New beginnings

It is cold in here. If I glance to my right, through the vertical grey blinds I can catch a glimpse of the pale blue sky outside. The array of brightly coloured cars in the car park contrast with my quick yet comforting glance of nature. The green balloon that is hanging from a shelf to my right is now lightly swaying to the humming sound of the air-conditioning unit, moving left, right, left, in a rhythmic pattern. Why the air-conditioner is on, I do not know. It is a relatively cool day, and to prove this I am wearing a thermal top under my business shirt whilst a heater under my desk warms my feet until they turn pink. Each time my feet warm up too much, I swiftly turn the heater off, to find minutes later I am cold once again in which I turn the heater back on. This tends to be a reoccurring pattern.

My desk is decorated with balloons of blue, yellow, orange, red and green as colourful streamers drape down into “U” shapes between each balloon. The reason for these items, which usually one would associate with a celebration, is to mark my placement into my new role, in this new company. New faces, responsibilities and challenges. This little welcoming gesture had me smiling on my first day, and now, weeks later, still has the same effect. It is the small things in this work place that I am appreciating the most.

I'm optimistic about this new job, after having spent a few years out of university in roles in which I could not stand. With my previous position, it got to the point where I had nothing to look forward to in the mornings when I dragged myself out of bed. Nothing except for lunch of course. When lunch alone motivated me to go to work, I knew I was in trouble. It was time to move on. And moving on I have...

Runny Noses, Not A Tissue In Sight

This is a typical long winded story of mine, you may find it boring, but oh well...it makes me smirk all the same:

At my old work, it was mid-winter, and everyone had the sniffles because they were catching colds/flues. I emailed the Admin Manager asking her for tissues, and was shocked to see a reply of, "Sorry, our company does not supply employees with tissues". I was very angry at this point, and could not believe what I was reading (although I later found out it is quite common for organisations not to supply tissues). I emailed the HR Manager then, forwarding on the Admin Manager’s reply, and adding, "Isn’t it common courtesy to supply us with tissues, as you would toilet paper, computer paper, etc?" It is a common necessity. Anyway, the HR Manager replied, "No, sorry, we do not supply tissues to employees; you will have to bring your own in".

I couldn't believe what I was reading, and as this process was occurring, I let all of my colleagues know what was going on. They were annoyed, but happy to bring in their own tissues at this point. Because I was going on-and-on about this (okay, I was at a point in my career where I didn't want to be in that company any more!), my colleagues started a Tissue Fund for me, and they passed around a large envelope for all staff in our department to contribute some coins to go towards purchasing my team some tissues. The outcome was that they presented me with a tissue box, and I couldn't stop laughing at the situation, at their kindness especially; yet could not believe our employer could be so inconsiderate to the needs of their employees.

The story doesn't end.

I started a new job just recently, and noticed that I needed a tissue. I asked my colleague for one of his tissues, and he said, "Oh, I'll get you your own box...they have heaps of them somewhere around. I'll just go find you a box..". With that simple comment, it made my day. A company that FINALLY supplies its employees with tissue boxes. I contacted my ex-Team Leader and told him the joyous news, as he was the one to organise the Tissue Fund for me in my previous job. He was happy to hear this, but disappointed that his new job does not supply him with tissues!!

The outcome: My nose is happy. I am happy. I go to work with a smile on my face as I have learnt to appreciate the simple things in life (even if it is a box of tissues!).

Pimp my ride

I just got the weirdest anonymous comment to my last post! It was some person advertising (I think!) their website regarding pimping their ride!! haha. I deleted the comment.

It was my first comment in a while, and it's spam related. GRRR.

Ahh the joys of being an Internet nerd :P

Strangle your husband with it?

So the hijab (head scarf) tends to cause a bit of controversy it seems. Everyone has an opinion on it - even random women buying apples in our local fruit market.

About 3 years ago, I was buying fruit with my mum when an Australian lady said to my mum, "If I were you...I would get that head scarf and strangle my husband with it!". Yes, this random stranger felt the need to give my mum advice on how to handle her "oppressive" husband. She also knew the tips on how to get my mum locked up in jail. Over what? A husband, who in this lady's eyes was forcing my mum to cover her hair. Oh, the horror! The pain. One girrrrrrlfriend looking out for her fellow girlfriend! Well, yo, like lady...if you met my father, you wouldn't be saying that! My dad is the sweetest man on earth, and he would never have forced anything upon my mum. My mum seems to wear the pants in the relationship if anything! She chose to cover up as part of our religion.

I cannot believe how people can be so rude. Or, rather, maybe she thought she was being helpful?

I beg to differ.