Does it pays to be helpful

I have been described as a helpful person. At times I wish I am not because it hurts when I felt used or been taken advantage of my helpful nature. I never expect anything in return to help a person out. I just do not want to be taken advantage of, that's all.

When I get into such as situation, that's when I will say to myself to be selfish but I never listen to myself as I do not know how to be selfish. Can someone teach me how to be one!!

Time wait for no man

Last Friday just before lunch, a Malaysian colleague informed me that one of the staff back home in Malaysia has passed away due to a burst blood vein in the head. I did not recognise the name but mostly likely I have seen her in the office building. After lunch while I was on the phone with an IT Manager in Malaysia, I received an SMS that one of the branch manager has passed away in a car accident. Between the IT Manager, I was trying to figure out who that staff was. Another sad new was that the IT Manager informed that the week before another staff has died due to liver cancer. I later learned that I knew this colleague too.

I was leaving Phnom Penh for Kuala Lumpur. While checking in at the airport, my General Manager called to inform about the sad news, I still could not figure out who that staff was until I received an SMS from a former colleague that one of our friends' husband has died in the car accident. It was such sad news to learn that you know it is your friend's husband.

Life is short. So one should live their life to the fullest. Do not wait if you want to do what you always wanted to do!

My Cambodian experience

Yesterday, I have created a new blog "My Cambodian experience" (www.kuen-campu.blogspot.com) to write about my stay in Cambodia. A link has also been created from "kuen's thoughts"".

Don't expect too much initially.

Off to Cambodia

I am now working in Cambodia after successfully obtained a transfer to one of subsidiaries. I landed in Phnom Penh on Sunday (8 April 2007) without one of my luggage - the big one which contains all my clothings and personal items. I went to work the next day in the clothes I arrived in. Luckily for me, I have another set of clothes for the night, otherwise, my clothes will be smelly.

The next day I went to the airport to identify a luggage which has lost its tag. I was so happy to see it was mine (the tag was still on the bag). Nothing was lost in the end.

Good News

Yesterday afternoon, my Senior Manager called me to see him. He officially gave me my good news. I am being posted to work in one of the subsidiary companies which is located in Cambodia. I will be required to report for work in Cambodia on 19 March 2007. That's two weeks away. Now he said that the word "handover" can be officially used. As you are aware, there was a blowout the week before Chinese New Year between my unit head and I afterwhich I questioned my Senior Manager the following day that "I have been ordered to "handle over" all my work to other staff without any reason being given". My Senior Manager responded that it is not a "handover" but to ensure that the other members in my unit know my work so that there will be a 'back-up" staff in my absence. The choice of the word "handover" was wrongly used by my unit head.

Putting the cart before the horse

Today, there was a big blow out between by Unit Head and I.

All the team members were called into the conference by my Unit Head. I was the last person to walk in due to an incoming call. Once seat, I was told by my Unit Head to handle over all my projects to another team member without any further explanation except being told that shortly my division head will call me shortly to explain (Note: The Division Head is already on annual leave for the holidays).

Can you imagine being asked what projects I am handling? How does a person head a team without knowing what projects are being handled by the team members? In explaining what projects I am handling, there was a big blowout on the definition of one of my projects. The best part of all was my Unit Head addressed his assistant to say "How was he to work with me as every time he speak to me there will be a blow out?" When did he ever speak to me regarding my work? All he does is ordering people when it comes to work issue. I was very happy to be able to use the tone he used on me during the blowout. And I said a "Thank You" to him.

Moving On

It has been a while since I wrote in my blog. As you are aware, there was a change of commander in my department. Things got worse after confusion with more confusion.

On the first day that my Head move into my ex-Manager room (in the middle of October 2006) , I was scolded and shouted at for ensuring that the department's office equipment is safe in my custody. My colleagues surrounding me were shocked over it. I felt cheated at being scolded and shouted at. Eventhough an apology came later with an added statement "I am trying to be nice to you but you keep undermining me", that's an indication that it is not worth the effort to continue staying on in the department. Time for me to move on.

A couple of weeks later, my HR department posted an advertising looking for staff to be posted in Cambodia. I thought hard about applying for one of the position. On the last day of the closing of application, I submitted the application letter to my Senior Manager. On the spot, he refused to recommend my application to the HR. I told him that it is time for a change. I think he understood but at the same time he wants me to retract my application. Instead, I told him I am leaving it to him to decide whether he wants to recommend me for the oversea posting or not (which he did in the end).

In late November 2006, I was shortlisted for an interview together with one of my colleague. We were so excited over it. In fact, no one in my department knew I applied except for this colleague of mine. On the day of interview, my colleague who is on leave that day came to the office. Other staff questioned her presence afterwhich they learned about her interview and mine too. Most of them were caught by surprise that I applied and was shortlisted for the interview.

After such long wait, today I received a call from one of the interviewer whether I am still keen on the position. Without hesitation, I replied "YES". I told my colleague about the telephone call. Sad to say, she did not receive such call from the interviewer.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that I am successful in my application. I was so happy over the telephone call but at the same time felt sad if my colleague's application is rejected.