Our Little Smarties » Me Time

Business Trip for Working Mother

Emily — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 05:50:52 +0000

For many working mothers, business trips are like mini-vacations. The simple pleasure of undisturbed sleep and meal can really feel like an indulgent getaway. Do you agree with me? Come on, it’s a break from family life and motherhood. No chores to tackle, no homework to oversee, no meals to prepare and no school hours to rush.

After slogging through airports, sitting through meetings and networking through lunches, at the end of the day, there is a small taste of freedom. And that’s the priviledge of a travelling working mother. I do enjoy it and I’m not going to lie.

Ever since I was pregnant in year 2007, I’ve been excused from overseas business trip. My bosses have been very understanding. When Little Edison was still young, I told them that I was unable to travel overseas for business. The travelling duties were since delegated to other junior staffs.

Little Edison is turning four this year. It’s time for me to say yes to business trips. My recent business trip to Taiwan was my first overseas trip since I gave birth to Little Edison. What really got me worried was the sleep factor. For the past three years, Little Edison is sleeping with me every night. The thought of my 3-year-old crying for mommy at night really worries me.

The combination of my not-so-hands-on hubby and not-so-independent helper is another factor. Are they able to take care of Little Edison when I’m away? Thankfully, my parents-in-law are around to help us out. Three days passed-by smoothly although at times Little Edison felt moody when he couldn’t find me.

Overall, the trip was fun and the audit was successful. I will share more pictures when I have time to process them.

Btw, do you notice the new theme on my blog? Do you like it?

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Business Trip to Taiwan

Emily — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 04:55:19 +0000

I’ll be travelling to Taiwan on business trip late next week. I’m so excited about the trip but V is worried because I’ve no idea what to wear during winter. I think I’ll be in the toasty warm office most of the time, so a sweater, leggings or jeans should be sufficient to keep me warm. When I’m out, I’ll wear a winter jacket.

V thinks that I’ll need a LongJohn, sweater, cashmere scarf, socks, gloves and a down jacket as well. That’s quite a long list to me. Last weekend, we were out seaching for a down jacket and winter clothings.

I heard of Uniqlo, the new wave of fashion coming from the land of the rising sun but I haven’t been there. So, we went to one of its store at Tampines 1. Prior to my visit, I checked their website and I found that the overall prices of their clothings are quite reasonable. They have an extensive range of light jackets, sweaters, jeans, leggings, cardigans and down jackets.

I’m particularly interested in their Heat Tech Winter 2010 designs. The fabric is woven from a fiber thread which traps pockets of warm air, insulating our body in the same way as wool, but much less bulky. I shortlisted a few items to try out from their website.

When I reached the store at Tampines 1, I noticed that it has a very sleek look, big and bright, complete with white walls and shelves, several mannequins are lined up displaying their latest designs. However, the clothes are stacked up high on the shelves instead of being neatly folded.

There are a lot of customers in the store. Everyone is rummaging through the clothes to find their right sizes. There is hardly any sales assistants around to help the customers. I felt like I stepped into another warehouse sale. I couldn’t locate the items that I’ve shortlisted from their website in the store. I tried to seach for a sales assistant but to no avail.

I walked to the cashier counter. I saw two busy staffs at their cashier counter with a few customers queuing to make payment. I saw another staff outside the changing room, so I approached her. Apparently, she was busy and she couldn’t leave the changing room area. So, she approached one of the cashiers for assistance.

I waited for another 3 minutes. The cashier came to assist me. I showed him the paper with the items that I want to try. I told him that I couldn’t find them in the store. So, he took my paper and check the stock on the computer.

But to my dismay, he informed me that the items that I was looking for are no longer in store. They are all old designs. I couldn’t believe it as they are all Winter 2010 designs as displayed on their website. When I questioned the staff, he couldn’t answer me. It seems like he doesn’t even browse his own company’s website! He may be just a temporary staff, I told myself.

I walked out of the store with disappointment. Luckily, there is another store at Tampines 1 selling winter clothings. I went to Universal Traveller and I was so glad to find my winter clothings there. I bought my stuffs and went home happily.

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Year End Reflections

Emily — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 02:07:45 +0000

As the year 2010 draws to a close now, I can’t help but find myself reflecting on the highs and lows of the year. It’s really mind-boggling to realize how quickly the year and all the events that occurred in it have passed.

In a nutshell, here are several fundamental and encompassing truths that I’m truly thankful to have experienced this year:

Career Advancement

I griped about it initially but I’m thankful for the opportunity given to me. The initial stage of taking over a new role and added responsibilities was overwhelming. At times, I felt like I’ve jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Gradually when I settled down, I’m glad that I can achieve a lot more now. I love how my skills, knowledge and experience were challenged in difficult situations. I certainly feel that I’ve grown up so much professionally this year.

All Healthy

I’m thankful that we’ve been all healthy this year. My mother had discomfort associated with hip and leg pain. After a few physiotherapy with the specialist, her condition has improved dramatically. My father and father-in-law still stay fit, healthy and active as they age, which is a good thing.

In Aug this year, my mother-in-law was admitted to the hospital due to a life-threatening case of food poisoning. She recovered after four days with professional medical treatment. This incident made me realized how vulnerable we are as we dine out so often these days. How can we be assured of the food safety?

Growing up

I’m thankful to see my little boy growing in leaps and bounds each day. He has completed his first year of school in pre-nursery. The first month was so stressful for us. He went through a lot of tearful separations with me. I’m so glad that he finally settled down in school and in fact, he really loves going to school now. We got his progress report few weeks back. In general, he is doing well in his class.

Helper Issues

This year, we struggled quite a bit with our new helper who came on-board in Feb. For the past two years, I’ve never needed to fret about household issues because I had a capable helper. After her departure, I had a hard time re-adjusting to a whole new situation with a new helper.

My husband and I had difference of opinion in handling the new helper and this causes a significant amount of dispute too. The truth is she is unable to work independently and lacks of performance. To add insult to injury, she couldn’t get along with him partly due to her own stubbornness.

I’m back to being extra cautious over the next helper that we’re going to hire. In early 2011, we should see a positive change.

…..

The year 2010 opened happily and it is now closing happily for me too, despite some hardships and challenges in between. I’m looking forward to 2011 and what it has in store for me.

I wish everyone of you a very Happy New Year!

…..

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Busy November

Emily — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 02:45:18 +0000

November is going to be a very busy month for me. Tomorrow, I’ll be creeping towards another black hole at work. Hopefully, it will disappear by end of the month but until then I’ll have very limited time apart from trudge to work, get through the day, trudge back home, spend a little time with Little Edison before I crash into bed. I’m going to miss my blog again.

For the next two weeks, I need to participate in the user acceptance testing (UAT) of a new supply planning system that the company is going to implement early next year. The challenge is not the system itself but to manage my daily works and reporting when I’m physically seated in the conference room whole day for the UAT. So, it’s going to be mad multitasking again.

The system is developed by a supply-chain company that is aimed to provide the best supply-chain solution that helps our company’s business growth and to operate in a more efficient and sustainable way. From raw materials to finished goods, the system provides understanding of supply chain obstacles and opportunities; creates optimal supply plans that maximize customer service while maintaining low inventory level.

It may sound like a perfect solution for the company, but many of us are worried about how this system will affect our current work. New procedures need to be established. The transition period from the old to new system is going to be challenging but I wouldn’t say it is killing us. By hook or by crook, the system has to go-live early next year – a target set by the higher management.

On the bright side, I’m really looking forward December because my mother and siblings will be coming to Singapore to visit me. I miss them so much and I’ll be taking a few days off to bring them around. I’ll be going to the Universal Studios again for sure. Little Edison will have heaps of fun mingling with his cousins. And it’s school holidays too!

On an even brighter side, the company will be shutting down for a week during Christmas. Yippee! I’m sooOoo looking forward a break. I’ve yet to plan what to do during this week but I know I desperately need a new hairdo. However, no overseas holiday plan as V needs to work on that week.

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Life’s Simple Pleasure

Emily — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 05:42:29 +0000

It has been crazy lately. Lots of things to do but only 24 hours in a day. Many activities have therefore taken a backseat. I really need to sit down and revisit my schedule again.

In the midst of this everyday madness, I had an unexpected oasis of calm last night. Little Edison has been active the whole day, and thus, he went to sleep a little early last night. I opened up the box of My Beauty Diary mask sheets (picture above) that my brother-in-law bought for me. It’s really very nice of him. (Thanks so much, Kenneth!)

My Beauty Diary mask is currently the best-selling mask sheets in Taiwan! It is endorsed by celebrities in Taiwan and its price is very affordable too. Their mask essence is extracted from natural ingredients which are formulated for different types of skins, particularly on Asian skins.

Its name is very unique too. I wonder why it’s called a “beauty diary”. Could it be because it has a variety of fragrances, ingredients and effects that allow us to choose based on our various moods and needs on different days? We can write on our beauty diary and see the results of healthier skin day by day.

Whatever it is, I wanted to give it a try. I washed my face and applied the mask on my face. I laid down on my bed with my face up. For a blissful twenty minutes, I was suspended in a world of my own. It was absolutely relaxing! Such simple pleasures in life are just too few. I started to think, if there is anything that I miss in my life now, it will be moments like this – the moments with myself.

I woke up twenty minutes later to remove the mask. I feel energized and calm. I prefer My Beauty Diary mask sheets than The Face Shop. Reasons – the mask essence is thicker in My Beauty Diary, thus it doesn’t flow beneath the neckline AND the essence will not make the skin sticky after the application. I was so impressed by this product.

Anyway.

In a day when I feel particularly busy, I will find a way to engage in a simple pleasure that brings me joy, just like this. So readers, what simple pleasure brings you joy most? I love to hear them.

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