Managing Expectation

One thing I learn a lot in my current job is Managing Expectation. Customers have many requests and it is important that we mange their expectation of their requests. Not everything is possible or could be carried out and we must make sure customers understand that.

My boss manages the expectation of the staff and we, in turn, manage her expectation as well. We let her understand the extent that we could handle and she in turns makes sure we understand what could or could not be done.

Everyone has certain expectation and in our daily lives, we may have to manage the expectationsof our family members & friends. My family has certain expectation from me and it is important that I manage those expectation so as to avoid any misunderstanding or conflict. With friends, we also need to manage their expectation. Every stage in our life, changes are expected and many times, nothing remains the same.

Managing Expectation is not easy and managing them well is even harder, but not impossible.



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True Honesty

Matsu and Joanne have been together for quite a while. Though they are from 2 different countries and background, it has not stopped them from seeing each other.

Knowing that LDR is not easy, they made a commitment to each other  - to be truthful, honest to each other.

As time passes, different cultural background and lifestyles started to create an impact between them. Sometimes, Matsu could not agree with Joanne and vice versa. Still, they make a point to let each other know about their feelings.

Some people believe that you should not be truthfully honest with your other half. Matsu's good friend, Takashi, told him that truth can hurt a relationship and it would be good to keep some secrets.  Matsu decided to heed his advice.

Soon, Matsu started to keep his opinion to himself. He did not tell Joanne how he felt about certain issues they had. Joanne did not find anything amiss. As time passes, Matsu started to change and Joanne began to feel the difference. She tried to ask Matsu but to no avail. Then, slowly.......... the  2 of them went separate ways.

Joanne found out that Matsu was not happy about many things  during the relationship. As he did not want to hurt her, he decided not to tell her.  Joanne understood that as they were both from different cultural backgrounds and upbringing, there could be some misunderstanding and if Matsu had made the effort to be honest with her, many problems could have been solved and they could still be together!

Different people have different perspective of life. There 's no right or wrong. To me, if you made a commitment to be with someone, you jolly well keep it. Communication is very important. It can keep a relationship going, clear any misunderstanding, etc. I want to be honest and truthful to my other half. Sometimes, I agree what I say may hurt her but at least she knows that how I feel. She is not obligated to accept my view/opinion.

If I hold back being honest to her and one day she finds out, that could be detrimental to  our relationship. Should I risk it?

If others choose to keep secrets from their other halfs, so be it! To each his own.

I choose to be truthfully honest to my other half.......


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Relationship

Have always been like an advisor to others on their relationship.... what about my own relationship? Am I doing well with mine?

A relationship is liken to a person who is all excited about planting. He takes the trouble to buy the soil, fertilizer, seed, etc.... the necessary stuff to get it started. He is so excited along the process. Then, he finally sees the 1st bud. He feels he has succeeded. However, that is just the beginning. To keep the plant growing healthily, he needs to ensure there's enough nutrients. It becomes a commitment. The plant cannot grow on its own. It will wither and die without proper care.

When 2 people fall in love, it is so sweet and lovely. The courtship is so romantic. What happens when the courtship is over? Is the thought that we love each other sufficient to sustain the relationship? A relationship is a commitment between 2 people. What should the 2 do to maintain/grow the relationship? A plants needs nutrients to grow healthily. What does a relationship need to grow?

As human, we tend to take things for granted. If I feel that the other person is already mine, do I take for granted that she will be mine forever? Does the very thought that I love her in my heart is good enough to keep the relationship going? Should I make any effort to make her feel loved and should I constantly make her feel that she is the most important person in my life? If I do not make any such effort, am I taking the relationship for granted?

Everyone has his/her view about relationship. There is no right or wrong about individuals opinion. If 2 people make a commitment to have a relationship, they would need to understand and accept each other's 'perception'. Otherwise, the relationship would not work.

So, what commitment do I have to my own relationship? I tell myself never to take for granted that she will always be mine. I will make effort to make her feel loved and how special she is to me. Life is never a bed of roses and there could be some obstacles between us. I will do my best to overcome those obstacles.  Sacrifices may be needed but they would be worth it. I signed the love commitment with my blood.....sealed with my heart.

Nothing last forever. Making effort helps to make it last longer............


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New FY 11/12

Change of DD for the new FY. The Department had decided that everyone gets to answer all calls instead. This is a major change for some of us. We have started to answer some of the calls but from 1 April onwards, the hell gates opened!

It has been a lot busier than before. The calls coming in are amazing a lot but many are calls meant for others. Have to cope with it at the moment, until someone could come up with a good solution......Until then.......haiz.....

It's a job ...... just do my part!

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Stephen'sTrip

24 Mar

Managed to get time off from work and decided to surprise him at the airport. The flight arrived on time and soon I saw him. I quickly hid at a corner and when he text him that he was on his way to my office, I replied him - ok.

I came up beside him when he was heading towards the taxi stand. He was surprised to see me! Well, at least he saved on his taxi fare! Went him first to drop off his backpack before proceeding to Chinatown.

Need to get some CDs for Simon. After going to a few places and finally we found the shop that he mentioned (except the address was not correct) . We managed to get the CDs that he wanted and that was mission accomplished.

After dropping off some shirts to Gerald (from his HKG friend), we met up with Raymond for dinner. As usual, there would always be a reason why Raymond need to buy dinner and he finally gave me and brought us to Bumbu (Thai Indonesia) for dinner - buffet. The meal was average but since its free, cannot complain!

Small Ben called and we agreed to meet for desserts at our favourite dessert place. Allen was there too. It was a good evening.

25 Mar

Had late breakfast before travelling to Kranji to catch the Smiley bus into JB. The traffic was smooth and we cleared immigration & customer very fast. Decided to check in to the Hotel - Putri Pacific, located opposite City Square.

The weather was really at the extreme. It was burning hot in JB. One first stop was the foot reflex. As usual, the 80mins was a real treat for me! For Stephen, it was bearable. From Taman Pelangi, we went over to my Bak Kut Teh place and it was rather empty on a late Friday afternoon. After the late lunch, we decided to return back to Hotel, as it was really very hot outside.

Decided to catch a movie at City Square. Sucker Punch was really for suckers! Hahahahaha! Pardon my comment! See it for yourself and you may understand why! Packed KFC on the way back .... Stephen reckoned that KFC taste better in Malaysia. However, after the meal, he reckoned that it did not taste as good as the ones in KL.....Hmm.........

26 Mar

Breakfast has always been important, even though there was no pork! Guess Stephen did not enjoy it as much as I did.

After checking out, I bought some cakes from Lavendar before heading back to Singapore.

Went to Queensway for laksa before heading out to Katong Shopping Centre for karaoke. Raymond recommended the karaoke place which was really cheap - S$12 per hour per room. Alas, there were only Raymond , Stephen and me...and I do not even sing! Then, Albert came and finally Derrick. Still, we had a lot of fun!

Dinner was at our favourite Katong Steamboat place. Raymond made reservation for 12.....but we ended up with 6! Bad! Gerald and Jay came (Albert could not join us) and we ate a lot! Correction, Raymond ate a lot! Hahahahaha! SP managed to make his way to the restaurant to meet up for a chat. Happy to see him again.

Met up with Small Ben, Allen and also Adrian for a drink at Swissotel Westin - introbar. It was good catching up again for the evening.

27 Mar

Brought Stephen to TBP to try the porridge buffet. Usually we would have dim sum but for a change, it was good for him to try. It was a simple meal but it was a good change. Then it was off to the airport. As we had time, we decided to catch the MRT ride out to the airport instead.

Glad to see him again. Though it was a short trip, the time spent was memorable. Thanks, Stephen!

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