2016 in review

It has been a crazy year, and that explains my long absence here on my blog. I have not forgotten about my blog, and I still want to keep this as it is where I capture memories, thoughts etc. Sometimes I come back here and reflect on myself, who am I as a person, what defines me. So there you go, my only post for 2016, but looking forward to posting more in new year.

2016 in review:

Weddings and Travel - This has been THE year of weddings. Over the start of 2016, we were in Malaysia celebrating Grumpy's BFF's wedding. Then in April, we travelled to the Gold Coast to celebrate Little-Miss-Bargain-Hunter's wedding (maybe she's not 'Little-Miss' anymore, but rather 'Little-Mrs'). A few months later, it was my brother Dopey's turn to say I Do! Dopey had two weddings, which was twice the fun, but also twice the effort (Melbourne and KL). And now with the wedding festivities over, Grumpy and I will hopefully be able to focus more on getting pregnant (something we have failed for the entire year, much to my disappointment!).

Motherhood and Family - Little Bambi has grown into a gorgeous little 4 year old. She is like my very own best friend, with a strong personality, funny, a bit nuts at times, but usually bubbly and caring. 2016 has been the year with lots of birthday parties with her friends. Most of the parents of her friends Grumpy and I have become quite fond of. However in the new year, majority of her friends will move on to prep, while she stays behind in kindergarten. Next year will be interesting, as we will have to make new friends again with new kids from kindergarten, but the best news I received last week, was that the two educators which will be caring for her in the new year, are the best educators in her childcare. They have cared for Little Bambi before, in the previous years. So yes, while we lose some the friendships we have made over the past 4 years, we have two of the most amazing educators for her final year in childcare before she goes to school, and that beats everything else. 

Work - Work has been interesting and challenging for me. I was given a piece of shitburger around the start of the year, which I had ZERO knowledge on. I took it on, read up on everything I could get my hands on, reached out to others for help, and finally delivered a piece of work that went straight to the regulator. This piece of shitburger then came with the best recognition I have received, from my stakeholders, EVER, in my entire career. To have one of the senior leaders in the bank, write an email on my performance review to my bosses saying that I was 'highly intelligent and one of the high performers in the team' has made me truly humbled and it felt so rewarding! I usually doubt myself, as I have never been a very vocal person in my team, and still new in the world of Risk, I usually try to stay 'low' and under the radar. Later part in the year, again, given a 2nd piece of shitburger, working on a piece of work that could have put anyone to sleep, I was able to take my stakeholders through the journey (which was mandatory across the entire bank), and come out with a very good outcome (where we were reviewed by an external party and given an excellent rating), again, one of the most difficult stakeholders for my team, was happy with my work and made it loud and clear to my boss. I finished up at work last week, feeling relieved and glad I was able to squeeze in a last minute Sydney work trip, and even visit my old Dublin boss, who is now based there. On another note, my previous manager, who was an amazing mentor to me, left the team, and so for the new year, I will have a new manager. Fingers crossed, we will be able to work together as a team, and I will feel supported. 

Okay I have to go now, we are celebrating New Years Eve with friends with teppanyaki! Goodbye 2016, hello 2017!

Much love,
Jules