Looking back at 2006...

1. I was introduced to blogging
2. I took up weekly Salsa dance classes and made it to Intermediate level. Next year I intend to progress to Advanced level.
3. I put on so much weight - went up to Size 18. However, joined Slimming World in May, lost 10 pounds and a few more while on holiday. By November I could fit into my old clothes (Size 16) again. However since Christmas they're beginning to feel a little tight!!!! I have purchased a Lateral Thigh Trainer which I intend to use regularly. One of my new years resolutions is to stop eating chocolate, sweets, crisps and biscuits. The aim is to get down to Size 14
4. Relationships - I took a risk, really stuck out my neck here and stepped out of my comfort zone. I went Speed dating and even put my profile on dating websites. Met and fell for a couple of guys who were not really into me! They both have girlfriends now and are very happy. I was crushed!
5. My best childhood friend, Eddie died! The lowest point of my year! This made me evaluate all existing friendships and gave me the push I needed to totally break free from a negative relationship!
6. I went on a round the world trip - to East, Central and South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.
7. Went into huge debt to finance aforementioned trip, so when I got back I found part time work as a waitress to pay it off. I have experienced God's generosity through the people around me.
8. Made friends with some really cool people this year through blogging and on my travels
9. Was finally Chief Bridesmaid for one of my closest friends'. I wore I bright scarlet dress and looked absolutely stunning!
10. Didn't make much progress with my relationship with God. This shall be my priority in the New Year.

Waitressing

Gary called and asked whether I would like to have a go at waitressing. I warned him that I had no previous experience, but he brushed it aside,

"You're smart, you'll pick it up"

First day went ok! My job is to wait on tables and take telephone orders. It's quite a challenge juggling all the bits. I have to be polite to the customers and make sure I don't spill any food on to them, placate the temperamental chef, enter items correctly on the till, make sure the music is always playing, answer the phone before it rings 4 times, check that the toilets are clean...

I've made a few mistakes- I charged 8p for drinks instead of £8, but this was easily rectified. It helped that the customers were good sports! I also received good tips- about £25 in total - for just one evening!!! Must be doing something right!

The cinema also called me in for a group interview. It was going great until the interviewer went around the room asking us for our ages

"18",

"22",

"19".

I took a deep breath... "31!"

Shocked gasps all around the room and thought to myself 'that's it, I haven't got the job!' I was a bit surprised when I got a call asking me to go in for a second interview.

The age issue came up

"Most people who work here are aged between 19 and 26, and you're... er... what..er?"

"31?"

"Yes! Don't you think you'll have a problem fitting in?"

"Look at me.. if I hadn't told you my age, how old would you think I was?"

"In your 20's... but that's not the point. Your age kind of shows when you talk. There's a difference between looking a certain age and acting it?"

"Yes. But I don't think I'd have a problem fitting in. I get along with everyone"

So we left it at that, but towards the end of the interview it came up again,

"Most of the supervisers and managers are 19 or 20 years. Would you have a problem taking orders from them?"

Now whose age and inexperience is showing up in the way they talk!

I assured her that in a professional working environment, I would respect the authority in place.

I still don't think I'll get the job. At least I've got the waitressing job!

The Money Issue and Sacrifice

I finally landed myself a part time job. Found it on Gumtree a few weeks ago, sent off the application by email and then heard nothing. I’d resigned myself to the fact that I would not find anything this side of Christmas having been rejected for sales assistant positions by 3 major department stores. Couldn’t get past those bloody psychometric tests.

Then the call came.

“Hi Kim, are you still interested in that part time delivery job you applied for on Gumtree”
“Oh YES!!!”
“I know it’s short notice, but can you start tonight, 6.30?”

As soon as I got to the restaurant, Gary, the owner, flung a bag at me saying
“Oh. Here you are. You can make this delivery” He opened the till and gave me some change. I could have easily taken the food, money and done a runner! I got a ₤1 tip on my first delivery. Yey! Made 4 more deliveries that night and at the end of it, the chef made me a meal. Got paid cash! Not bad! Although when I was leaving, Gary mentioned that the normal delivery guy was coming back next week, so they probably wouldn’t need me.

Shucks!

Still I am overwhelmed with gratitude that I earned any money at all. In my culture, it is customary for children to honour their parents by giving them their first salary. I don’t know but it just felt right for me to honour God this way. A tough decision to make because you see I really need the money. My overdraft is ₤720 and credit card debt just over ₤1,300. To some people this doesn’t seem like a lot, but to me, unaccustomed to debt, it’s HUGE. In addition to this I’ve got bills to pay and the salary coming in at the end of the month just won’t cover them…
Then I remembered the story in 2 Samuel 23:13 – 17, where David’s men, at great cost, got him some water he’d been longing for. David refused to drink the water but poured it out as an offering to God, saying that only God was worthy of such sacrifice.
I was also reminded of the time in Luke 21: 1 – 4, when Jesus commented on the widow’s offering, saying that even though she had given so little, she had put in more than the people who had given out of their wealth, because she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.

God is pleased with personal sacrifice that honours Him.

I must admit that my situation is different to that of the widow. I’ve had a lot of financial support from my family and friends. I am only worried that they might grow weary of me. Or that the bank will suddenly call in the overdraft- then I’d really be up shit creek without a paddle!
So my giving that ₤25 in the offering was not only just to honour God, but also to tell Him that I will trust Him. He’s shown me in numerous ways that He’s got my back. I guess we all need to go through times such as these to fully appreciate Him.

The Money Issue and Vulnerability

As some of you may know, my wallet was stolen at the beginning of my 3-month round the world trip. I phoned up my bank and credit card company to stop the cards and ask them to send me replacements.
They both refused to send them to me in Uganda, stating that Company policy was that replacements are only sent to the customer's UK address. I reasoned, begged and tried to touch the sympathetic chord which I am now convinced does not exist in any of the financial institutions of the UK. They wouldn’t budge. Fortunately, Fredrik was staying at my flat at the time - so he sent my debit card by courier.
My original plan had been to use the credit card for all expenses, so that when I returned to the UK in November, I’d transfer the debt to a 0% interest card and spread the repayments over the year. Instead I was forced to use my debit card to pay for everything. Things were tight! Despite extreme 'frugality' (is that a word?) I still amassed a massive overdraft which unfortunately cannot be transfered on to a 0% card.

So I am stuffed!
In all this, God has overwhelmed me with generosity from all quarters- my flatmate Yati, family, friends and even my work colleagues. I am now relying on others to provide for me - even the basics... I no longer have the luxury of being proud. It's like God is deliberately stripping away all the protective layers that I've built over the years by putting me in a position where I NEED people to survive. For some reason, when I was abroad, it was easy to ask for help. But at home it's so much harder because this is where I'm always in control - especially with my finances.

This is new territory for me! I can't say I enjoy being here, but I am learning a valuable lesson – that it is okay to show my vulnerability

Time for a Career Change?

The other day I was admiring the quality of writing on my friends’ blogs. They blog about real issues that really connect with their audience
My writing doesn’t even come close! But then again my friends are journalists. Writing is their craft!

I don’t have a craft!

31 years old and still do not know what do with my life!!!

The problem with being an all rounder is that I’m a Jack-of-all-trades and Master of none. I’ve always hated being tied down to just the one thing. My friend Emily would say it’s because I’m a Gemini. I start things, get bored and move on to the next thing; which I start, get bored, and move on to the next

Start, Bored, Next…

I’m bored with my job.

The only thing that has been consistent in my life has been reading. What career can I possibly make out of that? Librarian? Bookseller?
Do I have the guts to go back a step to change careers? For librarian, I’d have to go back to school and learn whatever it is librarians learn. On second thoughts, the librarian at my local library is sooooo stereotypical– nervous, mousy woman with big purple-rimmed glasses.
Hmm, not sure I want to do that!

The only other option is bookseller. But they earn so little. How would I pay my mortgage? Bills?

Why do I have to have a career?

Why wasn’t I born into a rich family? Why wasn’t I born with stunning good looks to net me a rich husband? You know, the kind that’s old fashioned enough to not want his wife to work?