Worklife.

I'm currently on a temporary contract that ends on 28th Feb. The ongoing position was advertised at the end of last year, and I applied for it, and had my interview today, and really it has felt like the thing I've been building towards since I left Sydney. It's almost a year since I left. The 1 year mark will hopefully coincide with a job offer, and then I can finally feel like I'm properly here. I've always been thinking "in case I don't get the job" and "if I have to move". I have a pile of moving boxes in the garage to remind me. But at the same time I've just got on with my life, bought a house, got a housemate, and basically been settling down. But every decision has had the "if I don't get the job" scenario alongside it.

So the interview is done, and I'm happy with how it went. I didn't blow it, there's nothing I'm kicking myself about. I was prepared, I felt confident, sounded articulate, I think my answers were well considered, and I tried to not talk about already working there but refered to MM experience a lot. Because I felt like that was an opportunity, to present myself and my experience formally so they would have a better idea of me as a package. It was a danger that I'd take for granted that they know me and leave out the things you normally present, but I think I covered it well. It has been 8 years or so since my last job interviews and I guess I'm more mature and confident now and I have more experience to talk about. Therefor I would say it was my best job interview ever.

My flowers this month (roses because $10 at markets and valentine appropriate):

As you can see I don't mind a bit o' doily.

In other life news:

The working week has a rhythm. Monday has a few meetings, which load me up with work. Then I spend the rest of the week trying to follow through. Most of my work and personal activities are at the start of the week so I feel weary and stressed on Monday about everything I have to do, Wednesday is well and truly hump day, and TGIF on Friday. I didn't used to have such a defined rhythm, it was all much of a muchness in Sydney and at MM, or MM had a quarterly cycle really, but now I fit the work week cliche.

I try and get to work at 8am usually, so that I have enough time after work before dinner to do a drawing (before it gets dark) or do Jillian (so I don't have any excuse of being hungry) or go to my cello lesson. Friday is a day I don't have to do anything other than work, so I don't have to get up and to work as early, and I might have a little treat like a hot cross bun and a cup of tea with my breakfast, before I go to work. 

Monday: Jillian, Life course

Tuesday: Drawing, bible study

Wednesday: Jillian

Thursday: Cello lesson, drawing

Friday: Drawing

I try and fit cello practice in on most days. Sometimes I do food shopping or something else instead of drawing. I do 3 or 4 drawings a week usually.

I've got a housemate. It is working out well so far. It's different than in the past, where we shared rent. It's a bit different that its my house and she pays me, but I'm trying to keep it even and not be the boss of the house. On the plus side, it's different because it is bigger, so there is less sharing really. Individual bathrooms. 2 TVs. And in terms of her personality and lifestyle, she is quiet and busy, which is what I like. She isn't in and out in a chaotic dramatic way, and she isn't an introvert who wants to stay at home all the time. She is out and about a lot, and nice to be around when she is home.

The fun highlight has been I went to another markets on the weekend! The Sacred Tree markets in Branxton, a small boring town up the valley. They are small but good quality markets. Good food, cheap flowers, the usual trendy trinkets. I spend all my money on food. I went with Taire from Nail and Twine photography who is having a stall there next month http://www.nailandtwine.com.au/, and we saw another aqauintance of ours painting faces, she does amazing work, only $5. Frozen snowflakes, pansies, completely beautiful. You can see the number of brushes and things she has.

I have also enjoyed when I take Percy to work. Sometimes he is a bit bothersome if he really wants a scratch and just annoys my hand to get one.

 But by and large he either hangs out in his cage quietly or sits on his branch chortling.

The most adorable thing is that he tries to scratch his own head for pleasure. He holds his foot up and slowly rotates his head against it. He yawns when he is relaxed.