Team Building

Team Building days at work are always interesting. Generally, I find that most people are happy to chit-chat on the day, but come Monday they are back to their old selves. Sitting at their desks with their heads down; not engaging with anyone around them.

Friday was our annual team building day which was held at Middle Harbour Yacht Club.

 The morning was spent doing the usual team building games (working together with instructions, trivia etc) and the afternoon was spent with the group split between 4 yachts racing around the harbour.

The best part of the day was by far the sailing. Since I have sailed before, I was nominated as an ‘experienced sailor’ (I beg to differ. An overnight sailing course does not make one experienced). On the yacht, there were 9 of us, plus a skipper and deck hand. I spent most of the time winching in sails (pulling ropes) and the skipper allowed me to be helmsman (drive the yacht) at the end of the race.

Serious face

Everyone participated at least a bit during the afternoon, which made for great team building. They were all willing to put in a bit of help to enable us to come a close second at the end of the races.

The sailing was followed by a dinner at Encasa Spanish Tapas restaurant. The food was amazing and I spent my time talking to a few people who I hadn’t really spoken to before. After telling Steve at least every hour that I would be leaving soon (he was going to pick me up), I finally walked out of the restaurant at 11:30pm.

Have you ever had a team building day with work?

Do you think it changes the way people interact when they are back at work?

*There are only photos with me in them, since I don't have permission to post other people's pictures. The pictures aren't very good quality because I used my small camera

We all have a different story

I am constantly amazed by comments from people who deem me too young to even think about the idea of engagement, marriage and having children.

Friday was a work team building day. In the evening, the day was finished off with a dinner at a Spanish Tapas restaurant. With a couple of Sangrias under most peoples belts, the conversation turned to our partners and relationships. I said I had been with Steve 5 years and one of the (single) guys asked me how that was going. Fine, I said. We get along well and we enjoy each others company. 

I don't believe you, he said. Well why not? Because every relationship has problems, I bet he can be an asshole.

Yes, every relationship has problems; but no - he is not an asshole. 

The conversation went on with him basically trying to convince me that Steve probably did have 'asshole moments' and that I just couldn't see it. Basically telling me I was too young to realise.

A female colleague, over the age of 30 (age will be relevant in this story) decided to join the conversation. She told us that I was young and I hadn't experienced a relationship properly. She said 'wait until you are 30, your story will change'.

Which led me to the question - How is my 5 year relationship (at 23 years of age) any different to a 5 year relationship at 33 years of age.

Well apparently, at 23 years of age, I haven't experienced enough. Apparently, since Steve is my first love I have no idea.

Why do people think they can weigh in on my relationship and tell me whether it is going well or not?

 Why do people think they can tell me what age is ok to become engaged or get married or have children? (Because the conversation also had their opinions on this too)

 Why do people who hardly know me think it is ok at all to form their opinions on what they know so little about?

And most importantly, what has happened in their life to make them so bitter?

We all come from different walks of life. We all form our own story. Just because their story sees them married at 30+, that doesn't mean the rest of society should follow. Just because they might have had a relationship at 23 that didn't work out, doesn't mean mine will be the same.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being married after 30. Just like there is absolutely nothing wrong with the way in which my relationship goes. Whether I be engaged at 23 or 33; that is my story.

Do people try to weigh in on your relationship?

Do you ever get told not to worry because you are 'too young'?

We win this time, Ikea

If you are a long time reader, you might remember this post, where I shared the details of our bed breaking. Yes, this was months ago. Yes, it has taken us this long to buy a new bed. 

Steve and I finally bought a new bed this past weekend. After searching high and low, we decided to just go back to Ikea and get a flat pack bed, since our staircase doesn’t allow for a readymade bed to be taken up without first removing part of the roof, perhaps some of the staircase..well, you get the idea.

 

The assembly of the bed began with all the bits and pieces being laid on to our bedroom floor. I opened up the instruction manual, took a deep breath and got stuck in to the assembly of the bed. I lasted two steps before it became clear that I can’t read instructions if Steve and I were going to come out the other side still a couple, I needed to remove myself from the room. So that I did. Instead of trying to ‘help’ I decided to put my domestic skills to good use and prepare dessert for the both of us.

 A nice homemade Apple Pie, straight out of the Ikea box it came in. I will give myself credit for being able to bake that apple pie perfectly. The perfect amount of crisp on the outside, with the right amount of warmth on the inside.

 

2 hours later, at 11:30pm our bed was made and ready to sink in to. Steve was sporting some nice blisters on his hands and Teddy and I were sporting faces that had sleep lines across them from falling asleep in the spare room.

I am pleased to say, our relationship has passed the 'Ikea Test'. We came out the other side still liking each other and still together.

Steve + Rhi - 1, Ikea - 0

Spanish Night

Rosebud in Rozelle hosted a Spanish Night on Saturday night which myself and some friends went to.

We originally heard about the night when we were there 2 weeks earlier eating breakfast and noticed a pamphlet that had been strategically been placed on all of the tables. Clever marketing; it worked.

The first course was a plate of tapas to share. It consisted of prawns, anchovies on toast, baked potato and little meatballs (I don't have the correct names of each tapas as they weren't given).

I got a picture after most had been eaten..

That course was followed by the most delicious (and only) plate of Paella I have ever tasted. I am not one for seafood, but even my plate was finished clean. I'm not sure if all Paella has these ingredients, but it consisted of prawns, mussels, peas, chicken and I think squid.

The best course - dessert, was Churros with melted chocolate. These were ok. I tend to think Churros taste like deep fried donuts and I am not a huge donut fan.

Like any great meal, ours was accompanied with alcohol. Sangria for the girls and Corona's for the boys.

Rosebud did really well with this night. At only $39 per person, the cost was reasonable. The service was great and the atmosphere was vibrant.

White shirt = the need for a bib

Spanish shots!