I LOVE MY JOB

I didn’t know I liked my job so much until about two weeks ago. An ex-JC male classmate, S, called my home and we had a quick, iritating (in my opinion) chat. Here’s what the conversation was about -
(note: Chat is edited for clarity sake. Or more importantly, I cannot remember the exact words. The content has not been edited, except the words):

Ring, Ring … …

S: Hello, how are you?

Me: Fine, thanks. How’s life?

S: The same. Are you seeing anyone or married … …? I’m now going to be a full time tutor.

Me: That’s great. I’m still the same. Happily single. So, how many students do you have? What are you teaching?

S: Well, for the lower secondary, I teach Maths and Science while for the Upper secondary, is only Chemistry and Biology.

Me: Ok. That sounds good. So, how do you teach?

S: Oh, I let them ask me questions and I answer and explain. At times, I don’t know what these students are asking.

At this time, I was appalled at S’s answer, but I decided not to say anything bad, in case I hurt his feelings. I mean, S was just starting out and I should at least show some support.

S: I prefer teaching the upper secondary because I just have to answer their questions. For the lower secondary, I have to do a lot preparation work and is not easy. Sometimes, these kids are so bad.

I nearly screamed. Come on, the reason I need private tuition is because I am bad at my work and I need more assistance after school hours. If I am a tutor, I will do my best to help the kids, not look down on them. But, I still remained calm.

Me: … …

S: How’s your work?

Me: I’m still at working at the same place. Busy as usual. You get more work as the years go by as more responsibilities are piled on you. But that’s life. More pay, more responsibilities.

S: How come you didn’t think of resigning?

Me: Why?

S: I resigned because the jobs I had earlier on DID NOT suit me. I changed many jobs. It is tough to get a job that suit me. What’s your position?

Me (annoyed and rude now): I am a lab technician.

S: What is that? Sorry, I am not in the Biotechnology field. (At this point, S sounded like he was scorning at me.) Are you a nurse?

Me: No, I am a laboratory technician! (I was beginning to sound annoyed and more rude.)

S: That does not sound very grand (He didn’t use the word GRAND. He used another word which I could not remember. ) Why did you want to become a lab technician? The name is so low class.

Me: Is only a name. Is the job which I like. ( Very irritated by now. Ten minutes had passed. Wow, I sure have loads of patience.)

S: Is that a research position? Oh, I love R&D. Is the big market now ... …

At this stage, S was going on and on about his passion on R&D and how he didn’t make it into R&D and was giving one million scenario the reason he couldn’t make it and blah blah blah … … Of course, I could not be bothered. Hence, I could not even remember the content.

S: So, what do you do?

Me: Well, is all lab work. And then we go on calls 24/7 at times. As you get more experienced, you get more duties. For instance, we have many different audits every year, so, there is a lot of preparation work etc.

S: Wow! I think you are being abused. Looks like what you studied has not been put into use. What you study is not related to your work now.

S was going on and on what he studied could not be put into practical use and he was complaining about his studies and work. At this point … …

Me: No, what I studied has been very useful and related to my work! Especially the stuff I learn while in Poly and Uni! Those are very useful!!!

I was furious and mad. I felt very humiliated. He sounded like he was condemning my job and my education!!! He has no right to say such rubbish. What I do, together with my fellow colleagues, is a big benefit to the community. I also firmly believe my Poly and Uni days were some of the best and if not for my Poly and Uni, I might not make it this far!!! I was extremely angry!!! I was on the verge of cursing and swearing at him!!!

S: Well, it still sounded like you have badly exploited. Sigh, it is difficult to look for job that suits me! Why don’t you resign and look for a better job?

Me: NO, I LOVE MY JOB! DESPITE THE WORKLOAD, I STILL LIKE MY JOB. I WILL NOT RESIGN!!! ANYWAY,

S: But you don’t sound like you like your job.

Me: I LOVE MY JOB!!!!

At this point, I lied that I have not been in touch with any ex-JC classmates and I refuse to say anything more. I told him I was going to be ultra busy and that I will not be able to meet up with him. He continued that I was being “exploited” and that I should look for a new job and blah blah blah… …
No way! No matter how busy I am at work, I am fortunate enough to have the support of colleagues to depend on. S asked me to recommend him a job at my work place but there is no way I will do that. I told him that the job is not suitable for him and he then gave one billion reasons why he thought he was not suitable.

I do not understand why there are beings, who do not reflect their own actions and enjoy condemning others. There are often the ones with the most errors and mistakes!!! And they blame othes for their own mistakes. I think when one say the job is not suitable for them, they are probably the ones with problems, not the job. S said a lot of terrible and unbearable things which I had no interest and have forgotten about it. If he calls again, I will tell him straight in his face (or ear, rather), “Get A Life!” It does not help being nice to these beings. They take kindness as foolishness and look down on others.

Get A Life! And there are many jobs out there and the will always be job for you, depending on whether you want to do it or not!