fuchsia fragments

I actually can't remember the date. All I know it that one day this week, I am 2 years strong - or stupid? I can very confidently say that this week has been the toughest and longest week so far. A minimum of 12 hours each day and being absolutely fried by the end of each day. Only to repeat it again. Not get any fresh air and feel... shattered, mentally drained and unable to sleep. But not defeated, I will never feel as defeated as I was in the last few months of my last job.

I'm so grateful that I have my Kitchenaid & Oven. No matter how tired, it relieves some stress.

But what I was really thinking about today was email. Email etiquette and Email tone. Many years ago, probably in my first full time job, I was taught that there was no tone in email. So untrue. Just like every other communication style, sentences, choice of words, punctuation and structure can be interpreted.

Probably just overtired me speaking and overthinking things. Everything you see is only the tip of the iceberg right?

So so proud today. My little sister has graduated! Yeah! Onwards and upwards and I think I actually enjoyed this ceremony more so than my own. I think it might be the experience I'd gained since graduating - the truly wise words spoken by the Chancellor David Gonski and how I can reflect upon them

"Fight narrowness and be broad in your thinking."

Yes, many graduates specialise in a field and we are absolutely expected to be experts in these areas however I he was referring to the soft skills that are truly developed in the higher education system. We use these in the workforce and to help those around us who have not had the privilege to a University degree. Especially in this day and age where education is paramount. No longer are we in the factory and machinery age but in a century where knowledge and technology run rampant and are viewed as a necessity to succeed. These words really resonated with me today.

It also made me want to go back to a little. Masters? But it would never be the same as my Bachelors. Many times I've wondered what it would be like studying something else or spending more time at Uni or even just learning how to study better in my first two years. Would I have turned out the way I have? Would I be where I am today? Would the same fortunes have come my way?

So I had a lovely day walking around Uni (the drive in was insanely horrendous though) with family, a couple of aunts and uncles and very importantly - Grandma. Yes, she was well enough to go! Many things have changed and some things not so much (like the strange smell when you walk through Mathews and the horrible patterned lecture seats).

And this was followed by an amazing three course lunch at the Devonshire. Pork with crispy pancetta, King Salmon and a Chocolate brownie with milk sorbet. So good. So happy.

is when you are able to sleep like a baby through the night. first night of amazing sleep in a month. perhaps the old camomile tea trick works.

a quiet long weekend (in between lots of 9-5 work - boohoohoo) works for me.

and a doggy play date. ahh ness, I hope you don't shat yourself. But I know you're a good mediator between max and others. And now i feel like i'm packing for two children. Water - check, Bags - check. Snacks - check...

Not a good week. Knew it was trouble before Monday even began.

I haven't slept in two days (just rolled around all night, both nights). I haven't even had a chance to have a real lunch - eating at our desks. I feel like nothing I do gives me closure. And everyone is snappy. Ouch.

In the rare moments that I had a few minutes to collect my thoughts, I came across a job ad where there were some really good key words used. So I wrote them down to include in my resume. It makes me wonder if I should look for a new job. It's just on the cusp of 2 years. I have no doubt that this German company of mine will be the longest serving (to date) on my resume but I always keep one eye open. But the metaphorical foot is not out the door yet.

I decided to forgo the afternoon coffee for a chai. Have had two cups of camomile tea and I am planning to go to bed just after this. Before 10 PM today and here's hoping that I will get some rest. And maybe, just maybe, a little downtime.

The days are literally getting shorter and I feel like I am pushing and pulling and trying to squeeze every last second of the day and juggle things to make it all fit.

Like today, I probably spent 2 hours at my desk tops. Meetings back to back. People pulling me sideways. I had 20 minutes for dinner and it was cake baking time after coming home late. And now I want to wash my hair, shower, catch up on GoT, blog, check emails and attend to the huge pile of paperwork on my desk. But I also want to be in bed by 10:30. Impossible. 

I was supposed to get a reprieve until June. That is the structure of a deal support role ... not to be on call and doing everything, every day of every month. And my weekends, let's not mention those.

Birthday, baby shower, dinner, catch up, bake, repeat. And repeat again. And throw in baking lessons, a wedding, les mis, vivid... yup. No time. Take it off sleep. Or take it off sleep?!

I love my new boss. She is totes awesome. Story for another time. Ahhhh... eyes and ears everywhere. Remember that.

Have you ever done it? I've now done it twice (both in a work environment) and I think both times, the results were fairly consistent. Very high C followed by high S. Actually, more like out of this water high C.

Anyways, as a high C, one of my behavioral patterns is to avoid confrontation. In many respects, I completely agree. In others, not so much.

For example...

When I believe one is entitled to their own opinion and therefore posts a review online reflecting this. And then being questioned by the owners about how genuine my post is because I was a guest at the wedding and not the Bride/Groom. Wow, how insulting. Basically, out of the 200 odd guests that were present that night, only TWO people were CUSTOMERS. Way to shoot yourself in the foot. (great line that was, I will be adding that to my review!).

So I personally believed that the service received that night was not on par with other restaurants that I'd been to as part of a wedding reception. And so I voiced this. Apparently, it ruffled some feathers (GOOD!) and the restaurant have contacted the Bride/Groom to say that are "concerned" with the post one of their guests (i.e. me) left online. Well... this is an open forum. And I am entitled to my opinion. And also, every single thing that I mentioned happened, was said to me or people in my vicinity or was blatantly observed.

I'm basically being silenced which really pisses me off. Actually, it's the fact that they QUESTIONED the authenticity of my post and THEN asked the Bride/Groom to contact me to REMOVE my comment that irks me. What? Did I hit too many sore spots? I was too on the money? It caused an embarrassment to the restaurant? That is the WHOLE POINT of reviews on forums such as urbanspoon!

This. is. not. over.