I would say that in planning for this event, my niece has had her first taste in project (event?) managing and executing a pretty major event, even if it’s only a family affair.
And being the cheeky uncle that I am, during times of emailing and IM-ing with her I pressured her highlighting things like “Are we on schedule?”, “You do realise that it’s now only seven days till the event”, when we (she) still hadn’t settled on which doorgifts would be best for the occassion / guests, let alone allowing time for the suppliers to come back with a quote and also getting them made!
She’s been frantically visiting the venue, executing the questions we had about where and how the tables will be arranged, sorting the seating by guests, getting her team (of cousins) to memorise the tables to help ushering, where to position the tv / screen (we have a slideshow of photos of last 50+ years), compiling the photos, “do they have wireless mics”, “this doorgift is better than that”, and getting her surprise gift completed, etc.
Yes, she’s done a surprise gift too.
At this juncture, from my own observations I’d say she has experienced at least some of these emotions!
- Some small forms of accomplishment (getting things in order for the event)
- Asking for favours
- Asking authorities (her older relatives) to stick to deadlines!
- Gratitude
- Controlling some (anxiety-related) emotions
- Pressured!
- Can’t please everyone!
- Panic!
Pretty good training just before heading off to uni!
Will let you know how the event goes!
Photos courtesy of my brother’s Flickr collection
