Job hunting tips

Now that I’m a resident, I am making my way through the whole job search fiasco. Yes, I call it a fiasco for the simple reason that job searching is such a whirlwind of a process. It’s about finding an actual job prospect, then selling yourself on paper, and eventually selling yourself in front of a potential employer. I have never been great when it comes to job searching or finding a job. During job interviews, I’m a nervous wreck. I know job interviews are not supposed to be easy, but there is such an importance for that interview, that I feel the weight of what would happen if I didn’t get the job, on my shoulders.

I can remember at my last job search in the states, it was hard for me. Just coming back from my 10 month hiatus in Australia, I came to live with my parents. I was trying to adjust back to “normalcy” and found that there were no jobs close by. It took me having to expand my location, to finally find something. A month after my extensive job searching, I was able to find a job. It was frustrating for me, because my parents were putting the pressure on me to look for work. And it never feels good having someone breathing down your back, asking you every day if you’ve found a job yet.

Being in Australia, and living where we live, I have a feeling it’s going to be hard for me to find a job. My credentials and job experience I had in the past, are they going to be good enough, or even have any weight? I see how hard it is, for Australians born here, to find work…just think how it’s going to be for me. I’ve just begun looking for work. I have a holiday job lead, but it’s only doing retail. I don’t want to do retail for the majority of my career life. I have a job prospect with a friend that my partner knows. I’ve given her my updated resume, and I don’t even know if my resume is what it should be. I have never been a fancy resume writer or was able to “sell” myself in that aspect. I had my mum look over my resume, but I still had to make some changes.

So I was wondering, if there are any readers out there, who have any tips on job hunting and/or interview skills. For the record, I have a BA in psychology, with a minor in women’s studies. Back in the states, I did social work for 2 years. I don’t know if I want to keep on the social work path, but will probably be looking at various jobs. The job that my partner’s friend may lead me to working in a law firm. Social work and psychology is very different from law, and I’m actually considering a career path change. But I just wanted to find out, if anyone could give any tips or hints about anything to do with job hunting, resume writing, and interviewing.

I’m glad to be to start working, but at the same time, I’m a bit scared and stressed that it will take me quite some time to find a job. Plus, the fact that I don’t have a vehicle, that puts another element of stress into the equation. We’ve thought about buying a car, but I have to have a job, in order for me to get a loan. I don’t know if my partner would be able to get a loan in her name, if she already has the loan for her house. Plus, being a new resident, I don’t know if people will allow me to get a loan. Or else, they will charge horrendous interest rates because I have no credit here in Australia. I sort of need the car because we live 45-60 minutes away from the CBD of Melbourne. Finding a job close by here, in a field that I’m interested in, will be hard. Kind of in a bind..in many ways. So any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

-current mood-A LITTLE STRESSED

Nguyen Tuong Van executed

For a number of weeks, the talk of Nguyen has been everywhere. Every where you looked, online, the newspaper, on tv, his name would be mentioned. For those who do not know about this case, Nguyen, 25, from Melbourne, was caught in December 2002, with 396g of heroin strapped to his back in Singapore. More than 15 grams of heroin is punishable by death, according the Singaporian law. Nguyen was en route to Australia from Cambodia, and had a long lay-over in Singapore. He was trying to import these drugs, because his twin brother, a now recovering heroin addict, was 30,000 in debt from legal feels of his own drug related charges. Nguyen has been on deathrow since he was caught in Singapore in 2002.

But as mentioned, the past few weeks, probably at least a month or so, there was a big rise in trying to get clemency for Nguyen. Because Australia doesn’t have the dealth penalty anymore, many people felt that Nguyen’s death sentence was a big too harsh. But in retrospect, there are people who believe this penalty was justice for the crime. Nguyen knew what the laws were when he landed in Singapore, so why would one give him clemency? People also bring into the fact, that he was a drug runner, to import drugs that would potentially “feed” 26,000 hits. Depending on how strong the drug was, it could have cost someone’s life. So to some people, his own life, was to be in exchange for all the potential people who may have died if the drugs had been successfully imported.

Nguyen probably could have made it back Australia without notice if he hadn’t stressed out. When he arrived from Cambodia to Singapore, he had both of the bags of heroin strapped to his back. His back was beginning to ache, so he kept one bag strapped, and had the other bag in his own backpack. He ended up falling asleep in the lounge area of the airport, and woke up and realized he only had 10 minutes left to board the plane. He rushed to the security check area. When he walked through, he beeped. He started to panick a little, and the security officer waved the metal want and nothing beeped. She ended up patting him down, and when she reached his back, that’s when she found the pack. The reason why the metal detector went off, was because of his sunglasses. So, in affect, if he had not freaked out, and just played it cool, more than likely, he might have not gotten caught.

All legal aspects to gain clemency and to stop the exectution from going ahead were exhausted. Yesterday, was the last day that Nguyen was able to see his mother and twin brother. I think, just last week, was the first time Nguyen had seen his twin brother since he was caught in 2002. Usually, under Singaporian law, death row inmates are not allowed to physically touch any visitors. Kim Nguyen (Van Nguyen’s mum) pleaded to be able to give her son a hug before he was to die. She wasn’t able to hug him, but she was able to hold his hand. The last she saw of him, was at 5:00pm Singaporian time.

This morning, 6:00am (9:00am Australian Eastern Summer time) Nguyen was handcuffed, had a white hood put over his head, and was led 2 meters to the gallows..where he then had a noose put around his neck, and the floor below him was removed. His execution was by hanging. Reading all of the editorials, and articles about what goes into the preparation of a hanging, it’s very eerie, and very disturbing. Last night, while I was doing a bunch of stuff, I kept thinking about what time it was in Singapore, and just what would Nguyen be thinking at that very moment. I had a dream, that there was a stay of his excecution for one reason for another. But when I woke up this morning, I asked my partner if she had heard anything and she said “yep, he’s dead…”

I have been watching the news all day today, about Nguyen’s exection, and just been listening to all the sorts of reactions. People wanted a minute of silence at 9:00am this morning, and a church was going to ring the bell 25 times, to commemorate 25 years of this man’s life. But people have backlashed and said “where was the minute of silence when my fallen police officer husband died in the line of duty?” Or even “where was the minute of silence when my daughter was killed by a driver high on drugs?” There are a lot of mixed reactions going on. Even in our own household. My partner and I have had arguments about the death penalty, and this exact case. She doesn’t feel any sympathy and believes that because he knew the consequences, he dug his own grave. She also mentioned how many lives would have been put at risk, if these drugs has been imported successfully. And I came back with the retort of “no one is holding a gun to a drug addict’s head..they have made the conscious choice to start taking these drugs, continuing to take them, and thus becoming addicted to them. So even if the drugs are accessible, no one is forcing them to take them…so is it really a drug mule’s fault?” I can understand where my partner is coming from, but at the same time, I have NO sympathy what so ever for drug addicts who will do anything and everything to pay for their habit.

I don’t condone drug mules, or drug smugglers, but sometimes I wonder how many of them are actually innocent in the whole scheme of things. When you think about it, drug mules are picked, and yes, they make the choice to take the chance to import or export drugs, but at what cost did they say yes? Were they threatened, if the had said no? Did they decide to take the risk, so they could get some easy cash, to pay off debts? What causes someone to decide “yes, I will carry drugs on my body, or in my bag, and hope to hell, I don’t get caught?” These drug mules seem so innocent, in comparison to the people who are actually behind the drug trade. Where are the drug kingpens? The ones who are making a huge profit at the expense of someone else? Where are these drug lords, when someone is caught with drugs in a country where the penalty is death by hanging or even firing squad? They are no where to be found, but yet they get to keep on going, as if nothing happened. I guess though, if you’re a drug lord, all you are worrying about is how much profit you can make off of what ever you’re selling. The blood on their hands means nothing to them.

I feel bad, and am saddened by Nguyen being hung. But when I think of the alternative, I wonder if it’s even better? Granted, dying by hanging at 25 doesn’t seem like a good card to have. But if he had gotten clemency, and wasn’t hung, he would be in a Singaporian prison for the rest of his life. Is that a life that one would want to live? I guess it would be better than being dead, but are they still dead, to some extent? I don’t know how I would be able to live the rest of my life in prison . It seems like such a horrible position to be in. But then again, it might seem like the better alternative.

-current mood-GROUCHY!!

It's official.....

I am NOW a resident of Australia. Even though it’s only a temporary residency visa I’m on, it’s good for two years. My partner and I received a call yesterday from our case officer. He rang to let me know that the my application was now approved. He asked if we wanted to come in and pick up the approval letter, along with all of our official documents. We said sure, and told him we’d pick it up today.

So this morning we got up, and trucked ourselves to the city DIMIA office. We got there about 1:00, and there were so many people. We went up to the 23rd floor, where the residence office was, and I told the receptionist, that I was here to pick up my approval letter and all of our original documents. I think I said official to her…but she looked on her desk and she started to say “I can’t seem to find it..” And I thought “oh great, just what we need.” So I told her who our case officer was, and she ended up finding our documents.

We went downstairs, to the main level again, and there was quite a line. I got through the line to get a number quick enough, but we waited probably 30-40 minutes till we were able to be seen. I of course, had bunch of questions to ask, and the guy was really nice. He told me to “fire away” with my questions, while he was printing out my visa. But everything was great, no surprises this time .

Our nightmare is finally over. Even though temporary residency doesn’t guarantee permanent residency, the chances of me NOT getting residency, will be slim. Unless the relationship ceases, or I become a serial criminal, I’ll more than likely get my residency. So yippee . My partner and I decided that we’d do a combination celebration, for our anniversary and for getting my residency. I can work, I can do just about anything. I’m so happy and so relieved!!!! (Can’t you tell???)

-current mood-OVER THE MOON!

Taking time for myself

Today’s post, is just a brief one. I thought, that because of how crazy my past week has been, I thought I would take a breather. But hey, I’m still posting, aren’t I?? But I was thinking last night in bed “man, I’m really worn out.” I’m emotionally drained, and I know that I probably have flown off the handle a few times at people. Definitely not puposefully, but the reality of my life (as wonderful as it is) still hasn’t sunk in. I’ve slept well (aside from my partner snoring) and when I wake up, I realize “I’m able to be here…and stay here.” I was talking to my partner on the phone last night, while she was at work. And while I was talking to her, I got this sensation of “this is the way it’s going to be.” Before, when she’d ring, sometimes I’d think “is this going to last?” I’ve been a sooky sooky la la as well the past few days. I miss my family and friends, and of course my kitty. And I know, that now I’m here, it makes things more permanent. I’ve got so many mixed emotions going on, and at the same time. So I’d like to just say “sorry” if I’ve bitten your head off, and “wow” if you’ve brought sunshine and wonderful thoughts into my life. But I’m going to take the night off. No, my brain is going to take the night off. Hopefully tomorrow, I’ll have something worthwhile to read.

-current mood-FEELING sentimental

Winter Blues

This is the time that people seem to find themselves down and feeling really sad. I know I suffer from the winter blues. Recently I’ve talked to a number of people who are experiencing this. Even here in Australia, even though it is not winter, people are still finding themselves in some sort of slump. I know back at home in the states, my mum is going through it right now. She hates how when she wakes up and goes to work, it’s dark, and when she comes home, it’s dark as well. I can remember how much I hated the winter, because it affected me in so many ways.

Winter here is not winter as I know it. I am trying to think of just how I was, during winter this past year. And truthfully, I don’t feel I was as deeply affected as I have been in the past. Maybe it was the combination of winter not being so cold and dreary, to the fact that I had a heck of a lot more on my plate to worry about. I know I got sad and moody during the winter, but it had more to do with the fact that I missed my family and friends. Being here, and being secluded, it made things hard for me. I wanted to get out and meet new people, but a part of me didn’t want to either. I never really felt sorry for myself, but I could tell just how much the rainy days and the lack of sunlight affected me inside.

I try to think of ways of coping with the winter blues. When I was living at home in the states, and I’d get really down…I always found myself listening to sappy love songs, and watching sappy movies. Something about a good cry, it always made me feel better. When I was living in the states, I had friends who were more accessible, so if I was feeling down in the dumps, I’d be able to ring them, or even go out with them after work. People can easily tell when I’m upset or down, and even though I tried not to let it affect my work, it did at times.

I do hope those people who suffer from SAD are able to find solace in what ever they can. It’s just amazing though, when you think about it, how much sunlight or lackthereof, can affect one’s mood. But if we all can find ways of coping, I think we can all get through it.

-current mood-EMOTIONALLY drained.

Physical Appearance

I’ve been an internet user for about 9 years now. I remember in the beginning, I was so naïve to a lot of things, and trying to figure out what LOL or LMAO meant, or even wondering what it meant when someone said “wanna cyber???” I’ve come a long ways, let me tell you and I’ve learned a lot of things. I remember in the beginning, I was so wrapped up in finding ways I could get pictures so that I could show people. I felt like it was fun, and exciting to exchange pictures. Now, these pictures are not nudies, I’m not like that . But the more time I spent online, the more I began to realize the agenda of some people. People, when they found out I was gay, would automatically assume that I wanted to see naked pictures of them, or of other women. I’d tell them no thanks, and they’d get all pissy at me, like I was an involet (is that a word..lol). They couldn’t figure out why I wouldn’t want to see a naked picture of them, or why I didn’t want to talk dirty to them.

Now, well, probably the past year or so, I’ve kept my pictures hidden. Yes, I have a picture of my abs (and yes, they are mine…hey ppl have asked..lol) but that is probably as far as I’ve gone. There are some great women I’ve talked to and kept in contact with, for many months now, but they still don’t know what I look like. A part of me doesn’t like putting pictures of me online because I’ve had people take them w/o permission…and gawd knows where I’d be seeing them..lol. So I took my pictures off. I had a personal website, took that down, just because I realized I wanted some level of secrecy. A lot of people don’t know my first name, but of course if you read my yahoo 360 blog, you’ll see my first name there.

I don’t give out a lot of information about myself anymore. Plus, there were always those handful of people, that once I showed myself, I never heard from them again. I’m not online to impress anyone. I’m very happily committed to someone, and am not looking for any hanky panky. In truth, now I’m not looking for any sort of acceptance. If people want to be that shallow, and stop talking to me, once they see my picture, then so be it. It’s not my loss, at least I like to think it’s not. But I stopped all together, in showing pictures of myself. I don’t really see the need to. Sure it’s nice to know what someone looks like, but isn’t it also fun wondering what they look like??

In a few online groups I’m in, I’ve shown my picture to people. But I’ve only kept it on for a short period of time, then I took it off. I guess in another way, I’m self conscious of what I look like. I know I’m no raving beauty queen, and I don’t want to be. But all of the past times, where people have been really rude to me, it’s kind of stuck within me. I’ve stopped caring on the outside, but inside I still feel a little hurt at times. But I’ve gotten over it.

Just recently though, a number of people (this is not targeted at one single individual..mind you ) and they have asked me to show them what I look like. And I’ve said “I don’t show pictures of myself.” And all these times, these people have come back at me saying “I just was wondering what you look like…you don’t need to be so defensive.” And they took a great offense to me saying no, and started saying that I don’t trust them. But the reality of it is, it’s more than just trust. It wires down to the simple fact that I don’t want to show myself to anyone. I’m more than happy to tell people what I look like, and it’s even more FUN, to ask people to try and guess what I look like. For the record, most people are way off..lol. But I guess it’s a matter of how well you know me, and how often we talk.

I wish people would respect my wishes for NOT showing myself, and just take me as I am. I know it can be fun and exciting, finally seeing what someone looks like. But is it REALLY that important? I don’t mind people giving me pictures of themselves, (as long as it’s not showing any boobie or fanny) and if people want to do that..all the more power to them. But I just hope people don’t expect it in return. If I REALLY feel comfortable with someone, and feel a major connection with them, in time, I’ll show myself. But that’s usually after I’ve established that they’re genuine people. Of course, this is not saying, everyone I talk to isn’t a genuine person. It’s just a matter of my comfort level. If I really connect with someone, and feel totally comfortable with them, I’ll show them. But thinking..in the past year or so, (aside from sharing in a group) I’ve only shown my picture to 2 people, maybe 3??. And truthfully, neither of them talk to me anymore. One, we usually email eachother every few months..the other, I thought she was a genuine person..turns out she’s too busy for me. Her loss, not mine.

With all this said, just be patient, and be respectful in my wishes not to show myself. Maybe one day I JUST might…but in the mean time, just enjoy my company, or not . Some people are much more comfortable in their own skin to show themselves off. I unfortunately, am not one of those people.

-HUNGRY, making spring rolls tonight.

Incessant Snoring

My partner, when she’s extremely tired, snores like you wouldn’t believe. Yesterday, she worked overtime, and then ended up spending some time at her mum’s place after work. Her mum is re-modeling the kitchen and she wanted to see how it was progressing. She didn’t get home till about 7:00. Around 10:30, her eyes started getting droopy and we both were feeling very relaxed. I stayed up till about 2:00, then went to bed. I couldn’t sleep though (still excited about hearing our good news), so I did some reading. Soon, well into my reading, I heard her snoring. I thought to myself “self, what am I going to do??” I just let her sleep on the couch, she does it all the time when she’s really tired, and plus the couch is incredibly comfortable.

I think about 4:00 she came in and we went to bed. I couldn’t sleep, was wide awake, unfortunately. She then started snoring, and even with earplugs, I could still hear her snores. If I nudge her, she usually turns over to her side and the snoring stops. If I keep nudging her, she’ll sometimes wake up and get really peeved at me for waking her up. But I can’t sleep if she’s snoring. Lucky right now, I’m not working, so it’s fine if I don’t get enough sleep. But about 5:30, with her still snoring, I couldn’t handle it anymore. I put on my PJ bottoms, some socks, and grabbed two blankets and went into the lounge room. I had a hard time falling asleep because by this time, it was daylight. It seemed as though as I put my head to the pillow and actually fell asleep, I woke up to her going to the bathroom, and it was already 11:00. I couldn’t believe how quickly time had elapsed, and I was so tired. I still am pretty tired. I can barely keep my eyes open right now. But it might be good that I’m so tired, it’ll make me sleep well tonight. And let’s hope I sleep through all of the snoring!!

I’d like for my partner to go to the doctor to see if s/he can help fix the problem. I know there is a pretty easy procedure that helps with the snoring. I think the combination of my partner’s weight, and when she’s really tired and worn out, she snores loudly and doesn’t stop. It’s not a obnoxious snore, but obnoxious enough to where I can’t sleep. Even with earplugs, I find myself still lying awake. Let’s hope tonight is much more peaceful!!

-current mood-EXTREMELY TIRED