Monday 26 April 2010

Success!

Had an interview at 9.30 am this morning, and this afternoon when I got home after a meeting there was a message on the ansaphone asking me to ring the employer. Great news! They've offered me the job! I'll be doing it on a trial basis initially, 17 hours a week, starting Monday 10th May.

Friday 23 April 2010

Ulverston




I promised more on the weekend in Cumbria.
Ulverston is the birthplace of Stan Laurel of Laurel and Hardy fame. There is a museum dedicated to them, plus this statue.
The walk to Ulverston from Swarthmoor Hall takes you on a pretty route across this beautifully clear stream. It really was a delight given the summerlike weather of the weekend.
Just to help set the context for the weekend, regular readers may remember that I have a daily habit of reading 'The Word for Today'. Friday's reading helpfully suggested having a 'not-to-do' list, that Jesus wants us to enjoy a rich, satisfying life without getting bogged down in things that don't add value or meaning. Saturday's reading was about being fruitful, with the promise:
'whether you've fallen into the dirt or just settled for living beneath your potential, God won't throw you away. He will lift you, cleanse you and help you to flourish again.'
Both readings seemed relevant to where my life is 'at'.

It was recommended that to get the most out of the workshops, attendees read Rex Ambler's 'Light to Live By', and I was able to borrow this from the local Quaker meeting's library. The book details the author's own journey of discovery. Rex explains his seeking became very insistent when he reached a place in his life where he was experiencing two troubling issues, including personal difficulties with a close relationship.

He began researching the early Quaker movement, recognising there had been something very real there that had enabled those Friends to overcome difficult circumstances retaining their deep inner peace and calm in the face of persecution - much as the early New Testament church grew despite persecution. Sifting through historical documents, he became aware that references to 'the light' were key to understanding this power.

Meanwhile he came across psychologist Gendlin's 'focusing' therapy. Putting the two together, Ambler formulated a way of accessing the inner light through meditation.

The Experiment with Light workshop was about preparing us for a deep personal encounter with the 'inner light', sometimes referred to as 'that which is of god within us'. The light meditation itself is to lead us to the voice of Truth that lights our conscience. For me it seemed the theme I sensed within was gentle correction and of being heard/accepted. I felt I received an invitation to 'come as you are' - possibly in response to my own thoughts regretting recent lack of discipline in relation to diet/eating. Looking back, I recognised a feeling of irritation when someone demonstrated a lack of listening - and I thought back to my childhood feeling that my mother never totally accepted me as I was, but also that perhaps that's what I've inadvertently done to others, bringing my own experience of imperfect conditional love to the people around me. A friend from college days came to mind, but rather than allow the light to show me why, I found myself rationalising that this was because my friend had never felt totally accepted by me, had felt I was trying to change her all the time.
My notes record 'The fear of doing things wrong' - I recall during the meditation wondering if I was 'doing it right', and felt that this was answered by some song lyrics that came to mind, including the phrase 'if it's my all, it is enough'.

Afterwards I realised I had been relaxed enough during the meditation to be unaware of bodily sensations for a while.
We had been advised that sometimes something is begun during the meditation that will continue later, and sure enough that night as I lay in bed I had a vivid mental picture of a clay fountain/well with a clay water vessel, then images of a clear river and looking down into the water, seeing the green fronds, then either a 'white water' river or possibly the same river under different light conditions now reflecting the white of the sky. In my mind I asked what it meant. It seemed to be about taking words of encouragement and refreshment from within. Next morning in the shower I spontaneously began to thank God for water to drink, water to wash with and water to irrigate crops. Afterwards I linked this to the previous night's images.
The promise in Sunday's 'Word for the Day': if your response to the pruning process is right, you'll begin to move from barrenness to blessing.

Thursday 22 April 2010

Coming soon - more on the weekend


I had a de-light-ful weekend with the Quakers at the historic Swarthmoor Hall(pictured here). More on this in due course. Meanwhile normal life continues. Today I attended an interview for an exciting position - I thoroughly enjoyed the interview and I hope that bodes well for my prospects! Funny thing, I'd been warned there would be an IT Test, so this week I've been revising all those amazing features in Word, Excel and Outlook that I haven't had much cause to use recently ... only to discover that the test was in two parts, neither requiring any in-depth knowledge of software. In the first part I was given some information and had to construct a suitable letter, type it out and save it to the desktop. Part 2 posed a scenario and invited me to make notes on how I would handle it.
After the interview I met with some friends for lunch (and got to cuddle baby Olive for a while .... big sigh of satisfaction), then came home to discover an invitation to attend an interview on Monday. It's for a job which will require some specialist knowledge, and to make sure I'm fully up-to-date, I've borrowed some library books to get genned up before Monday.

Friday 16 April 2010

Another Interview

I've been invited to interview for a job that sounds rather interesting next Thursday. I'll also be tested on my IT skills. Hopefully I'll have time to remind myself of some of the features I haven't used in a while before then.

Thursday 15 April 2010

Experiment with Light... and salmon fishcakes


Well my lovelies, I'm going away for a residential weekend with the Religious Society of Friends (you probably know them as the Quakers). It's an 'Experiment with Light' weekend, trying to experience the Light as early Friends did, supposedly a very powerful experience. If nothing else, the surroundings are beautiful - it's up in Cumbria.
Yesterday I went to the Spiritual Journeying group. It wasn't my turn to lead, I could sit back and relax - very pleasant. One of my colleagues there commented on how the peace and joy I've found through connecting with the inner light is radiating from me. It's working then! Hopefully I'll have some more to share on the subject upon my return.
Dinner today was also an experiment - home-made salmon, dill and spring onion fish-cakes. I was making it up as I went along and the resulting mixture was perhaps a little sloppy, not lending itself completely to the perfect shaping I was looking for. Surprisingly bland, too - but plenty of tomato ketchup soon improved things on that score. Served with oven-roast sweet pepper and petits pois. I got the idea from an item I saw on a menu yesterday. A friend took me out for a meal at Bluebeckers in Chobham, and from there we drove on to Woking intending to see the film 'Dear John'. Unfortunately it was being screened in the smallest theatre and despite getting there three quarters of an hour early, all seats were sold. That was a big surprise! Normally we go on a Monday night when tickets are only £5 each, despite which the place is often almost empty. I guess Wednesday night attracts the 'Orange Wednesday' bargain-hunters.
Came back home and watched a DVD I'd borrowed from the library: 'A Serious Man'. I really, really, REALLY didn't get it one little bit ... sat through the whole film waiting to understand what the opening scene was all about and how it fitted into the rest ... and couldn't quite believe it when the titles started rolling, leaving me with the sense that the film had been abandoned halfway through. Hmmm... definitely not one of my better choices.

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Another rejection




The weather has been glorious lately and I've been taking a few walks over the Old Dean Common. There's a place I like to sit and meditate, allowing my peace to merge with the peace of the woods. This sign greets you at the entrance to the woods and amuses me - I think the picture looks more like a mobility scooter than a motorcycle - yes folks, keep those mobility scooters out of our woods! No tearing up the peace, disturbing the wildlife! As if!
Well, today I received yet another rejection letter to add to my growing pile. Apparently again a close-run second ... "I regret to say that on this occasion you were unsuccessful. It was a close decision between you and another candidate but overall the other candidate demonstrated a greater capacity to deal with the business sector, which is a central part of this role." I knew I hadn't come across as well as I might at the interview, having been thrown significantly by the muddly way the interview began. No more interviews arranged at present, and only 3 more applications outstanding. All I can do for the moment is make the most of the lovely weather and the free time. No great hardship there, then.

Friday 9 April 2010

Neighbourhood Junction

Where I lived before, the neighbours pretty much kept themselves to themselves but round here there's more sense of community. I came back from shopping earlier, had some lunch and was about to do the washing up when the doorbell rang - it was Louise asking to use my computer to go on a price comparison website (she's getting a car soon and wanted to find a good deal on car insurance). After she left I did the washing up and the doorbell rang again - this time it was the youngster from next door and her friend. We made Queen cakes then played some card games and the time flew by ... and all those things I had intended to do today didn't get done but it was worth it to see those little faces laughing and having fun.

Welcome Summer Weather

I made the most of yesterday's sunshine by getting the potatoes and climbing bean plants in and sowing two rows of parsnip seeds. Whilst I was over the allotment I received a call to my mobile. A couple of weeks ago I interviewed for a secretarial position at a small company, and it was the director letting me know my application was unsuccessful. Once again I received some very positive feedback - my CV was great and laid out well, etc. etc. - it's just the fact I've not been in paid employment for three years now and being a small company they weren't quite willing to take a chance on me, but they will keep my details on file in case their appointee fails to perform to expectation.

Today I went down the gym. It's been a while.

The gym has a large car park: a few spaces immediately alongside near the front entrance, many more at the back of the building. Years ago you could use the back door to enter the building from the rear car park but these days that door is out of general use with a big sign on it "No Exit! This door is alarmed". If you park in the rear car park, you've a walk of about 100m, maybe a little more, to the front entrance.

So I'm going to the gym. I'm going there to get some exercise. Where do I want to park? Well, in one of those spaces near the entrance of course, to save myself the 100 metre walk. But hey, I'm not alone! Some people are so keen to save themselves that extra walk that they'll abandon the car on the pavement rather than drive round the back and park in a legitimate space. Now where is the logic in this? It's the sort of human foible I can imagine Michael Mcintyre poking fun at.

Ok, today I drive past all those illegally parked cars feeling a little smug because I'm going to do the logical thing and ENJOY that 100 metre walk in the glorious sunshine. Aren't I the smart one!

Once you've gone in the main entrance, you then walk all the way through the building to the back where the members' changing rooms are located. The ladies' changing room has lockers round three sides, two cloakroom/changing benches in the middle and a mirror and shelf along one wall with three hairdryers.

I don't know what it's like in the gents' changing room - in my mind's eye, I picture men strutting round naked all but doing Mr Universe poses and wearing signs round their necks proudly pointing down at their tackle - but on the whole, us ladies tend to be a modest lot. In fact one acquaintance who came with me for her first visit last year took one look at the communal changing room and never set foot in it again! Normally you'll find we're fully dressed when standing at the mirrors drying our hair - hence my surprise today to find a scene like a lingerie advert: a very shapely lady drying her beautiful long dark hair wearing only sexy red underwear. I suppose if I had her figure (and underwear!), I might feel inclined to expose myself too.

Back home the postman brought yet another rejection letter. The jobhunt continues.

Wednesday 7 April 2010

Interview

I was the first interviewee and the panel (3 worthy ladies) was still settling itself in and getting comfortable. I'd phoned the day before to clarify whether there would be any equipment set up to do a PowerPoint presentation and been told there wouldn't, so I'd lugged the laptop along, only to discover that they'd had a change of heart and had set up a laptop, projector and screen. Nonetheless I set up my laptop on their table and did the show from there, as that was what I was geared up to do. I was thrown a little when one member of the panel invited me to give them a presentation on "Why I want the job" ... as this bore no resemblance to the title I'd been given. What a relief to receive the confirmation that the presentation I'd researched so thoroughly was actually on the right topic! Phew!

The next difficult point to negotiate was that the letter hadn't given a time-limit, it had merely said 'you will be asked to give a short presentation'. Before I began the slide-show, I explained it would last about 10 minutes, was that ok? The lady Chairman looked a little put out and told me the letter had said 5 minutes - fortunately I had the letter with me and was able to refer to it and offer as a point of information that it hadn't stated a specific time.

Normally I'm fairly cool calm and collected for interviews but on this occasion I think I may have come across a bit like a rabbit caught in headlights, struggling with some of the questions. I do think I'd be competent in the job, I believe it is well within my capabilities and I think I'd enjoy it, but I suppose because I felt I'd not got off on the right foot from the beginning, I was finding it difficult to shake off that soggy start and leave them with a good impression. Oh well - the decision is out of my hands now. I consoled myself with a real 'comfort-eating' meal, home-made Shepherds Pie served with steamed broccoli, leeks and fine green beans. It did the trick - I feel comforted.

Monday 5 April 2010

Easter


Vicky (daughter) came to visit Easter Sunday / Monday and Dave (son) came to join us for Sunday roast. It was lovely having them both round, the house ringing with good-natured joshing and laughter, not to mention the sound of really bad piano playing and rubbish duets! In typical fashion, Dave had left his Easter-egg buying until the last minute, finding a Disney Easter-egg hunt kit for Vicky consisting of several wrapped sweets and mini chocolate eggs plus a little metal bucket with a picture of Eeyore (her favourite Disney character) on. Of course she insisted he then hide the sweets so she could do the Easter egg hunt, and between them they had me practically rolling around helpless with laughter.

Dinner included a Capri Salad starter using fresh Basil from the aerogarden - simple and delicious! Dessert was my trademark lemon cheesecake with an identity crisis - I make a gluten-free sponge, soak it with coffee and marsala wine (a tiramisu base, in other words) then whisk up the juice and zest of two lemons with a tin of condensed milk and a tub of mascarpone and spoon it on top. Tiramicheesecake? Whatever, it's delish.

Dutifully they listened to my presentation, made encouraging remarks and offered some suggestions for improvement. I think I'm all set for the interview on Wednesday.

Friday 2 April 2010

Procrastinating


I've heard it referred to as 'sharpening pencils' - that activity which appears to be related to preparation for the main task but which, in reality, is procrastination. So I've had plenty of time to prepare a presentation for my forthcoming interview and I've put in many hours sitting at the computer 'doing research' and jotting notes without really achieving very much. When you read books on how to write, it would appear that aspiring writers tend to live in households where if nothing else, the pencils are sharp and ready for use.
This morning I was dutifully sitting at the computer not achieving very much. There was a ring at the doorbell - I wasn't expecting visitors but hey, it was an excuse to move away from the computer and my failure to produce a winning presentation. At the door was one of the little girls who came to the Mother's Day card craft session a couple of weeks ago, holding a bouquet of beautiful carnations and a box of chocolates. Quelle bonne surprise!
I've been invited round for lunch at a friend's today - it was a spontaneous invitation yesterday and I haven't had a chance to go shopping and buy a hostess gift, so I have a little confession - rather than eat the chocolates, I'm going to present them to my friend.

Thursday 1 April 2010

Colour coordinated kitchen

My friends could probably tell you without having to think very hard that I've never paid too much attention to colour coordinating. I can appreciate and admire others' colour sense, for instance from the first moment I set eyes on this kitchen, I liked it - it was definitely an influential factor in my buying this house.

The old hand-towels I brought with me from my previous home are a bit past their best, and I decided to buy some colour coordinated new ones. I'd been given an M&S voucher, so it was the obvious place to start looking. They didn't have any in the red (burgundy? Morello cherry?), so I bought a couple of lovely luxurious-feeling charcoal coloured hand-towels to go with the colour of the worktop and floor tiles. Then in town today I noticed a new linen shop offering this burgundy towel (see photo). What do you think? Not a bad match, eh? Before you know it I'll be wearing colour-coordinated outfits, with matching handbag and shoes ... or not.

At the moment for some unknown reason my emotions seem a lot closer to the surface than usual - unexpectedly I shed more than a few tears when I learned today that my application for the audio-typing position was unsuccessful. Strange, 'cos I wasn't even aware of really wanting it.