fuchsia fragments

Catching up with friends and family is always fun, lighthearted and is likely to involve good food.

I felt quite special this week turning another year older - I'd still like to argue that I'm in my mid-20s. Thank you to every single one of the lovely souls who made it happen.

From the coffee guy shouting me a free coffee to the colleagues who offered to buy me one, my boss telling me to leave as early as I can, to those who came to the short lunch despite the rain and cold and my favourite lawyer baking me an incredible Guinness Dark Chocolate cake at 4 AM... thank you so much. It really made my busy day less stressful and more enjoyable. Thank you for the messages an the smiles.

I've been lucky enough this year to catch up with so many people in July.

From PR who I had sushi with on Thursday evening (and we exchanged birthday gifts), to my two favourite blondes and party ladies and an amazing night at The Butler to my nearest and dearest cousin, sister and Albert at Apollo tonight, thank you for the laughs. And the epic Catan game (my sister cheated to win...). And the 3/3 star spotting in Potts Points. Yes... 3 celebrities! Matt Moran was at our restaurant with an actor (but did not know name... so it's really a half point there) and SBS veteran Lee Lin Chin. *starstruck... not!

Walked by a block of toilets with thick black smoke coming out of it and the brigade there and as we drove into the Cross, there was a truck decorated as a fire truck with teenage girls bopping up and down. It was hilarious... definitely a lot of funnies tonight!

Got a week of cakes, bakes, work and events coming up... super excited and what a way to start another year!

With some lots, I make a huge effort. With others, I make none. It's something I want to change this year (we'll see how much truth there is to that in about 10 months).

So it felt a little like driving around Sydney today.

First off, the airport to pick up my aunt and uncle who are staying with us and visiting. Yawn, it was too early for me. Sunday is my designated sleep in day.

Second, off to Burwood to pick up Ms Jetsetter and off to Marrickville for a very very overdue catch up with Amanda and her bubba. OMG I can't believe he's 8 months. Such an easy going, happy baby. Funny thing was that he (obviously) did not look like the two asian girls. Neither did he look like the tanned, olive skinned lady he calls Mumma. He's all fair skin and blue eyes like his dad. Soooo funny. We got quite a few looks (probably cause we were all so young too?)

"Please come to my Ethan's party! Please come to my Ethan's party!" 

Today really felt more like a Saturday. But it's a work day tomorrow and it marks the beginning of a busy cake-fueled week. I'm excited!

Caught up with Catherine for a foodie catch up sans alcohol. So PROUD!!!

We were to the Rook for lobster rolls, lettuce cups and lobster salad. I was so pleased with my choice of salad... baby beets, sprouts, purple carrots, mini egg in toast topping and succulent lobster pieces made a substantial salad. I think it was one of the healthier choices on the menu and the chardonnay vinaigrette dressing was just right. Very impressed.

We umm'd and ah'd over dessert and decided to forgo the fried mars bar aka heart attach on a plate for some more sensible gelato. Decided to go to the Cow and Moon in Enmore. Limited range of flavours but the roasted coconut was almost as good as the one in Italy. Almost, but not quite there. The passionfruit creme was a bit ordinary. I think i prefer Messina and their wide range of choices!

Think we also bumped into a girl from school but weren't 100% sure... awks. Lol.

It's the first day of December and already work feels very busy. It's like the gear has gone up a notch. And it will only go up another notch in the next week or two. So I am mentally preparing myself for it. Clearing my calendar and only organising must-sees and must-dos... please don't be offended if you don't make the list.

I can safely say that I was pretty unappreciative of the opportunities and work I was given in my last company. I don't really need to go into all the details but pretty much until Mr I-give-him-so-many-referrals-but-the-favour-isn't-returned came along, it was a pretty dark place. I didn't have a good mentor (in the three that came and went) and the work I was doing wasn't quite enough for my development. Opportunities were lacking to say the least.

And then, it kind of shifted gears and went up a notch. And probably another one because I wanted to learn and asking for more work. And if it wasn't for those last 15 months including the 3 at the very end running Finance by myself that my professional development exploded. So much so that I was taking on so much, it gave him too much free time. But these things don't happen overnight. And the guidance and the mentoring and the help - professionally and personally - over this time has really defined where I am today.

Why am I saying this?

I had a coffee catch-up with Nick this morning. And I was talking about some of the stuff happening at work. And he was telling me about his. And how there's no one left that we would know at said company. That's really bad considering it has only been about 15 months since I left.

Basically, I was comparing myself now to who I was back then and how I now let things slide (a lot of things...) when 2 or 3 years ago I would have gone down kicking and screaming. How I now play the ball, not the person. How to kill them with kindness. I wouldn't have this self-restraint had I not worked with a bunch of wolves before. Trust nobody but yourself.

I think he's doing a bit of the same. A little bit of soul searching... sending those feelers out there... looking for the next step. I'm hearing that a lot these days. People are tired, wanting to move on and the perfect opportunity to look and do so with the new year is just around the corner. I think 2015 will be one of many changes.

Second reason this has come up in my mind. Chris texted me today. I sound surprised. I am surprised. Second week into the new job as an AA and I got the feeling he was desperate and in need of a LOT of help. Working late hours already. He asked me about payroll tax and some journals. I actually responded by saying that his manager should be able to help. He said that his manager didn't know.

And it became clear to me that he doesn't have the right mentor in place to help him in his professional development. And that is a problem. Because you can only be as good as how you've been taught. You help yourself by asking the right questions. But if those questions go by unanswered, or answered incorrectly, then what are you learning? He was asking pretty basic stuff. (And personally, that is why I will never work for a small company again. This is another topic altogether).

And it also makes me wonder, how can there be people out there who are Finance Managers and Financial Controllers who don't know the basics of running a finance department? In the very least, you need to be able to provide guidance on how to achieve something. Self-help is great but as the leader, you should be pointing them in the right direction and steering them back on course when they aren't!!! And hold their hand if they need it (but only briefly)! Because I definitely did not learn everything in one go. Sometimes not even in two or three... Hashing things out is also part of the experience. Who wants to be told how to do EVERYTHING without coming up with a more efficient process or doing something when they disagree with the thought process?

I'm still learning, everyday. And I'd like to think by now, I can see through the BS and be able to decide for myself who I can learn from, who would be a good mentor and where I need more development. I had lunch with two ladies today - both in completely different departments - one in Business Ops and one in Partner Consulting. Both excellent candidates for new mentors, and they extended the invitation to me to ask them anything, anytime. They have more than 30 years experience at my company between them. Something that is invaluable and something I should be using to my advantage. No one is going to care about your career except yourself. You can't wait for opportunities to be presented to you. If the right one comes by, speak up and put your hand up. Because no one else will do it for you.

What comes to mind this week upon reflection? Food, wine and amazing friends and catch ups. Love you all.

Tuesday we went to a lovely little Thai restaurant in Surry Hills, Muum Maam for dinner with Joyce and John who was visiting from Geelong and then going back to Europe (potentially forever). Food was fresh and vibrant. Wine was awesome (thank you to my colleague @ work for recommending!) and conversation was light. Did I mention the Doves were there too? The place was a little on the noisy-side though. But intimate and relaxing...

Wednesday, Jan and I caught up over some Korean. People have been raving and raving on about the place in the alley behind Albion Hotel. It is not that good. Beautiful decor and above average service but the food is not as authentic and I don't feel that it is the best in Sydney. Its on par (perhaps a little below) those in the City and I actually think there is better in suburbia like Strathfield. Prices were on the dearer side too so it wouldn't be a "go-to" korean place. After this meal, I also don't think Korean is a favourite of mine. Definitely don't mind in every once in awhile but its sort of like Italian, I wouldn't go hunting for it...

Thursday was a blast from the past....... I left work early and eerily, I had a feeling this would happen but was picking up a couple of essentials at Target and crossed paths with Michael. So we had a short chat... its been a long time. And we've been speaking (texting/messaging) since. One of the girls who we use to hang with in the group and who still works there made the passing comment "just like old times" and I said "I wouldn't go that far" but its all water under the bridge and I'm actually really glad that things are the way they are... and I believe they can only get better. Baby steps.

Friday drinkies!!! I said I was going to be the first to be ready. HA HA no... i was last. But we went to the Ivy then had ramen at Regent's Place and watched Transformers. Underwhelming. Trains were stuffed so went to meet sis at Assembly Bar for a lift home. Zzzzzzzzzz by the time we got home it was like 1 a.m. So tired.

So I slept till like 11 on Saturday and had lunch with grandma (are you seeing how this week revolved around food???) and prepared for dinner (i.e., did absolutely nothing) in Maroubra. I didn't even lift a finger and voilla, dessert was ready! ;) It pays to be un-prepared?! Anyways, i totes suck at Mariokart. Doesn't matter which version but I did win once... with a 20? 30? second handicap. Whoop!! I will take that!!!

And Sunday... it was all about North Turramurra and the much anticipated "Rusty Chef". A competition between Jan's friends and I (the "trump card" according to Velda). 3 teams. 3 dinner parties. 3 locations. One trophy. We are apparently called "Team Beat Janice" (poor jan!!!) and we're cooking last. So Team Vio Tinto were up first with Spanish! Impressive but the paella was burnt charcoal on the bottom and the churros were a touch undone in the centre. The double proofed bread was absolutely amazing though. Tomato salad (literally tomato and oil and parsley) was confusing. The croquettes yummy but doughy. They take this competition pretty seriously. Cameras filming, interviewing the cooks and guests, etc etc... I had a lot of fun. But traffic at 10 p.m. at nighttime on King Georges Road... RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!

It's been another long week.....

We didn't see it coming at work but have been absolutely hammered with the amount of work that was required of us this week. Needless to say, this meant that there wasn't a day that I left the office before 7, if not close to. Considering a 8:30 start, it makes for a very long brain-power draining day.

I'm so so glad that I did manage to see the girls midweek and catch the new Xmen movie. A very welcome distraction and I feel like I hadn't caught up with some of them in a couple of months. I thoroughly enjoyed the movie too. I was never a big Xmen fan but this one had a stellar cast and well, it was just easy to follow although predictable.

What wasn't so fun was getting up way before dawn on Friday for a cake. Perhaps in hindsight, I should have said no. Embarrassingly spelt poor Jue's name wrong too. Oh dear... and it was only three letters. *sigh* But the cake was good.

Had yet another overdue catch up with my two non-Asians Madison & Sarah on Friday night. And as usual, we went Asian and went to Golden Century to be completely ripped off (well, to me as the token asian anyway). Sweet & Sour Pork @ $30 a dish??? And Chinese broccoli for $15? Come On!!!! Though the wine was very good - any sort of alcohol would have been fine at this stage! Was hilarious, they were completely disgusting by the fact that your live seafood was brought to your table in a bag for your approval before being taken into the kitchen. And then they saw lobster sashimi served with the head still on the platter taken to a table behind us. That didn't go down too well with them. But we thoroughly enjoyed our dishes, none of which contained live seafood :)

After, we went for a stroll along darling harbour and caught the 9 pm fireworks and a couple of bits of Vivid before heading to Cargo Bar for another drink before calling it a night. Had such a good time, i actually wouldn't have minded staying for another few despite probably being asleep on my feet! love the two girls... who knew that this dysfunctional and backwards workplace would give me so many unconditional friendships!

Had an excellent sleep last night! It does help when you are obliged to wake up super early on Saturday. So got up in my own time and then we went yum cha with grandma. Made my aunty sandy's surprise birthday cake (well planned team, well planned). She had no clue until after dinner when Justin made an excuse that he had to come by and pick up something from our place because he had forgotten. Hehehe. So well executed, I'm quite proud of us!

And one other thing that has made me feel special and loved this week is my mum. She's awesome always but this week we had a massive clean out of the house and my unofficial cake decorating area has never looked so neat, clean and ordered! AND... I love it when my mum goes shopping and buys me gifts! New clothes... just because. Ah.... working full time and still having things bought for me... gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling inside. :)

Quarter End buzzing. Chocolate Bribes are in and it's a race against the clock to sign those contracts. Lucky for me, only had to stay back until 6 on Friday night.

Which meant I ended up with plenty of time to make my 200 odd, 4 different types of cookies. They smelt good. ANZAC, Chocolate Chip, Macadamia & Cranberry and Peanut Butter, Oats & Choc Chip. After accounting for all the guests and the eat-me-nows, just-because, party favours and thank you gifts, was literally left with about 15 cookies or so. I love it when it doesn't go to the family's waist (clever aren't I?)!

Today turned out awesome too. Finally got to catch up with Joyce at The Chalkboard Cafe in Waterloo. I have to say that the food and coffee were average. Not so bad that you couldn't eat it but nothing inspiring like Room 10 the previous week. But the table we sat as was almost $3000 solid wood and of course, we spilt stuff all over it. Classy. Thanks to two entertainment book cards, we all managed to have a main and 2 drinks for under $20 each so it was a really good deal.

Had to move the proceedings on a little as I wanted to check out IKEA and specifically buy a new bed and grab the $5 step stool bargain. The step stools unfortunately were sold out by the time we got there (mid afternoon on Saturday) and I was convinced by the parents to go for the more expensive bed frame (it was dearer by $80). Again, luck on my side, got the last white bed with the help of a girl who found one lying around in the wrong location. Yay, the trip wasn't for nothing. And even better yet, it fit in the car with both the middle and front seat down (without any passengers in the car). So yes, you can transport a flat pack double (and probably even queen) bed in a medium sized sedan. Good to know for the future I can assure you!

So in between unloading the car and getting the packages upstairs, I managed to dirty ice Ari's birthday cake and set it aside. Dad and I got to work unassembling my old frame and Albert and Wendie were the 'assembling crew'. They took their time but they have built this bed before. I built the storage boxes but Albert and Dad ended up having to do the whole thing again (LOLOLOLOL) and I have basically been barred from future construction projects which suits me just fine. Oh yeah, and thanks Justin who said he was coming at 6 but arrived at 7 to help with the final 2 or 3 steps. Hahaha, if anything, he needs the practice for his own place in a year or so's time!

Pretty buggered by now but still managed to finish Ari's cake and his cupcakes. Cupcakes are average, not really photo worthy but love the cake!!! Happy Birthday Champ, last year in single digits and go team, we got a 10/10 on his latest writing assignment. WOOHOO stoked!

It almost feels like every Tom, Dick and Harry that I know decided today was the day to drop an email or a text and say Hi. Very refreshingly welcome and goes to show how slack I have been in taking the initiative to just see how everyone was going. My bad.

Been a good week for cake and business too. Got another "referral" today although no sure if that will end up coming through. But if it does, it will mark a complete March where there has been an order of some sort for every weekend this month. What an achievement...?

Have also been taking this whole tutoring my godbro business pretty seriously. Serious enough to ensure that my Tuesday nights are free and hopefully most of my Thursday nights as well. Haha, this is a change but liking it so far. And he for the most part, seems to want to learn. I remember the days of school projects and comprehension and endless maths questions!