Hunter Valley with a bottle of wine...

So we're up in the Hunter Valley (Cypress Lakes Resort, to be more precise) for a 3 day offsite training event, and we're almost done! Tomorrow is the last day woohoO!

But it's been more fun than expected actually...had a team building activity this afternoon which involved each team building a billy kart and racing it down a track. And while my team didn't actually win the race, we beat the other 24 teams and came in first because of points won in other areas...the key deciding factor being teamwork. Haha cos our 'epic' race involved all 3 teams struggling to get through 20m on the track (due to lack of pushing power, karts falling over, running into other karts etc). That was quite a funny match. Won ourselves a bottle of win each...woohoo

And then during Melbourne Cup Dinner, my table came first in the races...where we had got the opportunity to bet "PCS money" on 4 (past) races. With PCS$800 we managed to chalk up some PCS$4,400, beating the other tables to win chocolates from the Hunter Chocolate company...yay!

So now back in my nice room.....checking emails and going to bed.

Tomorrow's training starts at 8am and ends at 6pm....then I need to drive about 2.5 hrs (actually expecting about 3hrs plus due to traffic) back to Sydney. And there is breakfast, checking out....etc.

Erm alright
Night all!

ps. actually wanted to write and say that I've finally gotten my application forms for USA Visa, so...that means I'm going for sure! Yay!!

Booking my tickets soon :)

The countdown begins

The 3 month secondment to an office in the US of A has now been confirmed and I will be leaving just after the new year (I think, dates aren't firmed up yet). Don't know which office I will be posted to.....*fingers crossed*!

Anyway, Sup and I have purchased additional annual leave...I've now purchased 4 weeks of annual leave (PAAL), which means my net income will be erm....a bit lower. But I have 4 weeks! And I'm hoping that I work diligently enough to get TOIL (ie overtime leave). Well, I'll make sure I push it anyway....2 weeks of TOIL, 4 weeks PAAL and about 2 weeks of accrued annual leave....2 months of travels! Yay

Except I haven't worked out if I can afford it. But nevermind, that is secondary....travel first! Could be a while before I leave the country again. Haha

So say about 1 mth in US/Canada (to visit Nicky)...then 1 mth with Sup and Aman in Europe. Not sure how I'm going to fit Singapore/Malaysia in there...but will make it back to visit Mel (and baby Zac!) and a few others. I've noticed that my list of people to catch up with tends to dwindle over the years, but I guess that's the reality of life and something which I've come to accept.

Hm. No money....how how.