Two Days Left at My Current Job

Wow, the time is flying. It is hard to believe that I start my new job on Monday. My co-workers and volunteers had 2 different dinners for me last week. They gave me cards that said wonderful things (well mostly) and gifts. I finally got a new watch! I haven't had one in a couple of years (I am not big on time) so it is great to have one now. The last one I had I lost while gently pushing sperm out of a flatfish during my Masters thesis work at U.N.B. Saint John. I am sure you wanted to know that! They also got me a garden bench that turns into a picnic table, it is quite neat and a wonderful additions to our gardens.

I spent Saturday volunteering at the Dickie Crossman Memorial in support of P.R.O. Kids. I was a judge on Hole #3 to see if anyone got a hole in one. It didn't happen but it was a wonderful day weather wise and the 6 hours in the sun (with sunscreen of course) did wonders for my tan. It was a great event though with many teams participating and everyone having a good time.

I had my monthly massage yesterday and it was wonderful as usual. Yes, I have one every month. Hey, I even read research yesterday that states that regularly massages lowered stress hormones in people and had long term positive effects on moods. Luckily I have an insurance plan that covers the cost because I know many people are not so fortunate. If you never had one you should try it out, it is a good treat for yourself. Anyway, today when I went into work and stretched the wrong way I tore something in my neck. Needless to say I know have a chiropracter appointment for tomorrow. Guess you can never win!

Tomorrow morning I have a meeting with the Education to Employment working group of Vibrant Communities Saint John. We have been working hard on addressing some of the barriers that individuals in poverty face when attempting to gain employment. We will soon have our report done and I look forward to sharing the facts with you all. I am part of a smaller working group of this larger group that is specifically looking at what is already available to people trying to find employment and what gaps and barriers exist. Unfortunately there seems to be a lot of them but it is the hope that this group will make some recommendations that will help to turn this situation around.

On Friday night we will be attending the Telegraph Journal reporter, Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon's, photo exhibit at the Imperial Theatre. I have inserted an image here advertising it that I hope you can read. We will then be heading to a friends house for a going away get together of a good friend of mine. I spoke of her in a previous post having to leave the province so her "educated" partner can find employment. She was the first friend I had in Saint John as we were roommates when I first moved to Saint John in 2000. I will miss her!

Finally, a note on something coming up:

Over the past year FUSION Saint John Inc. and the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative (BCAPI) have partnered to develop a unique mentorship program called FUSE the Gaps. We helped approximately 5 area youth address and overcome some of the barriers associated with finding employment and/or furthering their education. The program pairs a FUSION Saint John Inc. member with an area youth with limited resources and in need of guidance with the goal of helping the individual find and begin their career path. It has been a successful and heart warming venture to date. However, we are currently in the process of revamping and better organizing the program for the upcoming school year. We need your help! If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of youth in our community that are less fortunate then we want to hear from you. We will be holding a short meeting on Monday, July 24th at 5:00 P.M. at the Business Resource Centre located at 40 King Street. Please RSVP Danny Jardine at dannyj@nbnet.nb.ca if you will be attending.