Date: 29 May 2009 23:58:47
Those who suffer reading my status updates on Facebook as well as subjecting themselves to my ramblings here will know this week has been a tough one: I've survived on five or less hours of [interrupted] sleep most evenings, with 6 Thursday night which at least helped me get through Friday. Not sure if it is excitement about my upcoming trip to Georgia [3 weeks and counting], some stress or worry I am as yet unable to pinpoint, or just my brain going through its regular "I am a mad loon" cycle. But, thanks be to God, I slept reasonably well last night, and, it being the weekend, afternoon naps are permitted.
Yet at the same time it was a week of great blessing. Yesterday I went to lunch with two work colleagues, after I quashed any feelings of anxiety. They work in a different business area, and a different office, but I am working with one of them on a project. I was glad I went: it was great to get out of the office and it was great to talk to these two talented and young [mid 20s] people. I am not one for generalisations, as they do not take into account individuals, but if you were looking for typical Gen Ys these two would fit the bill. A number of jobs, highly educated, confident and knowing what they want from life and going for it. And I personally find this, in these two individuals, attractive and encouraging: they have humility as well which helps -- if they were arrogant know-it-alls [a trait common across all ages] my view may've been different. The confidence stands out for me in particular, as someone who lacks it. As does their knowledge of a direction in life, while I meander through, God, somehow, ordering my steps so my life does not completely fall into a bottomless pit. I notice similar traits in those early 20-somethings at church: they seem to have a direction and purpose I lacked: and still do. I suppose what you do not have is always attractive. Plenty of words are often spent about that generation, usually not positive, but from my -- albeit limited -- exposure, I think the future is in safe and steady hands
Also at work on Friday we celebrated C's 60th birthday: C is a Call Centre operator who turns 60 today, but as most of us don't work Saturday yesterday was a celebration with food, presents, food, flowers and some more food. You may be taken aback by a 60 year old in a Call Centre role: given where we are located [SW Sydney] and the nature of the business, while we do have an 18 y.o., most are more mature ladies, and have been here for years and years. We do have a very low turnover rate -- for staff in general and Call Centre staff in particular. That does help with a great working environment, as we get to know each other and share in each others' lives. The job-sharing, instituted last year if I recall, where Call Centre staff can work 2.5 days then have 2.5 days off, has also helped, especially for those who were considering leaving the workforce as they wanted free time. I sit adjacent to the Call Centre, the hum of calls, and the occasional raised voice, my background noise: and they are, as are all my colleagues truth be told, great people to see each day.
A bit of a blip in trivia: after last week's first [special topic Eurovision: we got 9 out of the 10 questions right], it was second-last this week. Oh dear.
And, finally, the last presentation in The Life of Moses reading course: more on that in a later post, but while I was sad it was over, I came away not only intellectually challenged, by personally and spiritually challenged as well -- a great blessing.
I was hoping to head down to Canberra to see Semele appear with Melbourne Opera in Verdi’s La Traviata, but as I need to pop into work tomorrow, and the fact I have not been sleeping well and have been getting rather tired during the day, I thought it best to not drive down there and back on my own. I am sorry to miss it Semele: hope and pray it all goes well.
Suppose I better get ready for my Revolution Cycle class... And I have many blogs to catch up on: I had no focus when I got home to try and read a computer screen. If I missed out of any exciting news in the past week, please comment below so I can share the joy with you in case I miss it.