Things got very serious when WHO declared Covid-19 a pandemic just over a week ago, coupled with countries going into lockdowns with tighter security measures in place, and a second wave of panic set in. The fear of a lockdown, with shops and schools closed, are sending people to the supermarkets to clear shelves out of long-life foods such as pasta, canned tunas, flour—to name a few.
Watching Tom Hooper’s latest cinematic effort, Cats, was definitely not on my to-do list last weekend. But James Corden and Rebel Wilson’s catty remarks about the film at the Oscars saw me giving up my Saturday cat nap for an afternoon at the movies.
Photos of orange-tinged New Zealand skylines have been lighting my social media newsfeed, with friends writing messages of goodwill in a show of solidarity with Australia, as the country continues to battle large bushfires sweeping across three states—New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
I find making New Year’s resolutions a bit of a chore, mainly because my lists are predictable and I would have broken most of my good intentions by the end of January.
But the start of a new year is always good for fresh beginnings, and I’m determined that 2020 will be different!
Shame and helplessness were among the emotions Lisa Anderson fought when she fell pregnant at 17-years-old.
Prior to her pregnancy, she had had a rough few years, starting with her mom leaving the family when she was just 15. Her mom’s departure led to a breakdown in her relationship with God.
I had moved to another town to work in a daily newsroom in hopes of learning alongside seasoned and passionate senior editors, and maybe even winning national awards.
But alas, the nourishing work environment I had dreamed of did not materialize.
I watched intently as a group of HR staff handed out certificates and a small gift to the month’s outstanding worker. A small part of me hoped they would stop by my desk. But alas, after years of waiting, it never happened.
“Not again!” I thought when I read that the founder and CEO of Relevant Media Group, Cameron Strang, has come under fire for creating a racially insensitive work environment.
The 43-year-old was alleged to be a toxic boss who exhibited “various levels of high-handedness, shouting fits and racially insensitive slights”.
There wasn’t a clear, booming, “Yes, go ahead with this plan”, or “Yes, this is the will I have for you” from God when I packed my bags and said goodbye to family and friends for a job overseas.