Moving Up in the World
13 Jan 2007 — Yup, my last off day did come and go, and no, I didn’t blog about it. It might not sound like a good thing, but I have been swamped at work, and am actually enjoying it. The work that I’m doing here as opposed to Chiva Som has been much more creative, analytical, varied, engaging and rewarding, and I’m also learning many management type skills along the way. I must say that initially I had my hesitations with regards to my supervisory role. Needless to say, being the “new kid on the block” and having been instructed by my managers to be firm with the therapists and receptionists, I found it pretty challenging to carry out the tall order. Met with a lot of resistance, and for a few days there, I even felt like “public enemy number 1”. Not a great feeling I can tell you. Hard enough trying to fit into the new environment without all the unnecessary hostility. And frankly, this whole “having to supervise people” thing is sooo not me. I felt so misunderstood. Felt like telling the girls, “Actually I very nice one, I really am!”
Come to think of it, hee hee, other than perhaps Billie, I’ve never had to boss anyone around. And in fact, I’ve always been more inclined to work independently. Yep, see the thing is, where it comes to work, I set very high standards, and often do not trust others to follow through on them. So very often, I’d rather just do whatever the task is at hand on my own, so that in my own mind at least, it’s perfect. Well, coming here has taught me that sometimes, you have no choice but to delegate, to free the reins so to speak, and in the act of which, relinquish trust unto someone else. Scary… Hmm… sounds like I have “trust” issues. But nah, another week has passed since, and I think the girls are slowly but surely warming up to me. So yep, on the workfront – all’s good.
Unfortunately though, ‘cos my workdays are so long, and I’m actually (surprise, surprise) having to use my brain, it doesn’t leave me with the energy at day’s end to do much more than have dinner, bathe, maybe watch some telly, chat to Billie, stone for a bit, and geez, issit just me, or does every other girl out there wish somehow when we hit the bed, our makeup instantaneously disappears from our face, leaving fresh, clean, toned and moisturized skin?!! This whole skincare routine shit just takes up waaay too much of our lives!
Nonetheless I did get an off day, and in fact, I’m having another half right as we speak. Half? Yep, in lieu of the fact that I’ll be taking quite a few weeks off in May for the wedding, I’m now trying to chock up overtime by working another half day on what was previously my “off” day – that brings it to a grand total of 65 hours worked per week! That’s probably more than some domestic maids in Singapore. Oh well… I’m trying to focus on the big picture.
Ok, so what do I do on my off days anyway? First things first, it’s always off to the gym in the mornings. And yes, this time I’ve taken some pictures to show you.
This is the way to the gym.
On the left is a pilates/aerobics/yoga studio.
And to the right, is where I hit four to five mornings a week.
The weight machines…
…and the cardio.
And specifically, meet my friends: Mrs Cross-trainer and Mr Threadmill – they have been an integral part of my weight-loss plan. And guess what I listen to everyday without fail when at the gym… you’d never guess…
Jay Chou! aka 周董. Told ya you wouldn’t get it! Yep, everyday, over and over again.
Ok, and after a stinky, sweaty workout… it’s off to the showers!
So here the entrance to the changing rooms.
Oh, first of all, to the side’s a table-tennis table.
Lockers
More of the change rooms
Oh, and see, for toiletries, Hilton Maldives uses Molton Brown – supposedly very atas, but I dunno, too artificial for my liking, filled with artificial fragrances and tons of SLS!
Hee hee and yeah before I forget, the retail corner… and of course I bought something! No… you don’t understand… the way that laundry works around here, we bring our laundry in on Tuesday and only get it back on Sunday. So with the amount of exercise I’m doing, I’m always running out of gym wear, and I really can’t bring myself to recycle stinky perspiration-soaked clothes… Gross! So I’ve got no choice, I got to get some. In fact, not even enough but I’m waiting for the next shipment, the ones left in the display aren’t all that exciting.
Speaking of laundry, yeah, let me show you around the staff areas, the parts that guests don’t see…
Yep, this is where we come to get clean towels and floor mats for the rooms, bring in our dirty laundry and collect our uniforms in the morning.
So the other reason why I was too busy to blog last week was because Sally, my predecessor finally left! Yay!!! That’s great news for me, ‘cos not only does that mean I can formally step into my role as naturopath/spa consultant, but more importantly, I get to move into her room. And for the whole of my off day last week, I was busy cleaning and packing and moving. And voila! This is my new room.
So when you come through the door, that’s my bed right there in the corner next to the window.
This is the rest of the room, with Rachel the kindergarten teacher in the middle, and Elli the gym manager in the other corner. Hmm… I reckon I actually got the best spot!
Yep, no more bunk bed for this girl… in fact, the new bed looks almost cozy doesn’t it?
My little bedside altar
And facing the bed is the “wardrobe”, except it has no doors. But see, Elli’s mum was so sweet, she actually sent not one, but three sets of matching curtains for all of us to cover our wardrobes. I got the purple one!
Yeah, overall it’s much more comfy. Feels almost homey. Oh, and guess what, my new room’s also got a telly, an electric kettle and a fridge – wah… that’s why I say I’m moving up in the world man!
Well, that was all the excitement from last week. This week, with what little time I had, I managed to squeeze in some snorkeling, did an iridology session for Rachel, blogged, chat with Billie on Skype, and well, gonna call my folks next. So until next time… I’ll leave you with a few more pictures from this idyllic spot in the sun.
A slow lazy lunch
Lounging by the pool…
And finally, hammock anyone?