3 posts tagged “work”
Well part of the battle is won. I've made it home, finished my course and landed a job, all without completely depleting my savings. The hardest part is yet to come, finding an apartment. Not an easy task in Brisbane at the moment, where most people spend at least at least a 3rd of their income on rent. Buying is out of the question, housing affordability is at it lowest point in about 12 years, and there doesn't seem to be any chance of that changing soon.
I'm working, and that's the main thing. I decided on going with a full time permanent position with James Cook University Brisbane, in their Learning Support Services section as a Student Learning and Support Officer. It's not English teaching, but it does have slightly more going for it financially. I needed the stability that comes with a salaried position over the contract work that typifies the English teaching industry even here.
I'm going through the induction process today, and tomorrow I'll be in the Channel 7 studios for the recording of "How to Get That Job" with Sarina Russo. I've been told to have some questions ready just in case I get called on to participate in Q&A.
I look forward to Saturdays when I take the train up to Yokkaichi to do some overtime in our branch up there. The train ride is long enough to devote to some solid Japanese study and the working environment is always a pleasant change from my weekday branch. There were some new faces in the branch as well so that was interesting. One of the new guys, Ben, has a public gallery on Picasa of photos taken during his first week here.
The maple trees here give the right kind of of dappled shade in Summer and turn a beautiful deep rust in Autumn. The square, visible from the lesson rooms is bordered on one side by a large sculptural water fountain, and lawn and an art gallery on the others.
I've seen some interesting sights here over the years, including and not limited to a wedding conducted by a faux priest, a drumming festival, music and dance and of course the blood bus.
I look forward to the little bit of outdoor relaxation which is uncommon at my regular branch, especially during summer. I do plan to spend more time outdoors as the weather cools down, I'm not sure when that is going to happen, any time soon I'm sure. It's currently 31 degrees Celcius, so much for cool Autumn breezes.
I called the JLPT call centre this morning to find out where my test voucher was and they said it had been sent, yet returned. I found it a little bit frustrating because they were able to confirm my address over the phone. I`m hoping they can send it by fax sometime today. I probably should be more concerned.
Work is quite busy this month, we have quite a few new instructors, so I am observing them and writing up reports. On friday I am also conducting a half day training session for 7 people plus my boss which should be fun. ;-)
I was a little late for dinner last night so I had to eat day old toast for breakfast today. It wasn`t that bad after I reaheated it and slathered vegemite all over it. I don`t really hate toast, I just can`t eat it every morning, I`d go mad. It has the feeling of a substitute for imagination when it comes to food.
Time is running out again for me this morning so I am afraid this is all I can manage today.
