Back To Where It All Began!

Decided to kick start my blogging journey again after a 3 year hiatus as I find it a good platform to note down memories of daily life. It also allows me to document some minute details and conversations that I treasure a lot, but is not significant enough to be shared with my SO or anyone else.

I returned to MO on 26 June after being away for 11 months! I left MO August last year for a better offer (not opportunity) and just 8 months into the job, I knew I wasn't fit for that place. Longing to go anywhere (but there) and under circumstances, had the great opportunity/offer to re-join MO.

Long story on this matter but I was blessed with this opportunity thanks to my new boss. I appreciate it a lot and was really looking forward to return.

Day 1 - Felt really good to be back at somewhere familiar (I was previously here for 3 years 9 months). HR colleague was supposed to bring me to my desk but didn't know her way around back-of-house - I had to direct her the way which I already knew by heart.

Had lunch with Liane - the one who referred me this position when it was first vacant - and bumped into many ex-colleagues, all whom remembered me fondly and welcomed me back warmly. I was truly overwhelmed and touched. 

Murphy also returned on the same day as me; was good to see a familiar face around. Katelynn came to my office to look for my boss and was shocked to see me there. Also made a comment "yay" on how things from the kitchen would be much more efficient now on with me on board. Jacilyn saw the new joiners’ post on BeeKeeper, screenshot the post and whatsapp-ed me to welcome me back. She actually was the first one to see me as I bumped into her at Yakun while having breakfast. 

Boss briefly brought me around to familiarize the areas I will frequent from now, and skipped the common areas (canteen, toilet) that he knows I would have been already very familiar with. He's been really busy so we haven't had any time to sit down for a chat or proper induction yet. More on this/him later!

Picked up 2 calls for my boss too and it turned out to be Kathy and Tim, who both welcomed me back as well.

Day 2 - Had lunch with Pamela and Janet, my ex-colleagues from S&M, who were both elated to see me back and that made me felt really loved too. It touches me to know that I left on a good note and am actually welcome back here in this big family. Caught up with them over lunch and did a quick shopping with Pamela right after. 

Also bumped into Carol from Finance, whom I had a pretty close working relationship with previously. Also other colleagues from Finance including Jamal, Ching and Lee Thiang, Annie from Flower Shop. Annie jokingly asked me if it was "fun" now to work with "so many guys" and Chef William jokingly replied her if she thought I came here to sit on laps.

Day 3 - Joined in for their weekly morning meetings and when I reached the meeting room early, I wasn't sure where I should sit (considering they usually would have their regular seats before I joined, so I didn't want to take someone else's seat). Chef Tan directed me to the seat beside Boss, to which I declined because I assumed I would be seated on the other far end and let the other department head chefs to be seated closer to Boss. It was until the Chef Soong came in and offered me the same seat that Chef Tan did earlier that I started to believe that was my seat (lowkey thought that Chef Tan was trying to play a prank on me). 

After the meeting I went to check on the vacant office beside which was meant for the new Executive Sous Chef coming in on 1 July. Reason being when I went there to put the new phone in the office the day before, I realized the office was in a pretty bad condition (it was vacant for a long time). There were thick layers of dust in the corners, stains on the wall and cupboards, and even a dead cockroach. Although my boss clarified with me that there is no preparation needed for this Chef to get onboard but me being me, I couldn't stand the sight of it (not acceptable IMO if I were offered an office in such state on my first day at work) so I asked Stewarding (HSKP said it wasn't within their duty scope *shrugs*) to sweep the floor (and cockroach away). I've done simple surface cleaning the day before with wet wipes. Not 100% satisfactory but at least looking more decent now.

I've also come to realize that I really enjoy doing such administrative and minute matters. Maybe I'm just not meant for bigger things. Or maybe I'm just someone who enjoys "servicing" (for) others. It gives me great joy doing so. Which is also probably why I feel I would fit a PA's position well, but then not ready for all the corporate matters that I need to get my hands on haha. Or maybe I should be a housekeeper hahahaha.

Day 4 - Anshul came by to my office today. I assumed he was looking for my boss (cos who would need to look for me on my first week here right), but turned out he say he came to catch up with me. Filled me in about upcoming plans for me, which was odd because it should have came from my boss (but obviously didn't happen because he's so busy).

When my boss returned to the office Anshul told him that he has filled me in with the upcoming plans, to which my boss replied, "I haven't told her yet. I want to see how far you can go; until you cannot then I put her in. She's the only ace card I have."

Anshul also did mention how Etienne considered asking me to "go under him" (aka work for him, take the position as his administrator) because he "thinks highly" of me, which caught me by surprise. Under no circumstance would I assume Etienne would have a conversation about me or whatsoever. Anshul shared that it was prolly during the few times I had to work with him on VIP events that he picked up on my work style and performance.

The both of them while in the office also made a passing remark on how the Sales team always try to find loopholes in operations and try their luck to get things the way they want it. I added on that that's how they generally do things since they've been here doing the same thing for a long time and Boss just told Anshul, "now you know why I hire her." Hahaha (I suppose it's an advantage?)

Day 5 - A part-time colleague chanced upon me and was surprised to know I was now working in the kitchen office instead of sales office. To which Chef William joked again that I decided to switch to kitchen cos they are more handsome guys hahaha. 

Sometimes it is really such casual conversations that I enjoy and sets the light-hearted mood for work.

That pretty much sums up my first week back at MO!