Random Thoughts

This valentine, my husband and I did not echange gifts.  But he claims that our new breakfast table is his gift to me…..that means I was the only one who did not give a gift.

In the morning of February 14th, our client also gave me a very nice valentine’s gift.  Ooooops…..whatever you are thinking STOP. It’s not really a tangible gift.  He actually e-mailed me and my boss thanking us (me) for a very impressive job (I did 90% of the job)…and that is his exact words "I’m very impressed."  And the highlight was that the e-mail also reached the client’s Corporate Environmnetal Manager in UAE, the boss of my boss and the boss of the boss of my boss.  That means, the news went up three levels.  According to the boss of my boss, his boss even called him personally to extend his congratulations!  But honestly, I am a bit embarrassed everytime my boss brags about it because what I did is just a very simple job.  Anyone among my colleagues would be able to do it and maybe even better.  I think I was just lucky enough that I was assigned to do it and the client happens to be appreciative.

But of course, I am very delighted for receiving such an e-amail.  I believe that in my own little way, I was able to prove that Filipinos can be as competent as the other nationalities too.  Above all, I hope that my boss will give me a good performance appraisal and a rai$e!

I noticed that my boss has stopped asking me the question "how are you?" every morning.  I am not sure why, but maybe because he noticed that I do not ask him the same question or I am not really comfortable with the question.  For westerners, It’s sort of a standard question after a greeting.  But I wonder if they are always sincere because I find it so casual for them to ask that question.  In my case, it’s something I would only say if I mean it.  I’ve been here in Qatar for 22 months already and both the companies I worked for are multi-nationals but I’m still not used to asking "how are you?" especially if I will ask the same person everyday or I am in a room with 20 people….you can just imagine exchanging these words 20 times, one after the other……

Hi, I’m Nina….How are you?  - I’m good.

Hello, how are you? - I’m fine, thank you.

Hi. I’m fine - How are you? - Nice to meet you!

Good morning, I’m good and you? - I’m fine, thanks.

Gosh, I usually run out of combinations.  I am really embarrassed when caught in these situations.  I don’t know if I’ll ever get used it but If I did in time, I hope I will always ask it with sincerity.