Back from Timbaktu

Since the start of the new work year, I've never had a chance to seriously blog an entry. A nice, long entry, I mean.

I've been so busy with work, students' attendance, training and preparations for the Open House that just past and then after that was the clearing, cleaning up!

I realized, I've missed out so many happenings in the office! I did not even have the time to read my emails in detail. Hence, I almost missed out my free Pedometer. =/ almost missed the 'pek kim' collection for 1 of my Deputy Director. And it was also at the last minute that I signed up for the mass walk that was held earlier this evening. Finally had the time to attend the last and final session on the familiarization of the Windows 2007 today.

Oh gosh... The last 2 weeks were simply MADNESS! The moment I went back to work, it was as though I was fighting a fire. A HUGE STRONG all ENGULFING FIRE! Rushed like mad to train the students for their role, I had to organized 7 sessions for them. And still, I have missing people, not all were present! Shouted myself hoarse at them. Finally decided that shouting does not work. I gave them my killer look and it worked! Nice to them, they don't want, must make me loose my temper then they behave!

Then all the questions about changing shifts as they don't want to do the Sat shifts or something, had to explain and answer each one in detail....

Attendance.. that is another headache. 7 sessions and I only managed to train less than 2/3 of the cohort, the rest just don't bother to turn up at all! Then got to key into the master copy who has attended, who has not.

Came the actual day of the Open House, mornings are not so bad. The afternoons are a challenge, all the silly schools just want to arrive at the same time! It did not help that a new colleague just joined us... well... we sort of crossed paths during one of the afternoons.

I was trying my best to assign the students out asap to the necessary points and she was there, reminding me that school XXX is arriving at 1pm at a certain carpark. For the first few times, I answered, "Yups. Will come to that". There came a point when I cannot take it anymore and I snapped! I replied her with a very frustrated sounding "Yes. I know. Now. NOW!"

Even my students were taken aback and he was saying cool down cool down...

Not that I'm being arrogant nor impatient. I know the schedule, I DID and planned THAT schedule, I'm already trying my best to do the assigning, by her reminders, it just irked me more especially, I've already answered her many times. Immediately after my outburst, I felt guilty, but honestly, I did not have time to dwell on it too much, needed to keep going.

I feel, we both don't have enough 'chemistry' working together for the time being. I've never had this problem with any of my previous colleagues. Our working styles are different and I know we got to learn to adapt to each other and work out the best way for our team. Just that, we did not have enough time to build up the team spirit and then we were thrown this mammoth task of Open House.

It will get better. It's too early to say that we can't work together, but definitely, we are both trying, of course, with her being new, there are times, when she called me many times a day to check on things. So far, I'm glad to say, I've been answering her patiently. The one and only time was during the Mad House last week.

This about summarizes my hectic weeks ever since I've step into office and hence the lack of entries.