The Eyes of a Teen
Periods
by Rebecca Sanderson
A period is broad term used not only to mention the least favorite month time of being a woman, but can also delimit a certain time line: for instance the Jurassic or the Victorian period indicating a time span with a mostly clear beginning and an ending; a soccer game consisting of two halftime periods of each 45 minutes. A period can define the time it takes to finish one cycle the earth needs about 365 days to circle around the sun. Periods also are rows in the chemical table, an oxoacid of iodine, and a concept in mathematics.
Regarding this, it is no wonder that we are throughout haunted with repeating timelines, repeating circles and never really seem to get anywhere: we basically always have to start from scratch sooner or later or just start something genuinely new.
After our school time another cycle that most generations get to enjoy until this world ends we have several things that come towards us. Obviously some start earlier than other, looking for a job or a mate. Nevertheless love and business life are much alike. There is a so called probation periods generally of 6 months. To get the job you will have to work 6 months, sitting at the edge of your chair, hoping, maybe even praying that nothing stands against you, and that you will get the hopefully regular paycheck. That is, if you really want the job or are just flat out desperate for the money or even worse couldn't find something better.
Relationship wise, this differs a bit, but nonetheless: 6 months probation. The first 6 months are a glorious wonderful thing. You are all tingly, giddy, giggly and a plain right nuisance to all those single friends you brag to about this person no one really knows not even the person themselves the so called 'new partner'. The first six months are like getting a new toy: you are obsessed. Over idealizing something that has taken your interest, or for some more thrillingly someone interested in you. And honestly: we all do it. Idealize, fantasize about the new, the shiny sparkly, new smell, new feel, new look isn't that also why men always go for the younger ladies? They aren't even close to their best by date.
Tipsy with all these new senses and hormones shooting ravishingly through our system, we do not notice the small things and it is the small things that cause the big bang after having idly sitting there and collecting adding in sheer number and strength. 500 days of summer is a nice movie in that sense. It shows how the relationship turns, not always in a good way obviously. And it is then when unexpected, harsh and numbing reality hits in and you think: what on earth?
Being here in Australia is something beyond words will ever form. I could tell you, you could nod and say: I understand but you couldn't. No matter how hard I would try to phrase my thoughts, making them as precise as possible: my thoughts, my feelings, my intentions, my experience! it would be ignorant to say you did understand. You might have experienced something similar but never will you experience the same.
Many women experience pregnancy for instance but they never have exactly the same experience, besides the joy of have given birth (at least I presume there is some joy there, why else have a resemblance with a balloon if you did not want to?), there are too many variables (family, doctors, traffic). For some it is painful, others seem to be a natural breeding machines to screaming infants and shoot them out like missiles or torpedos.
But everything in life has this one moment that knocks you off your feet, slaps you across the face and you just look dumbstruck to the bitch called life as it says: Earth calling! Wake up and face reality!
You suddenly notice 6 months have passed and either you have to job, or that was your job, and you are on your next 6 months probation of terror as well as fingernail biting; you are still deeply in love, have even moved together since you spend all your time together anyway why rent out two places? , or that person is passι and you are on to the next person (after sufficient grieving time that is). Or you wake up and suddenly notice: Oh shit this is not only a holiday.
To come to Australia for nine months, I had to apply for a so called Work and travel Visa in my case, Subclass 417 (whatever that is supposed to mean). Please note the words: Work AND travel. This is the vital part of the entire project here, in the attempt to grow up and put my stubbornness but also pride to the test. Obviously I could not earn enough money to live off for 9 months, no matter how hard I tried. (Supposedly I could, but my job wasn't paid that well and I did not want to wait god only knows how many years or live under a rock having no fun.)
There will always be this harsh moment in life and we will not even consider the most hated menstruation cycle is just one of many signs saying: you-are-young-and-not-passed-your-best-by-date-yet but also you-are-okay-and-not-pregnant-I-think. But is precisely then, when the habit of something is lost that this regular thing is ruined, we hesitate, stutter and fall down.
Even though I knew how risky it was, how difficult it might be I never really knew what I was letting myself into. And still I don't. Wandering around Sydney, walking from one business to the next, brutal as the Icelandic wind and cold, the job market has come to reach with nothing really to grasp.
Writing online applications for months, wandering around in a city collecting blisters on my feet (I don't even bother counting the blisters on my blisters!) and talking to so many people that I don't even remember where I spoke to whom nor which business said what my reality has hit in.
I can't go and see all I want to see, intend to see without getting some cash in, fast!
Alright: no money? Let us get a job.
One would think it is easy. More or less. So many have done it before and succeed, why not I? Well point one: I am modest. I don't like bragging nor do I consider myself being extraordinary smart or pretty, I wouldn't even say cute (definitely not the cute kind). I do have commonsense I would like to say though and can split bills without problems (most of the times even without a calculator!), as these seems to be something rare, I can also speak four languages. But being here I had to learn a new one. The language of reading-in-between-the-lines.
Once having my resume according to Australian standards (why there is not just one wretched code for these things is a mystery for me) the fun bit would come. The deciphering of a job description which would look somewhat like this:
Busy Eastside Cafι is looking for expert in the fine art of coffee making as well as having substantial knowledge in both presentation and making of high class Cocktails.
The future patron will not only well groomed, have 5 years experience in the α la carte section, but also have previous experience as a maξtre and high knowledge of extensive wine list but also valid RSA and RCG.
And this would be the short versioned ones, easy ones not to mention! And the translation would be as follow:
Want: waitstaff capable of pushing button for coffee machine and warming milk.
Should be able to make good cocktails and look nice.
Should not look clean.
Previous experience in menu orders would be preferred, also serving drinks no smashing glasses.
Able to pronounce wine names and repeat what is on the label.
Responsible service of Alcohol and Responsible conduct of Gambling Certificates are a must.
Life is a bitch and looking for a job is like dating: you get way more rejections than anything else. So why on earth do we make it even more of a bitch in over dramatizing jobs descriptions and not blankly saying what we want or need?
No one knows, no one will ever, we just have to face it: we love the bitch called life and keep going back to her from our idealized fantasy. In this case I would have to team up with Winston Churchill though:
I don't want any yes-men around me.
I want everybody to tell me the truth even if it costs them their jobs
Say: 'No job for you', or 'you are hired!'
... I am still waiting and hoping for the second...