I’m grateful to be at a workplace I’m proud to call my dream job. 

I’m currently on my 2^nd year as a Customer Experience Specialist, and one of two people working on documentation, for Doist Inc. 

Todoist, its main product, is productivity software that I’ve used for all sorts of tasks and projects since 2018. I looked myself up, and it turns out I signed up for an account on my birthday.

When the opportunity finally came to apply for a customer support role, I spared no second filling out the application and working tirelessly through each task. It was so worth it, because now I’m a member of a team that helps me grow and pushes me to excel in my role. My first day was May 2^nd, 2022.

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One of the benefits of being a Doist-er is joining the entire company on work-related retreats around Europe. This is my second retreat, and I’m just stoked to be writing this piece inside the Lady Elizabeth Grey room of Kilkea Castle in Ireland. 🇮🇪

I arrived at Dublin, and at the castle, around 08-ish AM. My room wasn’t ready till 3:00 PM, so I spent the time roaming the grounds, working a bit, and having lunch with colleagues that arrived early as well.

I’m greeted with cool weather, beautiful roses, green leaves, and the bending boughs of trees so old I’m sure they have their own stories to tell. I enjoyed listening to crickets chirping again, and how the crows keep calling out to one another as they soared the cloudy skies. 

When my room finally became available, I stepped inside what felt like a duchess’ chamber. The wallpaper is exactly my aesthetic—roses, shades of dusty rose, vintage. There’s a huge mirror you’d think was stolen from Snow White’s evil stepmother, and furniture that may take you back in time the moment you sat on them. It’s heavenly, and one I look forward to resting in for the next seven days.

This makes up Day 0 of Ireland 2024. I can’t wait to find out how each day will unfold for me.

Our itinerary is company-focused with group activities you either have to attend or can opt in depending on your capacity. Being one of the very few Asian contractors who’re from Asia itself, and who don’t see these people as often, I feel it necessary to attend as many as I can, so people know I exist and play a role in the company’s growth. 

I feel this to be especially crucial because of how much catching up I need to do in terms of work output and performance. Moving out of the house and moving back in took a huge toll on my focus and energy. It almost feels impossible to put in the expected weekly output because of how physically and mentally tired I was everyday. 

I’m hoping this lag is temporary and I just need to pick myself up again once everything in the house is sorted out. But while I’m here, my goals are to connect in the best way I can with my colleagues and make the most out of my time here in Dublin.