Blog Post #6
A month ago today…
…I started my first contract as Asset BowManagement Ltd, and yesterday I finished my first contract. It felt strange walking out of the Gisborne District Council office for what will be the last time for the foreseeable future. Not only have strong relationships developed during my time here, but genuine connections too. 4.5 weeks is not long, and although at times it felt like there was a lot ahead of me, on reflection it has passed in the blink of an eye. In my first contract, albeit relatively short, I’ve encountered challenges, learning curves, and periods of stress. All three ultimately form the foundation of experience and growth, and I have learned to welcome them.
The last few days consisted of workshops where I presented the methodology and results from the assessment, including a number of recommendations based on the results and general observations during the project. There’s some great mahi going on here in Gisborne and it was awesome to see the dedication for this project, not just from the immediate team, but across the organisation from IT to GIS. Synergy is best.
I would happily return to Gisborne one day, a lovely and remote location on the coast. Perfect for someone who loves being by the water. However it really doesn’t have the mountains that one craves! Alas, I decided instead of leaving Gisborne straight away I’d have a long weekend here. I can’t remember the last time I spent Valentine’s with a lady, but this year I get to spend it with two! Mum and sister flew up to join me exploring Gisborne over the next few days. Today we headed up to Tolaga Bay to walk along New Zealand’s longest wharf, tracing my footsteps from 2 years before, and jumping in from the exact same spot!
Come Sunday we’ll be returning to the Kapiti coast and I will have a few weeks off interspersed with a couple training courses and meetings. I’m looking forward to some time off, time to reflect, time to recharge. As once March comes knocking it will be time to prepare for the next contract. Asset BowManagement is flying south to set up base in Dunedin! A very exciting project involving the Taieri River scheme, which I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in to! More on this in a later post…
Oh and what is this bottle all about? Well rewind to New Year’s Eve my proposal for Dunedin had just been verbally accepted, I was browsing the supermarket aisle whilst on holiday in Northland, and came across this. An uncanny coincidence in my eyes, or dare I say it….fate?!
