Another year over...12 months in review

Hmmm...woah!  I can’t believe it’s the end of 2011 already!  Where has the time gone?!?!  2011 was a year mixed with some super positive atributes and some not so positive ones.  I always think reflection is good, so lets go on a journey of reflection through the year that was.

Briefly, an overview of the year that was:
Jan – June: Nothing too spectacular happened here. Defered uni during this time due to health reasons (a decision that I was miserable about for some time, but am at peace with now). Learnt alot about myself though. No studying lead to LOTS of reflecting.   I also took part in a few projects as a favour to a friend or two (had to do something while not studying!!). Learnt loads there too.

Toward the end of this period, preparations for the return to uni begun. With the last semester approaching and a compulsary internship on the program, I needed to find somewhere for the work experience. Interviews started.  Went for a few – got knocked back...didn’t let it get to me too much...Dory from ‘Finding Nemo’ popped into mind here “Just keep swimming...just keep swimming...” Finally, one interviewer said yes. Well, that’s one task crossed off the list. I’ve finally achieved something. Albeit, half way through the year and already 7 months later than I had hoped – but hey, it’s an achievement none-the-less.

July – Sept: FINALLY back at uni...woohoo!! Last semester!! Holy cow!! It’s my last semester at uni...I’m nearly done!! Few months with LOADS of excitement!!  Internship also started.  That was an experience!! It started as being quite daunting but I soon found my feet and really got a grip on it. It didnt take long for the daunting feeling turn to one of fun, happiness, excitement and growth. I wont go on too long about the work experience, there’s 3 dedicated posts about the whole 13 weeks.

October: Uni is over!! OMG...say what?!?! Yep folks, it’s official. I have my marketing degree...yay go me!! The day I have been longing to come for 2 and a half years...and it’s here. Such a surreal feeling. 

Once I was done, I confided in a friend that I didn’t think I would get to this point where I could say I’ve finished my degree and, she said to me, “Fair enough, it didn’t happen in your time. But, it did happen in time. I had no doubt you’d get there in time Nat. You had some setbacks, but you’re stronger than they were”.  Say what? Me? Strong? Surely not! Well, apparently so!!  This has stuck with me.  It’s also made me wonder – why is it that there’s times in our lives where friends (who we may have known for only a couple of years) have so much more faith in us than we do in ourselves??  Just a thought I’ve pondered throughout the year.

October – December: Well, uni was over so, it was time to enter the “real world”.  Yes folks, I’m working fulltime.  Glad to report it’s still with internship company and I love my job. Couldn’t be happier with the position I managed to land myself in (digital marketing for anyone who hasn’t read previous tweets/posts).   Now, back to the present day, the last week of december and it’s still such a surreal feeling that uni is actually done.

So, that’s a run down on the progression of me throughout 2011. But, there’s been much more to this year than study and work.  I have some truely beautiful friends, without whom, I probably would have struggled this year...especially the first half.  You all know exactly who you are – Thank you guys. I love you all.

I can’t not mention 2 people who have continued to influence and shape my life this year, even though physically no longer on Earth.  My Grandad and best friend, Hamish. Neither of you saw any of 2011, but you both made such an impact in my life while you were here and this has continued even though you’ve passed.  You have both taught me lessons i’ll never forget, you’ve both shown me things I’ll always remember and you both also left lasting impressions that will never be erased.

A year of trials, successes and lessons is nearly at an end.  Now all we can hope is that 2012 is better than 2011.  Any improvement is good!!  As for me, my plan for 2012 is to continue working and gain the experience I need to further my career.  Oh, and of course I’ll be having tonnes of fun too!!

How has your 2011 been?? Has it further shaped you as a person?? Has anything major happened?? How about the thought I've been pondering - how is it that sometimes it's our friends that have more faith in us than we do?? Any thoughts??

I won't be blogging again until the new year, so I would love to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a fantastic new year!! May all your Christmas dreams come true!!

It’s not only wine that improves with age!!

It is agreed by most, that wine improves with age. Each year a particular vintage is kept in a cellar the better it will be once it’s finally opened. With my new job being in the alcohol industry, I must say, I’ve learnt alot about wine. Each vintage having it’s own distinct features and how the overall quality of the wine is influenced by the particular environmental factors during that year.

It could be said, people, to some extent, are like wine. They develop more with age. There’s no other way to say it – elderly people are tops!! Or, in the words of a Twitter friend “Elderly people are a must to have around, they keep it all real”. That is so true.  I couldn’t have said it any better myself, and, that is what got me thinking...and from my thinking, came this!! So, thanks for the inspiration lovely!!

My Grandparents for instance, my Gran, well, she is one of the strongest, amazing and honest people I have ever met.  She is my rock. She has joined me in celebrating my achievements, still being proud when I didn’t exactly achieve what I had hoped and has supported me through hard times.  We spend days together regularly and both enjoy each others company; even if it’s just sitting at her dining room table drinking coffee, eating buscuits and discussing life. Nothing extravagant but still no better way to spend time. During the time we spend together, there is only one thing (or, to be more precise, one person) missing...my Grandad!  Before he died nearly 3 years ago,he was such an intergral part of my life too.  He would fix my toys (and later in my teen life, my shoes) and he’d always have an idea to solve any problem.  Not only that though, he also shared the same support, advice and interest in every part of my life that my Gran does.

Not only Grandparents though, I was talking to an elderly Gentleman on the train the other week, just chatting to pass the time really. He was on his way home from meeting his friends from the Army for lunch, and I was coming home from work. We got talking about the work he does in advocating for retired soldiers (and also the families of those soldiers who don’t return home). Such an amazing man doing good for a cause he believes in. Some would say he does it because he is a returned Soldier himself – but, I say he does it because it’s close to his heart and something he believes strongly in. And I say well done to him!! He has all my support!!

Granted, younger people do brilliant work with charities and things too, but, elderly people just seem to have something else.  They have some sort of outlook on life that is vastly different to the younger generations. Elderly people are much less likely to generalise and segregate different people (well, most elderly people anyway. There are some who are exceptions I’m sure!). It’s this acceptance and willingness to talk to anyone that makes them such an asset to society. 

We learn many lessons though life, and, I reckon, if we all spent more time with elderly people we’d learn so, so much more!! I know personally, my Grandparents have taught me so much more than I was taught at School and Uni combined.  Life lessons can’t be taught based on a theory some guy came up with and published in some journal. Life lessons come from experience and wisdom. Afterall, “with age comes wisdom”...and so, who better to teach these life lessons than the elderly?!?!

It's funny how things just 'happen'

I’m aware it’s been ages since I’ve posted something; but, if you’re one who reads my tweets you’ll know my life has been crazy busy (in a good way of course!).

Briefly, I graduated uni (finally) about 6 weeks ago now. Along with this came the end of my required work placement.  However, at this time, the company decided they’d keep me on part time so I could gain more experience and see some projects through that I saw begin. We made the part time agreement for an extra month.

So, I started applying for jobs.  What an experience that was!! Tested my decision making and my ability to trust and believe in myself.  There was one week I had 3 interviews and was offered ALL 3 jobs!! Wasn’t quite expecting results like that!! But, I turned all 3 down because they didn’t feel right.  I knew that was a huge risk.  I mean, I was turning down 3 positions without one to fall back on!! What was I thinking?!?!?!   I’m sure people close to me thought I had gone crazy!!!!  Heck, at a point I was sure I was crazy for being so sure about the kind of role I wanted.  But, I’ve always known that I do know exactly what I want and I’ll do just about anything to make sure it goes how I want it to.

Anyway, just as the end of my extra month was coming to an end (this was about 2 weeks ago now) I was offered a full time position!!!!!  I took this one.  Nothing has ever felt so right.

I love how things just seem to work out the way they should.  I was very hesitant at turning down all 3 jobs because I’m a new graduate, inexperienced (except for 13 weeks work experience) and had nothing to fall back on.  For all I knew, these 3 positions could have been the only 3 jobs I was ever offered.  And I turned them all down. Yes, I questioned whether I was crazy, yes I questioned my reasoning. Yes I thought I was aiming too high for an entry level position. But, I just knew none of those jobs were right, I knew what I wanted and none of these roles were it.  I wasn’t happy from the impression I got from the interview and didn’t want to work in an environment where I was unhappy.

It made me think though, throughout my uni degree, I hit quite a few roadblocks and the degree didn’t go entirely the way I planned (basically, went fine for the first year, then because of health reasons I dropped to part time study, then, due to health issues again, I defered a semester) so I ended up finishing 7 months later than I originally planned.

What would have happened if the course had gone to plan??
If I finished on time, would I be where I am today??
Would I be working in the company I am today??
Would I be working full time at all?? 
Would I be happier or in a less productive environment??

Who knows!! I’ll never know the answers to any of those questions. But, what I do know is, with some strange twist of fate, life seems to have straightened itself out. I’m not sure how, I’m not even entirely sure when this happened.  I sorta missed the turning point. Maybe I worked through it, maybe I slept through it, or maybe, I just didn’t see it at the time because it’s not what I wanted.
I remember at the time I decided to defer (well, decided isn’t the right word – I had no option) I was devistated. I wasn’t going to finish with my friends, I wasn’t finishing when I wanted too,  it wasn’t going how I wanted it to go and I felt like I had no control.  Even thinking that this may work out for the best wasn’t an option. At the time, this was a disaster of epic proportions.

Now though, I’m more accepting that maybe it didn’t go my way, but, maybe, just maybe, I’m better off for it. There’s possibly something I know or have experienced now that I wouldn’t have otherwise.  Or maybe, 7 months ago just wasn’t the right time for me to enter the “real world”. It’s possible I still had something to learn before leaving the controled environment that is Uni.
Whatever the reason...I’m just glad it has lead to such a positive result.  It’s funny how things just happen.

Totally excited; pumped; shocked and many other things...Part 3!

This is the 3^rd part of my story of my internship which I am completing as part of my last semester at uni. The first two parts of the overal story are “Totally excited; pumped; shocked and many other things!” & “Totally excited; pumped; shocked and many other things...Part 2!”

Woah! What a journey these past few months have been! As a part of my degree, I was required to spend one semester doing an internship as to get the “on the job experience” along with the theoretical study undertaken at uni.

Well, this internship is basically at an end. I have spent the last 3 months as a marketing intern and have learned so much about a whole range of things.  My marketing knowledge have expanded through the  practical experience that I have gained.

At the beginning of the internship, I had some self doubt around my abilities and was very cautious as to not make an “idiot of myself” or not to stuff up.  But, it wasn’t long until I realised I wasn’t going to really stuff up.  It was expected of me (only being an intern and student) that I was going to make mistakes, but the key thing is, that I learned from those mistakes.  I was told that they “don’t care how many mistakes I make, as long as those mistakes are followed by key learnings about what I was doing.  It was fine for me to make mistakes but afterwards I would learn about what to do or, more to the point, what not to do!

This process made me realise how much potential I do have.  With the risk of sounding like I have a massive ego (which I don’t),  I noticed how many things I could do without too much guidance and without too many explanations.  I managed to produce call centre briefs just by looking over the production notes and creative on the database and very few campaigns required me to have the campaign explained to me by my supervisor.
I also came to the conclusion I can talk alot! Given the opportunity, I can talk on a wide variety of subject areas without too much prior planning and without too many nerves.  Talking seems to come naturally (have you noticed?? LOL) and once I start...I keep going...and going...and going!!

From a marketing perspective, being given a hands on opportunity to actually try the job has made me realise that this IS what I want to do in my career right now.  This may change in the future, but this is what makes me happy right now.  I have seen how real organisations put their marketing efforts into perspective and learned how different aspects of marketing works in the “real world” rather than purely in a university classroom.

All in all, this internship has been so beneficial for me and I have seriously enjoyed every minute of it!! Lots of lessons learned, lots of laughs, lots of AMAZING people and lots of great experiences.

To all of you who have supported me through this, I thank you! Whether it be supportive tweets, emails or physical conversations, they have all been muchly appreciated and I am so lucky to have so many people supporting my choices.  All your support has been equally important and it has helped me through the past 12 weeks, especially at those times of self doubt.  Thank you!

This post is especially dedicated to two people who, although aren’t here in the physical world anymore, would have been right by my side all the way through this and would have supported, hugged and cheered me on everystep of the way.  Grandy; Hamish...thank you! I love you both!!

As usual, thanks for reading.  It means the world!! xx

Me and the Twitterverse

Twitter has changed me. Well, I haven't actually changed, I'm still Nat, and I'm still the same Nat I have always been. But, the Twitterverse (I love that word!!) is full of a bunch of truely amazing people who I can interact and engage with right from the comfort of my bed, or when I'm bored stiff on the train on the way to work.

There's a few who are locals around my area and we laugh at the happenings in the city, a few bloggers I enjoy hearing from, a few celebs I follow for the goss and "inside info" and then, there's a group who are known as Teamthyroid.  They are awesome!!  I would never have thought that Twitter could such a HUGE source of knowledge sharing and support.  We come from all sides of the globe...USA, all through Europe and of course, Australia.

Teamthyroid is probably what keeps me sane sometimes!! Those guys and girls are some of the most amazing people anyone could come across.  Although we don't know each other in "real life" the connection we make on Twitter and the understanding we have for each other is invaluable.

Twitter has provided me with understanding, friendship, support, many laughs and just a few tears.  Sometimes the tears have been because of the laughter (for instance, there's a conversation I regularly have invoving toilets) Now you see why I cry with laughter??  The Twitter folk are crazy! But I never take myself too seriously so I don't expect my Twitter friends to either!

You can see, whenever I need a laugh, there is surely gunna be someone in my Twitter stream able to lift whatever mood I'm in...and again, I refer to the toilet conversation! Just to clarify though, this toilet chat usually refers to the difference when you flush the toilet in the Northern Hemisphere as opposed to here in the Southern Hemisphere.  If you're unaware of the difference...it flushes the opposite way!!  Simple? Yes, most definitely!  Funny? Well, we seem to always get amusement from it!!  Life is, afterall, about the small things!!

So, see lovely blog people, my point is, one little Tweet can make big change in someone's day.  No names have been mentioned, but, you all know exactly who you are.
Teamthyroid...thank you!!  I couldn't do this without you all!!
The lovely Tweeter with whom I discuss toilets...Thank you too!! Your support and understanding is such a help!! Your tweet inspired this...it's all your doing!!
Everyone else...Thanks for the great tweets! You are all amazing!! :)

Spirits, no electricity and a bunch of strangers...what a night!!

If I asked you, what is your description of a “perfect night” what would your response be? Maybe, a night in front of the heater with a good book or movie? Or a night out dancing crazily until ungodly hours of the next day? Or a night with friends or family? Well...my perfect night played out on July 9^th. (Yes...it took over a month to build up to write this post!!)

Around Easter time, we had seen this advertisement in the local newspaper for a tour through a Haunted House.  (*Note: Generally at this stage I’d add in a shameless plug for the AMAZING Studley Park Mansion, Camden NSW...but, unfortunately the tours are, at the moment, discontinuing...wait a second...I did just include a shameless plug!!*)

So, anyway, back to the newspaper clipping.  It was instantly decided we wanted to go.  But had to choose a Saturday night because of mum’s work roster.  We called up to make the booking and it was decided July 9^th was the day.  We also decided that although Camden is only about 2 hours drive, we’d make a weekend of it and stay the night anyway...just cos we can!

Skop forward a few months and July 9^th came.  We packed a bag (it’s suprising how much I needed for 1 night!!) and packed up the car and arrived at Camden shortly after.  Since we arrived in plenty of time to look around town and hang out, we went to the local Arcade to search through all these cute little shops.  Then, my eyes lit up...I saw the park!!!  Yes, a childs park with swings, a slide and many things to climb on.  Now, I know I’m 20, I know I’m supposed to be mature, but I wanted to play!  My sister and I spent quite a few hours at the park until it was time to eat and prepare for the perfect night.

Once we arrived at the ‘Haunted House’ (I dislike the word Haunted...it sounds strange and slightly creepy...but, I’ll continue with the term anyway) we met the tour guides and went on inside.  The following few hours were absolutely amazing!!  We went through the entire House (all 4 floors) and walked around first as a group with the tour guides where we found out all the cool stories about what had happened in the house over many years and then, at the end, we could walk around alone.  The House was gorgeous.  Such old, beautiful furniture and the ceilings...well, the ceilings were spectacular!! Each room had a different design on the ceiling and each one was as spectacular and breath-taking and detailed as the last.  I was in awe of the designs and the details...I still am in awe actually. 

Each room we entered had it’s own story and it’s own spirits (or ghosts – whatever you choose to call them. Personally, I choose spirits). The energy in the rooms was amazing too, well, all except the bathroom...the bathroom wasn’t so nice to be in!!!  It had a weird (and off-putting) vibe to it.  But each of the other rooms had some of the most beautiful, amazing, welcoming, calming, warm vibes I have ever felt!  It was like each of the spirits were welcoming us into their room and were excited we came to visit!

But, the best part was down in the basement. Keep in mind folks, the house has NO electricity.  It was all torchlight.  So, everyone’s torch was off and we were in a circle holding hands in the pitch black.  It was that dark, you couldnt see your own arms!!  Then, the next second there’s flickers of light over in a corner.  Then, the flickers turned into shadows that you’d expect to see if you were opening and closing a door which had a light directly above it.  The shadow moved like a door swaying.  After watching this for a while, we all turned the torches back on and searched the corner...nothing there! Just an everyday corner. No door, no passageway and definitely no light source.  That’s when quite a few of the group really became impressed (including my dad).

The room I felt most “at home” in was the library.  Not entirely sure why, it was a beautiful room and the ceiling art was beyond brilliant (yes, I have a thing with the ceilings I know!), it was filled with old style furniture and just had a beautiful energy about it.  Apparently one of the regular spirits in that room was a young girl.  Maybe she knew about my antics at the park earlier that day and wanted a play buddy...LOL!! 

After the official tour had ended and I was roaming around the library alone, the tour guide came in and we got chatting and the stories she told me about the young girl blew me away.  She sounded like such an amazing girl and so strong too.  She taught me alot that night.  Even though she may have ‘only’ been a spirit, I had never met this girl and she had passed many decades before I was even born, but, the stories of the things she got through taught me something about inner strength. Not too sure of the exact details of what I learnt from her, but, something that night hit a nerve somewhere in me and something changed.  I think she helped me to accept things and to stand up for my beliefs more than I did previously. And for that, I thank her!!

So, does this differ to your idea of a perfect night? What are your thoughts on Haunted Houses, spirits, or anything of the like? Have you recently been to the park just to totally act like kids?

Thanks for reading...it means the world!!
xx

The joys of not taking oneself seriously...

So...what an amazing evening I've had.  I went rollerskating for the first time in a very long time!!  The last time I went rollerskating, I was roughly 9 yrs old...well, I'm now nearly 21! At first I was slightly nervous I had forgotten how to stand upright and as soon as I put skates on I'd fall flat on my bum...but I'm glad to say I survived the evening with no stumbles!! Yay for me!! 

And I even showed off my coordinated self by dancing on skates!!!  I danced to both the "Nutbush" and "Time Warp".

They played a game too, we all had to skate around and when the music stopped, you had to get to one of the corners of the rink which were titled the suits of a deck of cards (Diamonds, hearts, clubs & Spades) and then they'd pick a playing card and whoever was in that corner stayed in while everyone else was eliminated...well, I won!!! I got a bag of chips for my efforts!! :)

Tonight was 70's/80's night and so they played a heap of good older music; my personal favourites were "Tainted Love" - Soft Cell; "My Sharona" (forgive me, not sure who wrote that but it's a great song!); "YMCA" - The Village People; and of course, "The Time Warp" from the Rocky Horror Picture Show!  The near the end they played some newer music...my absolute favourite of the newer stuff was Pink's "So What".

It was good to let my hair down for the evening and thoroughly enjoy myself (a weird saying that; to let one's hair down...my hair was tied up!!).  But geez, Rollerskating is a great workout...by the end of the 2 hour session I was stuffed!! 

Got a rather funny (and sorta cute) comment on Twitter this evening, saying I'll be in the Roller Derby soon...No thanks! I'll leave that up to the professionals!!  It looks amazing, is great to watch but you ain't getting me in that rink!!

Has anyone else been rollerskating recently??  I'd love to hear how you went!!  And if you've just done something for no real reason besides to have fun and act slightly childish and let your hair down??...

As per usual, thanks for reading.  It means the world!!
Nat x