The week that followed ...

The days that followed the fun filled Easter weekend was fairly 'full on'.

It began with the arrival of my biometric card.  The size no bigger than a credit card, this card basically legalizes my stay in this country and giving me formal permission to work in this country.  Although I was unemployed for a couple months to be exact.  However, if you counted the time from graduation day which was on the 29th January - it was a couple weeks after I found some part time work (while still waiting for immigration outcome).  God is indeed a great provider.  I was beginning to fret not earning.  Yes Hugo is a generous provider but I too wanted to earn.  It gives one some sense of independence and self worth - that all that effort invested in learning is reaping some returns at least!  Furthermore, with plans of a family down the line establishing self in some kind of employment and earning is key in the whole scheme of things. 

My ambitions are simple.  I'd like to be in an employment that allows me work life balance.  A positive work place in terms of people (who are helpful and encouraging) and work that is enjoyable and allows career development.  In my small mind, that would help us (BFL and I) provide for the children we plan to have.  We keep our lives simple.  So long as we have a comfortable home to call our own in a safe area, quality meals on the table, providence for extra help, good schools and health care (if need arises) and the ocassional treats to share (Christmases, CNY, Easter ...) with family and friends, time out to take holidays and yet still save, I should be happy I've reached my goals.  It may sound simple but it is in effect asking a lot!

Well! No harm in asking nor aiming for the stars.  You don't ask.  You don't get.  This is after all a journey onwards and upwards.  It would be interesting - if this blog is still 'alive' to see a decade down the line how far onwards we've journeyed.  Whether I would indeed achieve, all the above. 

As for the following days, I've spent it working.   I've been put to task for a couple weeks now on preparing for a major audit from the Department of BIS.  The last couple of weeks I've been digging out documents from 2009 (!!) and checking to see if they were in the order as required.  X bills, Y Licenses, Z certificates etc.  Usually by the end of the day, I'm seeing stars and getting somewhat muddled in the head. Almost always those are symptoms indicating you really need a break.  And no matter how reluctant you are to take one (simply because the task is yet to be completed), it makes more sense to let go and step away rather than muddle through that growing sense of panic - which is self-defeating.  I have to admit, it did feel like I was preparing to sit for a very big and important exam.  The worst thing is, I haven't much of a clue whether what I'm doing is right.  A the person whom I'm helping hasn't been very helpful.  She's simply left me to it (mainly because she rather NOT be doing all that painstaking work herself).  When I ask her, she only reveals what is necessary and does not let on to the bigger picture for fear that I might know too much and take over. 

Fair enough ...  I do understand where she's coming from.  But I am only there to assist and for that I worked three days this week instead of the two.

I'm making note that I ought to be finding another place to go to.  Some where that is more edifying - not that what I'm doing now is not.  It is interesting learning how the entire business works and the administrative processes that goes with it.  However, one that's barring any kind of change of progress is A who bosses her boss around.  The poor man can't even speak to me without her getting annoyed.  She's already revealed what kind of person she is - and I have taken note to be careful.  I only pray I find favour in every thing I do - inspite of feeling like a bumbling idiot most of the time.

It is also interesting to note that any sort of communication relayed in a highly strung manner somehow looses its efficacy.  I suppose also A has a knack of communicating in a round about sort of way - which makes anyone lose the plot after a while.  It's her way of manipulating the situation - making things more complicated than what it is.  On that note, I'm not saying her job is easy.  No job is.  That's a fact of life.  Although she's got alot on her plate, things could always be simplified and made more efficient.

I'm bitching...But whatever it is, my observation of A is done without a trace of malice.  I am admittedly knackered from my 'examining' week.  My treat having finished the work day and the week was a trip down K's. I initially thought I'd indulge myself in retail therapy but I discovered was too tired to shop.  So my treat to myself was tea at PJs until BFL arrived.  :)

Onward weekend!  :)