On several occasions now, our new manager has described me as "cute." It's not sexual in any way. Walking into my office today, she says "Oh, you're so cute concentrating so hard on that computer screen!" Or a few weeks ago, "It's so cute how you cough into your elbow to avoid getting germs on others!" Or "What a cute habit you have of walking everywhere with that notepad!"
I don't sense any malice, but it does have a patronizing vibe, like she can't get over how young I am. Perhaps I'm some sort of managerial kitten or little puppy director, and she can't help but coo when she sees me do grown-up professional things.
But I'm not sure if I'm offended. She's doing her best to run a business completely new to her, while trying to win over those of us in the core group. Maybe this is just her attempt at making nice. It definitely catches me off guard, though!
May 4, 2010
April 30, 2010
April 23, 2010
Happy 20th, Hubble!
Hubble was launched at just the right time for my budding scientific curiosity. At nine years old, I found space enthralling (doesn't everyone want to be an astronaut at that age?!) and the media attention around Hubble only encouraged me. Of course, I didn't end up working for NASA, but the fascination with math and science endured.
So bottoms up, Hubble! Testament to humanity's innovation, and provider of awesome wallpapers!
So bottoms up, Hubble! Testament to humanity's innovation, and provider of awesome wallpapers!
April 18, 2010
The Best Way to Start a Sunday Morning
Just came back from a private viewing of Kick-Ass, courtesy of our local comic book store. It was fucking awesome. Pretty much everything I wanted in this kind of movie was there, and in a spectacular way.
No spoilers here, but one of my favorite parts: first person shooter fans, there's a scene that belongs to you!
No spoilers here, but one of my favorite parts: first person shooter fans, there's a scene that belongs to you!
April 3, 2010
Heartache and Headache
This past week has been the most tumultuous in my life so far.
On Wed afternoon, the entire risk mgmt team of my business unit was fired, along with our head managing director and chief operating officer (my boss). Not because of financial performance or budget woes, but some legal shit that unfortunately couldn't be explained in detail due to that most haunting of phrases: "ongoing investigation."
I didn't expect to be so emotionally impacted by this. But these guys have been with the business since its inception. They were around when the company was struggling to meet payroll and meetings took place in someone's kitchen. Later, they took a shot at a graduate fresh out of school, trusted her with tons of responsibility, and rewarded her for hard work and the right attitude.
And so I realized not only did the business lose valuable experience and knowledge, but I personally lost mentors and friends. I respected my managers, not just for their financial acumen, but also the small company corporate culture they fostered and maintained, even though we were swallowed by two large institutions in as many years. It hurt to see them let go, especially when 2009 was our most profitable year to date. I surprised myself by oscillating between rage and depression.
Oh, and fear as well. I have a new boss. A whole chain of folks from outside the business have been called in. I have to start all over establishing myself, making sure my direct reports are taken care of, finding where I fit in the new world order. I have to play the corporate politics game. The small company feeling is already gone; in its place is the typical Wall Street jockeying and bureaucracy built on ego. I fear not only for myself, but for the business as well. Risk is everything in asset investment, and by taking out our risk team, they have taken out the core of our success.
The shock and fear will ebb, I suspect. But my job has become that much more stressful. Spring is traditionally our busiest season - there is so much work to be done, and to achieve both financial results and coalesce with new management is going to be one hell of a challenge.
On Wed afternoon, the entire risk mgmt team of my business unit was fired, along with our head managing director and chief operating officer (my boss). Not because of financial performance or budget woes, but some legal shit that unfortunately couldn't be explained in detail due to that most haunting of phrases: "ongoing investigation."
I didn't expect to be so emotionally impacted by this. But these guys have been with the business since its inception. They were around when the company was struggling to meet payroll and meetings took place in someone's kitchen. Later, they took a shot at a graduate fresh out of school, trusted her with tons of responsibility, and rewarded her for hard work and the right attitude.
And so I realized not only did the business lose valuable experience and knowledge, but I personally lost mentors and friends. I respected my managers, not just for their financial acumen, but also the small company corporate culture they fostered and maintained, even though we were swallowed by two large institutions in as many years. It hurt to see them let go, especially when 2009 was our most profitable year to date. I surprised myself by oscillating between rage and depression.
Oh, and fear as well. I have a new boss. A whole chain of folks from outside the business have been called in. I have to start all over establishing myself, making sure my direct reports are taken care of, finding where I fit in the new world order. I have to play the corporate politics game. The small company feeling is already gone; in its place is the typical Wall Street jockeying and bureaucracy built on ego. I fear not only for myself, but for the business as well. Risk is everything in asset investment, and by taking out our risk team, they have taken out the core of our success.
The shock and fear will ebb, I suspect. But my job has become that much more stressful. Spring is traditionally our busiest season - there is so much work to be done, and to achieve both financial results and coalesce with new management is going to be one hell of a challenge.
March 29, 2010
Respect
Much respect. Seriously.
Even after seeing her live in concert, I'm still impressed. I think she is completely underestimated by most people.
Even after seeing her live in concert, I'm still impressed. I think she is completely underestimated by most people.
March 24, 2010
Like a Memory of a Dream
Honeymoon highlights here: http://picasaweb.google.com/fuzu.jen/Honeymoon#
There are lots more photos, I just picked a few choice ones. So far, only the New Zealand pics are up. Such a beautiful country - postcard worthy scenery everywhere!
There are lots more photos, I just picked a few choice ones. So far, only the New Zealand pics are up. Such a beautiful country - postcard worthy scenery everywhere!
March 21, 2010
Thirty Hours Later...
That was a long flight! Finally home from an awesome vacation. Not looking forward to work tomorrow...
March 11, 2010
New Zealand = Awesome
Five days into our NZ honeymoon! It's been absolutely amazing - there are moments when I wonder why we don't just stay here the rest of our lives...
Photos and highlights will follow; there's just too much fun to be had for now!
Photos and highlights will follow; there's just too much fun to be had for now!
March 3, 2010
Disco Stick
So Lady Gaga's Monster Ball tour in Sydney was moved to a new venue. This opened a block of additional tickets, and since we're planning to be in town and staying near said venue, we acquired some of those additional tickets.
It sure will be interesting to see what a production that's being flown into Australia on two chartered 747 aircraft looks like. Should be a crazy show!
It sure will be interesting to see what a production that's being flown into Australia on two chartered 747 aircraft looks like. Should be a crazy show!
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