By Driper on
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Well when it rains it pores (and not literally). It's been nice weather here for the last week or so, sun is out, temp is just below nice. Have had a few celebratory drinks tonight because as of last Friday as I am employed. Have found a contract for 4 to 12 weeks for a medium size site looking to do some cleanup and updates and cover a sick staff member. It has been a bit of a whirlwind looking for jobs. I made the mistake of looking at permanent and contract roles which of course meant that I have a permanent role which is in its final stages and a contract that offered. Oh well. Money in the bank. I am lead to believe by a few people that on your second contract you are likely to increase your income significantly (if you took average money to begin with like I did this time) assuming you have the experience (I hope so). Eventually the permanent role (CEO) turned me down, oh well. Guess I made the right decision to say yes to the contract and see what happened. Have now been working in the contract for 4 days and it's awesome to be doing something other than looking for a job for the first time in 5 weeks. People are great, boss is even letting me talk to other roles at work because he knows he has a limited timeframe for me. Have managed to impress the boss (IT Manager) and I am fairly confident that I will be in the contract for its longer expected duration which is perfect. I think having shown him that his virus protection was 5 years out of date, Active Directory is a mess and backup wasn't working to the point that it was not restorable has probably won me some points.
Read More »
|
By Driper on
Sunday, February 22, 2009
We arrive back in the UK today and are to stay for good (well short term good). We go to see another apartment (together this time) and Freda sees just how much better a place can be than the first one we saw for the price. We agree that I will look at a few more tomorrow while she does her demonstration lesson for her probable new school. We get home and Freda jumps on the web. She finds 4 more units in the same place (only moments from a few other places we looked at) for 50 pound less per week. I have now seen a few and we need to decide what to do which as always is difficult. I spent all of the 24th applying for jobs and following up recruiters, it's amazing how many recruiters didn't get my application and need it sent again (probably 6 out of 20), two of them twice. Freda had her trial day today, teaching for a half day in front of the head teacher at her Jewish school. Our (well Deirdre and Ryan's) shower is fixed. Fantastic, we can have a real shower in our free accommodation.
Read More »
|
By Driper on
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Our whirlwind trip in London is over and we achieved a great deal, have travel, looked at units, have bank accounts and managed a night out with a few pints (maybe a few to many).
Read More »
|
By Driper on
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
We arrive in the UK with two bags each (one hand a one carry on), all went well. Very interestingly when we came through UK (Stansted) airport and they didn't even look at passports or Visa's. Freda holding an EU passport that was my expectation but I am on a New Zealand passport. Oh well. We make our way out to our accommodation and the place is great, nice place (not to detract from it at all but it's free). We have great TV, internet, kitchen, nice bed, central place and simply a nice home (not a hotel which is an instant bonus). Getting there was easy was one train (above ground) from Stansted Airport to a tube station and then one tube ride to our stop. This issue really was dealing with two bags each. A nice guy (not me) gave Freda a hand up the stairs with one of her bags.
Read More »
|
By Driper on
Monday, February 16, 2009
We are packing for the UK and leave tomorrow. We have arranged accommodation whilst there with Freda's cousin (Deirdre, thanks D) which wont cost us any money. Can stay their until they get back (March 8). Their is an issue with the hot water (shower) not working but it's being sorted before we arrive, how very nice of Deirdre and Ryan (thanks again guys).
Read More »
|
By Driper on
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
While we have temperatures of single digits we worry about Melbourne with 47 degrees and fire bugs which threaten among others the Byrne family home in Taralgon (Freda's Melbourne family home for anyone who didn't know).
Read More »
|
By Driper on
Friday, February 06, 2009
We finally arrive and it's a little cold.
Read More »
|
By Driper on
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Finally it's here, our last day in Sydney and the beginning of our journey.
Read More »
|
By Driper on
Thursday, January 22, 2009
The excitement is building as it's nearly time to leave
Read More »
|
By Driper on
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Freda has resigned and I resigned today, we are now committed without the option to back out.
Read More »
|