How quickly time flies. I have already joined the workforce for 5 years...but of course, many more years to go. Recently, I had an opportunity to go for a client secondment. In our department, such secondments are really rare and those few who went...well, they didn't stay long after they came back lol. I am really happy that I grabbed this opportunity when it came by 'cause I had a very very nice time there. It has been a long while since I enjoyed myself like this. In a workplace setting somemore lol. 

I wasn't even offered this chance initially. It went to the managers first and it was really by luck that I got a chance to go for the interview. It was so rushed that I never even submitted my CV. Just went straight to the interview, which was like 15minutes? Shortest interview I've ever been to. And it was more like a chit chat actually. Just to find out my comfort level with excel and for them to judge whether I can cope with whatever they wanted me to do. Right after the interview, I got chased out of the call for my boss to continue the conversation with them (yes, he was there throughout my interview lol). The next thing I knew was him saying "well done" to me, which is pretty rare 'cause I usually don't receive praises from him. 

 The paperwork for the secondment took awhile. For some reason, the contracting docs always take forever to clear in my company. End up, the secondment was shortened to just 1 month period. The client's office is very near my company's office actually, but their location is much better - closer to food and mrt. Everything is literally just a few steps away and there are convenient ways to get to the mrt without getting wet. I have to say, I was very impressed by the client's office when I first went there. The pantry looked so cosy, the washroom looked so posh and I was very lucky to be given a corner in a meeting room to do my work. I shared the meeting room with my new boss and my monitor is back facing the door to the room. This meant that no one would look over my shoulder and I had complete privacy. The reason for this is because the info I am handling are very very confidential. Since my seat was facing the door, I would be able to notice everytime someone looked in or stepped into the room. I don't know...somehow, I was just very comfortable in that position haha. 

Office layout aside, I think I got along with my new boss pretty well. I mean, it would be difficult not to right...since we share the same space every day for 1 whole month. She is a very very nice lady and I never felt uncomfortable whenever I was with her. I totally get why she is in HR 'cause she has such a way with people. Everyone loves her. And that's probably why our meeting room door was always swinging open and close, open and close, all day long lol. There were so many people who wanted to discuss stuff with her. Whenver this happened, I try my best to blend into the wall and pretend I'm not there hahaha. The stuff they discuss are confidential matters so if they don't concern me, I just tune out and focus on my work. I have had many many opportunities to train this skill in my company (thanks to certain colleagues). 

At the end of my first week there, she very kindly sent a compliment note to my boss, who then forwarded it to the whole wide world. lol. I literally wanted to just dig a whole when I knew about it. But it felt really nice that my work is being appreciated. which is something that is very different from my company. Not that I don't receive compliments here/ It's just not to this extent and more often than not, people just take things for granted after awhile. It's just human nature, I guess. 

During the busy weeks, I had to stay back a few days, which I totally didn't mind at all. 'Cause my new boss actually sent me back home via grab. I mean, how many bosses in the world would do that?? None, I tell you. Seriously. Of course, she would be claiming these from the company later on, but it just feels nice that someone is doing this kind of stuff for you. I actually enjoyed the OT nights 'cause that's when no one else disturbs us and we can really bond. There is a common goal that both of us work towards - finish the work on hand asap and go home haha. 

Most of the time, we just eat our lunches in the meeting room. I realised she tends to work while working, which is something I totally cannot do 'cause I would get indigestion. Tried and tested lol. So I just play with my phone while I eat. Sometimes we would chit chat a bit. Overall, the mood in the room is always very pleasant. I will totally miss her sighs of "oh dear dear dear" whenever she gets stressed and her stomach growls on her salad days haha. 

I forgot to say that the meeting room is on their trading floor. So right outside of our room, there are traders all over the place. I have totally forgotten what a trader's desk looks like. One tiny human being seated in front of like 6 screens lol. 1 pair of eyes is not enough for this kind of set up. I am happy with just 1 monitor (although there are times when I wished I had 2). 

Fast forward to our farewell lunch...mannn, these guys really lead the high life lol. Champagne and red wine to go with an italian 2-course meal. The alcohol drinks were compliments of my new boss' friend, who is one of the big shots in the company. I was treated to lunch by 2 of the bosses that I worked with during this secondment and they could tell that I can't really drink (see my face also know already right lol). My new boss was really nice - she kept telling me that there is no need to drink all the alcohol that I was given. But I knew how expensive they were, so I tried my best. And for the first time in my life, I finished 1 whole glass of champagne...in the middle of the day. It was a wonder that I could go back to office after lunch and work as per normal. But I must say, the champagne was really really good. I have no idea what year it is, but there is a sweet aftertaste of grapes - you could almost imagine the big green glistening grape right in front of you. Expensive shit lol. 

I didn't touch the red wine and gave it to the other boss who came to the lunch. He could really drink. And talk lol. He was the one doing most of the talking and it is always nice to have someone like that at a meal so that there is no uncomfortable silence. I really enjoyed the lunch even though I was eating with 2 big shots lol. Surprisingly, no indigestion at all. They even asked me if I was interested to join their company. I said yes of course. I would take whatever role they offer. I just want to get out of my company (shh). 

Let's fast forward again to today - my last day at the secondment. They were so so so sweet. They gave me some company souveniers and even pooled some money together to get me some gifts. They totally didn't have to do all these. I mean, they are paying good money for me to sit in their office and didn't have to give me presents for the work that they are paying me to do. And their big boss even came to say thanks and goodbye to me. I was really touched. He seems like a really nice guy too. But another big big shot. So I need to be careful about my conduct around him haha. People can be nice, but I still need to be professional right? 

Even if I don't get to join their company, I really really hope that I can come back again next year to help them with the same work. It is literally a vacation as compared to my normal work. Even during the OT days when it can get tiring, I still go to bed with a smile on my face. Last night, I couldn't even sleep, just kept tossing and turning, thinking about how my last day (i.e. today) would go. I guess it really makes a difference when you enjoy the work you do. To be honest, I think the main reason why I enjoyed the secondment so much is because of my new boss (now ex-boss). It has been a joy working with her. 

Pray for me yea? Pray that I can sustain another year in my company and pray that I still have the good luck to go for this secondment again next year. I am going back to my company next week and already dreading it...