Subscribe via email

Subscribe to Americans in Singapore by Email Verification of your email address is required to prevent spam

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Work vs. Holiday -- Whaddya' Gonna' Do, Eh?

In just about an hour, I'll be leaving for the airport. It is time for a holiday... not for me, but for my Way-Hot Husband who works his ass off TOO much. He really needs to be off work for at least two or three weeks, but I know he won't do that. It's too hard to face the jillion and one problems and emails after being off work that long.

We love living in Singapore, and the people he works with are the most diligent hard-working people he's ever worked with. The problem is that he not only works here in Singapore, but Europe (6 hours behind us), and the U.S. (12+ behind us depending on which coast). His work is virtually 24/7. It never stops. This is globalization folks, and this part of it really sucks ass.

Back on the 15th, I did a personality meme. I asked WHH to take it. The results are "him", but don't even come close to the essence of HIM. No matter what the task at hand is, he will work at it until he's got it completed to his satisfaction.

Just as an example, my elliptical had a rusty part that needed to be replaced. He took the thing apart, figured out what the problem was, then spent several hours on the phone trying to order a new part. The part arrived the day before he was leaving for Europe (thanks Mom and Dad). Before he left, he tried to fix it. He was so pissed that the parts were almost welded together. We'll have to order another part to fix it. The thing is, he felt badly that he didn't get it fixed before he left! That's the kind of man he is. It's just an elliptical, but it doesn't matter because he knows I like to work-out on it -- whatever it takes to make me happy. He's just too good!

Another issue for me, anyway, is that the rest of the world can go on a fucking holiday for a gawdamn month or more, and nobody EVER questions that shit. Why the hell can't Americans and Singaporeans do the same? This issue is not inherent with this company -- this is corporatism and it effects all of us. Why the hell can't we take the days off that we've earned? Why must we constantly work ourselves to death?

I look forward to seeing your comments. I'll be offline for the next 18 hours or so, but I'd really like to get your input.

Thanks, and I'm looking forward to flying Singapore Airlines -- the BEST in the world!

1 comment:

RW said...

I'd like to address this most important issue, but I have to finish that report for work...