication directors, aides, clerks, typist and so on. Over here, we have the Prime Minister's Office but the name West Wing certainly pushes the 'cool' level up a notch.

Some people would just say that the drama is a propaganda exercise by the Americans but as long as you can think for yourself and not let your mind be influenced, then who can stop you from enjoying it? The storylines are excellent with a lot of tension and interesting plots. In Malaysia, it is currently showing the 3rd season but I think it is already in its 5th in the US. I've just completed watching the whole 2nd season on DVD and I believe I watched the whole 22 seasons within one week. :)

I've always been interested in politics and to see how power is actually be exercised by the US, even though it's fictional, but in practice, that is what being done. I'm sure the producers want to make the drama as real as possible and you can see the quality of the storyline for each episode. I'd totally recommend anyone to watch The West Wing and you will have some understanding how those people in the corridors of power work and function.

Now, I'm trying to find the 3rd season on DVD but searching in Amazon.com, the search comes up to nothing. Watching on TV3 is just not the same.