Starting over!

Yes, back on the weight loss path again! I started Lite N Easy again on Thursday after about three years since I last ordered from them. Even though I promised myself that I would wait at least one week before my first weigh in, I just couldn't resist this morning. To my surprise, 1.2 kg lost in only two day! Of course, most of that will be fluid loss but it's still a good feeling.

For the non-Aussies, Lite N Easy is a weight loss program where your breakfasts, lunches, dinners, fruit and snacks are delivered weekly and you just add skim milk for coffee, cereals etc. The food really is quite delicious (particularly the frozen dinners) and it is calorie controlled and full of the necessary nutrients for a healthy diet.

Of course, there are drawbacks and my biggest complaint is when the delivery is missing items for a particular day. That was the main reason that I stopped ordering from them last time. There were just too many errors in the packing of the orders and one week I ended up with completely mismatched orders that made it impossible to put together a week's worth of meals. Today I was missing the bread roll to put my smoked chicken and tomato on and I've noticed that I'm also missing yoghurt for later in the week. If they could get that right, it really would be a dieter's dream, albeit a little expensive if you need to use it for more than a few weeks.

On a separate note, Big Brother starts tonight. I know, I should be embarrassed to admit that I'm a Big Brother fan, but I really do enjoy watching it for some light entertainment. Hopefully this year's series is full of surprises and the people are really crazy...it always adds to the entertainment value!

Anyway, that's enough from me. I'm off to heat up my dinner...I'm thinking either Satay Beef or Sausages with Onion Gravy. Yum!!

If you're happy and you know it...

This is one of my favorite videos of my nephew William. It makes me smile every time I watch it :-)

Dancing Baby!

Little William practicing for the mosh pit before he could even walk!

I'm adorable...so what?

dLook - Great New Aussie Business Search Site!

I've just signed up with a premium listing for Australian Recruiting - Melbourne Central Branch over at dLook .

dLook is a fantastic Aussie search engine that puts Australian businesses right at your fingertips. The site has fantastic discount coupons from many companies, as well as a super simple and effective quote request process. What more could you want?

You can check out my special dLook discount vouchers here if you need staff for your business. Even if you don't need staff but you know a company who does, we have a $100 Coles Ltd Gift Card referral voucher.

So all you Aussies, get on over to my listing on dLook and CHECK IT OUT!

(Meg over at Dipping Into The Blogpond is the one to speak to if you would like to know more!)

What a show!!

I absolutely adore the zoo...it makes me feel like a kid again! I was so lucky to be in the right place at the right time to take this photo and it's definitely one of my favorites.

Shanghai Temple

I found this photo on my other blog and it felt so peaceful and serene that I really wanted to share it. I took this photo at a Chinese temple in Shanghai on my last visit.

Words to live by...

"The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they cannot find them, make them."

George Bernard Shaw

Today's quote...

You'll never achieve real success unless you like what you're doing.
No one has ever succeeded in a line of endeavor which they did not like.

Your chances of success are directly proportional
to the degree of pleasure you derive from what you do.
If you're in a job you hate,
face the fact squarely and get out.

It's better to be a failure in something you love,
than attempting to be a success in something you don't.
Don't set compensation as a goal.
Find the work you love, and the compensation will follow.

The more you love what you are doing,
the more successful it will be for you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
©2005 by Max Steingart

Job Search Tip - Email Addresses

For exceptional staff, contact our Branch Manager at Australian Recruiting - Melbourne Central Branch.

• It is important to be mindful of the suitability of the email address that you use for job applications.

• Your email address is often the first thing that a prospective employer or recruitment consultant will see on your application and without a doubt…”First impressions DO count”!

• Sexygirl@hotmail.com is NEVER appropriate for a job application, no matter how funny it may sound to you!

• If your personal email address is not appropriate or may create the wrong first impression, do not use it! If in doubt, sign up for a free email address with yahoo or hotmail.

• Ensure that you provide the correct email address with your application. Email is often the first method of communication that may be used to clarify your application if required. If you provide incorrect information about yourself, no matter how innocent this error may be, it will be perceived as indicative of your level of attention to detail.

• Always ensure that your email address remains current throughout the job search process. It is common for a consultant to receive email “bounce backs” from email accounts that are either full or no longer active. Keep in mind also that whilst you may not be successful with an initial application, the same agency may attempt to contact you at a later date should a more suitable position arise.

Copyright 2006 Talking Point Consulting Pty Ltd

Job Search Tip - Don't take it personally!!

For exceptional staff, contact our Branch Manager at Australian Recruiting - Melbourne Central Branch.

• The search for suitable employment can be an emotional and sometimes lengthy process. It is important that you approach your search with a positive mindset and remain focused on the end goal irrespective of any perceived set backs.

• Above all, remember that it is not personal! If you don’t get an interview for that fantastic position that you just know that you would be perfect for, it’s not a personal attack on your skills or previous experience. If you walk out of an interview sure that the job is yours, only to find that it was offered to someone else, dust yourself off and get right back on track! The right match is out there!

• If you are unsuccessful, keep the process in perspective by reminding yourself that in this particular case, there may have been applicants with more experience or a specific skill set that the employer was particularly interested in. This does not mean that you are not good enough…it just means that you were less suitable than another applicant in this particular instance. Next time, it just might be you who will be more suitable!!

• Many candidates underestimate the time and effort that may be required to secure a suitable role. Keep in mind that many factors may contribute to extend the process beyond your expectations. These factors may include salary expectations, location compatibility, educational requirements, skill sets, previous experience or personality fit to business amongst others.

Copyright 2006 Talking Point Consulting Pty Ltd

Working hard!

My beautiful nephews...I just couldn't resist!

The sky's the limit!

The first photo was taken with my K800i mobile phone camera after dinner at TGI Friday in Doncaster, Victoria last night.

The second one was just for fun and was taken through the lounge room window.

Strange to think that it's the same sky...nature really is an amazing thing.

Possums, possums, everywhere...

These are pics of the possum family that visit our backyard every night. It would seem that possum babies are fairly resilient...we've seen this one fall from the top of a large tree onto concrete and be stepped on by his Mum when she got a fright and ran over him to get up a tree.

My new Sony Ericsson K800i mobile phone...love it!!!

I absolutely love the 3.2 MP Sony Cybershot camera with flash on this phone! The overall functionality is great and there's no doubt it's the best phone I've ever had. Stay tuned for more pics!

P.S. The soft focus on this photo was definitely my fault and not the camera's. Kitty was hiding under the bed so it was all a bit hit and miss.

Do you need a MATCHMAKER?

Successful businesses are built on great relationships betweeen a company and its employees.

Ask yourself...have you made the right MATCH?

Contact Donna at Australian Recruiting - Melbourne Central Branch:
donna.hutchins@australianrecruiting.com

We partner with our clients to search for, attract, screen and appoint exceptional people more effectively.

The newest addition to the family...

This is my second nephew, Kai, a beautiful baby brother for little Will. Even better, it's only a few days until I'll be in sunny Queensland to visit them both!

Oh, happy day!

Things I'm grateful for today:

* My new Weight Loss Hypnosis program.
* Feeling more in control of my eating after only two days on the program.
* Another day closer to my second nephew being born.
* Sleeping in.
* A flexible schedule that provides a fantastic work / life balance.

Today's treasures!

Today I am thankful for:

* A positive and exciting client meeting this afternoon.
* Plenty of rain pouring down this morning outside my window.
* Hot coffee.
* Enjoying the drive across town to my meeting.
* Loving my job more and more each day!