Archive for the Journal Category
Written on August 28, 2010 by Jen
Filed Under: Journal
Since I started my new job I’ve been catching the tram again. It’s ever so slightly more reliable taking me through the city than the bus can be with the traffic.
Usually the tram experience is pretty much the same. In the morning I can pretty much guarantee I wont’ get a seat because I’m reasonably close to the city and everyone else is trying to get in there at the same time. The other morning two full trams went past me before I was able to get on the third one. I wasn’t happy about that and it made at least 15 minutes late. To top it off we stopped at a non-stop behind two other trams that weren’t going anywhere. Nobody told us anything about what was going on. We all just hopped off the tram like a herd of sheep and went on our way.
On the way home I usually get a seat because I’m on early enough in the run before everyone else gets on. That’s nice at the end of a day. I realised the other day that I was sitting next to an ex-colleague so it was good to have a chat with him about our respective jobs since we left the same organisation.
But sometimes it’s not so okay to catch the tram. The other evening there was an obvious urine smell. I checked out the guy next to me and he looked ok and it took me a while to work out where the smell was coming from. An elderly guy had stood up nearby and I thought he was preparing to disembark but he stayed on. He had a walking cane and wasn’t too steady on his feet. I looked to where he had been sitting and over the course of my journey people who were standing there warned others not to sit in that seat.
Initially I felt disgusted that this man wet himself and a seat on the tram but then I felt sorry for him because who wants to wet themselves in public. It’s not something that adults do. But still, it stank and on the new trams there’s no way of opening a window to let some fresh air in. I hope that the seat gets cleaned.
This incident was cast out of my mind the other night on my way home from work. I had my seat and at the next stop a woman got on the tram holding her toddler on her hip. I ummed and aahhed, tossing up the possibility of giving up my seat. I didn’t really want to stand all the way home but I thought if I were her I’d probably like to sit down so I didn’t have to carry that heavyweight on my hip so I asked her. She said no she didn’t want a seat but she wanted to buy a ticket. I told her it was free till South Terrace and then she said to me that her son really wanted to catch a tram and that they would go to South Terrace and get off and come back. The joy on his face was infectious and it made me forget all my adult worries just for a moment.
I also felt good that I’d cast my selfishness aside and offered my seat and then had a really nice interaction with this woman and her son. She even got him to wave goodbye to the lady (me) when they got off the tram.
Written on August 27, 2010 by Jen
Filed Under: Journal
A couple of weekends ago JJ and I went up to the Riverland to do our bit for the environment by planting some trees at Banrock Station and having a look around at their wetlands.
The tool above is a very handy instrument for digging a hole and making a water well around the hole so the water doesn’t run away.
JJ took to this with great enthusisasm.
We had a bit of trouble getting the tree seedling out of it’s little container but eventually got there.
Then it was planting time.
Nearly a bucket of water went on to help it along its way, some stakes to hold the protector in place. Fortunately we chose the only weekend in the last month or so when it wasn’t bucketing down with rain.
We planted a tree each as we were with a group and only the kids were supposed to plant one but JJ must have asked nicely to plant another one.
We then had a boardwalk through the wetlands and of course he had to pick up something that he could use as a weapon. He’s going through a I’ve got to shoot everything and make gun noises phase. Even when we’re driving in the car he’s continually shooting other cars to get them out of my way. Occasionally it gets to me and I ask him to stop because I’m not into the whole shooting thing.
Hopefully the trees we planted will be more leafy than this.
I love the textures of some trees.
JJ had been unsure about the whole tree planting thing but he ended up having a great time, and we spent the next morning at Monash playground. Photos to come.
PS: You’ve got a couple of days to enter my $50 ozstore.com.au giveaway.
Written on August 8, 2010 by Jen
Filed Under: Journal
This week has been a week of lasts for me. Fortunately in this case the lasts also mean a new beginning as I finished up my job this week to start a new one in a week’s time. UPDATE: It’s now a week later and I seriously thought I’d published this post!
Yesterday was an unseasonably warm winter’s day and I enjoyed my last walk with my colleague around the River Torrens. I took my mobile phone with me to capture some images because the trees look glorious in their winter bareness and with the sun shining on their naked branches, well I just wanted to remember that.
I’m moving to work on the other side of the city so this part of the river won’t be as accessible to me.
I’ll really miss this walk. It’s a good chance to get out of the office, get some exercise and get back to work feeling renewed and refreshed.
It’s also baby swan season. I don’t know how a baby swan could ever have been mistaken for an ugly duckling.
I start my new job tomorrow and while I’m kinda nervous I’m really excited too. I have been busy in the last week and stories about that are to come.
Written on July 26, 2010 by Jen
Filed Under: Journal
I’ve been at my current employer for about 16 and a half years now, minus the nine months I took off when I had my son. I’ve jokingly said to colleagues that the rate I’m going I’d be there for the rest of my working life. And why not? I have a pretty interesting job, the working conditions are pretty good, the superannuation is great and there’s plenty of opportunity to move around.
The thing is, though, that I’ve been getting restless. While my job is pretty interesting it’s not exactly what I would like to do forever so I’d been looking around.
About two months ago I saw a job for a Digital Consultant advertised on Twitter. I ummed and aaahhed about whether or not to apply but eventually did. I got an interview which I really enjoyed. I went to Bali and was contacted while over there for a second interview and then a few agonising days later I found out I got the job.
Back to the first interview. Two very good friends gave me a mock interview the day prior and I’d written down some things on paper because I didn’t want my nervous interview brain to make me lost for words. When I brought out this piece of paper I showed them how organised I was. But to even get to this interview was a mighty effort in itself.
It was on a Friday which normally wouldn’t be a problem but it was also a pupil free day at my son’s school. I’d planned for us to spend the day together and then I had to try and arrange childcare which isn’t always easy. I eventually managed to find a friend who was able to have him and hopped in the car to go drop him off but the car wouldn’t start because the battery that I thought had a bit more life left in it finally went flat. I had one hour to go before the interview.
In situations like this my brain immediately kicks in and I quickly run through all the possible scenarios. That involved going inside and ringing up my babysitter. Her son answered (he also had a pupil free day) and told me she was in the shower. I rang another friend who lives close by cause I thought she could help but the call went to voicemail. I rang a third person and she was home and available to come and get me and look after JJ also. I rang back the first babysitter and told her not to worry about having JJ, explaining why.
I made into the city with 15 or so minutes to spare.
So, I’m leaving a very large organisation of some 3000 staff for a small privately owned organisation of about 12 staff and I can’t wait. I can’t predict how it will all turn out but I’m SO ready for a change and I feel like this is absolutely the right thing to do for myself at the moment.
As I gave four weeks notice – far too long as I’ve now realised – I’ve had plenty of time to tidy things up and get myself ready for the next job. One of those things is getting a cleaner to do my house once a week. I’m trialling a couple of people at the moment so hope to settle on someone pretty soon. This is also something I’ve been thinking about for a while and especially ever since I’ve been seeing The Surfer my time at home has been limited so I’ve had to clean when I get the chance and not put it off for the next day like I always used to.
I’ve got one week left at my current job then I’ve got a week off inbetween the old and new job. I’m taking JJ out of school for four days so we can go to Melbourne. I’ve booked our flights and a hotel in the city and I’m looking forward to having this time away and with him. It sounds like there’s some great exhibitions on at the moment in Melbourne, ie the Titanic artefact exhbition and the Tim Burton exhibition.
My Bali posts will resume after this. I’ve got a couple left. I know it’s a month since we got back but I’ve got to drag out the memories somehow.
Written on June 29, 2010 by Jen
Filed Under: Journal
I’m heading back to work this morning after a two week holiday in Bali. It was warm there. It’s bloody cold here and it’s raining as well. Yesterday morning after a night of no sleep while travelling back on the plane I was very emotional and tired and teary but am over that now.
I had to go shopping yesterday and trying to remember what I cook, because I haven’t cooked for two weeks, was hard. I had a brief look through all the photos and I have lots of stories to tell to accompany them.
But for now I have to go and earn a crust.
Written on June 12, 2010 by Jen
Filed Under: Journal
In a couple of days I’ll be escaping from this winter weather and going to hot Bali. I’ve never been to Bali before and I’ve not been overseas for ten years.
When I went overseas ten years ago I came back pregnant. The result of my pregnancy will be nine when we’re in Bali. When I’ve told people that I’m going to Bali nearly everyone’s asked me if I’m taking JJ. I couldn’t imagine going away for two weeks without him. For starters I’m pretty sure he’ll have a great holiday with me, but also because there’s nobody who’d look after him for me for two weeks.
It’s been a stressful couple of weeks for lots of reasons. To top it off I had an important appointment yesterday morning. It was a pupil free day at school and I couldn’t take JJ to the appointment so I’d arranged childcare for him. We hopped in the car so I could drop him off at a friend’s and the car wouldn’t start because the battery was completely dead. Fortunately I had a bit of time up my sleeve and I phoned a few people and luckily someone came to my rescue and picked us both up. Crisis averted. After I got home I called the RAA and I now have a brand new car battery.
Last night The Surfer and I went to see a Cabaret Festival show, Nouvelle Vague, and I walked out the door with my spare set of keys only they were my spare car keys, not the house keys. Fortunately I have a spare set hidden outside that I was able to get.
I need a break. I’m in the process of packing and tidying up the house ready for my house/dog sitter to come in while we’re away.
I probably won’t be blogging until I get back so it’s a break from winter and a blog break also. I’m sure I’ll have lots of stories and photos when I get back though.
Written on June 8, 2010 by Jen
Filed Under: Journal
I took Monty for a walk this evening which included some off lead time at the local oval. We were on our way out but Monty had to say a quick hello to a couple of dogs so I let her. I was nearby and I thought she knew where I was but after the dogs did their goodbyes she ran around with her ears pricked up and I knew she was looking for me. It was dusk so she probably couldn’t see me as easily as normal and as she’s getting quite deaf, my calls to her were pointless.
I could see she was getting a bit stressed so I had to walk up to her and wait till she looked in my direction, wave my hands at her and she finally realised where I was and off we went.
I’ve had Monty for nearly 11 years now. When I moved into my house my dream was always to have a dog. I had expressed this to some friends and not long after a four-year relationship ended a friend was around at my place one evening and she told me about a dog that a colleague of hers had to give up for various reasons.
She arranged for us to meet around at her place and I’ll never forget it. I was standing out the front of my friend’s place and there were around four other people there too. My friend turned up with Monty and she immediately ran up to me. I knew then that this was the dog for me.
One week later she became mine and I brought her home. I’ll never forget those first few days where she kept going to the front door like she wasn’t sure that she should be there. She’d also lie on the floor near me and look at me with her brown eyes and I felt a bit sorry for uprooting her from her previous home which was a loving home but I thought that at least she was coming to a new home with someone who loved her.
We’ve had our differences over the years with holes appearing in the back yard in places that shouldn’t have holes in them like the lawn and certain areas of the garden but there’s been so many benefits that outweigh the hole digging.
She’s forced me out of the house for walks and I’ve met people in the local area I would never have otherwise met.
She’s also been a beautiful companion to JJ. As he doesn’t mind telling me quite often, he loves her more than he loves me. I know this is to just get to me but he does love her a lot and gives her lots of hugs and always says a long goodbye to her at night while trying to sneak a peek at the television if it’s on.
Even though she’s pushing 13 human years and she is getting deaf and quite a bit slower she still loves her walks. She still acts like a puppy when I get her lead out and she knows that she’s going out for a walk. I’m really dreading the time when we have to say goodbye to her and when that time comes I don’t know what I’ll do because we’ll miss her like crazy.
If I do get a new dog I’m pretty sure I will adopt one rather than buy a puppy from a pet shop or breeder.
Pedigree are sponsoring a dog adoption drive and at the time of me writing this 861 dogs have been adopted. That’s got to be good. If I was to adopt a puppy in South Australia right now there’s a choice of nine dogs from their website with their stories. Nooo, I’m not looking now, nooooo.
Please note that this is not a sponsored post. I am a dog lover and want to see unwanted dogs go to a good home just like Monty did.