An ex-manager is going to Dubai to work. He had his farewell last night at the Uber Bar. It is a great opportunity for him and his wife, but that doesn't stop it from being a sad goodbye.
The first manager (FM) I had worked for at my old work place turned up at the farewell too. We started chatting and I told her about my NY/Mauritius trip. We were talking about the shopping and she was ooh-ing and ahh-ing and I jokingly said she should go.
She took it as an invitation and was making serious consideration. The friend who is getting married in Mauritius was tipsy by this time of night and overheard our conversation and insisted that FM attend her wedding.
So, here we are in the middle of the bar with retro music blaring in the background and FM seriously umm-ing & ahh-ing over the amount of leave and what a great holiday this will be for her.
I don't have a particular problem with FM. She was a good manager and treated me well. I didn't have to suffer any PMS type of outburst...so, it was all good back then.
But FM is the type of person who I can only take in small doses. I can't really imagine spending a week with her, let alone 2 weeks. And I'm not sure that I want her to get to know the real me. The real me isn't all that flash! *LoL*
I told my mum about it and she was just relieved that I won't be on my own in NY or Mauritius. And true...its a good point. I will have someone's company and accommodation will be half the price!
Let's see how it pans out. If FM manages to get everything organised in 4 weeks, well, then I guess it was meant to be...
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Friday, July 18, 2008
L.O.V.E.
One of the best project managers I have ever had the chance to work with (and I wish he was still here to have the opportunity to be mentored by him), is the subject of my post today.
I didn't know the particulars of his engagement to his fiance...or the motivation to go work abroad in some place exotic (Gibraltar???), etc.
I simply thought he was motivated by the same reasons as anyone else who wants to work abroad. The convenience of being in a central location to explore neighbouring countries, being immersed in a new culture, and tax-free Euros or Pounds.
But there was more to the story.
I only found out a few months after he had left, some pertinent details and I'm slowly seeing a panoramic view, versus the snapshot.
O&F, I believe are the perfect example of true love.
A number of months before they got engaged, they had moved in together...a month or two after F fell ill, quite severely. O was away from work or working from home for a few weeks while F was in hospital all that time.
I didn't know until after they left Sydney, that she was actually diagnosed with a serious onset of a debilitating illness. She didn't know of anything that was wrong with her health prior, and since that day she was diagnosed, she also found out that there was no real cure.
So, the engagement, the travelling, the wedding abroad, the great escape plan O organised...I believe it is to give F (as much for O himself) beautiful memories.
I remember all the planning he put into it. I remember him coming into work early one morning and telling me that F bought her wedding dress and yet they hadn't picked a real date yet, but he was soo happy, she was soo happy.
I recently looked at some photos of O&F at a friend's wedding on O's site. F looks really frail...I mean, she has always been a tall, slim girl...but her large eyes were even larger because the rest of her face has sunk back from the loss of weight. And yet a comment on her photo from O was "F looking as beautiful as always..."
When I first met O, I thought he was an arrogant, stuck up, heartless guy. I didn't like him to be honest. And then over time, after a very long time...we started to work more closely and I got to know him better.
I see now, that O is a top bloke. I see how much he loves F and wish that everyone could love and be loved that way.
Their wedding day will be on December 27, 2008.
They have been travelling through Europe and he deliberately planned a month in Italy with F, to visit her family there. They spent another 2 months going around Europe and will be going back to London to organise the wedding.
What amazes me is the amount of energy and good spirit he is maintaining. My energy would wane and I would feel really sad and probably be depressed...
O, if you ever read this...you are one truly incredible man. I wish you both all the best...
I didn't know the particulars of his engagement to his fiance...or the motivation to go work abroad in some place exotic (Gibraltar???), etc.
I simply thought he was motivated by the same reasons as anyone else who wants to work abroad. The convenience of being in a central location to explore neighbouring countries, being immersed in a new culture, and tax-free Euros or Pounds.
But there was more to the story.
I only found out a few months after he had left, some pertinent details and I'm slowly seeing a panoramic view, versus the snapshot.
O&F, I believe are the perfect example of true love.
A number of months before they got engaged, they had moved in together...a month or two after F fell ill, quite severely. O was away from work or working from home for a few weeks while F was in hospital all that time.
I didn't know until after they left Sydney, that she was actually diagnosed with a serious onset of a debilitating illness. She didn't know of anything that was wrong with her health prior, and since that day she was diagnosed, she also found out that there was no real cure.
So, the engagement, the travelling, the wedding abroad, the great escape plan O organised...I believe it is to give F (as much for O himself) beautiful memories.
I remember all the planning he put into it. I remember him coming into work early one morning and telling me that F bought her wedding dress and yet they hadn't picked a real date yet, but he was soo happy, she was soo happy.
I recently looked at some photos of O&F at a friend's wedding on O's site. F looks really frail...I mean, she has always been a tall, slim girl...but her large eyes were even larger because the rest of her face has sunk back from the loss of weight. And yet a comment on her photo from O was "F looking as beautiful as always..."
When I first met O, I thought he was an arrogant, stuck up, heartless guy. I didn't like him to be honest. And then over time, after a very long time...we started to work more closely and I got to know him better.
I see now, that O is a top bloke. I see how much he loves F and wish that everyone could love and be loved that way.
Their wedding day will be on December 27, 2008.
They have been travelling through Europe and he deliberately planned a month in Italy with F, to visit her family there. They spent another 2 months going around Europe and will be going back to London to organise the wedding.
What amazes me is the amount of energy and good spirit he is maintaining. My energy would wane and I would feel really sad and probably be depressed...
O, if you ever read this...you are one truly incredible man. I wish you both all the best...
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Intelligent marriage advice...
I have been reading the blog "Metrodad" for a while now.
I like the fact that the writer is straight up about things, insightful, smart, and really funny. As his bi-line reads "poppycock from a cocky pop"...
Today, I came across his most recent post about his 7th Wedding Anniversary and he listed his advice for those getting married.
"One, always remember that marriage is about the journey, not the destination.
Two, always remember that a great marriage is like a duck. Everything may look smooth on the surface but underneath, you've got to paddle like hell.
Three, keep in mind that the key to a healthy long-term relationship is never go shopping for shoes with your wife.
[Also, if you can afford separate bathrooms (usually both for her,) go for it.]"
I'm posting this up here because I think his advice is spot on...even #3. I think it is spot on not just for marriage, but for any long term relationship...especially #2.
I think from time to time, we all forget the fundamentals about relationships and when people offer advice that hits the mark like this, they should be noted and remembered.
So, in future...if I get married and my partner and I can afford it...I'm going to suggest separate bathrooms!
;)
I like the fact that the writer is straight up about things, insightful, smart, and really funny. As his bi-line reads "poppycock from a cocky pop"...
Today, I came across his most recent post about his 7th Wedding Anniversary and he listed his advice for those getting married.
"One, always remember that marriage is about the journey, not the destination.
Two, always remember that a great marriage is like a duck. Everything may look smooth on the surface but underneath, you've got to paddle like hell.
Three, keep in mind that the key to a healthy long-term relationship is never go shopping for shoes with your wife.
[Also, if you can afford separate bathrooms (usually both for her,) go for it.]"
I'm posting this up here because I think his advice is spot on...even #3. I think it is spot on not just for marriage, but for any long term relationship...especially #2.
I think from time to time, we all forget the fundamentals about relationships and when people offer advice that hits the mark like this, they should be noted and remembered.
So, in future...if I get married and my partner and I can afford it...I'm going to suggest separate bathrooms!
;)
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Age and fertility also an issue for men...
I saw this on the news last night, but only caught the headline as I was leaving the house for my spin class.
So, when I came across the headline again on SMH today, I thought I should give the article a read.
Its really interesting that doctors have now found clinical evidence that its the "DNA damaged sperm" of men over 35 y/o that causes failed pregnancies and increases the chance of a miscarriage.
"She said sperm with DNA damage, common in older men, was still able to enter the egg during intrauterine insemination, which could result in failure to conceive or miscarriage.
But in the case of in vitro fertilisation, the outer membrane of the egg stopped sperm with DNA damage penetrating."
The 'she' is Dr Stephanie Belloc, the study's author.
So, basically what it comes down to, is that if a man and woman are both older than 35 y/o, then it would be really, really hard to conceive a child. Didn't we already know that? I guess, what this shows is that there is proof of why a persons age is an important factor when trying to conceive.
DNA damage...who would have thought that your DNA could be damaged by the age of 35? I didn't even know DNA could be damaged. I mean, so much so that you body (the female egg) knows to reject a "DNA damaged sperm".
Which is basically saying "Sorry, your sperm is just not good enough!"
Ha! Nature sure knows what it is doing...and we're only just finding out now.
So, when I came across the headline again on SMH today, I thought I should give the article a read.
Its really interesting that doctors have now found clinical evidence that its the "DNA damaged sperm" of men over 35 y/o that causes failed pregnancies and increases the chance of a miscarriage.
"She said sperm with DNA damage, common in older men, was still able to enter the egg during intrauterine insemination, which could result in failure to conceive or miscarriage.
But in the case of in vitro fertilisation, the outer membrane of the egg stopped sperm with DNA damage penetrating."
The 'she' is Dr Stephanie Belloc, the study's author.
So, basically what it comes down to, is that if a man and woman are both older than 35 y/o, then it would be really, really hard to conceive a child. Didn't we already know that? I guess, what this shows is that there is proof of why a persons age is an important factor when trying to conceive.
DNA damage...who would have thought that your DNA could be damaged by the age of 35? I didn't even know DNA could be damaged. I mean, so much so that you body (the female egg) knows to reject a "DNA damaged sperm".
Which is basically saying "Sorry, your sperm is just not good enough!"
Ha! Nature sure knows what it is doing...and we're only just finding out now.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Freedom to think, speak, believe...
World Youth Day...5 solid days between the 15-20 July, 2008.
Don't you think it is getting beyond ridiculous that NSW is considering (if not already passed a law) to prevent people from wearing a t-shirt with a slogan that is "anti-Catholic"...or has a message that goes against what Catholic's believe in, and thereby finding it offensive?
In the SMH today:
Be wary, those in and around the city during this period...you don't want to forget about this event and be seen with a t-shirt with a slogan on it that could be deemed offensive, in front of a World Youth Day participant. You might find yourself being body searched by the police and handed a fine for $5,500. Later on, well after the event, you will find yourself in court wondering what it was that you had really done wrong to begin with to find yourself in such a situation. Because, afterall "causes annoyance and inconvenience" is a broad statement!
Now, what about the offense the World Youth Day is to all those who are not participating? The offense to all the people who do not believe in Catholism. Its not really about the religion, I'm actually more concerned about the principle. The idea that I need to be careful about NOT offending someone else with something that I might believe in or feel strongly about - it's just crazy!
Don't we live in a society where we live by the freedom to think, speak, and believe what we want without having to worry about getting fined for it?
FYI - The law applies to more than 40 city locations, including museums, galleries and cinemas, as well as Darling Harbour, the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, Randwick Racecourse and parklands.
Check the news or smh.com.au for further details.
Don't you think it is getting beyond ridiculous that NSW is considering (if not already passed a law) to prevent people from wearing a t-shirt with a slogan that is "anti-Catholic"...or has a message that goes against what Catholic's believe in, and thereby finding it offensive?
In the SMH today:
Police and volunteers from the State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service will be able to direct people to cease engaging in conduct that "causes annoyance or inconvenience to participants in a World Youth Day event".
People who fail to comply will be subject to a $5500 fine.
People who fail to comply will be subject to a $5500 fine.
Be wary, those in and around the city during this period...you don't want to forget about this event and be seen with a t-shirt with a slogan on it that could be deemed offensive, in front of a World Youth Day participant. You might find yourself being body searched by the police and handed a fine for $5,500. Later on, well after the event, you will find yourself in court wondering what it was that you had really done wrong to begin with to find yourself in such a situation. Because, afterall "causes annoyance and inconvenience" is a broad statement!
Now, what about the offense the World Youth Day is to all those who are not participating? The offense to all the people who do not believe in Catholism. Its not really about the religion, I'm actually more concerned about the principle. The idea that I need to be careful about NOT offending someone else with something that I might believe in or feel strongly about - it's just crazy!
Don't we live in a society where we live by the freedom to think, speak, and believe what we want without having to worry about getting fined for it?
FYI - The law applies to more than 40 city locations, including museums, galleries and cinemas, as well as Darling Harbour, the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, Randwick Racecourse and parklands.
Check the news or smh.com.au for further details.
