I can't believe I forgot to post this. This is probably the most hard worked for achievement (apart from my son of course) that I've ever attained and I didn't even say anything about it.
I got a FIRST!
For those people reading (if there are any) in places outside the UK that don't have the same qualification structure, I'll explain.
I've just completed my University degree. With honours. Which means you've got to do a little extra work to get it. The bit 'First Class Honours' is my score. What this means is, that not only did I not get a degree, but I passed it with the highest pass mark going!!!
Now what do you think of that? I'll tell you what I thought. I was crying, and laughing and going through disbelief and shock and a feeling of sudden wonderment. I offered my thanks to all the forces of the universe and my own powers of determination.
Hooray me. This is the culmination of a few years very hard work, in rather difficult circumstances. (Did I mention the EX even took the CAT from me!? - see previous moany posts!)
I went out to dinner. I got a pair of shoes, and a necklace, and a £100 and some fantastic cards of 'well-done-ness' (that's not a word I'm making that up!).
As I have already tackled (hopefully) my next goal which was to get a job (see post right before this one). My next objective is to find some publishers that will think my poetry is worth reading (and maybe win the lottery - gotta keep the goals high right?!).
So how about that.
A reflection, because I have been very reflective of late...
I have persevered, when my home and personal life came crashing down around me through no fault of my own. I've wanted to give up. I've cried and got angry. I was thrown into life as a single mother. Money has been incredibly tight, sometimes non-existent and the obstacles that have come my way have been crazy. When I look back, I'm not at all sure how I managed any of this. I'm not sure why I didn't crumble, why I didn't just run for the hills, or a high bridge at times even. However... I am living proof, to myself if to no other, that hard work and diligence and a little bit of belief, even wavering belief, DOES PAY OFF in the end. That your aims are there for the taking, if only you'll keep striving for them. So... no matter what, keep trying, just keep on trying.
That's all for now folks.
Saturday 26 July 2014
Subject to references & checks!
Well, as luck and the wheel of fortune would have it, I got a call today. The organisation that I'd attended interview one with, phoned me all morning.
I heard the words S--- from C------ calling, and then,
'I will put you out of your misery...'
At this point I was thinking that she was going to say 'Thank so for attending your interview but on this occasion you were unsuccessful however we will keep you in mind for further positions'
But she didn't say that.....
She didn't say that!!!
She said,
'We were very convinced by you, and we saw that you really wanted the job, so we'd like to offer it to you subject to references and checks!'
I could have squealed, I could have jumped right down the phone and hugged her right then and there. I felt more than elated... I'm off on Monday to meet some more of the residents and staff involved and I truly truly have never ever wanted Monday to come so quickly.
It is a fantastic feeling to be told that someone is going to give you a go. That they see something in you, something that you've worked hard for, especially after you felt you didn't portray your skills in the best of lights at the interview. But perhaps we all think that.
It has given me such a boost just to hear those words. I am going to stop being a student single mother on benefits and I am going back to work after 7 years and it feels like the most fantastic feeling going. We humans, I believe, need something to strive for, something to give us purpose. I am a very driven wee human being and I can't wait to get stuck in. I am going to love it, I just know I am. The people seemed so fantastic, and for years I've been wanting to do something like this.
Interestingly, or not, I went to see a fortune teller (well tarot reader) last week at my friend's house. My mate organises these things because she loves for other people to tell her what to do in life. I just went along for the fun of it. I'd never seen anyone like this before. The reading I got didn't disappoint me at all. I was truly, amazed at how accurate some bits were, things she just couldn't have known at all. She was no mysticy-moo from outer space or anything but a very nice, slightly eccentric but ordinary lady. One of the things she said 'I can see a contract, a legal document being signed'. I thought nothing of this. Until later she asked me if I was job hunting. Which of course I am, or was... (yey yey) and she said she saw me going for a job that would provide me with personal satisfaction. Not only that, but that i'd get that job. Strange, but true! She said a whole host of other things too of course, however, this is what strikes me today as very lovely and wonderful. Whether or not you believe in that sort of thing, when things go right and you get a little bit of hope, the world always looks sunnier.
Strangely enough the weather has been gloriously sunny all of this week too. How about that for a good week.
I am now nearly employed.
What a feeling!
I heard the words S--- from C------ calling, and then,
'I will put you out of your misery...'
At this point I was thinking that she was going to say 'Thank so for attending your interview but on this occasion you were unsuccessful however we will keep you in mind for further positions'
But she didn't say that.....
She didn't say that!!!
She said,
'We were very convinced by you, and we saw that you really wanted the job, so we'd like to offer it to you subject to references and checks!'
I could have squealed, I could have jumped right down the phone and hugged her right then and there. I felt more than elated... I'm off on Monday to meet some more of the residents and staff involved and I truly truly have never ever wanted Monday to come so quickly.
It is a fantastic feeling to be told that someone is going to give you a go. That they see something in you, something that you've worked hard for, especially after you felt you didn't portray your skills in the best of lights at the interview. But perhaps we all think that.
It has given me such a boost just to hear those words. I am going to stop being a student single mother on benefits and I am going back to work after 7 years and it feels like the most fantastic feeling going. We humans, I believe, need something to strive for, something to give us purpose. I am a very driven wee human being and I can't wait to get stuck in. I am going to love it, I just know I am. The people seemed so fantastic, and for years I've been wanting to do something like this.
Interestingly, or not, I went to see a fortune teller (well tarot reader) last week at my friend's house. My mate organises these things because she loves for other people to tell her what to do in life. I just went along for the fun of it. I'd never seen anyone like this before. The reading I got didn't disappoint me at all. I was truly, amazed at how accurate some bits were, things she just couldn't have known at all. She was no mysticy-moo from outer space or anything but a very nice, slightly eccentric but ordinary lady. One of the things she said 'I can see a contract, a legal document being signed'. I thought nothing of this. Until later she asked me if I was job hunting. Which of course I am, or was... (yey yey) and she said she saw me going for a job that would provide me with personal satisfaction. Not only that, but that i'd get that job. Strange, but true! She said a whole host of other things too of course, however, this is what strikes me today as very lovely and wonderful. Whether or not you believe in that sort of thing, when things go right and you get a little bit of hope, the world always looks sunnier.
Strangely enough the weather has been gloriously sunny all of this week too. How about that for a good week.
I am now nearly employed.
What a feeling!
Friday 25 July 2014
Interview number 3
I feel like i'm getting worse at interviews. I leave convinced I'm not going to get the job and with a thousand things that I should have said running in my mind. Interview number one I messed up completely, I hadn't done my research and I was nervous and let myself get overwhelmed instead of selling my skills. Interview number two - well I felt like I did really well at this interview and the feedback that I asked for afterwards was very vague. I got the impression throughout the interview (because they asked in at least three different ways about my future plans and why a person with a degree would be going for a receptionist job) that they felt like I was over qualified. Seeing as the feedback said that 'another candidate had more experience in the area' and - as it was typing a couple of documents and answering the phone - which quite frankly I could do standing on my head I feel like it was a bull**** reason. Oh well. I hope the person they hire quits in a month and they have to rehire and rehire (sorry a bit of bitterness lol).
So interview number three was for a job that I really really would like. I think it would suit me down to the ground, it's varied and friendly and in the kind of community caring setting that I like. The admin role would be varied and involved. I like being busy and I love challenges so that for a start is definitely up my street. I also do want to work for an employer that allows me to feel like I am being truly useful and helpful to the community in some way. I'm not all about the money - money is great of course (and there's nothing wrong with being business and profits minded) but it's not what inspires me. So I went along to the interview last monday and came out and have felt super depressed ever since. I felt like it went ok-ish, I mean I was friendly and chatty and approachable, which seemed like it would suit the setting. I told the two ladies about my work background and my interests. I made sure I tackled the job description, flexibility and drive and able to work with distraction. But.... I just have a very negative feeling, they said that the candidates would be contacted by the end of the week, and as the week has gone by without a phonecall or an e-mail i'm pretty convinced that either tomorrow or Saturday there will be a letter lying on my mat that says - thanks but we didn't pick you.
It's very depressing and difficult to keep an open mind and a positive attitude. The job market sucks for a start - and I need part time, which is another factor. Here in Northern Ireland you've got to fill in application forms constantly, the only people that accept CVs are small businesses, which is totally annoying because you're constantly writing so much and putting hours of work into these application forms to get a 'sorry but no' reply or to get no reply at all. Then if you're lucky enough to be selected for interview - no one wants to give you a shot. Every job wants a huge amount of experience and you're expected to be an expert in everything. No one looks and things, you know, she's kind of smart and she wants the job - she'll work hard lets give her a shot.
Soul destroying. The only option is to push onward but it really gets a person down, very down. Everyone makes it so difficult to get a job that I can see why people settle for being on benefits. I have a work ethic but it's such a depressing series of rejections that it's tempting not to bother.
We'll see what happens. I have two more applications to fill in this weekend... I'd say watch this space or something to that effect but I feel like you would be watching for so long that your eyes would burn up!
So interview number three was for a job that I really really would like. I think it would suit me down to the ground, it's varied and friendly and in the kind of community caring setting that I like. The admin role would be varied and involved. I like being busy and I love challenges so that for a start is definitely up my street. I also do want to work for an employer that allows me to feel like I am being truly useful and helpful to the community in some way. I'm not all about the money - money is great of course (and there's nothing wrong with being business and profits minded) but it's not what inspires me. So I went along to the interview last monday and came out and have felt super depressed ever since. I felt like it went ok-ish, I mean I was friendly and chatty and approachable, which seemed like it would suit the setting. I told the two ladies about my work background and my interests. I made sure I tackled the job description, flexibility and drive and able to work with distraction. But.... I just have a very negative feeling, they said that the candidates would be contacted by the end of the week, and as the week has gone by without a phonecall or an e-mail i'm pretty convinced that either tomorrow or Saturday there will be a letter lying on my mat that says - thanks but we didn't pick you.
It's very depressing and difficult to keep an open mind and a positive attitude. The job market sucks for a start - and I need part time, which is another factor. Here in Northern Ireland you've got to fill in application forms constantly, the only people that accept CVs are small businesses, which is totally annoying because you're constantly writing so much and putting hours of work into these application forms to get a 'sorry but no' reply or to get no reply at all. Then if you're lucky enough to be selected for interview - no one wants to give you a shot. Every job wants a huge amount of experience and you're expected to be an expert in everything. No one looks and things, you know, she's kind of smart and she wants the job - she'll work hard lets give her a shot.
Soul destroying. The only option is to push onward but it really gets a person down, very down. Everyone makes it so difficult to get a job that I can see why people settle for being on benefits. I have a work ethic but it's such a depressing series of rejections that it's tempting not to bother.
We'll see what happens. I have two more applications to fill in this weekend... I'd say watch this space or something to that effect but I feel like you would be watching for so long that your eyes would burn up!
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