two days + a few

So the visa shenanigans are continuing ...

what about a visa you ask. Well, ideally the lot of us should depart on Thursday . We then got moved to Friday . Still fine because it the programme in the US begins on the 1st Feb so we'd have a bit of time to recover from jet lag.

But that wasn't the end of the alterations and altercations. A few more changes to flights and other bookings have had to be made since then. We now may only leave SA on the 7th!(again I write this with bated breath as the word visa crosses my mind). The unlucky persons that just finally completed all their paperwork over and above their normal assignments have to re-do it all! So altercations it has been and shall be.

whats the delay? Well, to put it plainly , overnight delivery isn't quite overnight. Its takes a few days. in our case that's about 4 working days that we don't have. The embassy wants to see original documents for everything so until then ...we wait

When the world offers you Lemons...

So Im drenched in lemonade...

Today was the day that our pre-arrival letters finaly made it (on over night mail) to us after 4 working days roaming the world.Thats actually 6 days! So the intention is to accept delivery , sign and return so that our Visa aplications , of wat ook al , can be processed on the other end of the world. Sounds simple , right?

Thats again what us optimists thought. Until packages were delivered to places other that the agreed pick up points, wrong things were delivered, signatures were missing! Oh my gosh!

The delivery services really offerred us a bag of fresh lemons today. Sadly , only 3 of the 6 participants are making lemonade. The other 3 seem rather oblivious of the sour situation and are carrying on their lives quite normally. Quite frustrating to think that we are all going to attend this programme and that other people would die to be a part of it!

Latest state of affairs: pre-arrival letters must be received by training company so that they can mail us the rest.
 Appointment with the embassy is on the Wednesday ...early
Programme briefing happens on Thursday morning
Fly out ...Thursady night.

My dilemma...Strat session in PTA from Mon -Wednesday
Wednesday Morning -be in Sandton at embassy , Wednesday afternoon, be in PTA
Thursday Morning - be in PTA , Thurday afternoon,-JHB, evening airport!!!

Im not sure when we recieve Visa's in all of this !

But I guess it has much to do with the offer of lemons.

8 ways for women to get ahead at work

Here's an email for the ladies looking to get ahead in their careers...


Want a pay increase or job promotion? Here are 8 tips you can use to take your career to new heights!


As a new year begins, some women are vowing to change their workplace situation. But how exactly do you get noticed by the boss? Or earn that pay bump? Or snag that sweet promotion?



It won't be easy.



A study last month by Catalyst, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for women in the workplace, reported women accounted for only 14.4 percent of executive positions.



Government studies also find gender inequality remains prevalent in the workplace. While the gap has narrowed, women continue to earn less than men. For example, female managers earned 81 cents for every dollar earned by male managers in 2007, according to the most recent GAO report available.



So what can women do to catapult their careers?



CNN interviewed a group of business experts, researchers and authors about the unconscious mistakes women can make in the workplace -- and how to avoid pitfalls that may hurt their careers.



Here are eight ways to make your 2011 workplace resolutions come true.



1. Quit thinking the workplace is fair



Last month, the Supreme Court Court agreed to decide whether to certify the largest class-action employment lawsuit in U.S. history, a long-standing dispute against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. over alleged gender bias in pay and promotions. The plaintiffs allege women were paid less than, and were given fewer opportunities for promotion than, their male counterparts.



A few months earlier, the New York Times reported three former Goldman Sachs female employees filed a lawsuit claiming the firm discriminated against women.



The reality is that gender matters, says professor Sheila Wellington, who teaches the course "Women in Business Leadership" at New York University's Stern School of Business.



She says one of the most common mistakes women make is believing the playing field is equal. "They have it in their minds that it doesn't matter if I'm a woman."



By acknowledging the barriers ahead such as the difficulties of reintegrating into the work force after having a child, women can better plan their careers. Wellington also pointed out some managers still believe women may not work as hard or put in as many hours. A woman can overcome this assumption by putting herself forward and offering to do more work.



2. What are you waiting for?



Many women believe if they do what they are told, they will be noticed and rewarded, says Lois P. Frankel, psychologist and author of the book "Nice Girls Don't Get the Corner Office."



In fact, Frankel warns that "hard work typically begets more hard work."



She advises women should subtly call attention to their achievements. When it comes to compliments, she says women tend to reply shyly instead of owning her accomplishment by saying, "Thank you for noticing."



Asking for assignments that can help build your career is another way to get your manager's attention, Frankel says. Women should also speak up quickly at meetings. Employees who are the first to speak at a meeting are seen as having more self-confidence than those who make comments at the end, she said.



3. Don't be afraid to ask



Sheila Wellington at NYU added that she finds women are less likely to ask for a pay raise than men. A 2008 Washington Post survey reported women were 85 percent less likely to ask for a promotion than their male counterparts.



"If you lack the courage to ask your supervisor for something, then the answer is always 'no'," Wellington said. "What's the worse that could happen?"



Read 6 ways NOT to blow your interview



Mariko Chang, a Stanford-educated sociologist and author of books on women and wealth, said women should investigate the pay for their roles at similar companies or cities. By doing the research, women can negotiate a better pay or a new job offer.



4. Don't ever, ever cry at work



We all know that work can be stressful, especially in this economic climate. With budgets shrinking and layoffs looming, people are more prone to snap, says Alexandra Levit, workplace issues speaker and author of "They Don't Teach Corporate in College."



Levit has heard stories of women losing their jobs because they were perceived as "over-emotional."



Criers are more likely to ruin their credibility with coworkers and managers, she said. To avoid a meltdown, Levit says women should take time outside of work to think of situations that make them upset and practice how to cope with them calmly.



5. Make the most out of feedback and criticism



It's not easy to swallow your mistakes, but sometimes you just have to do it.



You have to let your boss be able to give you honest feedback, says Hannah Seligson, author of "New Girl on the Job."



Seligson says politely handling negative feedback can demonstrate you are a resilient and receptive worker.



6. Look outside the office for opportunities



Just showing up to your cubicle is not enough. Actively participating in social outings, outside company functions and parties is just as important, says Catherine Tinsley, associate professor at Georgetown's McDonough School of Business.



Tinsley says women tend to hold the misperception that if they work extra hours, they can advance their career. Instead, the best way to network may be golfing with the guys or grabbing a beer with your coworkers.



"You really have to press the flesh," Tinsley says. "You have to let people know and see you."



7. Remember wealth is more than a paycheck



A job brings fringe benefits such as 401(k) plans and other employer contributions, and women should be taking advantage of them. Mariko Chang, who has written on women, wealth and the workplace, says women are less likely to invest in these benefits than men. She advises they should start contributing to their 401(k) immediately after their first job.



"Income is important, but wealth is what lets people retire comfortably," she said.



8. The way you look and talk matters



Your attire and speaking skills affect how others perceive you, and it's nothing personal.



Author and psychologist Lois P. Frankel says company cultures may vary, but proper workplace etiquette is essential for landing the next big job. Frankel advises young women to look to how successful senior female managers dress and emulate that style.



When women communicate, they should stick with simple but confident sentences. The more words used, the softer the message sounds, Frankel says. Women can also practice short speeches at home to help push their main ideas to the beginning.

Counting down 2 a chilly few months


I guess as things stand right now,that's considered optimistic:-)

In 8 days the six of us selected for a once in a lifetime learning opportunity are meant 2 board planes headed 4 the USA.

we are still,however, tangled in red tape sufficient 2 suffocate us all!

So 4 of the participants fall under a different structure within the company than the other two, different structure means diff rules and diff avenues for assistance! In our case it means that while Walter & I sit in our usual meetings with few  (thats just an email every hour or so and a phone call every other hour) worries about travelling, Winsley and his buddies r doing all the paperwork from tickets for flights to accommodation 2 forex n liaising with the training centre in America 4 visas.

Visa's ! None of us have them yet! Thanks 2 the back n forth bouncing of more legal documents...we must wait to get an appointment with the embassy. Off course I am even more burdened by my impression on the consol officer...I wear Hijaab( the picture of the perceived terrorist!)

 So here's the bleak sketch-if all goes as planned, interview on Wednesday, by magic -visa on Thursday, fly on Thursday night!

The adventures are only just beginning :-)

2010... it was here

2010 as JR would say gave us the chance to "show them"

And we did, we showed the world that we have so much more to us than 1st world media depicts developing countries. Ag shame, they thought that we built Sandton City for them.

Yeah, there are lots of sentiments like these so when the world cup ended and the life of South Africans returned to "normal" with residue of optimism being washed away by the service delivery strikes, morality discussions about Zuma's 21'st child (no...not his childs 21st), Malema's revival and crime re-manifesting itself in daily routine we should have known.

we normal south africans should have known that for everything that happenned , Fifa would be hailed the kings of the new South Africa. We should have known that the feeling would come to "Sepp Blatter did it " rather than "South Africa did it". We should have known that we would lose.

As we lost our belief in us as the winners of the reform , we lost the belief that we were the winners of the personal fights against crime, poverty, HIV/Aids, a better eductaion , good raods, good service...and all the luxuries that we experienced during the period of the world cup. It all seems like a mirage, unobtainable, even more now that the veil has lifted and SA presents itself to us ...bare , barren , hopeless , all greatness sucked into the sporting glory.

If anything , Fifa made us believe even more that " we deserve". Shakira now forgotten , we are no longer beleive that we are good soldiers in battle , we no longer goad each other to get up when we fall

I didnt want to believe any of it. I truly wanted to belive that the country had started holding hands in solidarity against the elements that destroy us. 702 launched LEADSA to keep the world cup spirit alive. Concerned citizens are making the effort. Rhino poaching is being dealt with, we drive with lights on to save lives, we are attempting to be courteous as often as possible...and the remainder of the citizens are planning the next heist , the next murder, the next fraudulent deal to make a quick buck.

I didnt believe it even when the news reported incidents, even when law enforcement officers were arrested for their part in the incidents, even when government officials were accused of fraudulent dealings; even then i said it was a minority.

And then my family had a hold up at home. And all my hopes faded; career criminals wanting easy money. They waltzed into our home,  thretaed our lives , took what they wanted, and left. They left something in repayment for these things off coarse- Fear in copious amounts. Fear enough to hate the next person whether he be known to you or not.

11 months ago I was ready to change South Africa. Fifa infused us with hope of a better life. now i continue my tasks with less enthusiaismand i hope that good eventually overrules the bad and the stupid and the lazy .

Deservedly so

What a lovely morning. The first email and the first call that I received this morning ( a day which i dreaded coming to work because of the amount of other work which i had left behind at home, the loads of studying and assignments on top of that which was being deferred so that i could prioritise office work) was great news.

Two of my closest friends just received promotions. Yip, and to think that both of them have been worried about this for ages and may have even been getting a bit despondent.

like he aptly said " When one door closes another one opens"

Congratultions guys

May you prosper in your new positions and may you continue to grow in knowledge and stature.

My nerdy comments

My dear friend Prixie posted her valid reasons for needing a 3 day weekend and i couldnt help but share the conversation I had overheard in the common room at the University the previous week. I personally could do with much, much more weekend but academics tend to see this in a different light:-)

dear Prixie,







i recently overheard some nerdy ppl talking about measurement units. The discussion started off with comments about the horror of imperial units and the ease of use of SI units.






It moved swiftly, to an a discussion about the day when imperial will be defeated to the awesome SI.






Until an Imperial supporter, a type from the old school- quite literally, put a spanner in the works by suggesting that the calendar would have to be rearranged. "This of coarse is because the number of hours in a day is based on the imperial system. So while SI uses simple tens and multiples thereof, imperial uses inches , feet , and yards etc where there are 3 feet in a yard and 12 inches in a foot etc. There are also 12 months in a year so 12 is the relating factor."






So 12 hours to reach midday wouldnt be internationally recognised under the SI time frame and we'd probably have 10 hours to midday with 100 minutes in each and then 100 seconds. I dont know if this works out but ...perhaps being all uniform we will have 10 months in a year and things will become verry bizzarre.






this leaves room for wonder. Perhaps there will be 10 day weeks...and hopefully , just hopefully






MORE WEEKEND:-)






Naeema