My working week....

Well, the holiday is officially over and I am officially back to work! Started my new job at a city council on Monday and have had a really good week so far.

I was really nervous on Monday but the nerves soon disappeared once I got there, as I knew they would. Within 45 minutes of arriving, I was in a meeting with the Chief Executive who presented me with a welcome mug and a scroll containing the values of the organisations. Ahhh, I thought! Nice touch! And to think in some recent organisations I worked for (ahem, a-nhs-hem) I didn't even know what the CEO looked like, let alone get given a mug from him! haha

The job seems to be ok. Was all a little daunting on Monday but my brain was just a little dusty and once I'd brushed away the cobwebs I got into it and understood everything a bit better! By today (Thursday) I'm really into it and am ready and raring to add some 'Becky style' to the place...

The highlight of my working week has been yesterday, coincidentally Dan's birthday too (Happy birthday Dan!). We had a corporate induction and as boring as these things usually are, I actually really enjoyed it! It's so cool to learn all about how a council in a different country operates, and things like super (pension) - but that's the nerd in me! The best best best bit of the day was being taken out on a bus trip around the council boundaries (which includes the ocean...) with a little packed lunch! I was in my total element and was desperate to get my camera out and take some snaps but managed to retain a level of professionalism whilst surrounded by engineers, planners, environmental health officers and asset management consultants! haha.

Today was a beautiful day and I took a walk at lunchtime and found a great little park (known here as a reserve). The sun was shining, the sky was blue and there were little parrot like birds in the trees! Just ignore the sirens in the backgroud - it's still a city you know! I just felt so happy to be there and yet again felt all of our hard work over the last couple of years has paid off!

My lunchtime 'reserve'- (sorry you need to tilt your head)


The place I'm working has what they call a great 'culture'. There's a new Chief Exec and he seems really dynamic and approachable. He did a full staff briefing this morning and you should have seen the pile of muffins at the end! Oh, these aussies love their cakes. Following my chocolate muffin this morning I had a slice of the call centre's black forest gateux this afternoon!

So far the place seems great, and of course, I'm still in the real world and can already see problems arising or areas for concern but that's only normal. It's nice however to work in an environment where everyone is so friendly, complete strangers in the office say a friendly 'g'day' at the photocopier and there is a just a good vibe.

And even though work has started for me, the lifestyle is still great. Where else do you get to go for a drink after work and get this kinda view -



















All in all, a good week. It was of course Dan's birthday on Wednesday and we had a nice evening out but I will let him tell his own story! But here's the sunset on the way home on his birthday. Winter is sooo tough here....