Today is Norwegian National Day. We have celebrated twice, once in Norway and once in Spain. Tomorrow will be my birthday. May has always been my favourite month, not only because my birthday falls into this month, also when I lived in the Norther Hemisphere, its Spring time.
Over the weekend, I got a few girlfriends together and we had hotpot. It was really good to catch up with friends old and new. We all left our partners and little ones back home, so we can talk without interruptions, which made the dinner last for almost 4 hours. The older I get, the more I appreciate female friendship. When I was much younger, I was a tomboy, who played lots of sports most of time with boys. I did have many close girlfriends back then, but sometime I found female friendship too complicated to navigate. Lots of sensitivity around it, and things other girls care a lot I just can’t find the same level of interests to keep up with it. However, after becoming a mother, there are never ending conversations around birth, kids, work and home with my girlfriends. The path of motherhood can be generalised under one identity, but the challenges we face are totally unique and full of tearful or hilarious moments.
I also caught up with my boss who left the company a few weeks ago. When I was working with her, I actually didn’t have much chance to talk to her, as she was always busy with tons of meetings and projects. Now I no longer worked with her, I felt more comfortable to ask her out for coffee and just talk about everything. She is an incredible person, with lots of energy and clarity on things she want to get done. I admire doers who have clear visions. People like her inspire others to action, maybe thats what makes her a good leader.
I told Magnus another day, it seems I have been incredibly lucky to have worked with many great female bosses. The first boss I worked with, Carol, who gave me the chance to stay in NZ after my graduation from University. She truly cared about my development, if not because of her support I may not even get to settle into this country and build the life I have now. Then at my next job I made life long friendship with my managers, Adele and Jennifer. They both have been my mentors for the past 10 years. We would visit Jennifer in Wellington and stay at her home by the sea for holidays.She never missed Bella and my birthdays over the years, there was always a gift in the post for these occasions.
There are lots of discussions around female empowerment these days. Since now I am carrying another baby, I do appreciate the importance of female voices being heard at the work place. Without women before us who worked incredibly hard to gain equal opportunities at work, I can’t possibly feel as secure and content as I am now. These managers and many other amazing female colleagues showed me how they cope with challenges from all areas of life. The shared experiences of being a woman playing multiple roles in society make me feel proud of my gender.
It seems I focused lots on the positive sides of tings, I have also experienced workplace bully from female colleagues in the past. But I want to be careful not category all my experiences under things such as race, gender or age. We would cross path with so many people in our lifetime, I am trying to show my gratitude to the kindness and wisdom I received from other women, these experiences shaped my environment and my identity.
So since I will be a mother to two daughters soon, I can’t wait to show them the amazing things being a woman can achieve and encounter in life.
LIYANG'S THOUGHTS 