I stumbled across Sarah's blog through my web surfing. Sarah had (yes, had :-( ) Stage 3 malignant melanoma when she started her blog, which eventually progressed to Stage 4. She was using the blog as her way of venting her frustrations of living with the disease. It is written from the heart, and is very personal. It is a very sad story, especially since you know how it ends, and I found it especially hard to read when her husband Derek started writing entries on her behalf because she was too ill and weak to write herself. My tears started flowing when he wrote "After fighting like no other, Sarah is going to die." I can't even begin to imagine how he must have been feeling when he wrote that. My heart just went out to the two of them.
I am truly grateful to have been given the opportunity to share in her story of battling cancer in the last year of her life.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
More open windows
I can't believe this - I have a 2nd interview with Company 1; an 'informal chat' with Company 2; and a third recruiter would like to meet with me to discuss a potential role with Company 3!! I have never been so popular (in the job department) in my life! It is all very strange. I know the job market is rather buoyant at the moment, but still, I wouldn't have expected it to be THAT buoyant.
Or perhaps it is my unique skill set that is appealing to the recruiters/employers. Or perhaps it is just the lack of suitable candidates at this point in time, so it's just good timing on my part. Or perhaps a bit of both.
Either way, a few more opportunities have opened up for me so I'm quite happy. It's nice to have options. :-)
Or perhaps it is my unique skill set that is appealing to the recruiters/employers. Or perhaps it is just the lack of suitable candidates at this point in time, so it's just good timing on my part. Or perhaps a bit of both.
Either way, a few more opportunities have opened up for me so I'm quite happy. It's nice to have options. :-)
Thursday, June 21, 2007
I'm looking for a new job
I think that's reasonable. I'm not particularly keen on staying in my current role. The work isn't all that interesting, I don't feel challenged. Sure the pay is great, but that won't sustain my interest in the long-term. Plus my skills are slowly wasting away, since I'm barely using any of them to do my current job. I've spent about 90% of this week either surfing the net or reading blogs. Rather a waste of my time, if you ask me. I still can't believe that someone is willing to pay me as much as they do for doing very very little work.
In complete contrast to my previous job where I was constantly staying back late, as the work always came in faster than I could get it out. Now, I'm getting paid almost double (about 1.7x more, to be exact) for less work and less stress. Everyone says that's pretty much a dream come true (to get paid more to do less work), and sure, I relished in my newfound freedom when I first started in this job, but now the novelty is really wearing thin.
The problem that I'm faced with is the sheer uncertainty of the med application process. I don't even know if I'll be offered an interview later this year, let alone a place at one of my chosen universities. I may have to suffer through the entire application process again next year. And because of this, what am I supposed to do in my current field? I can't abandon it completely, in the unfortunate chance that med doesn't go through (which is a complete possibility). So I want to continue developing my skills in my current profession.
So let's say I do land a new job, and all is hunky dory. Then the good news arrives (from my point of view, that is!) and I get offered a place at one of the universities. What happens to my new employer? I end up working for them for a few months, and then have to leave again to go back to uni. I don't think that's very fair on any employer to have to go through the entire recruitment process, only to have the successful candidate bail out on you after just a few months.
But say the news on the university front isn't so rosy, and I end up working for at least another 12 months for my new employer while I go through the whole application process again. That ain't so bad for New Employer….
B's opinion is slightly different to mine, though. He thinks that I should stick it out in my current job and wait until I find out whether I am offered a place. He reckons that over the next 18 months, I should put 100% of my energy in to landing myself a medical place, and then if that doesn't work out, then I can re-focus once again on my current field. I only have next year left to give medicine a shot before that 10-year rule kicks in, so he figures why not just focus on getting in while I still have the chance. And save as much as I can now in my well-paid and rather cushy job, before I revert back to being a poor uni student once again.
Perhaps I have the "grass is greener" mentality, expecting that a new job will offer me something more. Am I chasing an elusive dream job that doesn't really exist? And why am I chasing that job in my current field, when perhaps I will have changed to medicine in six months' time?
In complete contrast to my previous job where I was constantly staying back late, as the work always came in faster than I could get it out. Now, I'm getting paid almost double (about 1.7x more, to be exact) for less work and less stress. Everyone says that's pretty much a dream come true (to get paid more to do less work), and sure, I relished in my newfound freedom when I first started in this job, but now the novelty is really wearing thin.
The problem that I'm faced with is the sheer uncertainty of the med application process. I don't even know if I'll be offered an interview later this year, let alone a place at one of my chosen universities. I may have to suffer through the entire application process again next year. And because of this, what am I supposed to do in my current field? I can't abandon it completely, in the unfortunate chance that med doesn't go through (which is a complete possibility). So I want to continue developing my skills in my current profession.
So let's say I do land a new job, and all is hunky dory. Then the good news arrives (from my point of view, that is!) and I get offered a place at one of the universities. What happens to my new employer? I end up working for them for a few months, and then have to leave again to go back to uni. I don't think that's very fair on any employer to have to go through the entire recruitment process, only to have the successful candidate bail out on you after just a few months.
But say the news on the university front isn't so rosy, and I end up working for at least another 12 months for my new employer while I go through the whole application process again. That ain't so bad for New Employer….
B's opinion is slightly different to mine, though. He thinks that I should stick it out in my current job and wait until I find out whether I am offered a place. He reckons that over the next 18 months, I should put 100% of my energy in to landing myself a medical place, and then if that doesn't work out, then I can re-focus once again on my current field. I only have next year left to give medicine a shot before that 10-year rule kicks in, so he figures why not just focus on getting in while I still have the chance. And save as much as I can now in my well-paid and rather cushy job, before I revert back to being a poor uni student once again.
Perhaps I have the "grass is greener" mentality, expecting that a new job will offer me something more. Am I chasing an elusive dream job that doesn't really exist? And why am I chasing that job in my current field, when perhaps I will have changed to medicine in six months' time?
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
You grew up in Sydney if...
-You've never done bridge climb, and you're never planning on it.
-NIGHTRIDE!
-You went on multiple school camps at Narrabeen
-You haven't been to the zoo, except on a primary school excursion where you threw stuff at the animals. (or alternatively.. zoo? what zoo?)
-You've never seen Kings Cross in daylight.. unless its on your way home. Same goes for Taylor Square and that stretch of grass near the fountain, otherwise known as "Trash Island". And the adjacent fountain, "The Communal Douche"
-A trip to Mt. Druitt warrants a pillow in the car
-You don't like Bondi, but would choose Tamarama, Bronte, or any of the Northern Beaches any day. Maybe not Cronulla if you're anything other than Anglo-Saxon.
-You know that the "Bra Boys" are anything cross-dressers.
-You know what "Glamarama" is actually the name for. And you know why.
-The sight of drag queens does not phase you.
-If the train is expected in ten minutes or less you figure CityRail is having a good day!
-The beauty of the harbour does not surprise you
-Riding the ferry is not for leisure, but a mode of transport.
-However...You don't even use the ferry as a form of transport because its too frickin' slow.
-You know what tzatziki, baklava, hommous, yum-cha, pad thai, dolmades, tabbouleh and pide are and you've eaten all of them.
-You know how to say hello (and possibly some swear words) in at least one language other than English. Most likely Croat/Serb/Bosnian/Macedonian, Greek, Arabic and possibly Indonesian or Chinese.
-You've ever "studied" for exams at the State Library
-You wanted to kick that stupid man dressed in a donkey suit in Pitt St Mall.
-You laugh at or console anyone who's ever lived/had to live/from/been to Canberra.
-You truly think Sydney should be the capital. And rightly so. Furthermore, you grew up in Sydney if you don't give a F**K about the Sydney/Melbourne debate, because unlike Melbournians, we don't feel the need to justify our city's worthiness...we just know it's the shit.
-You see a guy wearing pink, and don't automatically think he's gay
-You know straight men can drink soy lattés, too.
-You treat Baristas like they are your dealer. Coffee is your drug.
-You've heard the following uttered from a dog statue: "Hello my name is Ivan, I was once the dog of the great Queen Victoria........If you toss a coin in I will thank you. Thank you. Woof Woof!" "-
-You NEVER catch the monorail and think it's a useless, expensive-to-catch piece of crap. "Class A" waste of space. After all, it's not an episode of "the Simpsons", is it? ("Monorail....Monorail....MONORAIL!"). Monorail= so 80s
-You know it might be quicker to walk from Central to Circular Quay at any given time than catch a bus down George St or a train
-You know where all the 24-hour drinking establishments are.
-You're scared that when you walk past Town Hall steps at any given time, two dozen emo children are going commit mass suicide, declaring "It's a cruel, cruel world, maaaan"
-You think: what is it with P-Plated Subaru WRXs on George St Friday and Saturday nights. And Industrie shirts with the collars up. Puke.
-Fireworks just don't get you excited anymore. (Come on people, we have them for ANY thing). And just in case anyone is thinking of doubting this fact, here's a short list of the occasions for which the City of Sydney has/ has had fireworks.
-Australia Day (Granted)
-Anzac Day
-NYE (times 2)
-The Sydney Harbour Bridge's birthday
-Queen's Birthday
-ANZAC Day
-When the QE2 departed Sydney Harbour (yay, let's fanfare a bunch of people who could afford $100,000 + for a cruise and spend taxpayers' money doing it!)
-Easter Show last night
and, my all time favourite reason for fireworks,
-The Australian Idol Grand Finale (EVERY YEAR!!!).
-Football Games (mainly Origin or Finales)
If anyone can think of any more occasions, please let me know!
-The Easter Show is something that s only okay to go to until you're 16, and only after that if you're taking your OWN kids.
-You think Showbags at the Show are a waste of money
-It's not called the Underground, the metro, the tube or the subway, but it's just called "the train".
-"God's Country??" What is this, like a Lord of the Rings film or something? Please, Shire, you make us weep with pity.
-You've been to at least one "Big Day Out"
-You drank in Hyde Park, underage,on at least one year of the Mardi Gras.
-You know it's pronounced Circular "Key" not "Kway"
-You hate the State Labor Government, but somehow they still keep getting elected. They promise change; it doesn't come. Then they get re-elected.
-You wear a scarf/gloves/beanie/puffer jacket when the temperature hits below 18 degrees.
-You've accepted the (annoying) rule that no thongs are allowed to be worn into clubs. But you'll always try to sneak in anyway. Or beg.
-You have just accepted that all bouncers are pricks.
-You laugh when people say they're from "The Shire"
-You think people from "The Shire" are inbred, parochial freaks.
-You know what I mean when I say "The Shire"
-You say "Wog" and don't think of it as derogatory. And neither do the wogs around whom you say it.
-If you live in the Western suburbs, a night out in the City is a big deal. So much so, that you're forced to get a HOTEL room in which to stay the night...hahaha.
-If you live in the City, you'd never go into the suburbs.
-The word "Westie" is used as an insult.
------------
I copied this from Facebook, but I can't seem to find the page any more so I can't properly credit the author. Sorry. :(
But it's so true!! :D
-NIGHTRIDE!
-You went on multiple school camps at Narrabeen
-You haven't been to the zoo, except on a primary school excursion where you threw stuff at the animals. (or alternatively.. zoo? what zoo?)
-You've never seen Kings Cross in daylight.. unless its on your way home. Same goes for Taylor Square and that stretch of grass near the fountain, otherwise known as "Trash Island". And the adjacent fountain, "The Communal Douche"
-A trip to Mt. Druitt warrants a pillow in the car
-You don't like Bondi, but would choose Tamarama, Bronte, or any of the Northern Beaches any day. Maybe not Cronulla if you're anything other than Anglo-Saxon.
-You know that the "Bra Boys" are anything cross-dressers.
-You know what "Glamarama" is actually the name for. And you know why.
-The sight of drag queens does not phase you.
-If the train is expected in ten minutes or less you figure CityRail is having a good day!
-The beauty of the harbour does not surprise you
-Riding the ferry is not for leisure, but a mode of transport.
-However...You don't even use the ferry as a form of transport because its too frickin' slow.
-You know what tzatziki, baklava, hommous, yum-cha, pad thai, dolmades, tabbouleh and pide are and you've eaten all of them.
-You know how to say hello (and possibly some swear words) in at least one language other than English. Most likely Croat/Serb/Bosnian/Macedonian, Greek, Arabic and possibly Indonesian or Chinese.
-You've ever "studied" for exams at the State Library
-You wanted to kick that stupid man dressed in a donkey suit in Pitt St Mall.
-You laugh at or console anyone who's ever lived/had to live/from/been to Canberra.
-You truly think Sydney should be the capital. And rightly so. Furthermore, you grew up in Sydney if you don't give a F**K about the Sydney/Melbourne debate, because unlike Melbournians, we don't feel the need to justify our city's worthiness...we just know it's the shit.
-You see a guy wearing pink, and don't automatically think he's gay
-You know straight men can drink soy lattés, too.
-You treat Baristas like they are your dealer. Coffee is your drug.
-You've heard the following uttered from a dog statue: "Hello my name is Ivan, I was once the dog of the great Queen Victoria........If you toss a coin in I will thank you. Thank you. Woof Woof!" "-
-You NEVER catch the monorail and think it's a useless, expensive-to-catch piece of crap. "Class A" waste of space. After all, it's not an episode of "the Simpsons", is it? ("Monorail....Monorail....MONORAIL!"). Monorail= so 80s
-You know it might be quicker to walk from Central to Circular Quay at any given time than catch a bus down George St or a train
-You know where all the 24-hour drinking establishments are.
-You're scared that when you walk past Town Hall steps at any given time, two dozen emo children are going commit mass suicide, declaring "It's a cruel, cruel world, maaaan"
-You think: what is it with P-Plated Subaru WRXs on George St Friday and Saturday nights. And Industrie shirts with the collars up. Puke.
-Fireworks just don't get you excited anymore. (Come on people, we have them for ANY thing). And just in case anyone is thinking of doubting this fact, here's a short list of the occasions for which the City of Sydney has/ has had fireworks.
-Australia Day (Granted)
-Anzac Day
-NYE (times 2)
-The Sydney Harbour Bridge's birthday
-Queen's Birthday
-ANZAC Day
-When the QE2 departed Sydney Harbour (yay, let's fanfare a bunch of people who could afford $100,000 + for a cruise and spend taxpayers' money doing it!)
-Easter Show last night
and, my all time favourite reason for fireworks,
-The Australian Idol Grand Finale (EVERY YEAR!!!).
-Football Games (mainly Origin or Finales)
If anyone can think of any more occasions, please let me know!
-The Easter Show is something that s only okay to go to until you're 16, and only after that if you're taking your OWN kids.
-You think Showbags at the Show are a waste of money
-It's not called the Underground, the metro, the tube or the subway, but it's just called "the train".
-"God's Country??" What is this, like a Lord of the Rings film or something? Please, Shire, you make us weep with pity.
-You've been to at least one "Big Day Out"
-You drank in Hyde Park, underage,on at least one year of the Mardi Gras.
-You know it's pronounced Circular "Key" not "Kway"
-You hate the State Labor Government, but somehow they still keep getting elected. They promise change; it doesn't come. Then they get re-elected.
-You wear a scarf/gloves/beanie/puffer jacket when the temperature hits below 18 degrees.
-You've accepted the (annoying) rule that no thongs are allowed to be worn into clubs. But you'll always try to sneak in anyway. Or beg.
-You have just accepted that all bouncers are pricks.
-You laugh when people say they're from "The Shire"
-You think people from "The Shire" are inbred, parochial freaks.
-You know what I mean when I say "The Shire"
-You say "Wog" and don't think of it as derogatory. And neither do the wogs around whom you say it.
-If you live in the Western suburbs, a night out in the City is a big deal. So much so, that you're forced to get a HOTEL room in which to stay the night...hahaha.
-If you live in the City, you'd never go into the suburbs.
-The word "Westie" is used as an insult.
------------
I copied this from Facebook, but I can't seem to find the page any more so I can't properly credit the author. Sorry. :(
But it's so true!! :D
Monday, June 18, 2007
"More Hips"!
I just finished a bit of dance practice at home. Not quite the same as practising at the dance studio - the floor at home isn't anywhere near as nice as the dancefloor at the studio, and there is a much smaller floorspace here. But nonetheless, I made the most of what I have here at home. :)
I focussed mainly on Bota Fogos and Samba Walks, and then tossed in a few Rumba basics at the end. Oh, and "more hips"! Apparently I don't do enough hip action. Both my (male) teacher and partner have bigger hip actions than me. Now that is pathetic! As the girl, I should be doing twice the amount of hip action as they do put together! LOL So obviously I need to work big time on my hips. Go Shakira!
I focussed mainly on Bota Fogos and Samba Walks, and then tossed in a few Rumba basics at the end. Oh, and "more hips"! Apparently I don't do enough hip action. Both my (male) teacher and partner have bigger hip actions than me. Now that is pathetic! As the girl, I should be doing twice the amount of hip action as they do put together! LOL So obviously I need to work big time on my hips. Go Shakira!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
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