Happy Easter, Nine Til Five + Holidays

Happy Easter

I hope you’re having a lovely long weekend so far and have been over-indulging on chocolateIt’s my mum-in-law’s birthday today… so a very happy birthday mum too! Easter is a time to relax, eat a huge amount of chocolate and for family time. Enjoy!

Business Thought Of The Week… When Work Isn’t Nine Til Five

Working for yourself is never 9 – 5 {well for me it isn’t!} and if you’re thinking about starting a new business or have just started out, you need to prepare yourself for this commitment or find a way which works best for you; whether it’s drawing up guidelines and timetables or creating set working rules. My only advice for someone who is just starting up a new business is be prepared for those hours, ensure what you may consider as the boring jobs in your personal life is also taken care of shall you have less time for it – such as cleaning or ironing {although I looove cleaning my home from top to bottom, sometimes, I just don’t have the time for it}  You won’t feel as guilty if you get help once you become busier. You will want to use your precious time even more so to do the quality things in life… and always put time in your diary for family and friend get-togethers. They will support and encourage you through it all and even for a few hours a week, you need to give yourself a break to refresh. You will become much more productive in your professional role.

I’ve never worked nine til five since the age of 11. My parents have always had their own business and during my school years, I used to attend school in the day {6 days a week if you count Chinese school every Sunday!} and worked until late evening 6 nights a week. In previous jobs, I’ve worked shifts, long hours in the financial services and in hospitality & events it was even longer! So unsociable and long hours is something I’m quite used to. But just like any other person, I welcome a night off with my husband, family or friends… therefore my husband and I try and make a night off to be together every week. He doesn’t work, I don’t work!

Personal Thought Of The Week… Holidays!

The last couple of years I have focused so much on Carmen Weddings, my husband and I have taken alot less time out for holidays and if I’m honest, at the moment I don’t plan a trip until the end of the wedding season. I love travel and in last 10 years or so I’ve been fortunate where I’ve always had the chance to travel overseas between 3 and 5 times a year. I love discovering, exploring and relaxing. I adore meeting local people, see the real places and try the local food. I believe we should always have something to look forward to, so maybe I should start discussing where Paul and I should go towards the end of this year! I think wherever it will be, I will be  heading to Hong Kong to see my granny and relatives {the only city I’m willing to go back to every couple of years because it’s like second home to me}… then maybe following on with a trip to somewhere else in the Far East. Any suggestions are most welcome… however, Thailand will be off the list this time as we were there for the most fun Songkran Festival back in 2010! If you’ve never been to Thailand for Songkran… it’s a must!