Day 260: Good bye Nokia mobile?

Well - some might think that this was some how intentional but no - I found my work mobile phone like this: one key missing. Or not missing but loose. And do you know what this means: I had to order new mobile phone and this time it will be iPhone 4S (the model available for us). And that mean that my iFamily will grow.

Day 253: Do you have fun at work? We have!

It was Valentine's Day and all of us were in good humor. My colleague was especially playful. Do you have Monopoly, joke book and snow glider in your shelf at your work place? My colleague has.

Day 251: My work desk has been cleaned!

I don't know why but I cleaned my work desk. I am not sure whether I actually am able to work in this clean environment. I am used to have lot of books, papers and other stuff on my desk. But colleague sitting next to me is always having so clean work desk that I started to feel that I have to also do something. (But still my colleague's desk is much much cleaner.)

Day 246: Success!

Today we celebrated me and four of my colleagues successfully passing certification exam of Professional Scrum Master. Also our trainer Lare Lekman was invited as well as members of neighbor teams. It was great moment. And the best part was when member of other team said: damn - you are good at celebrating successes. Yes indeed - we are. And we success so often...

Day 186: These boots were bought for team activivites!

We have our unit meeting in Copenhagen. In invitation it was mentioned that we are going have some team activities in wintry Tivoli and please - don't use high heels boots. Okay - these are definitely not high heel and they are also warm. I am ready for team activities.

Day 169: Make a note!

James Bach told once that he always has little note book with him. He makes notes about problems, solutions, issues and stuff like that. I decided to try that also and so - I am happy to present my "take a testing note" note book. My little black book! I seem to take my job very seriously - don't I. Once a workaholic, always a workaholic.

Day 161: Always learning!

This is from book which I have been reading a lot. It is one of my favorite in area of testing. Now I finally have some explanation why I am studying all the time - I want to be a good tester. (Maybe I should rethink my current position as method expert and start looking for open vacancies for testers...)

Book is "Lessons Learned in Software Testing" by Cem Kaner, James Bach and Bret Pettichord.

Day 147: Past my bedtime?

Well - there are evenings when I do something so intensive that I totally forget to check the time. This evening I was reading my newest work related book "Agile Testing" and then suddenly I realize that it is far past my bedtime.

Day 145: Like a preacher!

I spend whole day listening James Bach. Course was "Critical Thinking for Software Testers" and yes - lessons learned - I am not as critical thinker as I have thought. This course was worth of every cent paid. I learned a lot and enjoyed every minute. Even I felt myself really stupid from time to time when James was putting some pressure on me and I managed to get speechless. But I think that was the way to do it. Actually it is quite pity that I am no longer working as tester. Should I once again rethink what I want to do when I get older?

Day 141: Sign?

Once again - working late. Very busy with this project - feeling stressed and tired. I had worked already almost 12 hours and finally decided to leave. And what happened - the most important map which I need daily - it falls and all papers spread out and mixed up. Could this be a sign: I am not working efficient enough or I have work too much?

Day 140: Guru!

Even I am very busy in work I decided to participate discussion dinner about "Specifications by examples". Actually I made the decision about two hour before dinner started. And I had no idea that I will be sitting in the same table with one of the testing gurus - James Bach. This was good reason to have photo taken of me - even I don't like that at all. What level a vanity - to be photoed with James Bach making my day!

Day 139: How do you think like a tester?

Well - that I try to figure out. How do you think like a tester? Especially now when I am no longer tester but methods expert working with testing methods. Luckily there is lot of material available to read - I love to read and learn. One of my favorite material (and also material for course I am participating next week) is this by James Bach and Michael Bolton. I have already participated course "Rapid Software Testing" with Michael Bolton and this time it will be James Bach teaching me "Critical Thinking for Software Tester". Looking forward for that! Those two guys are gurus in testing business.

Day 134: Dark and rainy evening!

I am very busy at the moment. Our project deadline is soon and I have lot to do. This night I was walking home about 8 PM in dark and rainy evening. But when looking this photo it is not so bad at all.

Day 119: Cars, cars, cars!

Every day when walking from home to work and back I have to cross Sturenkatu where traffic is quite heavy. No matter what time of day I am there - there are always lot of cars. And what makes me almost angry is the fact that in the most of the cars there are no passengers - only the driver. How about saving the planet? Never heard?

Day 118: It's autumn!

While in Helsinki I walk every day from "home" to work. It is easy to see that autumn is here - sidewalk is covered with brown and yellow leaves. And it is not the nicest thing in my world to step on that stinky stuff! But what would one not to do to get to work...

Day 89: This is my life!

There are days when I feel very annoyed because next morning once again I travel to Helsinki. I have to carry part of life back and forth. But this is my choice. And still there are days when I am thinking is this really worth of having your life in suitcase... Isn't there really any work for me more near of my home in Naantali?

Day 75: He's my man!

Summer vacation ended and it was Sunday. Next morning I would travel to Helsinki. I felt little stressed because vacation was over but my husband didn't take any pressure for that - he was sitting and reading - his favorite hobby.

Day 20: What there is in the bag?

Once again it was the evening when I needed to pack all things I think I will be needing while in Helsinki. One important is of course all work related things. I can't work without notebooks, calendar and of course - laptop. Usually I also have some book with me and most likely extra material since you never know what you'll be needing in home office.

Yeh! So I think. I wonder when I realize that only things I need to carry with me are laptop and token - perhaps notebook - but definitely not any extra printed material or books. Maybe in the future in this bag there will be only the most important things and I don't carry back and forth any unnecessary things. While waiting for that let's guess what there is in this bag?

 

Day 16: Why to think positive?

Today it was last working day before midsummer and I was remote working. I have to say that this day was not anyway normal working day. At 12 PM EET we had team meating where our manager told that we (meaning my new team) will be separated into two different teams. At 12.30 PM EET we had meeting with whole unit about organizational update and what changes there will be for different teams. Who is belonging to what team, what are team names and why this organizational change is done.

I have to say that changes which will take place in the beginning of next month are actually quite healthy and will lead us to better deliveries in long run. But still feeling little sad - it was not told who will be manager for my new team or other new teams. And now I am trying to think positive - it is still possible that my manager won't change. And until new manager is announced I am happy to have so far the best manager ever. Maybe even here attitude accounts. Think positive!

Day 7: How do I fit to my new team?

Yes, I have new team - since beginning of May 2012. We had two days team meeting here in Helsinki and I met my team mates from other Nordic countries first time face to face. I have to say that based on experience so far this team is as good as my previous team. They are all great guys and even boss is nice.

This picture was not taken by me. Can you find me? I can give you one hint: I am in minority.