Looking back on my Big W experience

Later today, another sub-chapter in my life story will close when I clock out for the last time as a rostered staff member at Big W Doncaster, and maybe the last time for good.

It has only been in recent days - as my final shift draws nearer - that I've taken some time to reflect on two-and-a-half years with one of Australia's biggest retailers. I will always remember this job as an answer to desperate prayer for a part-time job with regular hours, something I had been pleading with the Lord for several years.

But thanks be to God for His sense of purpose and timing. When I landed my job at Big W, I had just begun studying part-time. This made it easier to arrange work hours, which had been a problem when I had tried to look for previous work. God's timing had also shaped my attitude to be one of immense gratitude at having a job, small as it was. I also came into the job in the knowledge that it was to be a temporary "stepping-stone" job, a necessary path to something bigger, which I now know is language teaching.

From the hectic preparation for store opening, learning how to recover a section of the store (I can still hear our inaugural store manager, the great Marcelo Camargo, saying "bay by bay" in his wonderful Brazilian accent!), through to the hustle-bustle of the various yearly sales and stocktakes, I have gained valuable work experience. The skills I have developed - teamwork, being able to work unsupervised and adapting to a constantly changing environment - will no doubt come in handy when I start full-time work in the education industry. Then there are also the colleagues whom I will miss when I leave, but can still keep in touch with on Facebook, haha. Thanks to you all for making my time at Big W unforgettable.

After work tonight, I will be heading to Box Hill to check out the Chinese New Year festivities. Sadly, Australia doesn't observe Chinese New Year as a public holiday. This year it falls on Thursday 3 February, so celebrations will be taking place this weekend and also next weekend. This coming year is the Year of the Rabbit, my Grandma's zodiac. Traditionally, people born in the year of the Rabbit are said to symbolize graciousness, good manners, sound counsel, kindness and sensitivity to beauty. My Grandma definitely embodies all these traits, but most importantly she has used these qualities to build and raise a godly family. I hope this will be a special year for her, especially when she becomes a great-grandmother in May.

Finally, I want to wish well the contestants of the Australian Open singles finals - Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, and Kim Clijsters and Li Na. May the best players win!

Thanks for the memories, Big W!