...for having left you in the lurch all this time. I don't know how it happened exactly, but I seem to have suddenly fallen out of the habit of logging onto LJ earlier this year; and the longer I've been out of it, the harder it got to get back into. I got to this stage where I was so depressed, that I couldn't think of inflicting any of my tales of unmitigating woe on you lot. To tell the truth, I'm still struggling, but a few things have recently started happening in my life that have given me a glimmer of hope -- though not of paid employment any time soon, I don't think.
It's been a year since I left Apple. At the time, everyone was quick to assure me that with my cv, I'd soon find work again; but that has proven not to be the case. There just isn't, or doesn't seem to be, that much call for an experienced Customer Experience Manager these days. Trust me to have once again picked a profession that doesn't do well in a recession.
So, I've thrown myself into volunteering again. This time, I'm co-coordinating the annual International Food Fair of The Hague. It's my job to approach and recruit the individual countries' boothholders, and make sure they have everything they need from licences to cutlery and electrics, and a sufficient number of volunteers to serve their customers. The event will be held over the weekend of 17/18 Nov. and my job will officially end on the 25th with a wrap-up meeting and evaluation. It's a charitable event, with the proceeds going to all sorts of projects around the world.
Apart from this, I've also started as a catechist (i.e. the RC equivalent of a Sunday school teacher) teaching 2nd grade (7-8 year olds) in preparation for their first Holy Communion in May. Which can be quite challenging at times! Just last Sunday, after I'd related the story of John the Baptist e.g., Gonzalo raised his hand and asked "Miss, don't you think these kind of stories are a nonsense, really?" He was referring, or so I presumed, to the supposed leaping of joy that John, as a foetus, did when he sensed the presence of his Saviour when Mary came to visit Elizabeth; and later, the vision of the Holy Spirit alighting on Jesus in the form of a dove at the time of his baptism. I don't know what the bishop would have thought of my answer, but I didn't think I could dismiss his objection out of hand, so I told him (and the rest of the class) that no, I didn't think these stories were a nonsense per se, but preserved in such a way that people could remember and pass them on easily in the days before books and computers. He's a clever one, that Gonzalo, and I like that at 7 1/2, he's already thinking for himself and questioning authority ;-).
Anyway, autumn's firmly upon us now, and the day before yesterday I took a stroll through the woods near my home. Thankfully, I had my trusty mobile with me, as without it I wouldn't have been able to show you what I saw...
It's been a year since I left Apple. At the time, everyone was quick to assure me that with my cv, I'd soon find work again; but that has proven not to be the case. There just isn't, or doesn't seem to be, that much call for an experienced Customer Experience Manager these days. Trust me to have once again picked a profession that doesn't do well in a recession.
So, I've thrown myself into volunteering again. This time, I'm co-coordinating the annual International Food Fair of The Hague. It's my job to approach and recruit the individual countries' boothholders, and make sure they have everything they need from licences to cutlery and electrics, and a sufficient number of volunteers to serve their customers. The event will be held over the weekend of 17/18 Nov. and my job will officially end on the 25th with a wrap-up meeting and evaluation. It's a charitable event, with the proceeds going to all sorts of projects around the world.
Apart from this, I've also started as a catechist (i.e. the RC equivalent of a Sunday school teacher) teaching 2nd grade (7-8 year olds) in preparation for their first Holy Communion in May. Which can be quite challenging at times! Just last Sunday, after I'd related the story of John the Baptist e.g., Gonzalo raised his hand and asked "Miss, don't you think these kind of stories are a nonsense, really?" He was referring, or so I presumed, to the supposed leaping of joy that John, as a foetus, did when he sensed the presence of his Saviour when Mary came to visit Elizabeth; and later, the vision of the Holy Spirit alighting on Jesus in the form of a dove at the time of his baptism. I don't know what the bishop would have thought of my answer, but I didn't think I could dismiss his objection out of hand, so I told him (and the rest of the class) that no, I didn't think these stories were a nonsense per se, but preserved in such a way that people could remember and pass them on easily in the days before books and computers. He's a clever one, that Gonzalo, and I like that at 7 1/2, he's already thinking for himself and questioning authority ;-).
Anyway, autumn's firmly upon us now, and the day before yesterday I took a stroll through the woods near my home. Thankfully, I had my trusty mobile with me, as without it I wouldn't have been able to show you what I saw...
- Current Mood:
guilty
Comments
I think that over the next few weeks, if nothing else, at least I'll be able to update my LJ with regular reports on how the Food Fair is shaping up.
And I can well imagine your catechists - they will be very like my Sunday School group!
The Food Fair is wonderful, or at least, is shaping up to be. Of course, I don't have to organise it all by myself, but even so, it's a lot of work; and it's requiring me to discover and utilise strengths I didn't know I had. I'm telling you, if I can pull this off, I'll never doubt what I'm capable of again.
That's right, you're a Sunday school teacher, too! Wonderful -- I'll know where to come for advice when I'm stuck!
A note on Catholic terminology: I'm the catechist, my students are the catechumens, and the core of what I'm supposed to be teaching them, i.e. the Catholic tenets, rituals and prayers, is referred to as the catechism. It's my least favourite part of the curriculum, as part of it (e.g. the call and response in the Mass) is rote learning, and the other part a constant searching for the right words to translate and explain quite complex ideas of theology and christology to children; all the while hoping and praying that in my efforts, I don't accidentally slip into heresy.
Edited at 2012-10-13 01:43 pm (UTC)
What great photos! But what's the difference between a mushroom and a toadstool anyway?
You're asking me, when you're the native (Australian)English person out of the two of us?!
In Dutch, 'paddestoelen' (= toadstool) are the ones with a stem and a cap, that we imagine 'kabouters' (= fairytale beings, somewhat akin to leprechauns) like to sit on - though why they're called 'paddestoel' and not 'kabouterstoel' is a mystery to me. The ones that grow on trees and fallen logs are most commonly referred to as 'zwammen'...so maybe the same distinction is made in English?
As to how I got the gig: I just applied to an ad in the local rag. No prior experience was required; the emphasis was on strong communication and negotiating skills and a willingness to work all the hours God sends. I was as surprised as anyone when I was told the job was mine, after just one meeting with the chairman; but then I heard there hadn't been a great response to the ad, time was of the essence, and I sort of got it by default ;-). My predecessor, apparently, had borne the responsibility for a number of years, but had moved out of the country a few months earlier. I don't know if I'll be available next year, but if I am, I'd like to be involved in it again...provided I don't make a pig's ear out it this year, of course. But it all seems to be going well, so I don't think that's a real concern at the moment.
And it sounds like you're doing what you can to keep sane. I wish you much luck. *big hugs*
Are you not? Me, I love them; but I do understand they're not for everyone.
Thanks! If only I can manage to keep a positive outlook, I'll be fine.