Shopping in The USA

Being in SA a wee bit longer has made my shopping list a whole lot longer. You see, everyone who knows me and some acquintences and their pets, suddenly want the strangest array of gifts from the USA.

I've been asked to buy electronic equipment, fish, beer mugs, clothing and even jewellery!

I can see that lot getting past customs.

Customs officer: "Ma'am , do you have anything to declare?"

Me:" Err, declare???  Is that English . We don't eat that in  South Africa! Sorry Sir, maybe next time."

Its all quite strange to me because we get everything in SA. The electronics may be delayed a bit , but we'll get it soon enough. Our networks arent even fast enough to appreciate most of the latest gizmos so whats the point?

Fish...okay so Salmon is more readily available in USA but its a rare fish so I skeem that we let the Americans have the extinction of Salmon on their conscience.

Beer mugs...hahaha, I dont even consume alcohol. So the old customs officer wil be rather confused when he sees that. Nah , cant carry a beer mug. I wonder if a beer mug from a different country will make a diference to the taste of the drink. Seriously , will a German mug make the beer taste like its from Germany? #just wondering

Clothing requests have come in the form of name brands. Obviously from people who dont know me at all because anyone who know me will know that my fashion sense doesnt follow a particular trend or brand or anything particular. It all depends on my mood and hence I can look like a hobo in a track suit (and safety boots) or majorly confused in a power outfit ( and Bova's- ugliest safety boots known). So y'all hu wants some "nice" clothes. Y'all will get what ever tickles my fancy ...if i remember you

And then the Jewellery. Cummon, have i EVER worn jewellery other than my watch??? And dont we produce gold in SA? Why should i buy items made from SA gold in a foreign land. Do you want the gold to return to its home. Ag shame julle, I'll make a purchase or 2 if I feel like it maar honestly, are material things that important ?

This of course doesnt mean that I will forget all of the people that I value; I plan to do some shopping. It may not be as per request but I aint a pro shopper and at least i know that for those who are on my list it will be well received as small as it may get.#ifIevergetthere

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 :-)