If it wasn't for Elena's blog in linking her page to my blog, I would not have even remembered that I have or had a blog. My last entry was June 2007! 'Twas a long time ago. It's now Janvier 2009. So that is 18 months in total. OoooOOOooo I guess work got in the way.
So in relation to 2008, I'll just summarise it. Well, for most of the things that I can remember.
January, 2008
Work was always busy and frustrating. My boss then was getting even more demanding and difficult, just when you thought it couldn't get any worse. So, all in all January was pretty much uneventful in terms of work. Though social life was getting interesting!
February, 2008
Went to Hong Kong. I had a great time and it was winter then! So, I get to wrapped myself in those thick clothing. Yes yes, I miss those. Funny I am. Had CNY in Penang.
March, 2008
Was at Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi. Had a super holiday!
April, 2008
Went to Hong Kong again. *gleeful looks* Oh yea, my work buddy, Sheryl resigned.
May, 2008
Sheryl had her last day in SLB on 9th May. Sadness.
June, 2008
With Sheryl gone from SLB, work was getting even busier than usual. And I was getting bored. Though having 2 new members joining the team did relieve the workload and the stress level that comes with it. Other than that, I can't remember anything in particular. O yea, because I was getting really tired with work and bored with what I was doing, thoughts of changing area of law practice kept floating in my mind. Oh yes, went to Saigon, Vietnam. It was superb! I love their seafood and the Ben Tanh market. There are loads and loads of bicycle in Saigon. Imagine traffic full of those. It can be quite scary. Also, had a short visit to Singapore and came back with many shopping bags. Someone shoot me please!
July, 2008
That precise thoughts about leaving SLB became frequent and soon, it was permanent. I soon came to realise how much I was not enjoying my job anymore. Signs such as dreading to go to work especially on Mondays. To the point that I cannot even enjoy my Sundays anymore. Friday would be my favourite day, but when Saturday night came and went ...... I would be thinking and saying out loud "Oh no, it's Sunday tomorrow and soon it will be Monday!" I'm sure G would love to attest to this 'cause he had to put up with my laments.
August, 2008
With my mind made up, I decided not to re-new my contract. Tendered resignation. (Of cos when I resigned, I had no idea of the impending economy downturn. I just hope I haven't made the wrong decision and that I am able to find yet, another good job). Believe me, it was quite hard for me to actually decide this, especially this being my first proper job in Malaysia. Having a job signify having a means to live and with it, it brings a level of security. Nonetheless, I was quite determined to execute my decision now that it was clear to me that I didn't want to be with SLB anymore. Anyway, I am to leave in 4 weeks time. At this rate, I discovered I had taken too many leaves and had to reimburse the firm! Kinda hilarious when you think about it. Anyway, no biggie since I now know that I was definately leaving.
September, 2008
Nightmare begun. Due diligence ("DD") in ... KUCHING! That bloody boring place. The shops closes at errr ... I don't really know the exact time but we were strolling the streets looking for some food and that was about 8pm and nothing much was opened! Actually, I didn't mind the place so much but rather it was the avalanche amount of workload. Now, that's a killer. This was a really, really busy month for me. I didn't have time for anything else, not even to cut get a haircut nor to cut my nails. Again, I was heading the physical inspections of documents in Kuching and at the same time, was also juggling to handle my own files with phone calls, trying to abide expiration date and datelines for other files and most of all, I had to complete my status report (which I didn't even have the time to begin with). This was simply because I was always in Kuching. I flew there every week, without fail. It came to a point wherein the bosses requested for us to obtain an open ticket as they didn't know how long we were required in Kuching. This means, having to spend our weekend in Kuching. Argh. I, for one, totally didn't agree at all. And I know the rest of the girls didn't either. You see, when you are working in a law firm like SLB, weekends are sacred. It is the only time we get to be with our family and loved ones. So we did this, flew in on Monday and leave on Thursday/Friday for each week in September. On the first few occasion, we were in business class as it is the firm's policy to fly in business class. But one of the bosses expressly forbids us from doing so. She sent me an e-mail stating this and it was cc to the whole wide world. Totally unnecessary. Why not ? It is the firm's policy after all. So anyway, there we were, with our many luggage (for clothes, documents, and heavy law books for reference purposes) and also, our laptop bags, crammed within the economy class. It was totally packed and we were squeezed up due to the lack of space with our legs coiled up like a sleeping serpent - totally uncomfortable. Great. This situation commingled with the fact that things were always going wrong at work came to a point that I just couldn't wait to leave SLB and to put it all behind me. I am so sick and tired of DD. And I sure as hell have no intention of drafting and producing the DDRs, all 18 of them! I've had my fair share in 2007 and trust me when I say, it's a pain in the arse, My last day was somewhere in October. Have yet to wait. Super.
nb. I heard the DD is still ongoing and it is now January 2009. I am so glad I am not involved anymore *gleeful looks*
October, 2008
Informed my ex boss that I need to leave the DD team as I needed time to sort out my many, many other files and to complete my status report which I haven't even begin with. And I only had a few days left before my last day. He agreed and informed the other bosses' team which I was assisting them in relation to the DD. Since he gave the word out, they have no other options but to leave me alone. Sigh, what a relief. And I finally completed my status report. Another relief. I honestly felt as though they were still expecting me to give 100% towards the DD even when I was leaving in a few days time. Crap. Mid month came and I was a free person. I just couldn't wait to get some proper rest and mostly to sleep. I was just so tired and worn out. I guess the DD didn't help at all. I felt as though I haven't slept properly for these 2 whole years. Working in SLB did sort of drain me out. Managed to squeeze a short trip to Pangkor Laut Resort ("PLR"). Had such a nice relaxing time and the beach were nice! I do want to go again but it's a bit of a long drive to get here. Shortly after the PLR trip, I left for Penang.
November, 2008
Back in Penang with my family for 3 weeks. It was good. In mid November, went to Koh Samui for my b'day. Initially, we wanted to go to Bali but due to the execution of the bombers, I got chicken feet and we decided to head to Koh Samui instead. Stayed at Sala Samui (http://www.salasamui.com/) which is a great resort. We even have our bed overlooking our private pool. So good. Though it was a bit too rainy for our liking. Didn't make it to Koh Tao or Koh Phangan due to extreme weather conditions. No biggie. We still enjoyed ourselves. Before leaving for Koh Samui, had a few birthday drinks at Vintry. OSM was so sweet. She made me a cheesecake and I have only known her for a few months then. I was silently touched. *happy smile*
December, 2008
Cherlene and Adren got married! After 11 years of being together, they decided to tie the knot. About time I would say. So, I headed down to Singapore for their registration of marriage. Then, Elena was back in Msia for a 2 weeks holiday with her bf, Mike and a friend, Zach. They all came down to KL from Penang and we all went to Siem Reap, Cambodia to visit the temples. We all had a nice time. After our trip to Cambodia, Elena and Mike left for Penang whilst Zach stayed with us. So we had Christmas and New Year to look forward to. After a little while, my flu worsened and fever was back with a vengeance on ..... New Year's eve!!! We were supposed to meet some friends at Leonardo's and I was still having fever at 9pm. At this point, I was just gonna stay indoor. But decided to try my luck and whacked a couple of Actifast, crossed my fingers that the fever would subside and waited. Finally, I was feeling ok at 10 ish (fever subsided) and left for Leonardo's at about 11.30pm. Miraculously, I was fine the next day. Flu vanished. I guess there is some truth after all to the saying "Alcohol cures everything". *tsk tsk* We saw fireworks from Leonardo's. All in all, it turned out well. But I was home by 1am. Ha ha.
