A New Adventure Begins

Well, it’s been a rather mixed week this last week. Kirstin flew down to Christchurch on Tuesday to present at the teachers national Ulearn Conference. She was initially pretty nervous about both flying and presenting. But as it turned out she got there and back ok, and, was well received at both of her workshops. It was an awesome opportunity as she also met many of her online networks (national & international) in person.
Devin went to his Nana’s on Tuesday, as it had been already been pre-arranged since I was originally due to have started work on Wednesday. Both Devin and Kirstin came back Friday full of stories. Kirstin was highly impressed with the city’s architecture, gardens and yet, feels safer in Auckland.

Spent most of the week in the garden, attacking weeds and felling an old split tree. It was really surprising that once you take out the excess growth of weeds and the odd plant, just how much it opens up! There are more things to do to the garden; however most of it will have to wait until our finances are more stable. My parents came over yesterday for lunch. It was good to catch up with them.
I’m looking forward to starting work on Monday. Having not been in employment for the last 2 months has been an interesting experience however, unless I was a multi millionaire, it could only last for so long...

New Directions

After enjoying some much needed RnR, I’m pleased to inform you that I’ve rejoined the employment ranks.
There were 3 offers on the table - store manager for an electronics store, store manager for a brand new branch selling high quality clothing/camping equipment, and a store manager for a company that has just started restructuring selling office products.

Electronics store was handy being in Glenfield however unable to meet my minimum salary expectations. Equipment store sounded exciting however located in Manukau, lacked future personal development nor progression beyond the immediate position.

So have accepted a store managers’ position selling office products. There are extensive free internal personal development courses, optional paid university papers/diplomas/degrees, paid birthdays off and more importantly, the opportunity of growth both within the company and also its parent company.

Like with any new job, you never know what it’s really like until you have been in for a while. It will take me in a new direction and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

Snells Beach

Towards the end of September, we went on a weekend trip to Snells Beach with Kirstin's mum. The weather was pretty disgusting, yet we made the most of it and was glad to get out of the house.
We stopped at various places on the way up that included Puhoi Historic Village, Puhoi Cheese Factory(The Art of Cheese), The Honey Center, Warkworth, and lunch at the Morris & James Pottery 'Cosi' Restuarant. Devin & I enjoyed a nice hot spa that night at the Hotel. The weather was still too crappy the next day to walk along Snells Beach, so we decided to come back and had lunch at Portofino's in Devonport.





Check out the other photo's :)

Weighted Strokes

There is always a painted picture envisioned, before hairs of a brush ever touch the blank canvas.
What you do with that brush, is entirely at your discretion.
What picture that entails, is solely dependant on the weight of the strokes being made...

Redundancy

July ’07, I was made aware that my position was being made redundant with my current employer.

This was not only a surprise to myself, but to many of Australasia Head Office personnel to whom I had developed a close personal & professional relationship with. The call came from the UK to make specific cost cuts, however, that call came down to only a select few. I respect their decision as I fully understand that it was not an easy one to make however, I feel that there were certain factors that wasn’t given the respect that it truly deserved.

During the whole process, a comment was passed that “If it was me, I know I would be really pissed”, to my response “No, not really pissed, but more of disappointment”. Disappointed that I had given so much of myself, sacrificed so much family life towards the cause, and felt that this wasn’t being fully recognised.
Alternatives were offered of current and alternative positions that did not meet my current family commitments. Therefore I decided that it was time to move on...

To my surprise, I received so many emails from both employees and Heads of Departments from within HO, that I know that these relationships will continue far beyond the “call of duty”. A mutual understanding and respect of the hardships we endured and the personal sacrifices made. We were the foundation members, and that this will never be taken from us.

Recently, upon reflection, I wrote the quote “Weighted Strokes”.
Take of it what you will...