Sunday, January 27, 2008

the important basis

It's been long. A sign of extreme busyness. If you work from 9-7 from monday to friday, and spend your weekends going out, there really isn't much time for one to sit at the computer and blog. Working life is really much more hectic than I imagined. The thing about me is, I like to take things slowly, I like to progress slowly, to be aware of the changes happening, reflect and contemplate whether this is the right move to make before I take the next step. This was possible during my education years (which explains why I always take much longer than my peers to get used to each education system) where things are just between yourself and the institution. The criteria there for succeeding is more objective. Work hard and you will excel. But in working life, it is a whole different game altogether. You suddenly take on the role of an employee, a servant in essence. You have a superior to answer to, and your success and well-being depends on (at times) the subjective preferences of your boss. Things which you studied in the abstract are now transformed into practical stuff right before your eyes, and it's not always pretty (like the raw ingredients before a beautiful cake is made). But you have no choice. You need to make a living. You need to develop skills to survive. You need to make yourself indispensable.

I am slowly getting used to it. Slowly, as usual. I still have a lot of questions about work along the way, and am still seeking advice from older, more experienced adults. But for now, I'm groping around, experimenting with different theories and outlook on working life, trying to understand the whole basis of working. I believe that it is only with a sound philosophical background on what work entails am I able to move forward. It is basically understanding society.

Friday, January 04, 2008

sigh, real work

4 weeks into work. The festive season helped to cushion the impact, but as the new year starts, the real work begins to pile up, and I find myself having to work weekends. Sigh. Not intensively though, just research. But still, it's a drag to find your mind split two ways about spending your supposed free time. I don't ask for much, I just need my special time.