Monday, 17^th October 2005 | 10:59 PM
Catching up on the past month

Des reminded me to update, and oh boy, should I. I just realized it's been over a month since my previous updates.

I just realized that months go pretty fast now. Before you know it, a week is over. Before you realize it, a month has passed. Before we realize anything, the year will be gone! I've basically been too busy to write, and have little idea what to write. I don't want to be whining about the same old stuff (utter busy-ness at work, lack of a love-life) in this diary. But basically, the stuff that has happened in my life is the same old stuff. Work, some hanging out with friends, and then time's passed me by.

So let me recount the past month, earliest thing first.

I got a new watch:

Doesn't it look spiffy? My old, 2-year-old Casio (an earlier incarnation of this model, which I got when I first started out at my current job) was looking very battered, so I thought it was high time I got myself something new. I was looking for something sporty, tough yet not too casual. I had been looking at Swatch watches (which I'd always love), but I hadn't found any that wasn’t too casual. And of course, all this on a budget.

The weight-loss programme seems to be happening, once I get through Ramadan. I'm going to the doctor to get some prescription for weight-loss drugs and also to go on a monitored weight-loss programme. I'm going to renew my gym membership. I'm going to snack less, and indulge in less emotional eating. Maybe drink water each time I'm stressed at work instead of snacking. Basically, my main issue is to get my metabolism up, and reduce emotional eating. The eating healthier and portion control I seem to have mastered.

I was in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday and Friday. It looks like I'm going to be traveling to our Malaysian office on a monthly basis now, because we have a sales team that is essentially new to the line of products that I handle, and I will have to brief them on the products as well as the customers on it, until they get the hang of it. The sales team there seems to be less independent than the one here, so that inspires me with very little confidence. I'm no veteran at this myself.

Work has all sorts of problems. Anyone who works in retail can tell you that this is the busiest time of the year for them, because of the build-up to Christmas sales. And because our business essentially supplies the retailers, this is the busiest period for us as well. On top of that the financial year for our company ended in September, and then we decided to switch IT systems & database systems just in time for the new financial year. We're still coping with the aftermath. We have our biggest customer, renowned for their fussiness, finding fault with us right now. What do they get from doing this I don't know. Other than bad karma.

Ramadan began last Wednesday. Unfortunately, I haven't been as spiritual this Ramadan as I would have liked. It's almost 2 weeks into the month and I've got two more weeks to go, so I guess I've got some catching up to do.

That's the recap of the month. I can't seem to switch myself of work. I even dream of work when I sleep. Like I dream of books in bookstores I've visited, or of being in the office (and then being all confused when I open my eyes only to realize I'm still in bed). I need to improve on my work-life balance, but the thing is, I don’t know how not to feel guilty about not being able to finish something at work because I just don't have enough time to do it, and that even if I continue to work longer at work, it doesn't necessarily mean I'm being productive.

I've already have my resolutions for next year. Firstly, renew my gym membership and take a new fitness class each month. Secondly, take any new class a month – a craft class, language class, any class… something so that I can develop myself and take my attention away from work. Lastly, go on one major holiday each year next year onwards. Being a typical creative Virgo means that I'm full of ideas and plans, but having a short attention span means I lack the will to follow through with them. Ah well, just sharing some ideas that I have this time.

- last entry / next entry -

recent entries:

Monday, 27^th February 2006 - My house of cards finally comes down

Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006 - Books and fitness

Thursday, 23^rd February 2006 - Still fat and sleepless

Monday, 13^th February 2006 - Fat sleepless me

Sunday, 5^th February 2006 - It's more than just cartoons