Categories: depression, stress, work, family, self-esteem, life
Date: 06 June 2009 02:13:09
God is indeed gracious.
I spoke to my IT colleague in the morning and said I was sorry if I had been out of sorts of late. He asked if everything was alright, after assuring me I had been fine towards him, and judging the situation, and our friendship [a word I do not use lightly: I do think it is there] I made mention of my struggles with mental health which led to me leaving a job and not working for almost 6 months, as well as the struggles I have had in the past few years. I am blessed, God is gracious: he was sympathetic, understanding, and wise in some counsel he gave to me -- not advice thrown around, but asking questions and providing suggestions where he has seen me struggling in the past week. As someone who came from a war-torn country, found himself with his family a refugee, and has settled in Australia, he has my utmost respect and admiration: strength and character is certainly formed in adversity. I am blessed indeed to work with him, and count him as a friend.
I enjoyed a Thai lunch out of the office with three colleagues from our motorway office. They are all wonderful people and it is a boost to my ego that they ask me [and my colleague] along with them: one colleague in particular, who has helped us put together a business case for the GM [and perhaps board, depending on cost], is someone I greatly respect: not only is he excellent and talented at what he does, but he is an all-round wonderful person. There are many issues at work, as there are I am sure in all offices: but when it comes to people we are blessed.
Before leaving I had another chat with the colleague I spoke to two Fridays[*] ago, and another colleague who came in while we were chatting. This time about humility and confidence, the difference [in generalities] between Asian and Western views [she is of Vietnamese background and I, given where I grew up, count many SE Asians as friends and acquaintances] between these, and many other topics such as family, education and work [a topic I have raised with my IT colleague to learn a bit about Eritrean culture]. A very interesting chat: as I wrote, I am blessed with great colleagues.
Friday night I got to spend with Skye. After picking her up from the youth group she attends [where my sister and brother-in-law are leaders: though they were at a conference to do with it so they were not there], we came back home here where we indulged in all manner of fun including watching a number of episodes of Busy Buses on a DVD I bought for her [I bought a wind-up Elmo Submarine for the bath for Eden]; drawing on the computer at the ABC Kids' Website and with Tux Paint [thank you Yay], and on paper; rolling and bouncing balls; and reading and talking. Such fun. I planned to take her to some place of her choice [McDonald's I am sure!] after youth group, but as it was a 20th anniversary they had a party afterwards and Skye filled herself up hot dogs and chips [she did not want cake as she did not want pink icing: strange for a girl who loves pink!], so we headed home.
Queen's Birthday Holiday long weekend this weekend for most states in Australia [I think WA is the only state to have it on a different date: though I may be wrong], so I shall enjoy Monday relaxing in some way. Official start of the snow season too for us: will not be going this year [it has been a while since I have been], but I hope for good falls for all going -- including a number of friends.
[*] Grammar question: should there be an apostrophe there somewhere? Be gentle: I went to school during the "Let's Not Teach Grammar" years...]