Since getting back to Brisbane from far north Queensland (FNQ), our lives have taken an interesting (yet necessary) direction. New jobs, new friends, new accommodation, and new guidance. As you all know, we had a major disaster with the cattle station that brought us up to the Bamboo Range in FNQ because they didn't have the right equipment for us to be able to reasonably do the job required. So, we were left stranded at Musgrave Roadhouse until a kind trucker took pity on us and got us back to Cairns. Well, we wallowed for a couple of weeks before deciding to head back to Brisbane where there are more opportunities and give ourselves a deadline on finding jobs before we packed it in and headed back to family... Not long after getting back into gear, I got accepted for an interview with a pet boarding facility!! Ok, maybe it was about six weeks and after I landed a sales and marketing job that I hated (the only saving grace was my colleagues), but still. It goes to show you - if you really want something and don't let anyone stand in your way, good things will find you.
It was actually a stroke of luck that I got it. I subscribe to job alerts from a fair few job sites because animal care jobs are hard to come by anywhere, but especially in cities. I got one such email in early October, but I needed to update my cover letter for this position and was on my phone so I had to wait until later that evening to apply. By the time I got back to the website to apply for this kennel attendant position, they'd already expired the advert!! I was devastated! I also don't give up easily, so I went to the website and found the contact information for hiring managers and sent them an email explaining what had happened...thanks to my brilliant cover letter, put me through to the interview!!
The timing was not good. It was early October, the interview wasn't until the last week of October...and open day isn't until December 1st. So, of course, I'm interviewing for everything else I can in the meantime, just in case I don't get the job at the pet boarding. Well, we got asked to do a bit of house sitting in the meantime, so we're not drifting around for a little while. The day of the kennel attendant interview rolls around and I am so excited! So nervous, too.. This is a position I really want, so I NEED to make a good impression and show them I'm perfect for this position! When I get there, they go through the plan for the interview/information session. Turns out, this is more of a 'this is what we do, now show us what you can do,' which is fantastic! I get really freaked out by group interviews, but when I have a practical part to focus on, I feel like I do much better! The same day, I had another interview for a customer service position and earlier in the week for jewelry sales. I was feeling pretty good by this stage. I had several opportunities, even if I didn't get my preferred position.
The following week, I found out I was accepted to the second round interviews!! It was essentially just training on safety and procedures within the business and facility. I LOVED it! I got my contract this week 😊 I can't even tell you how excited I am to get started next week!! It was actually funny, though; on the first day of training for the job, I was called by both of the other business I interviewed for to inform me they wanted me, too! Looking back now, I probably should have accepted one of them for the meantime since the pet boarding wasn't going to open until December, but what can you do? A little late to change that now! Since then, I also interviewed for a professional dog training position, which I also got! I'm so beyond excited for the path our life is taking right now!! Finally seems like all the struggle was worth this.These last few weeks have seen a big change in us - our relationship, the way we treat each other, the way we communicate. We're getting better, but life is hard - then stress and depression make it that much more difficult. We've started seeing a therapist. I say 'we' because though he is the main focus, I need guidance helping him succeed, as well. There are ways to help your partner through depression and there are also things to avoid. I've been guilty of the latter a few too many times and it's one of those things that if you aren't conscious of it and striving for better, you'll only wind up driving them away. So, I talk to his therapist, as well. If he's gonna make an effort to recover to the best of his ability, so shall I do my best. But more about that later...
