It’s been a busy week at my new job. I learnt so much. Everybody is so kind, all my fears are out the window, for now. We have 2 deadlines every day, so it keeps you on your toes. The lady that is showing me around is so patient. It is hundreds of little things that you need to remember every day, and she said I can relax it is only my first week.
I got 2 compliments though.
I miss my friends at my old company, but we keep in touch via email. I was supposed to go out with the girls to watch Eclipse next week on the 30th but that did not work out quite well. So I guess I will stay at home and snooze in and catch the movie at a later stage.
This first week at the new job was a little bit overwhelming. I am going to visit my best friend tomorrow and we will have some baby talk to take my mind off things. I hope the wind is not too cold, I don’t take the kids out if the wind is too cold.
Well one week down, many more to go. I am happy here. This is what I wanted.
I am hoping to blog more regularly as the time goes on.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
One nervous blogger...
I must be on my 4th blog for today…yip. Can you tell that I am nervous about next week? It’s kind of exciting and nerve wrecking at the same time.
I got my exam results last week – 83%. I knew I passed I was curious to see the final mark. My poor study buddy, she said she will wait for it in the post. Maybe she wants to delay the bad news a bit longer. Or maybe it is better for if her if she does not find out right away. The moment they sent me the sms that the results were in, I was there.
Well at least I am starting next week on a happy note.
I have to make a list of 5 going away presents that I would like. They will choose one. I don’t know, I am on such a high at the moment anything would do.
GPRS
Blue Ray DVD
Dishwasher
Hello Kitty Laptop bag
Katy Perry CD
That’s the problem. I don’t know the budget.
Ask? No I am not that straight forward.
Just the idea that they are getting me something is nice.
I got my exam results last week – 83%. I knew I passed I was curious to see the final mark. My poor study buddy, she said she will wait for it in the post. Maybe she wants to delay the bad news a bit longer. Or maybe it is better for if her if she does not find out right away. The moment they sent me the sms that the results were in, I was there.
Well at least I am starting next week on a happy note.
I have to make a list of 5 going away presents that I would like. They will choose one. I don’t know, I am on such a high at the moment anything would do.
GPRS
Blue Ray DVD
Dishwasher
Hello Kitty Laptop bag
Katy Perry CD
That’s the problem. I don’t know the budget.
Ask? No I am not that straight forward.
Just the idea that they are getting me something is nice.
The Office Cleaner
I feel sorry for her, I really do. It’s not that I don’t care because I am moving on.
I am talking about Rebecca, the office cleaner. She used to have lots of work at our old premises where there were seven separate offices and a big kitchen to clean. When we moved to this open plan office last May everybody complained that she had nothing to do and were under their feet the whole day. I’m getting my desk cleaned 3 times a day because I’m the only one that doesn’t mind that she is around. Hope the next person will be as understanding as I am.
We only need her about 3 times a week if it is that much. It must be hard to be used to lots of work and all of a sudden you don’t have many options available. Worst part is she can’t even hide somewhere in an office because it is open plan.
I brought her some clothes this week, and some old toys. I guess I empty the cupboards when I get nervous, because my time here is running out quickly. I haven’t even met half of my new colleagues at the new job, I don’t know why that is making me nervous.
My boss said the other day that she can’t guarantee anyone work for the rest of their lives. It is true. That is why am so sad. Not for me. For Rebecca, who hasn’t had all the opportunities life had to offer. She must have lived 40 years in the old South Africa. This is all she knows. This is all she will ever know.
I made a promise that I will come and visit.
I will miss her the most.
I am talking about Rebecca, the office cleaner. She used to have lots of work at our old premises where there were seven separate offices and a big kitchen to clean. When we moved to this open plan office last May everybody complained that she had nothing to do and were under their feet the whole day. I’m getting my desk cleaned 3 times a day because I’m the only one that doesn’t mind that she is around. Hope the next person will be as understanding as I am.
We only need her about 3 times a week if it is that much. It must be hard to be used to lots of work and all of a sudden you don’t have many options available. Worst part is she can’t even hide somewhere in an office because it is open plan.
I brought her some clothes this week, and some old toys. I guess I empty the cupboards when I get nervous, because my time here is running out quickly. I haven’t even met half of my new colleagues at the new job, I don’t know why that is making me nervous.
My boss said the other day that she can’t guarantee anyone work for the rest of their lives. It is true. That is why am so sad. Not for me. For Rebecca, who hasn’t had all the opportunities life had to offer. She must have lived 40 years in the old South Africa. This is all she knows. This is all she will ever know.
I made a promise that I will come and visit.
I will miss her the most.
Riding with pets in cars
Why would you drive with a dog on your lap? Or even better - why would you drive with a dog on your lap with its hair in your face? Or maybe you are scared that someone will put a gun to your face at any moment, and then the dog will scare them away. Are you going somewhere? If you do get out do you take the dog with or do you leave him in the heat?
I am not a dog person. Maybe there will be fewer accidents if people will just leave their dogs at home.
The other day we were in the supermarket and a lady in front of us had a little monkey on her shoulder. People will try all kinds of things to get attention. With all do respect lady, take off your clothes and I will guarantee you lots of attention, don't use a monkey that might jump on my child and bite it. I will be more worried about the thing peeing and who-knows-what-else on my shoulder. That for me is just a no go. Pets belong at home unless you are taking them for a real walk in the park where no one is in need of attention, just some excercise.
Our cat seems to think that 25% of the bed belongs to him. It is winter now and all he wants to do is snuggle under the duvet. He has come to terms with the idea that the baby comes first. It was hard for him and he sulked like only a cat can do. When winter arrived he knew where to find my lap.
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Maybe that old lady with the Pom-pom on her lap was on her way to the Vet.
I don’t know.
I am not a dog person. Maybe there will be fewer accidents if people will just leave their dogs at home.
The other day we were in the supermarket and a lady in front of us had a little monkey on her shoulder. People will try all kinds of things to get attention. With all do respect lady, take off your clothes and I will guarantee you lots of attention, don't use a monkey that might jump on my child and bite it. I will be more worried about the thing peeing and who-knows-what-else on my shoulder. That for me is just a no go. Pets belong at home unless you are taking them for a real walk in the park where no one is in need of attention, just some excercise.
Our cat seems to think that 25% of the bed belongs to him. It is winter now and all he wants to do is snuggle under the duvet. He has come to terms with the idea that the baby comes first. It was hard for him and he sulked like only a cat can do. When winter arrived he knew where to find my lap.
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Maybe that old lady with the Pom-pom on her lap was on her way to the Vet.
I don’t know.
A storage box full of memories
I emptied out my drawers at work today.
Ten years ago I started here as a shy receptionist. The lady that came and did the switchboard training had to show me how to put staples in the stapler. She was a Godsend that day. I haven’t told anyone up until this day. Heaven knows why I am writing it in my blog.
As the days moved on I became more confident. The one thing I could do well at the time when I knew nothing was to show up for work. 50% of success is showing up they say. I was hungry to learn and absorb information. It was the one chance that I had to take and make the most of.
Does confidence come with time? I don’t know. I do know that you grow through experience. Things, good or bad, happen for a reason.
The storage box is on my desk. Between most of the things are photos of my children and one wedding photo. Isn’t it amazing how everyone always seems to glow on their Wedding photos? I thought I could conquer the world that day. I was ready for anything. My one friend and I always agree on one thing (and we were married a week apart at the same venue): the first day of the 1st anniversary there was trouble in paradise.
Well we had to live through that I suppose. Seven years later I still love my husband. I know what irritates him and what doesn’t and vice versa.
My storage box is packed. My drawers are empty. 40kms from here a brand new office is waiting for me to build new memories.
I am leaving a portion of my life behind. All I can say is thank you.
Life has treated me well. I am so fortunate.
Ten years ago I started here as a shy receptionist. The lady that came and did the switchboard training had to show me how to put staples in the stapler. She was a Godsend that day. I haven’t told anyone up until this day. Heaven knows why I am writing it in my blog.
As the days moved on I became more confident. The one thing I could do well at the time when I knew nothing was to show up for work. 50% of success is showing up they say. I was hungry to learn and absorb information. It was the one chance that I had to take and make the most of.
Does confidence come with time? I don’t know. I do know that you grow through experience. Things, good or bad, happen for a reason.
The storage box is on my desk. Between most of the things are photos of my children and one wedding photo. Isn’t it amazing how everyone always seems to glow on their Wedding photos? I thought I could conquer the world that day. I was ready for anything. My one friend and I always agree on one thing (and we were married a week apart at the same venue): the first day of the 1st anniversary there was trouble in paradise.
Well we had to live through that I suppose. Seven years later I still love my husband. I know what irritates him and what doesn’t and vice versa.
My storage box is packed. My drawers are empty. 40kms from here a brand new office is waiting for me to build new memories.
I am leaving a portion of my life behind. All I can say is thank you.
Life has treated me well. I am so fortunate.
Monday, June 14, 2010
For a reason, a season and a lifetime
Ann is here from the Eastern Cape. Ann is the lady that I stayed with when I started at this company. It is while staying with her when my life did a 180. Sometimes I wonder what was so magical about staying with her. She was always surrounded by good and inspirational people. She taught me lessons in life without saying a word.
If I think back today, then she was part of the bigger picture for that part of my life. She was the person who carried me through the tough times. I can remember the discussions that we had until late at night. Allot of things that she said only made sense later.
She was the one that encouraged me almost 8 years ago to invite my now husband for dinner. I wasn’t brought up that way, I mean, to ask a guy out. But she grew up in the City and here in the City things were done different. I was so convinced that he would say NO, and I did not want to feel like an idiot if the answer was no. With lots of encouragement from Ann I picked I eventually picked up the phone and asked, and to my astonishment he said YES. I guess the rest is history. The feeling was mutual.
The last time I saw Ann was 3 years ago in Bryanston. She was older, but still the happy person that I met all those years ago.
I’m looking forward to see her.
She was there for a reason, for a season and hopefully a lifetime.
If I think back today, then she was part of the bigger picture for that part of my life. She was the person who carried me through the tough times. I can remember the discussions that we had until late at night. Allot of things that she said only made sense later.
She was the one that encouraged me almost 8 years ago to invite my now husband for dinner. I wasn’t brought up that way, I mean, to ask a guy out. But she grew up in the City and here in the City things were done different. I was so convinced that he would say NO, and I did not want to feel like an idiot if the answer was no. With lots of encouragement from Ann I picked I eventually picked up the phone and asked, and to my astonishment he said YES. I guess the rest is history. The feeling was mutual.
The last time I saw Ann was 3 years ago in Bryanston. She was older, but still the happy person that I met all those years ago.
I’m looking forward to see her.
She was there for a reason, for a season and hopefully a lifetime.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
On my way up..
I had to go and sign my new employment contract today. It was 2nd nature, because I studied H.R and knew straight away what the guy was talking about. They do everything by the book. It is a company that is outsourced by the new company that I will be working for, so they will be handling all the payroll and H.R.
At the moment my current company is compensating me with petrol, but it is one amount that has not gone up when the petrol did. That means I have to dig into my back pocket every month. My boss has been so good with everything, I did not want to hassle her about more petrol money. So at the new company I will have a little extra every month. There is so much I want to do around the house.
I don’t think I will ever look at my Milage or Petrol gage again. It’s not like it is going to give me a few extra kilos so I might as well stop looking at it now. It is just sad to see the kilos melt away everyday. And my poor car, getting a service every 3 or 4 months is not funny. She will have a nice rest. Instead of 100kms a day she might do 40km at the most.
So the new job waits. New mountains need to be climbed.
I am so excited!
At the moment my current company is compensating me with petrol, but it is one amount that has not gone up when the petrol did. That means I have to dig into my back pocket every month. My boss has been so good with everything, I did not want to hassle her about more petrol money. So at the new company I will have a little extra every month. There is so much I want to do around the house.
I don’t think I will ever look at my Milage or Petrol gage again. It’s not like it is going to give me a few extra kilos so I might as well stop looking at it now. It is just sad to see the kilos melt away everyday. And my poor car, getting a service every 3 or 4 months is not funny. She will have a nice rest. Instead of 100kms a day she might do 40km at the most.
So the new job waits. New mountains need to be climbed.
I am so excited!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
A portion of my life...in jobs
My very first job…mmmm…
I was a cashier at a co-op in the East Rand, it was back in 1996. I don’t remember much of my time spent there - besides counting the float every night. The owner took us to Holiday on Ice in 1997, and every year we went to this fancy restaurant for our end of year celebrations. I only worked there for 3 years.
My 2nd, 3rd and 4th job…
I moved to the North Rand in 1999. I had to find a job so I printed 30 CV’s and went to the Mall to dish them out to the shop owners. 4 People came back to me - The House of Coffees, Ocean Basket, Reggies and Miladys… I worked at Miladys on Saturdays and at Ocean Basket during the week, but I only lasted for 2 days at Ocean basket. That’s why I have respect for waiters up until this day. My feet were killing me. How do they do it? Then I started at Reggies for a couple of months… That was all in 1999…
My 5th job was at the Gym as a receptionist. I met weird people. It was in the heart of Sandton. I stayed with a German family who prepared German meals and rode German cars. It is true about their dry sense of humour. This was in 2000…
My 6th job changed my life. I started out as the receptionist. I left the German family and moved in with this older lady Ann. My whole life changed from their on. I earned enough money to go for lessons and get my drivers licence. One day I met a guy who came into my office with nice shoes and forearms – he became my husband 2 years later.
In 2007 I was promoted as Sales Assistant and enjoyed every moment.
I believe I will be starting my 7th job on the 21st of June as a Personal Assistant. I just completed my 4th qualification at Damelin. Oh yes I know *boast* *boast*.
The other day I walked past the Reggies store in the Mall where I worked. I looked at the owner and he kind of recognized me. I thought of how much I have grown in the last 11 years. I never thought I would thank him one day for letting me go.
He was still there in his cubicle. I was outside of his cubicle.
Free.
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