Gosh this has been a full-on month! After a generally icky March filled with an exam, an assignment and just general unrest; April has been amazing and insane.
On the first day of April I resigned from my job. I had just been offered the job I hoped to get AFTER I finished my diploma. Here I was barely halfway through and it was happening already. Three years ago when I decided to commit to the wine industry, after dabbling in it between acting jobs and Pharmacy gigs, I wrote a list of the top four companies I wanted to work for. You guessed it, this new job is with one of them. Crazy stuff.
I’ve been telling my career story a bit lately and it occurred to me that I haven’t told it here, so I think it’s time:
I did a Pharmacy degree straight out of high school and worked in that industry at a high level for a while before I realised that a I was not on the right path. I retrained as an actor and in 2011 moved to Melbourne on an acting contract. When that contract ended I picked up bits and pieces of Pharmacy work between auditions and stumbled my way into a position as a bartender. With no experience. My first night in this new job, in a new venue, with a two hour tutorial on cocktail making under my belt, we reached capacity (240 people) and I realised for the first time just how much I had underestimated my own chutzpah. It was so exciting. I loved the buzz of that job and at 3am when I was picking slimy bits of pineapple out of the carpet I would remind myself that mine was not a life half-lived. A few months later a conversation with another bartender set me on my current path. I had always loved wine and ever since that first wine tasting, I had learnt a lot, but I had never considered a career in it. Suddenly I was in this new city with a massive wine culture and there was nothing to stop me going for it. I enrolled in an intermediate wine course, which got cancelled. I somehow ended up in the advanced level and trip-stumbled my way through. I got a bit more experience and a clear idea of what I didn’t want to do and somewhere along the way I am finding my path. This new job is a really exciting place to be.
Just after all the job shizzle happened I read Danielle‘s post on being brave and striving for what you want. I especially love this line: “I gained a wealth of experience that creates the intricate jigsaw of abilities and knowledge that make up the picture of my skill set.” No experience is ever wasted my lovely ones. Even slimy pineapple can have its place in a life story. You can quote me on that if you like 😉
After my resignation, the next week passed in a blur of assignment stress (I am now a guru on wine discounting though, should you ever need such useful guruism). I then had a crazy 11 days in a row of lectures, finishing my old job and starting my new job. It’s a big’un, the new job. it’s a steep learning curve and the fear of failure is ever-present.
There were some great events I went along to this month too. This blogging palaver is hard work and sucks up lots of my free time but it also leading to some very fun things. We celebrated the end of my job with a lovely dinner courtesy of Yumtable; and despite extreme exhaustion setting in, I couldn’t turn down an invitation to a magical night showcasing Peter Rowland Catering. I go to a few launches and often the catering is sporadic. I find myself stalking the waitstaff and getting a serious case of the hangries. This was different. If you were starving and couldn’t wait for a waiter to get to you, you could just float on over to the sushi station for a roll to keep you going. There was also a caviar bar and, my happy place, a Froyo bar. These dudes know how to cater.
Also, earlier in the month The Church of Bang Bang Boogaloo held a launch party. This is a quirky little chapel in the heart of the CBD offering a Vegas-style place to get hitched. So much fun!
On the 21st of April we celebrated the second Ted-day. We have no idea when Ted was actually born, he was a scrawny, timid, roughly 6 month old pup when we got him. So we celebrate the day he started his new life with us. He marked the occasion by tearing apart a soft toy – his favourite treat.
But all of this was overshadowed by the biggest, most exciting news. The #coolaunty is in the house! On the 27th of April my very own little squishy nephew, Thomas, was welcomed into the world. My SIL (sister-in-law) was a champion. After a fairly tough pregnancy she had a long and tough labour but little Tom is perfection and SIL is doing very well. It’s kinda crazy to see features from generations of your family all mixed together in a tiny face. I’m counting down the days till I can fly up to Brissy to meet him.
Have you got any crazy April stories to share?
Tamzen Temple
May 1, 2015 at 12:11 pm (2 years ago)Congratulations Nicole. Well deserved and what a jam packed year you have had.
Nicole Bilson
May 2, 2015 at 11:28 pm (2 years ago)Thank you Tamzen, it sure has been crazy 🙂
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid
May 1, 2015 at 1:45 pm (2 years ago)My April was nuts too! I handed in my notice, left my job and started a new one within 7 days, had a weekend in Canberra and learnt about blogology with two of my favourite bloggers. I know that you’re going to totally ace that job and enjoy being an auntie. PS Happy Belated Birthday Ted! Hope the year ahead is full of woof! x
Nicole Bilson
May 2, 2015 at 11:29 pm (2 years ago)Crazy April. Some bits of our April were pretty closely aligned there 🙂
sassydrcil
May 1, 2015 at 1:48 pm (2 years ago)Great month!
Yes I have had a crazy April…. will share it all soon x
Gotta love a rescue woofy.
Nicole Bilson
May 2, 2015 at 11:29 pm (2 years ago)Freaking adore my rescue Woofy. Oh gosh, I look forward to hearing about your April.
Please Bring Me My Wine
May 1, 2015 at 6:25 pm (2 years ago)You’ll love it! All the very best with the new venture
Nicole Bilson
May 2, 2015 at 11:30 pm (2 years ago)Ahh thank you 🙂
Malinda (@MBPaperPackages)
May 1, 2015 at 6:54 pm (2 years ago)Argh! Stupid internet just ate my comment!
My April started off pretty shit, slammed me, then ended up ok. I’m just glad to be into a new month, fresh start and all that jazz. I am so happy for you and your new job. It wouldn’t be the same if you weren’t jumping in the deep end. You will do amazing things with it I am sure.
Nicole Bilson
May 2, 2015 at 11:31 pm (2 years ago)Oh I hate that!
Thanks for your encouraging words. I look forward to reading about your deep-end jumping soon too 🙂
brookejones
May 2, 2015 at 2:49 am (2 years ago)What a month! Congrats on your new job. I am SO darn happy for you! And I’ve definitely had my own version of “slimy pineapple” experiences that add to my skill set. And look at Ted…aawwwhh!!
Nicole Bilson
May 2, 2015 at 11:34 pm (2 years ago)Thank you sweet. It’s all a bit big and terrifying at the moment but I’ll get there. Slimy pineapple moments are very important- I think i might have to use that phrase more often 🙂
Curious Charlie
May 2, 2015 at 6:02 am (2 years ago)Congratz on your new job! That Peter Rowland event would have been awesome! They’re on my top 3 places to work, in events. 😛
Nicole Bilson
May 2, 2015 at 11:34 pm (2 years ago)Thank you.
That’s right, you are studying event management aren’t you? Peter Rowland definitely has it going on.
Giulia Porro
May 2, 2015 at 3:45 pm (2 years ago)Congratulations on your new job gorgeous!! Good luck and hope you can visit your nephew soon! My nephew is also called Tomas! Cute name! X
Nicole Bilson
May 2, 2015 at 11:35 pm (2 years ago)6 weeks until nephew visitation:) Until then I am being entertained by daily photos and videos.
Blah Blah Magazine
May 3, 2015 at 9:13 am (2 years ago)Congratulations on the new job that’s so exciting! How cute is Ted. I confess I love a pretty PR gig x
Nicole Bilson
May 4, 2015 at 9:03 pm (2 years ago)I love talking about exciting things anyway so getting a little preview of a new place is doubly exciting 🙂
Willunga Wino
May 3, 2015 at 8:16 pm (2 years ago)I say AMAZING April for you Nicole!
Mine was pretty awesome too, I ate at one of Australia’s best restaurants – Orana – to celebrate my 10th anniversary, went on a “mystery weekend” over easter where my partner proposed, adopted a rescue pup, and my blog got hacked!
Here’s to a Magnificent May!
Nicole Bilson
May 4, 2015 at 9:04 pm (2 years ago)You definitely had a Crazy April. Most of your stuff is so SO good though – wow, 10 years! And you know how excited I am about the engagement and the puppy.
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu
May 4, 2015 at 9:47 am (2 years ago)What an exciting month! And good on your for reaching for your dreams Nicole! I love hearing other people’s stories and how they end up doing what they love, even if life took them on a curvy road rather than a straight path. Hooray!
Nicole Bilson
May 4, 2015 at 9:05 pm (2 years ago)Thanks Jess. It has been a pretty windy path and I can’t see my life straightening out anytime soon. It’s all about the journey right? I am on the scenic route 🙂
Sonia Life Love Hiccups
May 4, 2015 at 6:17 pm (2 years ago)Oh wow hun – you have had a HUGE month. Congratulations on the job and the suishy nephew. So much to celebrate xx
Nicole Bilson
May 4, 2015 at 9:05 pm (2 years ago)Thank you! Counting down the days till SQUISH!
rebeccassunday
May 4, 2015 at 9:12 pm (2 years ago)Well.. I got to have dinner with YOU! Went to the church of BBB and also welcomes a new baby life into this world. They are just so cute and I can’t wait to watch him grow up, as I can image you would too! Congratulations on April Miss, you deserve it!
Nicole Bilson
May 4, 2015 at 10:37 pm (2 years ago)Wow, we almost had a parallel April 🙂 That dinner was definitely a highlight too.
thegirlhassparke
May 5, 2015 at 7:41 pm (2 years ago)Congratulations on the job lovely!! All your handwork is paying off – on the blog as well 🙂
Nicole Bilson
May 14, 2015 at 9:59 pm (2 years ago)It’s been crazy busy but also very satisfying so far 🙂
Jem @ Lost in Utensils
May 6, 2015 at 5:36 pm (2 years ago)Congrats Nicole on all your wonderful happenings! Really interesting reading about your background.
Nicole Bilson
May 14, 2015 at 9:58 pm (2 years ago)Thank you, big and exciting times.
Party catering Melbourne
August 24, 2015 at 5:00 pm (2 years ago)Great article. It’s good to know that you know how to enjoy your life by organising so many activities. It’s a great idea to have a party every now and again. Keep your positive spirits and better times are coming for you.