Reflecting on a year in top gear

The thrill of racing at top gear often landed me with a bundle of speeding fines. Its been a journey worth travelling but that didnt stop me from being forced 2 slam on the brakes 1 too many times!

Im at a complete halt at the moment...well sorta ...im preparing 2 take a much needed pit stop. This after travellin a a last climb populated with potholes. In the past month I experienced a combination of home, work and social drama.im just grateful 2 have survived this rough ride; bruises & all.

often when ur in overdrive u simply react 2 the pace set by other road users. And so I had ,earlier in the yr, thought it appropriate 2 learn 4rm the mor insightful indivs. on the road. I observd myself being more n more of a lemming.driven off course 2 often. My route probably needs 2 b changed.

Changn routes can be difficult wen uv gt people traveln with u. I met some unreal people . People that made n effort 2 get 2 know me & still acceptd me. Its in 1 of those incidnts that I was testd...i couldnt reciprocate the reaction as hard as I tried. I gues I wil have 2 travel with others!

I've had some detours.i acquired a navigator in d frm of my sister. After 18 mnths in Italy her sense of direction was,however, being influenced by the north pole...always lookin south. This testd my patience. Shes taken a bit o tym bt has alignd herself globally by nw.

It has bn a drive like many others. Wen ppl gt ill I was reminded 2 stick 2 the slow lane. Nothin is mor important in my life than me but my life is unappreciatd widout others. wen friends and family found themselvs on gravel rds or ended rds I had 2 concede 2 spend less tym racing 2 milestones in my journey & mor tym enjoying the way.

From India and Beyond

"two days ago, November 16, 2009 - was the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first ship from India to South Africa..
on Nov. 16, 1860... the first ship to arrive in South Africa (with Indians) was the SS Truro. There were 348 laborers onboard. The name of the first immigrant, recorded on the list of the ship Truro, was Davarum.
so, this week is something for South African Indians...

the ship started from the then Madras (now, Chennai) to the Natal bay...
Between 1860 and 2000 some 980,000 Indians arrived in South Africa as indentured laborers. The majority of them were Hindus from Madras, Travancore, Orissa and Bengal. Today, there are almost a million Indians living in South Africa - the largest group outside of India and Pakistan..."

Competition

Survival of the fittest is understood to be instinctive, which creates the vivid image of the dominant specie overcoming till death its challenger for territorial dominance in the wild. This deeply ingrained belief in our society causes us to despise our competitors, be it in sport, in the classroom, at work, in business, etc.

This mindset has influenced our behavior so pervasively that it would be fair to say that it is embedded in our sophisticated culture.

We forget that the ALMIGHTY GOD sustains us, provides for us and protects us ultimately. We have forgotten that we are dependant on GOD only. We must remember that GOD is infinite and his provisions [material/spiritual] are infinitely abundant.

In pursuit of growth and prosperity for ourselves and ultimately mankind, we aught to yearn for competition so that a higher standard of performance can be achieved. This attitude will create healthy respect and appreciation for our competitors. We will realize that competition helps us reach the next level and keeps us focused and intensely committed to the competitive environment taking us from strength to strength. We need not fear competition but rather embrace it.

Surely our success cannot be defined by the failure of another. Surely one does not have to fail for another to succeed. Surely there is no need to climb on the back of another to achieve greater heights.

Although this attitude to competition is cognitively appreciated, we mere mortals tend to behave instinctively when we square up in competition. It is important for us to respect and appreciate our competitors for in essence we are defined by our competition, even in battle.




written by :
Imran Karim

The meaning of minute...

The wierd n wonderful

writing the

"Unwritten"

G-weekly

Hi All!!!

Hope you having a wonderful week so far. If not, step back a little, look at the reasons why your week isn't going the way you want it to. Could you be the reason why your week isn't going smooth, or could it be some external factor?Whatever it is, know that you and you alone have control over it and you can change the outcome of how you feeling today!
Yes you can!! (like the famous statement goes). Many at times we let people decide on how we should feel, we let situations decide on our state of well-weing but if only we could take charge of each situation we find ourselves in and not let it control us, then the outcome could be positive.What i am saying (and still learning) is that, know what u want and where you want to see yourself (clear vision) and take charge of everything and don't let nothing stop you from getting there. You have it in you to be all that you wish to be...Impossible is a state of the mind but possible is the action you take towards achieving your goals..

"Coming back home..."
Regards
Gundo
"A person's reach should exceed his/her grasp otherwise whats a heaven for"

Testing testing 1 2 3

:) im finaly in d wrld of mobile blogging

Out for a duck;)

Friday ,after work, transnet convoy, tentative planning,high expectations ,

HER ROLE & HER HONOUR

Evidence from the Holy Quran: Believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: then enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil.(Surah at-Tawba:71) Quran: And say to the believing women that then should lower their gaze and guard their modesty, and not display their ornaments except to their husbands or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands of their sons, or the sons of their husbands or their brothers or their brother's sons, or their sister's sons or their women or those whom their right hands possess, or the male servants not having need (of women), or the children who have not attained knowledge of what is hidden of women; and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may be known... (Surah an-Noor:31)The role of a Muslim lady is quite unique in the fact that Islam has already prescribed here role and responsibility to Almighty God, her husband, her children, other family members, her community, and society, as well as herself. Every aspect of her life from birth to death, has been outlined and placed in perfect order by Creator Himself. As Almighty God cares for and tends to the needs of all creatures, great and small, why would He not address the needs of His superior creation, which is human kind?Outwardly, it would be extremely difficult not to recognize a Muslim lady, if she is indeed adhering to the commands of Almighty God. Her dress itself, to her submission to God and her acceptance of Al-Islam as her way of life. Her modest dress, as well as behavior, manifests her attempt at following the orders of Allah stated in Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad ibn Abdullah (s.a.s.). For when she goes forth, her attire tells all that she is Muslim, and she wears her attire as a cloak of honor and dignity, for all to see, recognize, and respect.The relationship of the Muslim lady towards her husband and family members has also been explained in the Holy Quran. She is a loving wife, mother, responsible homemaker, devoted daughter, caring sister, reliable friend neighbor. She is an educator, nurse, facilitator, and councilor. It is her responsibility to see that her family's needs are attended to, if not by her husband, then just as capable. Towards her husband, a Muslim lady is friend, lover, advisor confidante, help-mate, and supervisor of his home. She is this way, because she her husband will obey the command from Almighty God to love, maintain, and protect her at all cost. Men are protectors and maintainers of women because Allah has given the one more strength than the other, and because they support them from their means. (Surah an-Nissaa:34). Because she has been given the assurance that she will be maintained, a Muslim lady does not have to go out to work; rather she can stay home and care for her family, which is her main responsibility. However, if she chooses to work, in the home or out, she may do so and is she chooses to aid her family financially, she may also do so, obtaining thereby Allahs blessings. Yet if she chooses not to aid financially, Allah has stated in the Holy Quran to women what they earn and to men what they earn. Since it is not the responsibility of a woman to maintain her family she does not have to do so, nor give any money to her family. And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling display of yourselves like that of the former times of ignorance. (Surah Ahzab:33). O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters and believing women that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad). (Surah Ahzab:59). Islam encourages that Muslim ladies stay home and tend to their families. However, it does not mean that ladies cannot go out for business, for family needs, for society needs, or just socially visiting family and friends. If Muslim ladies expected to only stay in the home, there would not have been rules and guidelines on how to dress and conduct oneself outside of the home. According to traditions of the Holy Last Messenger (s.a.s.), women receive many blessings for being home, yet she may leave her home for various reasons, and not incur Allah's displeasure.Hadith: The Prophet said to some women, "Those of you who stay at home will gain the action (merit) of the Mujahideen (those who strive in the path of Allah)." The Holy Prophet (s.a.s.) said, "If a wife of any of you should ask permission to go to the mosque, do not stop her." Muslim ladies may work outside of the home in jobs that do not her religion. For example, if she is not required to uncover herself, remain alone with a man who is not her relative, serve or associate around alcohol, pork, or drugs, etc... Muslim ladies are doctors, lawyers, teachers, business owners, bankers. They are also politically and socially involved in communities here and abroad. They fund-raisers human rights activists, and moral consciousness raisers. They may function in these arenas with the permission of their husbands and the support of their families and communities. If there is a conflict between these activities and home life, the Muslim lady knows and undoubtedly understands that any and all activities outside the home, but never would she abandon her family. Family is her first and foremost obligation. The Holy Prophet (s.a.s.) has stated that, "A woman is the guardian of the family of her husband and of his children, and she will be asked about them (as to what extent she fulfilled their rights)."Contrary to misconceptions and lies perpetrated against Muslims, in Islam, the Muslim lady is not an object of scorn, nor reduced to one with no moral rights or social obligations. She is not property to any man, nor subservient to anyone. Islam has not taken away any rights, rather it has increased and enhanced her rights and obligations to the Creator and herself. Almighty God answers the prayers of both men and women. She observes prayers, fasting, performing pilgrimage, religious holidays, Islamic injunctions, modest dress and behavior similar to her male counterpart. Her good deeds are rewarded by Almighty God and her bad deeds may punished or forgiven by Almighty God, just like the Muslim male. As stated in Holy Quran, women have rights similar to the rights of men. Many verses of Holy Quran speak about believing men and women, patient men and women, pious and women, men and women of virtue, righteous men and women, and their rewards with Allah (Almighty God). In the religion of Islam, the Muslim lady has found a perfect way of life. To achieve that perfection, she must live up to the guidelines prescribed by Almighty God in letter and spirit. She recognizes her obligations and strives to fulfill them according to Islam. She acknowledges that the Supremacy, Sovereignty, Final Authority, and the only Ruler is Almighty Allah. The Holy Quran is the book follows, for in it the essentials of the Islamic system are beautifully laid out for her and each and every Muslim. She has no doubt in its authenticity. She is sure of it and she is sure of herself an her role in this society. She is a Muslim lady, with much deserved honor and dignity. And she is proud and honored to be amongst the God-fearing, God loving creation of the Almighty.--------------------

by

Mariam Murchie

Why Women's Month? Why gender equality?

“The day rock beat paper” was the way an advert in a weekly newspaper put it. It’s true and for many who aren’t aware of it, it’s the day 53 years ago when women across South Africa challenged the constitutional court to revise the regulations that governed women’s role in society. It’s the day that women made it their right to vote. That’s what Women’s Day is commemorating.

In Barack Obamas words, “The cynics will soon realise that the ground has shifted beneath them”. That’s what happened then in SA, and the effects of that great day are observed today in many aspects of our day to day living. Women are at the forefront of almost everything from households to large corporations to opposition political parties. And all of these women are strong women, people that have had to bite the bullet to keep up with a dynamic world.
But why? Why such a struggle? Why does it have to be so difficult?
The answer is simply this: Rock has only beaten paper! In legislation, women are no different to men. They should have the same opportunities, allowed the same aspirations and be granted the same level of respect. In practice the grey areas of bureaucracy lend itself to inequality and unfairness.
I have met many women that dwell within the confines of these grey areas unsure how to make the next move. One woman I met wasn’t allowed to take up a more senior post because she would be working with a man whose wife would be unhappy with the situation. Another woman got a brilliant post but no amenities were provided for her. A good friend of mine is contractually bound to a company but her degree is being wasted on tea, coffee and biscuits! I’ve met women with harrowing stories of men cooing at them in their work environments and making their lives unbearable. I too have experienced having to make a choice between being aggressive or assertive to end a tirade of verbal and non-verbal denunciation. In many situations PPE for women does not exist and so the closest male size is substituted. Of course this becomes a safety risk as safety shoes are still too big, sleeves too long, waist sizes different, zippers on uniforms make the uniforms uncomfortable and the woman lands up doing more of a balancing act than actually doing any work!
There are many more stories like these and often the easiest solution to the problem is to find a new job. That sound quite easy so I guess in the process we should find a new society to live in, a new area of expertise oh and why not also find a new set of rules!
Realistically though, more than 50% of South Africa’s work force is made of women. Many of these are single parents who can’t give up a job because a substantial amount of the money goes towards feeding, clothing, schooling and sheltering the young ones.
Its circumstances like that and more that tell the true tale of equality, how less than 40% of working women in SA are in top managerial positions even though women make up more of SA’s population, how so many of these are overqualified for the jobs they’re In but rarely make it right to the top, how earning an equivalent salary (to a male counterpart in the same position) is not commonplace even though the woman (in the case of a single parent) has usually got more responsibility.
There’s the topic of the economic crisis. Companies all over the world are “cutting back”! What does this mean? Well the most dispensable person tends to go first. E.g. the last person in becomes the first person out or perhaps the woman of child-bearing age whose contribution to productivity becomes questionable. This is the “power” based capitalist corporate environment that Deon Chang, a trend analyst, observes. The inherent patient, nurturing nature of women is an asset to any industry especially in times of economic need says Chang. It is power hungry characteristic of men that brought us into this crisis and as the world realises it, the more amiable personality of a woman is being emphasised on and women are being placed into better positions to restore the balance says Chang.
The better positions are not easy territory to manoeuvre and with it come the concept of the “Boys Club”. This is the social networking that goes on right under the noses of the woman, in the sports bar or on the soccer pitch. There is no space in this network for a female colleague and so the woman, be it a senior or junior, experiences a sense of isolation. Her reaction is usually defensive and this often awards her the “bitch” title. If not then she has used Machiavellian tactics to “fit in” or “move up”. This latter option is at the expense of her self-worth and morals.
Digging deep into the core of societies misnomers of gender equality won’t alleviate the problem of inequality. Gender equality does not institute that women lose their femininity nor does it require men to give up their protective nature toward women. These are innate to us as individuals and are a God-given gift. Gender equality doesn’t expect that women be given tasks that are physically impossible for them nor does it allow for them to be judged on their physiques. It does however give them the option to choose to be treated fairly and justly, to get the opportunities based on their skill and not their gender, to stand for a worthy cause and not fight for one that is lacking in substance.
Kiatlin Duck Sherwood brings up the topic of mediocrity in her address to fellow female engineers. She urges women to put their best foot forward and aim high because being anything below standard is not good enough for a male dominated environment. Its only when a woman outshines the rest that recognition is duly given. Until then recognition is reserved for the often “average” male counterparts. Until then “books” will continue to be judged by their delicate covers.
I beg you earnestly, if you’re going to judge this book, don’t judge it by its cover. Read the pages, delve in its descriptions, ponder the messages…there’s more to me than meets the eye.

Words of President Barrack Obama, Deon Chang , Kaitlin Duck Sherwood and Batsesane khumalo are quoted under correction.

SA's Top 300 Young South Africans: Doomsday Speech

The Speech – Where were you and what did you do?
via South Africa Rocks by Nic Haralambous on 6/24/09


With thanks to Mr Mike Stopforth (one of the 300 young South Africans to take to lunch) I have managed to get my grubby paws on the speech that I mentioned in This Post last week and linked to in this post today.

Here it is:

Master of Ceremonies, Mr Songezo Zibi;
The Editor-in-chief of the Mail and Guardian, Mr Nic Dawes;
Representative of Xstrata South Africa, Mr Eric Ratshikhopa;
The 300 influential young South Africans;
Invited guests;
Ladies and gentlemen,

I am humbled by the honour to address the cream of South African youth today.

To be selected by the Mail and Guardian amongst 300 Young South Africans people must take to lunch is a confirmation of the prestigious position you occupy individually in our society today.

As a collective, you are the best that our country has in 2009, and what we will have in the foreseeable future. You are to South Africa what an emerging sun represents at dawn.

I need not remind you that you are all youth leaders in different fields of our social, political and economic life. Those who are worried about South Africa’s future look at you for national inspiration and hope.

For that, you all deserve a round of applause!

While I am aware that you are here to celebrate your individual success stories, I would like to take advantage of your collective presence and pose a question I think future generations will ask later on in your lives: Where were you, and what did you do when South Africa began to degenerate?

I raise this worrying question because I agree with the assertion made by Roberto Mangabeira Unger in his book, Democracy Realised, when he says:

The perversion of economic growth and its fruits begins when we attempt to make up for the scarcity of public goods by producing more private ones, and to find in the private consumption a barren solace for social frustration. (1998:7)

Who amongst you would argue that we have not yet reached a perverse stage in the evolution of post-apartheid South Africa, where the public sector is the worst preferred, and the private sector the most preferred?

Should anyone doubt if this is true, imagine how an average young South African would reply to the following questions:

• If you had a choice, would you like your mother to be treated in a public or private hospital?
• If you had the means, would you take your children to a private or public school?
• If you had a private option, would you go to the Department of Home Affairs for services?
• If you lived in a townhouse, would you trust the police or ADT to secure your private property?
• If you had to negotiate an ethical business transaction, would you prefer to talk to a politician or a private entrepreneur?

Those who would choose the private sphere as their answer to these critical questions must immediately be alerted that they are active participants in the construction of a private sub-state in South Africa!

A private sub-state is populated by people who choose to kill their conscience by conveniently turning a blind eye to the ills plaguing society. Yet the wealth and incomes generated by these private citizens owe a great deal to the sweat and toil of the suffering workers and the poor.

In his famous book, How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Walter Rodney lamented this situation in post-colonial African states, focusing on the middle class. He said:

They squander the wealth created by the peasants and workers by purchasing cars, whisky, and perfume. (1972:19)

As the South African middle class, I am not sure if you do not, as Walter Rodney observed elsewhere in Africa, “squander the wealth created by the peasants and workers by purchasing cars, whisky, and perfume.”

But I am certain that, if the champions of the private sphere were to succeed, it would essentially mean the hastening of the very social perversion that Roberto Mangabera Unger wrote about.

The tragedy, however, is that at the peak of post-apartheid South Africa’s economic success in 2007, the Bureau of Market Research at the University of South Africa estimated the size of the black middle class – the so-called Black Diamonds – at 9.3 million.

We now know the economic difficulties the black middle class has fallen into, when the Reserve Bank raised interest rates sharply and the global economic crisis began to hit home.

Even if we were to combine the struggling Black Diamonds with the entire white population, we would still have to confront the painful reality that more than half of our country’s population live in poverty and cannot afford the services provided by the most preferred private sector.

It is these objective socio-economic conditions that divide our nation into ‘us’ versus ‘them’. Those who are cushioned by the comfort and opulence of the private sphere continue to withdraw further and further into their private cocoons, while the poor are left to their own devices.

But the two worlds do, in many ways, interface in a manner that reinforces and continues to widen the chasm between the haves and have-nots. Those who have the means feel threatened by those who do not. The propertied class fortify their private spaces to protect themselves against the property-less.

It is against this background that British cultural theorist Terry Eagleton wrote the following in his book entitled After Theory:

It is not hard to imagine affluent communities of the future protected by watchtowers, searchlights and machine guns, while the poor scavenge for food in the waste lands beyond. (2003:22)

When Eagleton made this profound observation in 2003, he probably thought he was a prophet whose words would come to pass like a religious prophesy that waits for centuries to pass before it is proven right.

Little did Terry Eagleton know that, three years down the road (in 2009), a fellow like me would address 300 Young South Africans, among whom there would be those who already live in communities protected by watchtowers, searchlights and machineguns while the poor scavenge for food in the waste lands beyond.

I say all this not because I am bent on spoiling your special day, but as a desperate attempt to point out your historic responsibility towards the broader society.

• If you are a famous young writer, and you do not write about the plight of the poor, history will ask: Where were you, and what did you do when South Africa began to degenerate?

• If you are a prolific young journalist, and you say nothing about corrupt politicians who embezzle public funds, posterity will ask: Where were you, and what did you do when South Africa began to degenerate?

• If you are a flourishing young entrepreneur, and you do not contribute to the improvement of the lives of the destitute, future generations will ask: Where were you, and what did you do when South Africa began to degenerate?

• If you are a singer, and you do not sing in defence of the downtrodden masses, history will also pose a question to you: Where were you, and what did you do when South Africa began to degenerate?

It does not matter what kind of work you do, there is a role you can and must play to stop the perversion of our society. Your success will mean nothing if it is not connected with the general advancement of society!

For those of you who are Black and whose success is connected to the struggles waged by the masses of our people, Frantz Fanon has an important message for you:

… we who are citizens of the under-developed countries, we aught to seek every occasion for contacts with the rural masses. … We aught never to lose contact with the people [who have] battled for [their] independence and for the concrete betterment of [their] existence. (The Wretched of the Earth, 1961:150-1)

If you do not take Fanon’s call seriously, the ‘us’ versus ‘them’ that already exists in our society will deepen its roots even further. You will fortify your private spaces without success. Criminals will not fail to reach wherever you live. ADT will not be enough to prevent the theft of your luxury sedan, the murder of your family members or the rape of your mothers, sisters and daughters.

We should indeed be wary of behaving as if the poor are powerless. When the gap between the poor, the middle class and the rich is allowed to widen its yawn, the poor always – and sometimes brutishly – have a way of outsmarting those who think they are educated and know it all.

Politically, the poor possess the disruptive capacity to disturb the untenable tranquillity of the educated elite. The destitute have it within their power to take over society in ways that leave the middle class kicking and screaming from the margins as if they are little children crying for help. As Roberto Mangabeira Unger reminds us once again:

The excluded … will not wait. They will strike back through politics, especially through the election of populist leaders, threatening to recommence the destructive pendular swing between economic populism and economic orthodoxy. (Ibid: 82)

Once this has happened, the educated class will be dismissed with derision, as if they have nothing to offer society. Society will be forced to celebrate mediocrity, and the slide into hopelessness can only be faster.

When mediocrity prevails, there will be circumstantial heroes whose heroism will be defended even if it means embarrassing society. Indeed, this hastens society’s collective descent into the abyss.

Once the poor have taken over, having been abandoned by the champions of the private sector, the public sector becomes a realm where corruption and inertia reign supreme! African and other countries that have gone down this road have, unfortunately, failed to make substantial reverse.

When the destitute strike back at the indifferent middle class and the rich, abnormality becomes normality; scorn is poured on sensibility; and rationality is subjected to demeaning ridicule.

When politics has reached this stage, the relationship between the authority of the office and the office bearer becomes tenuous. This is precisely what Herbert Marcuse refers to in his seminal book, A Study on Authority, when he says:

The dignity of the office and the worthiness of the officiating person no longer coincide in principle. The office retains its unconditional authority, even if the officiating person does not deserve this authority. (1972:16)

• Who amongst you does not know a youth leader whose authority does not coincide with that of his office?
• Who amongst you does not laugh or get embarrassed when some of our leaders speak on national TV?
• And who amongst you does not wish that some of our leaders were something close to Barack Obama?

If you have experienced this personally, it means that you agree with Unger when he says: “The excluded … will not wait. They will strike back through politics, especially through the election of populist leaders.”

If you find this situation familiar, you should then ask yourself the following question: How do I respond to Frantz Fanon when he says: “… we who are citizens of the under-developed countries, we aught to seek every occasion for contacts with the rural masses”?

If you do not ask yourselves this soul-searching question, you might find yourself unable to respond when future generations ask: Where were you, and what did you do when South Africa began to degenerate?

I know that most of you are by now upset with me, that I have troubled your hearts and souls during an occasion where you were invited to celebrate your success stories.

I did this because I am convinced that the Mail and Guardian selected you to be among 300 influential, young South Africans because of the burden history has placed on your shoulders.

Like the Mail and Guardian, I see no person better than you to rescue our society from the yawning divide between the private and the public spheres of life.

I see no other group of young people better placed to lead me in all facets of South African life in ten, twenty years from now. And I also think you have an immediate responsibility to halt our country’s slide into hopelessness.

There is nothing magical you are expected to do that is beyond your already proven capabilities! All you need to do is to intensify the work that made it possible for you to be selected as part of 300 Young South Africans people must take to lunch.

But when you do it, keep in mind that future generations will one day ask: Where were you, and what did you do when South Africa began to degenerate?

Congratulations, and thank you very much

learnin 2 loco

i spent the past week in a classroom learning about locomotive systems , performance and maintenance.

locomotives are like super huge puzzle that only looks right when all the pieces are in the right places. I know that you can spend years learning about then and not manage to know everything ...


whats wierd is how much i enjoyed the course...someone said 2 me on friday that i was crazy about railway. I never tjhought of myself like that , more like bursting with ideas on how to take my theory and put in tio practice rto make a peoples lives better, far better. Can you imagine, less deaths on the rails etc.

ther is a world of possibilities (cliche or not)

I think i'm giving up my plans to study further...i mean ...im giving up the bookish-ness and beginning to explore reality.I reckon its about time.What would all the studying amount to if i didnt?

Is still an iffy topic but i plan to eventually make a decision thats best for me

Work

I guess a post on my new life in the working world is far overdue

Yes , I have been slogging for a salary for 2 months now and i do have internet access at the office but that doesn't mean that there is little work to do and nobody checks if i'm FEM-ing or Blogging .

But truly , the only way to expalin how the working world is treating me is to babble...

I love the work, its all that i have been wanting to get my fingers dirty with...arbitrary stuff that seems insignificant to the average individual( i apologize, just those that claim they're NORMAL)

Drawing parts , creating models, calculating structuarl integrity of structures, Analysing etc. etc etc

I have a bit of a tough time having a boss...there was never soemone in school aka varsity checking if i was doing work , if i was on time, if i was taking 5 mins extra lunch etc.
Now there's all these people that want to know that value is being added when it should be ...i say bleh to that , I cant add any value on a half empty stomach ...get your facts staright brothers!!!
Mind you , this never disturbs many of the "ooms" in the office, they eat from breakfast till home time and i even wonder if they have time for work.

Leave, now this 1 i was warned about but i didnt quite get it ...i get it now. Wen you feel like working from home coz your PJ's are more comfortable than safety clothing and you know you WILL accomplish more ...you MUST still go to work coz your manger WANTs to see you pretty face pretending to get a LOT of work done...thats definitely it. Other than that ...statistically you get tired enough to get a day or or 2 off every month...wateva!

Travelling about 3 hours to work ( thats the round trip to and from work ) is my craziest part of the day. Its a mad adventure cum cultural lesson cum nap time in the burning hot sun on hot Tshwane drives.I am becoming an expert at car spotting...lol.I love it , I hate it ...I really cant decide whether I can give it up as yet. The people I travel with are so kewl, so inspirational and motivational. I think my days are productive when we discuss our action plans in the mornings. But then i think my days fade in poductivity because I start soooo early . Its one of those things that I cant decide about ...as yet

Overall, work is challenging but fun. Everyday I'm reminded of how little I actually know and how much i still need to learn. Its up to me though, whether to learn more or remain just a graduate ;learn more or remain ignorant to the ways of other people; learn more or stagnate!