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Update September 2015

It has been quite a while since my last update & there’s pretty good reasons for it. As some of you might know, I’ve been working full time, doing uni part time & been busy applying for jobs lately. It’s been quite a full on couple of months & I’ve been struggling to get into the rhythm of things. I was taking 2 units at uni, which equated to approximately 24 hours of studying & assignments each week. I never got close to even that, I’d say I average about 3 to 5 hours each week at most.

There was an assignment that was due on Friday at 11.59pm & I’ve learned that I can only do assignments if I sit down & do them all in one shot. It’s how I’ve always learned & no matter how hard I tried to space things out more, it’s never worked for me any other way. So I started doing my assignment & hit a mental wall just before the deadline & cracked it. It was one of those hurdles that I wasn’t going to be able to jump through this time.

Matt had been cajoling me & encouraging me every step of the way but no matter what, I just could not make myself go on past that point. And I’m glad he knows me well enough to know when I’ve had enough. It came to the point where he was going to walk me through my assignment each step, and that was when I just broke down, unable to tell him what I needed to do & just blubbered some gibberish while crying.

We then talked it through & he told me something that I thought was very profound: that I need some down time & I don’t need to be on the go all the time. I think that hit the proverbial nail on its head. I’ve been working FT since May last year without a decent holiday from work, all the while studying as well. I’ve been trying to finish up my Masters ASAP, all without taking time to breathe & just chill. I admit, I run on deadlines & stress but I think my head just gave up after this stint.

I’m not at all ashamed to admit that I’ve decided to withdraw from that unit & continue with one unit a semester. If I can’t live with time to enjoy life, I don’t see the point. The thing that really cemented this decision is when work rejected my application for the vacation program, which essentially means that I’m in no rush to finish studying or do I intend to apply for their graduate program. It’s been a convoluted blessing in disguise as I’m in a pool for a job that I know is hard but also rewarding at the same time, and back in my initial field of OT & disability. I’m also in the process of finding out if I’m in 2 other pools for another job within the same sector. All 3 of which pays incredibly well.

I’m thinking of having a break next semester from uni to really recharge my batteries & to extend my Masters by a year. At this point, I’m only doing it just so I’ve got an extra qualification. I’m not 100% about working within the industry, which I’m ok with. My ultimate dream job has nothing to do with anything I’m studying or have studied, so I’m just happy enough with whatever comes along for now.

I’m quite relieved at the turn of events & the decision I’ve made this weekend. It’s also come at a good time as Matt was there to support me in what I decided & knew me well enough to help my decision along & to have my best interest at heart. On a lighter note, I feel that one unit at uni is now doable & I’ve only got another 7 weeks till I’ve got a long break again & I’m looking forward to the Royal Show next weekend!

Uni Work Woes

It’s now week 3 for uni & to be quite honest, it’s been rather hectic & difficult to cope. My mojo for studying has left & I’m finding it hard to keep playing catch up in everything. Going to stick it out & push myself further though as I just want to be done with uni & then I can focus on my career & other stuff.

Work hasn’t been particularly motivating but I’ve applied for the vacation program at work, am hoping for something to come out of it. Also am aiming to apply for 2 other pools with the agency I’m already in another pool for. Can’t hurt to get all my cards in various different baskets. Hoping this year will end on a high note & I’ll be able to get a few things ticked off.

Am stuck in a rut & not liking it at all. Hoping to pull myself out of it & hit some goals out of the ball park.

Semester 2 2015

It’s the final week of the semester break before uni starts up again for the semester on Monday. I’m looking forward to finishing up this semester as that would mean that I’ve only got the research units left next year.

 

I’m setting myself the goal to get good grades again for this semester – at least 2 credits or higher. I’m not aiming to be the top student or anything, but I guess to make my learning time semi enjoyable & worth the time, money & effort. The 2 units I’ve got this semester aren’t my favourite & the assessment format & lecturers are probably the worst combo I’ve got. I’m hoping to get out of this relatively unscathed & still sane.

 

Another piece of news is that I’ve been accepted into the job pool that I’ve applied for twice but failed the one time. This time I’ve been accepted & hopefully should get an offer soon. Am hoping it’s sooner rather than later as I’ve just about had it with my job & the current pay I’m on. I’ve been told by my colleagues & boss to apply for the Summer Vac Program, which I will, just so that I’ve got back up plans. Problem is, if I’m accepted into it, I’ve got 12 weeks of work, possibly an offer for the Grad program which starts in 2017 but no guarantee anything might happen & I might lose my current job. I’ve got many second thoughts about it, but worth applying than not knowing what could have happened.

 

I’m making the most of my last few days before uni by watching as much TV as I can get my hands on & watching lots of cooking programs. What can I say, I am food obsessed!

Finishing Semester 1 2015

I handed in my last assignment of the semester last Friday. To say that I hit the submit button with relief, is an understatement. I was so glad that my first semester was over for the year. I just have to rinse & repeat in August.

I’ve got a few things planned over the semester break, one of which includes a bit of a spring cleaning of my room. I’m a bit over living from the floordrobe & want to fully utilise my wardrobe since I practically live from my room & every inch of space is very much valued. I’ve also got some blog posts planned, some other study to do (you didn’t think I’d while my time away, did you?) & some reading time.

Also, some focussed job applications to complete. I’m making it my goal for the rest of the year to get a full time permanent job & am sending this out to the universe. Please & thank you.

I’ll be glad when I finish up my Masters & hopefully not do my phd unless I decide that I’m really bored & want to switch things up again. 2.5 years of study this time round has really eaten me up. I want to just be able to do other things, not just be tied down by study deadlines.

Best be on my merry way back to work now! I’ve got a bit of brain drain happening at the moment staring at spreadsheets & doing mindless tasks. But it pays the bills.

Sunday Afternoon Musings

It has been quite the weird week this week & I’m glad it is almost over. The Sunday is half gone so far & this is my view for the next few hours:

2015-05-03 13.16.52

I’ve got an assignment due on Friday & I’m not looking forward to it at all. It’s going to be a busy few weeks for me with things to go to, assignments to submit & potential jobs to apply for. I really need something like 35 hours a day to be able to do all the things I need to do.

 

I’ve got another stye starting to grow on my right lower eyelid, this will be the 2nd one this year & I cannot afford to call in sick for work any more with the whole casual situation. For long term followers, you will know that this was supposed to be a temp job, but has become a rolling contract which isn’t great due to the money situation. I’ve been applying for jobs since around the September mark & it’s really taking a toll as I keep getting rejection after rejection, plus not getting anywhere with it. Really needing to get past the next few weeks before taking time to apply for things more consistently as I need an out from my current situation. You would think having 2 degrees & working on a 3rd one, I’d be able to get something decent paying, but that’s hardly the case at all. I’ll have to compile the stats of jobs I’ve applied for in another post & have a look back to see how it all went.

 

Just need to keep breathing & keep calm for the next few weeks before I can have a bit of a rest before hitting the job application circuit again. If only I could strike the lotto, I’ll be able to do all the stuff I want to if I had the money. Enough ranting for the day, I just needed to have a bit of a breather before concentrating again. Have a good weekend!

Friday Matters 1st May 2015

I’ve decided to come up with hopefully a weekly series of Friday musings. It’s the day of the week I generally look forward to the most, given that I usually head over to Matt’s for the weekend & not have to worry about work for at least 2 whole days.

This Friday is slightly different as I’m at mine for the weekend due to an assignment which is due at midnight which I haven’t quite done much for. It’s a bad habit I have, leaving assignments till the last minute, but I find that I work the best under pressure. There’s a difference between pressure & tiredness & unfortunate these 2 nearly always intersect when I’m writing the assignment. No matter, I’ve got a plan to finish my assignment tonight as I’ve done a few bits & pieces. Also helps that the unit is a first year unit which is modified slightly for postgraduates. For that, I’m grateful.

The other night I tried my hand at some overnight curls for the 2nd time & it didn’t end very well. As my hair is very long & slightly dry, the curls stuck too much & I couldn’t separate them for then to look presentable. Instead, I looked like someone who had a bad day with an electric socket. I’ll spare you that picture, but he’s what I did to get those stubborn curls.

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When I woke up, I found all my bobby pins stored on my bedside table which was so weird. I must’ve taken it off in the middle of the night without realising it. Heh. Lesson learned from this experiment, don’t twist but curl & don’t put it all in a high pony tail to sleep.

Also an update on my flu shot arm, it’s gotten better & I’m only left with a slight discoloured ring on my arm & it’s not sore any more. Not bad I say.

Needing to get through work today & that assignment before the weekend here it’s Borderlands time! Also time to work on the next assignment which is due next Friday. I’m betting I’ll leave it all till the last minute again 😂

Anything exciting happen during the week? Let me know in the comment s