Establishing Firm Footings

I’m on my own.  The Chief is out earning a crust, leaving home at 7am this morning and not returning until way after 11pm this evening.  That’s a long time to be alone with my own company.  Wouldn’t it be easy to hide in our anonymous apartment, horizontal on the sofa in front of day-time TV and all those funeral insurance ads?  Or perhaps stay in bed and get stuck into my latest library book; would that be self-indulgence to the max or feeling sorry for myself?  I would say that’s feeling sorry for myself.  I need to be out there doing and exploring.  And besides I’m still job hunting which is proving a challenge in itself.  I gave up a job I loved with a great team of workmates and a super team of volunteers which I brought together over the last five years.  I’ve said goodbye to my beautiful and all-embracing friends and our two children and here I am on my ownesome lonesome.  It’s crazy isn’t it?  Or rather we’re crazy for taking on this new challenge.

As I mentioned in a previous post, ‘It’s All Go!, I’m making the most of this exciting new chapter even though right now I could get back on the next flight to Adelaide so in the words of Bridget Jones, ‘I will not be defeated….instead I choose vodka and Chaka Khan’(although you can keep the vodka!)

So, with my positive approach and attitude to all this maddness, I can tick off the following from my to do list covered in my first fortnight;

I have established a coffee loyalty card with our local café and am on first name terms with the owner (this was a priority)

I’ve registered with seven job agencies; I had an interview with one last Wednesday, there’s nothing more soul-destroying than being told by a twenty-something year old whipper snapper that I interviewed well, answering all the questions in an articulate manner (I didn’t have to be reigned in once!) and that I presented well and was wearing a lovely dress – really?

I’ve accepted that after five unsuccessful attempts and not even reaching the interview stage, I’m not going to initially be doing a role I love and will have to rely on my fall-back skills.

I’ve applied for seven different administration based jobs plus temporary reception & secretarial assignments – watch this space.

I’ve joined the Brisbane city library service and have visited the local branch every day, setting up my office and making use of the free WIFI.

I’ve sat through umpteen toddler singing sessions at above mentioned library and yes, the wheels on the bus are still turning people!

I’ve successfully completed on-line skills testing (because these days, what you write in your CV isn’t believed)

I’ve discovered avocados are just as expensive in Queensland as they are in South Australia (this was a devastating blow)

I’ve seen first -hand that the Chief absolutely loves his new role and not once has he wondered what on earth he’s doing!

I picked up my new motor, a VW Golf, white with black leather seats and smart wheels (I’m not motor savvy, sorry).  My favourite feature, having never previously used it, is satnav;  It is proving to be so useful and has empowered me to venture out onto the busy roads of Brisbane.

I’ve applied for a Queensland driving licence

I’ve sussed out the free City Hopper river taxi

I’ve discovered the Southbank area and some lovely walks along the river

I’ve stuck my foot in the door of Volunteering QLD and returned a few days later to attend a Webinar – there may even be some training sessions I can run for them (watch this space too!)

I’ve experienced more rain in a fortnight than a whole summer’s worth in Adelaide

So as you can see, I haven’t been horizontal on the sofa nor in bed all day.  I can’t expect everything to slot into place in the first few weeks can I, but when it does, you’ll be the first to know.  In the meantime, I’m sure you won’t mind if I allow myself to be homesick and lonely just once in a while too!