Hmmm...what an interesting past few weeks it's been. I've been doing some thinking; reflecting... which, come to think of it, I haven't had the time for/ made the attempt to seriously practice, for a pretty long time now..


Cynicism vs Optimism: something which I've been trying to work on for some time now.. I suppose in making this very statement I continue to be that which I'm trying to change from, but I believe there is an element of cynicism in even the most (apparently) optimistic, carefree, happy-go-lucky type of individuals. Or so I think.. :p


It's mainly my past 2 stints of employment that have got me thinking.. Firstly my month plus experience in customer service at a call centre and secondly a much shorter 4-day roadshow as a 'temp promoter', working for a certain insurance company. First, on my call centre job.


I've had the privillege to work with many types of individuals, many of whom I admire for their amazing patience with customers and their 'don't worry, take it easy!' attitude in the face of extreme pressure and adversity. People like Ina and Adam, Weiqiang and Junrong..also Faizah, Thelma, Candace, Jackson.. just to name a few of them. Ina, Adam, Jun, Faizah and Jack all were particularly inspiring for me - they did show their human side, that they too were susceptible to the stress and the only-too-frequent irrational behaviour exhibited by the less graceful of our customers. Only that they showed immense character and professionalism in the way they put their own anger/frustration/anxiety aside when manning that dreaded hotline.


Thelma, on the other hand, took the pressure mostly in her stride-at least from what I observed. She's of course much more mature than most of us, having 'been there, done that' before..she's a very independant individual too, and a role model to me. A roman catholic too, she regularly went for novena after work in the office. I also found out she's part of Amplify, the Archdioces Youth Ministry, and that she also has bi-weekly dragonboat trainings and that she's also doing attending night school for a bio-medical degree at a private university: and to top it all off, she's paying her own school fees too! Wow!!


Weiqiang, an ex-VJC student, who dropped out from OCS due to a minor cardiac anomaly, is your typical super-successful individual-as far as the definition of our materialistic society goes, anyway. I can't claim not to envy his academic successes and all-plus he's quite smooth with the ladies too-however he's not entirely what I would aspire to be. Sure, it's good to work hard, get good results and ultimately get that well-paying job to supposrt the family, but surely there's more to life than just money, right? Heh..I guess you probably think the cynic in me's merely protesting in green-eyed envy, downplaying the guys achievements and all.. but really, I've got to admit, the guy's quite pleasant to be around - it's just that with people like him who like to use their success to draw admirers, rather than friends, you're always somewhat suspicious whether they're just associating with you for the sake of their own gain.. sincerity and heart is something I think he could do well with. If he had these two, I'd place him alongside the likes of Thelma..


Faizah: another Thelma of sorts. She's just out of JC, I can't recall which one-think it was National or Temasek or something. Scored close to straight As, S-papers and all, and last I spoke with her she was shortlisted for Mass Com interviews, and several other interviews with the creme de la creme faculties of our local universities. And in addition to the call centre job, she's also working at a restaurant in public relations! Wow..and she's only like, what-18 years old? But the most amazing thing about her that really struck me, and makes me respect her, is her profound humility. If you've just met the girl, knowing that she was doing 2 jobs and all, you'd never guess that she lives in landed property. Cos she's really down to earth; doesn't flaunt expensive material possessions and stuff and apparently too wants to earn her own keep, not depending on her parents riches to advance her future. I call that some really great upbringing - so independant, yet so very humble too. And a very down to earth, cheerful persona to top it all off.


And finally, Candace and Junrong..haha. These to are really fun-to-be-with individuals, both really great to be around. Candace is the cheery, though a little whiny c"p) gal who keeps poking fun at me..haha. But just like Junrong, she's also somewhat like myself, not too well-equipped to handle the pressures of the service industry, particularly one which involves attending to up to a hundred people a day, all grumbling at you and "how karm, aH, I deeeden ged my marnhee aarh" (bleah! eehh..can't stand it. It's one thing to be baltantly lazy to read up the information in the papers or the internet, but it's another to be making YOUR enquiries at YOUR convenience at the expense of someone else HEARING, PATIENCE and ultimately, LIFESPAN!!! aaarrggh..i'm working up a sweat now!) Yet, it's because were all so human, so frail to the rigorous demands of the job, that I guess ut's why I found myself being able to really confide in these 2 great people..I dont' know what i'd do without them..haha. Thanks guys..you're the best!


Okay..i've been blogging for quite a while now..beginning to perspire. Haha.. As for my other interesting experience as a 4 day temp promoter, I'll leave that till later. Ciao!

raneth hopped off at 6:47 am