Superwoman And the Telephone

Here we go again..

Yes please boss, just keep em coming, just load the damn pile on my desk and yes, I can do everything AND everything and no thank you, I don't need a break. Nor do I need any assistance of any kind whatsoever. Oh by the way, I don't sleep at night, So yes, you can call me anytime. Oh, please, yes please..give me more to do. Because, just as you think, I am Superwoman.

!!!!!!

I am, at wits end with my workload. I have a proposal to send to a client due tomorrow which I am near completing except that I think the proposal is CRAP. I have another proposal due in 20 days for an overseas project, of which I have only been briefed on to-f***ing-day and which requires me to be in Singapore every other week, till that day and as whip cream and cherries on top, they announce that right after that, I have another proposal to work on which is due July 15th. Work with passion, they say. M.Y F.O.O.T!

How lah? How lah? How do I do this???? We are short of people and there's just so much to do! But the fact is, as much as I'd like to help save the company (and the day), I only have two hands, two feet, 1 brain and like others, only 24 hours are granted by the Almighty, to moi in one day. I am at a complete dead-end. I know I have to plan stuff and strategize my work but my brain has gone solo and decided to shut down at mid-day. SO I guess, the only other best thing to do right now is to blog.

I do think though that I am beginning to lose some nerves, and with it, my normal sanity level has disappeared. I have, over lunch, contemplated a job in McDonalds, but N argued that Burger King is better, N Junior thinks I'd do well at the zoo, which is just behind our home, to be specific. He wants me to be the zoo train driver! The only other job that I would like is to be a receptionist, cos talking on the phone is always fun isn't it? But alas, I do think my phone manners are a bit off and I do have a bit of history (and I'm not speaking in terms of "glory") in the field.

Just yesterday, I was negotiating some terms over the telephone with one of our major vessel suppliers. He was, to me rather unreasonable, so after the conversation ended, I spoke my mind aloud saying, "a**hole" referring to him. That would have been ok, if only I had remembered to put down the phone first! I am praying hard that he didn't hear or else I am sure he'd wish for lightening to strike me someday!(remember to count to ten, ANEDRA, everytime after you put down the phone. THEN, curse to high heaven if ya like!)

The day before, I was on the phone with a Japanese counterpart and I was standing as I spoke to him. What's with these Japanese I don't know, it's either they are overly polite, or they think we are deaf that they have to repeat their thank yous over and over again. Yesterday's conversation with this Japanese friend was no different and ended with a million thank yous.

JapanFriend : Thank you Ms ANEDRA
Me: Thank you too.
JapanFriend: Thank you
Me: Ok
Japan Friend: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Me (at the same time): Ok. You're welcome. No problem. Yes. Fine. Yes. Ok. Yes. sayonara.

And finally, i just slammed the phone down on him, or else it would've never ended! The thing is, all the while through the thank you's I could imagine him bowing at me ala Japanese style. And the thing IS, I was all the time PHYSICALLY and actually bowing down profusely, to my PHONE! I guess I was not imagining it when I saw my colleagues giggling away outside my room!!

Actually, come to think of it, this is nothing new. Many, many years ago while I was still studying, I was called back by the company that sponsored my studies to work during the summer. So, it was normal then for us the kuli-macai to do everything and anything (I suspect, for preparation to become Superheros at the workplace later), as they instructed us to. I found myself one day at the reception table, greeting visitors and answering telephones. The job was pure bliss, I tell you. For not only was I able to answer phones, I could also catch up on my reading which at that time, was romance novels.

One fine day, I was engrossed in one romance novel, the kind that you just can't put down. I was at the very climax of the story, at the point where the male hero was about to pop THE question; when the phone rang. My mind was still on the book and also on auto mode (again), so, I picked up the phone and answered, "Good afternoon, XXX Berhad. WILL YOU MARRY ME?" There was a long pause on the other end. I only realised what I had said, seconds later, but it was too late. The man on the other end cleared his throat, and said "errr..Thank you, but I don't think my wife would be very happy if I accepted".

So, I guess my reputation as a receptionist is not that good. And of course, it has been market talk since that, "She has some "history"! So here I am, doing bl**dy proposals and everything and everything else that no one else can or wants to do. Complain all I want. Choices I have, but it is also by choice that I am here. The fact is, I love this place, I love my work most of the time but not today and it is highly possible that I signed my contract in blood. Thus, with this ship I shall sail and with it I shall sink too!

Oh well, back to work it is then!

Just a thought. If I have to be Superwoman, can I please wear the suit too??