Well it started out just like any other day. Breakfast of rolled oats mixed with protein powder (strength for the day ahead you know) - it is winter here!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFOpuoADguMrOTVLSnfjdFuYA3QJNpS5nax_V8cLDf1EbfTkp1LsE72mHriqZF9W-KcX4tujkYYkFw27Lxn6xeghRlKP1lrQ1TPPpMov8rYqORQAx60smhxcutITUK9LzmFfMFd503hdN/s200/IMGP0565.JPG)
But as I'd slept in it was a scurry to get to work on time. Not forgetting the goodies I'd baked for afternoon tea (more on that later).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpgrWZCVyUUiqRYO5RKqpJxllAOpr5glRTs8nZtYZ7O-hC8n7J0fQDs692eWgTRU9Ex9XdjVYFeNur3mUL_otlEfW9iJPbxlJTDjTMqXZJQCLro2I6z_iqFJliW-XuNaqNmAoNjM8yuFZ/s200/IMGP0566.JPG)
Despite the late start I made it on time - only to find that others had been here before me!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7NiUclf9xRrM_XyfngSajFvt0NmD48CkXP28MatNdFmyWw7g_IM1GMbDyO6wNiPnS3pZ3HAa-keECqmZ-lnPeKnI9GAyh7P2gGOUNDjLV60sitnLYG8WQg0q7C2xsPcnkOhLUAzSoNci/s200/IMGP0567.JPG)
Yes today is celebration day - 20 years with the company. Two of the staff had decorated my office and given me the most beautiful bunch of flowers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvOTi8Ey0okyD9G1Fmu8b_uKtV8IXCUxzBsEtkBaCOXWsTF0gnjTjEt6BOHViqdd8jubaUPIocWDrnDSxWvi7jzaqgMCNHtDBLMVnnsi0BA7zwpjclE8N65WIZ_PwdpybGTNLcqOnw9Xu/s200/IMGP0570.JPG)
My assistant gave me a cute yellow gardening basket. The company gave me a ..... wait for it !!!! Certificate!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqzeYJ6fFB-iW30ljirR1Yq8naZP4hEuXZ3QGodPXNIJMmfyS1wOinXwzgrEYvhlL9rUWGSl5nNlzYSlaA6NDXiuvD9kKjEsRyVKPoXvMQHHSx95HdM88d53ppfb8H2qO_JIJSCRgiqIQ/s200/IMGP0568.JPG)
Well between that and afternoon tea the day was just the same old normal - much like it has been for twenty years. Afternoon tea was a welcome break - I don't often take a break midafternoon! And the homemade cookies were a real hit - "Margaret we didn't know you could cook like this!" In true Japanese fashion it was photos all round. Guess which one is me?!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkYqfqRji3qpmvATbr4VdpAYXTEo0igACFa5jSUF788mHJPJtSojdnk1obOzZEQ-N_ZUOhtN1QulRmFCmluJiJuHu8nwlWa57ZlnFCKXsDFZSnwzxDtCgF83EavGQsDRVx__0i4lnnKNZ/s200/IMGP0572.JPG)
Then afterwork I am going out with three of my colleagues to the city's best Japanese restaurant and will have a delicious meal. You may wonder why this choice of restaurant? Well, I lived in Japan for 9 years before returning to New Zealand and starting work with this Japanese travel company so it seemed appropriate - and what's more I LOVE Japanese food. I will post pictures of the meal another day but meanwhile I'm off. See you later
All in all a memorable day really.