Reach for the stars...

Happytogetdebtfree

Yay well done xx

niccatw

Although today I found out I didn't pass the last module of the post grad certificate. Which really isn't surprising!

So my options are to receive the module certificates for the modules that I did pass or to re-register for this module, in an attempt to get the Postgraduate Certificate. I think I'd need to wait until March for that (though the assignment won't change so technically I have from now until June to do it).

I guess the decision depends on whether I need to pay to redo the module! If I do, decision made! There's no chance I will get funding and I'm not funding it myself, so that'll be a no!

If I can redo it without further payment then common sense tells me I should to get the certificate (this module links to some of the conference stuff and would also be useful for VSO).

Even though every bone in my body is saying leave it, walk away!

Have I ever mentioned I hate commissioning!

MrsMoo2U

Why could you not get the funding from work? Did they give you enough study time to do the module? I think that if you can you should try to go for it. If it is just a case of redoing what you already have and you have lots more experience from the conference then it shouldn't be too difficult.

niccatw

There is no training budget MrsMoo. I know that's ridiculous but that's the way it is. Or at least, that's the line we are being fed on the ground until there is some kind of crisis.

My funding originally came from two separate grants and me personally. Of those, on one the deadline has passed for this year, the other you can only apply to once and I am not willing to pay for it from my own money.

I didn't make it into the office until 5pm today so I still need to speak to the prof and clarify whether I need to reapply to do the module or if they would treat it as resubmission of the entire module. He's very helpful and will tell it like it is. If it is a case of paying again, then to be honest I can't deal with my bosses stress and the arguments involved in it all and am willing to chalk it down to experience - it's not as if I haven't learned a lot in the last year! And I know what I handed in wasn't up to scratch.

Today has been draining! The public sector is not the place to be right now - mind you I don't know where is?

An island with the sea crashing against the beach and a lovely calm pool, which has a waterfall cascading into it? Where you can swim and go for walks in the surrounding luscious countryside, picking the fruits of the forrest when you get thirsty?

Tonight I am going to complete my VSO application. Clearly it is time there is somewhere else I'd rather be!

"Stay hungry. Stay foolish" Steve Jobs
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/steve_jobs_how_to_live_before_you_die.html

* ETA Erm, saying I didn't make it in to the office until 5pm makes it sound like I slept right through the day or something! What I meant was I had a long day of meetings and visits in places other than my office base.

MrsMoo2U

Love that TED talk and I have it saved. Nic, are you on Linkedin. If not get yourself on there and there will be lots of opportunities to network. I agree that the public sector is not the place to be (happen to be there myself). I just got my pension forecast and after 45 years of service I will not get anywhere near the amount that was promised and it is about to get worse. Time to cut my losses. Now I understand what my friend always said about following passion not pension.

Can I join you on that island, it sounds just right for now.

niccatw

Please do MrsMoo! I'm better with company

Sorry I've been AWOL. It's that grumpy time of year again - for a lot of us! And I've just been dog-tired. (Although I've never seen the puppy very tired so I do wonder where that saying originates!)

I've not been able to do yoga or body balance or much walking either as I have a misbehaving leg. I've spoken to the podiatrist and physio at work though and hopefully I'm on the mend. It's brought home just how much I need to be doing these things to keep me sane!

There's also a bit of a come down from the high that was the conference I think. The course is a no-goer. I don't mean that to sound negative as I have three certificates for each separate module and, for the one I didn't pass, I have more than enough work experience to talk my way round that (the irony is not lost on me!). The postgrad certificate isn't necessary for my job and won't increase my pay. But it did teach me a lot - and more than just the theoretical knowledge!

But I am restless and wondering where I can go next.

VSO rejected my application for the moment. They don't have any long term roles in my profession. And I'm no-where near financially ready to take up a 6 month stint at the beginning of the year. I will apply again once the RBS and Northern Rock are definitely gone. The first student loan debt will be finished in March and everything should start getting quicker from then.

So quick update on the totals:

RBS: 1,680.41 (20.39 heading that way from rounding down and 288.05 will come off on 2nd)
N Rock: 2,262,65 (from last statement, should be less than this)
HFC: 1,083.40 (this needs checked. Might be slightly less)
SLC1: 579.60
SLC2: 2,144.00
Others: 2,035.00
Barclaycard: 1,547.60 (loving the IPL by the way. Definitely worth the money in the long term!)

Current total: 11,332.66

I'm confident that will be under 10k by the new year. Indeed, it might well be already if I just remembered to call NRAM and HFC when they were actually open to get current updates! (Ok, so that is perhaps an exaggeration! But at least under 11k :cool:)

Saying that, things seem really close to the bone at the moment and I probably would benefit from taking my cashback credit card out of my wallet so it can only be used when I need deisel or when I go for a planned shop rather than picking up bits and pieces!

I think I'm just anxious because I can sense I need a big change and there are lots of options - but they are all financially risky. Or need start-up money.

And I'm not yet in a sensible enough place to take those risks. But I need a renewed focus as I don't want to still be in my current job role in 12 months - that really will impact on my health.

However, today I am listining to the Elbow gig on catch up and will be heading to my friend's to see her and her boys :j. Not before I gut this flat though! (I was under the illusion earlier that I'd put a whole load of stuff on ebay... but who am I kidding! :rotfl:)

Butti

Well you do seem to be very focused Nic. It's a shame about the VSO for now but you still have clear targets to hit and little steps on the way.

You have modules and you have experience and you've ran a b****y conference, AND IT WENT WELL. I think you are definately looking good as is the money total.

Now I must go I have a job to apply for in Glasgow with my name on it......well maybe not, but I could do it and its DEFINATELY in the right direction.

B x

MatyMoo

Welcome back, I have missed you :wave:

My life is consumed by Rodders at the moment so I am also exhausted, I was wondering where the idea that a dogs life is bad originated from as this seems to be one pampered pupster! I have a book of odd saying and their origins, must dig it out.

Not surprised you were on a downer after the conference and getting the results of your final assignment. And I bet you are a little gutted about VSO. But something will be there for you when the time is right - I keep saying that to myself about a job for me (when I need/want one!).

The numbers are looking good, or are at least going in the right direction. The IPL was always going to be a good, longer term, investment for you - does it sting any less as you have more treatments?

Gotta dash, time for Rodders to have a nap!

niccatw

Oooh, Butti, I could kick my lodger out and give you a room until you get sorted - once you get that job in Glasgow. Good luck with it.

I've sent off a cheque to go on a course for setting myself up in private practice for my profession. :eek: On two counts. One - stting myself up in private practice. Two - the money isn't yet in my account...

Again, perhaps not the best timing for doing such a thing, but the course is in Glasgow next month and won't be back this way again for the next year so I thought I should do it. If I decided to go for it, I'd also need to register privately - so that would another professional fee to add to the ever increasing number of fees and stagnant pay level!

Anyhoo...

Maty, IPL is like getting little tiny electric shocks... but much less sore than waxing. And yes, in theory, it stings less the more you get it done... in practise you have a beautician there saying if you canjust manage one step higher now it's not as sore, it'll be more effective... Saying that, I've always found plucking my eyebrows to be the most painful thing (comes with having bad sinuses I think) so I don't find it that bad.

A little gutted about VSO is an understatement! I think that was keeping my focus away from certain people at work. Isn't it awful that so few people can have such a big impact on your working life. And I know all the stuff about only if I let it be that way - that's probably easier to step away from if they don't happen to be the next two links in the chain above you.

Saying that, there is a mindfulness and mediatation evening course at a nearby college and I'm sorely tempted to sign up to that.

Right, off to a pub quiz tonight... (I'm rubbish at pub quizzes, I have neither the general knowledge not the memory for them). It's the pub we did much of our conference planning in and I'm going with those colleagues so it'll be nice to relax and not talk shop for a change!

Lovely weather for it too! Here in Glasgow, as always, it is wet and cold and dark and cold and wet and dark and wet and cold and wet... just the kind of night to head out! :rotfl:

MrsMoo2U

Hey Nic,
I am withouth internet and just sneaked on in the library whilst working.
So sorry to hear that things are a bit bleak at this time of year. I feel much the same at this time. I have spent the last few weeks exhausted for no apparant reason.
Few points - need to be quick so sorry if I appear blunt
1. next ones up in the chain. Yep, exactly the same here. Spent today using one too many F words in my mind whilst smiling and writing responses to emails. It is easy to say dont let it get to you but not easy to practice. Mindfulness course sounds interesting, I have done something similar, I just keep forgetting to practice
2. VSO. All things come to those that wait. Whilst it is a shame that you haven't yet got it and it will have beed upsetting you have to set your mind to it when the time is right. I think that perhaps, even though you applied, you are still focused on other areas of your life. You should set yourself some timelines for the highest priorities, do a work programme for life. If you think about when the time will be right for you then the right things will come eventually. I know that sounds all airey fairy but it does work
3. Conference - yep I have downers after large projects. Its called lack or fully used up adrenaline. Find yourself a new project to excite yourself.
4. Private practice. How exciting. The money is an investment in your future. so it might take a little longer to get one of those cards down. Imagine how much quicker you can pay them off when you are earning more in private practice. You have to weigh up the longer term gains not just the short terms.

Ok enough lecturing. Missed reading your posts and I really miss the internet.