Happy Deepavali

It's Deepavali today and I'd like to wish all the Hindus a very Happy Deepavali.

No Hindu homes to go to this year. Strangely I got an SMS inviting me for Hari Raya open house today. But I didn't feel up to it. I was awake by 8:00am. I decided to watch Transformers again on Blu-ray. Then I cooked some sausages, burgers and chicken drummets for breakfast. Had to clear my perishables before I move at the end of this month. After that I did some cleaning and had leftovers for lunch.

After lunch I lazed around a bit, fooled with my camera and played or rather tried playing some games on PS3. I  don't think I'm any good at PS3. Then I felt like watching Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen so off I went to buy some DVDs. Didn't get to watch any DVD when I got home as I had a dinner to attend at the Shangri-La Hotel.

I took the monorail there. Walking into the hotel brought back memories. Just as I walked in I was startled by someone calling my name. Looked around and I saw a familiar face but for the life of me, as usual I couldn't remember the person's name. She's asked me what I was doing now... I replied...

Coolie...

Yeah, right... come on... Director of what now?

Director of Garbage

Seriously, Director of what now?

Nolah... not even a Director... just a Manager...

Ala... you ni poyo lah...

I guess I am... nice to see you again.

Off I went... I wasn't in the mood for chit-chat. She must have been there for... let's see... 12 years at least as I have left that place for the same number of years. Frankly, she looked horrible. I guess it's true when they say that GENERALLY women don't age as well as men. I proceeded to have dinner with my colleagues at Lemon Garden. Dinner was okay... nothing spectacular. Food was just so-so.

I saw a few familiar faces and they too recognized me despite my lack of hair now. Two of those I met have been there for over 20 years! Geesh... that's a long time.... and does not seem like they have progressed much with their career.

This got me to think... I have been with this company for over 10 years. Next March it will be 11 years. At my 10th year I received one month's salary as ex-gratia for my long service which was fine. But... to a person like me, that's not important. I hold a senior position in this company. The least for me was for the owner or his number two at the least to call me and thank me for my long service and if they could not accomplish that then a letter from either one of them would have sufficed. But NO... I got a letter signed by my Human Resources Manager. I have made it a point that all the long service employees got their letters from me and not the team leaders. I felt this was important to recognize employees. My bosses harp about taking care of employees but they don't seem to walk the talk.

So, if this is the way I am appreciated then it only compounds that I really should move on. A great Deepavali thought. The festival of lights probably gave me light...