Tropical politics

This is not my first job, and this is not the only time I realize that politics play quite a big part in people’s professional life just to get by, but this is definitely the first time I take a very close look on how people plays it . Maybe because in my previous offices there weren’t many employees so whatever your moves everybody knows. While in this big company, information is essential. Some of the players are quite smooth by experience; some are quite talented that although they’re quite young they could sit in high positions. Who wouldn’t want to get those hot seats? There's a stake, but there's a prize as well. As long as it’s not the other way around.

I’ve seen practices when supervisors press their subordinates like an orange until they’re totally drain with the main purpose to cut cost. Sounds good? Even better, at the end of the year the bosses got double bonus for their achievement in cutting costs. Considering the total bonus I wonder if it’s actually economical. You know where X amount of money goes to 100 regular employees as oppose to 2X number goes to 10 supervisors. Yes, I don’t have the numbers, but the idea kind of makes me curious. I’ve also seen people switching records and throwing materials around just to safe their a**es.

Then the past months 2 of my friends were released, where in my personal view were tailored in a dirty and unfair manner. One was cornered to take up a new set of job descriptions, something she couldn’t accept and couldn’t refuse at the same time (crazy arrangement, where she were to work from 4-11 PM to match NY working hour, which already breaks Indonesian labor law). On D-day when she was to give her decision, her supervisor didn’t even care to ask what her decision was and went on announcing to everybody her resignation as of that day.

Another friend was fired on the spot in a very messy and unprofessional manner. Her only problem was she was too vocal in pointing out her new supervisor’s incapability and stupidness. Yes, it was the most brainless politic movement I’ve ever seen. First the termination letter was produced without ever producing 3 warning letters, then it was signed on a wrong letter head. Stupid arrangement, but even more stupid for anybody who was involved and signed the letter. The following morning as she walked in the office she was stopped by the security guard, hauled to the HR department and presented termination letter. Stupid, but it happened. Well, at least my 2 friends got the severance they deserved.

Both were designed by unprofessional supervisors, both had their way just because – I suspect – they were bule. No offense, no discrimination. But answer me this, how did 2 new relatively new supervisors (1 only been here less than 1 year, the other less than 4 months) could terminate 2 capable, skilled and experienced staffs and got approval by the Director? It’s basically a ‘my word against hers’, and the ‘bules should stick together’ feeling made the deal. If he had taken a closer and more objective look in seeing it he should be able to see that the staff were not at fault. Well, actually they were, they were not able to kiss their bosses’ a**es.

I'm a simple person, can't we just play nicely??

Cooking craving.. craving for cooking?

Can you believe that if there's anything I missed from moving to Bali is cooking?

I actually do. It's not like I'm Martha Stewart cooking all the time, no. It's a privilege that I lost when I moved to Bali and decided to live in this tiny box kos. Well living cheaply has its own up and down side. It's tremendously cheap, but the limited space doesn't allow me to do a lot of things, one of which is cooking. Well cooking for 1 person isn't economical either.

Anyway, continuing Tuesday's pass time during Lebaran holiday one of the guests who attended the bbq proposed to have cooking time at his place. He volunteered to buy the ingredients, appointed me and another gal friend to cook. The rest were invited to come for the dinner. Good teamwork! :p

I know my friend lives in a relatively big house, but doubt his cooking skills let alone the availability of cooking utensils/spices, etc. So early on as I was working in the office he already called and asked what I wanted to cook and what he needed to buy. He mentioned 2 of his favorite dishes (sambal goreng ati and prawns), I added two more veggies dishes: sprout beans and bok choy (sp?).

With 2 friends I arrived at 3 PM. The ingredients were stacked nicely in the fridge. So we started preparing the prawns, liver, chop chop away. I bought sasame oil and oyster sauce that's always high point of cooking chinese food. As predicted we had to sent the host to get addtional spices, the rest we managed. My friend even added one desert. Chop some more, cook some more, fry some more...

6.00 PM everything was set but dinner only started at 7.20 as some of the guests were late. We actually had good busy fun time. Cooking and eating yumm meal, chat away and getting really bloated. *burp*

I actually missed cooking. I had such a good time, maybe because I was completely aware that it's an occasional thing and not doing it on a daily basis. Hehee.. Well, even if it's a daily thing it can be fun too, cooking doesn't have to be a burden right! Check out Jamie Olivier. He got fun cook books, that makes you drool seeing the cover.. or not. :p

what holiday??!

As predicted, not much holiday after all...

My sister visited me for three days, it was good bonding time. I felt bad though on the occasions I had to "ditch" her and work. Well, not really ditch, because I managed to provide something for her to do while I finished some office works. It was still bad enough, so I'm glad she didn't make a fuss out of it. We went cruising around the island, went places, ate dishes, and did plenty catching up.

On Monday I got email complaining for having a request not done on Saturday. Well, unfortunately that was never an agreement. It got done on Sunday, and I think it was not a matter of life or death. Completely understand if the person got annoyed, but I've always had a silent agreement with Boss that if there's something super ultra urgent needs to be done immediately he'll call or at least text me. This time, no call no sms, so tough luck.

Anyway, it's Lebaran, I'm stuck in the office (regular working day) and had to wait on a colleague who had to make edits on an project of Boss'. That get done, I just really really hope Boss is OK with the result and leave us alone tomorrow. I think everybody deserves a holiday, right??

Alrighty, I'm off, got BBQ invite from a friend. Think I'm going to make a stop at the shop to get some snacks or drinks.

Hungry..

Lebaran in Bali

Lebaran in Bali and in Jakarta are both fun. Back in Jakarta I have handful of Moslem friends I could visit and have tasty opor ayam or rending, while in Bali I have handful of people visiting. Yep, it’s always high season during this time of the year.

At least this year I’m relieved not having to go to work as boss out of the country, it gets better, I got visitors. This weekend my sis’ coming to visit for 3 days, next weekend is my parents’ turn. Don’t the schedule, I’m glad enough to have them coming and visit me.

Anyway if you on celebration, selamat Lebaran!

Hush-hush

Being my boss’ personal assistant has never been easy. Even sometimes can be lonely. Like having the privilege of knowing some confidential info but due to its sensitivity I can’t discuss it to anyone.

Many times I’ve been in this awkward position when people (in the company) were talking about some uncertain policies and I just had to bite my tongue because there’s something more to it but I can’t tell. Many times also my boss wonder about what’s going on in a staff head, but I shut my mouth for the sake of this staff’s privacy and trust for letting me know what actually happened.

On other times there was also amusing moments when people were joking about something, they had no idea I understood what they were making fun of. One they asked, “so tell me do you know what we were talking about?” I just smiled and answered, “tell me something I don’t know.” That sure shut them up.

They had no idea what kind of access I got to the company, and I intend to keep it that way. Hell, I know a lot of stuff, but that doesn’t make me know everything. I guess discernment is ultimately necessary, and as long as nobody (neither the company) is at risk no need for me to become the company’s snitch. But I think we’ll just leave it at that and let the wondering wonder.... :)