Mid Year Weariness?

I had a mid-year review with the boss earlier today. Apart from a main area she wanted me to look into the review was uneventful, which was good. She wanted me to contribute towards an industry/market intelligence update, from the perspective of legislative and case law development. That’s ok I guess. It does mean I have to turn my antenna way up to be alert to these matters and write concise punchy updates – maybe law firms’ snapshots of these developments is the way to go. We’ll see.

I’m also feeling a little tired today. While tramming in this morning, I had a familiar but ever so slight light-headedness when I got up as my stop approached. I steadied myself and there was nothing to it. After lunch however I again didn’t feel so well. I decided to go out for a quick walk around the block to get some fresh air and see if that helped.

It did for a while but I am again feeling tired now. Maybe it was the slight sleeping difficulty I had last night. It certainly had nothing to do with the mid-year review. That was in fact, dull…

 

Kiddo Has a Job

Kiddo had a job interview this arvo.

Year 10 students in Victoria are required to undergo a work experience exercise. They are to find full-time work which lasts for a week. The employer has the discretion on whether to pay them. Most pay a token sum, but many don’t.

The exercise doubtless will give these kids an opportunity to find out what it’s like to wake up in the morning with the prospect of a full day’s work ahead of them. They learn how to show up on time, all prepared for the day’s work. They learn how to get along with their boss and colleagues and generally go about getting work done.

Apart from the work per se and the dynamics of the workplace, kids also experience the process of writing in to prospective employers and attending interviews. They learn to deal with rejections – either at the written application stage or the interview.

I suppose many don’t really go through the application process. These are kids who land the work experience roles at mum or dad’s workplace or hooked up through mum and dad’s friends or relatives – ie connections and networking of their parents secure them the role. I guess that too is an experience they can draw on later in life, as many would have secured their positions this way in real life too.

Tress and I considered hooking up with work connections to land her the role. I tried, but have yet to follow through – mainly because everyone has been really busy and I didn’t want to push too much. It will come back to bite if a sense of “I owe you one” becomes a bit too overpowering. To be perfectly honest, Tress and I were always going to turn to this avenue if all else fails.

As it turned out, Kiddo’s job interview went well and she got a job. Her first job.

 

Un-Stoked

It’s hovered around 10 deg all day since about 11am, when I had to go to the next building. It has been cold. When I drove out this morning, it was just about reaching 7 deg.

In many ways, this winter has so far been mild. Apart from that week when Tress and Kiddo were in Malaysia all “swined” up, the mornings have been quite comfortable. That week, I remember struggling to cope with 2 deg days at home, all bundled up under layers of jumpers and blankets. Lately it has been about 7-10 deg in the morning.

It’s about an hour to the end of the week and I feel zonked out. There’s a dinner in our friends David and Lee Leng’s home tonight and I don’t feel quite like going. We have however, promised some people we will give them a ride. It’s actually not a dinner party and it’s a combined cell group meeting.

This Sunday, we’ll be hosting a lunch for senior citizens of our church. The church does this once a month for them. A few of us take turns to host. It’s our turn this month. I have thought about making a beef stew, a baked potato and a stir-fry vegetables, all served with rice and/or bread rolls. Maybe some fruits and a cake for desert, served with coffee and tea. Wine will be optional.

There will be maybe 10-12 senior citizens who will be invited. Occasionally, guests such as visitors to the church get invited also. So I am anticipating maybe 15 persons. That is a lot of people to cook lunch for. That is a lot of preparations. It will probably take the whole of tomorrow (together with cleaning up the house to get it ready). Actually right at this moment Tress and I are still in the dark as to how many will show up. We have asked the coordinator but have heard nothing back.

There is also a church board meeting tomorrow arvo. I have sent in my apologies for that one. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to manage lunch on Sunday arvo. I don’t need to generate that much heat to keep warm.

More to the point I guess, I have no idea what we will be meeting for ie no agenda has been provided. This isn’t the first time this is happening. I don’t know how we are to show up and just talk about anything, without prior thoughts (or prayer). Surely the idea isn’t just to show up for a chit chat…

Maybe I’m just having winter blues. It has been hovering around 10 deg most of today.