The interview was last Thursday, and it went absolutely great. I met with three women; a Senior Sergeant, a lady from the admin team, and a lady from the HR team. They were really lovely. There were so many questions! I'd answered most of them on my application so it went pretty smoothly. They had a couple of last questions for me, and then asked me if I had any questions for them. I wanted to clear up the committment I'd be making (i.e. making sure it was full time and that I wasn't going to have to declare bankruptcy and live on the street), and was crushed to hear them say that it was a fixed-term position, working part time for a year, maximum of 10 hours a week. Now, see, I wouldn't have applied if the application said part time! Needless to say, after having the interview go so well I was really upset and annoyed, but figured I'd get over it. Then when I got home, the Coroner's Office called me and asked if I could go in for an interview on the 19th of Jan. I said yes, because that's where I really wanted to go, and it's full time so it'd be great. Not too far from my current work place so I could go and visit if I wanted to see my friends, but not so close that we'd be bumping into each other on our lunch breaks.
I called the police station earlier today and left a message for the Snr Sgt saying that I was really sorry but due to my current financial situation I wasn't going to be able to make the money work (Did I mention I'd have to take a $15,000 a year pay cut??! I don't think so!). So then I was watching Ellen, then I watched Oprah, then I fell asleep on the couch for a little bit (no offense, Oprah, I didn't sleep much last night), and then I turned on my computer where I had an email from Helen, the HR lady I met with in the interview. Something along the lines of 'I've been trying to reach you but I think I have the wrong number, can you please call me?' I called and spoke to the Snr Sgt instead as Helen was busy, but she basically said that they thought I was great and that the reason they'd taken so long in getting back to me about the position was because they were trying to make the figures work so that I could work full time for the first six months of the contract, and then part time for the remaining six months. !!. They were very impressed with me and think that I'd be 'a great addition to the team', so that inflated my ego a wee bit :) Need a bit of that every now and then. She asked me if that would work, and I said yes, probably not considering the implications that might have for me later in the year. I'm hoping by the end of the first six months that I'll have some tutoring or something I can do to help out a bit. Also hoping I can save enough on transport and other work-related costs so that I'll have a bit of money set aside. I have to go in for fingerprinting tomorrow which is kind of nerve-wracking even though I know I haven't ever done anything wrong, and then it's pretty much set.
But now they're trying to get a reference from my current manager whom I haven't told anything about the job interviews. To be fair to myself, I haven't been to work yet, and I haven't seen her so I haven't really had a chance to talk to her, but I still feel bad. It's springing it on her, and I didn't want to do that. Tried to call earlier, but she's not around.
So now I'm excited and hoping like hell that I haven't got my hopes up again for them to turn around and say 'Sorry, we couldn't work it out with the funds'.
EDIT: My manager called me this afternoon and told me that Helen had called her for a reference, so that's all done. Apparently Julie (my manager) talked me up so much that Helen thought I was over-qualified for the role and that they should get someone else. Jules is the best manager ever. I hope everyone gets to work under someone as cool and as nice as her some time in their life.
I'm so excited! Hopefully my wound heals up nicely and the stitches are nice and clean in coming out on the 12th :\
Work
-----------------------
So, I've decided (again, but for real this time) that I have to start looking for another job. It isn't about money this time, it's about the fact that I feel like I'm accomplishing nothing with my life. I'm just stuck in a work-home-work-home cycle, and I feel like nothing is *happening*. I'm so boring these days it's ridiculous. Not that I was all that exciting before, but I at least felt like I was working toward something. Nowadays I loathe getting up because I know that nothing is waiting for me at work. I know that I'm going to go and work for 8 or so hours and nothing's going to happen. I want to be doing something worthwhile with my time, not feel like I'm just waiting for something better to come along.
I've applied for a job at the State Coroner's Office, one at my local police station, and another at the Department of Human Services. I'm not sure why, and I'm not sure that any of those will get me closer to where I want to be, but two of them are part time which would give me time to go back to uni, as well as paying me well enough that I won't have to go back on any sort of Government handout. I really want to get started on the next phase of my life - uni, working in my chosen profession, travelling the world.
One of the guys at work was caught up in the terrorist activity in Mumbai the other day. He was staying in one of the hotels that got attacked. He and his wife (both in their 60s) had to lock themselves in their room and hide for 6 hours, until some firemen got them out the window on a ladder. They were hiding in their room while grenades and machine guns were going off in the hall just outside their door. I can't imagine how scary that must have been. I'm so glad they're safe, and I'm even more glad that the terrorists didn't get to carry out their plan. Apparently the plan was to kill 5,000 people. I can't comprehend people sometimes. I just don't get it.
Owies
-----------------------
Because I'm a klutzy idiot, I fell over two weeks ago. Rolled my ankle and then fell to my knees like a tonne of bricks, ironically enough, on a path made of bricks. It hurt like a bitch. Two weeks later, it's still hurting like a bitch! According to my osteopath, my ankles are too flexible, and that the movement I have in them isn't normal. Which would explain all the problems I've been having with them over the past few years. I've had a few osteo appointments, but nothing seems to be feeling any better. I have another appointment tomorrow, so hopefully that eases something up soon, or else I'm going to be doped out of my brain on pain meds.
Meme
-----------------------
Ganked from
Step One
Make a post (public, friendslocked, filtered...whatever you're comfortable with) to your LJ. The post should contain your list of 10 holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple and fun to medium to really big. The important thing is, make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want.
If you wish for real possible things, make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where Santa (or one of his elves) could get in touch with you.
Also, make sure you post some version of these guidelines in your LJ, or link to this post so that the holiday joy will spread.
Step Two
Surf around your friends list (or friends of friends, or just random journals) to see who has posted their list. And now here's the important part:
If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true. Once a wish has been granted, it will be crossed off the list.
You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out, it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf--to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not--it's your call.
There are no rules with this project, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just...wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special.
The Wishlist (in no particular order):
1. Snail mail addresses so I can
2. Notebook/journal/smooth-writing pen
3. Buttons/beads/old 20 cent jewellery from op shops/second hand stores/thrift shops
4. Old history books - medieval, Russian, German, Roman, Soviet... anything
5. A White Pages directory from a country foreign to my own (Australia)
6. Quick and easy dinner recipes
7. A buddy for a night - dinner and/or a movie or something
8. I'd *love love* a penpal. I know that email/IM is so much quicker, but there's nothing cooler than getting a handwritten letter with some little bits and pieces in the mail. It's also a great feeling knowing I'm making someone's day a little bit brighter. Makes me feel spesh :)
9. A story, or a joke, or a poem about anything you like. One you've written, one you've heard, one you love
10. For everyone else to do this so I can help make a wish come true :)
Note the first: Used items are always welcome; I love things with history.
Note the second: If required, email/PM me for my snail mail address.
- Location:bed
I don't really know how to tell you this, but our romance is over. I think I realised it on the first of May at the mental hospital and I saw you sit on my mustard souffle. I'm sure you're man enough to understand how awful I've felt. I'm returning your memories from the military service, but I'll keep your suicide note as a memory. You should know that I never openly mocked our friendship.
Good luck on your short term-leave from jail,
I tag
( Rules )
- Mood:
giggly
I haven't forgotten.
If there are one or more people on your friends list who make your world a better place just because they exist, and who you would not have met (in real life or not) without the Internet, then post this same sentence in your journal.
xx
In other news, I'm sick again *grr* I gave myself a fright yesterday by blacking out and nearly fainting on the train (while standing, mind you. Not such a good idea; don't recommend it), and I've felt nauseated and had a throbbing headache ever since. That could be because of this stupid infection I have, or it could be because I was claustrophobic and couldn't breathe because there were about 60 people crammed into the train carriage who should have waited for the next one. Not kidding, it was PACKED and people were still piling in! They must have been thinking 'Oh, it's okay, I can see a bit of space over there! Yeah, if i go through their legs, then walk across those five people, I can sit on that guy's shoulders!' Idiots. Took today off work and told them I probably won't be in tomorrow so they could hire a temp (because they can't get by without me, naww), but if I'm feeling okay I'll go in and the temp can help with some filing and archiving and all that other fun stuff.
Also heard from my doctor today about my operation, and he said that they only dedicate a day and a half to bowel/colon/etc surgeries a week, and because "people with bowel and colon cancer take top priority" (le DER!) I'll have to wait about a year. Or, "if I'm lucky" and there aren't too many cancer surgeries, I might get in before Christmas. Either way, I have a long wait ahead of me. Unless I get private health insurance, which I can't afford. Darn body always getting sick. Oh well. Could be worse.
Random observation for the day: 'Orpheus in the Underworld' changes pretty dramatically near the end...
- Location:home
- Mood:
headachy - Music:Mozart, Vivaldi, Beethoven, and friends
- Mood:
chipper
end: 482
change: +482
starting line:
She screamed as she ran; her bare, bloodied feet plopping heavily into the mud.
ending line:
Eyes wide, she dropped to her knees, looking in disbelief at the bullet hole in her chest.
darling:
Nothing as yet.
_______________________________
So, I have no idea where this story is going, and no idea who this girl, the guy who was chasing her, or the guy who shot her are. I have no plot, I have no characters (aside from the unnamed aforementioned characters). And you know what? I don't care!
It's a fairly crap beginning, but I don't care about that, either! That's what editing is for! I needed to get back into the habit of writing, just writing, and turning off my inner-editor. Because, even though I love her, she's a major pain in the arse.
So, now that the beginning is out of the way, I have to find a way to tie in what just happened with my so far non-existent plot. Easy! :P
And now for sleep, because I promised myself and early night, and it hasn't happened. Again.
- Location:bed
- Mood:
sleepy - Music:Gentle Droplets - Roland Tesng
I was lying in bed last night trying to drift off to sleep, when all of a sudden, a great idea popped into my head. I thought it out, gave it some substance, loosely plotted it (it takes me a long time to get to sleep), and then when I was finally starting to feel sleepy, I thought 'This idea is so good I don't need to write it down. I'll remember it in the morning.'
Oh, what a fool I was. It has now completely vanished from my mind. I'm hoping that whatever triggered that idea in the first place will somehow reappear and I can get on with it. If it doesn't, clearly it wasn't meant to be.
*sigh*
So at the moment, I'm kicking myself.
Today is the fourth day over 40 we've had this summer, New Years Eve and Day being two of them. Oy. Global warming bites.
In other news... *sigh* there is no other news. Yes folks, it's been that kind of week. Thank goodness it's (almost) Friday.
- Mood:
hot
Just got home from a Body Shop party - you know, like a Tupperware party but with Body Shop stuff? It was pretty good. And now I smell lovely. Too bad it'll come off when I have a shower later. I bought some stuff, but nothing that smells really strong; mostly subtle smells. Like Brazil-nut body butter (moisturiser).
*sniff* mmm
- Mood:
tired
Work:
Man today was so BORING! All I had to do was filing, and then a work experience kid came in and did it for me! One one hand I was inwardly going ''Yessss!" and punching the air (I hate filing with a passion), but on the other hand, this random kid just came in and took all my work for the day. Great. Then I have to sit around looking busy...
Christmas:
Getting into the Christmas spirit, I bought some fairy lights the other day, coloured ones with clear flowery kinda shapes over the top. They're kinda ugly when they're off, but when they're on they look really pretty. I've wrapped them aroud the head of my bed, so I'm now lying here under an orangy-bluey-greeny light. It looks pretty cool.
Writing:
I've been writing, too, which has been awesome! I take my notebook with me on the train and scribble down as much as I can with the very limited arm-space I get. Also, why is it that you can read or play a game or listen to music on the train and no one bats an eyelid, but when you write or knit or something (like I do) people look at you like you're an alien? Strange. And then the nosy buggers keep trying to peer over your shoulder and take a peek at what you're doing.
Weight:
When I was at the hospital a month and a bit ago they weighed me; totally not something I ever wanted to do again after seeing what the number was. But, this morning I figured I'd weigh myself again, just to see how I was going. I felt like nothing much was changing, but I wasn't really sure. Turns out, and I was very shocked, I've lost 7 kilos. Without doing anything different. Well, I'm eating healthier as often as I can and I'm going for short walks on my lunch breaks, but I didn't think that that would make much of a difference. I can't see any change yet, but seeing that I've lost that 7 and can do it without consciously doing anything, I'm going to start walking every night. Hopefully my little goal to be a bit lighter by Christmas can come true :) And then my bigger goal of being closer to my goal weight by my 21st in May next year.
It made me feel good all day, too. I had a silly smile on my face this morning. Might sound conceited (well, I don't think it does) but I'm very proud of myself. And I think that's a big thing with people losing weight. You have to be proud of the little steps you make. Pat yourself on the back for resisting that temptation at lunchtime. Feel overjoyed that you've lost a kilo. It's a kilo closer to your goal. Be happy that you got on the treadmill or went for a run, because you could have easily said 'no' and slothed around instead. I've started trying to lose weight numerous times, and each time I think that this is 'the time'. This will be the time that I'll just do it and I'll be the person on the outside that I know I am on the inside. Who knows if this time is different, or exactly the same as those other attempts. I'd like to hope it is, but I'm not going to beat myself up about it if it's not. Sure, I'd be disappointed in myself, but I can move on and try again tomorrow.
And on that note, I'm off to bed. G'night, lovelies.
- Location:home
- Mood:
sleepy - Music:Passenger - Powderfinger
My probationary period is up at work, so I had my three-month review on Thursday. It went really well! It was with my boss, Julie, and one of the Directors, Elizabeth. Elizabeth said that they were 'thrilled' with me, and would be 'delighted if I were to accept their offer to be made a permanent staff member'. Delighted? Ah, yes! Hurrah! She also said that they 'couldn't imagine the place without me' because of all the 'positive changes' I've made and how much more efficient I've made Admin. Did I look like a beetroot? Yes. Did I have a sore face from smiling so much? Yes. Was I positively elated when I heard I was up for a raise? Of course I was. Hooray!
That's all :D
- Mood:
happy
We had our James Bond themed staff party on Saturday night. I was supposed to go with my cousin, but he was sick so my auntie came with me instead. I finally found a dress to wear (the day before the event, I might add. Cutting it close? Who, me?). It's the best dress. Red, kinda floaty, knee-length. Wore it with black strappy shoes, a black shawl-y/wrap thing, some earrings, a necklace, and my hair was curly. (How girly am I right now?) Also, seeings as I was one of only two people in red, I kinda stood out. How embarrassing. Everyone scrubbed up really nice. I have some photos, but they're on my work computer. Will have to put them up tomorrow.
The food was really good, the band was great, the view was AMAZING (being 89 storeys in the air, how could it be anything else?!), and the company was top notch. There was a game being played at the MCG (Hawks and Kangaroos), and from where we were, Level 89, Eureka Tower, we could see right in to the stadium. It was so weird seeing it from that high... everyone looked like fleas!
Apart from that night, the rest of the last few weeks has been pretty boring/uneventful. I'm still enjoying work, although not so much the fact that because I haven't been there a full three months yet (only 2 weeks off!) I don't get paid sick leave. And I've been sick for a total of four days in the time I've worked there. Oy.
In other news, I haven't done any writing :( I've put the story I was writing on the backburner and am planning on writing something a bit different. Not sure yet, just want to start and see where it takes me. That's how I write. Or how I roll, depending on who you ask. I start with a tiny germ of an idea, and before you know it, I'm starting my own penicillin factory. I discovered with the last story I started that I don't do well with planning. I'm not one of those people who can sit down and plan a whole novel from beginning to end. I'm lucky if I know how the first chapter is going to end. I never know where the story is going to take me. I start off with a sentence, or a theme, or a character, get into the zone and start writing. I can't sit down and plan out characters and storylines and major events. I do all that as I go along. That makes it a bit difficult at times, but I have more fun that way. People ask me what my story is about, and I answer 'I have no idea'. Because I don't. Not until I write the words
The End.
- Location:home
- Mood:
lethargic
I'm still alive!
Guess what else?
I got all my hair chopped off! Well, most of it. I think I like it. Wanted it a bit longer, but put some scissors in a hairdresser's hands and say 'go for it', what more can you expect?
How is everyone? I feel so happy and energetic and vibrant tonight! I'm not sure why, but it's probably to do with the fact that I have a bouncy hair style. It's rubbing off on my mood. Not that I'm complaining. Not at all.
Pretty bored though. Just called my friend Megan and asked if she wanted to come over, so I'm going to pick her up at 11 and we're gonna watch some movies and veg. Tomorrow she wants me to go with her so she can buy a coat. Should be interesting.
Anywho, here are some photos I took with my brother just before. Hope you like the new hair! :)
xox
- Location:home
- Mood:
bouncy - Music:Eurythmics
(most of) These are so true it's scary! And rather funny...
YOU KNOW YOU'RE AN AUSSIE WHEN....
1. You're familiar with Neighbours, Home and Away, Playschool, A Country Practice, Norman Gunston, Barry Humphries, Blue Heelers, Ray Martin, Bert Newton, Lisa McCune, Jon Burgess, Number 96, Molly Meldrum, Kerry O'Brien, and of course, Kerry Packer and Rupert Murdoch.
2. You know that Burger King doesn't exist. It's Hungry Jacks.
3. You know that snow is a memorable and freakish occurrence. Sometimes it's even fake.
4. You know the difference between thongs and a G-banger
5. You know that "stubbies" are either short shorts or small beer bottles, a "gimp", "bogan" or "geezer" is a random idiot, someone in trouble is in "strife" and you're liable to burst out laughing whenever you hear of Americans "rooting" for something.
4. You know how to abbreviate every word, all of which usually end in -o: arvo, combo, garbo, kero, lezzo, metho, milko, muso, rego, servo, smoko, speedo, righto etc.
5. You know that some ppl pronounce "Australia" like "Straya" and that's ok.
6. You know that there is a universal place called "woop woop" located in the middle of nowhere... no matter where you actually are.
7. You know that while we call our friends 'mates', we don't use terms like 'shiela' and 'shrimp on the barbie', contrary to popular belief.
8. You know that none of us actually drink Fosters beer because it tastes like shit. But we let the world think we do. Because we can.
9. You know that if a man has sex with another man, he's a homosexual, and (until recently), a criminal in Tasmania
10. You resent people who succeed over others- everyone should do the same thing, so we all get a "fair go"; a kind of 'American-dream' in reverse. This is why we actively like not liking Americans.
11. You've seen Gallipoli, Crocodile Dundee, Young Einstein, Muriel's Wedding, The Castle, Beneath Clouds, Strictly Ballroom, 40,000 Horsemen, and maybe even Wolf Creek.
12. It makes you happy when someone in Hollywood is actually Australian... Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, Russle Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Baz Luhrman, Elle MacPherson, Olivia Newton-John, Midnight Oil, ACDC, INXS, Greg Norman, Cathy Freeman, Dawn Fraser, Pat Rafter, Ian Thorpe...
13. One word: Skippy.
14. You know that Sydney 2000 was one of our proudest moments in history. We just fucking rock.
15. You know that you are not going to die of cholera or other Third World diseases (remote Aboriginal communities are a different matter)
16. You know our country has never been conquered by a foreign nation (you don't count 1788).
17. We know that the Metric system will always be better than anything inches, feet, pounds and farenheit will ever offer
18. You drive on the left-hand side of the road.
19. If you're a pedestrian and cars are stopped at a red light, you will fearlessly cross the street in front of them. 'Hit and runs' just aren't cricket. Because aussies stick together.
20. You think of Australia as being somewhat out of place within the Asia-Pacific region; surrounded by unstable ex-colonial nations who regard you as racist, imperialist, and unfairly wealthy.
21. You know that New Zealanders are basically our naive country cousins, who have a weird fush-and-chups accent, and for some bizzare reason, think that they invented pavlova. Bastards. They are to be pitied and laughed at. They have no hope of gaining the upper hand in the endless sporting rivalry between our two nations.
22. You know that you can't eat Fantales alone... Otherwise who will you play the 'Who am I...' game with when you're reading the wrapper?
>>>>23. You know that Melbourne should be the capital because Canberra is a hole.<<<
24. You know that Americans think we're all Steve Irwin clones. And crickey, they couldn't be more wrong.
25. You know that Lawyers wear wigs and gowns. And we make it look good.
26. You have some time in your life slept with Aeroguard on in the summer. Maybe even as perfume.
27. You feel obliged to spread salty black stuff that looks like congealed motor oil on bread... and actually grow to like it. You've also squeeze Vegemite through Vita Wheats to make little Vegemite worms.
28. You believe that democracy means the freedom to draw caricatures of good ol' Johnny Howard
29. You think footballers dressing up in drag on TV is funny (but your son being gay isn't).
30. You have the ability to compress several words into one - ie 'g'day' and 'd'reckn?'. This allows more space for profanities.
31. You've ever used the words - tops, ripper, sick, mad, rad, sweet - to mean good. And then you place 'bloody' in front of it when you REALLY mean it.
32. You know that the barbeque is a political arena; the person holding the tongs is always the boss and usually a man. And the women make the salad.
33. The private lives of footy and cricket players become more important than local and national news stories.
34. You say 'no worries' quite often, whether you realise it or not.
35. You know what fairy bread tastes like, and you can't imagine your childhood without it.
36. You know the first verse to the national anthem, but still don't know what "girt" means. And you're ok with that.
37. You've drank your tea/coffee/milo through a tim tam.
38. You know that backyard cricket is a nice way to bond with family and the rubbish bin. And the 'one bounce, one hand' rule always applies.
39. You know that we are home to the just about all of the world's deadliest of animals. That's why if anybody messes with us we'll get some funnel webs on their arses.
40. You see people walking bare-foot on the sidewalk and don't scorn.... because you're doing it too.
41. You know what trop-fest is and it makes you happy.
42. Sausage rolls and meat pies. End of story.
43. You firmly believe that in the end, everything will be ok and have offered advice that included the words, "she'll be right, mate".
44. You have a story that somehow involves an excessive consumption of goon... but you can't remember.
45. You own a Bond's chesty. In several different colours.
46. You've ordered a steak the size as your head and only paid $5 at your local RSL
47. You know that Italy should never have been granted that fateful kick in the 2006 Soccer World Cup.
48. You know how to slip, slop, slap like it's nobody's business.
49. You've heard the Prime Minister dismiss anyone who disagrees with him simply as 'un-Australian', and that's enough to make us sit down and shut up.
50. You know that the value of a public holiday is measured in terms of alchohol. God bless the queen and her 4-day birthday
51. You know that saying 'The other day' could mean any time from yesterday to a year ago, and that 'a few ks down the road' could be next door, or Cairns.
- Location:home
- Mood:
tired
Love you all, and can't wait to talk to you again. It's been too long!
This Friday night I'll be online (hopefully). I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Have a great week guys, catch up soon
xox
- Location:bed
- Mood:
sleepy
Here are some points about my new job:
Answering the phones, transferring people, paging through the office and just being at reception in general scares the shit out of me. And I have to relieve reception every morning, and three days a week during lunch! *cry*
I have 13 paper cuts.
I have a really good boss, really good workmates, and the Directors of the company are fantastic. Well, Dominic is, I haven't met George yet.
The last two days have flown by.
Everyone is REALLY nice, and they're making me feel really welcome.
People keep coming up to me and using my name, when I only know about 4 people :P It's weird that they know me but I don't know them. But, 90 people is a lot of people to remember. Especially when I handle all of their job accounts and don't know their names/initials for the project files. Oh well, they know it's not my fault :P
MEN ARE SO DIRTY! The kitchen upstairs is always so grotty. There are only about 4 women on the 5th floor, in amongst something like 50 or 60 men. Poor things.
I'm picking things up really quickly (at least I hope I am)
I HATE public transport.
Everyone calls me 'The New Natasha'... I think I might get it printed on a badge...
They do Friday night drinks at a pub around the corner that does $3 spirits, and $1 champagne.
At the end of the month they have a pizza and drinks night... and all new people have to get up and talk about their life so far :\
I think I love this job :) Well, parts of it :P I loathe reception. But it'll grow on me I'm sure. It's really weird, cos I feel like I've worked there for ages. Aside from the fact that there are things I'm still learning. And Julie, my boss, said the same thing to me today. She feels like it's been way more than two days. TWO DAYS?! Is that it? Yeesh.
PS. hehe, I bought some pens today, and they have Lubriglide ink
- Location:home
- Mood:
tired
