Working in Heidelberg has been rather an eye-opener for me in the past weeks. But it just did not feel fulfilling for me. I would complete my daily, morning routines - segregating the newspapers and letters, make myself a cup of coffee, log into the intercom system - all within minutes and I'm free afterwards. Sitting there, waiting for phone calls is honestly speaking, has never been the ideal job I've always imagined myself to be doing.
There is no sense of accomplishment for me unless, - managing to figure out the names (imprecisely) pronounced by the incoming correspondents, "pampering" (I quote my superior) the secretaries by delivering the letters right at their cubicle steps, inserting letters into envelopes swiftly and arranging invoices/documents according to their serial numbers - sound like an accomplishment to you.
Despite all these - my admiration and affection towards the need to swipe my card whichever region I enter, the hot beverage maker, the glass doors and partitions - remain unchallenged.
The initial two days, I dreaded reporting myself to work knowing that questions will be asked over my competency in handling the given workload. Nevertheless, in no time at all, going to work seemed fine to me, In certain days, I, in fact, looked forward to it ... but for the wrong reason. I was looking forward to reading what's happening next in Gokinjo Manogatari, a manga scanned online.
Don't I make a pathetic receptionist? The free time I used not only to read manga online which seems to no longer surprise the rest (they might have found out about it long time ago), I twitter and email (to Sylvea, who seemed to have become my pen friend), log in to websites which are not blocked by my company's network system and even blog (yes, this entry was typed during working hours). And the time left after these, made me paint images of the staff laughing behind my back. Although, most of the staff here (most as in most of the staff whom I know), have been treating me fine. One or two were really nice. But the Whites don't seem to be fond of me. One of them even greeted the receptionist of the other company occupying the same building but not me.
In my third week now, panic no longer is the case in answering calls. I could still remember how I performed in my first phone call. The phone rang way before I could even manage to warm up my chair - "Hell0 ... *shivering* Heidelberg. Co .... urm, errr". *while staring at my boss, begging her to tell me what to do next* My boss' feedback was well, let's just say, she was honest about it, verging on being blunt. But I sucked it up. Had to. The next day, this call came from my own colleague but she was as unforgiving as anyone else. She stimulated tears in my tear glands. This, also I had to suck it up. Had to.
As time starts gaining pace, the names issued by the incoming correspondents no longer sound strange to me. Very rarely do I find myself asking the callers to hold on in order to allow me to check the name list. Faces starting to get familiarised with my sight. The colleague who elicited tears in me, started carving wide smiles to me. Few could remember my name. Even fewer could utter my name with sufficient accuracy.
But never once, I looked like an old-timer here. Never once I could gather courage to chat with my colleagues about the World Cup or juicy gossips. Never once my superior seemed interested in my personal live. Never once they want to know me.
Besides the wages, I really don't know what other positive feature of working here I could give myself as a reason to stay put in this company. Being a receptionist doesn't add value to my portfolio, neither does it allow me to boast around - the post itself sounds shallow and futile. I am wondering if I am truly making full use of my 3-month break.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Son : Limitations of the human brain mean we may never understand the secrets of universe, says Britain's top scientist.
Father : Big deal! I don't even understand your MOTHER!
Mother : *sporting a wide frown*
- Courtesy of The Malay Mail; Tue, 15th June 2010; irwan@mmail.com.my -
You've got to hand it to this fella.
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