This Christmas madness

I have a confession to make: I don't like Christmas.

Even though I am a believer in Jesus Christ.

Or maybe because.

There's something about Dec 25 that makes everyone just a little crazy. What's with the long queues in the mall, not enough parking places, songs about winter and snowmen and reindeer that have no relevance to us in the Southern hemisphere, decorating trees and having a houseful of people over for Christmas lunch/dinner, and buying presents not just for one's own family but relatives and friends' children?

We're not living on the edge of poverty, but if we have to keep up with the way Christmas is done here, we certainly will be in danger of it.

I thought we were pretty bad in SG, the way we used to stress over what to get our CG members' kids. Each family would buy for the kids of all the other families, and we're not talking simple things like a box of chocolates. Kris Kringle didn't exist.

Here, I thought we'd finally escaped the consumer trap of buying presents and giving for the sake of giving.

But my girls have been the recipients of so many gifts from unexpected quarters that even though we have no intention of buying into the Christmas frenzy, we are now looking at their rapidly growing pile of presents under our little tree and wondering, how did we get to this? Is it right to have so much when others are struggling? Would anything change if we gave away some of our gifts? (Indeed, I made this suggestion to Beth and she was surprisingly receptive.)

What Jobs Are There For Parents Returning To Work?

Every so often, news of rising interest rates, inflation and fuel and grocery prices sparks a mini-panic in the household and anxious scanning of MyCareer and job websites.

Is it time for me to go back to work?

If so, what sort of work should I look for? Or rather, what sort of work am I qualified to do after 3 years away from the workforce?

If I go back to work, should I work part-time or full-time?

If J goes to childcare, will she fall ill often and will I miss out on witnessing her developmental milestones?

If Beth goes to after-school care, will I be able to keep up with what goes on at school?

What about my duties as a volunteer reader with her class?

What about my duties as playgroup assistant on Mondays?

And on and on.

Re employability, it is a known fact that skilled migrants face certain barriers in getting employed in Australia.

Some of it has to do with lack of familiarity with the local work culture. There's also the language barrier for those from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Employers tend to prefer hiring those who have local work experience. A chicken-and-egg problem, obviously.

Fortunately, there are places to go for help.

One suggestion that comes up often is to do volunteer work to gain local experience.

I remember reading the story of Rosalind, a Malaysian with a PhD who kept getting bounced back at job interviews. The fact that she was highly qualified was no guarantee of her getting a job, much less one commensurate with her qualifications and experience. She was advised to do volunteer work with a non-profit organization that helps migrants settle into life in Australia. She did that. Eventually, she was offered a paid position.

Another strategy is simply to revise your expectations and start over at an entry-level position.

This might be a bit hard to swallow if you're a graduate from the world-class Little Red Dot. But if you see it as a temporary hiccup and a way to get your foot in the door, it might just be a bit more bearable.

We know of graduates from the Philippines who work at fast food restaurants and factories for an hourly wage. (The average hourly wage in the retail sector is $20.) One friend, who used to work in banking back home, is now taking a course in IT to retrain for a new career. At entry level, of course.

There's the Singaporean IT Project Manager who migrated here without a job, and spent the first 5 months of his new life stacking shelves and delivering the local paper in all kinds of weather, while waiting to hear from prospective employers.

Another Singaporean we know took 2 years to find a permanent job.

Definitely humbling, stressful...and character-building.

A career development practitioner that acknowledges this issue faced by migrants is Associated Career Management Australia. Their website has a category titled "Migrants".

"Often important cultural differences are missed by migrants which can mean ongoing barriers to finding that vital career position. Your counsellor will coach you to understand and avoid these negative and potentially career threatening issues.

We provide intensive support at all levels to ensure that migrants’ employment applications conform to Australian standards, and that their applications are directed to employers, agencies and/or organisations that will treat applications from people from non-english speaking backgrounds simply on merit only."

Definitely something to consider if you are planning to migrate to Australia without a job offer.

Not sure if you should migrate? Too many factors to consider?

Use this decision making software to help you prioritize what's most important.

You'll see and decide with greater clarity.

Aus Universities Become A Mecca With Their Call To Prayer

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/australian-universities-become-a-mecca-with-their-call-to-prayer/2007/09/21/1189881777596.html

2 things from this article made me smile:

1. According to the Saudi Ambassador, Aus has replaced the US as the most popular overseas destination for Saudi students.
The popularity of Aus is due to: (a) good reports from students here flowing back to Saudi Arabia; (b) the high standard of education here; (c) universities have been supportive in providing prayer and ablution rooms.

2. On concerns that potential terrorists could enter Aus with an increase in foreign students, Adjunct Prof Charles Mott, who promotes LaTrobe Uni's international relations, had this to say: "Our experience with Arab students and wider Muslim students coming here has been very good. You have to have in mind, for many coming to a country like this, it represents a substantial cultural change...these students have fitted in very well."

The Saudi Ambassador's view: Education is vital "if you want...to build relations and understand each other's culture", and that a relationship built solely around trade "never builds relationships".

Reflection
How wise and wonderful are these words!
That they come from 2 men of culturally diverse backgrounds, both no doubt men of influence in their own spheres, speaks well for the efforts of all who seek after peace.

Through the free exchange of informed views, we begin to build an awareness of ourselves and of our fellow human beings, and to appreciate the differences of race, language, religion and culture that make each of us unique.

Education is the key to understanding, and the bridge across all man-made barriers.

News like this makes me glad, proud, thankful and humbled.
We are inundated with bad news everyday, and a bit of good news is a powerful antidote to the gloom and doom.

I feel blessed to live in the midst of those who take the trouble and make the effort to show respect for another's cultural and religious needs.

When this other is a student who is here to learn, imagine the power and influence of this positive experience on him when he goes back to his own country.
Who knows what wonderful things he may one day do because he received hospitality and understanding as a student in a foreign country?