It’s with mixed emotions that I’m posting my last article on this blog as Partner, NATIONAL Public Relations. Beginning November 19, I’ll be an official ‘retiree’ and a full-time blogger.
After almost 18 years with NATIONAL and a 33-year career in public relations spanning three countries, I’ve announced my retirement on October 18. A lot of people were surprised to hear the news since throughout my whole life so far, I’ve been a hard-nosed career woman. But if you’ve been following me on this blog, this should not be a surprise to you as it’s my opinion that all boomers have to reinvent themselves in Act II of their lives. I’m now practising what I preach – pursuing other passions in my life; giving back to the community; mentoring younger people; and continuing to learn new things. Although I might choose not to practise public relations any more, my PR skills will help benefit me with whatever I want to do in this phase of my life.
My first priority is to seize every moment while I’m healthy and focus on some of the great passions of my life: interesting short-haul travel, theatre and blogging. In addition to this blog, I have two others which I will continue to write and post more often. I’ve also enrolled in the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies in 2012 to study Love and Relationships in Shakespeare. The Bard and other literary greats have always been one of my strongest passions and in my current lifestage, revisiting the classics in greater depth without any exam pressure will be a riveting experience. In spite of my love for Canada, the dark winter months have been very depressing to me lately in my mature years. So I hope to spend some winter months in Naples, Florida, and summer in Stratford (Stratford Shakespeare Festival) and Niagara-on-the-Lake (Shaw Festival). On the serious side, I will give back to the community by continuing to be a Lector reading the scriptures at Sunday masses; and sharing my strategic thinking and communications experience with worthwhile not-for-profit organizations. As the first double-minority (Asian and woman) partner of our Toronto office, I hope I’ve left behind a legacy for more capable women to advance within my organization and for others to advance in the workplace.
I also look forward to continuing to mentor the younger generation including some of my friends’ kids who are willing to listen to me; those who have previously worked with me at NATIONAL or Burson-Marsteller; and spending more time with my two adult goddaughters.
As one of my former bosses said, retirement is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter in life. I think the worst thing that could ever happen to a retiree is to become a boring, outdated person. I will continue to do my best to be a stimulating, honest and interesting individual.
My last day in the office is November 18. I will kick-off my series of retirement celebration parties with my best friends from Hong Kong in Milan on November 21. Then I’ll be back in Toronto in December to spend X’mas here (the first in 10 years) before heading south to Naples, Florida, to beat the winter blues.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everybody at NATIONAL who have supported and collaborated with me in the last 18 years – NATIONAL has been, and will always be, family to me!
For those of you who have been supporting my blog, I’d like to say thank you but not goodbye. Boomerwatch.ca will have a new look beginning November 19 and I look forward to hearing your comments.
Stay tuned for the Prologue to my Act II!
Many congratulations on a fabulous career Lina! Wishing you the best going forward.
Wishing you all the very best Lina! You leave us an important legacy and have been generous in teaching us all.
Lina, it’s been a great pleasure working with you and thanks for always being available. You’ve been a great mentor and I want to wish you nothing but continued success in Act II!
As the Bard said, “to thine own self be true …” Enjoy Act II and thank you for your contribution in Act I.
Thank you for all the knowledge you shared with me Lina. It was an honor working with you. I wish you all the best in Act II.
Look forward to your Act II, dear pal. We’ll stay tuned.
Congratulations Lina! Wishing you all the best in retirement.