Do I like being a workaholic?

Dictionary.com says workaholic means "One who has a compulsive and unrelenting need to work".

Wikipedia (my favorite hehe) says "a workaholic is a person who is addicted to work. This phrase does not always imply that the person actually enjoys their work, but rather simply feels compelled to do it. There is no generally accepted medical definition of such a condition, although some forms of stress, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder can be work-related. Although the term "workaholic" usually has a negative connotation, it is sometimes used by people wishing to express their devotion to one's career in positive terms. The "work" in question is usually associated with a paying job, but it may also refer to independent pursuits such as sports, music, art, or blogging (whoops...).
A "workaholic" in the negative sense is popularly characterized by a neglect of family and other social relations. The term has no clinical definition, however."

"Although "workaholic" is not an official medical or psychological term, it remains in widespread usage to refer to those whose expenditure of time on work and work-related issues leads to the detriment of their bodily health, social lives, family and domestic life, or leisure time."

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I'm still in the office, just finished a discussion, or rather a "lecture" from the "headmaster". Missed combat and it was a good thing that no one had promised to join that class with me. I hope I won't miss my Thursday combat.

I'm totally fine with working late, occasionally. It can be satisfying being a workaholic, sometimes. But you suppose a workaholic can remain a workaholic and not get tired of it? Or perhaps you might not get tired of being a workaholic, but might get tired of the work at hand.

Actually, I've decided. I don't like being a workaholic. I would like to have balance in life, wouldn't everyone? - I want to be totally committed to work but maintain a hardcore workout regimen. I want to be really busy at work but also want to play hard and spend loads of time with family and friends.

... and I want to have time and chance to post by baking stuff on time, i.e. to post my pineapple tart on the blog yesterday instead of tomorrow (can't do now cuz no time to upload the pictures humphhh...). By the way, I've got some extra pineapple tarts for sampling, only 20 odd pieces. Venue: FF Axis. Date: Thursday (18/10). Time: After combat. Do try if you are there k.

Perhaps I should go home now...

smile... SMILE!!!

Me: "If you wait up all night, you will have a very natural out-of-bed-look tomorrow"

Him: "Hahaha... of course I won't wait. Will just wake up early tomorrow morning to call..."

Me: "Oh ok... then go to bed... which means I can also go to sleep now..."

Him: "Ya go to bed, it's late. Sorry to keep you awake... nite"

Having such IM conversation at midnight with a guy sounded so romantic, but just that it was not, simply because the him was not honey (which reminded me then to text honey to check if he was getting better with his injuries), but my boss... humphhhh... I know - even if your boss is a workaholic, it doesn't mean that you have to be one right? That's what I thought. Not.

Yesterday was not a busy day at work, so at about 6.15pm, I was all packed up ready to leave for gym. Early in the morning, I told Carebear I must try to do both combat and pump since I did really bad last week in terms of my workout especially for cardio. Towards noon I heard that "Rain Gal" (I don't know if this nickname has been accepted, only that "Korean Gal" suggested this. Together, the Rain Gal and Korean Gal will form Kimchi Gals... hmmm) is fasting today and won't be at gym. Thinking that it will be boring doing combat alone, I thought of only doing stepper before pump.

So, as I said, I was all packed up (laptop left behind, locked in the drawer - it will be late when I get home so I don't need my laptop, besides, it's troublesome because I had to bring the laptop with me into the gym since it's dangerous and risky to leave the laptop in the car) and ready to leave, passed by my boss' office (That's the only way out to the entrance!) and I happily bade him farewell when I strode out of the office. Nearly out of the office. I had to do a back-track when I heard him calling... after about 10 minutes discussing the changes for the training manual I'm preparing, I suggested why not I ditch combat class and stay back so as to make sure he had all the required files with details of all the changes... but upon hearing my intention of joining combat, he sent me away telling me that he can call me later tonight. (But... but it's going to be 11pm by the time I reached home) He said he doesn't mind speaking with me at midnight... really. So I went back to collect my laptop and later entered the gym clumsily with my huge gym bag, my handbag, and the laptop bag under my arms while trying to handle the box of chocolate cake with utmost care (I hope they didn't overturn or smashed up with each other/ the box).

Soon as I arrived at gym, I was already distracted by my boss... not physically of course, but I was mentally preparing the information I would need to pass to my boss later when I get home. As a result, I got Carebear indicating for me to smoothen my forehead and reverse the curve of my mouth (to upward). I was quite dazed and puzzled, didn't quite understand why she was prompting me to do so, was I looking too painfully tortured? I thought that's a good expression to project in class haha...

Later in the locker room after pump, when Carebear and I exchanged items, she said "smile, SMILE!" (while passing me my ramekins) and you know what? I was confused because why on earth do I need to be smiling at my ramekins... only seconds later that I realized that she must have meant to tell me to relax and cheer up! I must be in such deep thoughts throughout the class that my eye brows were locked and lips were thin. No wonder lah! Ok, me so blur and far away when I am distracted. Luckily was not in free-style step, I could have just fallen off the board all together.

Earlier on in combat (yes I did combat at the end since my boss sort of released me for combat), I was immensely surprised by the change in the phenomenal Monday combat. The class was quite packed with amateurs (at least it seems like so at where I stood), not to mention the class being umm... extremely quiet - this can be reasoned either me not attending this Monday class for so long and has been mistaken about the change, or simply because Rain Gal was not there.

You know... it's difficult doing combat in silence. In fact, it's difficult doing any class in silence perhaps except for balance or yoga which require total serenity. But this is combat. Supposed to be somewhat furious? Ok... some classes are just quiet, of course we can except that... humphhh...

After a few tracks... I'm sure sooner or later someone will start spare a few kias. But. Don't have.

Muay Thai... for sure it will be noisy by now. Umm... not quite... I thought perhaps I'll just contribute to a few discreet ones? Not that I don't do "screaming" or "shouting" in class, I do that a lot, but the class last night made me think twice because it made me wonder if there were some mutual agreement among all not to make noise? Perhaps there were only some particular moments when you do the kias? Cannot simply shout whenever you like? Got some protocols or something being announced with regards to "the rule of kia-ing in the Monday Combat", perhaps? (Hey, I was absent from that class for two weeks, so who knows right? Do I want to upset anyone?)

Last track... Uwaaa... It was just unbearable...

I didn't care if someone was going to give me a saman for breaking the rules, I just had to content myself with a few stress-releasing-loud-kias before the track ended. There!!!

Later on I did some carefree-whenever-however I want screams in pump - that was, when I wasn't distracted by my mental preparation for my "midnight intimate chat" with boss.

Waaaa.... so tired and I can just feel a tinge of muscle ache now.

It's A Rainy Day

Second day at work after my so called long leave. Not too bad in terms of work load today, I think I would be able to make it to the gym (it's pump day, can't miss class!!)

It has been raining since lunch time and in order to get to lunch, we actually drove to One Utama (can't walk to lunch around office area so we drove from basement carpark to basement carpark). Went to Oriental Cravings at 1U and boss drove and boss treated me. Goshh... what a dream job eh? The restaurant was simply crowded, guess loads of people was doing what we did to avoid the rain. (or 1U is simply crowded even during weekdays?) We couldn't get a big enough table to accommodate 5 of us (that's also the reason why my boss had to drive instead of getting the driver to chauffeur us to lunch) so the waiter had to move one of the patrons to the next table so we can have his table merged with ours. Amidst that table arranging, one of my very happy colleague came to whisper into my ear telling me this guy (who was forced to change table) was actually one of the judges who appeared in the TV reality show "who wants to be a model" (or something like that). True enough, and well, this famous guy later became 90% of the chat topic between my boss and I.

My boss who seldom watch TV (does it look like he has time?) had, of course, zero knowledge about this guy, so I gave him a debriefing of his background (well, OF COURSE I know nots about this guy too, haha that the point...) and of course I made up the background. Anyways, the topic of interest was if he is happy. I think so but my boss said a model, or someone involve in modelling business doesn't necessary have to be happy. Agreed. Still I think he is.

Told my boss after some constructive debating, while I happily dug into my food (braised pork in dark soya sauce with rice - fattening, full of carbo which clashed with the protein, but never mind, I'm going to gym later) and him bitterly waited for his claypot lo shu fun, that perhaps we should just do a little test, no point arguing.

That guy was leaving, and before it was too late, I gave him a prolonged glance, he caught my glance and quickly looked away (it's nothing to do with me being unattractive, I assure you haha); When that guy was walking away, I told my boss to look and see if the way he walked was quite happy-ish or not. My boss observed him for a while and turned to me with an amazed expression....

"Soooo? " I asked.

"He saw me looking at him and he gave me a prolonged stare!" exclaimed my boss.

Seeeee!! Told you so!

"Maybe he was looking at me because he thought 'who's this guy with also an out-of-bed hair do'?" continued my boss after I gave him a smug look claiming my victory in my theory.

We......ell. My boss came in today with a very out-of-bed messed up hair-do. He said it was an accident when I told him he looked cool in this hair-do. So, he was looking kind of cute today.

"No.......oo, I don't think so!" I assured my boss. "I don't think the reaction would be quite the same if, say, it were to be xxx (my other happy colleague) who stared at him..."

Mwah hahaha... so mean of me, but my boss was quite amused with my answer. So, there you go.

Present from Bali

Thanks for the present little bro, love the colour, it will go well with the new top I got from Shen.

Sorry to keep you waiting yesterday and sorry for my delayed thank you note, was really rushing yesterday. Hope you were not late for your SPK class. See you around, muahs.

xxx

Technology is definitely adding more life and colours to our communication today. My boss, from his room, which is like 5 strides away from my desk, sent me an sms telling me today is Guan Yin's enlightenment day. So I sent him a message through MSN messenger telling him I'm aware of that and I'll be good and won't scold anyone today (will leave that to tomorrow haha).

Tuesday Again

It's really nice to have a boss (a few bosses) who are generous enough to buy me lunch almost everyday (whenever I have lunch with him/ them). The best thing was, my immediate boss even remembers the type of fruits I like - he ordered that for me without me asking. How nice can a boss get? Or rather, how nice of a boss can you get?

There were some havoc case later the afternoon, that caused a slight delay of me leaving the office, and the end result was me running late for the 6.45pm combat. I arrived at the gym and I could see from downstairs that the studio is being emptied for the combaters to enter class... I quickly check at the reception to see if the class was full, no point rushing or squeezing in if it's already with a full registration list (chances are there are many more unregistered members). But there were a few more space on the list... so I rushed to the locker room, but half way decided to attract the gals' (Farid, Diha & Shen) attention so they can keep me some space. Instead of attracting the attention of the tall gal, I attracted the attention of that tall guy in front of her indicating that I should hurry.

Met with a few more combaters in the locker room trying to rush for the class too, a few of us ended up waiting at the entrance for the first track to end (we don't want to risk our lives entering the class, with little space to maneuver to an available spot, while everyone was doing their back kicks, do we?)

The class was really full, I can't remember the last time I joint this class, it's a very fun and happening class, I would say I like this crowd better than the Monday Curve crowd. The only challenge with this class is (besides trying vainly to manage with space while still trying to do the full evasive side kicks) the difficulty in getting a good view (if not any view at all) of the teacher. No stage at MML, and due to the combat master being such a cute character, I do find it challenging (even with my height, ahem...). So we tried to stick out our ears for verbal instructions, but the thing with verbal instruction is you can't figure out the source is, it's going to sound the same no matter where the combat master stand right? So, thus a small episode in the middle of the class...

We were diligently contributing to the appropriate kias and hey hey heys at all the accurate moments, and on the cue (which is lowering of music normally right?) we raise the volumes of our kias and got really expert doing the moves without the music for a while. I was secretly wondering (and so I found out, Shen like wise) how did the combat master managed to lower the volume when he's (I'm quite sure although I didn't get a good view of him) so far away from the sound system? Wah... got remote control izit? THEN we realized it's actually a technical problem of the sound system. Goshh...

So we were under-workout for our left limbs (as I quote the gals, one side will be bigger) since we didn't get to finish that particular track and went straight to muay thai. I was a bit confused with the moves and must have looked funny during certain part of the track, luckily I was at the back, I'm sure no one noticed... But what I did notice was someone (a person I mentioned previously as being the nice guy who helped me with my weights) jumping up so high that he might be threatening to break the ceiling... wow... and I thought Shen is already soooo tall...

After the class was a good round of updates aka gossip. Very informative dears, thanks a lot. I shall put all the constructive ideas into my action plan.

xxx
While blogging, multi-tasked with MSN-ing fav instructor. (it was something like this...)

blah blah...

me: miss baking you cakes...
FI: it's ok lah, can wait...
me: hehe... What cake do you like more?
FI: ... butter marble cake...
me: Easier than making choc cake hehe.. I'll make sure I come with the cake the next time I see you.
FI: So long it's butter cake.
FI: Thanks!
me: anytime darling, you are my VIP teacher...
FI: then manjakid is also VP?
me: junior VIP, more of little brother actually... haha....

Thank gawd for msn, how else do we manage to "talk" to someone we can hardly manage to see?

xxx

Meanwhile, a bit of spoiler in here if you haven't finish reading HP7 (this is a warning, if you haven't then just stop reading here...)












OK, according to the "forum" besides plain gossiping, the conclusion was that the sorting hat was not summoned by "Voldy" (so I quote Farid, this is such a cute nickname) but it flew out on its own to "save" Neville, just like it appeared out of no where in the Secret Chamber so the Harry can pull out the sword from it... So, I'm the one who'd interpreted differently, I had the impression that Voldy summoned the hat (when he did some waving with his wand). Ok Alan, like you said.

Where did time go?

Another week just flew passed. Really felt that I've not been having enough time lately. I used to think that I couldn't manage a office based job, always loved the sales job when most of my time were spent out, won't be bored staying at office, trying to kill time, waiting to go back. I now have a really different perception towards full time office based job - if you get one that's busy enough, time flies and it can be as enjoyable. In fact, I have been lately wishing that there are more hours in a day. I just didn't have enough time, like this week for instance, I've only manage to go to one pump class... it's always all plans but fail in action. Yesterday was so typical, I had everything nicely planned, work done, only need to finalize a few very minor, can't possibly take a lot of time items to discuss with my boss before I head to gym, then suddenly everyone wanted to see my boss too, and there was a little drama which didn't help with me sticking with my gym plans...

One of my new colleagues (one week with the company) broke into tears while talking to my boss about her earlier episode - she presented to the management and got some major "told off" by the big boss... I'm not sure if that's the case, my big boss is just loud and direct, but not unreasonable, and my first presentation was a disaster too! The whole thing was just unacceptable... but we will get round it, just need to do better and learn to gauge the standards and requirement right? But really, it was (is) really tough, very stressful. However, this is nothing like what I had to go through with my ex boss whom I always refer to as "The Devil" - she was really bad, very unreasonable, liked to pick on me, had a very irritating voice, and worse of all, she didn't know what she was talking about most of the time and that would most probably be because she didn't know her job, at all. Now, my current boss, he can well give all the remarks he likes however way he wants because he can afford to do so - he knows the company really well. Nevertheless, I think it's going to be really worth while at the end of the day... I shouldn't think one should get that upset with his remarks...

xxx

sms from auntie: Can I order 35 cupcakes form you ah? Need before sun.

Ok, I was originally not in favour of baking 2 chocolate cakes, now it's confirm that there's no way I'm gonna be baking 2 choc cakes and 35 cupcakes...

... the next sms reads: Actually I want 40, 5 wt lots of raisins and icing, the rest plain.

So, no way I'm gonna be baking 2 choc cakes and 40 cupcakes - 42 because mum wanted 2 to give to a neighbour. And since I'm in need to "sweetened" up the atmosphere in the office, I would need to bring in the chocolate moments... and since the other half of the cake has been booked by sms buddy - food tasters, I'm so sorry, next round k...

xxx

Went to gym today soon after I was out from bed... found myself yawning all time at gym when I did my free weights. I was also sniffing and achoo-ing towards the end when I did my 20 minutes stepper (the weather has been really bad lately and I forgot to take my Clarinase before going to gym). Anyways, the stepper said I did some 90 over floors at the end of my 20 minutes... hmmm... sounds ridiculous, how did the machine tabulate that info I wonder...

xxx

Had tea with my girlfriend at Secret Recipe near Sungai Long (convenient, not crowded, no need to go to town)... loads of gossips but we were heavily interrupted by her little boy, who wanted to go home soon after we ordered. His daddy had to come fetch him while my girlfriend and me continue with some "light" shopping around the area. Oh, thanks for the treat girlfriend!

xxx

Not sure what is this flower called in English... it will blossom only once and always at night. Not sure how it know the time, but the flower will blossom slowly late night and fully blossomed at midnight. It has really great smell and they said each of these flowers has a flower fairy inside... if we make a wish, they will help us make our wish come true... just like the fairy tales.

Sneak Preview

I'm not supposed to be bloggin at this hour of the day, why? It's office hour obviously! But I guess my boss should be ok with this since I stayed till 9pm last night to complete the presentation slides... and this long week of hard work really pays off when you get the tumbs up, and well done, and compliments from the audience. Thanks to my production team too, the "sound engineer" (my graphics designer) and couldn't have done it without the "creative director" (who's my big boss the Grp MD) No, we are not a production company, and yes I'm still doing product developement not advertisement...

Anyways... I've had loads of fun reading messages left for me here, not many people know about my blog for now (have not "announced" it because not sure if there's anything that is worth reading in here). But as for pix, I've got quite many of them. I've been planning to do this for weeks - baking chocolate cake. If there's no "incident" then it's gonna be a choc cake weekend for me, and my food tasters out there...

A preview (my previous bake)

It's only Wednesday?

It's only Wednesday but it felt like Friday to me in terms of energy level... I should be going to bed, but have been busy replying sms-es. One of the text was from a supplier saying he had emailed me the quotation. at 10.30pm! Very committed, so curiosity kills the cat, I had to come on line to take a look at that... while on line, might as well update blog when I had the chance. Had been an extremely busy week, had 6 meetings yesterday, 4 today and 5 tomorrow. Supposed to rest and sleep early since it's an off day from gym today but here I am 11.20pm.

Went for little brother's free style step last night, was greeted by Hobbes surprise expression and a half-way-hug. Passed him the little indulgences, and he had kindly announced that my baking was nice (thank you!). Later in class, little bro thanked me for the cupcakes through the mic (thank you too - free publicity) and then little bro dreamily greeted us with "welcome to body step". I was doing quite good as well in terms of dreaming - too many stuff in my head: trying to figure out the format for my timeline chart, things to be updated for the spreadsheet and my still one paragraph marketing strategy- amidst my thoughts, I heard my name being called a few times - what? Ohhhhh... wrong steps! :p And then I was amazingly distracted by the lady in front of me who did her kick mambo cha cha cha so perfectly that I secretly wish bro did not incorporate these in the choreo - her kick was the perfect ballet-toe-pointed-kick which reached above the head level (how did she do that?)... 10 minutes through the class, I felt really tired, the effect of pump the night before was edging in, and suddenly I remember that we (office mates) were supposed to go for our walk or if rains walk the staircase the following day. Oppss... I thought then I needed to "reserve" some energy for the next day (which was today, and was supposed to be my off day from workout, and by the way walk cancelled to tomorrow) so I was doing really tiny movements from then and only wanted make sure I moved along with the rhythm while trying to give little bro my sweetest ok-smile when he asked "are you ok?"

Is the new pump that tough? Told Trainer that the new track was tough and he said (must be with a surprised tone - I guess - donno because was a text): "Huh not really la. I did on Mon n it's quite easy." Oh is it because I increased my weights despite only doing one pump class last week? Trainer said (this time I'm sure trying to make me feel guilty for being so weak) "I've not done pump for ages 2 and I increased my weights s well - 15 (each) for squat, chest (!!) n back. Triceps n shoulder 7.5. Only lunges was bit tiring" - OK, I shall not feel bad, Trainer uses 140kg during weights train for squat, so definitely ok for me to feel tired and tortured.

Noticed favorite instructor still on MSN, still with the display message as "can't wait to get out from Dubai"... hmmm... So he's still not board the plane obviously. Asked him whether he's really coming back or not and he said of course because he's gonna start teaching back in KL on July 1st... well, he still has about 3 days to fly himself back to start his first class back here on Sunday, so last minute! Favorite instructor's comment to that was "welcome to Dubai". So confirmed if he can fly back on time, he will be teaching BP and BS at SPK this Sunday. Which also means another choc cake supporter back on the list...