General speaking, I have three jobs at hand: my full time job as technical assistant in a foreign company; my part time job as translator in a translation company; my odd job as shop owner at Taobao. Sound a bit intimidating, but at most of the time I can handle them well. Of course I am not a superman or something. My full time job is detail-oriented, but not a time assuming one once you got the clue. I’ve been there for five years, so it doesn’t baffle me in most cases, which allows me available for moonlight job. To meet the deadline is the key point in Translation Company. If there is a large project, time is usually very tight. But we have about hundreds of past time translators, and the part assigned to each one won’t very large. Not to mention there were times we got no projects at all. So during the spare time, I opened a translation shop at Taobao to get some odd jobs occasionally. I never count on it much. There are around 600 similar shops and more than 120,000 items for translation service. You do the math. It would be great luck just for someone to find my shop! It doesn't take up much of my time either. Therefore, I still have time for updating my blog, preparing the coming test and reading my favorite book.

Unfortunately in some extreme cases, all these three jobs required me to fulfill my duties at the same time. The pressures were mounting, works were piling up and calls never stopped coming in. I wish I were dead! Last week was one of these crazy, frenzied times and it’s a miracle that I still survived.

At first, an inspection was carried out, and some problems emerged due to misunderstanding from the authority. It had inspired an office wide panic. Heatedly discussion, frenzied preparation, and endless meetings had last for a whole week. I was buried deeply in analyze reports, records, figures, gap analyze and so on. As for as I could tell, this disaster was for absolutely no reason whatsoever. Then, I was invited to take part in a project for tender translation. To be honest, the company where I work fulltime is down like a sinking ship. I am desperate need for a backup plan. That's why I can't refuse the requests from my part time job. Furthermore, one of my old clients asked me to do some odd translation for seveal business letters. For anyone else, I might turn down his orders But he is my first client in taobao. I was entrusted even I had no proven records. Now I am kind of outsourced translator for his company. He is the one I could not say no.

So I spent a nightmare like week. Every morning I rushed into my office around 8 o’clock, then spent a whole day facing the computer, looming the deadline, stopped only for grabbing a bite. When my husband picked me up around 6 o’clock, I collapsed on the car and refused to utter a single word. When I came home, I resumed to work until midnight. I never felt so exhausted, not only physically, but also mentally. Every night I rolled over the bed, and I found I couldn’t fell asleep---my mind still whirled around with figures and glossaries.

After survived this mess, I couldn’t help but think perhaps I’ve pushed myself too hard. Taobao feedback system gave us the opportunity to rate each other when a transaction was finished. Yesterday, one of my taobao clients gave me a good point. It’s not a point she gave randomly. She was really satisfied with my translation and said she would come next time. A flare of pride caught me off guard. The days's earlier doubts receded a bit. And I knew I could not give up any one of my three jobs, at least, not now. I would keep on.

Around weekend, I have only one job---take care of my son. He is as the same great demanding as my three jobs plus. Especially, he develops preferences now. My mum and I are his favorite, and he can only feel safe when we are around at night. Honestly, I don’t mind it at all.