Evelyn Loh

Why Work Overtime?

October 3, 2014November 10, 2014 Evelyn Loh

So I started my new desk job last week and I spent all of last weekend working on a document that my boss only looked at for 30 seconds.

And the worst part of it is? I’m doing it all over again this weekend.

Ahh, back to the working life.

I’m a strong supporter of doing work at work and only working overtime when it is necessary.

Part of why I’m working overtime is because I really enjoy doing graphic design (and can’t believe I’m getting paid for it). The other part is because I had a 9-month hiatus from my previous desk job, so it’s like I had a nice long vacation and feeling recharged but more importantly, I could use that extra cash…BUT I still sleep when I need to and I wouldn’t care if they got mad if I didn’t finish it for Monday.

I am just that kind of person, the kind who has never been afraid of losing their job – which might not be such a good thing. But I’ve learnt that when I work overtime, I am the one who is doing the the company a favour and if they can’t see that, then I don’t want to work for that kind of company anyway.

If you struggle with this, then, in the words of Oprah, “You need to know your worth.”

Loyalty Needs to Be A Two Way Street, Even with Companies

I’m a loyal person. I used to think that I would do my very, very best and then the company will see my value, reward me, maybe give me a raise or a promotion, and maybe I’ll be a shareholder someday, then I’ll be rich and everything will be great…

But now, with some experience under my belt, I know that THAT is entirely BS.

I’ve seen old-timer employees that have stuck around for decades and work harder than anyone else, but they are never compensated enough for it. They get some perks here and there…but usually there’s some newcomer that’s lazy and a horrible waste of air that is being rewarded ten-fold more in salary and position. All because the newcomer asks or demands for it, and the old-timer did not.

So my theory is, do your best in what you can, but never burn yourself out for the “possibility of getting a raise or a promotion.”

The reality of it is, your boss probably thinks of you as an investment and expects you bring him many happy returns. And you think of your company an investment for your future and your career (if you don’t already think that, you need to start thinking like that) So they need you as much as you need them, probably more.

Remember, there are two sides that are investing simultaneously: one side invests money (pays you your salary) and the other, invests time (i.e. you working weekdays from 8-5). Since you can always make more money, but you can never buy more time, I’d say your investment priorities trumps theirs. So let them make the first move by rewarding you and then, you return the favour.

However, if your company has already proven that they value you as much as you value them, then go right ahead and help them out. But do it because you want to do it. Risking your mental and physical health for a company that doesn’t value you is NOT the way to go.

Ultimately, you will know what the best decision is, but if you feel that there is injustice and people are just using you, trust your gut. Those feelings do not come out of nowhere.

And if ya need the money like me, then why not?

rants

The Thanksgiving Countdown Begins…

September 20, 2014September 20, 2014 Evelyn Loh

The leaves are falling, which means the Canadian Turkey Day is just around the corner!

Only 3 weeks away and still lots to be done!

And this year, I’m already stressed out!

Well, because I start my new job next week and I also have my French classes twice a week. And on top of that, this year, thanks to my fiancé, we’re having 10 people over.

That’s 2 more than I’ve ever had for a sit-down dinner. Our table fits 8 and that’s a little cramped, and now we have 2 more guests that we’re not sure where to put.

And I want to paint the feature wall before guests arrive.

But that’s okay, that’s ~~the fun of hosting~~ what hosting is all about. Getting all flustered and then figuring it all out. I hope.

When I’m stressed about something, I go into the “Always Be Prepared” mode, a motto from my scouting days. I try to get as much done before the event actually happens. In fact, if preparing the turkey now were an option, I would do it. Because there is nothing more I hate than to leave everything to the day of.

So today, we went to Ikea, Value Village, and the Dollarama to pick up anything we might need for the party. Napkins, some funnels, a baster, fabric for a table runner and possibly pillow covers, some other things we might need. We also stopped at the Le Chateau outlet for some new work clothes. And I scored a brand new Banana Republic jacket at VV for $40 worth $160.

In regards to the table dilemma. We have 3 options:

1) Buy a whole new other table which I think is a waste since we only have sit-down dinners a few times a year, and less often for a party of 10. It would also be a crime to get rid of our current table. They don’t make them like that anymore, or if they do, they’d cost you an arm and a leg. It’s very charming and heavy. Like an older Italian man.

2) We might have to do buffet style, but I’ve always disliked using my lap as a table and trying to figure out where to put my drink. On the floor or between my legs which is beside my plate?

3) Then we talked about making a table that is the same height and width so we can put them together just for the day and use for something else the rest of the year. This is the solution I like best, but anything can happen.

By the way, I was so excited today when I saw that the pumpkins had arrived in Safeway, and even though it’s a little early, we bought one. One huge ass one. And the best thing is that they weren’t marked for price, and the self-checkout was charging $6.99 for them regardless of size at the moment. It was a steal. I also got three little pumpkins for decoration and I might get more later, but for now I need to make to-do lists. Lists that tell me what I can do weeks before, days before and day of. And maybe a list of lists I have.

rants

Hey animal lovers, what creatures are these?

September 7, 2014September 20, 2014 Evelyn Loh

They’re called Coatis! Did you get it right? Don’t be too upset if you didn’t, before I knew what they were called, I called them the Chupacabras.

As a diehard animal lover, I know lots of strange animal facts. I know a rabbit isn’t a rodent (contrary to popular belief), a mousedeer isn’t a mouse or a deer, and I can spell tarsier and platypus correctly. And yet my first trip to Mexico, I was blown away by these creatures!

It was the first time I’ve ever seen or heard of this animal and to see a creature in real life that you’ve never seen in photos is a great feeling unlike any other. It was like when I saw my first platypus in Australia when I was 4 years old – completely mind blown. My fiancé thought I was crazy, but what does he know? He gets excited over cell phone cases.

Anyway, aren’t they adorable? They are part of the raccoon family and can be kept as pets. If a red panda and a ring-tailed lemur had a baby, it would look something like a coati.