Some Great News :)

Talking to Mum on Skype today, talking about my permanent resident, wondering how much longer it's going to take, one month-two years?  Wondering if it's going to effect my chances of getting into school (b/c I'm a 'temporary' resident not permanent)??  Well, checked the mail after our Skype and guess what was sitting in there?!  My Australian Permanent Resident grant, yippeeee!! :D  Did a happy dance around the house that's for sure!  What great news!!  And it's come at such a perfect time for me, just the pick-me-up I needed!!  So happy that it's come through!  What a process and waiting game that all was!!  Nearly 3 years it's taken, but wait no more!! :D :D :D :D

So with that, it should (hopefully) make applying for school that much easier.  And what's this school business I'm talking about you're wondering?  Well, I've decided that I want to go back to school and study Diploma of Graphic Design.  It's a full time course for 1.5 years.  I sent in my application last week, had some issues due to my visa status being temporary at the time, but now that shouldn't be a problem.  There's an information night next week which I'll be going to, see the classes, meet the teachers, ask questions and I'll be able to let them know that I now have permanent resident status now, yippee! :)  And why have I decided this as I was just talking about staying in my job in my last blog?  Well, I've decided that yes I'm grateful for the opportunity that I've been given to broaden my leadership skills and learn more about the 'business' side of a business, it's been pretty tough especially with the more I learn and the longer I'm in the position.  It's been pretty darn stressful!!!  There's more to it but I don't want to get into the details.  I just want to have fun and works really become work, the work-life balance is not very balanced and I can't say that I'm happy doing it.  So I'm taking a leap of faith and hope for the best.  There is the chance that I don't get excepted, I will just have to figure out my next option, deal with that when/if it comes to it.

(P.S. let's keep that school info off of facebook for now, I haven't told anyone at work yet, don't want to shoot myself in the foot until I know what's going on.  Muchly appreciated!:)

Dan and I are off to look at some cars next weekend.  Wanting to trade in both of ours for one newer one, not new, at least get in the 2000's now, moving up in the world ;)  hehe.  We would like to get something that's fuel efficient but at the same time we'd like an SUV, more room for camping, dog(s).  So we'll see what we find, keep ya'll posted :)

Went out this past Friday with Rel to look at some bridesmaid dresses.  Happy to report that we found one that is high on the list, will have to try it on and show Dan, get his approval.  Wouldn't mind looking a couple more, but if not that's fine, I really like this one.  That's the wedding update, it's slow and steady planning.

I've stopped myself from looking at new places to live as it's silly because we can't move until our lease is up in March, so start looking again Jan/Feb time, hopefully find something!!  Not much else going on at the moment, all that's keeping me pretty busy plus all the everyday life/domestic stuff.  Day by day at the moment, one step/thing at a time, otherwise I stress myself out, get a bit overwhelmed.  That's it from me today, enjoy the last of your summer for those of you coming out of it, we're just heading in and man I can't wait! :) xx

Daily life.

Well I can't say that I've been keeping up with emails and my blog very well these past few months.  Don't really have any excuse really.

Dan and I took our new toy for a nice joy ride a few weekends ago.  We went down the Mornington Peninsula, it was a gorgeous sunny day out, a bit chilly still, but so nice to feel the breeze, smell the fresh outdoors and enjoy the ocean views!  If you look at the map, we live in a suburb called Chelsea (not on map) which is between Frankston and Mordialloc, so we drove from home right past Mornington to Mount Eliza (not on map), back round up to Mordialloc and back home.  What a nice day that was!  And I love being the passenger b/c I get to switch off completely and just chill out (the sissy bar helps so I don't fall off the back when I'm not paying attention;)  We were invited on a massive bike trip to the States next year by some of the bikers at the store we bought the Harley from.  Unfortunately b/c of the wedding we cannot go, but it would of been fun, a month in the States, flights, accommodation, bike hire, food all included, maybe next time.  There's a few big rides coming up we might go on and of course with the warmer weather coming around there'll be lots of group rides if we want to join.  Fun!!!

Did a week long course last week 'Discovering the IKEA Concept'.  Man was it full on!!  9+ hour days, taking in lots of info, but it was good fun!  Lots of activities, group games, had to do a group presentation everyday.  Learnt a lot!  Interesting to see where it all comes from, why & how we do things ie: one of our values is 'cost consciousness' and learning how we apply this to all business aspects to keep low price for our customers.  Of course learnt about: IKEA product range, IKEA supply chain & customers, IKEA cultures & values and lots of other things.  Very interesting but man was I exhausted by the end of the week!!

We've also had a change in management in our team.  So our Kitchen Production Manager Brian took a Sales Manager position leaving his position open, my manager Con decided he would go for it and got it which means now we have to fill his position.  So, I had a long hard thought and some conversations with Dan on whether or not I'd apply for it, I think I've finally decided no for a few different reasons.  I'd like to have the opportunity to learn and grow under some else, still want to gain more knowledge, confidence in the leadership role, so I don't feel like I'm quite ready for it without putting added stress/pressure on myself. I'm excited to see who I will be working closely with in a couple of weeks, hopefully they're better in some areas that my manager isn't and just as good in others.  We will see.  Nothing ever stays the same though, always changing, keep up if you can!!!

Dan's doing well in his role although not gaining much support from his manager which isn't great.  Sounds like his manager is a bit lazy, wouldn't be surprised if Dan takes his role in the near future or surpasses him.  But he's enjoying it, challenging him which is great!

Junior in his favorite spot, over the heat vent!  Turned it on the other day, he went straight over and lied right ont top of it, no wonder the house wasn't warming up!!  hehe, very cute.  A daily occurrence now, at least until we don't need to turn the neat on any more.  Still tossing around the idea of rescuing another dog, a friend/play mate/companion for Junior.  Although it would be nice to have a bit of a bigger yard for him to run around in, so we're tossing around the idea of moving somewhere with a bit more space and hopefully cheaper when our lease is up next year in March.  We'll see what happens.  Would be nice knowing he's not on his own all day and would be nice to have a bit more space and pay less.

My dress is in the mail!!!! :D  My wedding dress that is ;)  Cannot wait to get it!  Cannot wait for the wedding!  And to start planning it more!  In the new year, head down bum up work work work (as is right now) and get everything planned.  Exciting!!  I can't believe it's nearly only a year away.  It was more than a year and a half away when we booked it!  Crazy how time flies.

Well, must get caught up on those emails now.  Hope everyone is well, always thinking of you all.  Miss my family and friends everyday, wish I could have it all, the life I have now but surrounded with all of my family and friends!!  Sigh, I suppose that's why technology is great!!  Love ya xxx