Father Casey's 50ths Party!!

We were very lucky this year to attend Father Casey's 50th Birthday.  My daughter, Pearl was participating a secret surprise dance.  She had been in training for 5x Thursdays  and she got to know other bigger kids that she enjoyed ti be around.

After 5pm Saturday Mass we headed to St Ursula High School Hall.  The weather was unpredictable as it was raining heavily and thumderstone. It didn't stop everyone. 

When we reached the hall, the place was decorated beautifully and very systematic arranged so no cluttered and all the youth helpers and ursherettes were very helpful.  We chose table No. 26 so we could see the performance closely.  The food area was arranged like a buffet style and divided to three sections with the same food - 10 courses! We had 100 tables on that night therefore 30tables for each section.  It was so smooth and impressed thata everyone had every good as ursherettes served everyone equally and very efficient! 

We had so many entertainment for Father Casey, karaoke, singing, video and we had Father from Rome to come and celebrate with us, what a privilege!

The whole event finished with delicious dessert, coffee and tea.  It was nearly 10pm and everyone were in the dance floor.  It was a special night for my family. My husband and I agreed this was the best party we had ever been.

Have a great weekend!

Regards,

Lilian

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS AND BELIEVE YOU CAN ACHIEVE

From last 13 months I had four secondments Assistant to Chief Actuarial to General Manager of People & Culture.  Then 12 months supported 3 Heads of and a Senior Manager and now Executive General Manager. It was challenging, stretching and amazing.  I never gave up believing that all my efforts would lead to my dream job.  It wasn’t easy, I’ve worked hard on my brand, my reputation and I’ve networked my butt off.  But I got the result I wanted so, if you want something, you might have to work for it but you have to believe it’s out there and you have to go after it.

Have a great week! 

Lilian xx

"we’ve always done it this way”

I have started a new secondment role in a company that in transition merging to the new and bigger company where I came from originally, which I have more advantage as I am already know the systems and also the culture of the company.  I was talking with another Personal Assistant about the Christmas preparation at work.  She suggested to do cupcakes with Christmassy decor. I acknowledged her that it was a brilliant Idea but why don't we have a few quotes of doing others such as butter biscuits with Christmasy Shapes, either Santa face or Christmas tree and sugar coated with nice wrapping or we could do cake pop with red and white decor as it goes with Christmas Party Theme this year.  Please also note that we just had cupcakes for another event last week.  We could give out this present in Christmas Party Day.  

She insisted to do on first day of December and cupcake choice and her response was "we’ve always done it this way”.

So  do I do?  I listen more than I talk.  I explore and ask questions.  I let people tell me “we’ve always done it this way” and allow them their voice.  I’m there to help and support people through their individual transitions.  I put myself in their shoes because change is traumatic.  I try to make their journey easier and I help them understand the WHY.  The “why” is so important when it comes to managing change; the more we understand WHY we are doing something the more likely we are to accept it, embrace it and grow.

As a Personal Assistant, I’ve always enjoyed learning new ways of working; I love development and mentoring and hopefully one day I could do coaching; feedback is a great motivator for me.  I’m currently in a period of huge transition and learning. My Executive General Manager has five direct reports and Ieads a team of more than 60 people in different states and I’ve got a brief to encourage new behaviours and change the way we work.  I have a challenge ahead of me (I love a challenge!).

I use the curve of change tool to illustrate the four stages of change.

• Stage 1: shock, denial
• Stage 2: fear, anger, resistance
• Stage 3: acceptance, optimism
• Stage 4: embrace, rebuild

So let’s change those habits and embrace the WHY.  Once we understand the WHY, we can move onto the HOW (and that’s the really exciting bit).

Hubby's Kitchen

Lamp Cutlets 19.10.2014

Where are you coming from?

When Pearl was in Kindergarden, she had a lot of friends who were Phillipino background and she is a bit of tan compare to her brother too.  She always told me that she is Philipino.

One weekend when both kids were talking behind the car when we were in the way to our friends house, my hubby and I were talking and we only heard half of the conversation that Pearl (Year 2 now) was pulling his brother's leg saying she is Philipino.  Pierre was 5 and he replied loud and firmly: " No, you are NOT!". That was how mh hubby and I stoppoed our conversation and asked why he was angry. He replied: " Jie Jie (sister in chinese) said she is Philipino and she is lying!".

Then my hubby asked him: " Pierre, do you know where you are coming from?".  I expected he will said I am Aussie. But this is his reply...

" I am from Riverwood*!" Said it proudly.  I burst to laugh, laughed so hard! My hubby tried not to but it was  hard.

That was perfect answer!

* Riverwood is the surburb we are staying.

Spring Kids Holiday | Circus Show

Spring School Holiday with Kids | Australia National Maritime Museum