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. :)