When we meet new people, our paths collide; forever our lives will be altered. We see things differently, from different perspective with different mindset. Hearing tales and opinions from people can and might dramatically change oneself...
I am 20 yrs old...an undergraduate hoping to get into the likes of Nottingham or IMU. ( I didn't get a place at NUS =/ kinda bummed...because not even 1 of my 8 choices were considered!)
I was 19 2 days ago. I am working in Alliance Bank with just 2 days to go. So, naturally, my fellow colleagues wanted to give me a nice farewell =)
Let me begin my story 6 days before my birthday ;) At this time, no one knew my birthday was coming yet. I had planned to see out the remaining days of my contract without any of them making a big fuss out of my birthday. I mean I figured that I might not be seeing them ever again! I had just donated blood to the National Blood Bank. So, I was pretty proud of myself as it was my first time. I walked back in to my office with a slight swagger, purposely showing the plaster on my right arm! XD Call me attention seeker...well maybe that's what I'm ;P
It has been days since I had much work to do. I was quite
sien to just sit at my desk, playing with the stationeries (connecting paper clips and rubber bands to form weird 'arts' =p or as some of my colleagues said - booby traps!), listening to music while texting friends! I know...doesn't sound much like work right? I really thought and felt like I was of no more use to the department and I was truly ready to leave on a short notice (1 day). I had prep myself about the day which I were to hand in my resignation letter. I didn't feel any pain just thinking about it.
But that was when Apple of the Custodian division 'saved' me (I'm in Insurance/Enforcement division). She saw me at the couch - resting...well honestly, more than that =P She asked what I was doing - with a hint of admonishment. I told her I needed rest as I had just donated my blood and I was going to faint if I was to resume 'working'. Since I was half frustrated anyway, I blurted out that I had nothing to do and so might as well just tender.
Next thing I know, she asked me for a favour. I did moan a little that I felt dizzy (I was just feigning) and I was interested to do anything. She asked me to follow her to her place and she thought me some stuff. I'm an eager learner but I was careful not to show too much excitement. She gave me some task. It wasn't fun but it was something that I could help at. I mean I could see she's pretty busy. But I told her I will only do if I was in a mood. I did it anyway. Haha! She was smiling. I just couldn't say no! I also join the bank to help the staffs lighten their workload anyway. And I was determined to leave with a bang!
2 days before my birthday, she came in to check on my progress. She offered to take some work off my hands - I thought that was great because suddenly my hands were completely filled! Then I asked her about the promised she made 4 days prior; helping me fill up my certificate I got from the blood donation campaign. Well, she dutifully fulfilled her promise - not before asking for my full name...and oops! mykad no! In my head, I was thinking; there's no way around this. Either I tell her I changed my mind or I will write the Mykad no. myself. Bleh! I just wrote it down on a scrapped paper; hoping she wouldn't realise. She obviously did - and she grinned widely. I swore that I did not intentionally gave it to her. But naturally it would be hard to believe.
2 days later, I came in to work like normal. No one had a clue that it was a special day - well to me at least. I went to the filling room to return some files. Apple was there. Kar Mei and Robi also. But the latter 2 had no idea. I was thinking how to strike a conversation with Apple. She spoke first.
Apple: So have you thought about it?
Me: You mean my birthday? - I mouthed
Apple: I mean the proposal about extending your contract.
Me: Oh. I'm still thinking and considering it.
I dunno whether I was lying or I meant it at that point. Because for the first time ever I woke up that morning pondering of my few remaining days in my working contract. I was honestly really sad. I was thinking...I'm really going to miss everyone here =( So I planned to enjoy my last few days. I was going to make most of my time left even though I left it late feeling a strong bond with my bank. The possibility of leaving without anyone remembering me became so real. So, I spoke up to Apple.
Me: You know...I was thinking. I don't really mind if everyone knows it's my birthday since you already know. Haha! I mean i don't want you to feel the pressure of keeping a secret.
Apple: Ok. So who do you want me to tell?
Me: Everyone ;)
Apple: Even Simon? =P
Me: Why not? E-mail them all =P
We continued our conversation. I was really impressed that she's such an adventure junkie! She told me of her tales and the places she has been. She really got me interested! She even showed me some of her pics. They were crazy awesome!
I had a lunch date with Su Fen and Wein Shi of HR. They were my ex-supervisor and ex-colleague respectively. They wanted to bade me farewell too. We went to KFC. Su Fen was commenting that my hair was long and I could try getting a haircut at cap sq. I slyly asked if they do give special birthday discounts XD She said she wasn't sure and coolly 'played' along with me asking if it was my birthday! I laughed and said yes! She didn't believe until she checked my Mykad. Haha! It was lucky she asked me out that day. Killed 2 birds with 1 stone!
Back at my office, I was getting some work done, news had spread a little that it was my birthday (Haha! No doubt who's the culprit!) when I spotted Shirley (my supervisor), Ms Gaik, Carmen, and Apple walked in. I suspected something was about to happen =P I coolly continued my work when Apple approached me =P She asked me to follow her. I just met her smile. I asked her what for. She brought me to the front and there was like a huge chocolate Secret Recipe there! Wow!!! I mean I saw it coming but my name was written on it! Haha! It was like a chocolate cake with 'Joo Lian' for a brand name! I was so happy! They were singing for me! My jaw just ached from smiling! Thanks guys =) (Though you all made me pull out the candles with my teeth=P)
After I had a chat with a fellow ex-vict, I got a call from JJ, the boss! But the phone got cut off. So I went to her place. We started chatting right away! She wished me Happy Birthday! Then, we got to the topic that my last day is 3 days away! She was nice to offer a contract extension. But I told her 5 moths in Alliance Bank has thought me enough for the moment. She said I'm always welcome back if I wanted another temp job =) We talked about where I'm going to study and she wished me luck. She praised what I have done so far. That really meant a lot; hearing directly from the boss. It was a happy day =D
