A Communication Space for Jaeteuk and bestVase7265 only. (Please do not reply or respond, thank you)
I hope this can be a start of support for the long-term for the both of us.
@bestVase7265
Long weekend for us here, will have family friends over for another BBQ on Sunday. Going to have 12 people in the house. My brother is lucky, his company gave him an extra day off on Friday, so he gets a 4-day long weekend, while I only get the 3-day long weekend. We haven't really stayed much in contact the last decade, ever since they lost their eldest daughter to leukemia (she left on Valentine's Day). But my brother has lunch with the oldest son whenever he needs to work at the office. My parents often sees the youngest son at Costco, as he works in the Pharmacy. But my parents have know their parents even before both our families immigrated to Canada. We offered them to bring their dogs. But they may not, since it'll be the pup's first time, they may end up peeing everywhere. So, won't know until they come. The oldest son has 2 kids, the youngest son is single. We've also invited the uncle's brother, as he's single and has a dog as companion.
I hope that you have a lovely event with your friends. We are currently on vacation for just a few days so I have been busy as well. @Jaeteuk
So, the BBQ ended up with 13 people, 2 couldn't make it. My Uncle was invited and my cousin was free, so he came too. He's 6 years younger than I, recently bought an antique camera online and brought it with him.. he took pictures of us, group picture and pictures of food. But after my brother asked him for them, we realized he doesn't really know how to take pictures, a lot of the food had pictures of people's body and the group picture's lighting made some people look disoriented. My mum joked that none of the pictures turned out well. We haven't had this kind of gathering with the family friends for over 8 years. So yesterday, we decided to invite them over more often.
After their eldest daughter passed away, the Auntie and Uncle rarely left the house. So, it was a blessing that they agreed to come for the BBQ and stayed until 9pm. My parents have known them when they still worked in Hong Kong, and my brother has been playing with their sons since he was 8. So, these are literally life-long family friends. I told my parents that they should ask them out more often, as they are all retirees now. So, they planned on asking them over for Christmas. Hope the other son and Uncle can make it then. The other Uncle suffered from painful gout on Sunday, and the younger son, ate something and was having an upset stomach, so decided not to come nearly last minute. Otherwise, we wouldn't have leftovers. We gave them partially away to the other son, as he's a family of 4, with 2 young kids.
Otherwise, I think the BBQ went well. Had some good chats with everyone. It was nice.
That sounds like a wonderful day with some very special people. I am glad that you were able to reconnect. You also made a good suggestion to your parents. It can be hard after mourning someone to find a new balance and supportive friends. It sounds like you all are doing that. @Jaeteuk
How was your vacation? Just taking time off or did you have a mini-getaway?
It was more of a mini getaway but it was really helpful in resetting things before all of the chaos of work started again. August is my busiest month. But I am surviving pretty well so far. @Jaeteuk
Oh yes, August is the time to prepare for a new school year in the Fall.
We actually start in August. My first day of classes is tomorrow. I have actually come down with a slight flu bug or something (not COVID) so it is going to be a long day.@Jaeteuk
Oh no.. take care😊. I'm working a 12hr shift on Friday, will be a long day for me too. Then, will be doing 10hr shifts next week. I only agreed to a 12hr shift for tomorrow because it's Friday, and I can rest up over the weekend.
Thanks. I did enough rest on Thursday to survive today. Now I just need to be ready to teach tomorrow...
Good luck, hope you get a good night's sleep!~
I did. Thanks! As usual, I survived much better than I feared. That is how it usually is though, isn't it? @Jaeteuk
I've purposely gone to bed at midnight, so I could sleep for 6 hrs.. but, I have been waking up before 5am the past couple of days instead. Really doesn't help when I'm working 10+ hours this week. Hopefully sleep will improve overtime.
Sorry for the lack of sleep. My sleeping has been a bit off lately too due to the stress of work and family issues. @Jaeteuk
My phone indicates that I was in bed from 1am to 6:30am.. but I was awake for half an hour between 3:30am to 4am. Then waking up at 6:30am before my alarm went off at 7am. So, I ended up working an 11 hour shift yesterday. Got home at 8:45am, went to the mailbox because my Nepresso order arrived. Asked my dad if it's okay to not water the plants because it was late and I still had to shower and was just way too tired. Luckily he says that it's okay, and just water this morning. Which I did, but says because the temperatures are hot, he says I should still water when I get home from work. Although it takes a mere 5 minutes, but after working a 10 hour shift, I'd rather take a shower and sit down to rest instead.
At least I won't be working a 10 hour shift on Friday, because of having a doctor's appointment in the morning. If there is no delay, then I could maybe start before my regular shift at noon, but there is also a chance that I'll be late too. As with this doctor, not once have I had the appointment on time. Soonest, is like a 30 minute wait. We'll see. I don't mind working a regular shift, too tiring this week.
That sounds really busy. Sending peace and rest. @Jaeteuk
My lower back is starting to feel sore.. hopefully I'll be able to move tomorrow.
Glad that you were able to get some sleep. I am doing okay overall too. It wasn't a major fall, just enough to jar things a bit.
Had my medical appointment this morning. Thought I'd be okay without pain medication, so I didn't take any beforehand. Bad idea, was sore when I started working a noon. Left work early, didn't finish my work. I was walking really slowly at work, soreness and cramps. I just took another dose of pain medication after dinner, and I think I'll go to bed early tonight too. Maybe lying in bed will make me feel better.
I hope so. Being sore and cramping is never fun. @Jaeteuk
Feeling much better today. Took another dose after breakfast this morning, went for a nap in the afternoon. I should be able to get back to my plans tomorrow. I was actually planning to head to the mall this morning when doors open. To grab a few things, but because of the unexpected reaction to the appointment yesterday, I thought I'd rest another day. So, I'll have to go tomorrow. Latest, by next weekend I'll have to get my things. Colleague will have a baby shower Sept. 2nd, I have the present (from previous, and didn't get a chance to give), just need a card and gift bag. As I don't plan to attend (don't do well in big crowds), I'll need to have the gift ready to give to another colleague to help me bring to her. Not many weekends left until the Baby Shower. Come to think of it though, I think I might rest tomorrow too.
@bestVase7265
That all sounds good in terms of planning. I can totally get the crowd stuff. I spent this afternoon at a really large party. Luckily I helped serve food so I didn't have to concentrate on the party part of things. @Jaeteuk
The first month of the school year is nearing the end for you. How have things been going on?
I have been so busy with work all summer, I barely have time to go on my computer. Next 3 weeks will be super exhausting for me. Next week, a 4 day work week because Monday is a holiday for us, I'll be working 11hr shifts.. because one colleague is on vacation for 3 weeks and we have a new addition to our team that starts her training this Thursday and next week. Since the person training her will be working the same early morning shift, aside from the other morning shift I'm covering (the one on vacation), I have to work into the evening shift too. Going to be a very long week/day for me. Will need to be well rested over the coming long weekend.
Dealing with the hurricane now so I will try to get back in touch tomorrow.@Jaeteuk
Well evacuated students will come back to campus on Friday and we will try to get things back on track.
I hope that your busy work week will go well. Sometimes you just forge a path forward not knowing if you will have the energy or not. That has certainly been my week. It has also been tons of shifting directions suddenly. @Jaeteuk
It's been a while since we've last spoke. Hope the hurricanes didn't do much damage to your place. It's good that you had your windows changed, that would've helped.
I finally have a week off from work, had been working non-stop since July, with only 3 days off, which one of those days, I called in sick for. With a lot of overtime shifts, I really need this week off to recharge, and run some errands.
Oh, I'm also home alone for the next 2 weeks. My brother went on vacation, left home the past Friday, with a friend to Japan. My parents are gone on another Cruise trip since Sept. 15th. This time, they won't be back until second week of November. Their initial Cruise trip is to Japan. Then, they'll go to Taiwan, meet with another couple that's already there, then, go to Hong Kong for 3 weeks, before coming home. Meeting more friends there, and they will be visiting both my grandmothers. At least, they will have a place to stay, my Uncle has an apartment space that he no longer lives in (he officially came to Canada for good). Brother should be back on the first Friday of October. He'll also go to Thailand for a few days.
It's nice to be off, I've been baking and cooking new recipes for dinner. At first, I thought I'd be ordering a lot of takeout, but I think I'll wait until I'm back to work the first week of October. I might be too tired to cook after work then, as I'll be doing an early morning shift. I most likely will need to nap when I get home.
How is the school year going so far? Any exams to grade recently? Busy?
It is so nice to hear from you. I knew how busy your job was. I am glad that you have some time off now. It is great that you are able to relax with some cooking while everyone is away. It must be different to have a house that is so quiet.
I have been busy too. The hurricane wasn't bad, just lots of time at home. I am now fully engaged with the new semester and it has been going fine. The bigger papers don't start until next week so things are fairly smooth at the moment. I do have a big event that I am sponsoring on Wednesday night (a local politician talking about climate change) that I am hoping will go well. @Jaeteuk
I did a lot of overtime shifts, weeks where I worked 11hr shifts. It's good money, but exhausting when I can't get a good night's rest. My colleagues wanted me to work next week, but I spoke with my Manager before my colleague could suggest it. Explained that I'd be highly thankful if I could keep the week off, as I had been working non-stop since July. Come to think of it, if I were a permanent staff like my fellow colleagues, even they don't have to work 3 months straight. As they'd have a week or two of vacation in between. I'm glad my Manager approved it and she thanked me for accommodating my work schedule when others were on vacation and we became short-staffed.
While the colleague that wanted me to work the coming week.. she's just thinking about the benefits of herself and work. Not really being considerate about how I may need a break from work after working for 3 months straight.
It's not very often that I have the whole house to myself. I can finally use the time to play on my piano. Don't have to worry that it would disturb my brother when he works from home. The only bad thing about this coming week, is that it'll most likely be raining. If not the whole day, but a greater part of it. So, as the weather permits, I'll need to do some groceries when it's not raining. It's a hassle carrying an umbrella as I carry groceries to the car.
Do hurricanes result in school closures? I know that in Hong Kong when they had typhoons, school closes for the day.
Good luck with the event!~
I didn't know that you played the piano. That sounds lovely. I sing in a choir, but I am not good at any instrument. It is nice that you can just be for a bit.
Yes, we did close school. I think of hurricanes as large, slow turtles with tons of waiting. We sent students home on Monday which meant adding in my middle son, two friends, and another friend's rabbit into our house and then we all waited until Friday before we could go back. So we were very crowded but we got along well. @Jaeteuk
I started learning piano when I was 7, and played through high school. Had to stop in my senior year though, as I didn't have much time to practice and still get passing grades in school. I picked it up again in my early 20s, and had my cousin as my teacher. I ended the learning before I finished Level 10, nowadays, I only play pop songs I've learned and have the musical score for, and take out the Level 10 books and choose the easier ones to play.
My brother sings, he took vocal lessons and have won singing competitions before. For him now, singing has become a stress-reliever. So when he's at home, after his work, you'll be able to hear him sing in his room.
Oh wow, I whole school week of closure. I'm glad you all got along well. It's like a really long sleepover.
Music is such a nice stress reliever. @Jaeteuk
I wish I could play more on a regular basis, but with my brother working from home, and he's always in meetings, when I don't have work, I can't play on the piano. I have the weekends, but there are always others things I need to do and I feel that I should only play when no one is in the house. Which isn't often that everyone has gone out.
I find that forcing myself to make time for such things helps me. @Jaeteuk
Going to work weekends as overtime. Time for the annual cleaning of the department. Last year, it took me 2 and half weekends (5 days). So, I'm currently scheduled for 3 Saturdays and one Sunday.. See how much I can get done, if still not finished, will add more days. Colleague requested something else needs to be "cleaned", so, I'll probably need that 5th day or more. So, will be working tomorrow, then off on Sunday, because I have a doctor's appointment. I know, it's odd how the Hospital has ultrasound appointments on a Sunday.. When a few years ago, there were no Medical Imaging on weekends (but that was probably because of the start of COVID).
Monday is Thanksgiving for us, so another short work week. But, seeing how I'll be working over the weekend, it's not really a short week, as I'll end up working 9 days straight. At least, working over the weekend, being by myself. I can listen to my music playlist from my phone (have to remember to bring my phone charger, just in case playing music drains my battery more quickly), and with no one else in the department, I won't have to wear a mask (starting this week, masks are mandatory in hospitals and doctor's offices again). There had been Covid outbreaks within the hospital, and I think because of flu season.
I've also been getting night sweats this week.. Maybe it's from the stress for work (as we were short-staffed, and although I'm working one shift, I'm doing 2 jobs, because another colleague was on vacation). I did an hour of overtime the day before. I'll have to keep an eye on the night sweats.. I'll see my GP for something else Oct. 19th, and will bring it up if they continue.. When I tried to Google it, it says that it could be some underlying problems, or due to stress. So, I'll think of it as stress for this week, so if it goes on before my appointment, while working regular shifts again.. then, I'll know it's not just from stress.
It sounds like you have been very busy, but productive. It is nice that you are able to work some by yourself which I know that you probably enjoy more. It is good that they have entrusted you with the cleaning. That means they know that you do a through job.
I hope that the night sweats go away soon. They don't sound like fun. I hope that you do use your minimal days off to rest.
My work has been going fine. Students started turning papers in today so that will be keeping me quite busy for the rest of the semester.@Jaeteuk
They entitled me to the cleaning because I'm the only non-permanent staff.. and probably because the others won't want to work over the weekend as overtime either. It's actually a lot of work with the cleaning.. Many shelves of products, where I'll need to remove each item, so I could wipe the shelves. Some are solid shelving, while others are like wire racks. This week, I worked the early morning shift, so, aside from the housekeeping lady, when I started at 6:30am, I also turn on the music from my phone.. I only turn it off when other staff starts coming to work around 7:15am. So, that was nice too. Singing along, while doing the morning tasks.
The night sweats were horrible, I'm going to have to do the laundry and wash my bedsheets and blanket cover on Sunday after my medical appointment. Been using my blanket cover to wipe of my sweat.. I'd wake up soaking wet..
Looks like we'll be both keeping busy with our work!
I'm fully booked with shifts in November.. With the remaining of October, since I'll be working over the weekends, I might only get 7 days off or less, if it takes me more than 4 days of cleaning. Four of those days though, I had requested them to be off specifically.. as my brother's dog will be with us for another 3 weeks starting from mid-week of the coming week. My brother usually needs to go into the office Thursdays and Fridays, so I requested 2 weeks of Thursdays and Fridays off, just so that the dog won't be home alone all day (if we both worked).
@bestVase7265
I am sure that it is quite a bit of work to do the cleaning. That is quite a few days of work for you at the moment. You will have to use your down time well.
Sending lots of strength and peace. @Jaeteuk
I left the tedious area last. Probably will take me 2 days to clean it. Those wire racks with so many product that I'll need to remove shelf by shelf to wipe it. Will split the work for 2 days.
That sounds like a good plan. Sending lots of strength. @Jaeteuk
Hello, it's been a while since I've checked in.. been working even weekends this month, so had been quite busy. I ended up working a 9-day work week last week, because of working over the weekend as well. I was supposed to be off this Thursday and Friday, but my Manager asked me to work for a few hours on Friday. I had requested Thursdays and Fridays off for last week and this week, because my brother's dog is with us. And he has to go into the office on those days, and I didn't want the dog to be home alone for such long hours. So, this Friday, I agreed to work 6:30am to 10:30am, because I have a doctor's appointment for 11am, so Manager had originally asked me to work 7:30am to 12pm. I asked my brother, he says that he has a meeting at home in the morning, so when I'm off at 10:30am, the dog wouldn't have been left alone for too long. The other reason for me to request the day off, is the dog's meal schedule is he gets hungry by 2pm. So, on Thurs, I'm meeting a previous colleague for lunch at noon. I'll need to return home around 2pm, or else the dog may be barking from starvation.
Then, on Oct 30th, I'll be having dinner with this previous colleague and 2 others. They eat early, so dinner will be at 5pm. Dog will be going on the 29th, this time he was with us for 3 weeks.
I'll be busy in November too. Fully booked, only off for a Stat Holiday and for the last week of November.
How is the school year coming along with you? Getting busy with midterms/exams?
That does sound like a lot of work. Be sure to insist on some time off when you need it.
I am doing okay but I am really busy as well. I have to grade all the midterm exams that just came in and help students register for courses. I also have lots of course preparations to do and meetings and lectures to attend. Tomorrow and the next day I will leave at 7 am and return home at about 9 pm. But I did have the afternoon today where I could work from home. I am always working but it is nice to change locations. @Jaeteuk