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 |  Little scraps of my life... my blog. |
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Well, well, well! This morning I get a call from the people I went for an interview with (not the best experience - see previous entry) and they want me back for a third go to meet the rest of the team and see what I can do in Illustrator and/or Photoshop. Test my skills, basically. So that's great! But scary. Though everything is scary. The interview was scary, this is going to be scary.  I hope I can pull it off. I'm a bit nervous because often I forget how to do things in Illustrator or when there is something a little more complex I blank. Or simply don't know how to do it. lol. Though there is "intensive training" involved apparently. She said this is definitely not a 'sink or swim' job. But that also comes with expectations. I think I can pull it off. As long as they don't ask me to do something too tricky. As far as I know, there's no a lot of actual design involved. It's more being given a template and you fill it with text, making sure everything lines up and fits, etc. I think I can do that. I hope. |
| I seem to be having trouble getting my life going where I want it to. *sigh* I had another job interview last Friday morning, but I don't think it went quite as well as I'd hoped. It seems like a good job for me and it's in an okay spot location-wise, but she caught me out on a particular question and I think I stuffed it up. I didn't seem to be giving her the answer she wanted, even though it seemed like an obvious answer to me. When she asked it again, I asked her to rephrase it but I still wasn't having any lightbulb moments. So I just tried to emphasize what I'd previously said and add in some more... but she still asked me it for a third time! By then, I basically said I didn't know. I may as well give you the question so you can think for yourselves. It's for an ad agency. She asked me what I would do if an ad went to print with a spelling error and the client rings you on Monday morning very upset - what would you say to them? To that, I said I would apologise to begin with. Then I asked her if the company had some sort of policy or compensation for that sort of thing, and that I would offer them that. She told me they did, but that wasn't relevant to the question (or rather, not the answer she was after). So I just said I'd apologise, try to calm them down and explain the policy. So she's like, "but what would you say? They might say what a nice apology, but that's not good enough?" I'm thinking I just told you... but since she asked again, I reiterated what I'd just said plus I would assure them that this sort of mistake is a one-off thing and certainly wouldn't happen again. I also mentioned that I may pass it on to a higher authority figure like my manager, but she's like no hypothetically you're the only one in the office. And then she asked it AGAIN - and by now all I wanted was for the floor to open up and me to disappear. She was looking at me as if to say 'come on, give me the right answer!' and I'm sure I was looking at her begging her to MOVE ON. She finally did and that was the end of the interview. After that, she just explained the role and about the company, etc. I have no idea what I was meant to say. Now that I think about it, maybe the company is not meant to take responsibility? Like the client signs it saying it's fine then it's sent to the printer. So maybe, legally, they can't sue if they've signed the piece of paper. I don't know. But anyway. I don't hear from them until the end of the week. I would be very surprised if she was interested! But hey, you never know. Apart from that, life is going slowly. I've also got a bit of a dilemma. It's my indecisiveness coming back to bite me in the butt again. I said I was going to be more sociable this year and try not to turn down invites to things for no good reason. But I said that with the thought that I may be socialising with new people in a new place. Now this social dinner thing has come up tonight with my old bible study group... the groups are starting back up again for 2010 and it's just a social evening at a restaurant having dinner. I umm'ed and uhh'ed about it because I stopped going to those studies because I didn't feel connected with anyone there. I wasn't really making friends and it got boring. Now it's going to be the same old people tonight asking me the same old questions ('Have you finished uni yet?' Yes. 3 years ago.) I mean, there's a chance new people will turn up... but I don't know. Then I decided I would make the effort and go. At least see who's there. But then I looked at the silly TV guide and changed my mind. I KNOW! It's a stupid, unsociable reason and I feel crap about it. I'm so torn. I would record what's on but they're on at the same time. So You Think You Can Dance is on and the new season of Criminal Minds starts tonight. If I stay home, I can watch one and record the other. *cringes* I know, I know - stop looking at me like that. It's not really a big deal... but I feel like I'm letting myself down. Though I can make it up to myself - there's another dinner two weeks from now to introduce and plan the study group. So I can do that instead. But still. I guess that night is also a Wednesday so both shows will be on, lol.  I do WANT to be more sociable. Really. I enjoy going out when I do. But I wanted to make new friends and be sociable with them. I'm not saying this crowd are not nice, but I don't really feel like I click. I may have written about this before in my blog actually. As for tonight, I think I'll just pass and stay home. I should go, I know. But I can't help myself. I want to be a hermit and watch my shows tonight. Or I may still change my mind and go. Indecisiveness is a curse. |
| I made some hummus dip today. You know, I always thought it was spelled hommus. I don't know why, I've bought it before but obviously never read the packaging properly. Just went on my own little misspelled way. I may have made some hummus dip, but I haven't actually applied for any jobs today. I'm getting around to it though... *whistles* Really. I am. My motivation is to move out of home. But then of course Mum makes something awesome for dinner and I ask myself why exactly I would want to move out and live on two minute noodles? And hummus dip, of course, because now we know I can make that too. It has chick peas and garlic in it - both of which pass for vegetables. Actually, chick peas pass as both vegetables and nuts so double score.  I also have a question... a serious, grown-up question. What do you do when you like somebody but you know they're due to leave the country for four years in about 18 or less months time? I may or may not like this guy -not really sure- but I was wondering what I would do if something happened there. As a side note, it's probably unlikely because I'm pretty sure he is actively avoiding relationships for the above reason. But what if he fell into something without even realising? Because we all know love happens when you least expect it. |
I'm training myself to use the mouse left-handed. I only thought of the idea this morning though so we'll see how it goes. But it started with last night when my right arm just starting aching from the elbow down. I figure it's from all that mouse clicking while wasting my time playing games. I thought the rest overnight would probably help, but nope, still there this morning. So - I'm giving 'ambimoustrous' a try.  Right now, it's totally awkward and I keep going to click something and missing the mark entirely. But with practice, I think having the skill to mouse left-handed will pay off. I can't imagine anything worse that having permanent RSI, especially if I want to be a graphic designer! Other than that, there's not much else happening. I was planning on visiting some workplaces on Friday and giving them my resume in the hope of getting some work, but I needed to re-do my folio for that and I really need to give my right arm a break. It sounds like an excuse, I know, but it can wait 'til next week. I'd do it left-handed but I don't think I'm that skilled yet! I spend so much time at the computer it's just insane. I keep wandering off telling myself to do something else, but then I get bored and end up back in front of the screen. Maybe I'll go organise my room or something so when I move out it will be easier... |
| So I went for the interview and they loved me. They were going to give me a call to confirm it. But they never did. Bastards. But that's okay. Because I have plenty of time now to waste time on Facebook apply for other jobs. My plan for 2010 to move out of home is still around. It involves being highly motivated and very sociable, both of which I am not right now. I would very much like to be sociable though (we'll just conveniently overlook the motivated part). I've decided that I like being around people. Just anybody, really. Except for that guy down at Safeway who does the trolleys and walks with a limp and slightly to the left. |
| I got a job interview! Hmmm. My plan is working... it's even a job closer to the city. Actually, it's past the city which is a little far but nevermind, can't be choosy. And besides, I haven't got it yet. Also, it's not technically in graphic design. The job I applied for was in graphic design but the job they're offering is in sales/admin of a graphic design company. Eh, not bad but not great either. But it's a job interview! From what I gathered, I'd basically be doing administration work and orders and things like that. It doesn't sound perfect by any means, but I guess it's a step in the right direction. It could lead to other things. So yes. Yay. The other thing I wanna mention is a little issue I have with Facebook. Who initiates the adding of friends? There's someone I'd like to add for purely stalking purposes only, but I don't want to be the add-er-er. I don't want to seem like I'm interested of course, so I'd like this person to add me of their own free will. However, I'm thinking the chances of this happening are about 60:40. 40 being the chance of it happening of course and 60 being the likelihood of it not. I mean, it still could happen. The problem is it's driving me slightly nutty. It's like when you're waiting for an email to come through. You keep looking even though you tell yourself not to..... but then you look anyway. And then again about two minutes later. I think I have a problem. |
| 2010 has been great so far. Day 3 and we're rolling... Okay. So New Year's Eve itself may have been a huge flop, but isn't it always? Anything that you build up in your mind ends up sucking. My sister and I were going to watch the city fireworks from a beach (Melbourne is in a curve with Bass Strait in the middle bit so you can see the city from any beach really). We found a great spot, but the weather was just crap. Thunderstorms were predicted for that night and what do you know... at about 11pm it starts pouring with rain. So we ended up just going home and watching the Sydney fireworks on telly. After that, I was still at my sisters place and Paul was bugging me to go to his place on the coast with a bunch of his mates (plus his girlfriend - which I'm finding is an odd relationship but that's another story). I said no about 4 times, drove home and my dad was like you should totally go. So I changed my mind and drove down that afternoon. I must be so annoying. I'm so indecisive. Okay, so the decision to change my mind may have been because I realised some certain people I met on the race were going to be there. I've been thinking it would be great if I had a chance to at least satisfy my curiosity and get to know them better. And what do you know - chance given! And much earlier than I expected. So I took myself down to the coast and spent the night there and the next day. It was good fun actually... had dinner and sat up 'til 3am playing board games/cards. The only problem with that was that we started playing 500 at about 1:30am and I've never played it. How hard do you think it is to actually take any information in at that hour? At about 2am, I was being spoken to but my mind was totally blank. lol. So I still only have a vague idea how to play 500!Next day, hung out at a nearby island with mini-golf and whatnot... which was good fun expect that mini-golf tends to drag. It's fun for the first 10 holes and then after that, starts to get a little hazy. As for hanging out with the guys, well, I got my wish and got to chat more - as for whether there's anything there... probably not. But maybe. I was just happy it all worked out so early in the year. I've been wondering to myself how I was going to see them again, and to given such an obvious opportunity is crazy. See, this is why 2010 is going to be awesome!! |
| Well, it's been quite awhile since I've written here but I truly do miss it. It's therapeutical to write down your thoughts and since I'm not doing it, I have a tendency to talk to myself instead. I tell myself all my inner thoughts and issues and feel much better after talking it through. But I am going to write today! I've been thinking about 2009 in reflection and once again, life spat things at me I didn't expect. It started off with having two jobs to having none. I began the year with quitting my 8 years at a department store to properly take on a full-time job in graphic design and printing. That worked well and I was settling into the 9-5 lifestyle. Just as I began to wonder how long I would be in the job for and whether I would get a chance to move out of home -bang- I get made redundant. Coincidentally, I was also thinking about taking leave to go on an overseas trip to Europe. In retrospect, losing my job came quite conveniently. Within a week, I had booked myself on a 25 day trip and left a month later. It was sudden and unexpected, and that's the way I do all good things in my life it seems. Jump and don't think. If I had thought about it too much, I wouldn't have gone. And I'm so glad I did, it was a fantastic experience. After I came back home, I knew things would be very different. I knew I was coming back to nothing. No job, no responsibilities, nothing. My world was totally open to change. Willingly or not, change was going to happen. My first step was to (very unwillingly) get government assistance with the financial situation. That has kept me afloat while I looked for work these past few months. I was forced to start applying for retail work when no graphic design places were contacting me. I ended up getting a number of casual work offers from places and I took a job at a jewellers in customer service. I've been working there casually over the Christmas period which may or may not have been a good decision. It's been something to do and quite possibly the motivation I needed to look harder for a full-time graphic design job. I have never wanted to work retail full-time. It's like my personal nightmare. I feel like it's something I CAN do but never WANT to do. I have the skills but it doesn't mean I enjoy it. It's more something to fall back on when things don't work out. My parents think I just have a bad attitude and bad work ethic because all I ever say is I'm counting down 'til my contract ends. It also doesn't help that my boss is a bit of a bitch. If she wasn't so cold, I might actually enjoy it. Actually, when she's not working it's not such a bad job. So right now, the end of the year has arrived and next year is open for the taking. Unlike last year, I have no idea what I'll be doing this time next month. Or even two weeks from now. I should feel scared but I feel oddly okay with it. I have always had a strong trust in God and his will for my life so I know he has a plan. I kind of have a plan too, actually. It's very flimsy and written on non-waterproof paper, but it's there. While I was working full-time, I knew I didn't want to move out of home just yet. I was comfortable working 5 minutes away and paying minimal board. Now I feel completely opposite. The feeling came over me not very long ago actually. Literally, a week. Remember my friend from uni? The really annoying one who I thought liked me but it turned out never felt that way (though everyone here agreed he was giving obvious signals to say otherwise)? Anyway. We still keep in touch and he organised this pretend Amazing Race idea, and I went along to help out at a detour point. It turns out he knows a lot of single guys around my age. He's been inviting me to things all year and it's far to drive so I always seem to say no. I should have been going! There's a belief that there's not a lot of single Christian guys around but it's all a lie - I just haven't been looking in the right spots. And I met some rather nice guys at this event, and regardless of whether I even see them again, it got me thinking and I realised that I'm living in the wrong spot. I'm never going to meet anyone where I am. I need to make the move out of home and closer to the city and start attending churches where these people are. And not just nice guys either, nice girls for friendships. I barely have any Christan girl friends and that would be lovely. I mean, I'm happy as I am but life could be so much more. And yes, of course there was one particular person who I've been thinking about...  So the initial plan is to hunt for a job closer to where I want to live. I'm thinking that I will go into potential workplaces and give them my resume. I can stay with either of my sister's while I do it because they both live there now, which is very handy. I can let myself into my sister and bro-in-laws place and crash there whenever I like and she doesn't mind. She told me yesterday I may as well leave some pyjamas and toothbrush there! Hopefully I can find something and then find somewhere to rent - a good way of doing that is looking on church notice boards. That way, you get a nice housemate or two who lives the same lifestyle as you. I'm trying not to get my hopes up about this though because work is difficult to find in this industry. A good place to start would be to re-do my portfolio because it's probably letting me down. It's going to be tough start to the year but I feel positive. I don't feel like I'm going to have panic attacks like I may have once upon a time. |
| Well, I'm back from Europe and I figured instead of writing a huge spiel about everything, I would just highlight a few of the things that happened. • Allowing eyeliner to be drawn on my face in the name of cross-dressing night in France. • Getting conjunctivitis in Hopfgarten, Austria and spending the day wandering looking for a pharmacy, then a doctor, then finding one remarkably similar to the crazy scientist from Back to the Future... but spoke German. • Being told off by a nasty French chick in Nice for trying to take a photo of the menu in McDonalds that included the famous ‘royal’ burgers - “Pliz! No fotos in McDonalds!” Really? • Happily playing Russian Roulette with our lives by running across the Arc de Triomphe roundabout in Paris. • Feeling like the soles of my feet were melting into my shoes in 42 degree Spanish Barcelona heat. • Watching the room spin after just two beers in Venice. • The bus driver luring a friend into his room, closing the door behind them and offering her a massage. • Feeling rather uneasy at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria when a man asked if he could take a photo of me and my friend... with his own camera. • Being subjected to the “Booth of Truth” after being 7 minutes late to the bus in Heidelberg, Germany only to be asked if I was a virgin... • Throwing up in the bus toilet en route from Austria to Germany. • Making a dash from the bus to the hotel room once reaching Germany... and throwing up again. • Yelling at the Venetian men in a boat in Venice, Italy to turn around and pick up our friend’s bag, which she dropped overboard. Granted, an easy thing to do in the city surrounded by water. • Missing the tram stop right outside the hotel in Amsterdam and having to walk back at night in the dodgiest area, only to be followed by two men on a scooter bike and harassed. • Losing our awesome tour manager 14 days in because a table was dropped on his foot and he broke a toe in two places. • Eating really good Chinese in the tiny German country of Liechtenstein. • Making every effort not to make eye contact with the MC during the ‘people to come on-stage’ call-out in the Flamenco dancing show in Barcelona… only to hear “You! Come on... come up on stage!” - “Yeeess! You!” - finally glancing up to find him looking directly at me. • Being desperate for the toilet in Nice, France and going back into McDonalds only to see a sign that you needed to punch in a code on the bottom of your receipt, in order to use the loo. Having lost my receipt, I patiently waited until someone came out and sneaked in. |
| I'm off on a jetplane! I'm trying to remember if that's a song. I think it might be. But I can't remember how it goes, so I'll just make up my own. *sings* Yep, I'm off overseas pretty soon. I can't decide if I'm terrified or excited. Both. Sometimes one wins though. I'm having chest pains...lol...I'm not sure if that's actually a problem or just me freaking out. Quite likely the latter. I often have physical reactions to things, though I didn't realise I did until I was in uni I think... Hmm anyway. Not much else to report. Just preparing and trying to stay calm. I like to think I'm doing a good job. |
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