By LUCY ORMONDE
I like to start my open posts by telling you all to pop the kettle on, make yourself a cuppa and get comfy.
Because that’s exactly what I’m doing as I write this.
If you’ve never read an open post at Mamamia before – welcome. And if you’re one of our regulars – you know the drill.
This is our one post of the week where we do away with a theme and open up for comments and general conversation. You can talk about… anything you like. It might be who you’ve met (we love those!), where you’ve been or where you’re going, what you’ve be watching. ANYTHING. You can also ask questions of the MM Team or make suggestions. We love that.
It’s also the time where we give you a bit of an insight into what’s been happening at MM HQ.This week we’ve all become a little obsessed with Instagram – so you’ll notice a bit of a theme. We each have our own account but we’ve been getting particularly snap happy with the @mamamiaaus account. Are you following? Hope so.
As for what’s on my mind (OMM), I’m looking at the date – June 27 – and wondering where the first half of the year went. Seriously. We’re half way through the year?! I swear it was only a couple of weeks ago we were all singing Christmas carols, right? But since it was the shortest day of the year this week, I figure we’re on the home stretch towards summer.
I’ve also got Melbourne on my mind – as I always do. I feel like I’m in a long distance relationship with that city but I’m thinking it might be time to cut ties. Or at least go on an extended break. Being in one place and having your people in another is so hard. Really hard.
But the more I go back, the less chance I give myself to create a life in the city I’m in.
So I’m hopping on a plane tomorrow night for one last weekend hit and then… (gulp) I’m going to try and embrace my new home.
That’s probably enough from me…. Now it’s your turn – what’s on your mind?
Top Comments
Is anyone else finding it almost impossible to keep a part-time job in the corporate world? I have never come across so many abusive and aggressive employers as I have since my return to work about 2 years ago. Before having children I held fairly senior roles in business and I always made a point of treating all my staff with respect and patience. After such a long break I have had to take a step down the corporate ladder - which I don't have a problem with . However, to date I can't seem to find a position where I am happy or that is really offering a true work/life balance. It seems that everyone if happy to pay the part time salary but expects you to complete a full time work load. Even though they all say they are fine with the whole family work balance thing, they really aren't. Show too much initiative and your boss feels threatened and if you just happily do what is required they say they expect more for you. What has changed in the workforce over the past 10 years? What happened to working as a team, where you were trained, mentored and genuinely felt you where part of a team and contributing! Perhaps It is just me and I have missed major changes that have made corporate life 'dog eat dog'. Where there is no time for friendship, courtesy and no patience for the new girl to learn the business before we come down on her like a 'tonne of bricks'. It seems that the measure of a top executive today has become how 'nasty' you can be. I have always found that you can get everything you want from people by being 'nice' - and as an added bonus you may make a friend or two as well!
Has motherhood changed me so profoundly or has the mushroom I have been living under for the past 10 years completely shielded me from major changes in the corporate world?
OMM1: I'm currently in India (I arrived last week) and am trying to catch my breath! This country is beautiful, breathtaking and exhausting! The people are so friendly but it's heartbreaking to see the poverty and pollution. Since arriving I've been trying to get my head around the huge differences in wealth and I've been feeling guilty about buying dinner when there are so many street people that would kill for my meal, but every Indian I have spoken with says not to give the street people money. Does anyone else face this scenario when travelling?
OMM2: I'm off to Nepal tomorrow, wish me luck! I'm praying the medical supplies I've couriered from Australia don't get seized at customs and sold on the black market - they're quite valuable :(
OMM3: Daddy's birthday :)
When I went to New York, I gave my change to the homeless that were on the streets. I couldn't ignore them and walk past like I hadn't seen them. What was just change to me, was a meal for them. And that's how I looked at it, some people justify themselves by not giving by saying oh they'll only buy alcohol, which is so bloody minded. In my opinion, give, give, give. It'll make a big difference to them.
I always give money when asked, what's $5 or $10 to me? A couple of coffees, a magazine??? Not much. It's not going to hurt me at all.