my life story

credit pic - prcouture.com

my brain's telling me to write. but write about what, i don't know.

let me tell you a story. a short story that looking back, seems like a childish one.

a year after graduation, i decided that i maybe i don't quite fancy doing PR (after all). all i wanted to do was write. and i had a specific writing job in mind, that is to become a fashion writer. i wasn't entirely fashion savvy. but i know for a fact that i have good taste ( i think i do) and i am definitely not a victim of fashion. i dress to my liking and it's usually simple, classic outfits that come to think of it, won't go wrong.

I remember while at work, i decided to sneak an email to the editor of Eh! magazine Asiah Mion. I told her that i wanted to give this fashion writing job a try provided that she would be able to match my salary at that time. Kak Asiah then gave me a fashion assignment to write ust to see where exactly my writing skills were.

the thing about magazines like Eh! and GLAM, the writing skill runs deep and laced with a mixture of english expressions thrown in. that's what i like cause it sounded natural. like how we converse with each other? so i applied that in my assignment. i remember that the assignment was about 'trend musim luruh'. so i decided to look it up from the net and just come up with an article which i think does not linger on self knowing (for i do not know enough to give my 2 cents worth on trends nor was i noob enough that i can't figure what would be a good trend to follow). so i submitted the assignment and lo and behold! Kak Asiah decided that hey, my writing skills were pretty good after all! *pats shoulder*

problem is, i do not know how to tell dad that i wanted this job. i mean, i can job hop for all other pr jobs in the world but to switch to writing wasn't entirely ideal. so i decided to work only for a day at EH! i told kak Asiah that i really wanted this, but i wasn't sure my dad would give his approval (and his blessings is everything to me when it comes to job selection) So I took a day off from work and gave magazine writing a try.

I've to admit that it was quite an experience. Sitting in an open area filled with creative people from different fashion publications. (Eh! was under BluInc) Some faces of course I knew because when in PR, media are supposedly your friends so some of these faces I did recognized so it wasn't entirely foreign. I was of course frantically praying inside that no one would call my boss up to inform that the company's associate happened to be here on a day's trial at work. dang!

Anyways, it was good experience in the end albeit a very short one. I believe writing does come naturally to me. I was given release after release to read through and i even had to write an article on cellulite! i was then given an assignment to go to a hair styling competition but because it was a night event (and you have to remember, dad does not know bout this at all) that i told Kak Asiah i had to pass.

my articles / writeups did get published for the following month and despite it being a non-paying job (come on, it was only for a day!) it did give me a clear conscience on what i really wanted to do. maybe i enjoyed writing. maybe writing was easy and i am sure i could go far if i properly honed my writing skills. but at that time, i also realised that may i do have a love for PR after all. and i never looked back since. Writing was just a diversion, but my calling (for the next 7 years) was entirely corporate comms and now that i have left the field altogether, and with fond memories too (oay, that bit i lied, my last ceo was a monster by the way. gives me breakout every time he crosses my mind) ...

oh well, that all added up to the experience i guess! :)

why we work

credit pix - insideadinashead.blogspot.com

I don't know you, but to me, work gives me a sense of belonging. a sense of being part of an organization, contributing to the growth of that organization. maybe what i am doing right now does not have that much impact on the company i work for (BS, every single thing i do indirectly impacts the company and previous companies i worked for) but it feels good to leave the house early morning, towards a destination which I know i work and efforts are much appreciated (well, they better be or else).

But i guess working is not merely about earning those moolahs. it's about learning, self-developing, building work relationship but most importantly, gaining that experience.

I've worked at many places. and i mean MANY... despite doing the same thing (which at that time was corporate comms) the industry was different and i learned alot along the way. i know how to asses characters, how to adapt in different environment, how to deal with difficult bosses (my previous one was a bloody a**h**** mind you) but he taught me that sometimes, one just need to be tough to get one's message across.

Working also is a humbling experience on its own. i can relate that very well to the field i was in. dealing with smart alecs, sneaky characters, extremely smart but arrogant people. the list goes on and on. but it actually developed me as a person. throughout the years i have learned the tricks and the trades of the industry (well maybe) enough to assure myself that no, this people can't just bull their way around me. i have had experiences dealing with difficult and lazy subordinates (and useless colleagues too) and i have pretty much nail down the art of good decision making and handling extremely difficult situations if need be (more than once i have had to clean other people's mess' and been put on a spot).

All this eventually makes me a better, more calming but quick to think person.

I guess working in itself isn't too bad.

Maybe I do love working after all!

writer's block

pic googled

I think i'm having writer's block, at the office. i'm supposed to start on tonnes of proposals and working paper, but my mind's just not on it. neither have i been blogging for the past week! oh what has become of me?

i am busy planning for my son's 5th birthday though. oh no, there won't be a massive hoo haa celebration to begin with. it's more of a celebration with family members where we'd either go somewhere for dinner or lunch, or when we feel like it, we'll just invite them over to our house for a small get together. i don't see any valid reasons to throw a massive party when i can save all that money to treat him to an awesome holiday abroad. yes, i am a prude like that :p don't take me seriously. i am not at all opposed to parents throwing lavish birthday parties for their kids. i mean, to each is his or her own. you shouldn't someone's way of spending nor way of life just because it's not according to yours. and i won't turn down any birthday invites either if can help it. i mean, it is always nice to stuff your face silly with free good food!

honestly, i don't even know what am i raving on about. i think i just needed that platform to write crap for a bit before i get back to my ever-existing workload. something's awfully wrong with the network connection. it has gone all slow now... i hate when the connection's being daft. not when i'm all revved up blogging. omg, which reminds me... i still have not completed the teach for malaysia form! i was so enthusiastic the first 15 minutes of filling it up and i can practically feel the excitement waned after filling it up half-way. not to mention the several phone calls i received from teach for malaysia reminding me to complete the form.

sigh, i am awful like that!

Wordless Wednesday 4

so many things, so little time... :S

first back to work weekend!

hello!!!!!!!!!!!!

did you miss me?????? i know i missed blogging. i did try to read my blog from the office but the page just doesn't seem to load properly. and i don't think it's a good idea to blog while you are working. not when i'm seated right next to the glass panel. people walking outside are bound to see. silo busting is very much practiced at my new place. it's good you see. cause we don't practice heararchy here. no such thing as i'm-the-boss-so-you-do-the-job kind of thing. of course designations and seniorities are clearly spelt on your business cards. but the whole idea of silo busting is:- every one is just as good as the other person... :)

and the weekends are here!! my first back to work weekend!!

credit pic - tws3d.com

work has been great so far... Alhamdulillah. it's still too early to tell though. I think the couple of months I became SAHM had been good and it was a well deserved break for me. oh, i've got loads to do (already) now but i feel happier this time around and i hope that i will stay happy throughout. Insya Allah.

of course i am also very sure that there will be moments when i will end up like this;

credit pic - readysetgo-thechronicles.blogspot.com

LOL!!!