Filling in the gaps (Part 1)

Work hard, play hard

1 year, 8 months and 26 days in banking and I have seen through 3 completed deals and experienced 2 dead deals (one of which did end up completing) - not a bad record right. The first time a deal was put on hold was surreal. Going from having too much to do one minute, to nothing the next. I have become accustomed to the ups and downs that comes with working in the industry. It really hit home after working full on for 3 months straight on my return from Oz trip in March. I've always been one to honestly say that I enjoyed my job. But for the first time ever in my career I felt both physically and emotionally drained. Even worse, it was affecting my personal life - little sleep and no weekends continuously does it to you. It was definitely not sustainable and I'm glad to say that things have gotten better since and work is once again enjoyable.

Also glad to say there was more to life than just work in the past 10 months...

Fun and games

April '07

Antigua (Cricket World Cup)

• Impressions - Beautiful beaches, friendly locals, undeveloped, too many American tourists
• Highlights - The cruise (a must!!); cricket is actually enjoyable watching live (seeing Aussies defeat The Brits was a plus); staying at the same resort as the English, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh teams
• Lowlights - Sleepless nights thinking of uncle; getting escorted out of the Australian team's resort after spotting Andrew Symonds

Leeds Castle, UK (for Eve's b'day)

• Impressions: very English; a "pleasant" day out
• Highlights: First time through a real outdoor maze!!!
• Lowlights: Came to the conclusion that castles are better seen from the outside

May '07

West Coast of Ireland

• Impressions - Surely is green; alot of cattle; picturesque
• Highlights - The drive; Cliffs of Mohar; seeing the biggest ever rainbow
• Lowlights - Door knocking in the wee hours of the night getting desperate to find a B&B

Vienna

• Impressions - Another nice yet typical European city
• Highlights - Um, got given a rose at the art gallery (yes, struggling...)
• Lowlights - Suffering from hayfever and working in hotel

Alex's parents visiting

Alex's parents and aunt from Paris visited for a week. It was nice having them around. There was always good food and so much of it, literally from the first moment they stepped in the door. We were tour guides for a few days, going to all the typical London sites. They were actually very independent and keen to tour around on the local red bus, of course with the itinerary including a daily stop in Chinatown. It was good to see them genuinely enjoy themselves.


To be continued...