Thursday, October 13, 2005
It's in the Boss' Hands 全 靠 波 士 0既 批 准
Every once in awhile an important day comes along in my life--one that can have a major impact on my life's path. Today was one such day. Not long after submitting my application for a Canadian citizenship certificate, I took another big step. This time, I submitted a request for time off work to study Cantonese next May at 香 港 中 文 大 學 The Chinese University of Hong Kong (新 亞 中 國 語 文 研 習 所 New Asia--Yale-in-China Chinese Language Center). For months, I had been thinking about submitting my time off request but had been looking for the right moment. Pressure had been building on me, especially with May not that far away. Finally, I decided that I could wait no longer.
Ever since visiting CUHK in 2001, I have wanted to study their Cantonese program and have been saving up my vacation time for that purpose. So far, I have accumulated about 400 hours (10 weeks). But before my dream can become reality, the boss has to OK my time off request. I am asking for 3 months off, which is longer than anyone at my office has ever taken off except for childbirth. It may be difficult for them to cover my job for 3 months, because I am really the only one in the office who knows construction and drainage law. And there are a couple of trials or mediations that could be scheduled during the time that I am gone.
Rather than just drop the form off on the boss' desk, I typed up a special memo and went into his office to talk personally with him. I didn't know what kind of a reaction I would get. But as I explained about my plans and watched the boss' face, I was relieved and somewhat surprised to see that his initial reaction was not negative.
Well, my time off request is in the boss' hands. I don't yet know what his answer will be, but I will share it here on my blog. It has been a long time since I have wanted something this much, and I hope that the boss will cooperate with my dream. Keep your fingers crossed for me! ¶ 6:26 PM
Ever since visiting CUHK in 2001, I have wanted to study their Cantonese program and have been saving up my vacation time for that purpose. So far, I have accumulated about 400 hours (10 weeks). But before my dream can become reality, the boss has to OK my time off request. I am asking for 3 months off, which is longer than anyone at my office has ever taken off except for childbirth. It may be difficult for them to cover my job for 3 months, because I am really the only one in the office who knows construction and drainage law. And there are a couple of trials or mediations that could be scheduled during the time that I am gone.
Rather than just drop the form off on the boss' desk, I typed up a special memo and went into his office to talk personally with him. I didn't know what kind of a reaction I would get. But as I explained about my plans and watched the boss' face, I was relieved and somewhat surprised to see that his initial reaction was not negative.
Well, my time off request is in the boss' hands. I don't yet know what his answer will be, but I will share it here on my blog. It has been a long time since I have wanted something this much, and I hope that the boss will cooperate with my dream. Keep your fingers crossed for me! ¶ 6:26 PM
