My computer course finishes in 8 weeks and then I will spend 4 weeks doing work experience. I was supposed to be done in 4 weeks but they have extended it because we were not able to get everything finished in time. This was not because my group are slow performers but was a scheduling problem. A lot of the instructors are on temporary contracts and there can be scheduling problems. We will be doing 6 weeks of accounts which I like.. For anyone who remembers my blog from last year I did my work experience at the Fire Service. Subsequently I did an interview to get on a panel of temporary workers for the county council which is our local governing body. I was placed fourth on the panel and almost a year later I have heard not a word. My classmate who was second on the panel has been working continually since January. I find it hard to believe that out of 2000 employees nobody has had to take maternity leave or sick leave in almost a year. I was told that the County manager said that no temporary slots were to be filled at all and there is a hiring freeze. As they say here “if it’s for you it won’t go by you”. Still I am content and believe I am following my path.
Cesar is doing the second part of his motorbike instructor’s test tomorrow. I really hope he passes it. He will then be able to teach and can prepare for his final test which will be on his teaching methods. He already has his first two pupils lined up.
Rian’s seizures are under control thanks to his medication. He is ready to go back to school and get back to his routine. Poor Ultan does not feel the same. His cousins in Colorado80 Springs started back yesterday and their day is from 7:30 to 3:00. Ultan’s 9:20 to 3;00 is a walk in the park in comparison to that. He is getting drumming lessons from a man in my class who was a drummer in a band in London in the 80’s. He’s delighted.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Monday
The clock went off at 6:45 this morning and it was barely light. The wind was howling in the trees and I really wanted to turn over and curl up. Monday morning and looking like Winter already! We never even had a Summer except in name. Last week I took two days off FAS (my computer course) because my family and their kids were in town for a few days. It actually didn’t rain and I really felt like I had a vacation. The first day it was about 55 degrees but the second day was a nice 60 until nightfall. We had 18 people for dinner and I cooked my grand special –Chile Nachos. Copious amounts of drink were consumed and the craic was good.
The children and I went to Bundoran on Sunday and did some bowling. We also took a train ride through the town on the pretend train. I am really beginning to love Bundoran. It’s a beach town about 5 miles from our house and is as tacky as it can be. However it is very pretty and full of character in a seedy Las Vegas kind of way. It’s full of holidaymakers at the moment-------- lots of family groups, old couples and old singles. There’s a buzz to the place that will fade as soon as Sept 1 comes and the schools are open. There will be week-end business throughout the Autumn and then all will be quiet until next year. I love the ebb and flow of it somehow and wonder about having a business in such a place.
The kids have done no dirt biking since they came back from America and it really is a shame. I had the summer mapped out with them riding their dirt bikes at the borough and me sitting in my beach chair reading. I went down there a few weeks back and there were signs every where saying it was an area of conservation and no motorised vehicles were allowed. The farmers got their way and the land will be preserved. Cesar is bitter and is looking around for a piece of land where they can ride in peace. It’s hard to figure things out being from another place. I heard him saying that he is giving this place another year and then he’s going to rethink things. This move is not a happy one for him. I am very content even with the shit weather and the kids are mucking along well. They loved having their cousins in town and loved their vacation in America which they would never have had if we were still living there as I could barely get a few days off per year.
Mum was admitted to the hospital on Friday and is doing a little better. She had broken her shoulder and the pain was getting worse as time was moving on. She can barely walk and is liable to fall at any minute. The geriatrician mentioned Parkinson’s symptoms and everything will be evaluated. It is a relief at least to know that she will get the care she needs.
I am spending today sending out job applications. It is very competitive and I have done badly at interviews. I find these employers very picky and wonder just what they are looking for in a candidate. They are not launching rockets even if they think they are very important. My cv with all my years of self employment is not thrilling them. I feel I will have to create my own job which is nothing new. Still I will keep applying.
Did I mention the weather is shit, really really shit.
The children and I went to Bundoran on Sunday and did some bowling. We also took a train ride through the town on the pretend train. I am really beginning to love Bundoran. It’s a beach town about 5 miles from our house and is as tacky as it can be. However it is very pretty and full of character in a seedy Las Vegas kind of way. It’s full of holidaymakers at the moment-------- lots of family groups, old couples and old singles. There’s a buzz to the place that will fade as soon as Sept 1 comes and the schools are open. There will be week-end business throughout the Autumn and then all will be quiet until next year. I love the ebb and flow of it somehow and wonder about having a business in such a place.
The kids have done no dirt biking since they came back from America and it really is a shame. I had the summer mapped out with them riding their dirt bikes at the borough and me sitting in my beach chair reading. I went down there a few weeks back and there were signs every where saying it was an area of conservation and no motorised vehicles were allowed. The farmers got their way and the land will be preserved. Cesar is bitter and is looking around for a piece of land where they can ride in peace. It’s hard to figure things out being from another place. I heard him saying that he is giving this place another year and then he’s going to rethink things. This move is not a happy one for him. I am very content even with the shit weather and the kids are mucking along well. They loved having their cousins in town and loved their vacation in America which they would never have had if we were still living there as I could barely get a few days off per year.
Mum was admitted to the hospital on Friday and is doing a little better. She had broken her shoulder and the pain was getting worse as time was moving on. She can barely walk and is liable to fall at any minute. The geriatrician mentioned Parkinson’s symptoms and everything will be evaluated. It is a relief at least to know that she will get the care she needs.
I am spending today sending out job applications. It is very competitive and I have done badly at interviews. I find these employers very picky and wonder just what they are looking for in a candidate. They are not launching rockets even if they think they are very important. My cv with all my years of self employment is not thrilling them. I feel I will have to create my own job which is nothing new. Still I will keep applying.
Did I mention the weather is shit, really really shit.
Monday
The clock went off at 6:45 this morning and it was barely light. The wind was howling in the trees and I really wanted to turn over and curl up. Monday morning and looking like Winter already! We never even had a Summer except in name. Last week I took two days off FAS (my computer course) because my family and their kids were in town for a few days. It actually didn’t rain and I really felt like I had a vacation. The first day it was about 55 degrees but the second day was a nice 60 until nightfall. We had 18 people for dinner and I cooked my grand special –Chile Nachos. Copious amounts of drink were consumed and the craic was good.
The children and I went to Bundoran on Sunday and did some bowling. We also took a train ride through the town on the pretend train. I am really beginning to love Bundoran. It’s a beach town about 5 miles from our house and is as tacky as it can be. However it is very pretty and full of character in a seedy Las Vegas kind of way. It’s full of holidaymakers at the moment-------- lots of family groups, old couples and old singles. There’s a buzz to the place that will fade as soon as Sept 1 comes and the schools are open. There will be week-end business throughout the Autumn and then all will be quiet until next year. I love the ebb and flow of it somehow and wonder about having a business in such a place.
The kids have done no dirt biking since they came back from America and it really is a shame. I had the summer mapped out with them riding their dirt bikes at the borough and me sitting in my beach chair reading. I went down there a few weeks back and there were signs every where saying it was an area of conservation and no motorised vehicles were allowed. The farmers got their way and the land will be preserved. Cesar is bitter and is looking around for a piece of land where they can ride in peace. It’s hard to figure things out being from another place. I heard him saying that he is giving this place another year and then he’s going to rethink things. This move is not a happy one for him. I am very content even with the shit weather and the kids are mucking along well. They loved having their cousins in town and loved their vacation in America which they would never have had if we were still living there as I could barely get a few days off per year.
Mum was admitted to the hospital on Friday and is doing a little better. She had broken her shoulder and the pain was getting worse as time was moving on. She can barely walk and is liable to fall at any minute. The geriatrician mentioned Parkinson’s symptoms and everything will be evaluated. It is a relief at least to know that she will get the care she needs.
I am spending today sending out job applications. It is very competitive and I have done badly at interviews. I find these employers very picky and wonder just what they are looking for in a candidate. They are not launching rockets even if they think they are very important. My cv with all my years of self employment is not thrilling them. I feel I will have to create my own job which is nothing new. Still I will keep applying.
Did I mention the weather is shit, really really shit.
The children and I went to Bundoran on Sunday and did some bowling. We also took a train ride through the town on the pretend train. I am really beginning to love Bundoran. It’s a beach town about 5 miles from our house and is as tacky as it can be. However it is very pretty and full of character in a seedy Las Vegas kind of way. It’s full of holidaymakers at the moment-------- lots of family groups, old couples and old singles. There’s a buzz to the place that will fade as soon as Sept 1 comes and the schools are open. There will be week-end business throughout the Autumn and then all will be quiet until next year. I love the ebb and flow of it somehow and wonder about having a business in such a place.
The kids have done no dirt biking since they came back from America and it really is a shame. I had the summer mapped out with them riding their dirt bikes at the borough and me sitting in my beach chair reading. I went down there a few weeks back and there were signs every where saying it was an area of conservation and no motorised vehicles were allowed. The farmers got their way and the land will be preserved. Cesar is bitter and is looking around for a piece of land where they can ride in peace. It’s hard to figure things out being from another place. I heard him saying that he is giving this place another year and then he’s going to rethink things. This move is not a happy one for him. I am very content even with the shit weather and the kids are mucking along well. They loved having their cousins in town and loved their vacation in America which they would never have had if we were still living there as I could barely get a few days off per year.
Mum was admitted to the hospital on Friday and is doing a little better. She had broken her shoulder and the pain was getting worse as time was moving on. She can barely walk and is liable to fall at any minute. The geriatrician mentioned Parkinson’s symptoms and everything will be evaluated. It is a relief at least to know that she will get the care she needs.
I am spending today sending out job applications. It is very competitive and I have done badly at interviews. I find these employers very picky and wonder just what they are looking for in a candidate. They are not launching rockets even if they think they are very important. My cv with all my years of self employment is not thrilling them. I feel I will have to create my own job which is nothing new. Still I will keep applying.
Did I mention the weather is shit, really really shit.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Summer moving on regardless
This is a new blog to be posted when I get to it. It is two weeks since I wrote the last one and it has been raining consistently since then. It is very wearisome for everybody and a source of constant conversation. Cesar is at the pin of his collar to keep the kids amused but that is always the way towards the end of summer vacation. For me it is a respite from prepping school lunches and getting out uniforms etc. Still there is only two more weeks to go and the poor guys will be back in school.
Jobs, jobs and the lack thereof
I type this blog when I get a breather during class and then paste it onto my blog account at night from my memory stick. The fact that I can do this is nothing short of miraculous when I think a year ago I could barely type. We have 6 more weeks of learning here and then onto work experience again. The amount of negativity about the economy is enormous. The media are talking it up a storm and people are nervous. Others are complaining about the self perpetuating prophecy. I filter it out and sort of in at the same time. I am learning computerised accounts this week and am enjoying it. Any jobs that are out there are in this field. I find accounts easy to do and all businesses need this service. Lots and lots of these businesses are too small to hire a full time person and cannot do these accounts themselves. Freelance work would be an option for me and I could build up a client list like I did in the cleaning business. Of course if I get one of these elusive jobs, better again. The construction boom is over and may never return and this has a huge spill over effect onto the rest of the economy but it is still only part of the picture. There is more to Ireland than the construction industry and an adjustment will be needed.
Cesar and the kids are back from America and are in great form. Rian has had 3 seizures this month and is on medication for now. He will be getting checked out to see what’s going on. Ultan is enjoying his PS3 that Cesar got in the States. He has Euro converters all over the house and things work well.
We had 5 days of good weather and managed to get to the beach on a few occasions. Streedagh was lovely as was Mullaghmore except for the big lump of cow poop on the sand that Rian stuck his hand in. I can see why poor Mullagh lost its blue flag rating. One of those in the tide would definitely fail a water test. Of course it’s a beautiful place and it was probably just one rogue cow.
Life is moving along nicely. Cesar enjoyed his time in America and would like to go more often and for longer. Not a bad idea if he can pull it off.
There is not much dirt biking until they find a new place. There are other people in the same boat so there is a niche. Maybe Cesar can fill it. Who knows?
Cesar and the kids are back from America and are in great form. Rian has had 3 seizures this month and is on medication for now. He will be getting checked out to see what’s going on. Ultan is enjoying his PS3 that Cesar got in the States. He has Euro converters all over the house and things work well.
We had 5 days of good weather and managed to get to the beach on a few occasions. Streedagh was lovely as was Mullaghmore except for the big lump of cow poop on the sand that Rian stuck his hand in. I can see why poor Mullagh lost its blue flag rating. One of those in the tide would definitely fail a water test. Of course it’s a beautiful place and it was probably just one rogue cow.
Life is moving along nicely. Cesar enjoyed his time in America and would like to go more often and for longer. Not a bad idea if he can pull it off.
There is not much dirt biking until they find a new place. There are other people in the same boat so there is a niche. Maybe Cesar can fill it. Who knows?
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