Friday Five with 5 quick hit questions... and a bonus posted by Will Smama this week:
1) Your work day is done and the brain is fried, what do you do?
Grab a Red Earth beer from the fridge and sit outside under the Camphor Laurel enjoying it. Then off to the gym for a bit of cycling and weights. Home/shower/into Peter Alexander jamies and read til bedtime.
2) Your work week is done and the brain is fried (for some Friday, others Sunday afternoon), what do you do?
Well tonight I attended the first Open Space at our church. Couple of pews turned around to face each other over a coffee table covered with contemplative writing. Table and seat in the foyer with opportunity to journal or to write a greeting card to someone. Lesson from the techy guys on how to dim the lights. Plenty of candles. Quiet (recorded) music and DVD of nature scenes playing on loop. Tea light candles to light and watch. A blessed hour with no words, women and men together yet each in silence. Minimal set up and pack down. Welcome space.
3) Like most of us, I often keep myself busy even while programs are on the tv. I stop to watch The Office and 30 Rock on Thursday nights. Do you have 'stop everything' tv programming or books or events or projects that are totally 'for you' moments?
TV is one of our shared family times. When I got home tonight, for example, watched end of 'Sweet Home Alabama' with daughter. 'Me' time is when I am driving alone. Can listen to ABC National radio or CD of my choice. IPod while walking is another way to stop and detach from 'troubles and needless anxieties'
4) When was the last time you laughed, really laughed? What was so funny?
I fell about laughing when I realised just what I had said one recent Saturday afternoon. "I'd rather spend time with you than do the vacuuming" So does that mean that I love his company just a little more than one of my most disliked chores? It wasn't meant to come out like that. I won't be allowed to forget it.
5) What is a fairly common item that some people are willing to go cheap on, but you are not.
Soap. I love handcrafted oil based soaps. Buy one or two every time I go to a market. (Modified overnight to add pyjamas and wine)
Bonus: It's become trite but is also true that we often benefit the most when we give. Go ahead, toot your own horn. When was the last time you gave until it felt good?
It felt like a lot of giving last Sunday leading all three worship services - I was exhausted at the end of the day but it felt good. The good feeling continues! Tonight one of the youth group said she had got the DVD of the sermon and was going to watch it with her boyfriend over the weekend (just in case you wondered what young people do with their time these days). And the 8 am people were just so thrilled that I chose four hymns (the Minister usually has only 3). It seemed like all the preparation was worthwhile.
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Zero to two in under three
Talk about amazing. After six months with no paid employment I followed a lead from a friend which led to me accepting a part-time position in Palliative Medicine. The NEXT DAY I had an interesting phone call testing out my interest in a Public Health role in a new medical school. Today I had an interview which led to an offer and I will start that academic position part-time in two weeks. Still to be officially confirmed of course but all is in train to complete the paperwork. So from no job to two jobs in less than three weeks! I am a happy lassie. And even more so when I found the Uni is across the road from an art supplies shop. I love beautiful papers and this shop is full of those. As well as every kind of paint you can imagine. It was a great place to look around after the successful interview.
I'm not sure what to make of all this. Should I just have been more patient and trusted that the right position would eventuate? Was my 'bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' mentality about the first offer an example of that lovers' impetuous nature that leaps at the present and doesn't plan for the future? Was I just giving in to the pressure from within and without to find a job? At some level I know I was wondering what is wrong with me that I was perpetually shortlisted but never appointed. Others around me were asking the same question.
Then again - if there is any branch of clinical medicine that I would consider Pall Med is in there - alongside rehab/ psych/ addiction med/ gerontology. It was not a rash decision but something I had been thinking about for some time. Attending PallMed journal club I find synergies between the issues my new colleagues discuss and my experience in Public Health. Both these positions came as a result of invitation to consider. Both 'seemed right at the time'. One extends me in new directions and the other is a consolidation and affirmation of experience to date. In time I think I will find that the diversion into PallMed will have significant impact on my professional development. The Public Health questions around end of life care need to be addressed. I have a new perspective already.
So I am glad. Not too interpreting. Glad and grateful. For opportunities abounding and knowledge to gain and to share. However I got here.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Back to School
A very timely Friday Five from Mother Laura this week. Here are the graduates of my primary class going back to school many years later.
1. Is anyone going back to school, as a student or teacher, at your house? How's it going so far?
How could you know? This very afternoon I submitted an application for a Head of Department position at a local University. I met with some of the staff last week and was really impressed at the integration of personal and professional development within the curriculum. For those who follow my ramblings - yes this is a surprise. I had just started 2 days a week in Palliative Medicine when I was approached to consider the Uni position. In the short term I can continue both part time. But come the start of the new academic year in February I'll need to make some changes.
2. Were you glad or sad when back-to-school time came as a kid?
I was generally pretty happy to be going back to school.
3. Did your family of origin have any rituals to mark this time of year? How about now?
I don't remember any from my childhood. Getting the uniforms drycleaned is almost a ritual in our home now. YES the students do wear uniforms to school in Australia and New Zealand!
4. Favorite memories of back-to-school outfits, lunchboxes, etc?
Well that would be the uniform :-) I loved the lunches my Mum packed for me but I don't remember the boxes particularly.
5. What was your best year of school?
I loved my first year at school with Miss Hull who wore amazing large flowery dresses (it was the 60s !) And when I started post-grad studies in Public Health I had a huge sense of being where I belonged. Both were excellent years. But for attachment to place it would have to be that little country school (below) where I learned to love to learn.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
My heart's desire ...
Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Labor without u
Singing Owl posted a Friday Five at RevGalBlogPals to commemorate Labor Day in the USA. It's a few weeks before we have that celebration downunder, so I welcome the opportunity to look forward and be prepared. And ponder on why down here we include u (Labour) in the day but not in the left-leaning political party (Labor). Singing Owl writes:
Here in the USA we are celebrating the last fling of the good ol' summertime. It is Labor Day weekend, and families are camping, playing in the park, swimming, grilling hotdogs in the backyard, visiting amusement parks and zoos and historical sites and outdoor concerts and whatever else they can find to help them extend summer's sun and play just a little bit longer.
It is supposed to also be a celebration of the working man and woman, the backbone of the American economy, the "salt-of-the-earth neices and nephews of Uncle Sam. With apologies to those in other countries, this is a Friday Five about LABOR. All can play. Put down that hammer, that spoon, that rolling pin, that rake, that pen, that commentary, that lexicon, and let's have some fun.
1. Tell us about the worst job you ever had.
I've had terrible moments in most jobs. But I haven't really had a worst job. Very fortunate to have had great colleagues, work requirements aligned with personal competencies, and good learning opportunities all along the way.
2. Tell us about the best job you ever had.
Working in advocacy for children's rights was extremely rewarding. Hearing a politician quoting the words of my boss was amazing. Our office supported meaningful youth participation in a bi-national conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. I had a formal role in contributing to national policy on newborn screening and on use of assisted reproductive technologies. We contributed to New Zealand being the first English-speaking country to remove the statutory chastisement defence for charges of child assault. It was a position of influence and responsibility that I think I managed well.
3. Tell us what you would do if you could do absolutely anything (employment related) with no financial or other restrictions.
Do what I do - develop relationships, contribute to competency development within my profession, engage in community activities and concerns, find opportunities where my skills and knowledge can make a difference and contribute to a 'better world' and GO FOR IT!
4. Did you get a break from labor this summer? If so, what was it and if not, what are you gonna do about it?
My break was through the winter when I did not have another position to go to when a contract ended. I have done heaps - contributed to reviewing materials for Lent 2009, written up PhD corrections, co-ordinated national training day in Public Health Medicine, applied for and attended many job interviews, taken up knitting with a passion, supported offspring with study, careers, and after-school activities.
5. What will change regarding your work as summer morphs into fall? Are you anticipating or dreading?
I have a new post. Starting Thursday. As the medical person in a palliative care day hospital. I am anticipating a massive learning curve, a committed team, a challenging and rewarding occupation. With my total lack of spatial awareness i dread getting perpetually lost commuting to a part of the city I do not know at all.
Bonus question: For the gals who are mothers, do you have an interesting story about labor and delivery (LOL)? If you are a guy pal, not a mom, or you choose not to answer the above, is there a song, a book, a play, that says "workplace" to you?
In antenatal classes with baby number two the tutor was happily telling people that labour was 'not allowed' to go on longer than twelve hours. Then asked me about my first time. Which in fact was 30 hours and ended in C-section. Moment of dilemma. Do I scare everyone with the truth? Or lie and perpetuate a fairytale ending myth that does not always happen? Stated the facts and emphasised the support and care of the maternity staff and service.
AND - why answer one when I can answer two bonus questions
Here in the USA we are celebrating the last fling of the good ol' summertime. It is Labor Day weekend, and families are camping, playing in the park, swimming, grilling hotdogs in the backyard, visiting amusement parks and zoos and historical sites and outdoor concerts and whatever else they can find to help them extend summer's sun and play just a little bit longer.
It is supposed to also be a celebration of the working man and woman, the backbone of the American economy, the "salt-of-the-earth neices and nephews of Uncle Sam. With apologies to those in other countries, this is a Friday Five about LABOR. All can play. Put down that hammer, that spoon, that rolling pin, that rake, that pen, that commentary, that lexicon, and let's have some fun.
1. Tell us about the worst job you ever had.
I've had terrible moments in most jobs. But I haven't really had a worst job. Very fortunate to have had great colleagues, work requirements aligned with personal competencies, and good learning opportunities all along the way.
2. Tell us about the best job you ever had.
Working in advocacy for children's rights was extremely rewarding. Hearing a politician quoting the words of my boss was amazing. Our office supported meaningful youth participation in a bi-national conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. I had a formal role in contributing to national policy on newborn screening and on use of assisted reproductive technologies. We contributed to New Zealand being the first English-speaking country to remove the statutory chastisement defence for charges of child assault. It was a position of influence and responsibility that I think I managed well.
3. Tell us what you would do if you could do absolutely anything (employment related) with no financial or other restrictions.
Do what I do - develop relationships, contribute to competency development within my profession, engage in community activities and concerns, find opportunities where my skills and knowledge can make a difference and contribute to a 'better world' and GO FOR IT!
4. Did you get a break from labor this summer? If so, what was it and if not, what are you gonna do about it?
My break was through the winter when I did not have another position to go to when a contract ended. I have done heaps - contributed to reviewing materials for Lent 2009, written up PhD corrections, co-ordinated national training day in Public Health Medicine, applied for and attended many job interviews, taken up knitting with a passion, supported offspring with study, careers, and after-school activities.
5. What will change regarding your work as summer morphs into fall? Are you anticipating or dreading?
I have a new post. Starting Thursday. As the medical person in a palliative care day hospital. I am anticipating a massive learning curve, a committed team, a challenging and rewarding occupation. With my total lack of spatial awareness i dread getting perpetually lost commuting to a part of the city I do not know at all.
Bonus question: For the gals who are mothers, do you have an interesting story about labor and delivery (LOL)? If you are a guy pal, not a mom, or you choose not to answer the above, is there a song, a book, a play, that says "workplace" to you?
In antenatal classes with baby number two the tutor was happily telling people that labour was 'not allowed' to go on longer than twelve hours. Then asked me about my first time. Which in fact was 30 hours and ended in C-section. Moment of dilemma. Do I scare everyone with the truth? Or lie and perpetuate a fairytale ending myth that does not always happen? Stated the facts and emphasised the support and care of the maternity staff and service.
AND - why answer one when I can answer two bonus questions
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
On rules and memes and other things ...
When I got tagged for a meme I did it. And enjoyed it. Up to the part where you have to tag other people.
Then I thought "What is a meme anyway?". According to Wikipedia it is the cultural equivalent of DNA - a cultural unit that spreads and throughout a culture like a virus "So with memes, some ideas will propagate less successfully and become extinct, while others will survive, spread, and, for better or for worse, mutate." I'm not at all sure how this relates to the phenomenon in the blogosphere but clearly change is inherent and allowable.
But all this got me thinking about my own compliance. I am certainly one of those people for whom discerning questions are a skill to be cultivated. My tendency is to accept and to follow directions. I like to think I would stop short of lethally harming someone in those famous Milgram experiments - but I just don't know. In my favour is my active participation in the class of 1978 - the medical students who refused to carry out gynae exams on women without informed consent. With a colleague we presented our case to the Professor - were threatened with failing the year - but stood firm and in the end had our ethical stance supported by the University. It is a shock to realise that the same issue continues to resurface around the world 30 years later.
In a job interview this week I was asked how I would keep to the time assigned to the position. I was candid enough to say I tend to say 'yes' too easily, and insightful enough to say that I seek the discernment to work out whether new tasks will contribute to achieving the goals of my position and if so, how I will negotiate additional hours or reprioritising of existing work to include them.
One year I gave up saying 'yes' for Lent (not at work, but at home and in voluntary activities). It was freeing. "MJD will you undertake ... ?" "Get back to me after Easter and I'll consider it." It's a discipline I keep there and bring out - often after I need to but at least before it is really too late.
So with memes. How do you know who 'does them' and who 'doesn't'? Do you have to do them when you're tagged? Do you have to tag?
You can't tell by just looking at a blog. Guessing isn't always accurate. No and no. But it can be fun if you do.
- Do I have to do this?
- What if they don't want to do it?
- Will they feel obliged to do something they don't want to do just because I tagged them?
- Will they still speak to me after I tag them for a meme?
Then I thought "What is a meme anyway?". According to Wikipedia it is the cultural equivalent of DNA - a cultural unit that spreads and throughout a culture like a virus "So with memes, some ideas will propagate less successfully and become extinct, while others will survive, spread, and, for better or for worse, mutate." I'm not at all sure how this relates to the phenomenon in the blogosphere but clearly change is inherent and allowable.
But all this got me thinking about my own compliance. I am certainly one of those people for whom discerning questions are a skill to be cultivated. My tendency is to accept and to follow directions. I like to think I would stop short of lethally harming someone in those famous Milgram experiments - but I just don't know. In my favour is my active participation in the class of 1978 - the medical students who refused to carry out gynae exams on women without informed consent. With a colleague we presented our case to the Professor - were threatened with failing the year - but stood firm and in the end had our ethical stance supported by the University. It is a shock to realise that the same issue continues to resurface around the world 30 years later.
In a job interview this week I was asked how I would keep to the time assigned to the position. I was candid enough to say I tend to say 'yes' too easily, and insightful enough to say that I seek the discernment to work out whether new tasks will contribute to achieving the goals of my position and if so, how I will negotiate additional hours or reprioritising of existing work to include them.
One year I gave up saying 'yes' for Lent (not at work, but at home and in voluntary activities). It was freeing. "MJD will you undertake ... ?" "Get back to me after Easter and I'll consider it." It's a discipline I keep there and bring out - often after I need to but at least before it is really too late.
So with memes. How do you know who 'does them' and who 'doesn't'? Do you have to do them when you're tagged? Do you have to tag?
You can't tell by just looking at a blog. Guessing isn't always accurate. No and no. But it can be fun if you do.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Closing doors
A really interesting poetry party this week. Do read the article - and play the door game - mentioned by Christine at Abbey of the Arts who says:
Our Twentieth Poetry Party! I select an image and suggest a title and invite you to respond with your poems, words, reflections, quotes, song lyrics, etc. Leave them in the comments or email me and I’ll add them to the body of the post as they come in along with a link back to your blog if you have one (not required to participate!) I’ll add your contributions all week and then I will draw a name at random on Friday from everyone who participates and will send the winner a copy of my newest zine Season by the Sea: A Contemporary Book of Hours. Feel free to take your poem in any direction and then post the image and invitation on your blog and encourage others to come join the party! (a blog is definitely not required to participate!)
Last week I discovered this article about the advantages of limiting our options in a world where we have such an abundance of choices, both superificial as in what kind of TV to buy and the more serious as in where to live geographically or what kind of work to engage in. We have so many more options than just a couple of generations ago and it can be both liberating and dizzying. Lately I have been contemplating the way I feel pulled in many directions sometimes because I have many gifts and many ways I want to express them. I love the many facets of the work I do, but I recognize an inner pull or call to begin to consider saying no to some options as a way of developing myself in one or two areas.
We tend to believe that open doors are signs of the sacred. So I thought this might be worth exploring in poetry — have there been times when a door closing was a blessing? Can you imagine which options you might like to limit in order to have a fuller sense of how you are being called?
And if somewhere deep inside you is a voice saying “no, I don’t want to close any doors” — then write a poem about that!
This week I listened to an interesting radio programme about Haiku. Seventeen syllables seems a good counterpoint to my last long poem so here goes:Shortlisted again
Despondent can I choose to
Bless the closing door
Thanks Christine. There may be more to come!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
