I have had my fair share of victories and, if I can be honest here, one or two dummy spits as well! I have seen many highs and the occasional low. I have met an enormous array of wonderful people, been involved in the odd celebrity cake and been a part of the upcoming TV series, Planet Cake, that is due to air on Foxtel’s Lifestyle Channel in November.
I can’t even begin to explain all of the new skills that I have learned in my time here and, although at times I yearned so desperately to be back at home with my family, I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world.
With everything packed into my arsenal from cake design, business management, production management, facilitating, being a PC student and gaining every decorating tip in the world, I feel well and truly equipped to take on the world of cake decorating on my own ( knowing full well that I will always have the support of my amazing PC family a mere phone call away) and I am both nervous and excited about the entire prospect but intend to hit the ground running with all guns blazing.
Although I can’t wait to be back at home with my amazing family where I belong, it is with a heavy heart that I leave all of the amazing friends and colleagues that I have gained here in Sydney . They have all made my entire internship an absolute pleasure and have parted with not only their amazing skills but their kindness, generosity, empathy and support day in and day out.
If I could, I would like to thank some people here individually as a sign of my appreciation for them.
Antony,
Thank you with all of my heart for making me laugh week after week. Both your social and design skills will be with me forever. If I can become even half as good as you are at your job, I know that I will have the world in my hands. It was an absolute joy to have been part of your life over the past 6 months and I look forward to a continued friendship with you.
Cat,
The fact that you have been able to be such a wonderful support to me over the course of my time here as well as manage all of the work that keeps you here until crazy hours week after week says it all.
I will miss your cheery smile, bon bon’s and big pears. I know it will take a lifetime to do but someday I will find a sidekick as good as you. That is the day that I know my life will become easier than ever. You are truly amazing!
Ritzy,
What can I say Ritz? You have to be one of the funniest people I have ever met in my life. Thank you for showing me so many your tricks of the trade. Your work never ceases to amaze me. Every time I hear “Do you know who I am?” I promise that I will think of you!
Neoko,
Sweet little Neoko. There was never a time when you were to busy for me. If I needed help, no matter what you were doing, you would drop everything without even a sigh to lend a hand. You have always shared all of your skills openly and I have enjoyed working with you very much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Jessica,
Always there to give me a hug, a smile and those ever awesome shoulder massages. When I needed an ear or a shoulder, I knew I could count on you to be there. Thank you “YES JESS” I will miss you.
Anna – Maria,
Well the clock has ticked over lovely lady and it is with a heavy heart that I bid you adieu my inspirational mentor. I will never be able to repay you for the things that you have taught me so well over the past 6 months. I could not have asked for a more skilful and competent teacher and I feel truly honored that I was able to partake in the opportunity of a lifetime learning under your amazing leadership. I will never forget my time with you and will always have you to thank for a huge part of my career. I hope that I will make you proud to say that you taught me almost everything I know. I can’t thank you enough Anna – Maria. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Emma,
Sometimes I wonder how I would have managed to get through this without you here. You have always been my go to girl for whatever reason I needed you. Your capabilities amaze me and the way that you go through your days with a smile, no matter what happens, always makes me smile too. I will miss you VERY much.
Michelle,
My sister in arms. I am so blessed to have had an ‘equal’ as amazing as you to share the ride with. You always managed to help me see the positive side when things weren’t so rosy and always managed to give me a good laugh. I look forward to reading your future blogs on the remainder of your time here and look forward to catching up when you return to the motherland!
Lesley,
I could quite easily write an entire novel on how grateful I am to have had you as my eternal support here in Sydney. Words could never explain how much you mean to me and the amount of appreciation that I have for you. You took me under your wing and cared for me through thick and through thin until the very end. If nothing else had ever come from this experience, it would all have been worth it to walk away from here knowing that you will be my friend for life. You are truly one of the most kind, generous and loving people I have ever met. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being the greatest gift that Sydney could have given me.
Paris,
I promise you that I will strive each and every day to make you proud by putting all that you have taught me into practice when I return home. This was truly the opportunity of a lifetime and I have you and your amazing team to thank for not only being the decorator that I am today but for being a much more confident woman than I was 6 months ago when I walked through the Planet Cake door for the very first time.
Should I end up being half the business woman that you are, I will be more than happy with myself. You are someone that I am proud to call my role model and honored to have as my biggest support. Thank you for giving me my regular swift kicks up the backside and putting me back into line when it was necessary. Most of all, I would like to thank you for making me believe in myself. I will be forever grateful for the solid foundation that Planet Cake has forged for my career.
There are many others that have come and gone along the way that all made a huge impact on my life and I will carry their words of wisdom and kindness with me in my suitcase as I head back home to begin my next chapter.
Thank you all for following my journey here as an intern at Planet Cake. Sharing my stories has been a pleasure.
Finally, I couldn’t leave here without doing a huge cake so, when given the opportunity to design with the amazing Antony Bullimore and create a 7 tiered show stopper, I couldn’t say no. So I leave you all now with a photograph of my final piece made at Planet Cake as an intern.
Thank you all again! What a ride it has been.
This is Neen signing out for the final time.
xoxo
