This week has been a pretty low-key week. That is not to say that it has been a bad week. Actually it has probably been the most enlightening week this year (yes I realise there have only been six weeks to date).
Earlier this week we celebrated the retirement of someone who has put their heart and soul into Mindshare. On 17 February, I will celebrate 6 years at Mindshare. Fingers crossed I will be able to celebrate 10 years, 20 years and one day retire from a company that has taught me and given me so much. I know more often that not, ya'll end up hearing me complain about the long hours, the stress and idiots, but if asked I will tell you that there is no other place that I would rather be. Whilst chatting with someone in the industry, I realised that if you take a step back for the grit and grid there are so many opportunities to be had by being purple that I'd miss out on in another shop. I have had my moments - face it we all have - but I would not trade any of those bad moments cause from them I have learned so much. Not just about my career or how to do my job, but I have learned about myself, my limits, my strengths, my weaknesses, what I want and who I am.
When growing up I do not remember dreaming of my wedding, dreaming of being Uncle Scrooge and diving into a pool of gold coins (that is probably cause I reckon that would really hurt). What did I dream of? I dreamt of being happy. Sounds cheesy I know, but that is all I can ever remember wanting from my life. When I was back home in November I pulled out my 8th grade health class project. In the journal we had to write about ourselves and what we wanted to be when we grew up. What was that exactly? Well I was a person that did not like crowded places (still passionately dislike them) and I wanted to have a job in which I got to wear a suit, and have the ability to break and sit down for lunch. REALLY! I was suck a FREAK! Honestly who says that?! Apparently a 14 year old Tini does ;-) I may have been a freak (and still am), but I am also a person that has achieved what she wanted. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of items on my wishlist and I achieve those too - cause one way or another I always get what I want.
On Saturday Biju and I visited the Natural History Museum. The NHM is officially the first museum that I have visited since moving here. LIE!!! I went to the James Bond/ Ian Fleming exhibit at the Imperial War Museum in November with B Mak. The NHM is a lovely museum. I never visited the Museum of Natural History in New York (and I know I have missed out), but after this experience I am keen to not only go back to the NHM, but would like to visit the one in New York too (would also like to go the Empire State Building). I could not help but remember the visits that we used to take in grade school to the NYS Museum in Albany for the Dinosaur exhibit. I don't know why, but being in the natural history museum reminded me of Dad. I don't have many memories of him, but I do associate him with certain things; dinosaurs and space are two particular things. That and sunsets for some reason.
We did not get around to seeing the blue zone as the mammal exhibit was closed and the queue for the dinosaur exhibit was not worth it. I probably would not have minded the wait time, but the number of kids screaming was adding to my throbbing headache. We did make it, however, to the geology zone!! I am still a little kid at heart that enjoys looking at fossils, minerals and precious stones. When I go back I want to visit Lasting Impressions exhibit and of course "ooh" and "ahh" at the Earth's Treasure exhibit.
After our tour of the museum we drove over to Portobello Market for some shopping before dinner at Black and Blue. I did not need to, when do we ever need to, but I could not help but add yet another jacket to the collection. I personally think it is a beautiful jacket, Mom on the other hand thinks I look like a London Bobby in the jacket. To each their own...I am keeping cause it is red, soft and purrrtttyyy!
To celebrate our second annual Chinese New Year Dim Sum brunch at Dragon Castle on Sunday. Last year when we did this, it marked the first (and only time) that our full gang was together. We decided to try again this year and to make CNY an annual tradition. It had been a good 3 months since I had seen some of them outside of work so it was a good afternoon of food, friends, food, laughter and did I mention food!! Cannot wait to go back - I heart that place, but it is one of those place that you truly appreciate when you have a large group (and thus can order 3 of everything on the menu).
Once I recovered from my food coma, I "celebrated" Valentine's day by going to see Valentine's day. For those who have not seen it, the movie makes Love Actually look like Citizen Kane. I will not say anymore. The best line of the movie is not actually in the movie, but in the ending credits...that made it worth watching. Plus who doesn't love a good chick flick on Valentine's Day :-)
On that note, hope you all had a very happy Chinese New Year (and Valentine's Day)!
xoxo
T
It has been a good week with a fine balance between work, social relationships and training. I realise that over the next couple of months, juggling these three variables is going to be more and more crucial, but I am determined to find the balance. 
