September 29, 2018

September, For Me

How fast has this month gone!? Whenever I am writing my monthly reflection, I always think this but this has especially been the case with September.

London, UK

This is almost always the same every year! For the last 4 years, it’s been because of the rush into a new semester but this year it’s different — it is the next chapter of my life; namely… Adulting. 😆

Main Highlights

  • 🏠Another successful month of settling into my new home in Leeds — time has been my best friend 😄
  • 💻I started my new job at BT, in BT Consumer division specifically working with the EE DevOps teams (what a mouthful!)
  • 🚂Because of my new job, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to travel around the UK and see more things! This month I went to Ipswich, London and Hatfield.
  • 🧙🏼‍♂️I finally got to go to Platform9 3/4 – it was magical!
  • 📱Inline with the hype from work of the iPhone XS Max launch, I upgraded my iPhone 7 Plus and fully embracing that notch life.
  • 💖I attended KPMG’s Women in Leadership meet-up in Leeds this month and ended up winning a coaching session because of my tweet!
  • 🌟I had a tour of Campus London and visited the Code First: Girls HQ – it was such an honour 🤗
  • 🙋🏻‍♀️My interview with BusinessCloud was published! This was such an incredible opportunity to share my thoughts on how companies can move towards a more inclusive recruitment process.
  • 🌟I spoke to the incredible Natalie Franke this month for Inspiring Figures and was left amazed by her continuous work towards her communities. 
  • 🎥Another one of my video projects with The University of Sheffield was posted — in this one, I talk about how why I vlog and what other students can get out of the coolest part-time job ever!
  • 👩🏻‍💻all in the while… balancing my freelance web development work at the University (remotely)
  • 💪🏼…and of course, #PawGainz.

3 things I’m happy about 

1️⃣ Working in Tech

This is my first month of working in a) tech and b) a huge company. I’ve really enjoyed my first few weeks, everyone I’ve interacted with across my immediate team and wider business have made me feel like I’m already part of the family. In just the last 4 weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to:

  • Meet senior leaders in the business, including Marc Allera, CEO of BT Consumer
  • Travel. A lot. I always love a bit of variety in my routines, so having the opportunity to do some travelling – even though it was only in the UK – was so much fun! Having that taste of work-travel was an experience.
  • Speak up on things that matter to me e.g. diversity and inclusion
  • Experience the iPhone launch (from the back-end view of the website, instead of consumer view of just buying and expecting it all “just to work”) – there is a lot that goes behind the scenes that I wasn’t aware of in the past.
  • Learn about how Networks work, the tech behind such a huge website and Agile process of delivery
  • Try out Yoga in the office

You can read a more detailed post of my last few weeks here and here. I’m so excited to continue learning!

2️⃣ IRL Friends

I got to meet up with James, Nawshin, Lina and David this month whilst I was in London. It was so nice to finally meet people I’ve only spoken to through the internet – can confirm everyone is 🔥

Also, it had been a whole year since David and I first met (also started on Twitter) during the time I was at a Gymshark event – he is now one of my closest friends. Thanks so much for being awesome David! 🤗

3️⃣ True “Health”

Because of all my work travel, I haven’t had a consistent routine with my workouts. Usually, I would beat myself up for missing a day but recently, I’ve shifted my thoughts to flexibility when it comes to health. It’s so much more a better relationship and I’ve felt even more determined to get it done to fit around my schedule – isn’t this what health is all about?

September in Pictures

#Pawsitivity🌠

This happened. 💕

Huge congratulations again to Amali and Code First: Girls 🎉

Monthly Favourites

🎥 YouTube channels

📺 TV

This is a rare section of my monthly favourites, but I’ve been enjoying Channel 4’s The Circle, a game that revolves around social media. I’ve found it interesting because it really highlights the importance of how people on social media can curate a perfect life but can be completely fake! There is a player, Alex on the game pretending to be his girlfriend, Kate by catfishing the other players with her photos and his little book with details on things like her makeup. 😂

🎬 Films

  • Crazy Rich Asians – I could talk about this film for ages but I won’t – that’s a whole separate post. 😉What I will say is to give it a go!

🎧 Music

📱 Technology

  • iPhone XS Max is amazing – I’m really enjoying the new screen compared to my iPhone 7 Plus and of course, Animojis have changed my life. 😆

Quote of the month

Next Month

🏈 Goals

  • Continue doing my best in the second month of my job in tech!
  • Continue staying on top of my finances (doing pretty well recently!)
  • Schedule time in for writing and stick to it
  • Give Stephanie Buttermore’s Women’s Programme my best shot; focus on strengthening that mind-muscle connection.

🎟 Events

How was your month? I hope you have a fantastic October ahead! 🙌🏼

Taking a selfie at Adastral Park, Ipswich

Leave a comment

Claire

I’m so happy I get to follow your progress. I couldn’t do what you do, but I’m so happy you can! Your strength and determination is amazing and you just keep improving, building and inspiring!

Pauline

Thanks so much Claire, right back at you <3

mercy

Looks like you had a busy and rewarding September. I’m still yet to go and see UK, hopefully in the near future. I like the quote of the month, that is really helpful, thanks girl for sharing.

http://www.busyandfab.com

Pauline

I hope so too! Let me know if you ever come! Have a fantastic weekend. 🙂

Ashley

I can’t wait until I can see Crazy Rich Asian, but since I don’t like going to the movies it will be when it comes out on Vudu for me to rent. 🙂

That is good that you are enjoying your job. It is also awesome how you get to travel so much with it. Hopefully you don’t get burn out. My tech job involves keeping my butt in my chair unless we get a new provider who needs training on the dictation system, haha.

I hope you have an amazing October as well. ♥

Pauline

Thanks so much! I feel super lucky to be travelling in my tech job; at first I had thought that I would be kept sitting on my butt but it is quite active which I’m so grateful for.

Have a fantastic October too Ashley!

Chynna

Whew! What a whirlwind. You’ve done a lot this month, girl! Also glad to see that you’re now into Harry Potter. Welcome to the fandom! I bet you’re a Ravenclaw or Gryffindor 😛

Yeah, I’ve watched Crazy Rich Asians twice and DUDE. Love. That. Film. Immensely.

Good luck with your goals – you got this, girl!

Pauline

I think that I am a Gryffindor; I’m surprised…(not) 😂