Random Chats

[Ana]

You work at night? Doing what, if you don't mind me asking? Must be quiet :)

I am good thanks, I only work monday to wednesday, which is great for some things but really low pay. I have been searching for a better job for years now but no such luck so far.

[Kandice]

Welcome William. I used to work at night. It was great when my children were small because I worked late and my husband worked early and one of us was always with them, but I never loved the hours themselves.

I actually have today as a holiday because of Passover. Yay!!!

[Ana]

Awesome, hope you are enjoying your day off, Kandice :)

[Kandice]

What kind of work do YOU do, Ana?

[Ana]

I am a recepcionist. I don't dislike it, I just need something that gives me some stability financially. But economy here in Portugal is really bad and anyone who has a job should count themselves lucky. So I have been stuck in it for almost 4 years now.

[Kandice]

I started my current job as a receptionist and loved it. I've changed job titles and descriptions a few times, but really like(d) being the first person people speak to/see.

What sort of business is it?

[Leigh]

Ana wrote: "I am a recepcionist. I don't dislike it, I just need something that gives me some stability financially. But economy here in Portugal is really bad and anyone who has a job should count themselves ..."

It's frustrating to feel stuck in a place. Is there any way to move within the company? Your English is so good, maybe they could use you somewhere else?

[Ana]

Nope, no chance of progress.
I know, I would love to be able to use my english!
My dream job would involve speaking english (well, typing preferably, since my accent isn't that good), administrative work, customer support and err reading? xD Though the reading could remain a hobby :P
Anyway, not only are there no jobs but also the few that appear every now and then get taken by people with more skills than me, be it studies or experience. So I am stuck in this rut.
I have been doing some soul searching and feel it might be time to take up temporary jobs, like 1 - 2 months or up to 6 months, whatever it takes, since it might give me the experience for a more long term one, but at the same time it is really hard to let go of something sure for something that won't last and there's no guarantee that I will find something when it's done, you know? It's very frustrating and if I am going to be completely honest it has left me very depressed.

[Leigh]

Ana wrote: "Nope, no chance of progress.
I know, I would love to be able to use my english!
My dream job would involve speaking english (well, typing preferably, since my accent isn't that good), administrativ..."

What about business classes or other specialization courses? Sometimes the business world is about what papers and certificates you can show your employer and not really about your quality of work. Sad, but true. I've seen great people turned down for higher pay and advancement in places I've worked because they didn't have this or that degree. Something to think about?

[Kandice]

It's a bit silly, but what Leigh says is true. I don;t have any degrees, so could never have landed the job(s) I have now. My employers get the added benefit of not having to pay me what they would someone else in my exact position with degrees would make.

[Ana]

I tried taking a course in the area I enjoy (administrative and recepcionist work) but I could not get past the accounting module. So that was money down the drain and another nail on my self esteem.
No, I really need to get a job, as precarious as may be, I need to make money.

[Kandice]

Ana, I wish you luck. I know it's different everywhere, but the job market where I work is the pits too and part of why I agreed to work 6 days a week instead of the usual 5. I'm not complaining, especially in light of the fact that you get only a few days a week, I'm just saying I understand the frustration.

[Kandice]

Andrew wrote: "Greetings. How is everyone today?"

Great! I'm off work, have only a few home projects planned and may even get to squeeze a movie in. :D

[Leigh]

Andrew wrote: "Greetings. How is everyone today?"

Hey, doing great! And you?

[Leigh]

Ana wrote: "I tried taking a course in the area I enjoy (administrative and recepcionist work) but I could not get past the accounting module. So that was money down the drain and another nail on my self estee..."

So sorry this is bringing you down....Hope you can at least get out and enjoy some beautiful weather!

[Ana]

Hah even the weather is not cooperating but yes I try my best, sorry for the vent, hope I didn't depress people. I am very thankful for what I have, just wish I could be self sufficient in the least.

It has been a very tiring day. Tomorrow I am planning on going to visit some family :)

[Leigh]

Everyone needs to let off steam every once in a while! We wouldn't be human, otherwise, so no worries. Hope you had a good visit :)

[Ana]

Eh plans changed, went somewhere else even lovelier! :D
Thanks :)

[Ana]

Howdy! Afternoon here :) Greetings from Portugal ;) How is your day coming along?

[Ana]

Naps are great but yes there is nothing quite like a proper night's rest.

Weather is finally getting better here, so I am very happy. Gotta love clear blue skies!

[Kandice]

It's been getting progressively warmer here, which I could do without, but the skies are definitely beautiful!

[Melaslithos]

So, I've been out of touch for a while (work...), and might not log in again for while, but here I am for now.

@Ana thinking about what you were saying about jobs, I have no idea how difficult it would be, but have you tried looking for jobs in a library/bookshop? It looks like it would combine all that you like.

[Ana]

Those are in extinction, unfortunately!

[Ana]

Good luck, fingers crossed.

[Kandice]

Good luck Andrew!

Ana, I really wish you luck as well. Jobs are so much more than just the place we spend a few hours a day...

[Ana]

Yes, I would really love it if whatever I find would be a good fit for me, it's not in me to jump around from job to job.

[Kandice]

Tonight is Parent/Preview night for my children's play. Their High School is doing the musical, Legally Blonde. My son has the male lead and my daughter is the stage manager/dog wrangler. I'm so nervous and excited for them! My son is a senior so this will be his last Big Activity of High School.

[Ana]

Oh wow, that's really cool! Let us know how it went ;)

[Kandice]

The play was so, so good! I was bursting with pride. I have a lot of friends going at different times so will end up seeing it at least three times, but I am so glad I saw this first showing with only my husband.

Good morning everyone!

[Ana]

Glad it went well, Kandice :)

[Kandice]

Hi Andrew.

Thanks Ana. :D

[Ana]

Well then, feel free to do mine as well!

[Ana]

Oh uhh right...

[Leigh]

I pay in books.... ;)

[Melaslithos]

I forgot my book in the train :-(
I hate when that happens. Now, it's going to take me ages to get my hands on it again...

[Leigh]

Melaslithos wrote: "I forgot my book in the train :-(
I hate when that happens. Now, it's going to take me ages to get my hands on it again..."

Oh, no!

[Ana]

Oh wow there is actually a chance to get it back? Awesome!
Still sucks, though...

[Ana]

Can you read on the train without feeling sick?

[Melaslithos]

Well, when I say get my hands back on it, I don't mean this exact copy, but another copy of the same books (I hate unfinished books, especially when it's a good one). Well, I'll still try, but I have very little hope.

And yes, I can read in the train. Train, planes, cars, all is fine with me.

And it's not the first time I'm forgetting a book in the plane / train... So annoying.

[Ana]

Ah I get it now.. How about getting it from a library then, since you already read part of it?

I get sick while reading on bus for instance. Haven't been on a train in years. When I am in a public transportation like the subway I usually put it back in my bag before my stop, so never happened to me.

[Kandice]

I can read in a moving vehicle as well and always feel badly when people say they can't. What else are you supposed to do?!

Sorry about your book Ana. I've lost books before and it really is the pits.

Good morning everyone.

[Katie]

have u read Tiger's Curse by Coleen Houck?Derek wrote: "I'm into book 3 of A Song of Ice and Fire, or Game of Thrones as some people call it. A Storm of Swords It's so good! Has anyone else read the series?"

[Leigh]

John wrote: "I miss trains. I used to go on them a lot. They're probably my favourite way to travel!"

I *love* the train system in Europe!

I can read anywhere and not get sick. This was really helpful when I was a kid and we had to drive across Kansas on family vacations to get to the mountains!

[Kandice]

Katie wrote: "have u read Tiger's Curse by Coleen Houck?Derek wrote: "I'm into book 3 of A Song of Ice and Fire, or Game of Thrones as some people call it. A Storm of Swords It's so good! Has anyone..."

I have not read Tiger's Curse, but have read the first three books of A Song of Ice and Fire. I don't know why I haven't read further.

I think I may be subconsciously waiting for him to finish the saga first!

[Ana]

Kandice wrote: "I can read in a moving vehicle as well and always feel badly when people say they can't. What else are you supposed to do?!

Sorry about your book Ana. I've lost books before and it really is the p..."

I suppose there is always audiobooks eheh

[Melaslithos]

@Ana Regarding getting the book from a library, well, I live in China. And the book is in English. Outside of bestsellers or classics, it's pretty hard to put your hands on one. Otherwise, I would already have bought it back.

I might get the ebook version, but it might be stupid, it's hard for me to pay a high price for an intangible item such as an ebook (when I can pay a lot for a hard copy book).

And regarding reading in transport, it took me a while to get use to reading in cars especially. When I was a kid, I would always be sick (but still continue reading. Basically every trip, we had to stop several times for me to get sick because I wouldn't put down my book). Guess I just got immune to it after a while.

[Ana]

Ah, right, I had not considered that.
The ebook should be considerably cheaper than a new hard copy, right?
Have you looked it up on bookdepository? They are generally very cheap and free shipping, but takes a while to arrive.

[Leigh]

Andrew wrote: "Good morning all ye sugar tits!"

Ummmm....I'm not sure I appreciate being called that. I don't know how anyone else feels, but I prefer more flattering or neutral terms of endearment.

[Ana]

Not really, Andrew. I am pretty sure you have never seen anyone use that type of language right here, so I would appreciate it if you didn't. It's a matter of respect towards people who you don't really know that well and have not said they are ok with you calling them those names. I hope you understand.

[Ana]

Thank you for understanding!