Looking back at my achievements at the end of the year, when the world is almost on the threshold of the new year, is continuing to be a ritual since 2020. The need for this ritualistic tendency began when my life spiralled downwards at a few different levels, which transformed my carefree life into an inferno. Despite limited opportunities, several failures, and rejections, I continued to be resilient, self-motivated, and industrious; hence the need to feel productive at the end of the year. With this intention, I examined my accomplishments, even if a few, to conclude that 2023 is fruitful.
The year began with a bang. I had put in two weeks of service in a full-time permanent position at NSW TAFE Liverpool Library, which was the regional position in which I had been successful and notified about. After accepting the letter of offer from Liverpool, I found out about my simultaneous success in the Metro position as well. As per the assurance of one panelist of the metro position, my position has been placed on an ‘Eligibility list’ which was valid throughout 2023. The panelist and the recruitment team assured me that it will continue to be valid for another six months in 2024 whether the authorities activate the position within the promised eighteen months. Having been given an opportunity to gain very different experiences at NSW TAFE Miller library, I witnessed the birth of 2023 with something to look forward.
From mid-March, I found myself caught in a whirlpool of emotions and misery. Even though I worked two shifts a day, the day shift being for a substantive position and the evening shift for a casual assignment I took part in every year. Availing the flex time of thirty minutes each day with approval, I reached the venue of the casual assignment on time and completed the operation successfully. During this period, the day shift job turned out to be nightmarish as I was framed, blamed, scapegoated, and subjected to constructive dismissal. The timely arrival of a few certificates in April softened the blow for the moment. I received the Group Leader’s participation and completion certificate for the year 2023 soon after I received the digital copy of the testamur and the transcript for Certificate III Business (Records and Information Management) following my successful graduation in the same from the College for Adult Learning.
Surviving on in-lieu payments for six weeks and marking operation pay, I submitted, chased, and resubmitted my application for government support payments which was deposited into my nominated bank account just when I was running out of funds. Like the previous year, I took part in ACARA Item trial marking; the income from which helped me stay afloat. 2023 has seen a few achievements which the previous years were not fortunate to witness. The year observed my first flying experience on a domestic flight to Byron Bay; the occasion being the sixtieth birthday of Australian Society of Authors and Byron Writer’s Festival. Through volunteering for ‘FromThePage’ transcription tasks, I gained access to my first Open AI and ChatGPT account. Through Australian Electoral Commission/Hays Specialist Recruitment Agency, I performed electoral duties for two days for a national event called ‘Voice Referendum’.
I had my share of professional development sessions such as Rimpa Live Convention 2023, First Aid Certificate course, and a few other webinars before the year’s closure. I attended more interviews this year than in the previous years, be it online or face-to-face, within the last six months. Even though I progressed from Dante’s fifth circle in his ‘Inferno’ mid-year, which revolved around the sin of anger, to his sixth circle ‘Heresy’ where the tendency is to reject the religious and political norm by the end of the year, I am glad I pulled off a few remarkable feats, which I am proud of. I hope I do not reach the Centre of Hell in 2024 and come face-to-face with Satan. Busting your balls! Happy New Year to all!
A Writer's Exposé 