I have been in Microsoft for a month now.
Things are going pretty smoothly, Alhamdulillah.
Initially, I went through a good amount of culture clash. It was literally a 180 degree turn compared to IBM.
I wasn't myself for a week.
One thing for sure, unless I have client offsite meeting, no one cares if I am clad in jeans at any day of the week!!
So I switched from shopping office wear at Victoria's Secret to a cheaper option of Zara!
Each organisation to their own flaw which is my strength and their strengths as my learning ground.
People are different.
The way they express themselves.
The way they handle matters.
In some ways, I was of value add to Microsoft.
Made me feel good.
I designed on a blank sheet, work processes which were never documented.
Tables, diagrams and these are the things I enjoy doing.
In fact, a lot of people think I am lucky.
Onboard on 8th Feb 2010, I managed to enjoy the CNY holidays.
After the holidays, I received 2 red packets from Directors, one whom I report to directly.
A total of $30.
Yes, I was very jakun because I do not even get Hari Raya packets anymore.
Then we had the Lo Hei lunch followed by a team building session.
Amazing Race and Scavenger Hunt.
Thank God for the luck, my team won the first prize and earned ourselves $500 Taka voucher, entitling me to $50.
All of which the ang pao and prize went to mommy.
Feels good to make her smile.
There are people who fight to wear the hijab to work which I shall leave it to their discretion.
Me with mine.
We do not live in a Muslim country so even the majority race do not wear hijab.
We are in a Metropolitan country and work expectations and business focus are driven differently.
I do not plan to put on the hijab to work for a very long time.
Not in this company.
Something tells me not to and I am going to trust my instinctive nature.
I had this feeling that people will mock my parents for allowing me to go to work without the hijab though I don't even dress up sleazily to work.
I say NO to short dresses or sleeveless or cleavages.
My mom especially, will be very distraught if people come up to her and mock my inconsistency of not wearing the hijab.
Even the fiance tried to argue only once that we have a hijab politician, which I pointed out to him only one.
I know he trusts me and my decisions and I am grateful for that.
In any case, I told my mom:
"If anyone asks you why asks you why I do not wear the hijab to work, just tell them I have a respectable job and do not strip it off to work in a bar."
Bottom line is that my source of income is halal.
Alhamdulillah, He never made it quite hard for me.
Tough times there are, but always manageable and I am only grateful.
For the record, those who came up with the statement where we must stand by our Islamic principles of fighting to wear hijab at work dropped them the minute their daughters do the same.
Heh.
Principles huh?
I will not fight to wear the hijab and forgo the pay I have.
Money-faced?
Yes, I will not disagree to a certain extend.
My parents expensively educated me in hopes I have a good job.
What they didn't know was, this is the journey in the corporate world.
So please keep the preaching to yourself.
Stop complaining about the society's reservations about hijab.
That was so yesterday.
Welcome to my life.
