Life is an adventure (video)

My biggest influences 

My family, friends and better half; I could go on about how lucky I am to have these people FOR EVER. Instead, let me acknowledge that I am also lucky to really enjoy my job and work for -and with- a really great group of people.

Really, work?

All the advice givers in my life told me that their workmates quickly become like a second family, and I now agree with them; from the wise and exemplary parental figures who give me subjective advice and random (but useful) life hacks, to the fresh eyes who are the first to question the things I take for granted (and keep me up to date with latest Ted Talks!). 

I've felt loyalty towards the company I work for since completing a summer internship after my second year of university, and will always be grateful to the nice Australian from HR, Kiran, who called me to help me work out if my skills identified more with Operations, over Finance. He obviously didn't know that I was so busy concentrating on not overheating my microwave dinner that I agreed to a lot of what he said because he just sounded like he knew what he was talking about. Thank god for hunger. 

6 years on, and I still appreciate that phone call - and the career opportunities that have arisen since then.

Our next adventure: Asia! (and sabbatical!)

A couple of years ago, Min and I decided to save up to go on a backpacking adventure around Asia to visit some of the countries we have always wanted to see together. By July 2016, I had researched my options and worked my way towards being eligible to apply for sabbatical from work - which was great because it meant I could travel without having to resign, given that I enjoyed my job. In December, I finally built up the courage to formally ask my skip manager; I was super nervous but incredibly happy to be granted it :-)

The eligibility criteria and process of requesting sabbatical was very different for Minesh and me. This was down to the size of our firms, and what they offered in their packages. My application process was much more formal. After initially requesting the time off after ensuring I could evidence required criteria, I spent the next couple of weeks considering impacts and coverage - and getting the approvals from above and HR. After that, my manager and I submitted the formal request form in writing for HR approval and formal documentation. I first asked on Dec 9th and the final confirmation documents came through at the beginning of Feb. For anyone considering sabbatical leave and wondering if it is an option, the two best pieces of advice I can offer are 1) Ask! If you don't ask, you will never know, and 2) Sabbatical leave is a not an entitlement or a right, but it's a great option to pursue if you're able to! 

So now I am just REALLY excited for our next chapter. I wouldn't be me if I didn't condense all public displays of affection for our adventures together so far into one memory box (video below). It's a little scary to have something this big to look forward to, but I am really quite excited for the memory pages to come...

With love,

Priya x