I started working at the University in 2006, mainly as the web site developer for the department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology. Soon I got involved with the Mushroom Pathology Project, wherein we investigated the effects of Wet Bubble, Dry Bubble, and Cinnamon Brown Mould on small, medium and large scale Mushroom farms in Gauteng. I had a lot of fun working on the Mushroom Project and found what I learnt fun and interesting.

 

In December 2008 I became part of the FABI family as their Website Administrator, under the great leadership of Prof. Mike Wingfield. Over the last 3 years I’ve gotten so much more than I ever expected out of what I estimated to be ‘just a job’. FABI has a culture all of its own, like a miniature United Nations in the middle of the University. The people who are part of FABI are really the best kind there is; serious and dedicated to their work and in pursuit of excellence within what they do and how they do it, but also gloriously happy about life.

 

When I came here I was a few weeks into my 22^nd year of life. Like all 22 year olds I was quite sure I knew everything. I was (and still am) very into my family life, studying, my music, my writing and web design; however I didn’t really think about it or the future with too much seriousness.

Now, as I am about to embark on my fourth year here at FABI I find myself thinking about something that Mike said at one of the Monday Morning Meetings “The best way to appreciate change is to go away and come back; when things change slowly you don’t really notice it, when you’ve been away and come back all the change hits you at once and you can fully appreciate the differences.”

 

I saw the wisdom of this sentiment in full force when my Aunt came up from Cape Town a few weeks ago. The last time that she and I saw each other was shortly after my 21^st Birthday. She noticed the change and made a few comments that made me stop and think. Suddenly adjectives that I normally use to describe “A Fabian” were being used to describe me and how I’ve changed from “a happy-go-lucky kid” to “a woman with a plan”. I haven’t really noticed the difference within myself because I’ve been around for all the little changes; it took a family member to notice the change.

 

This made me wonder about that saying “you are what you hang out with.” And I started to reflect on how we influence each other on a daily basis mostly without even thinking about it. If you are in an environment, like FABI, where people are people, but they do what they love and to the best of their ability – does that ‘rub off’ on the people around them? I think it does. Most people are very carful about the friends they chose and the influences they allow into their lives, but few people think about ‘work’ and the ‘J.O.B’ as having the same type of influence. Having realised this connection I must admit that I could not be in a better place, or with better people.

 

So, here’s me looking forward to another year of expanded thoughts and focused minds. Happy Holidays to everyone here at FABI and Everyone else out there!  :-)