Not a bad day

Yesterday was a good day, apart from the usual struggle to stay effective at work (headache mostly - I think from my contact lenses). The previous night was our company year-end dinner where cash draw prizes were being handed out like candy. My brother calculated my chances of bettering the consolation prize as one in 4, and it turns out that there were many unannounced prizes as well, so chances were probably closer to one in 3! Alas, my scooter fund was not to be indulged. But it was still a lot of fun, to experience a part of their culture that doesn't really have an equivalent in Western society. (Christmas galas come close, but this was really big-scale.)

And then yesterday, I had my end-of-probation interview with my manager, which went well. Somewhat to my surprise, it was more of a chat than an interview or an evaluation. "How are you settling into the job?" (<- especially applicable to newly transplanted me.) "Anything unclear about your responsibilities, company regulations etc." We talked a bit about some of the things I was working on, pros and cons about my experiences so far. I have to write a brief statement containing my thoughts about the company over the past 3 months, which will be read by my manager, up to the business unit director. The BU Director spent many years in the States, so I actually feel quite comfortable around him. And he has beautiful operatic eyes. :) I kind of see him like a dad, except cooler. :)

The only not-so-fantastic part was an important class that our department was urged to attend. A 3-hour long important class. (And that was just the first of 3 sessions.) As a result, I didn't get to attend a prior engagement (more about this another time). :( Luckily (and surprisingly), even though some parts were a little technical (it'd been 8 years since I'd done that stuff), it was interesting enough that I didn't fall asleep. Even with the help of 2 lattes, that still says a lot!

So! Not a bad day at all. :)

Signs from above

It seems that my coworker's scooter accident isn't the only one to happen. A number of other coworkers have since been in accidents; my mentor's right arm is in cast and sling.

But none of those incidents affected me as much as yesterday morning's.

I was on the shuttle bus, off to work. I caught just a glimpse as we passed the intersection.

A scooter lay sideways in front of a mini truck.
The truck's windshield was just one huge spiderweb.
A man (presumably the scooter driver) lay on the ground, blood on his face, cradled by a person in a blue vest (Science Park crew) talking to him.
Another blue-vested person stood on the sidewalk nearby, talking into a walkie-talkie.

It was an unnerving start to the week. :(

I am beginning to wonder if this is some sort of sign from above, about me getting a scooter.

:(

Oriental palette

One of the best perquisites at my company is the snack cabinet. Yes, filing cabinets around the office with a variety of nutritional-zero goodies, for employees' enjoyment, free of charge. The caretaker staff refill them every morning.

Needless to say, the snacks are all Asian-style: chips, cookies, egg rolls, wafer snacks.... Cool, I liked getting snacks at T&T (Asian supermarket) anyway.

Well, I wasn't prepared for just how Asian when I picked up a mini pack of chips... and discovered they were seaweed-flavoured Lay's Chips. Weird.

Okay, so I just picked a funny flavour. (Sometimes I grab a package without really looking.)

Nope.

In the weeks after, I also came across Onion Crispy Crab, Chicken, and Sweet and Sour Pork. That's just wrong. In fact, the only "North American" flavour I found was Sour Cream and Onion (which I don't like much anyway).

Anyhow, most available snacks are interesting flavours. I suppose I'll eventually get used to them. But then again, maybe that'll shift me toward eating healthier. There's been noticeable gain in the midriff.... :(

From ear to ear

Sometimes, the stupidest things can make you grin.

Like noticing that the colour of your underwear matches the Roots Athletic hoody you're wearing.

But that's not me.

Phantom readers

I recently found out that people actually read my blog. People other than my brothers and the odd person here and there. I had no idea. I'd hoped, but I didn't really know.

That's because these people don't leave blog comments. :(

Now, I enjoy writing. I do. And I don't always require a reader. I've written several poems that people have never seen.

But let's be honest, the whole fun of blogging is reading others' comments. And if people leave comments, then I have more incentive to write. Because what's the point of updating my blog often (when I already have tons of other stuff to do) when no one's going to read it?

So. You people, the phantom readers: leave your mark. Please. :)