This is it. I said a temporary goodbye to my colleagues last Friday, and to be honest, last week at work I didn't do much. My manager wanted my maternity cover to do most of the work whilst I make sure he does it correctly so I was just busy meeting up with people for coffee catch ups, showing off bump (heh) and saying good bye. Baby is doing well, and growing well too, so well that a lot of people were very concerned when they found out we have not packed our hospital bag. Karen the team assistant, keeps reminding me "Belinda, oh look at that bump! Not much space left! You need to pack that hospital bag!" And Phil who sits beside me, keeps reminding me that his daughter came a month early and they were so ill prepared he doesn't want the same thing to happen to us. I always laugh and say "ok yes we will Phil. This weekend!" and he would always smile and shake his head and reply "if it happens, you know I've warned you. Yes I am nagging at you, you can tell your husband that."
Friday itself was out of the ordinary. I actually organised a team lunch - something which doesn't happen very often here - at Pizza Express. In the morning I had a year-end review with my manager Fiona, and I was surprised she gave me a very good review (remember I mentioned before that she has very high expectations and we've had a few run ins this year especially during quarter ends). She expressed her observation that I have grown more confident in the role in the past year, and she's appreciative that I know when to escalate to her, and when to leave her alone, especially she has so many roles (or hats as we call it). She is also appreciative that I started writing my work procedures since June, "thereby setting up your replacement for success". I came out feeling good about my performance for the year overall.
After lunch, Fiona had back to back meetings till 6pm, and so Karen scheduled an early farewell speech for me, in which they were to present me with the baby gifts and a speech from Fiona. It's always kinda awkward, where everyone crowds round you, manager gives a speech about you, and then you have to give a speech as well. Fiona tried to make it light hearted, and joked at how organised I am, so much so that I try to run my household in the same manner (
ahem yes I alluded to this fact during my year end appraisal to her that morning). Amongst other small funny anecdotes. They then pulled forward this huge box and presented me with the presents. Oh wow, Christmas has come early. They did discuss about how do I get home with the huge box, and they said they obtained approval from our big boss to send me home in a taxi. Which was very kind of them. I gave a short speech thanking everyone, and ... actually I can't really remember what I said anymore haha but at some point Maria shouted out saying I sound like I'm not coming back, to which I replied saying "unfortuantely, my husband has made it very clear I need to come back to work.."
Since K works near me, I called him if he could leave earlier that evening to share the cab back home, which he did. And on Saturday we both sat down and opened all the presents.
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| Christmas has come early |
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| Our blessed baby girl |
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| A large card from the team, and a small one from my manager |
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| Opening a pack of bodysuits |
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| Another cute bodysuit |
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A parasol?? Later we found out it's meant for the pushchair. Hmm not sure if we will use it though?
I mean, there is hardly any sunlight in this country... ;) |
That's it, I am now facing the next stage of life, a different kind of crazy, hectic one, but supposedly a very rewarding one they say. For now until baby decides to make an appearance, I shall start my nesting phase and enjoy some me-time!
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