So, I'll just be honest here, I make $19.25 an hour working as a temp for one of my jobs (Employer A) through the agency. I know it looks like a lot to people back at home where a job paying $10 is like the holy grail right now, but here in Australia, $19.25 is like making minimum wage.
To draw a few comparisons, Employer A pays me $19.25 to audit their account records, liaise with clients, organize their records, edit articles, write content for their website, sell products, code up content for the website, check invoices, file order forms, and keep the manager organized (cause she kind of needs it). Employer B (my other job) pays me $25 an hour to make contact sheets of potential clients, random editing, print things, stuff envelopes and occasionally make something creative for marketing. I do arguably 10x more work for Employer A than Employer B.
Furthermore, I've been working for Employer A a total of six months while Employer B has only had me for three. For Employer A, I actually fill a real vacant position; for Employer B, I really just pick up the odds and ends around the office.
Why the huge pay difference?
Considering that I've been doing SO MUCH work for Employer A and have even got them credited $8,000 because I have such a great eye for detail (at work, I should add--not blogging), I really felt I deserved more money than that. Not to mention, my manager was saying I should be paid more too and was urging me to get the agency to increase my pay (unfortunately it's not her decision or else I'd be hired permanently).
So I called the agency to tell them I want a raise and what I found out kind of made me sick. They said that on Wednesday, they called the director at Employer A who oversees my department and whom I've work closely with on many projects, and when they told her that the federal award for clerical work has been increased to $20 an hour (meaning that's the new minimum wage for my kind of position), the director tried to argue with them. Not matter what the agency said about it not being an option but a federal law, she still wouldn't accept the increase. She even asked the agency to find someone else who would work at $19.25!! For a company the size of Employer A (a rather large international one), there is no reason why they can't swallow 75cents to keep a loyal, hardworking, over-qualified and under-paid person to do a job they really need a permanent employee to fill.
I'm seriously so insulted. I work so damn hard there because they are so understaffed and ridiculously disorganized and there is absolutely no thanks. Despite all of my hard work and the fact that I'm actually bringing money back to the department (pretty much the only one really), they're willing to just ditch me over 75cents!!
With my visa situation, it's so hard to get good work to begin with and just as hard to find a temp position for more than one day a week and lasting more than two weeks. Even harder to find an employer that shows you any kind of appreciation, is professional, or isn't a hostile work environment.So do I quit and wait for something to pay me better even though it may take months? Do I stay because at least it's some work even though I secretly know my hard work is worth less than a dollar to them? Or do I quit temping all together and just go look for something else that may have me working nights and weekends, or worse, I never get a response to my application like everywhere else?
I feel like I just can't get a break in Sydney. I have had nothing but problems with work the entire year I've been here. I just want to work some place where people care about their job, about their employees and about their clients. I want to work some place where I feel valued and where I actually enjoy working.
I don't know what to do. I guess I just get my resume ready and hope it doesn't take too long to find a real solution.
Showing posts with label temp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label temp. Show all posts
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
#506
Where has the time gone and how did I get to 506 posts so quickly? Too bad I missed the big 500... I just realized today how far a long I've gotten. I guess I'll have to wait until 1,000 to make a big deal of it.
This week has been a big ol' rollercoaster of happiness and sadness.
Monday we were approved for an apartment--a too small but cute apartment. We were elated but after crunching the numbers, we realized we really don't have enough money to move which is kind of a bummer cause the mold is creeping back (this week on shoes, the wall and Jeremy suit pants). We thought that bond transfers were normal but apparently this is not the case and LJ Hooker refused to work with Raine and Horne to transfer our bond. That was the kicker for us. Having to front up 4 weeks rent plus 4 weeks bond in cash is hard to do. We decided that it's better to live with the mold a little longer than to just squeeze by.
However, immediately after informing the agency that we won't be taken the place (they were super perturbed that we asked so many questions--don't think we can apply there anymore), I found out that the big domain name project I've been working on for months has finally been resolved with a $8,000 credit to the company all because of my attention to detail and perseverance. I have been working on this for four months and it's been the most disgustingly frustrating job on earth. I've been over my head in account records, invoices and spreadsheets. I nearly lost it a few times and once had to go take a walk because the third party supplier I was working with was being so uncooperative. But we got there--I got there--and now the director of my division is so happy that she's taken me out to lunch next week! Seriously, I really needed that. I really needed to know I was appreciated and actually accomplishing something.
But Tuesday brought more disappointment. Yet again, I was attacked at work for being an American. I was busy talking with one of the web developers about a new site we are launching soon when this shmoozy guy comes up and interrupts to brag about his stupid new iPad. He didn't even say excuse me! And then, completely unprovoked and off topic, he starts laying in to me about how American-centric our newspapers are, telling me none of them are good, and that we all want to be like Canadians because they're almost British and therefore better. He also thought it was appropriate to inform me that America is the only former colony to not join the Common Wealth (which is actually incorrect)--oh, and he informed me that this is because we see it as empirialistic and hate the monarchy. WTF? All of this time I hadn't said anything in retaliation but at that I politely informed him that the US had nearly 200 years of independence under it's belt by the time the Common Wealth was formed and any ties to England were long severed--there was no reason to join. But of course logic is beyond the capabilities of yet another Australian and he continued to try and draw me into an argument. I had to just walk away which he yelled something about the Tea Party back at me.
I don't know what to say. How can anyone believe this is appropriate office conversation? And why pick on me because I'm an American?? You know, in all my time at home, I never heard anyone ever make fun of Australians or Brits. Why is it so acceptable here to hate Americans? This is not the first time I've encountered an overly patriotic idiot hell bent on fighting with Americans.
The universe compensated me though for the berating I withstood, and Tuesday afternoon I found out that I finally have a case officer to oversee my visa application! This is a very good sign that I'm getting closer. Hopefully I'll be able to make contact with her this coming week and get this thing moving along!
Wednesday was yet another disappointing day at work. My team has been recently reduced to two people (excluding myself) and one of them is so unpleasant. She's an Iranian girl who has nothing nice to say to me--ever. She scowls at everything I say, rolls her eyes whenever I ask for her help and likes to lecture me on everything from how I do my hair to how to lose weight. Seriously, she is pissing me off. Unfortunately, she was invited along with some other developers to my lunch with the director, who asked for our restaurant suggestions. I suggested a Persian (Iranian) place down the street along with some other lovely places with goo reviews and she came over to yell at me and berate me for suggesting those places! And no matter how many times I asked her what her suggestion was, she had none. Only insults for me. I just wanted to throw my shoe at her. I reached out to Facebook for suggestions so I'll do the same here: what do you do to disengage hostile people at work?
Thursday was hardly better. I was at my other job in North Sydney and the whole office went out to get lunch and say good bye to one of the sales reps who's leaving. I wasn't invited though--they asked me to stay and answer the phones. Fine, I'm the temp, right? I'll stay and answer the phones but they could have at least apologized for making me do that or offered to bring me back something! I've been working there since March now... It's really hard to feel like part of the team and then be showed your not. I really felt like crying but decided I wasn't going to waste my tears on them. To add insult though, the receptionist locked her computer when she left so I had to sit there and do nothing--absolutely nothing--for over an hour until they came back. And you know how many phone calls we got? 0.
Today has been better. I went out and bought some slippers and some more flannel pajamas (I found them on sale at Myer--Australia's Macy's equivalent--for $10). I also picked up a can of pumpkin pie mix at my super secret American candy supplier in the city. It's been FREEZING here! Just the other night we had the lowest recorded temperature in Sydney in over 40 years! So flannel pjs and pumpkin pie sounds really good to me right now.
Sunday is the 4th of July and Jeremy and I will be celebrating at Hart's Pub in The Rocks. If you're an American in Sydney and needing a piece of home, for one day only, this is the place to be! Philly cheese steaks, pulled pork sandwiches, BBQ wings, and chilli cheese fries! Oh, and don't forget apple pie! I can't wait to get a piece of home--oh how I miss it everyday!!
So things are looking up for the weekend. I have high hopes that I can overcome this week's disappointments and maybe--just maybe!--start next week off on the right foot.
Happy Independence Day everyone!!
This week has been a big ol' rollercoaster of happiness and sadness.
Monday we were approved for an apartment--a too small but cute apartment. We were elated but after crunching the numbers, we realized we really don't have enough money to move which is kind of a bummer cause the mold is creeping back (this week on shoes, the wall and Jeremy suit pants). We thought that bond transfers were normal but apparently this is not the case and LJ Hooker refused to work with Raine and Horne to transfer our bond. That was the kicker for us. Having to front up 4 weeks rent plus 4 weeks bond in cash is hard to do. We decided that it's better to live with the mold a little longer than to just squeeze by.
However, immediately after informing the agency that we won't be taken the place (they were super perturbed that we asked so many questions--don't think we can apply there anymore), I found out that the big domain name project I've been working on for months has finally been resolved with a $8,000 credit to the company all because of my attention to detail and perseverance. I have been working on this for four months and it's been the most disgustingly frustrating job on earth. I've been over my head in account records, invoices and spreadsheets. I nearly lost it a few times and once had to go take a walk because the third party supplier I was working with was being so uncooperative. But we got there--I got there--and now the director of my division is so happy that she's taken me out to lunch next week! Seriously, I really needed that. I really needed to know I was appreciated and actually accomplishing something.
But Tuesday brought more disappointment. Yet again, I was attacked at work for being an American. I was busy talking with one of the web developers about a new site we are launching soon when this shmoozy guy comes up and interrupts to brag about his stupid new iPad. He didn't even say excuse me! And then, completely unprovoked and off topic, he starts laying in to me about how American-centric our newspapers are, telling me none of them are good, and that we all want to be like Canadians because they're almost British and therefore better. He also thought it was appropriate to inform me that America is the only former colony to not join the Common Wealth (which is actually incorrect)--oh, and he informed me that this is because we see it as empirialistic and hate the monarchy. WTF? All of this time I hadn't said anything in retaliation but at that I politely informed him that the US had nearly 200 years of independence under it's belt by the time the Common Wealth was formed and any ties to England were long severed--there was no reason to join. But of course logic is beyond the capabilities of yet another Australian and he continued to try and draw me into an argument. I had to just walk away which he yelled something about the Tea Party back at me.
I don't know what to say. How can anyone believe this is appropriate office conversation? And why pick on me because I'm an American?? You know, in all my time at home, I never heard anyone ever make fun of Australians or Brits. Why is it so acceptable here to hate Americans? This is not the first time I've encountered an overly patriotic idiot hell bent on fighting with Americans.
The universe compensated me though for the berating I withstood, and Tuesday afternoon I found out that I finally have a case officer to oversee my visa application! This is a very good sign that I'm getting closer. Hopefully I'll be able to make contact with her this coming week and get this thing moving along!
Wednesday was yet another disappointing day at work. My team has been recently reduced to two people (excluding myself) and one of them is so unpleasant. She's an Iranian girl who has nothing nice to say to me--ever. She scowls at everything I say, rolls her eyes whenever I ask for her help and likes to lecture me on everything from how I do my hair to how to lose weight. Seriously, she is pissing me off. Unfortunately, she was invited along with some other developers to my lunch with the director, who asked for our restaurant suggestions. I suggested a Persian (Iranian) place down the street along with some other lovely places with goo reviews and she came over to yell at me and berate me for suggesting those places! And no matter how many times I asked her what her suggestion was, she had none. Only insults for me. I just wanted to throw my shoe at her. I reached out to Facebook for suggestions so I'll do the same here: what do you do to disengage hostile people at work?
Thursday was hardly better. I was at my other job in North Sydney and the whole office went out to get lunch and say good bye to one of the sales reps who's leaving. I wasn't invited though--they asked me to stay and answer the phones. Fine, I'm the temp, right? I'll stay and answer the phones but they could have at least apologized for making me do that or offered to bring me back something! I've been working there since March now... It's really hard to feel like part of the team and then be showed your not. I really felt like crying but decided I wasn't going to waste my tears on them. To add insult though, the receptionist locked her computer when she left so I had to sit there and do nothing--absolutely nothing--for over an hour until they came back. And you know how many phone calls we got? 0.
Today has been better. I went out and bought some slippers and some more flannel pajamas (I found them on sale at Myer--Australia's Macy's equivalent--for $10). I also picked up a can of pumpkin pie mix at my super secret American candy supplier in the city. It's been FREEZING here! Just the other night we had the lowest recorded temperature in Sydney in over 40 years! So flannel pjs and pumpkin pie sounds really good to me right now.
Sunday is the 4th of July and Jeremy and I will be celebrating at Hart's Pub in The Rocks. If you're an American in Sydney and needing a piece of home, for one day only, this is the place to be! Philly cheese steaks, pulled pork sandwiches, BBQ wings, and chilli cheese fries! Oh, and don't forget apple pie! I can't wait to get a piece of home--oh how I miss it everyday!!
So things are looking up for the weekend. I have high hopes that I can overcome this week's disappointments and maybe--just maybe!--start next week off on the right foot.
Happy Independence Day everyone!!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
As I was saying...
Okay, I'm going to get back to what I was saying before the giant cockroach attacked me.
Korea
I think it's fairly obvious and well known now that I haven't been the happiest camper here in Australia. Heat + No Friends + No Possessions + No Family + COCKROACHES + Expenses + No Suitable Job = Misery. Jeremy isn't quite the happiest camper either so a couple months ago we started giving some pretty serious thought to going back to Korea and we started looking for jobs. We eventually found one too but the start date wasn't until late May which meant we would have to hang around here for at least a month after my Working Holiday visa expired (which really isn't such a good option for me). Anyway, to make a long story short, we found out a few things (which I shall not disclose in such a public forum) and ultimately decided that we wouldn't be going afterall which makes me a little bit sad.
I really miss Korea. I miss the ajumas with 50 lb kids on their backs. I miss friendly kids who like to have their pictures taken. I miss students who make me laugh. I miss the delicious food and I miss the cheap accomodation. I miss traveling and I miss having friends. And I miss meeting random people who instantly become your friends! Actually, I miss all things random. I miss being surprised by life. Sydney, to me, seems like such a gaurded place... Life was simpler in Korea and I really wish I could have that back.
But for the forseeable future, we'll be remaining in Sydney. Seriously, I welcome visitors. Please. Visit me.
Visas
And on that topic, since we aren't going to Korea and will be staying in here instead, we submitted our partner visa application on Wednesday! I can't believe it has taken us so long to get all of that information together! Wow. I started this back in September and seriously, some things took months to get. Now, I'm a multi-tasker of the Multi-tasking Jedi Order and when I say there was no way to get this done quicker, I mean it. For instance, the FBI background check took 1.5 months. The South Korean background check took 1 month. The Soap Lake PD background check took an obscene 3 months because the idiot police chief refused to answer the phone when an unavailable number came up (my solution was to place calls back to back for 20 minutes until he was annoyed enough to pick up the phone). Jeremy (bless him!) is slow as sludge when it comes to getting things done. He's thourough but slow. It took him a couple months to finally finish his personal statement (you have no idea how much nagging has gone down in this place). And of course, there were a million other little things that just took time. To say the least, getting that binder off my coffee table was literally removing a huge weight from my chest.
So what now? I will go on to a bridging visa soon (maybe this week) which is just an automatic thing that happens when you're inbetween visas (obviously--bridging?) and then I have to do a health check on the 20th and wait for those results to be submitted. Let's hope the health check goes better than the last one and that the Australian immigration department processes it faster (we are paying $2,525 for it after all). Once that's approved (hopefully in a month from now but I'm being optimistic), I'll be granted my partner visa and given free healthcare! ACE! Just kidding... Sort of. No, I'll also have full working rights, lower taxes (working holiday visa holders are taxed a flat 30%), residency, and health care options. Right now, my only health care option is cash which isn't so bad since costs are kept low here but I'm looking forward to life where you don't have to worry about accidents...
Temping
I have been so lucky this week with work! I finished Wesley Private Hospital a couple weeks ago and spent a week on my own at home doing nothing, which I know you all think that sounds great but it isn't. Really. Nine hours of Facebook kills brain cells. So, I hope you can imagine my excitement when I got a call to do two days at Thomson Reuters for my old boss Alysia! It was wonderful to be back. I really missed everyone there, not to mention I missed eating lunch with Jeremy. And on Tuesday I got another job offer to do some work as a marketing assistant in Artarman (north Sydney) one day a week for a month! It's just Fridays but I love that I can actually use my brain and publishing skills in this job and no matter how short it is, it's still a great experience and an amazing opportunity to beef up the professional side of my resume. And, I get to go back to Thomson next week for three more days of work! It's so exciting to think that I'll be getting four days of work next week! This hasn't happened in months! My paycheck should be good. :)
Paychecks
And, thinking of paychecks, Jeremy got his annual bonus this week which was nearly 3x's more than he was expecting so hopefully that plus our left over visa savings will be enough to fly us home this summer!
Photography
Well, my meeting with Crown Catering was cancelled because the owner got sick and couldn't make it, so I haven't been paid yet and they haven't received their photos. I'm anxious to finalized this deal though because my camera could really use the pick-me-up. I've been seriously debating what I should buy with the money I've made--thoughts? It's a toss up between an external flash, a macro lens, and mid-length lens (mine's broken), or a new camera bag and tripod. Honestly, I need all of those things but the money isn't good enough to cover more than one (other than the bag/tripod combo). I'm definitely getting to the point where I need a new camera all together which also has me thinking about putting all of the money towards it. What I want is an Olympus E-3 but it'll take me a while before I can afford it. It's about $2,000+ in Australia... My current camera, the Olympus E-500, has been good but is starting to fail me in quality and I'm finding it's becoming less and less versatile as it's brothers and sisters keep getting more and more advanced. If you're reading this and you're a camera junky or maybe struggled with this once before too, I'd like your input. As for when this whole photo/paycheck thing is going to happen, I'm hoping for Monday. I'll keep you posted.
Korea
I think it's fairly obvious and well known now that I haven't been the happiest camper here in Australia. Heat + No Friends + No Possessions + No Family + COCKROACHES + Expenses + No Suitable Job = Misery. Jeremy isn't quite the happiest camper either so a couple months ago we started giving some pretty serious thought to going back to Korea and we started looking for jobs. We eventually found one too but the start date wasn't until late May which meant we would have to hang around here for at least a month after my Working Holiday visa expired (which really isn't such a good option for me). Anyway, to make a long story short, we found out a few things (which I shall not disclose in such a public forum) and ultimately decided that we wouldn't be going afterall which makes me a little bit sad.
I really miss Korea. I miss the ajumas with 50 lb kids on their backs. I miss friendly kids who like to have their pictures taken. I miss students who make me laugh. I miss the delicious food and I miss the cheap accomodation. I miss traveling and I miss having friends. And I miss meeting random people who instantly become your friends! Actually, I miss all things random. I miss being surprised by life. Sydney, to me, seems like such a gaurded place... Life was simpler in Korea and I really wish I could have that back.
But for the forseeable future, we'll be remaining in Sydney. Seriously, I welcome visitors. Please. Visit me.
Visas
And on that topic, since we aren't going to Korea and will be staying in here instead, we submitted our partner visa application on Wednesday! I can't believe it has taken us so long to get all of that information together! Wow. I started this back in September and seriously, some things took months to get. Now, I'm a multi-tasker of the Multi-tasking Jedi Order and when I say there was no way to get this done quicker, I mean it. For instance, the FBI background check took 1.5 months. The South Korean background check took 1 month. The Soap Lake PD background check took an obscene 3 months because the idiot police chief refused to answer the phone when an unavailable number came up (my solution was to place calls back to back for 20 minutes until he was annoyed enough to pick up the phone). Jeremy (bless him!) is slow as sludge when it comes to getting things done. He's thourough but slow. It took him a couple months to finally finish his personal statement (you have no idea how much nagging has gone down in this place). And of course, there were a million other little things that just took time. To say the least, getting that binder off my coffee table was literally removing a huge weight from my chest.
So what now? I will go on to a bridging visa soon (maybe this week) which is just an automatic thing that happens when you're inbetween visas (obviously--bridging?) and then I have to do a health check on the 20th and wait for those results to be submitted. Let's hope the health check goes better than the last one and that the Australian immigration department processes it faster (we are paying $2,525 for it after all). Once that's approved (hopefully in a month from now but I'm being optimistic), I'll be granted my partner visa and given free healthcare! ACE! Just kidding... Sort of. No, I'll also have full working rights, lower taxes (working holiday visa holders are taxed a flat 30%), residency, and health care options. Right now, my only health care option is cash which isn't so bad since costs are kept low here but I'm looking forward to life where you don't have to worry about accidents...
Temping
I have been so lucky this week with work! I finished Wesley Private Hospital a couple weeks ago and spent a week on my own at home doing nothing, which I know you all think that sounds great but it isn't. Really. Nine hours of Facebook kills brain cells. So, I hope you can imagine my excitement when I got a call to do two days at Thomson Reuters for my old boss Alysia! It was wonderful to be back. I really missed everyone there, not to mention I missed eating lunch with Jeremy. And on Tuesday I got another job offer to do some work as a marketing assistant in Artarman (north Sydney) one day a week for a month! It's just Fridays but I love that I can actually use my brain and publishing skills in this job and no matter how short it is, it's still a great experience and an amazing opportunity to beef up the professional side of my resume. And, I get to go back to Thomson next week for three more days of work! It's so exciting to think that I'll be getting four days of work next week! This hasn't happened in months! My paycheck should be good. :)
Paychecks
And, thinking of paychecks, Jeremy got his annual bonus this week which was nearly 3x's more than he was expecting so hopefully that plus our left over visa savings will be enough to fly us home this summer!
Photography
Well, my meeting with Crown Catering was cancelled because the owner got sick and couldn't make it, so I haven't been paid yet and they haven't received their photos. I'm anxious to finalized this deal though because my camera could really use the pick-me-up. I've been seriously debating what I should buy with the money I've made--thoughts? It's a toss up between an external flash, a macro lens, and mid-length lens (mine's broken), or a new camera bag and tripod. Honestly, I need all of those things but the money isn't good enough to cover more than one (other than the bag/tripod combo). I'm definitely getting to the point where I need a new camera all together which also has me thinking about putting all of the money towards it. What I want is an Olympus E-3 but it'll take me a while before I can afford it. It's about $2,000+ in Australia... My current camera, the Olympus E-500, has been good but is starting to fail me in quality and I'm finding it's becoming less and less versatile as it's brothers and sisters keep getting more and more advanced. If you're reading this and you're a camera junky or maybe struggled with this once before too, I'd like your input. As for when this whole photo/paycheck thing is going to happen, I'm hoping for Monday. I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
World's Laziest Blogger?
Once again, not much to blog about. Christmas is just around the corner though which means Jeremy's parents will be here soon and then I'll have a bit more to blog.
However, if you're desperate for some good reading, I suggest you read this post from a fellow blogger: Monkey Business (for real).
I also suggest you visit this site and read/watch/view the most beautiful photo book that I've ever seen. It'll probably make you cry just as I did but I'm sure you'll be happy for the experience: Days with my Father.
I should also mention that I got a haircut this weekend and that last week I started a second temp job in addition to my current one at Thomson Reuters. It's okay but nothing too exciting. I'm working as an admin assistant for the NSW Nurses Association (a labor union). It's not really too interesting except that there's one lady in the office who likes to play loud 50Cent music and swear at people. The other day, she was calling someone a bitch out loud for everyone to hear. It seems that most people don't mind this sort of language in the work place. Maybe the aggression is just a perk that comes with the job. I'm not sure. It makes me a bit uncomfortable.
Perhaps that's another thing about Australia that you really wouldn't expect but would notice within the first month here: people generally say whatever they want to. Like that lady. Or like another lady at the University of Sydney gym. I went in to buy a pool membership and ended up spending a bit of time on the phone with Jeremy because we needed to discuss some of the cancellation clauses and auto-debit fees. Anyway, while we were on the phone, the manager got right in my face, pointed her finger at me and mouthed, "That's rude!" I was shocked. I still can't understand why she would have behaved like that. It's not like I was holding up a line or anything. I guess when in Rome, do as the Romans. So I gave her a verbal whipping as I hung up the phone and tore up the agreement. What she did was rude and unnecessary and consequently lost my business.
So, there you go. A bit of a story for your day. But really, I'll try to blog something more this week. And post pictures--maybe tomorrow? Good night, Blogland!
However, if you're desperate for some good reading, I suggest you read this post from a fellow blogger: Monkey Business (for real).
I also suggest you visit this site and read/watch/view the most beautiful photo book that I've ever seen. It'll probably make you cry just as I did but I'm sure you'll be happy for the experience: Days with my Father.
I should also mention that I got a haircut this weekend and that last week I started a second temp job in addition to my current one at Thomson Reuters. It's okay but nothing too exciting. I'm working as an admin assistant for the NSW Nurses Association (a labor union). It's not really too interesting except that there's one lady in the office who likes to play loud 50Cent music and swear at people. The other day, she was calling someone a bitch out loud for everyone to hear. It seems that most people don't mind this sort of language in the work place. Maybe the aggression is just a perk that comes with the job. I'm not sure. It makes me a bit uncomfortable.
Perhaps that's another thing about Australia that you really wouldn't expect but would notice within the first month here: people generally say whatever they want to. Like that lady. Or like another lady at the University of Sydney gym. I went in to buy a pool membership and ended up spending a bit of time on the phone with Jeremy because we needed to discuss some of the cancellation clauses and auto-debit fees. Anyway, while we were on the phone, the manager got right in my face, pointed her finger at me and mouthed, "That's rude!" I was shocked. I still can't understand why she would have behaved like that. It's not like I was holding up a line or anything. I guess when in Rome, do as the Romans. So I gave her a verbal whipping as I hung up the phone and tore up the agreement. What she did was rude and unnecessary and consequently lost my business.
So, there you go. A bit of a story for your day. But really, I'll try to blog something more this week. And post pictures--maybe tomorrow? Good night, Blogland!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Exhausted
I don't have much energy to write this week. It was a busy, busy weekend as we had our house warming party (which went super well). We had about 10 people over in all; we drank wine, showed our travel photos, ate delicious appetizers made by your's truly (salmon, feta, basil, and grapes on a baguette slice--yum!), and really just enjoyed having friends over. Oh, and we also enjoyed having a SUPER clean house! Wow! One of those: "I had no idea all of this was under all of that!" kind of moments...
Among our 10 friend was a new couple of friends (Matt and Lisa) whom we met at a birthday party the weekend before. They were teachers in Japan a few years back so we hit it off right away talking about all our teaching experiences (Matt and Lisa met each other while teaching too). It really is so nice to have another couple to be friends with. I like all our single friends too but it's just nice in an unexplainable way.
The other cool thing about them is that Lisa works as a director for a local language college and wants me to do some photography for them! Apparently they are in great need of a new look for their school and publications so I may have some more stuff coming my way which is super exciting.
Other than that, I've just been busy working at Thomson Reuters again. Today I almost went nuts though trying to work with one of the website developers. It's really hard being in this position sometimes because I know zilch about web design/maintenance. I'm learning though and hopefully making myself an invaluable employee! I've been told that they want me there for atleast 4 weeks (which is good) but let's hope it's more. I think I like being there and it's nice working with/near Jeremy too.
Among our 10 friend was a new couple of friends (Matt and Lisa) whom we met at a birthday party the weekend before. They were teachers in Japan a few years back so we hit it off right away talking about all our teaching experiences (Matt and Lisa met each other while teaching too). It really is so nice to have another couple to be friends with. I like all our single friends too but it's just nice in an unexplainable way.
The other cool thing about them is that Lisa works as a director for a local language college and wants me to do some photography for them! Apparently they are in great need of a new look for their school and publications so I may have some more stuff coming my way which is super exciting.
Other than that, I've just been busy working at Thomson Reuters again. Today I almost went nuts though trying to work with one of the website developers. It's really hard being in this position sometimes because I know zilch about web design/maintenance. I'm learning though and hopefully making myself an invaluable employee! I've been told that they want me there for atleast 4 weeks (which is good) but let's hope it's more. I think I like being there and it's nice working with/near Jeremy too.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
You mean, it's not the end of the world?
Thanks for everyone's understanding and encouragement regarding my job at Mission Australia. I finished there yesterday and I am so glad to be gone. I don't know what to say except that I am sure, without a doubt, that this is the right decision for me.
There are lots of reasons adding that make me so confident in that decision. Some of it has to do with the professionalism and the personalities at work there, some of it has to do with the kind of work I was doing, but in the end the most confirming moment was on that last day's lunch break. I was talking with several people with whom I was working with and for the first time they really opened up about how they felt about their work--and everyone wanted to leave. When those still in the job look at you with a mix of excitement and jealousy about your future, that's not really a good sign. I don't think I need to rehash what they said but it was enough to confirm what I had already suspected.
But I'm gone now and they gave me such a wonderful going away party. I really didn't expect it and truly felt like I didn't deserve it but they showed me that even in my one week there, I had won their appreciation and respect and that friendships--however infantile--had been made. The bought me cupcakes, gave me a card and sent me emails to wish me luck in the pursuit of my dreams. There was so much grace in what they did. They could have easily been angry or bitter about the whole thing but they weren't. They were kind and loving and because I got that response, I feel even more confident in my decision. I really do feel like I did what was right and it seems that by putting some good integrity into the world, the world gave me a little love back.
After leaving work for the last time, I went on to have the most wonderful day I've had in weeks. I happend upon an amazing promotion by one of Sydney's celebrity-preferred salons which allows me to have a massage, a consultation, a coloring, and a cut by a senior stylist all for $140 (which oh my God, I need so bad--birthday money from Mom and Grandma at work here!), I found a cheap and intriguing book to pass the time with, and I met Jeremy and his co-workers in the park for some delicious Malaysian food at the Syndey Food Fesitval Night Noodle Market. And when we came home, I went to bed at 8:30 and got my first full night of sleep in weeks.
I feel relieved and happy again. I feel total peace about the whole thing and I really am excited about what's around the corner. I talked with the temp agency this morning too and it looks like Thomson Reuters is really excited to have me back (I was temping there before Mission Australia) and they want me to start on Friday this week. But not only that, they are also going to increase my work days from three to four per week which is good news too because we'll need the money.
I've also had some really great feed back from Sydney Tall Ships about the photos I did a couple weeks ago. They were so happy with them that they intend to use several of them on their website, publications and at their booth in Circular Quay (I'll give you a link when I know they are up) and they invited me back to do more photos and bring Jeremy along too. So, Sunday night we were off for a BBQ cruise just! It was really fun and so great to be out and enjoying the beautiful summer weather. This experience has given me lots of confidence and I feel prepared to really make an attempt of photography as a professional. Jeremy and I have been talking about it a bit and we've decided that until I get my new residency visa, I'll keep doing it for free. Once I'm a resident, I'll apply for a business number and make something happen. But I'm excited--really excited!--about seeing my real dreams happen!
And with regard to my visa, we're still drumming up background checks (there are a lot to be done). But I've got almost everyone of them in process at the moment and I'm getting the rest of my application done too. Since I don't start again at Thomson until Friday, I'll have tomorrow to clean and write my statement which will of course, be a joy.
Which also reminds me that this weekend we will be hosting our official house warming party. I wish you all could be there as I won't know more half of the people coming (they're Jeremy's friends) and there should be photos of that coming early next week.
As you can see, I'm busy and a lot of things are happening at the moment, but I feel like I've been freed and I'm extremely happy. And that's a very good thing.
There are lots of reasons adding that make me so confident in that decision. Some of it has to do with the professionalism and the personalities at work there, some of it has to do with the kind of work I was doing, but in the end the most confirming moment was on that last day's lunch break. I was talking with several people with whom I was working with and for the first time they really opened up about how they felt about their work--and everyone wanted to leave. When those still in the job look at you with a mix of excitement and jealousy about your future, that's not really a good sign. I don't think I need to rehash what they said but it was enough to confirm what I had already suspected.
But I'm gone now and they gave me such a wonderful going away party. I really didn't expect it and truly felt like I didn't deserve it but they showed me that even in my one week there, I had won their appreciation and respect and that friendships--however infantile--had been made. The bought me cupcakes, gave me a card and sent me emails to wish me luck in the pursuit of my dreams. There was so much grace in what they did. They could have easily been angry or bitter about the whole thing but they weren't. They were kind and loving and because I got that response, I feel even more confident in my decision. I really do feel like I did what was right and it seems that by putting some good integrity into the world, the world gave me a little love back.
After leaving work for the last time, I went on to have the most wonderful day I've had in weeks. I happend upon an amazing promotion by one of Sydney's celebrity-preferred salons which allows me to have a massage, a consultation, a coloring, and a cut by a senior stylist all for $140 (which oh my God, I need so bad--birthday money from Mom and Grandma at work here!), I found a cheap and intriguing book to pass the time with, and I met Jeremy and his co-workers in the park for some delicious Malaysian food at the Syndey Food Fesitval Night Noodle Market. And when we came home, I went to bed at 8:30 and got my first full night of sleep in weeks.
I feel relieved and happy again. I feel total peace about the whole thing and I really am excited about what's around the corner. I talked with the temp agency this morning too and it looks like Thomson Reuters is really excited to have me back (I was temping there before Mission Australia) and they want me to start on Friday this week. But not only that, they are also going to increase my work days from three to four per week which is good news too because we'll need the money.
I've also had some really great feed back from Sydney Tall Ships about the photos I did a couple weeks ago. They were so happy with them that they intend to use several of them on their website, publications and at their booth in Circular Quay (I'll give you a link when I know they are up) and they invited me back to do more photos and bring Jeremy along too. So, Sunday night we were off for a BBQ cruise just! It was really fun and so great to be out and enjoying the beautiful summer weather. This experience has given me lots of confidence and I feel prepared to really make an attempt of photography as a professional. Jeremy and I have been talking about it a bit and we've decided that until I get my new residency visa, I'll keep doing it for free. Once I'm a resident, I'll apply for a business number and make something happen. But I'm excited--really excited!--about seeing my real dreams happen!
And with regard to my visa, we're still drumming up background checks (there are a lot to be done). But I've got almost everyone of them in process at the moment and I'm getting the rest of my application done too. Since I don't start again at Thomson until Friday, I'll have tomorrow to clean and write my statement which will of course, be a joy.
Which also reminds me that this weekend we will be hosting our official house warming party. I wish you all could be there as I won't know more half of the people coming (they're Jeremy's friends) and there should be photos of that coming early next week.
As you can see, I'm busy and a lot of things are happening at the moment, but I feel like I've been freed and I'm extremely happy. And that's a very good thing.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The Confessions of a Mid-Night Blogger
It's 3 am here and I'm up and wide awake.
A lot happened this week which I don't care to go too much into detail about but to say the least, I made a mistake accepting the job at Mission Australia. It really wasn't the right job for me. I was fully aware of what the job entailed when I accepted but I knew after just one day in it that it really wasn't going to be a good fit. By the end of the week, I found myself crying in the bathroom and full of anxiety about being there and that was a good sign to me that no, this feeling wasn't really going to just go away and no, I shouldn't stay in a job where I have to steal away during my lunch break to cry in the bathroom. And when I was just about to leave for work Friday morning and couldn't stop crying because I felt so much unease about the job, I knew I would have to quit.
So I did. Thankfully, my temp agency has been understanding and my supervisor at Mission was understanding as well. I was really quite upset and worried that by quitting I would be destroying my working relationship with the temp agency as well as Mission's working relationship with the temp agency, but it appears that everyone came out of it unscathed and the temp agency still wants to place me in jobs--which I am grateful for. I'm quitting this job with nothing else lined up but in complete faith that there really is a better job for me out there.
Accepting the job had a lot to do with the building pressure to work full time, pay back Jeremy's parents, buy plane tickets to go home so I can see my grandma, and start contributing to our home expenses. It probably seems ludicrous to most people that I would quit a full time job when I have these things weighing on my mind and my bank account, but to me, the more immediate and important problem to solve was that I couldn't be happy in that role. In the end, no amount of financial independence can compensate for misery. In the end, the right thing to do was spare Mission their time and money so that they could put someone in my role that really wanted to be there, bring my humble apology to the temp agency without expectation of any further employment through them, and to honor myself as an individual with feelings, passions, dreams, and skills, worthy of a job that I enjoy doing.
God, that was a lot to take in for one week. Lots of crying has been done over this; my eyes hurt. But I feel better and I feel better even as I type this. But I must say, I feel really embarrassed about the whole situation and I fear that I've let people down, and that fear makes me feel guilty. I am lucky to have the most wonderful support from Jeremy who maybe doesn't understand entirely why the job wasn't right for me but does understand that I can't stay in any position that affects me so. If you don't agree with my decision, I can understand why but please just don't say anything about it to me. I am embarrassed enough as it is and I don't think I can take the criticism right now. But if you too have ever made a mistake, tried to do the right thing and lived to tell the tale, please pass on a friendly word of encouragement. I need to get some sleep and may need to keep working at Mission until Thursday next week--all words of encouragement will be helpful.
My parting thoughts: at the end of the day, I have to do what's best for me. I ran the risk of creating one ugly SNAFU by quitting (thankfully, I didn't--) but even so, I know that life goes on after each mistake. I have messed things up royally before and lived to tell the tale--I'll live to tell this one too. And that's how it is.
A lot happened this week which I don't care to go too much into detail about but to say the least, I made a mistake accepting the job at Mission Australia. It really wasn't the right job for me. I was fully aware of what the job entailed when I accepted but I knew after just one day in it that it really wasn't going to be a good fit. By the end of the week, I found myself crying in the bathroom and full of anxiety about being there and that was a good sign to me that no, this feeling wasn't really going to just go away and no, I shouldn't stay in a job where I have to steal away during my lunch break to cry in the bathroom. And when I was just about to leave for work Friday morning and couldn't stop crying because I felt so much unease about the job, I knew I would have to quit.
So I did. Thankfully, my temp agency has been understanding and my supervisor at Mission was understanding as well. I was really quite upset and worried that by quitting I would be destroying my working relationship with the temp agency as well as Mission's working relationship with the temp agency, but it appears that everyone came out of it unscathed and the temp agency still wants to place me in jobs--which I am grateful for. I'm quitting this job with nothing else lined up but in complete faith that there really is a better job for me out there.
Accepting the job had a lot to do with the building pressure to work full time, pay back Jeremy's parents, buy plane tickets to go home so I can see my grandma, and start contributing to our home expenses. It probably seems ludicrous to most people that I would quit a full time job when I have these things weighing on my mind and my bank account, but to me, the more immediate and important problem to solve was that I couldn't be happy in that role. In the end, no amount of financial independence can compensate for misery. In the end, the right thing to do was spare Mission their time and money so that they could put someone in my role that really wanted to be there, bring my humble apology to the temp agency without expectation of any further employment through them, and to honor myself as an individual with feelings, passions, dreams, and skills, worthy of a job that I enjoy doing.
God, that was a lot to take in for one week. Lots of crying has been done over this; my eyes hurt. But I feel better and I feel better even as I type this. But I must say, I feel really embarrassed about the whole situation and I fear that I've let people down, and that fear makes me feel guilty. I am lucky to have the most wonderful support from Jeremy who maybe doesn't understand entirely why the job wasn't right for me but does understand that I can't stay in any position that affects me so. If you don't agree with my decision, I can understand why but please just don't say anything about it to me. I am embarrassed enough as it is and I don't think I can take the criticism right now. But if you too have ever made a mistake, tried to do the right thing and lived to tell the tale, please pass on a friendly word of encouragement. I need to get some sleep and may need to keep working at Mission until Thursday next week--all words of encouragement will be helpful.
My parting thoughts: at the end of the day, I have to do what's best for me. I ran the risk of creating one ugly SNAFU by quitting (thankfully, I didn't--) but even so, I know that life goes on after each mistake. I have messed things up royally before and lived to tell the tale--I'll live to tell this one too. And that's how it is.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
A little note from this side.
It seems that this blog is harder and harder to keep regular with these days. It's much easier to write everyday when you're traveling and seeing interesting things around every corner. For the past two years or so this thing has been primarily about travel but I'm wondering if it needs a new direction as I'm doing very little traveling these days. It's time to make money not spend money. If you have an idea, please share it.
In other news, I will finally start my new job at Mission Australia on Monday (tomorrow) which is super exciting and a little bit intimidating. This is pretty much my first permanent role in a professional capacity that I've applied for and won. (I don't count teaching in Korea because it was hardly professional. More like a teacher-monkey role.) I want to do my best from the very day and make a good impression within the first week.
As I left Thomson Reuters, I was feeling pretty good though. My supervisor there was telling me how badly she wanted to me to stay and even offered to scout out some permanent work for me if I wanted. However, it was a little too late for that and I had to refuse her offer. But it was really nice to be told how valuable you are and to be talked about as if the company can't afford to lose you--a temp!! I hope that the folks at my new job will be able to see the same things those at Thomson Reuters saw in me.
I also found out on Thursday that uncle's girlfriend (who's been with him for so long is practically an aunt now) has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. That means two people at home are now battling with cancer. Apparently this type responds well to chemo and radiation but it's scary none the less. I've head that Gina will be going to the doctor's this week in Wenatchee so please keep her in your prayers along with my grandma Rosie.
My grandma seems to be doing well though and is in high spirits. The doctors have said that they don't want to operate as she had a surgery about 6 months ago and they feel it would be too soon, so they're just going to monitor the tumors and adjust their treatment to the rate of growth.
Please continue to pray for her and please pray for my uncle Don too. I'm sure he's having a difficult time dealing with his girlfriend/wife and his mom facing cancer at the same time.
And thank you everyone for your supportive comments and emails. I really appreciate it.
I'll be back again after I start my new job. :)
In other news, I will finally start my new job at Mission Australia on Monday (tomorrow) which is super exciting and a little bit intimidating. This is pretty much my first permanent role in a professional capacity that I've applied for and won. (I don't count teaching in Korea because it was hardly professional. More like a teacher-monkey role.) I want to do my best from the very day and make a good impression within the first week.
As I left Thomson Reuters, I was feeling pretty good though. My supervisor there was telling me how badly she wanted to me to stay and even offered to scout out some permanent work for me if I wanted. However, it was a little too late for that and I had to refuse her offer. But it was really nice to be told how valuable you are and to be talked about as if the company can't afford to lose you--a temp!! I hope that the folks at my new job will be able to see the same things those at Thomson Reuters saw in me.
I also found out on Thursday that uncle's girlfriend (who's been with him for so long is practically an aunt now) has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. That means two people at home are now battling with cancer. Apparently this type responds well to chemo and radiation but it's scary none the less. I've head that Gina will be going to the doctor's this week in Wenatchee so please keep her in your prayers along with my grandma Rosie.
My grandma seems to be doing well though and is in high spirits. The doctors have said that they don't want to operate as she had a surgery about 6 months ago and they feel it would be too soon, so they're just going to monitor the tumors and adjust their treatment to the rate of growth.
Please continue to pray for her and please pray for my uncle Don too. I'm sure he's having a difficult time dealing with his girlfriend/wife and his mom facing cancer at the same time.
And thank you everyone for your supportive comments and emails. I really appreciate it.
I'll be back again after I start my new job. :)
Monday, October 5, 2009
A four-day birthday extravaganza!!
Today was my birthday and I am officially 25 years old. Life seems to just fly by these days but luckily it went slow enough for me to enjoy a long weekend full of fun.
First, on Thursday I received a formal job offer for permanent employment with Mission Australia here in Sydney. I can't tell you how happy I am to know that I will have full time work, a way to save money for plane tickets home, assurance that Jeremy and I can go back to school and not worry about money, and that we'll have a bit extra to finally enjoy all the exciting things to do in Sydney. It was a little hairy trying to negotiate a exit/start time between my current temp position and my new full time one but it was all worked out by lunch time and on Monday the 12th, I'll start my new job! At Mission, I'll be doing mostly invoicing work in just a general administrative temp role. And just to add more smiles to my day, I also found out that along with the job offer, the position I applied for was re-classified and the salary was increased by $5,000 p.a.!! It felt like two gifts in one. Perfect timing for my birthday.
Second, on Friday I kicked off myf irst professional photography gig taking photos for a Tall Ship cruise company in Sydney Harbour. The vessel was a 1922 tall ship built in Denmark to haul grain to and from the frozen country of Greenland. It was truly a wonderful opportunity and I had the best time. Okay, so it rained a little and the weather was less than perfect but the people were nice, I was given unlimited drinks (though I think I only had two) and I was invited to partake in some very good bbq! At the end of the day, I had some fantastic photos to give back to the company and they in turn offered to let me come back for another cruise--a pleasure one, that is--as I had offered them my services for free. It really was a great day out on the water and I can't wait to go back and take some more photos. Visit their website here.
(Since most of my photos were of the patrons, I decided I would only repost a couple photos from pieces of the ship and one of the crew--I don't think he'll mind.)
Isn't that a beautiful old rope??
But the day wasn't over. When I returned home Friday night, I found a beautiful bouquet of orange and pink tulips (my absolute FAVOURITE flower!) on the bed and a sweet hand made card from Jeremy. Is this guy amazing or what?! That evening we sat down to watch Star Trek (the new one) together and I must say, though I was aprehensive, the movie moved me to tears within 10 minutes. Either I'm just a hyper-sap or these movie producers are some smart cookies--who seperates love by heroic death at the beginning of a movie? I think this is how they planned to get the women in to it...
My tuplips. :) We were so lucky to find that vase. It was marked down to $25 from $85! Wow!
Saturday was a very wet and rainy day so we didn't do too much other than our weekly grocery shopping. Jeremy broke the computer (again) and had to re-install Linux and Windows (again). It was a painful experience for both of us. I was bored and he was a little frustrated. But it's all back together again and hopefully problem free for a whiel.
Sunday was our real outing day. In sticking with birthday tradition, I suggested we go to the zoo because I've been doing it for my birthday almost every year for the past 6 years. However, the rain was still pretty bad and we opted for the aquarium instead. Jeremy wasn't quite convinced that he would like it but we both ended up having a great time. We saw tons of sharks, stone fish, jelly fish, clown fish, lots of other tropical fish, platypus, a giant sting ray, dugongs, and three giant Pacific logger-head turtles! I think the turtles wer my favourite. I was quite surprised by how small the platypus actually is (I expected something of beaver porportions) but it was actually about a foot long.
The Platypus
Beautiful tropical fish. I've seen things like this snorkeling but it never comes out right in photo with those disposable underwater cameras...
I've decided that this buck-toothed dugong kinda looks like a dork but I like him anyway.
This was about a 3 meter wide giant sting ray!
Turtles! In Buddhism, turtles are a symbol of wisdom, and when you think about how old these guys live to be (some up to 150 years), it's easy to understand why.
Ah!! Sharks!!
What kind of goofy sea creature is that??
After the aquarium, we considered looking for some tasty food and ended up in the Lindt Chocolat Cafe! What a surprise!!! :) We couldn't really afford to waste our lunch money (or our appetites) on all the goodies inside but did agree to buy a few truffles and share them on our way to McDonald's (or Macca's as the Australians call it). And can I just say, Lindt truffles are little balls of heaven for purchase. They have been my favourite for years and Sunday I got to try a few new flavours: peanut butter (the best!), peppermint (very cleansing), and cookies and cream (over the top sweet).
After eating McDonald's in the park all the while trying to fight off Seagulls and Ibis, we headed over to the Latin Dance Fiesta--a free festival put on by Darling Harbour. It was so much fun and I kept thinking that Courtney should have been there! It took some convincing to get Jeremy to dance but he eventually did, and we swayed with the crowd to some very energizing Venezuelan music by a band called Mi Latino. Ah, it was wonderful! I miss that kind of culture. And we ate some DELICIOUS churros too which was a new experience for Jeremy as I am a repeat offender. :) After the Venezuelan music and the churro episode, we hung around for one more act: a choreographed Columbian dance group from Brisbane that put on a good show.
Mi Latino. I wonder if they are on iTunes...
The super cool Columbian dancers. Death was a pretty funny character. :)
In the end, our feet got the best of us and we headed home for another good meal: curry vegetables. (Can you see that this weekend was full of good food??) And to finish the night off, we watched The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Jeremy hadn't seen it yet and we just started reading the books out loud together before bed so it was a fun little continuation of our daily routine.
This morning, however, was my real birthday, and despite Jeremy's claim that he would be making me breakfast in bed, I found myself editting away on photos at 11:00 am while he continued to sleep. So much for breakfast. Hehe. But of course I didn't mind. He had done so much for me already. When he did eventually wake up, he made me a bowl of yogurt with fresh raspberries and some warmed up banana bread with butter. (If you didn't think he was amazing before, you should be convinced by now.)
After breakfast, I called my family and talked with Mom and Dad for a bit and Jeremy got to meet my dad for the first time on the phone (probably a bit awkward for both of them) and then I headed off to get a pedicure (my present to myself). I love getting my toes painted and my caluses shaved off. Plus, I secretly love catching up on celebrity gossip in all those trashy magazines--it's a guilty pleasure that I only allow myself while getting my toes or nails done. :)
And to finish the day off, we took a walk through the rain, back up to King Street, and ate dinner at Guzman Y Gomez--Sydney's premier Mexican take-away restaurant. I guess you can say it's more authentic than Taco Bell but when you gre up eating fresh tamales from a little Mexican lady or cheap tacos and sangrias from the taco truck, Guzman Y Gomez is a little... sanitized. Back at home we watched another episode of one of our favourite shows The World's Greenest Homes and we settled down for another early night--there's work tomorrow!
I was a lucky girl to not only have had a birthday on a public holiday but to have also had a wonderful boyfriend to spend it with. I am so blessed. Last year I spent my birthday trying to stay awake for a 3 am flight from Kygyzstan to Turkey but I think this year's more than made up for it. By something like 3 times.
So, adieu 24! Bonjour 25!
First, on Thursday I received a formal job offer for permanent employment with Mission Australia here in Sydney. I can't tell you how happy I am to know that I will have full time work, a way to save money for plane tickets home, assurance that Jeremy and I can go back to school and not worry about money, and that we'll have a bit extra to finally enjoy all the exciting things to do in Sydney. It was a little hairy trying to negotiate a exit/start time between my current temp position and my new full time one but it was all worked out by lunch time and on Monday the 12th, I'll start my new job! At Mission, I'll be doing mostly invoicing work in just a general administrative temp role. And just to add more smiles to my day, I also found out that along with the job offer, the position I applied for was re-classified and the salary was increased by $5,000 p.a.!! It felt like two gifts in one. Perfect timing for my birthday.
Second, on Friday I kicked off myf irst professional photography gig taking photos for a Tall Ship cruise company in Sydney Harbour. The vessel was a 1922 tall ship built in Denmark to haul grain to and from the frozen country of Greenland. It was truly a wonderful opportunity and I had the best time. Okay, so it rained a little and the weather was less than perfect but the people were nice, I was given unlimited drinks (though I think I only had two) and I was invited to partake in some very good bbq! At the end of the day, I had some fantastic photos to give back to the company and they in turn offered to let me come back for another cruise--a pleasure one, that is--as I had offered them my services for free. It really was a great day out on the water and I can't wait to go back and take some more photos. Visit their website here.
(Since most of my photos were of the patrons, I decided I would only repost a couple photos from pieces of the ship and one of the crew--I don't think he'll mind.)
Isn't that a beautiful old rope??
But the day wasn't over. When I returned home Friday night, I found a beautiful bouquet of orange and pink tulips (my absolute FAVOURITE flower!) on the bed and a sweet hand made card from Jeremy. Is this guy amazing or what?! That evening we sat down to watch Star Trek (the new one) together and I must say, though I was aprehensive, the movie moved me to tears within 10 minutes. Either I'm just a hyper-sap or these movie producers are some smart cookies--who seperates love by heroic death at the beginning of a movie? I think this is how they planned to get the women in to it...
My tuplips. :) We were so lucky to find that vase. It was marked down to $25 from $85! Wow!
Saturday was a very wet and rainy day so we didn't do too much other than our weekly grocery shopping. Jeremy broke the computer (again) and had to re-install Linux and Windows (again). It was a painful experience for both of us. I was bored and he was a little frustrated. But it's all back together again and hopefully problem free for a whiel.
Sunday was our real outing day. In sticking with birthday tradition, I suggested we go to the zoo because I've been doing it for my birthday almost every year for the past 6 years. However, the rain was still pretty bad and we opted for the aquarium instead. Jeremy wasn't quite convinced that he would like it but we both ended up having a great time. We saw tons of sharks, stone fish, jelly fish, clown fish, lots of other tropical fish, platypus, a giant sting ray, dugongs, and three giant Pacific logger-head turtles! I think the turtles wer my favourite. I was quite surprised by how small the platypus actually is (I expected something of beaver porportions) but it was actually about a foot long.
The Platypus
Beautiful tropical fish. I've seen things like this snorkeling but it never comes out right in photo with those disposable underwater cameras...
I've decided that this buck-toothed dugong kinda looks like a dork but I like him anyway.
This was about a 3 meter wide giant sting ray!
Turtles! In Buddhism, turtles are a symbol of wisdom, and when you think about how old these guys live to be (some up to 150 years), it's easy to understand why.
Ah!! Sharks!!
What kind of goofy sea creature is that??
After the aquarium, we considered looking for some tasty food and ended up in the Lindt Chocolat Cafe! What a surprise!!! :) We couldn't really afford to waste our lunch money (or our appetites) on all the goodies inside but did agree to buy a few truffles and share them on our way to McDonald's (or Macca's as the Australians call it). And can I just say, Lindt truffles are little balls of heaven for purchase. They have been my favourite for years and Sunday I got to try a few new flavours: peanut butter (the best!), peppermint (very cleansing), and cookies and cream (over the top sweet).
After eating McDonald's in the park all the while trying to fight off Seagulls and Ibis, we headed over to the Latin Dance Fiesta--a free festival put on by Darling Harbour. It was so much fun and I kept thinking that Courtney should have been there! It took some convincing to get Jeremy to dance but he eventually did, and we swayed with the crowd to some very energizing Venezuelan music by a band called Mi Latino. Ah, it was wonderful! I miss that kind of culture. And we ate some DELICIOUS churros too which was a new experience for Jeremy as I am a repeat offender. :) After the Venezuelan music and the churro episode, we hung around for one more act: a choreographed Columbian dance group from Brisbane that put on a good show.
Mi Latino. I wonder if they are on iTunes...
The super cool Columbian dancers. Death was a pretty funny character. :)
In the end, our feet got the best of us and we headed home for another good meal: curry vegetables. (Can you see that this weekend was full of good food??) And to finish the night off, we watched The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Jeremy hadn't seen it yet and we just started reading the books out loud together before bed so it was a fun little continuation of our daily routine.
This morning, however, was my real birthday, and despite Jeremy's claim that he would be making me breakfast in bed, I found myself editting away on photos at 11:00 am while he continued to sleep. So much for breakfast. Hehe. But of course I didn't mind. He had done so much for me already. When he did eventually wake up, he made me a bowl of yogurt with fresh raspberries and some warmed up banana bread with butter. (If you didn't think he was amazing before, you should be convinced by now.)
After breakfast, I called my family and talked with Mom and Dad for a bit and Jeremy got to meet my dad for the first time on the phone (probably a bit awkward for both of them) and then I headed off to get a pedicure (my present to myself). I love getting my toes painted and my caluses shaved off. Plus, I secretly love catching up on celebrity gossip in all those trashy magazines--it's a guilty pleasure that I only allow myself while getting my toes or nails done. :)
And to finish the day off, we took a walk through the rain, back up to King Street, and ate dinner at Guzman Y Gomez--Sydney's premier Mexican take-away restaurant. I guess you can say it's more authentic than Taco Bell but when you gre up eating fresh tamales from a little Mexican lady or cheap tacos and sangrias from the taco truck, Guzman Y Gomez is a little... sanitized. Back at home we watched another episode of one of our favourite shows The World's Greenest Homes and we settled down for another early night--there's work tomorrow!
I was a lucky girl to not only have had a birthday on a public holiday but to have also had a wonderful boyfriend to spend it with. I am so blessed. Last year I spent my birthday trying to stay awake for a 3 am flight from Kygyzstan to Turkey but I think this year's more than made up for it. By something like 3 times.
So, adieu 24! Bonjour 25!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Tales from the Seven Seas
Update on my Grandma
A few more bits of bad news: my grandma's doctors have returned with test results. The prognosis: a Granulosa-Theca Cell tumor. Treatment for this kind of cancer is almost always surgery however my grandma just had sugery about 6 months ago to remove tumors and her doctors don't think she can handle another so soon. So, they'll be doing more tests this week to find out how fast the tumor is growing. Please keep praying for us.
A Temp-ting Opportunity
I've been working this week at ThomsonReuters (which is where Jeremy works) and have found myself more challenged than I previously expected. I really wasn't sure what I going in to when I said yes to the position because it was just described as "administrative assistant" but I've since learned that I'm doing quite a bit of web work and html coding. FYI: I don't do web work or html. No better time to learn though, right?! It's been a challenging week as my supervisor wasn't really ready to train me once I started and then she had to unexpectedly leave halfway through my second day and I ended up doing the entire third day on my own. Wahhh! It was a bit stressful and extremely slow going because I was trying to figure everything out on my own. I had angry phone calls from clients who we disatisfied with their listing and wanted it fixed (ha, that was fun to figure out!), we ran out of purchase orders, I found several inaccuracies in our web holdings, and I ran out of work all together on Wendnesday. I keep repeating in my head, "Sink or swim. Sink or swim. Damn it, I'm gonna swim!" I'm glad to say that I did figure it out and somehow managed to work through nearly everything I had to do yesterday (even if it was slow going). Let's hope next week goes better!
The Future's so Bright...
This week I had an interview for a managerial position with Scene to Believe which operates Santa Photography kiosks in malls throughout November and December. Much to my delight, the interview went really well and I feel confident I'll get the job. It'll be full time, 6 day a week work managing a team of about 5 people and it should be fun! I'm super excited about the opportunity to be working in photography even if I'm not going to be the photographer. :) I'm also supposed to hear back from Mission Australia about my application for employment with them--I hope that works out too! I would be full time for atleast the next 6 months but I imagine that would be extended as soon as I get my temporary visa approved...
Will I be able to shop with this? Speaking of visas, I haven't said it yet just because I've been busy and still trying to wrap my head around it, but Jeremy's parents loaned us the money to pay for the visa application and the taxes. It really is such a blessing and has taken quite a bit of worry off our minds. We've already been talking with the immigration office about what we need and today (assuming I'm on top of things!) I'll be ordering my background checks, finishing the application, contacting our references, and starting my statement regarding our relationship. There is A LOT of work to do but I hope that we can get it all in by the end of the month--wouldn't that be great?
Visitors
A couple weeks ago, we had Jeremy's dad over for the night while he was in Sydney for some reunions. It was really great to see him and spend some time catching up and eating delicious food! He took us out to a great restaurant in Sydney for what is undoubtably the BEST meal I've ever had. Wow. Amazing. It was also pretty cool to hear his dad call me his son's "fiance." I mean, we haven't been referring to ourselves as engaged but I guess that is essentially what we are. It's just wonderful to be accepted as a part of his family, to be seen as a serious couple, and to feel like this life we want to make together has already begun. What an exciting time!
Free Photos!
I recently posted an add on Gumtree (the Australian CraigsList equivilant) offering my photography skills for free in order to get some new stuff into my portfolio as well as some valuable contacts. Man, I feel like a stinking genious! I have has such a HUGE response from people: models, landscapers, athletes, people graduating, mothers who want pictures of their kids, local artists, musicians, and the best one is for a local business man who runs some city cruises on his 1918 colonial-style ship! Ahhh!! I am SO EXCITED about all of this! My first shoot is tomorrow with a couple of girls who need some new modeling shots for their portfolios and then I have some more set up for next weekend. This is going to be great. Honestly. I'm getting good exposure, going to have my stuff displayed on websites, making some good, professional contacts, building good references, getting some free stuff, and having fun! I'm also getting some free training and experience with professionals who need assistants. I seriously feel so proud of myself for coming up with such a good idea. I can't say all of the responses have been good though... I have had a few requests for porn photos and such. Ick. Even though I got a good response for awesome opportunities, I also got a good reminder that there are lots of sick people out there on the internet... Hopefully I'll be posting some cool photos in the near future.
When the Dust Settles
I'm not sure if you've heard (Australia is pretty removed from everything) but two days ago we had a giant dust storm roll through the city, leaving the entire place covered in orange and red particles. It was so strange... Jeremy called me to the door shortly after we work up telling me that everything was orange outside. And sure enough, it was. The whole city was covered in the dust which had blown across the state from South Australia and south-west New South Whales where a major drought has left the red earth prime for a big gust of wind. It all cleared up by mid afternoon but for the majority of the day it felt like a scene from War of the Worlds. You better believe that car wash companies are making big sales this weekend!! But aside from Sydney's crazy dust storm, there was also some wild weather elsewhere in Australia. That night, there were wind storms, bush fires, tornadoes, earthquakes (especially odd since Australia isn't really on top of any fault lines and doesn't have any volcanoes), thunderstorms, and massive rain fall. What a crazy planet!!
Here's a photo of the street outside from the orange morning. Unfortunately--of all days!--I had to work Wednesday morning and wasn't able to go out and take some really good photos of the crazy weather. But this gives you an idea of what it was like.
A few more bits of bad news: my grandma's doctors have returned with test results. The prognosis: a Granulosa-Theca Cell tumor. Treatment for this kind of cancer is almost always surgery however my grandma just had sugery about 6 months ago to remove tumors and her doctors don't think she can handle another so soon. So, they'll be doing more tests this week to find out how fast the tumor is growing. Please keep praying for us.
A Temp-ting Opportunity
I've been working this week at ThomsonReuters (which is where Jeremy works) and have found myself more challenged than I previously expected. I really wasn't sure what I going in to when I said yes to the position because it was just described as "administrative assistant" but I've since learned that I'm doing quite a bit of web work and html coding. FYI: I don't do web work or html. No better time to learn though, right?! It's been a challenging week as my supervisor wasn't really ready to train me once I started and then she had to unexpectedly leave halfway through my second day and I ended up doing the entire third day on my own. Wahhh! It was a bit stressful and extremely slow going because I was trying to figure everything out on my own. I had angry phone calls from clients who we disatisfied with their listing and wanted it fixed (ha, that was fun to figure out!), we ran out of purchase orders, I found several inaccuracies in our web holdings, and I ran out of work all together on Wendnesday. I keep repeating in my head, "Sink or swim. Sink or swim. Damn it, I'm gonna swim!" I'm glad to say that I did figure it out and somehow managed to work through nearly everything I had to do yesterday (even if it was slow going). Let's hope next week goes better!
The Future's so Bright...
This week I had an interview for a managerial position with Scene to Believe which operates Santa Photography kiosks in malls throughout November and December. Much to my delight, the interview went really well and I feel confident I'll get the job. It'll be full time, 6 day a week work managing a team of about 5 people and it should be fun! I'm super excited about the opportunity to be working in photography even if I'm not going to be the photographer. :) I'm also supposed to hear back from Mission Australia about my application for employment with them--I hope that works out too! I would be full time for atleast the next 6 months but I imagine that would be extended as soon as I get my temporary visa approved...
Will I be able to shop with this? Speaking of visas, I haven't said it yet just because I've been busy and still trying to wrap my head around it, but Jeremy's parents loaned us the money to pay for the visa application and the taxes. It really is such a blessing and has taken quite a bit of worry off our minds. We've already been talking with the immigration office about what we need and today (assuming I'm on top of things!) I'll be ordering my background checks, finishing the application, contacting our references, and starting my statement regarding our relationship. There is A LOT of work to do but I hope that we can get it all in by the end of the month--wouldn't that be great?
Visitors
A couple weeks ago, we had Jeremy's dad over for the night while he was in Sydney for some reunions. It was really great to see him and spend some time catching up and eating delicious food! He took us out to a great restaurant in Sydney for what is undoubtably the BEST meal I've ever had. Wow. Amazing. It was also pretty cool to hear his dad call me his son's "fiance." I mean, we haven't been referring to ourselves as engaged but I guess that is essentially what we are. It's just wonderful to be accepted as a part of his family, to be seen as a serious couple, and to feel like this life we want to make together has already begun. What an exciting time!
Free Photos!
I recently posted an add on Gumtree (the Australian CraigsList equivilant) offering my photography skills for free in order to get some new stuff into my portfolio as well as some valuable contacts. Man, I feel like a stinking genious! I have has such a HUGE response from people: models, landscapers, athletes, people graduating, mothers who want pictures of their kids, local artists, musicians, and the best one is for a local business man who runs some city cruises on his 1918 colonial-style ship! Ahhh!! I am SO EXCITED about all of this! My first shoot is tomorrow with a couple of girls who need some new modeling shots for their portfolios and then I have some more set up for next weekend. This is going to be great. Honestly. I'm getting good exposure, going to have my stuff displayed on websites, making some good, professional contacts, building good references, getting some free stuff, and having fun! I'm also getting some free training and experience with professionals who need assistants. I seriously feel so proud of myself for coming up with such a good idea. I can't say all of the responses have been good though... I have had a few requests for porn photos and such. Ick. Even though I got a good response for awesome opportunities, I also got a good reminder that there are lots of sick people out there on the internet... Hopefully I'll be posting some cool photos in the near future.
When the Dust Settles
I'm not sure if you've heard (Australia is pretty removed from everything) but two days ago we had a giant dust storm roll through the city, leaving the entire place covered in orange and red particles. It was so strange... Jeremy called me to the door shortly after we work up telling me that everything was orange outside. And sure enough, it was. The whole city was covered in the dust which had blown across the state from South Australia and south-west New South Whales where a major drought has left the red earth prime for a big gust of wind. It all cleared up by mid afternoon but for the majority of the day it felt like a scene from War of the Worlds. You better believe that car wash companies are making big sales this weekend!! But aside from Sydney's crazy dust storm, there was also some wild weather elsewhere in Australia. That night, there were wind storms, bush fires, tornadoes, earthquakes (especially odd since Australia isn't really on top of any fault lines and doesn't have any volcanoes), thunderstorms, and massive rain fall. What a crazy planet!!
Here's a photo of the street outside from the orange morning. Unfortunately--of all days!--I had to work Wednesday morning and wasn't able to go out and take some really good photos of the crazy weather. But this gives you an idea of what it was like.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Oh, what a long week.
I've had a million things on my mind to blog about up until two nights ago when I found out that my Grandma has yet another mass in her abdomen and some dark spots on her colon. It seems that this is the only thing I can think about now.
It's been a rough battle against cancer for my Grandma over the past two years. She's had two surgeries to remove tumors already but it appears that this cancer is more aggressive than previously thought. And of course, it's tough on everyone else in the family too because we all love my grandma so much--she is a truly wonderful and caring woman. I look up to her so much and have always loved her like a best friend. It makes me so sad to hear this bad news.
The email came just after my first day at my first temp job with Mission Australia this week which only made it harder to come in to work, push that stuff out of my mind, and show them how professional and attentive I am as an employee. It's been hard to keep a smile on my face, lie and say I'm having a good day, and not cry when there is little work to do.
I haven't been home in two years but going home is all that's been on my mind for several months now and it seems that this news is a sign that maybe the time to go home is fast approaching. I so badly want Jeremy to meet my family and know my grandma because she is truly the most understanding, fair and supportive woman I know. I want him to meet them all and for them to meet him and fall in love with him the way I have. I want to meet my little niece and welcome my brother's son into the world. I want to be there for all the weddings, the birthdays, opening presents on Christmas morning, and drinking apple cider with Thanksgiving dinner. I want to be involved with the lives of my family and friends.
But living on another continent makes everything hard...
Sometimes I worry that my decision to live overseas is a selfish and heartless one. I worry that something bad will happen and there will be no way for me to return quickly. I worry about my parent's because they can't afford health care and yet they are getting older. I often feel a great deal of responsibility to take care of my family and yet I don't--I can't. I can't take care of them and simultaneously live on another continent. It feels like I can't take care of them and live the life I've always wanted.
This week has just had my head spinning with so many things that I'm not really ready to deal with. I'm not ready to say goodbye to anyone but what if the moment comes upon me and I can't be there to say my piece? Can anyone ever really be prepared to lose someone whom you love without limits? I wish I could fly back and forth every week until I was ready. It would be hard work but I would do it if I could. I would do it because love would compel me. But the money just isn't there.
It appears that I may have some more work in the near future though which gives me hope that maybe in a couple months, I will be able to go home and Jeremy can come with to meet the people I love--the people I spent 22 years living with. The temp job at Mission Australia was extended from 2 days to 4, I have an interview on Monday for a manager position with a Santa photography set in a mall and I have another temp job starting on Tuesday next week lasting 3 days a week for 4-6 weeks (oddly enough, it's with Jeremy's company so we'll be able to take breaks together--I love that). And, my supervisor at Mission Australia liked me and has asked me to apply for a position in her department (employee services) which I will also interview for sometime next week.
So, I feel hopeful that things will work out and we will have money to go home and meet my family soon. Until then, I would really appreciate your prayers. Please pray for a miracle for my grandma, for the knowledge and wisdom of her doctors, for my grandma, grandpa, my mom, my aunts and uncles to find support and courage, for me to get some consistent work and savings built up, for us to find good deals on flights and get adequate time off, and for me that I won't succumb to sorrow in this time.
Thanks for your love and support.
It's been a rough battle against cancer for my Grandma over the past two years. She's had two surgeries to remove tumors already but it appears that this cancer is more aggressive than previously thought. And of course, it's tough on everyone else in the family too because we all love my grandma so much--she is a truly wonderful and caring woman. I look up to her so much and have always loved her like a best friend. It makes me so sad to hear this bad news.
The email came just after my first day at my first temp job with Mission Australia this week which only made it harder to come in to work, push that stuff out of my mind, and show them how professional and attentive I am as an employee. It's been hard to keep a smile on my face, lie and say I'm having a good day, and not cry when there is little work to do.
I haven't been home in two years but going home is all that's been on my mind for several months now and it seems that this news is a sign that maybe the time to go home is fast approaching. I so badly want Jeremy to meet my family and know my grandma because she is truly the most understanding, fair and supportive woman I know. I want him to meet them all and for them to meet him and fall in love with him the way I have. I want to meet my little niece and welcome my brother's son into the world. I want to be there for all the weddings, the birthdays, opening presents on Christmas morning, and drinking apple cider with Thanksgiving dinner. I want to be involved with the lives of my family and friends.
But living on another continent makes everything hard...
Sometimes I worry that my decision to live overseas is a selfish and heartless one. I worry that something bad will happen and there will be no way for me to return quickly. I worry about my parent's because they can't afford health care and yet they are getting older. I often feel a great deal of responsibility to take care of my family and yet I don't--I can't. I can't take care of them and simultaneously live on another continent. It feels like I can't take care of them and live the life I've always wanted.
This week has just had my head spinning with so many things that I'm not really ready to deal with. I'm not ready to say goodbye to anyone but what if the moment comes upon me and I can't be there to say my piece? Can anyone ever really be prepared to lose someone whom you love without limits? I wish I could fly back and forth every week until I was ready. It would be hard work but I would do it if I could. I would do it because love would compel me. But the money just isn't there.
It appears that I may have some more work in the near future though which gives me hope that maybe in a couple months, I will be able to go home and Jeremy can come with to meet the people I love--the people I spent 22 years living with. The temp job at Mission Australia was extended from 2 days to 4, I have an interview on Monday for a manager position with a Santa photography set in a mall and I have another temp job starting on Tuesday next week lasting 3 days a week for 4-6 weeks (oddly enough, it's with Jeremy's company so we'll be able to take breaks together--I love that). And, my supervisor at Mission Australia liked me and has asked me to apply for a position in her department (employee services) which I will also interview for sometime next week.
So, I feel hopeful that things will work out and we will have money to go home and meet my family soon. Until then, I would really appreciate your prayers. Please pray for a miracle for my grandma, for the knowledge and wisdom of her doctors, for my grandma, grandpa, my mom, my aunts and uncles to find support and courage, for me to get some consistent work and savings built up, for us to find good deals on flights and get adequate time off, and for me that I won't succumb to sorrow in this time.
Thanks for your love and support.
Friday, September 4, 2009
A Mixed Review
I had two interviews this week: one for a temp agency and one for a Curves club a couple blocks from my house.
Let's just say, neither went the way I expected.
First, the temp agency. I had actually applied here two weeks ago and was told my application was not successful, so imagine my surprise when they called me Tuesday and wanted to set up an interview. I was a little worried because I didn't know even what the job was for since I had deleted the ad I first applied to and hadn't applied with them since. I tried to get some more information about the position but in the end had to go to the interview without knowing what it was for. It turns out, the interview was actually for some data entry job I applied for the day before on Gumtree where there was no name for the poster. In the end, that job was filled before my interview but the lady felt rather certain that someone would leave before the end of the first week and put me down as an alternate. She went on to tell me that she felt I would do well in non-profit work since she could tell I was a very caring person and wanted to help recruit me for non-profit jobs in the future--yes!! I would love to work for a non-profit and I'm so glad that someone saw those elements of me and wanted to do something with them. It was so nice to be understood and valued for once. She also understood the visa situation because she too is an immigrant and said she really wanted to work with me despite that.
Afterwards, I did some skill testing. I had done some a few weeks ago for a different temp agency (the one that still doesn't have all my references checked and hasn't followed up at all) but they never gave me my results and I had no idea how I did. I was particularly worried because it's standard in Australia to double space between sentences (unlike recent trends in the US) and I wasn't prepared for it; it through me for a loop and I was pretty worried I would bomb the test. This time, however, I did get my results and I made 65wpm which is just under my usual 72! Great success!! And my numeric test came back average which is great since I've never been trained in 10-key and was worried about that. And my Microsoft Word test? 100%. Yeah, I rocked that one. The lady who gave me my results was shocked and congratulated me because she said she's never seen a perfect score on it. So, I'm feeling pretty good. Hopefully some good jobs will be coming my way soon because I'm getting tired of looking at an empty bank account!
The second interview at Curves did not go as well which surprised me so much. I actually worked at Curves in Kirkland for a year and was consistently told I was one of their best employees. I loved it, I understood the business and the system, I did all the daily duties, I was fully trained--there is really no reason why anyone should question my experience. However, this lady here did. She started by telling me a bit about their club and how they were losing members and barely making money and then asked me a few questions about my experience. I can honestly and confidently say there were no faults in my answers but I continued to get this kind of chilly look from her (the owner) and a rather unfriendly vibe. In the end, she tried to pitch me a membership saying "it would be good for me to get a feel for the club, reacquainted with the machines, and to know the members before being a part of the team, and then maybe when we start hiring we can bring you on." Um, maybe when we start hiring??? I felt like asking if this was a membership sale or an interview because it really didn't sound like they were interested in hiring me at all. Even after I told them I couldn't afford to join any club since my previous employer didn't pay my taxes and we were living off one salary, she STILL tried to pitch me the membership! And guess what, this membership is $129 joining fee + $64 a month! Yikes!! No wonder they are losing business!! That's waaaay too much for a Curves club and SO much more than all of their competition--like double the price at Sydney Uni, triple the price at Victoria Park, and nearly double Fitness First--all fitness clubs within a mile of this Curves. And I was actually a bit insulted that they didn't believe I understood the concepts of the program or how to use the machines. I really wanted to ask her if she only hires people who were first members! Anyway, I just got home from the interview and feel pretty certain that 1. they are not looking for anyone and probably wouldn't hire me anyway, 2. I don't think I'd want to work there, 3. I can't afford to work out there, and 4. to them, my experience means squat anyway.
So there you have it! A mixed review of interviews! And the beat goes on...
Let's just say, neither went the way I expected.
First, the temp agency. I had actually applied here two weeks ago and was told my application was not successful, so imagine my surprise when they called me Tuesday and wanted to set up an interview. I was a little worried because I didn't know even what the job was for since I had deleted the ad I first applied to and hadn't applied with them since. I tried to get some more information about the position but in the end had to go to the interview without knowing what it was for. It turns out, the interview was actually for some data entry job I applied for the day before on Gumtree where there was no name for the poster. In the end, that job was filled before my interview but the lady felt rather certain that someone would leave before the end of the first week and put me down as an alternate. She went on to tell me that she felt I would do well in non-profit work since she could tell I was a very caring person and wanted to help recruit me for non-profit jobs in the future--yes!! I would love to work for a non-profit and I'm so glad that someone saw those elements of me and wanted to do something with them. It was so nice to be understood and valued for once. She also understood the visa situation because she too is an immigrant and said she really wanted to work with me despite that.
Afterwards, I did some skill testing. I had done some a few weeks ago for a different temp agency (the one that still doesn't have all my references checked and hasn't followed up at all) but they never gave me my results and I had no idea how I did. I was particularly worried because it's standard in Australia to double space between sentences (unlike recent trends in the US) and I wasn't prepared for it; it through me for a loop and I was pretty worried I would bomb the test. This time, however, I did get my results and I made 65wpm which is just under my usual 72! Great success!! And my numeric test came back average which is great since I've never been trained in 10-key and was worried about that. And my Microsoft Word test? 100%. Yeah, I rocked that one. The lady who gave me my results was shocked and congratulated me because she said she's never seen a perfect score on it. So, I'm feeling pretty good. Hopefully some good jobs will be coming my way soon because I'm getting tired of looking at an empty bank account!
The second interview at Curves did not go as well which surprised me so much. I actually worked at Curves in Kirkland for a year and was consistently told I was one of their best employees. I loved it, I understood the business and the system, I did all the daily duties, I was fully trained--there is really no reason why anyone should question my experience. However, this lady here did. She started by telling me a bit about their club and how they were losing members and barely making money and then asked me a few questions about my experience. I can honestly and confidently say there were no faults in my answers but I continued to get this kind of chilly look from her (the owner) and a rather unfriendly vibe. In the end, she tried to pitch me a membership saying "it would be good for me to get a feel for the club, reacquainted with the machines, and to know the members before being a part of the team, and then maybe when we start hiring we can bring you on." Um, maybe when we start hiring??? I felt like asking if this was a membership sale or an interview because it really didn't sound like they were interested in hiring me at all. Even after I told them I couldn't afford to join any club since my previous employer didn't pay my taxes and we were living off one salary, she STILL tried to pitch me the membership! And guess what, this membership is $129 joining fee + $64 a month! Yikes!! No wonder they are losing business!! That's waaaay too much for a Curves club and SO much more than all of their competition--like double the price at Sydney Uni, triple the price at Victoria Park, and nearly double Fitness First--all fitness clubs within a mile of this Curves. And I was actually a bit insulted that they didn't believe I understood the concepts of the program or how to use the machines. I really wanted to ask her if she only hires people who were first members! Anyway, I just got home from the interview and feel pretty certain that 1. they are not looking for anyone and probably wouldn't hire me anyway, 2. I don't think I'd want to work there, 3. I can't afford to work out there, and 4. to them, my experience means squat anyway.
So there you have it! A mixed review of interviews! And the beat goes on...
Monday, August 31, 2009
When it rains...
I'm feeling a little defeated right now.
Yesterday Jeremy and I started working on my taxes, hoping that I would get a nice return of at least a couple hundred dollars so I could replace some of my clothes which are all either long sleeve or have stains on them. What we found instead was disheartening.
First, and probably the biggest problem, is that Jane, my old boss from Bella Donna, deducted the wrong tax rate from my pay check and I now owe the government $688 and it's due at the end of October. And really, there was no way for me to know that this was going to happen. I must have asked a million times for those pay stubs so that I could make sure I was being taxed right as well as being paid the correct wage and hours but I never received even one.
Second, on my PAYG summary (which is the equivalent of the US W-2 form), Jane wrote that I had been employed by her for a whole year--I didn't enter the country until March 2009! But where this becomes a problem is with Superannuation. Superannuation is the Australian federal retirement plan where your employer is required to make deposits into a retirement fun with your name as long as you earn over $400 a month. It is required by law and even working holiday visa holders are entitled to superannuation funds. However, when you average out my gross earnings over 12 months rather than the 3 I was employed for, the average monthly earning is too low to qualify for superannuation contributions. I am highly suspicious that no contribution was ever made.
Third, I have no job yet. The temp agency is still waiting to hear from my references. Because they are trying to contact some people in administration at Northwest and it's currently the first week back at school, I feel rather confident that the earliest a reply would be made is at the end of the month--and that's if anyone remembers to reply. The other reference I had from Curves no longer works there and I believe the email I had for her is bad or no longer her email--so that reference is caput too. As far as I know, one person has replied which I am so grateful for but I feel bad that she had to take time out of her day and write one for me when she already wrote a letter of recommendation two years ago--a letter I submitted along with two others to the agency. Is anyone else noticing a pattern here? Is there any real reason to triple check all of my references?
I have applied to SO MANY JOBS and I keep getting the same response over and over: "Well, we are looking for someone with retail experience..." or "We aren't looking for anyone with a working holiday or student visa..." or "We're not hiring right now." Seriously, wouldn't it be better to hire one dedicated person who will work hard and take extra shifts for 6 months than hire some lazy person who complains and always has other plans for one year? And what in the hell makes "retail" so much harder than anything else that I should have experience to get the job??? It's scanning objects, stocking shelves, folding clothes, and saying to every customer, "Can I help you? Have you heard about our sale today?" There is NO REASON why anyone with a university degree should be considered "under qualified" for a job in a toy store, a card shop, a shoe store, or an accessory shop.
I am so pissed right now that anger doesn't cover it. I am trying SO HARD to work--I WANT to work--but I can't. I can't get a good job because I'm not a resident yet, and I can't become a resident unless I get the visa, and I can't get the visa unless I have $2,500, and I can't get $2,500 unless I first pay the government $688, and I can't get $688 unless I have a job, and I can't get a job unless I'm "more qualified," and that degree I paid for which supposedly makes me "qualified," yeah, I can't pay the $200 a month that it costs unless I have a job. So, can someone tell me the answer to this riddle: which comes first, the job or the experience? Because I really need to know. I need to know because in order for me to get a new job, I need a few things.
Yesterday we created a "Kortney's Tax Money Piggy Bank" in hopes that maybe we can come up with some extra cash. The first money in was $8 we dug up from our pockets; the next $25 came from selling some of Jeremy's books. We're now looking around the house and hoping to find other things to sell too. He's got a few old cameras that might yield a buck or two as well as a stamp collection someone gave him once a upon a time. I have a gold necklace with a few diamond shards that my dad gave me a few years ago but anything else of value is in boxes somewhere across the Pacific. So, this really is like the first year of marriage: we're having our first fire sale already!
It looks like anything we were going to save for the visa is now being saved for my back taxes, and that Christmas vacation we were hoping to take? Yeah, that won't be happening either...
But I did make a lovely apple crisp Saturday night. At least my food can be sweet and satisfying.
Yesterday Jeremy and I started working on my taxes, hoping that I would get a nice return of at least a couple hundred dollars so I could replace some of my clothes which are all either long sleeve or have stains on them. What we found instead was disheartening.
First, and probably the biggest problem, is that Jane, my old boss from Bella Donna, deducted the wrong tax rate from my pay check and I now owe the government $688 and it's due at the end of October. And really, there was no way for me to know that this was going to happen. I must have asked a million times for those pay stubs so that I could make sure I was being taxed right as well as being paid the correct wage and hours but I never received even one.
Second, on my PAYG summary (which is the equivalent of the US W-2 form), Jane wrote that I had been employed by her for a whole year--I didn't enter the country until March 2009! But where this becomes a problem is with Superannuation. Superannuation is the Australian federal retirement plan where your employer is required to make deposits into a retirement fun with your name as long as you earn over $400 a month. It is required by law and even working holiday visa holders are entitled to superannuation funds. However, when you average out my gross earnings over 12 months rather than the 3 I was employed for, the average monthly earning is too low to qualify for superannuation contributions. I am highly suspicious that no contribution was ever made.
Third, I have no job yet. The temp agency is still waiting to hear from my references. Because they are trying to contact some people in administration at Northwest and it's currently the first week back at school, I feel rather confident that the earliest a reply would be made is at the end of the month--and that's if anyone remembers to reply. The other reference I had from Curves no longer works there and I believe the email I had for her is bad or no longer her email--so that reference is caput too. As far as I know, one person has replied which I am so grateful for but I feel bad that she had to take time out of her day and write one for me when she already wrote a letter of recommendation two years ago--a letter I submitted along with two others to the agency. Is anyone else noticing a pattern here? Is there any real reason to triple check all of my references?
I have applied to SO MANY JOBS and I keep getting the same response over and over: "Well, we are looking for someone with retail experience..." or "We aren't looking for anyone with a working holiday or student visa..." or "We're not hiring right now." Seriously, wouldn't it be better to hire one dedicated person who will work hard and take extra shifts for 6 months than hire some lazy person who complains and always has other plans for one year? And what in the hell makes "retail" so much harder than anything else that I should have experience to get the job??? It's scanning objects, stocking shelves, folding clothes, and saying to every customer, "Can I help you? Have you heard about our sale today?" There is NO REASON why anyone with a university degree should be considered "under qualified" for a job in a toy store, a card shop, a shoe store, or an accessory shop.
I am so pissed right now that anger doesn't cover it. I am trying SO HARD to work--I WANT to work--but I can't. I can't get a good job because I'm not a resident yet, and I can't become a resident unless I get the visa, and I can't get the visa unless I have $2,500, and I can't get $2,500 unless I first pay the government $688, and I can't get $688 unless I have a job, and I can't get a job unless I'm "more qualified," and that degree I paid for which supposedly makes me "qualified," yeah, I can't pay the $200 a month that it costs unless I have a job. So, can someone tell me the answer to this riddle: which comes first, the job or the experience? Because I really need to know. I need to know because in order for me to get a new job, I need a few things.
Yesterday we created a "Kortney's Tax Money Piggy Bank" in hopes that maybe we can come up with some extra cash. The first money in was $8 we dug up from our pockets; the next $25 came from selling some of Jeremy's books. We're now looking around the house and hoping to find other things to sell too. He's got a few old cameras that might yield a buck or two as well as a stamp collection someone gave him once a upon a time. I have a gold necklace with a few diamond shards that my dad gave me a few years ago but anything else of value is in boxes somewhere across the Pacific. So, this really is like the first year of marriage: we're having our first fire sale already!
It looks like anything we were going to save for the visa is now being saved for my back taxes, and that Christmas vacation we were hoping to take? Yeah, that won't be happening either...
But I did make a lovely apple crisp Saturday night. At least my food can be sweet and satisfying.
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