And it was a good start.

Had my first day at Eye Associates today and really enjoyed myself! The morning was a complete over-load of information as they taught me how to use the computer program/ server and formatting so that the Dr's are happy. Totally not used to using a computer to record results, but it's growing on me =)

I was taught how to use 2 new machines.. always fun! The other workers are heaps nice and so willing to help! Everyone introduced themselves to me, and I was already known before I started. I entered the clinic to one of the orthoptists asking "Are you Clarinda?"

The doctors seem really nice too and at the end of the day, the acting head orthoptist said I did well and the Dr's haven't said anything - which is a good sign! Apparently they're very quick to pick up on mistakes and can get very pedantic! So Phew!

So yes, I enjoy the clinic (despite developing blisters on my feet - stupid shoes). And now I'm very tired... Despite everyone thinking I'd be hammered earlier. Early night for me tonight!

New Start

So... in reply to the 2nd last blog about the interview... God has yet again affirmed his Sovereignty and good will in all situations. I got a call last Monday saying that I got the job with Eye Associates! I had heaps of trouble keeping an even voice but yet showing a decent level of enthusiasm, literally felt like I was going to pop from excitement!

When I got off the phone, I started bouncing up and down, literally bounding/ leaping down my hallway to the kitchen to tell me my the good news =)

Next person to tell was Sue (who didn't pick up her phone), so I called Caz, who was just as excited as I was. Then I contacted Mandy who had to whisper "Yay! Congratulations" over the phone since she was at work.

One of my friends mentioned that I wouldn't have gotten the job if I hadn't been fired from Sebban, which is a very good point. When I was first "let go" from Sebban, although I knew God had His hand in it and there was a reason for it, I was confused about why. There were still people to speak to, though I didn't have time to do so.

But still, having worked at Sebban, I met people who I can still catch up with and speak to, and getting experience in a stupidly busy clinic. And thus preparing my way for my next job, which is a lot nicer with my church commitments.

Here are some things that I know about the job:

- It's a 4 day week with one rostered day off, though they are long days. (Good because it means I have one day a week to organise things like bible study prep and other stuff)

- 1/2hr paid lunch break, with 10mins morning and afternoon tea. (Better than Sebban where I had a 40% chance of getting lunch, which was 1hr unpaid)

- Casual Friday exists!

- The most dreaded day is the day where I get to sit with up to 3 patients at a time, performing visual field tests for the entire day.

So I'm starting tomorrow, and I need to find out all other details. e.g. Pay (!), job benefits, my rostered day off, uniform?

Praise God for His bizarre way of working, but that we can have the knowledge that God will work things out over time, and even though something sucks, we need to look long term.

Keeping Busy

Just finished my week with a busy weekend of church camp - aka Penno Retreat.

I had an interview on Friday afternoon which went well, though trying not to get too excited/ think too much about it incase I don't get the job. Ah well.

Penno Retreat was just awesome. We had 2 talks on Saturday morning and group discussion on Sunday morning as we thought about blessing, and challenged by how we can be a blessing to others.
There was a photography competition, where we were split into various groups (based on our lanyard colours) and we had to fulfill 4 different criteria: Best Pop Group Album Cover; Blessing; Bible Hero; Promotion for Penno Retreat 2010. My group won the Best Pop Group Album Cover (woot! go us!)

The weather was sunny and rainy all day long, poor bush walkers got caught in a huge downfall 1/2 way through. Good thing I decided to stay indoors and play games! An intense game of Pictionary was played against a team who won several rounds because they cheated and listened to us!
But most of my time was spent with my eye to the camera, which was great fun with so many people around (and gorgeous lil kids and babies!)

Saturday night was the First Annual "Penno Awards" (said as Peeno), in which we were all entertained with lame jokes and the presentation of the Penno Award of best photos. We also got all dressed up in black plastic bags with crete paper streamers and gold ribbon.. Even the parents and grandparents got into it!
The highlight for the evening was when Bono Nate was a special guest with his band U2 came to perform a few songs for us.. with the last song merging into Blessed Be Your Name - in which everyone sang along to. The more upbeat songs ended up having a few ravers too!

Saturday night was finished off with a variety of different games being played by the younger folk, including a very funny game of Tongues/ Spoons.. which ended up with Nate & I being the victors.
Sunday was a more relaxing day as we split into different church groups/ ministries thinking about and presenting how they could be a blessing to others before lunch.

Here are some photos of my fun-filled weekend!

Interview!

Eee - so.... I just got a confirmation email saying that I've got a job interview with the Eye Associates for a full-time position this Friday at 3.30pm.

It's quite a well-known clinic, especially when you are a student. It's known to be a great teaching clinic with lots of new equipment and great staff.

Kind of nerve-wracking, since I've never been through a proper Orthoptics interview in my life. And the fact that I know I will be going up against friends to get the job.

Praying that I'll stay calm before and during the interview, that I will continue to trust in God's good and perfect will, and not be too disappointed if I don't get the job - because I can hope in the fact that He is in control, and He will put me where He wants me.

Going into 3rd Week of Unemployment

So - as the title suggests, I'm going into my 3rd week of unemployment.

Last week was quite productive I must say.

- Got around to wrapping a few birthday and wedding presents for the near future.
- Finished designing and printing invites for the SWITCH e-cafe and Amazing Race.
- I spent a day with Amber on Tuesday, playing our beloved Katamari on her PS2 and watching Supernatural
- Had Laksa Dinner with some Maitland Girls, always fun to catch up =)
- I spent several hours with Chris and Caleb on Thursday, just chatting and laughing at her baby's expense ;)
- Cleaned my mum's car on Thursday (after 1month), it's all shiny again! Though a bird decided to leave 2 presents on it... Which I hope was washed away after yesterdays huge storm.
- I finally got around to returning my vision chart to my uni on Friday (after 5months), and had a few nice long chats with several of my lecturers.
- Got to my optometrist (after 3months), and found out that my hypermetropia (aka long-sightedness) is still decreasing in small steps! Apparently I can now use disposable contacts, rather than my permanent yearly contacts! (Though I will still keep using the yearly ones).

My weekend was just as eventful...

Saturday:
7.45am Woke up to start getting ready for a big day
9.40am-12.30pm Got to St Paul's Carlo (thinking I was only 10mins late, but ended up being 25mins late) to Erik & Ai Shin's Wedding. Gorgeous wedding, felt like busting a move when Shackles came on as they came back down the aisle! Took many photos with Maitland people
12.30pm-1.45pm Had Lunch at Carlingford Court with some Maitland people, having a good laugh and just enjoying their company before driving to Caz' home
2pm-5.30pm Went to Castle Hill to check out bridesmaid dresses (and found one that looks simple but elegant! Still need to choose colour though), then drove down to Parramatta, didn't find anything that stuck out, so went back to Caz' for dinner and rest a bit
7.15pm Left Caz' for mine, did some things and watched a bit of Edward Scissorhands
8pm-11pm Drove to Germaine's 21st in Cremorne, sat around mostly just chatting with people and snacking on nibblies
11pm Caz and I left back to my place and went to bed after a bit of bumming around and talking more about the wedding.

Sunday:
8.30am Woke up unexpectedly and lay around not doing much
9.40pm Left home to drop Mandy off at tutoring before having to rush home and grab some stuff that I left, then went to Caz' to quickly pick up some other stuff
10.30am-12.30pm Had church, plus hanging around talking
12.45pm Decided to have lunch at the renovated KFC, then going back to Caz' to rest and bum until night service
6pm-9pm Left Caz' for night service and then have church dinner
9pm-11pm Went with Amber for a short drive around the block in her new family car (very nice!) then met a couple others at Insomnia for coffee.. and then getting drenched running to the different cars several times and picking some gear up from Phil's before heading home

Actually had my longest sleep-in today for a while! I woke at 11! Broken sleep though, after a long weekend.

So plans for this week:
Tuesday: Another day with Amber
Thursday: City, back to optometrist and then to UNSW
Friday-Sunday Penno Retreat!