At your service?

I had to attend a compulsory managerial workshop at the Singapore Retailers Association this morning. I was nominated for the STAR award in EXSA. Over the eleven years in the service line, I have received a number of similar recognitions. I thought to myself if the service standards in Singapore have dropped as that seems to reason why I am eligible for the Star award this time around. In fact, I am ashamed since my expectations of one who deserves such a recognition is higher. Although I try to be a pleasant front-liner, there were times I lost my patience with my customers and wasn't as helpful as I could have been. Disappointed having served years of demanding yet unappreciative public, I even reminded myself to get a job which does not involve customer service!?

I have the intentions to leave this job for the longest time already. I was getting paranoid if I would lose my sanity, you see. My stressful job-scope doesn't involve only customer service, it also involves financial services and sales. The targets alone can drive me crazy. I am always trying to cope but I really do not know for how much longer can I put up with my personal struggles. Recently, I didn't realize a man was watching me speak Indonesian Malay to a happy old Indonesian lady who thought she was lucky to be served by me. He was even more impressed as he observed me speak Mandarin to the next customer, a Chinese national. He came to my counter and told me I'd definitely get a better offer elsewhere. Other customers in the line were kind with praises too. Honestly, I know that I love meeting people. I enjoy challenges. I could adapt and welcome reasonable changes.

Whenever I attend a course, I often wish I'd be a facilitator someday. Mdm Susan is the facilitator for the half-day workshop. She shared she did quit her job as a manager for a back-end job. That switch lasted barely three months. Presently, she is also teaching English. "When we are a people-person, we would not be able to adapt to only paper work. Can die, you know?" I wondered that very moment if it would be the same for myself. After I heard her sharing about her work experiences, I began to have mixed feelings about doing a career switch. However, I am thankful that at the end of the session, I am more certain about my career goals. I hope that I could do something even more enjoyable and fulfilling in time to come. May God bless me with opportunities and guide me well to a better future.

Just a note to share: " If you want to compliment, write in. If there is a need to complain, do it verbally. "

My first drug allergy

Yesterday, I spent the National Day holiday at home practically only sleeping. I felt feverish when I woke up for sahur before dawn. When it was time to break fast, I was looking forward to down the pill for fever. I had my fill and about two hours later, I was beginning to feel that the fever has subsided. That probably shows how effective the medication was, I thought to myself. Looks like I can go back to work and fight 12-hour shift battle at work tomorrow. 

Shortly after, my eyes began to itch. I looked into the mirror and they weren't red. I refrained myself from rubbing the eyes since I learnt that my left eye has been a really sensitive case nowadays. I used the Optex eye wash. I noticed my left eye began to swell. After a while, even the right one swelled too! I was getting paranoid and anxious, so much so that I began to contemplate if I should visit the 24-hour clinic in the vicinity or perhaps the hospital! Somehow, I decided to sleep and pray that my eyes will be better the next morning.

Alas. I was wrong. The swelling persisted. I woke up with a bad throat from sudden coughing. Even my left ear hurt when I cough. I had flu too. I knew I had to see a doctor and give work a miss. I am already expecting a warning letter cos of being absent from work after a public holiday! Ridiculous or not, I am still a staff and there's consequences I have to bear despite feeling bad for not being at work for a valid reason. Wait till I get the letter, perhaps I'd just post it here.

I made my way to see Doc Cute, the company doctor. The clinic was crowded and seeing the long queue of patients, it got me a lil cranky. I entertained myself with posts on FB and Twitter about the wait. My coughing turned my stomach into a roller coaster ride causing me to feel giddy and nauseous at the same time. My name was called by Doc Cute himself. I showed him a picture of my initial swollen eyes I took. I explained I felt feverish so I took the pills he prescribed to me in my previous visit. He frowned and said I am suffering from a drug allergy cos of self-medicate! I thought that was strange cos nothing happened to me when I took them back then. "You were lucky."

He took my blood pressure. My swelling, flu and cough was due to the allergy. I had ear and throat infections too. He told me to give him some time to think thru the medicines to prescribe. He also gave me a injection on my arm to ease the allergies. I took a deep breath and watched the needle poked into my skin. It didn't hurt. I should take common paracetamol such as Panadol should I feel feverish in future. Lesson learnt! I will consult a doctor before talking any prescriptions even if I took them before. Clofenac Sr, my first drug allergy. I call the rest of the medicine I had to take, SLEEPY-FOOD. I could barely stay awake!

Left the clinic with an injection on my arm, a bag full of medicines and 2-days MC! 

Single; married to work.

My manager asked me earlier if I go out on dates after work or during the weekends. When I said I don't, she was really quick to add "but you are pretty, how can that be?!" After a while, she came back to me and commented that "relationships involve feelings. It's better off not getting hurt." This coming from a single woman in her mid 50s. She spends her weekends doing housework and going over to her siblings' place or watch movies with friends if boredom sets in. This lady does weekly yoga. That is why every Thursday, we'd get to leave the office earlier. Looking at her devoting her time in work definitely made me wonder if she has no life! To each, his own. No love life doesn't mean no life. She celebrates life as a happy woman and keeping fit.

She may have been misunderstood by many. She is a workaholic; yes but she always believe that we are paid to do our job. As a manager, she needs to manage not just daily work operations. She needs to motivate her staff. Work is always crazy. Even having served more than thirty years of loyalty to the company, she did look back sometimes and laugh at how she dealt with all the expectations. I am her assistant and it is good to truly know that I am working with someone who takes her work seriously and willing to guide. I left the office wondering if I'd end up like her. Single, married to work? I rather not.