Back to Business - First day at work!

Hi there,

Apologies to the occasional reader who might have waited for the second instalment of the Korea trip update. Just didnt get more time to stand (at the hotel's computer terminal)and type out a blog. Nevertheless, cannot claim that i didnt have time since then. A leisurely vacation to India should have given me ample opportunities to write, but th e heat just consumed so much of me, that I just couldnt do anything remotely associated with leisure except sleeping :)

Neways, onto more current news. Joined my work today and feel relatively disassociated with the big change in days that one will live with. Work generally is from 8.30 to 5.30, but today being the first day was an exception, and I had to reach only at 9. Although as I found out, the Singaporean time doesnt coincide with the German, and Indonesian times still remains behind Singaporean.

As can be expected of any big firm, my orientation (i think they call it that) coincided with that of 3 others and it included an office tour (spread across 4 non-consecutive floors in the building), an IT briefing (notebook handover) and an introduction with the division secretary (handing over of telephone pin and stationery). Hmm. . but in all fairness, they manged to rectify my funny looking email id to somehting more like my name. So I am a happy employee now.

My first email was given to me as a printout (since the email change had restricted my computer access) and it asked me go to a client meeting, which was exciting. very interesting project, so I have some work to do for the next couple of days i guess.
Other than that, managed to remember some of the names from the division, thanks to our lunch excursion. Was amazed that the lunch party ended up with about 12-14 of us.

Was disappointed with the non-availability of fresh coffee in the office, but the hordes of the coffee shops around my office building should make up for that. Even though one will end up payign for that. But coffee will mean some exercise at least then.

So those are the mundane details of my first days. The more interesting details in terms of the people and politics are difficult to describe since I havent too much of an idea myself. But liked the idea of hot-desking at the office, somethign I havent been used to. I have always thought I am more conservative with systems, so like the idea of a fixed space to keep my papers and small office belongings. Anyways, it just reminded me I was here for the work and not office space ;-)

Guess thats as much as one can bear to listen. But one last comment, I think a good workplace is one which makes you want to come back the next day and find out more things. I am feeling that today, so guess I liked it.

for now . . .
cheers,
satish

In the land of the Morning Calm

Hey,

Was trying to learn the greeting in Korean, but I realize my limitation at language is pretty strong. Hopefully I will have learnt it by the end of this trip. Am currently in Seoul, the bustling and large capital of the ROK or better know, as South Korea.

The chilly (actuallyl Cool) breeze through the day reminded me so much of Copenhagen. So thats clearly one of the best things here for sure. The weather was perfect yesterday at least. Cool breeze, bright sun and extremely well groomed women. Most of them pretty too :)

I am sure the place has a lot more to offer than just that. Will find out more as I spend the next 3 days here.One thing I keep thinking of about this place and country is that its so high up on technology adoption and pervasiveness, wonder if that is matched equally with the development of a intellectualy curious society.

The one thing that I wonder yesterday, for example, is if the women matched their attitude to their fantastic sense of dressing.

have got to go now. Will record in more later.

cheers,
satish

Farewell to school, welcome to business!

Hola,

Been through an extremely exciting weekend, full of drama and action, albeit in real life. Got the much awaited job offer (from a consulting firm) on Friday, had an informal evening with some professors from the school, wasted myself more on saturday, and attended a not-so-emotional but full-of-fun farewell party on Sunday.

The week started off fantastically for most working people, what with MOnday being a full holiday. Am sure in the days to come I will appreciate the holidays a lot more than I do now. For now, I am enjoying the chasm between university and business, more precisely, from studenthood to employment. Studenthood has been good to me and for me. I have enjoyed every bit of it. The amazing part of being a student is that you can think and do big things, without being expected to do them.

Need to settle many things for the job life ahead, but more than anything else, want to restart my mind. I am not so much of an emotional person, but I guess spending 2 years as a student has made me extremely comfortable in the role, and I have surely developed an affinity. Getting out of it needs more than a symbolic break, and more so in terms of the thought process to delve and enjoy a working life. Well, as many a great men have so aptly said, we never cease to learn and so we never cease to be students.

I am hoping way forward, I can continue to enjoy life as it comes. Was struck by this line about everyday life from the book I am currently reading - "Dance a little, laugh a lot"

So here is to the Sun rising everyday!

Cheers,
Satish