Up until now I still have this weird feeling about the fact that now I have to report to my friend, even though it has been almost 5 months since she got promoted. Just a little feedback about her. She started in our company about a year in a half ago. She has outgoing and bubbly personality, always in this "ra ra" mood which sometimes I find it a little annoying. She's also very brown-noser, which she actually admit it herself. I wasn't really surprised when I found out she got promoted because of all her "efforts" that I mentioned earlier. However, I don't think our big boss promoted her so that she can help making decision as most supervisors normally do. Her position was created so that our big boss doesn't have to deal with keeping track of vacation, calling off sick, and dealing with all little things like that. Her lacking of experience in our department and inability to make important decision have become very visible among ourselves. Meanwhile, our big boss is too busy with gazillion things on her plate. I remember one time she and I had a conference call in regards to a project I was dealing with, and all she did was making a little comments such as "Yes, I think it's a great idea" or "I agree" or "Yes I think we should do that". I'm not going to lie that I was extremely annoyed by that. I really don't need a cheerleader in this meeting; I need someone who can contribute ideas.
Anyway, instead of ranting and complaining about the whole situation, I decided to look at this in a positive way. Do I really want to be in her shoes? Somebody has to take all the craps that the big boss is putting us through, from "Dr. Jackly and Mrs Hyde" mood swings to everything we do is always wrong. And it ain't gonna be me!!! What's the point of being upset or jealous if I know I don't ever want to be in her position. It's very clear that our big boss just want her to do the work she doesn't want to do. I will keep involving our big boss in all business decision and let my friend (or should I call her my supervisor?) deals with the simple stuffs I know she can handle.
Anybody has ever been in my position? or her position? It would be interesting to know different side of stories.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
What Happen To Your Pet After Baby Comes
A few weeks ago I stopped by at my friend's house. She and her family is moving to Singapore and they are selling their stuffs. After talking to her, I found out she's not taking her dog with her. Let me step back and tell you a little bit about her. Of all people in the world, she is the last person I would think who's willing to get rid of her dog. Her dog was like her child, even more than the way I treated my dog. Her dog slept with her (on her pillow), she groomed it herself. When my husband teased her dog, she even told him to stop it. Words can't even describe how much she loved her dog. So I said to her, I couldn't believe she's not taking Molly (her dog's name) with her. Then she said after having a child your feeling towards your dog completely changed.
I went back home to think about what she said. Has my feeling towards my dog changed ever since my son was born? I hate to admit but I guess she might be right. It's really hard not to be upset with your dog when he barks over some noise, only to awake your son who just fell asleep after long waking night. How about when your dog needs to be walked when you're chasing your toddler around, making sure he's not going to hurt himself? Are there times when you tell your dog to go away because your baby won't stop pulling his tail and you're just afraid your dog will snap and bite him? Let's not forget that when you're getting ready to go out with your baby, you're busy packing his diaper bag, putting his snack, his meal, etc. At the same time you also have to take your dog out for potty and put him in his cage or kennel. I remember one time I was a little upset coming home only to find my dog had "an accident". The entire floor of laundry room were filled with poops and pee. Meanwhile I have a screaming hungry baby. All these little things do take extra time and efforts. It's not surprising that we might get upset with our dogs, even though they do nothing wrong but simply just being a dog.
When I told my husband about what happen to Molly and the fact that I couldn't believe what my friend did to her, he brought an interesting question. He asked me wouldn't I be happy if there is someone who can treat our dog to be a King again like the way we did before our son was born? We are just simply too busy.
I realize my feeling towards my dog has changed a little bit. But whenever I feel that way, I try to think all the joy he brought to our lives. The unconditional love he has for us, the tricks we taught him to do, the times he curled up and slept right next to me when my husband was away on a business trip.
I don't think I could ever give up my dog, even if I find someone who could care and treat him like a King. I just wished my husband's feeling towards our dog does not change this much. I just wished my dog can sleep with us again (he wouldn't let him sleep with us anymore after he peed on our bed)... just to get a little reminiscent of the old days.
What do you think? Will you give up your dog in this situation?
I went back home to think about what she said. Has my feeling towards my dog changed ever since my son was born? I hate to admit but I guess she might be right. It's really hard not to be upset with your dog when he barks over some noise, only to awake your son who just fell asleep after long waking night. How about when your dog needs to be walked when you're chasing your toddler around, making sure he's not going to hurt himself? Are there times when you tell your dog to go away because your baby won't stop pulling his tail and you're just afraid your dog will snap and bite him? Let's not forget that when you're getting ready to go out with your baby, you're busy packing his diaper bag, putting his snack, his meal, etc. At the same time you also have to take your dog out for potty and put him in his cage or kennel. I remember one time I was a little upset coming home only to find my dog had "an accident". The entire floor of laundry room were filled with poops and pee. Meanwhile I have a screaming hungry baby. All these little things do take extra time and efforts. It's not surprising that we might get upset with our dogs, even though they do nothing wrong but simply just being a dog.
When I told my husband about what happen to Molly and the fact that I couldn't believe what my friend did to her, he brought an interesting question. He asked me wouldn't I be happy if there is someone who can treat our dog to be a King again like the way we did before our son was born? We are just simply too busy.
I realize my feeling towards my dog has changed a little bit. But whenever I feel that way, I try to think all the joy he brought to our lives. The unconditional love he has for us, the tricks we taught him to do, the times he curled up and slept right next to me when my husband was away on a business trip.
I don't think I could ever give up my dog, even if I find someone who could care and treat him like a King. I just wished my husband's feeling towards our dog does not change this much. I just wished my dog can sleep with us again (he wouldn't let him sleep with us anymore after he peed on our bed)... just to get a little reminiscent of the old days.
What do you think? Will you give up your dog in this situation?
Monday, August 11, 2008
My Typical Daily Schedule As a Working Mom
In the beginning of my mommyhood I was trying different method in term of doing everything as a working woman and a mom, all in the same day. I'm sure most of us have days when we wished there are more than just 24 hours in a day. Since now we have $1000/mo daycare expense, money is a little tight and we can't buy take out whenever we want to. Here is my typical daily schedule, and when I compare it to my friends at work, it's pretty much the same.
AM
6:30 Wake up and get ready to work
7:00 Wake my son up (if he's not already awake), get him dressed, wipe his face with warm cloth
7:15 Give my son breakfast. Typical breakfast is a slice of bread and a glass of milk. While my son is eating his breakfast, I pack my lunch and get stuffs in the car (his blankie and teddy bear, library books if I need to return them, etc)
7:30 - 7:35 Leave the house to daycare. Drop off my son.
7:40 - 8:00 Leave to the office (ok...maybe I arrive at the office 10 minutes late)
10:30 - 11:00 Work out. I'm one of the lucky ones that the company provides a gym for its employees. I normally use this as a part of my lunch hour to work out with some of my coworkers.
11:30 - 12:00 lunch
5 pm Leave the office
5:30 Arrive home or pick up my son if my husband has to work late
5:30 - 6:00 Prepare the cooked dinner (putting it in the microwave, etc)
6:00 Dinner time
6:30 - 7:00 Play with my son
7:00 Bath time
7:30 Play again while my son drinks a little bit of milk
8:00 Bed time
8:00 - 8:30 Exercise, weight lifting
8:30 - 9:00 Shower
9:00 - 11:00 Cooking and cleaning
11:00 Getting ready to bed, browse internet a little bit or watch tv
My schedule is pretty hectic and normally I don't get to sleep until around midnight. Also, when my son comes home from daycare he normally gets really hungry. On top of that, he's very attach to me and likes to hanging on my leg while I'm cooking. So cooking after he goes to bed for the next day meal works much better for me, since it's almost impossible to cook when he's around. Typically, our today's dinner is our tomorrow's lunch. This way we save money by packing our lunches.
Some of my friends thought I'm a super woman for doing all these things. But I guess being a night person I have a lot of energy as it gets closer to midnight. My next goal is to have a laptop so I can browse internet and blog while watching tv at the same time. Being a mom with this hectic schedule means you have to somehow multi task whenever it's possible. Another tip is try to be as organize as you can by planning ahead of time what you're going to cook everyday. Every weekend I plan the weekly menu, write grocery list based on that menu. Once we do grocery, I separate the meat in a zip lock bag for about a pound each, just enough for each meal. Also, try to cut corners as much as you can, e.g. buy frozen or precut veggies.
If any of you can share what your typical schedule is, that'd be great... just so that we can learn from each other.
AM
6:30 Wake up and get ready to work
7:00 Wake my son up (if he's not already awake), get him dressed, wipe his face with warm cloth
7:15 Give my son breakfast. Typical breakfast is a slice of bread and a glass of milk. While my son is eating his breakfast, I pack my lunch and get stuffs in the car (his blankie and teddy bear, library books if I need to return them, etc)
7:30 - 7:35 Leave the house to daycare. Drop off my son.
7:40 - 8:00 Leave to the office (ok...maybe I arrive at the office 10 minutes late)
10:30 - 11:00 Work out. I'm one of the lucky ones that the company provides a gym for its employees. I normally use this as a part of my lunch hour to work out with some of my coworkers.
11:30 - 12:00 lunch
5 pm Leave the office
5:30 Arrive home or pick up my son if my husband has to work late
5:30 - 6:00 Prepare the cooked dinner (putting it in the microwave, etc)
6:00 Dinner time
6:30 - 7:00 Play with my son
7:00 Bath time
7:30 Play again while my son drinks a little bit of milk
8:00 Bed time
8:00 - 8:30 Exercise, weight lifting
8:30 - 9:00 Shower
9:00 - 11:00 Cooking and cleaning
11:00 Getting ready to bed, browse internet a little bit or watch tv
My schedule is pretty hectic and normally I don't get to sleep until around midnight. Also, when my son comes home from daycare he normally gets really hungry. On top of that, he's very attach to me and likes to hanging on my leg while I'm cooking. So cooking after he goes to bed for the next day meal works much better for me, since it's almost impossible to cook when he's around. Typically, our today's dinner is our tomorrow's lunch. This way we save money by packing our lunches.
Some of my friends thought I'm a super woman for doing all these things. But I guess being a night person I have a lot of energy as it gets closer to midnight. My next goal is to have a laptop so I can browse internet and blog while watching tv at the same time. Being a mom with this hectic schedule means you have to somehow multi task whenever it's possible. Another tip is try to be as organize as you can by planning ahead of time what you're going to cook everyday. Every weekend I plan the weekly menu, write grocery list based on that menu. Once we do grocery, I separate the meat in a zip lock bag for about a pound each, just enough for each meal. Also, try to cut corners as much as you can, e.g. buy frozen or precut veggies.
If any of you can share what your typical schedule is, that'd be great... just so that we can learn from each other.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Moms in the Work Place; Can We Have It All?
Last Friday one of my co-workers came to chat with me and I notice she felt a little upset. Turns out our boss just made a comment to her that she (our boss) felt disappointed that nobody in our department is willing to put overtime. We are accountants and we have deadlines every beginning of the month to close the book and prepare financial statement. The company has been putting a lot of pressure on us in order to close the book earlier, so that the executives could go over the financial statement earlier.
Most of the people in my department, including me, are mothers. My boss is married but chose not to have a child (she has stepdaughter). I don't think anybody without biological child could understand how important it is for us to spend those valuable hours with our loved ones. I spent 10 hours away from my child with 8 hours working, 1 hour lunch, and about 1 hour commute. Ideally I spent only 3 hours with my son everyday and I want to make the most of it. Personally I don't mind putting a little bit overtime here and there. But if it becomes a habit or requirement, then I will have a problem. I used to think that women with child tend to use their children as the reason to slack off, until I have my own.
Is there a job out there that accommodate mothers, allowing us to have good career and at the same time be good mothers? Can we have it all? Can career and motherhood go hand in hand? One can only wish. It's all up to you whether you want to put your career or your family as your priority. All I can say is kids grow up only once. If I miss watching them growing, I can't go back in time to fix it. So it's clear to me that my family comes first even if I have to kiss promotion good bye.
Most of the people in my department, including me, are mothers. My boss is married but chose not to have a child (she has stepdaughter). I don't think anybody without biological child could understand how important it is for us to spend those valuable hours with our loved ones. I spent 10 hours away from my child with 8 hours working, 1 hour lunch, and about 1 hour commute. Ideally I spent only 3 hours with my son everyday and I want to make the most of it. Personally I don't mind putting a little bit overtime here and there. But if it becomes a habit or requirement, then I will have a problem. I used to think that women with child tend to use their children as the reason to slack off, until I have my own.
Is there a job out there that accommodate mothers, allowing us to have good career and at the same time be good mothers? Can we have it all? Can career and motherhood go hand in hand? One can only wish. It's all up to you whether you want to put your career or your family as your priority. All I can say is kids grow up only once. If I miss watching them growing, I can't go back in time to fix it. So it's clear to me that my family comes first even if I have to kiss promotion good bye.
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