Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Respite

Everyone deserves this one-day holiday. Everyone deserves a respite from the horrors that greet us at work nowadays. Yesterday, some of my colleagues had a really tough time and I think I was the only one who went home with a more positive outlook and feeling less worried (there were work-related events during the day that lead to this feeling). I've been in their shoes before and I really feel for them. It somehow brought me back to earth after celebrating a mini-victory.

We've been getting almost daily emails from the powers-that-be about the crisis that the US economy and how it will or will not affect us. We've somehow weathered the collapse of Lehman Brothers and now, our bosses are figuring out how the US bailout rejection (is it really true that the US Treasurer went down on his knees and begged the Democrats to approve the bailout?) will affect our business as well. Probably this is the only time that I'm thankful that we're not as big as the bigger banks are right now. The company focused on growing its business out of the US specifically Africa, Asia and the Middle East and as one of my colleagues pointed out, our products are less sophisticated as those offered by our competitors.

I have yet to understand the full problem or the repercussions surrounding the issue but I'm suddenly reminded of the answer that my regional boss gave me when I asked if we've already hit rock-bottom. He said that it seems that we're already on our way up but if there's one thing he learned is that anything is possible.

I guess it's also a blessing that it's raining today. Perfect bed weather and a chance to catch up with my sleep. Yeah, sleep. It's my favorite hobby nowadays. Every weekend when Leo and I go to the mall, I always ensure that I'm home after lunch so I can sleep. I've been told to savor this moment as in a few months, sleep will be a precious commodity which I will have to forgo as I have to take care of my newborn. Thank God for 3 month maternity leave!

12 comments:

Nonie David Carluen said...

what mini-victory?

Nonie David Carluen said...

actually there were more democrats who voted for it than republicans. all that was needed was 12 votes and wall street could have been spared the blood bath.

Nonie David Carluen said...

"The bigger they are - the harder they fall." No sympathy for these high flyers and their greedy CEO's and outrageously paid executives. Have you heard the saying that any idiot could run a company in a bull market but it takes a genius in a bear market. Something to that effect anyway.

Nonie David Carluen said...

Sometimes there is bliss in ignorance. I came home last night with a headache because of all the reading I did. Surprise surprise your ninang can read! Anyway we were busy buying bank shares. Have you heard the saying "In a bear market - wealth return to their rightful owner". Can never be truer.

Nonie David Carluen said...

is it a public holiday? i love staying home and watching tv in bed when it is raining.

Nonie David Carluen said...

who would ever have imagined this would happen to a company that survived a civil war, 2 world wars, a depression, 911, etc. only uncertainty is the most certain nowadays. btw - the economists who thought of these hedge funds, etc - were they not nobel prize winners?!

Sunshine Sangalang said...

my unit survived a local internal audit (conducted by no less than my previous boss) whereas it was bloodbath for the rest

Sunshine Sangalang said...

yep. public holiday. end of ramadan. weird, it ended yesterday but malacanang declared the holiday today.

Norrie Blackeby said...

It's good to know that you are getting paid maternity leave! At least that side is progressive there. Spending that time with your newborn is so special with bonding. Imagine you are going to be a parent? I bet you already read all new parent manuals and How to books hehehehe. By the way have you decided on the name?

Sunshine Sangalang said...

As of now, we chose Sebastian.

Norrie Blackeby said...

Wow that's new having a public holiday for ramadan.

Joelle Horca said...

For your reading pleasure... links to articles which I've found to be very useful in explaining the financial crisis on a macro level. -=)
http://mommybanker.wordpress.com/2008/10/05/more-on-the-financial-crisis/