Day 2. Educate Us on Something You Are Good At.

 

 

Blogging Every Day in the Month of May over at 'Story of my Life' has set the topic for Day 2 as 'Educate us on something you are good at or know a lot about' ~ hrmmm.. That's a tricky one and after much consideration aside from making a good Spag Bol, applying for a job is my next area of speciality.

I don't know why, but Iv always had a knack for applying for & securing jobs.. Iv always got every job Iv been interviewed for, so much so that in the past I was fortunate to 'take my pick' from multiple offers. I'm a little out of practice now because I haven't really worked in a few years & being a relief teacher wasn't really a game of skill, however, here are my tips;

1. Create a great resume & cover letter. Don't waffle on too much in either, be concise and allow your resume to stand out. I found a decorative header with your personal details on it, always gave a nice touch. Start your cover letter with 'I'd like to introduce myself to both you & your company' ~ this line has worked every time, Mum even got a job based on this line & many have complimented me on the tone that this introduction sets. Whilst you should have a universal cover letter, you should also personalise it for each job you apply for.

2. Set yourself up a folder with copies of your resume, a universal cover letter for random handouts and pop in a page with all your important details on it for ease of filling out applications such as bank details, tax file # etc. Pop in your quals & certificates too for fast & easy reference during interviews.

3. Dress to impress.. Even when handing out resumes, first impressions count. Do not wear your daggies when meeting prospective employers, dress in interview attire even if your handing in an application at the jeans shop or Macca's, they need to know your a professional.

4. Go alone.. Do not hand out resumes with a bunch of your mates.

5. Be polite, when working in retail we once had a Mother/Daughter come into the store who were very rude. Later that day, the Daughter came back with her resume.. It was filed in the bin, because FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT & people remember!

6. Always hand your resume to the Manager, ask for them. If they aren't available, come back.

7. During the interview be calm & don't waffle.. Answer their questions and don't be too nervous, they want to catch a glimpse of the 'real you' ~ however, at all times remain professional. Fill them in about your weekend, AFTER you have secured a job, not at the interview!

8. Always put an open availability, you can change this later. But your application will appeal more if you appear flexible.

9. Get lots of experience. I found working many part time jobs in my younger years gave me great experience to gain jobs as I got older. Start off in take-away and build your way up, a lot of employers value the training program's that larger companies offer.

10. Enjoy! Whilst applying for jobs can be a tedious thing, particularly if there is financial pressures behind securing a position, but enjoy & don't be disheartened. If you lose the passion to job search, you will lose your spark. And it's that spark that will set you apart.. So remain cheerful & keep motivated. If you are knocked back 1 or 1500 times, the right job will be out there. Perseverance is all part of finding it.

I hope in part my tips have been useful.. Thanks :)

Day 1: The Story of My Life

 

 

I thought I'd give the 'Blogging Every Day In May' challenge a go, I know I'm already 2 days behind, nothing unusual there, that about how far behind I am in 'Photo of the Day' too, however, here goes ;)

The first topic is; Story of My Life in 250 words or less.

Well it all started 32 years ago, I grew up in the family home with Mum, Dad & my Brother who is 3 1/2 years younger than me. I feel I had a fairly blessed childhood, we never wanted for anything and were quite spoilt, I remember lots of fun & lots of love. I spent a lot of time with my Nan who devastatingly was diagnosed with a brain tumour when I was 10 years old. I feel this was a critical turning point in my life, because a lot changed after Nan died. Nan was Mum's, Mum & Mum was just 30 when Nan died. I couldn't imagine living without my Mum at this age and Nan & Mum were like 2 peas in a pod they were that close so understandably nothing was ever 'as happy' for many years. I was a difficult tween & a terrible early teen who gave Mum & Dad lots of stress. By 16 though i had sorted myself out & Mum and I were also very close & still are till today.

I was a good student however, and loved school. I attended a Private school from years 9-12 and felt fortunate to always be surrounded by friends. After school I travelled 1 hour away from home to go to Uni, I studied to be a Primary Teacher and lived with my long-term boyfriend whom I met at school when I was 15. We played house, worked consistently in various retail roles and bought a couple of pets. Sadly both of our degrees took a back seat to our jobs & Uni lost its appeal for me when I could earn 'spending money' and go shopping instead. I was always very 'homesick' away so buying my family home from my parents in 2003 & moving back to my hometown was the next chapter in my life. I loved being a homeowner as iv always been very house-proud. We welcomed our Son in 2005 and we split in 2006. Fortunately I got to stay in the home & upset at first, I forged a new life for myself & my Son. Determined to finish my degree I re-enrolled back at Uni & enjoyed for the most part being a single parent. It was odd after 10 years to re-enter the dating world, however, I wasn't single for long, meeting my now Husband 6 months later on a dating site. Enter 'instant large family' a single Dad, also Damian with 3 kids, we blended our families together & his cohort moved into my home ~ which today is 'our home'.

We were engaged in April 2009 & married on 10th October 2009, happy to report that were still happily together still to this day & were also over the moon to have welcomed our Son, my second in 2011 which totalled 5 kidlets between us. I have since finished my degree and work as a relief teacher (although haven't been back this year) I intend on heading back into teaching next year as its a job I love and always felt destined to do. However at the moment I'm more than happy being 'Mum' and 'Wifey' ~ which really in a nutshell brings you up to the condensed story of my life..

The House Is Quiet Again..

 

 

After having a house full of noise and people for the past 14 weeks, the house is now feeling rather quiet as Tyler, Hayley & Nicholas join their Mum for term 2 and the June/July holidays. After having them at home for so long this time, it will be odd not having them round for the next 12 weeks (aside from every other weekend). After a turbulent term of Miss 11 entering adolescence & hitting the puberty blues BIG TIME and a sibling rivalry battle between herself & Mr 9 over a school performance audition, the ceasefire is probably a much needed break to gather our frazzled nerves & regroup for next term. It is also a change of pace for all of us and it is during these 'breaks' that I get to spend some quality time with my boys on a different level & get jobs done around the house that seem impossible when 7 occupy the home!

During this time when the kids are away, we take on more of the 'fun parent' role & spend the three nights we get with the kids differently than when they are home for the term ~ Friday night is movie night, Saturday is spent at home 're-connecting' & chilling out with their toys/rooms and or friends and Sunday is 'family day' where we do something as a family. Usually part of the weekend is chaotic as the kids are settling in from a different routine & Mr 8 & 1 readjust to having others back home to share/interact with, but usually they are happy to be 'home' & the others are happy to have them home.

We try to lay down a few rules during the term such as 1. No homework or assignments after Friday afternoon (I also ensure they don't take homework with them to complete at their Mums on our term) I find it just takes away precious interaction time & can (usually) be completed during other times of the week. 2. No friends/playdates/sleepovers Sunday, this is family day. On the term the children are home, this is fine (we've seen them all week) but when you only get to see them once a fortnight, it takes away too much time and 3.Our normal rules apply even if it's just for the weekend (this one is often forgotten!) 

 

Im sure things will continue to change as they grow older but to me family is important and we'd like to encourage them even as they grow into their teens that it is important to still call this place home. Iv seen far too many other kids as they grow stop visiting their 'other' parent and it's kind of sad, because in a few years time when they are an adult, they will have their own agendas and be off amongst the world.  They are only small for so long, so you have to make the most of now. 

Wordless Wednesday 17th April 2013

Last week we were fortunate enough to escape to the Gold Coast for a few days holiday with the kids. Great accommodation at the Towers of the Chevron Renascence, fun touristy moments at Putt Putt, Ripley's Believe it Or Not and Infinity and lots of good family memories hanging out at the resort & the beach. Enjoy :) ~ Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday http://mylittledrummerboys.blogspot.com.au/

Mobile First Aid Kits - Why I never thought of one before!

A First Aid Kit is something I never really gave much thought too until our first camping trip 2 Easters ago on Stradbroke Island.  Mr 8 (then 6) got bitten by sea lice and had a reaction to them, which made him break out in red itchy spots on his face.  I borrowed some Panadol from my Sister in Law before driving the Island to source an antihistamine and our own Panadol when it dawned on me that perhaps it is something I should be packing in the future!  Being a born panicker, I don't know why it never dawned on me to have one before, I have a well stocked medicine cupboard at home, but I never thought about a mobile one. I guess I always just assumed you could purchase when your out, but it's faster and more conveniant to have it on hand thats for sure! {Particularly when your on an island!!!}

Ever since that trip I have kept the necessities such as Panadol and Fess in the Nappy Bag and have a well stocked 'mobile' first aid kit for when we travel on holidays or day trips etc. Because we're off on holidays again shortly I checked over our kit again tonight to ensure it was well stocked.

 In the kit I have:

* Panadol (all ages plus soluble tablet form & some for adults for day trips turned noisy!)
* Nurofen  (all ages)
* Hydralite Sachets
* Claratyne for allergies
* Dettol Cream
* Ventolin x 2 & Spacer/s
* Fess spray
* Chap Stick
* Sunscreen
* Tweezers
* Bandaids
* 2 Dosing devices

I am wanting to add bandages & some of those cold/hot packs to our kit also so will add them shortly. I don't have everything on hand, but I guess it is better to have a few supplies rather than no supplies at all, as I discovered for myself 2 Easters ago!

Do you have a mobile first aid kit?
What essential item do you think every mobile first aid kit needs?

Wordless Wednesday - Wednesday 3rd April 2013

On Monday we took the kids to Alma Park Zoo in Dakabin, Queensland.  As an official start to kicking off the school holidays & also ending a fantasic Easter long weekend.  

It was the second time we have visited the Zoo and the kids really enjoy the laid back atmosphere and I am always astounded at how quiet it is, you literally have most exhibits to yourself both times we've been.  Thoroughly recommend it to locals and for those visiting the area. Like most places I go to, I wonder why we never got to go earlier!

Linking up to My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday

Easter 2013

Well the Easter long weekend has come to an end ~ I am all chocolated out & cannot believe it's only been a few short days since the kids started school holidays and there are still 2 weeks left to occupy them {more on that later!}

 

This year we had all of the kids home for the whole of Easter (we get every second year) so it was nice to have them all wake up in one home & celebrate together.  It was the first Easter we have been at home in 4 years, so a day at home to kick back and enjoy was long overdue!  On Friday I spent the afternoon finishing off the shopping (mainly for my Mum who uses me as her personal shopper) my task was to get the kids an Easter present each but avoid chocolate, preferably slippers.  Target, however, at 2pm on Easter Eve was not cooperating size wise for slippers only & I ended up instead with a selection of slippers, coloured skinny leg jeans, hooded jumpers and flanelette Pj's plus a small chocolate side accompaniant all for $100 the lot!  Mum & the kids were most impressed. 

 

Sunday we spent the day celebrating at home, we had plans on going to the park or the beach, but the rain soon changed our minds and the kids didn't even want to go on a drive so a home day was settled upon.  The kids played up a storm and watched the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, they also watched Men in Black 2, but I fail to see the Easter significance in that one.  Do you know Foxtel only had Christmas movies on Easter Day????? Odd. 

 

And on Easter Monday we went to Alma Park Zoo for the day followed by a local beach for a wander, play at the park and some shell collecting. We went to Alma Park Zoo last year and the kids thought it was great, so this time when I saw a Scoopon I decided to purchase another family ticket for $34 and go along again.  This time Mr 1 was a little older so really enjoyed his day and the others enjoyed revisiting the animals and we even saw a few we missed last time such as the spotted Quolls and all of the Monkey/Orangutan area that was closed last time we went.  I got a kick out of the Monkey's, they are so funny to watch - rather amusing, but the Baboons really freaked me out, he was so person-like, it was like seeing an old man locked up in a cage (although Iv clearly never seen this in real life to compare it to) he seemed too wise the old monkey.    The food at the Zoo was even reasonable (thank goodness because I forgot to bring our lunch along!) with each of our lunches costing $5.00-$5.50 and the kids got a Fanta Slushee at the end for $3.00 each. 

 

So all in all we have had a great weekend with just the right measure of busy, fun and rest. I hope your family had a Happy Easter also!