Wiggles

Had a lot of fun at the Wiggles Greatest Hits concert today at Burswood Dome. The only down side is it was a really hot day and I don't think the place was air-conditioned very well, if at all, so Angel and Lars were really hot and grizzly initially. However, after I prayed for Angel, took off her shoes and gave her some water and put it over her face and hands and feet to cool her off, she perked up and actually seemed to enjoy the show. I thought it was excellent. Very well done.

I told Kristin's mum how upset I was about work and she agreed with me and said that was why God put me there in the job - to bring freedom and justice to the workers. My neck is really sore now :-( Cannot wait to finish working there.

Last week

So I have decided to quit my job after one month, ending this upcoming Saturday. I know it didn't last long, but it really is not the right job for me. Was feeling peeved all night I didn't sleep. Feel like crap today. Gotta drive to Kristin's mum's house and eat lunch, then take her to Burswood to see the Wiggles, then drive home.

So angry

Just finished work. Am so angry. Tonight I worked with two Ethiopian guys and got talking to them. I found out that both had been working for six hours and were not aware they were even entitled to have breaks. I called the supervisor over and told him in front of these guys that it was his duty of care to make sure they had adequate breaks and I made sure they went off and had a break right then. Then I wrote down for them the breaks they are entitled to and told them to make sure they always took them, especially because half an hour of their time was not paid for, when they were meant to be having a break. They both thanked me. I was too angry to receive their praise.

I am going to meet with John on Monday because this situation needs to change.

Unfair working conditions

Last night Rick came up to me and told me the supervisor forced him to work seven hours straight without any breaks. That really annoyed me. He doesn't have the confidence to set boundaries with them. So that prompted me to ring up the Dept of Commerce (1300 655 266) today to seek some advice. They only deal with public sector issues, so told me to ring Wageline (13 13 94), Worksafe (1300 307 877) and the Dept of Immigration Citizenship (13 18 81).

Wageline advised that my work colleagues are entitled to the following breaks: for 4-5 hrs: 10 min paid break; for 5-7 hrs: 10 min paid break plus one 30 min unpaid meal break; and for 7-10 hrs: two 10 min paid breaks plus one 30 min unpaid meal break.

Worksafe asked me to lodge an anonymous complaint by email. I was reluctant to do so, because being the only non-intimidated local, it would be very obvious who had complained, so I did it but didn't say which store I work in.

The Dept of Immigration Citizenship advised that they can only help if the international students are on visas that cap the amount of hours they are allowed to work and they are being forced to work more hours than what they are entitled to do so on their visas.

I also typed up an email to Ps Judy, Ps Eunice and Ps David asking for their spiritual advice and telling them my dream.

Nasty

Yesterday we had a team meeting at work with a boss I had never really talked to. I'm not sure what his position is exactly, but he is higher up then the in-store managers and comes into our store once a week. Anyway, I didn't like him at all. He was rude, abrupt and came across as a jerk and a bully who likes to intimidate people. I realised last night that the majority of people working in night-fill are international students who have no interpersonal skills, are very submissive and cannot stand up for themselves. For many, English is not their first language. In his presence they are timid and shy.

I was not intimidated by him and when he asked why we were not attending his piss-up staff party, I told him I had a better offer. His face went temporarily into shock. I guess he is not used to having people talk back to him. I have nothing to lose. I am going to quit soon anyway and get a real job.

Last night God gave me a dream about him. In the dream he was a sports coach and the people I work with were in the team he was coaching. One by one, I watched him go to different team members and tell them they were failures, they were scum and wouldn't amount to anything. He crushed their spirits. Then during a break time in their harsh training regime, I watched a few men go towards a place to get a bite to eat. He blocked their path and wouldn't let them get food.

In the dream, I was sitting on the top of a wall that was about eight foot high. I called out to him as he walked by and said to him in a loud voice "do you really think that putting down your team members and crushing their spirits is going to make them excel?". He looked at me and muttered something implying he was right. In the dream, I was not being bullied or threatened by him. I was merely a spectator.

I woke up with the realisation that there are staff all around me that are not being treated fairly. If anyone works more than four hours, they are entitled to a half an hour meal break as a minimum. What has been happening is that at the time we are meant to finish, they are being asked to stay back later and finish unpacking the load without adequate breaks. They don't have the guts to say no. I have heard a few people moan about back problems. One of the girls from the Philippines whines when she carries boxes some times and I can see she is injured.

I always start and finish my shifts at the rostered time and decline their offer to stay later. For such pathetic pay (less than half of what I got in my last real j0b), there's no way I will stay later. I'm just here for a short season. As soon as I get my visa, I will apply for a real job and get out.

God has sent me here for a purpose, though I am not sure though what I am supposed to do. The staff are too intimidated to speak up and even if I tried to say something, they would probably pretend they were being treated fairly. They are being paid, which is good, but if they go on without adequate breaks and rush to get the job done, they will suffer burn-out and health concerns.

International Driver's Licence

Got an international d/l today. All you do is go to the RAC (I went to the West Perth branch), show them your current d/l and then give them a passport photo and $32.50 and they whip one up on the spot for you! Gosh, how easy is that?!?!? I cannot believe that entitles you to drive in America on the wrong side of the car and on the wrong side of the road in multi-lane streets with much more traffic than Australia! This photo looks so weird having the steering wheel on the left hand side of the car! In fact, my international d/l allows me to drive in many countries, not just America. Wow, I have learnt so much.

I also got copies of my qualifications today and work references in preparation for my visa interview. I wish IHOP could hurry up and mail off the visa form for me so I can get that started. I've decided I will go ahead and apply to work at a mining company. Now that I have over four months to kill, I just don't think I can handle doing night-fill for that long. my right wrist is really sore today and last week I sprained my left wrist. It's ok now though because i've been wearing a wrist support guard at work and I think it has healed.

US visa photos done

Went to Morley Camera House today to get a US visa photo done. I got two photos for $14. Not bad. Would have been nice to get it right the first time - I went to two post offices and the photo booth to try and get them done last week, but apparently the specifications for a US visa photo are not the same as for an Australian passport. I wasted $40. Grrrrrr I really don't have much spare money to waste like that.

Jill

Took my friend Jill from YWAM to church tonight because she is super hungry to enter into the gift of praying in the spirit. Ps Alan was really lovely and took time out to minister to Jill and explain the gift in detail. He said he will buy her a book on tongues and give it to me to give to her. I'm stoked she had such a great time. I gave her a bag of brand new dresses today that Julz gave me. I said she could sell them at the fundraiser night she is going to have on Saturday 4 December 2010. This photo is of her and a Mexican boy that became like a brother to her. Really nice looking kid!

Terminating witchcraft

Last night I had a dream in which I opened a door and looked inside a cupboard full of nasty spiders. I took out a spray can and sprayed a huge amount of killer spray, enough to get rid of them all and I shut the door with that satisfaction knowing they would all die shortly. I know this dream was symbolic that I am on the right track and God is working through me to get rid of the effects of witchcraft in my family.

Accepted

Got an email today saying I had been accepted into IHOP. Hooray. However, they are only going to send the form I need to apply for a visa on Friday by regular mail :o( So there goes another week of airfares rising in the meantime. Somewhat frustrating.

Bright future

Yesterday God spoke to me in my quiet time and said "humility comes before honour". It makes me wonder what lies ahead in my future.

Funny because I was thinking earlier about how working in night-fill is extremely humbling because i'm being paid half of what I used to get paid in my career three years ago and it is a job that requires absolutely no skills whatsoever. It's a brain-dead job essentially. I know w/o a doubt I am no longer materialistic nor sucked in by money. It's amazing how money used to have such a hold on me so many years ago and yet God has delivered me from it now.

Spilled the beans

Spoke to Julz today and she deeply upset me again because she asked me if I would take Angel to dance lessons in January 2011 and I said I wasn't sure I could commit to it and then I told her if I moved out of her house she could rent it out and then not have to work on Saturdays. Then she could give Angel the quality care that she needs. Julz said that would not be possible because she was on a five year work contract to work Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays every week until 8pm and simply could not change it. That is total garbage. Being a female doctor she could very easily at any stage change work practices and find work that pays just as well. The reality is that she is sucked into making lots of money and places that as a higher priority than looking after the beautiful children God has given her. I cried for ages after I spoke to her, thinking about Angel being neglected on Saturdays.

Later, I sent an email to mum telling her I had had a bit of a fight with Julz and decided to move out of her house so she could rent it out for a higher amount and pay off her mortgages. I also said I had had enough and decided to apply for an internship at IHOP and depending on when I could get a visa, etc... I would be leaving either in January or April next year. Mum rang me straight away and said "what the hell is going on?". I cried on the phone and told her I had to get on with my life, that I could not babysit Angel forever and that I needed to get away. She said I could move back home to her house and go to America next year if I wanted to. She said she would not charge me any rent. She asked me to come over and stay the night and rest. Then she told me how she felt nothing for Julz and had lost any desire to see her again because she didn't trust her and had only just managed to get back on top of her financial situation after Julz wasted her money and wrecked her life.

Then I cried on the phone to Kristin's mum and she prayed for me and my mum and over the situation. I have not been able to talk to Wendy and when I talk to Jeanette I feel like she doesn't have time for me, so I guess Kristin's mum is the one God has sent to listen and help me through such a rough season of my life. She really is a very sweet lady. I know she means well and has a good heart. She also asked me to come and stay at her house and invited me out to dinner tonight with their family. I declined the offer. I just don't feel like going out tonight. Just need a quiet one. It was a huge thing telling mum. I'm glad that is out now.

I haven't heard back from IHOP yet.

IHOP Interview

After trying to call the lady in America for an interview three nights in a row, multiple times each night with no response, I sent her an email that was really politely worded, but reflective of my frustration. She probably picked up my vibes because she sent me a very apologetic email back with the interview questions attached and said she had decided an email interview was more appropriate because time was lingering. Last night when I finished work, I sat up typing out my responses. I put quite a lot of thought into it and attached a couple of work references. I finished at 2.00am. At least that part of the application process is now complete. If all goes well, I will have my visa by the end of the week.

Today I am catching up with Jill Funk at the Overflow Cafe and then having dinner at Graham and Mirjana's house.

Looby Lou

This was mum's favourite song as a kid. It's called Looby Lou.

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night
You put your right hand in
You take your right hand out
You give your hand a shake, shake, shake
And turn yourself about

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night
You put your left hand in
You take your left hand out
You give your left hand a shake, shake, shake
And turn yourself about

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night
You put your right foot in
You take your right foot out
You give your right foot a shake, shake, shake
And turn yourself about

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night
You put your left foot in
You take your left foot out
You give your left foot a shake, shake, shake
And turn yourself about

Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night
You put your whole self in
You take your whole self out
You give your whole self a shake, shake, shake
And turn yourself about

Progress

Well yesterday I finally managed to talk to Julz about the potential of going overseas for three to six months to study and she said it would be no problem to rent this house out and even offered to store my stuff. She was strangely very calm and rational about it all. I didn't actually tell her I have already submitted my application and am trying to plan accommodation. The other day I mentioned it too, but she kept on talking as though she hadn't heard me. I realised she was not 100% with me then. Makes me wonder if she was thinking straight yesterday. Anyway, now it is out in the open where Jules is concerned anyway.

Gotta work on mum. Not expecting it to be as easy, but you never know.

I have been trying to call this lady from IHOP who emailed me to arrange an interview but she has not answered her phone two nights (well days on in America) in a row. I finally got an email from her today saying she has been sick and to call again tonight. It is really annoying because I am working tonight until midnight and again tomorrow from 9am to 5pm and then 8pm to midnight, so a lack of sleeping hours is not going to be easy before such a long working day.

New job

Started working last night, actually I officially started Monday because I had an induction then. I am really blessed to be female because they are going to put me in the health and beauty aisles every night, which are really lovely and easier because the stock is in small packages. I love these aisles. They contain makeup, sunscreen lotions, baby products, hand wash, soap, bubble bath, hair products and more. It's funny working in the same section every night, aisles 10 and 11. The girl I work with is Justine, I think she is a supervisor and she works every day. She is a tiny girl from China, but she has lived here most of her life. I think she'd be in her 40s. She is very easy to get along with. I can see myself loving this job. I will be working 8pm to midnight five nights a week, Tuesday to Saturday. It doesn't seem that late because the air temperature is quite cool and music plays all night, so you stay wide awake. I also have decided to pack snacks in my handbag to eat when I take toilet breaks :o)

I was very tired last night when I got home and IHOP didn't ring me about an interview. The lady, Karen Pelt asked me to ring her in America. That's a bit harsh! I asked if she could ring me instead. I will ring up Telstra and see if I can change my contract to call international calls to suss out how much it costs.

Blue day

Feeling really down in the dumps. Rang up Jeanette last night at 10.00pm crying. I dunno, suddenly my life just seems so hard having to clear out everything out of my beloved house, tell Julz that I can't babysit next year or see Angel for six months at least, thinking about how mum wont see Angel and Angel wont see her grandma or favourite dogs, moving to a snowy city where I don't know anyone, getting through such a long series of flights, finding accommodation somehow, getting through another dysfunctional Christmas, being surrounded by happy families and people whose lives are working out when mine is a mess. Oh Lord, I need you so much at this time. Give me the grace to get through this hard season and into the bright season of blessings ahead. Somehow the best days are yet to come.

Wow

Wow, Tamz got a hair cut and got all glammed up for her birthday. She looks totally stunning!!!

Happy Birthday Tammy

Today is Tammy's 22nd bday. Despite being so much younger than me, she has been one of the biggest blessings to me through some hard times. She is such an amazing friend, someone I have not been able to get enough of. She is someone I love and trust so much and shows much more maturity than her age. I wish I knew more people like her. I was sitting next to her last Sunday wondering what to buy her and I had this brainwave that I would buy her a jewellery holder and then I found a cute metallic art sculpture of a lady dressed up in a pretty outfit holding her hands out, so I bought it. I also got her a stainless steel water bottle from Koorong and some jelly bellies.

This morning I kind of accidentally caught up with Damien, an old friend who I have known before my first boyfriend (more than half my life ago). He rang me and sent me a text message and I thought it was my friend Trish and said sure, would love to catch up. I got such a shock when I found out it was Damien instead! Anyway, I cooked him breaky, made him a fruit smoothie and some coffee and we had a nice chat for about an hour. He still looks exactly the same as he did over two years ago when I saw him last.

I set up his Facebook account for him years ago and what was really funny is I took a free clip art image off the Microsoft free clip art site and it was of a blonde man with a top hat, suit and tie and he told me he actually thought it was himself!!! He didn't even realise it was someone else. Now that is hilarious. He said he will leave it there.

Fruit Smoothies

Well a new season has dawned - the fruit smoothie season and I am wondering why I have never tapped into this season before! I just cannot get enough. So, on Thursday after my sister overwhelmed me with a magnitude of fruit, I dragged out my blender and started mixing delicious combinations of fruit and veges together. Thursday I made a couple of different combinations, then yesterday I had four other combinations and today I had a couple as well.

So far I have mixed:

• apple, banana, blueberry and orange
• apple, banana, blueberry and milk
• apple, banana, blueberry, milk and chocolate-coated peanuts
• apple, mandarin and blueberry
• banana, blueberry and milk
• blueberry and orange
• carrot and tomato
• carrot, pear and watermelon

They have all tasted nice, though the ones with carrot were a bit thick. I realise now that if I don't put a really juicy fruit in, then I need to add either water or milk.

I just did a search on the Internet and found a page full of free recipes for fruit smoothies and it has inspired me to go out next week and buy some new ingredients. It never occurred to me to throw in dried apricots, honey, mint, ice-cream, yoghurt, milo, malt, etc...

After drinking so many fruit smoothies, I feel fantastic. My body feels really healthy.

Testimony of provision

God is truly amazing and today I want to record a testimony of His amazing provision. So I had a really bad night last night – I was restless and feeling anxious about the next season of my life overseas and all the details like:

1. telling my family;
2. deciding what to do with all the furniture in my house when I clear it out;
3. responses to interview questions from the uni;
4. getting a visa by answering more interview questions and paying more money (about $450);
5. sorting out accommodation in freezing cold, snowy KC and the costs involved (around $2,000);
6. making new friends in a city where I don’t know a single person;
7. working out how to pack six months worth of winter clothes and all the bedding I need within the weight limits for international travel;
8. booking flights (around $2,500 to $4,000 depending on how soon I book them) and arranging them in such a way that I minimise the waiting time at each airport; and
9. how I am going to survive not being able to work for six months (paying tuition fees of $2,500 and then living expenses).

It is actually a really huge project. It sounds simple – just go over and study there, but it is really very complicated and lots of things need to be done in order to achieve the outcome.

So today I woke up feeling like crap but was determined to pray and spend quality time with God. I felt led to take communion and thank Him for everything He has done for me and that His hand is on every situation that concerns me. Then I read a whole pile of Scriptures over my family and I and prayed some stuff. Then while I was eating breaky, it’s like this pressure came over my head and I had the feeling that something big was about to happen and that I needed to pray in tongues for two hours.

Well my sis was scheduled to arrive at my house this arvo and just before she arrived, I felt the Lord say to confess a whole lot of Scriptures over my finances, so I did. Refer to section three of the Charles Capps “God’s Creative Power” gift collection book - I copied it here in yellow, but I don't think it's readable :o(

Boy, I didn’t anticipate the magnitude of blessings that followed! She gave me a wrap value meal from McDonalds, $570 cash, a HUGE lot of fruit and vegetables (apples, pears, bananas, blueberries, watermelon, carrots, tomatoes, oranges, mandarins – way more than I can eat by myself!), eight brand new lithium batteries (they cost $42), two pairs of brand new jeans, a notepad and a pile of brand new books for my niece. I was so overwhelmed I could barely talk. Still in shock even hours after she left. Gosh, the one who causes me so much sadness and grief is the one who blesses me the most in response to prayer. The wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous.

I also had a call today from my new boss, John, who asked me to start my new night shift job on Monday evening, 8 November 2010.

God is totally amazing. It really is worth following the leading of the Holy Spirit.

New job and new shoes

Today Rob came and mowed my lawn and we had a great chat as usual.

Then I spent a bit of time in prayer and suddenly had this desire to apply for a night-fill position, so I rang up the store manager of a nearby store, told him I did a similar job years ago and he said to put in my CV and a copy of my passport and he would hook me up with some work. I rehashed my last cover letter and CV from two years ago and went into the store and handed it to him directly. He said they needed staff for Saturday nights, 8pm to midnight, which works fine with me. Easy.

Funny, I was just asking God yesterday about what sort of work I should do, seeing I didn't hear back from the other store and really need some cash. I realised people probably don't think it is worth training someone who is going to leave soon. Night fill work is different and will allow me to sing in the spirit the whole time, which has the huge added benefit of preparing the way for my time at IHOP. Praise the Lord being paid to pray!

Then I felt more justified in driving all the way down to Freo again to buy some really lovely and comfortable Nu by Neo flats for my time in KC. They are such cool shoes. They don't look anything like this picture, but the piccy made me smile.

IHOP preparations

Picked up a couple of warm tops today and also bought a b'day present for Tammy. I got her a jewellery holder. She has been a really blessing to me in so many ways, so the least I could do is get her a nice present. I might top it off with something else too.

I did an op-shop scout today - checking out one in Osborne Park, two in Innaloo, one in Mount Claremont, one in Mosman Park and two in Fremantle. Wow, what a day and walked out empty-handed from six of them. I am really good with my money now that I am saving for IHOP. I was just looking for some cheap stuff to keep me warm that I could toss away before my return home.

Today I finally got an email response from someone in KC and it has made me feel a whole lot better about the whole move. I can rent a room in a house for $340/month. That is cheap. only thing is that no bedding is provided at all, making it tougher to lug stuff over in the limited room I will have in my suitcase. The houses are really beautiful and just a walk down the road from IHOP.

Gday

On Friday, I went to college to give Sarah back her gorgeous ugg boots and black shoes. I didn't feel like returning them because she still has some of my stuff, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I don't think our friendship will ever be the same and it saddens me that it wont. Oh well, I guess we just have to move on. As I was leaving I chatted briefly to Rinna and she told me she was applying for the bookshop manager job at VLC. That was quite a surprise. I didn't feel she was the right person for the job.

Anyway, then I got a shock when I rocked up to do my usual Sunday night voluntary shift in the bookshop and Rob came up to me and offered me the job Rinna had applied for! I politely declined. I really can't see myself in that role either. It's not the low pay that bugs me because I know Rob is extremely generous and would make up for it in other ways. It's just that I really am not interested in that sort of work and don't want the responsibility. I guess it would be great work experience, but I have already laid down my career and I am not really aspiring to be a manager in any shape or form.... plus I am going to America soon.

Tammy told me she and Rob had been commenting all week about how they thought I would be great in that role. I'm flattered, but no thank you. I saw I missed a call from the church on my phone today ... guessing it was Rob trying to pursue me, seeing he asked me to think about it. It didn't take me long to think about it.

Somehow, that kick-started my application to work at one of the largest, if not the largest, outdoor adventure store around the corner from my home. I whipped up a cover letter and updated my CV in a flash and emailed it in. Funny thing is, I really would like to work there because I love shopping in those stores. I was actually in there yesterday at the Joondalup branch buying some thermal underwear, which is now on sale for $10 per item - they usually cost $34.95 each!!! God is so good to me. I had been planning on getting some for ages and had it on my list of things to buy. Anyway, I said I am available any day except Saturday and at any time and for any type of work they considered me suitable for. I figure they probably need some staff for Chrissy sales.