Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Dramas and diets

Firstly, and MOST importantly, I'm in Slytherin! (hehehe)
I've put in my OWL application, and while waiting for approval I've been working on my first class assignment. I chose to do the Potions class, to spin a self-striping yarn.

However, in the spirit of teamwork, I also signed up for a Quest within my house, which is to do 18 classes this "year" (May to July) and participate in Quidditch, on top of the OWL. We'll see how I go. I might have to be admited to St. Mungos yet...

I've had to pull out half what I'd done on the first PowderRiver mitten, because the instructions (which are perfectly clear in hindsight) completely confounded me. I'm blaming the diet! I'm also planning to pull out what I've done on the AllYouNeedIsLove mittens, because I did my compulsory swatch with cheap white 5ply, as my nice Madtosh sport had not yet arrived in the mail. I got it today. (But I can't reknit it until next month, because it's Manos in May).

The drama of the week has been work. I was on the casual nurse bank before having a baby or three... I haven't done any shifts for about 2 years, but since I never resigned, I just assumed I was still on the list. I called and left my name and number. The supervisor called and gave me a shift. I worked Sunday morning. No problems.

Until Monday, when a different supervisor rang and said that now, if you are inactive for 3 months you are automatically 'resigned'. So, "Sorry, but you won't be getting paid. You're not an employee."

!!

I was a bit cross and sad that my weekend labor was so cheap. So I called the payroll people today. They said, "It's no problem. Just get the supervisor to authorize it." Hmm. The man from Monday didn't seem likely to do that. I rang him, but it was a different supervisor. Yay! A woman who said, "of course you deserve to get paid, and you will" and even used the term "over my dead body!" which made me quite cheerful.

So now I am in the process of applying for the silly job again, to the hospital where I've worked since 2000. Dramaramas.

As for the diet (phew, this is a long 'quick update') I have been feasting on al-cheapo vitabrits and skim milk, rice and tomato paste, handfuls of chopped frozen veges, and good-old-worth-every-cent cocoa! Oh, and vegemite sandwiches.

My head feels slightly foggy (but it's almost 1am, I guess) and my muscles feel a bit shakey sometimes. I feel hungry quite a bit, but it makes me appreciate the next meal so much! Tonight I had pasta with tomato paste, gravy and veges. It was so good! lol. My only concern is that if I don't ration this stuff well, I may have some hungry days at the end of the month!

Oh, one more bonus. Not only did I get yarn in the mail, but Sue from Hawthorne Cottages sent a heap of old magazines to the knitting night tonight. (She was sick and couldn't come). So I came home with 7 new knitting magazines.

5 comments:

kelgell said...

You're a crazy student. Heavy workload (self inflicted) and scarce a thing to eat. Sounds like a regular uni student to me. Doing a bit of odd work too.

Insane with the work drama but glad you are actually getting paid. I like that supervisor who said you were definitely getting paid. I like people who make you feel worth it. :)

Good luck with all your classes.

Sam said...

It was a lovely night wasn’t it? So cosy and warm with the fire and great company!

SoulMasterKaze said...

To be perfectly honest, particularly working in, say, a hospital, and not getting paid for your work, especially if you were administering medication or what have you, has its legal problems if you're not paid for that. Particularly by way of public liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance: if you're not paid and not registered as a volunteer, you're not covered. If they keep kicking up a fuss, though, don't be afraid to 'just happen' to mention that.

Alrischa said...

True, Nick, I shouldn't have actually been given a shift, and they knew that was their error. (Though dis-employing someone who is off having babies is a bit rude, I think.) But no worries; they're putting me back on the nurse bank without making me reapply, and paying me, too.

Lynne said...

Of course you must get paid - what a ridiculous suggestion that you wouldn't! I'm with the "over my dead body" lady!

Take care with the diet, won't you?

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