It's been so long since I wrote a blog entry. and now I feel so old.
March 29 - April 29
May 29 - July 19
July 30 - September 11
I spent almost half a year in Wuxi, China this year.
Work wise, I really learnt a lot. Having to deal with production operators, affiliate business managers, customers, colleagues and superiors on stuff like safety, equipment use/maintenance, pay, logistics, sales, and other issues really ain't an easy feat. Especially in Mandarin. Of all these, the biggest headache is the China Customs. Unbelievably lots of procedures and hidden out-of-the-blue surprises.
People wise, I realised I am quite good at communication, between different departments, different levels. They work alongside one another for years, and yet they don't talk but come to me to solve their problems. But I am glad to be able to slowly make these people I work with more than just colleagues.
Life wise, I am well taken care of by the company. I have a rented apartment, a driver to and from office, and a cleaner to tidy the flat. The rest of the time I get around by taxi, going for massages, shampoo treatments, and shopping. It feels increasingly like a home now.
But Singapore is still where my heart feels at home. I still keep up-to-date with the girls through Whatsapp, still kpo on Facebook despite the great Chinese firewall, and I still Skype call my family regularly. I worry that the people back home aren't safe and well, that they are unable to reach me when they need me because of the distance, that they have things they aren't telling me for fear I get anxious.
This time round, I'm going back Singapore to celebrate my 26th birthday. I expect to be home for about 2-3 weeks, because I feel a responsibility to be the bridge to straighten things out at home. I also want to be able to meet more people and spend more time with each person.
But there will be someone holding on to the strings of my heart in China, this guy who makes me smile, who treats me like a little girl when he is obviously the young one who needs taking care of, who creeps around when I am in a temper. He is the one guy I didn't expect to fall for, but I did, quickly and furiously.
Sigh, trying to make things work over long distances will not be easy, no matter which aspect.