RMJ Entry #21:

I went on a mini-vacation to Southern California this past weekend. It was a much-needed break from my busy work schedule. On Thursday, the last day of work before the break, I was very frustrated and stressed. Hence my July 3rd entry in Wanwanha's blog site. Fortunately, the thought of the then-forthcoming trip got me through the day.

Then throughout the 4 days of shopping, strolling along the beach, hiking, and hanging out with my friend, I let out all the frustration and stress. I had a wonderful time and did not let anything bother me, not even the notoriously dreadful LA traffic nor the two calls I received from subordinates with work-related inquiries. The relaxation mode I imposed on myself helped to swat away any annoyance those elements tend to bring. (Here I would like to thank my friend for her impeccable hospitality. You know who you are!)

One would think a relaxing break such as this would condition me to return to work fully recharged and ready to tackle the day-to-day challenges. I usually return to work from trips with a certain amount of vitality or, at the very least, a willingness to carry on until the next vacation. Alas, this is not the case this time. The moment I walked through my office door this morning, I was greeted with the abominable responsibility of crisis management - not quite the welcome back I envisioned. After putting out the fire, I moved on to other more routine duties - duties stuck with me throughout my 5-year tenure at this job.

Was this mini-vacation too small to revitalize my enthusiasm for work? Or is 5 years of routine too dreary? Does this mean I need a longer vacation? Or is it calling for me to find something new? Am I just going through a phase? Or am I at a lackluster? I'm 28. How many more 5 years can I handle?