Archive for April, 2010

Ten years ago, when describing myself at my first official job interview:

Hi, I'm still at school. I like reading and writing. I enjoy books that are very descriptive, and I love the classical greats, like Shakespeare and Keats. I believe that being a literature graduate gives me the flexibility to explore more options in my career. Why this job? I believe that I really can make a positive contribution to your organization. I am hardworking, determined, and I am also ambitious.

A few years later, when describing myself to a reporter regarding why I wrote the way I did.

I don't write for anyone but myself. I am a bit of an elitist. If my mother read my blog, I'll be dead. That's why I hide behind a name. I like exploring writing styles, and my job forces me to write in a certain manner only. That's why I get a little more controversial in my personal space. But yah, if my mom read my blog, I'll be dead.

A few months before that, when I met Eric for the first time.

Hi, I'm Choo Ki. I'm an editor of high school english textbooks. *silence, smile*

A few weeks later, after a movie (Ocean's Thirteen, I recall)

You know Eric, I may like sophisticated things, and I prefer to laugh at quiet wit. I may aspire to be quite classy, but the truth is, I'm not sophisticated at all. I speak broken English, and I wear PJs and ugly free t-shirts at home. I mix my English with Hokkien and Malay and I cannot, cannot speak in accents. And most of the time, I cheat through the books I read – I finish the opening chapters, steal glances through the middle part and make it a point to complete the final chapter. And then from there I can hold a full 'fake-it' conversation with 'classy' friends in the writing industry. So, you see, I am not sophisticated at all.

A year later, when being interviewed to take on my first corporate communications job.

Yes, I'm here because the offer looks like a challenging one. I really want to explore what it takes to work for leaders, like the ones that are leading this firm. I believe my strengths in writing, and my ability to speak and write Mandarin will be a great asset to your company. I have my weaknesses, my Malay isn't that strong, but I can promise to work hard and improve in the necessary areas.

A few years later, at my wedding

I will. (We don't say I do at our church weddings, the pastor says something like, 'Will you promise to…. ' )

Half a year later, at home,

Eric, I think, let's try to make a baby.

A few weeks ago, when asked what it would take for me to consider a move in my job.

I am still looking for a challenge in the workplace. But there are changes now that I have become a mother. I'm in search of the employer who understands that people have lives to lead. I am the kind of person who really enjoys working and I don't exactly work for the money, so excitement, and positive challenge is what drives me. I like to work for a boss who knows what he wants, and who knows what I am capable of – I seek to trust and I seek trust. I like achieving goals, and I like it very much when my boss is able to clearly set a direction for me, and I will work very hard to provide those solutions to the person who employs me. If my proposed solutions are not an option, then I would like guidance, a clear direction as to what I should do to make things right. If my boss doesn't know what he wants, then we are all doomed.

Yesterday, when speaking to a new friend,

Hi, I have a son! He's just 3 months old and 7 days. Wait, let me show you. (whips out mobile phone) See, yeah, I fully breast feed him. It's not difficult at all, my company has many fridges. Yes, yes, I pump three times a day. See, look at him, see. Oh yeah, my Mother In Law takes care of him when I'm at work, and I just got myself a maid to help with the chores, so I get more time to play with him when I get home. Yeah, balancing life in PR and having a kid is quite difficult. Oh yeah, he REALLY REALLY looks like his dad. See, show you this photo: