The Virgin Mary!
The Virgin Mary!
Originally uploaded by johnstonedean.
It was Christmas time and she rode in on a donkey!
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
The Virgin Mary!
Originally uploaded by johnstonedean.
Christmas Party!
This is a little late - it was written 2 weeks before Christmas
Well, what a day. Who would have thought a day with former teachers and others would be so much fun (and the day after feeling so ill!). Thanks to my “Secret Santa” for “The Office” Christmas Special DVD. One of the best comedies from the UK. Champagn, then running to find the taxi: his first journey ever!
Great food, interesting talks with many, many different people. I learnt more in those few hours than I did in maybe the whole induction. Both about myself and my impressions but also on the other people in the office. It finished 15 hrs later (starting at 11.30am) and after great food, chats, lots of great drinks and finally in an almost empty club (Sports Bar).
Then I ask… why does the person in the next house to me ALWAYS play a CD track very loud, EVERY SATURDAY MORNING? Its so strange! The first day I came here, I heard it, over and over and over again (the same 4minute song!). Then EVERY Saturday since (at least every time I am here). And at 10.30 this Saturday morning was not so good for me. So the song started, so I knew I would not be able to sleep – so wash, breakfast, drink (water a plenty). And still the same stupid track is going on and on. I phone Verena, then phone Darren, FINALLY 3.5hrs later the woman in the next house turms the CD off (or maybe it expoded from overplay?). But it has gone. Only now, of course I cannot sleep longer and so rest my headache my just moping around.
Mrs. Carter, my former Drama teacher, and all round “Dean supporter” phoned me. I am so pleased. Mrs. C. played a huge part in getting me to be the person I am today. Mrs. C really helped a shy, unconfident 14year old boy develop greatly during the 4 years I was at her school. There have been many times in the last 5 years, when in @, I have tried to analyse what she did, so that I can use it to try to develop the potential of others in the same way that it worked on me. So I am pleased that she wants to meet me and we will catch up over Christmas. I am really looking forward to it.
Well, what a day. Who would have thought a day with former teachers and others would be so much fun (and the day after feeling so ill!). Thanks to my “Secret Santa” for “The Office” Christmas Special DVD. One of the best comedies from the UK. Champagn, then running to find the taxi: his first journey ever!
Great food, interesting talks with many, many different people. I learnt more in those few hours than I did in maybe the whole induction. Both about myself and my impressions but also on the other people in the office. It finished 15 hrs later (starting at 11.30am) and after great food, chats, lots of great drinks and finally in an almost empty club (Sports Bar).
Then I ask… why does the person in the next house to me ALWAYS play a CD track very loud, EVERY SATURDAY MORNING? Its so strange! The first day I came here, I heard it, over and over and over again (the same 4minute song!). Then EVERY Saturday since (at least every time I am here). And at 10.30 this Saturday morning was not so good for me. So the song started, so I knew I would not be able to sleep – so wash, breakfast, drink (water a plenty). And still the same stupid track is going on and on. I phone Verena, then phone Darren, FINALLY 3.5hrs later the woman in the next house turms the CD off (or maybe it expoded from overplay?). But it has gone. Only now, of course I cannot sleep longer and so rest my headache my just moping around.
Mrs. Carter, my former Drama teacher, and all round “Dean supporter” phoned me. I am so pleased. Mrs. C. played a huge part in getting me to be the person I am today. Mrs. C really helped a shy, unconfident 14year old boy develop greatly during the 4 years I was at her school. There have been many times in the last 5 years, when in @, I have tried to analyse what she did, so that I can use it to try to develop the potential of others in the same way that it worked on me. So I am pleased that she wants to meet me and we will catch up over Christmas. I am really looking forward to it.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Christmas in Hasliberg
I am sat in Verena's house. On her sofa whilst Caroline and Verena sing songs very loudly from a book. It is cold and snowy outside. We have Christmas cookies and earlier Caroline rode one of Verena's donkey's (kind of like the Virgin Mary). I will post a photo later. Verena just tapped me on the knee for some reason? (these Swiss mountain girls). Now they are singing a French song. And so my Christmas is sounding musical and multilingual. And imagine all of this without a glass of red wine in sight.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Business Systems
We run 7 different programmes. All of which have their own team leader and use their own facilitators, book their own venues and generally organise themselves.
My work: to integrate this activity so that it benefits the whole business. Facilitators are coming onto contracts and a new operations manager will use the systems I create.
Exciting to be a sort of "systems consultant" but also frustrating at times as everyone has their own opinions of what should happen. Then, the current coordinators are a little scared that their work will change too much and they will have "nothing to do". Its true that their work will change, but unlikely that the load of total work will reduce.
I am tackling this by creating information systems (creating a database), as ever, the answer will not be in the database but in our overall business methodology. On Monday I meeting a few technolgy companies and I expect to learn a lot about data and information systems in the coming months.
Besides that since I started work (6 weeks) I have gained 3kg (66-69) and 2 inches on my waist line (2 inches=6cm) the results of all those free muffins in the staff kitchen and the lack of excercise. So now a change in food intake. Not so much a diet as more a shift to a healthier way of living and regular gym attendance (I have free gym membership).
Friday 8th - we had an away day: similar in many ways to MC days (but also very different - many more people and in an expensive hotel). Good to be settled into work but also learning so much.
The coming week (an insight) -
Monday - meet information / database companies and discuss our needs with them with the intention of finding a partner.
Tuesday - meet E-Learning consultant; devise business plan with directors; mentorship conversation.
Wednesday - work from home (update virtual learning information and others)
Thursday - In the office
Friday - open the champagn at 11am as our Christmas meal starts at 1am (this will be a long day at work!!!)
My work: to integrate this activity so that it benefits the whole business. Facilitators are coming onto contracts and a new operations manager will use the systems I create.
Exciting to be a sort of "systems consultant" but also frustrating at times as everyone has their own opinions of what should happen. Then, the current coordinators are a little scared that their work will change too much and they will have "nothing to do". Its true that their work will change, but unlikely that the load of total work will reduce.
I am tackling this by creating information systems (creating a database), as ever, the answer will not be in the database but in our overall business methodology. On Monday I meeting a few technolgy companies and I expect to learn a lot about data and information systems in the coming months.
Besides that since I started work (6 weeks) I have gained 3kg (66-69) and 2 inches on my waist line (2 inches=6cm) the results of all those free muffins in the staff kitchen and the lack of excercise. So now a change in food intake. Not so much a diet as more a shift to a healthier way of living and regular gym attendance (I have free gym membership).
Friday 8th - we had an away day: similar in many ways to MC days (but also very different - many more people and in an expensive hotel). Good to be settled into work but also learning so much.
The coming week (an insight) -
Monday - meet information / database companies and discuss our needs with them with the intention of finding a partner.
Tuesday - meet E-Learning consultant; devise business plan with directors; mentorship conversation.
Wednesday - work from home (update virtual learning information and others)
Thursday - In the office
Friday - open the champagn at 11am as our Christmas meal starts at 1am (this will be a long day at work!!!)
