#Disasterknitting

That spark of inspiration at 4am is gaining momentum!  Frustrated with wanting to help the affected communities following the Kaikoura earthquake, but being out of work having just finished university course with no money to spare, I decided to donate my craft skills instead.  I have set up three auctions to monetise my skills and donate to the Red Crosses Earthquake Appeal.   I have spoken a little about why money is the best way to donate here: http://junipersnz.blogspot.co.nz/2016_11_01_archive.html
I want to encourage other crafters to do the same, by selling hand spun wool, finished garments or designs and donating to either the Red Cross or another similar appeal to support the affected communities following the Kaikoura earthquake.  Please post ideas and listings here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Disasterknitting/

My other aims are to promote a partnership between Creative fiber, other local NZ fiber groups, and the Red Cross's Knitty knatter community support groups.  The benefits of craft such as knitting have been well proven to reduce stress as well as provide links for supportive communities to form.  These values are held in high regard by both Creative Fibre and the Red Cross, so a partnership makes sense.   Additionally, there are many knitting, crochet, and fiber groups in NZ not under the creative fiber group and it is about time we had one NZ nationwide organisation to support all wool fiber crafts.

A great article on the benefits of knitting groups following the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake can be seen in this article "Japanese elderly knit a safety net" http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203833004577248771587717902

And completed......

The last assignment has been handed in for marking, the three-hour exam has been sat and the very large celebratory glass of Central Otago Red wine has been savored.   I have now formally completed all of my Post Graduate Diploma studies and await the final grade. Next step, find a job or look at further study..... There are some interesting opportunities out there, more so following Monday's 7.5 Kaikoura Earthquake.  I have to admit it's been very frustrating wanting to help and get involved, however, a much-needed break and relaxing holiday in New Plymouth was underway when the quake struck.  Followed by severe weather, flooding and landslides in the Wellington Region that made driving impossible, so I decided to stay put.  The recovery from the quake is going to be a long process that will take years, so energy recharging and pacesetting will be vital before I jump into the next thing.

https://www.facebook.com/NewZealandDefenceForce/

I have however come up with a unique way to support the disaster recovery efforts, despite my lack of available cash.  I have decided to auction off three of my hand-knitted shawls to donate all the money to the Red Cross Kaikoura earthquake appeal.  This way my skills can be monetised to support the local kiwi's and visiting tourists affected by the disaster.  The Red Cross do an awesome job on the group of supporting the victims both through making sure they receive the psychosocial support and physical support they need.  Money is the best way to donate as that allows the right items to be purchased locally, removing issues of transporting goods, duplication of goods or goods that are unsuitable and supporting the local economy.  Many victims being airlifted from the Kaikoura area are leaving with just a carrier bag of items.  The Red Cross can then provide vouchers for them to buy clothes and hygiene products and support them in the coming weeks with accommodation and other welfare support.  Admittedly they are not the only group that does such excellent work on the ground, The Salvation Army are another international aid group that assist.  At the time of writing the Red Cross appeal is the main fundraising appeal, others will undoubtedly be set up in the coming weeks to support residents over the coming years.

I will do a separate post giving more details of my #disasterknitting initiative and set out my vision.  Hopefully, with time on my hands, I will be able to continue to blog in the coming weeks and share some of the many valuable aspects of emergency management I have learned in the last nine months.

Student life

Well I did say blogging wasn't a priority!

January whizzed by in a blur of road trips and beach walks and swimming.  February cam round with quieter days as the kids all returned to school and I set about getting some sort of routine, which did involve a lot of swimming and dog walks still.  The kids have loved having me at home, and lots of baking for afternoon teas.

I also went through a lengthy job interview process, with the closing date being mid January, followed by interview at the end of January.  A couple of weeks then waiting to hear that I had been short-listed for psychometric testing - new one on me!  I passed this with flying colours, but narrowly missed out due to another candidate having more stakeholder experience.  It was an exciting process, and a great confidence booster.  Within days of finding out I had not been successful - this time, my Post Graduate Diploma course had started.  Free time - what is that!  

During February I had also joined the Upper Hutt spinners and weavers and meet them every tuesday morning, after my swim!  I also set up a Felt shop to sell some of my crafty items and sold two shawls within the first 10 days! (https://felt.co.nz/shop/zjuniper).
I am just blocking a couple more shawls to sell as we speak.

Before I knew it March was knocking and with it a weeks Block course at university - while juggling the kids and hubby being overseas!  It was full on, that's for sure.  I was just recovering from that and school camp, which I had in a moment of weakness (or madness) volunteered for. 120 11/12 year olds from 8:30 till 9:30pm.  It was loads of fun, but hard work.  I slept most of rest of the week before Easter weekend was upon us and then here we are.  

Still swimming - 40 lengths and 10 lengths walking 4/5 times a week - loving it, and yes ever so slightly proud of it!

Today also marks a milestone - first assignment formally submitted!  only another four to do before the end of June!  apparently its also mid-semester break for uni people, but no for me - especially as the kids will be off in a couple of weeks when I need to be working, so best try and get ahead of myself while I can!

Hope you are keeping up!

I must admit I have been soo busy I haven't even had chance to use my student discount for the movies - mind you lack of income also restricts the fun, priority is swimming at the moment! 


I am also being encouraged to become involved with a creative fibre runway challenge - medieval knitted costumes anyone? and its soo not going to be chain mail!  

Actually I may change my mind on chain mail - depending on who is modelling...........................

Busy Bee

So much for having plenty of time to blog!  I had not anticipated how busy I would actually be! 

I have been having career counselling sessions, with lots of homework. Setting up coffee dates and keeping in touch with friends and colleagues, revamping my CV, swimming – lots of that, joining craft clubs, and being a full time mum.  Don’t ever underestimate that one!   

The expectation of home-made baking for afternoon tea and being met from school with the dog at 3pm most days!  Plus, as any diligent person realised being at home you start to see the things you ignored while working – oh I will just dust, hoover, put another wash on, tidy the kid’s bedrooms, wash up, clean the fridge and bam its 2.50 and you need to get to school.  Darn where did the day go?  

Let’s not forget that I leaped just before Christmas, and as a busy mum I had most defiantly not got prepared for Christmas, so I had to fit in writing Christmas cards – yes I made it a short list this year and was late!  Getting presents in the post to family the other side of the world and hoping they get there in time, despite missing the last postage deadline!   Then there was the kids and hubby to buy for, plus eldest daughters birthday 6 days prior to Christmas (plus my own on the same day).  Then prepare for the family holiday away camping over Christmas – what was I thinking????   Good job I had all this time to prepare now!!!  

So yes blogging may have slipped down the list of priorities somewhat!

But I was organised enough to get the dog to the kennels, having booked that 10 months ago and organised a friend to pop in and manage the cats, rabbit and guinea pig.  They all survived!

I also got some books from the library for my days camping, by the pool and I got through these and more, plus plenty of knitting!  A very successful holiday and it was one of the most de-stressing holidays yet for the whole family.

I will take this time to recommend a couple of the books – lets practice my citation referencing while I am at it!!!

Sandberg, Sheryl (2013) Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.

Vigeland, Tess (2015) Leap: Leaving a job with No Plan B to find the Career and Life you really want.

Plus a few chick Lit’s.

Sheryl’s book has been on my reading list a while – I found it inspirational and she says it how it is. Having worked in too many companies’/government departments where the same mistakes are made time and time again, it’s refreshing to hear that she works for one of the great companies that are doing it the right way in this progressive world.   I have briefly worked for such an inspirational company prior to leaving the UK, you do naturally then hold all other employers and managers to that standard, and more often than not they do not meet it and fail spectacularly in some cases.  It’s this realisation that I want to work for a good manager in a good company that helped me decide to Leap.  The lack of people management and support in the work place can never be underestimated, if you ask for it and they fail to step up, then it’s time to find someone/where else that is deserving of you. 

My heart also went out for her reading the chapter around her relationship with her husband and their teamwork, it makes me thankful that I too have a very supportive husband that does the housework, is hands on with the kids and does cooking.  The book was written prior to her husband’s sudden death in early 2015 and this change to her life must have been shattering and yet she has amazing inner strength and her resilience is inspirational.

The second book by Tess Vineland was found on the local library shelf and just jumped off the shelf at me.  I was hooked from the first page – it’s great to read about someone else’s journey, while walking a different path, her cognitive thinking resonated with me perfectly.  It allowed me the chance to stop and say, it’s not just ok to leap, but should be the new normal in this very different work we work in.  I also came away realising that it’s the brave, but right thing to do for me at this time.  I would highly recommend this to anyone thinking of or who has taking a Leap of faith.

To finish this post as I get the girls and dog ready for another gorgeous summer beach walk – a picture of the sunset at Ngawi New Year’s Eve 2015.

Day 1

The first 2 hours are spent walking around the house picking up washing and trash, wondering why are you are only one who likes a tidy house.  As for the kids bedrooms -  can I call in the army bomb squad or is a full hazardous substances containment procedure required? Let's just shut the door - it will go away, especially if they are grounded till its tidy!

So we all dream of that first day of no work being a long lazy lie in - well remember to turn the alarm off!  6am alarm went off as normal - doh!  Well at least I don't have to jump out of bed, a more relaxed wake up - or not.  The dog is still in the 6am walk time zone and the kids are up fighting for the shower. Sigh.

Jobs, there is always jobs to do at home that are a barrier to relaxing, a balance will be found and soon!   Given I am gardening leave now - one should do some gardening - pulling up one weed and putting out the garden recycling bin counts right?

Then swim, my bliss.... 40 lengths with a friend to chill out and relax.   The local pool is great as we have a hot tub to relax in after too.  I see this being regular - but must balance it with the cost.  Budgets are everything now!    But there is still enough for a cup of tea afterwards, with no time constraints a trip to the beach to a favourite cafe is allowed.



Home and homework - I have been lucky enough to be referred to a career coaching programme, session 1 was on the last day of work and I have weekly sessions for the next 4-5 weeks.  Why?  A lot of people have said they found it very beneficial and wished they had done it years ago.  So now is a good time as any to give myself time and go through this process.  The aim is to figure out who I am, what I want from a job, what are my values, drivers, strengths and how to present these in my CV.   This will then help we understand what and where my next steps will be and where I want to get to.   I have already done the odd strengthsfinder, TMI process so have a good understanding of my strengths and values, so some won't be too much of a surprise...or will it?

First learning - status and material rewards are the bottom of my list of drivers.

First Steps

Welcome to my leap of faith.

Like many people the first steps of a new journey are often long considered, with many questions and lots of doubt about the path you are about to embark on such as - can I afford it, where will my security net be, what if I can not get another job, what job do I want, what if get depressed?

These questions are no doubt balanced with - I hate this job/Manager, there is not progression opportunities here, I can not carry on here, my self esteem has gone, I don't want to get out of bed and face work today.....

Often when we get to this point we also struggle to find another job, as we are not in a positive space.

I am no different, it's taken far too long to get to the stage where I said enough was enough and handed in my resignation with no job to go to.  A brave leap of faith.

So here I am on day 2, for some strange and inexplicable reason I wanted to start a blog, like many before me.  Maybe as a cathartic exercise, maybe as a resilience and recovery exercise?  The reasons don't matter, what matters is that I am here and I am taking a step forward every day and happy with the choices I have made for myself.