Heading North

So myself and himself just returned from an overnight stay in Belfast. We arrived yesterday at about 3.30 and checked into our hotel.


We were staying in the Hilton (5 star hotel - oh yes!). Turns out all touristy things i.e. sites attractions and tours close at 4pm. So we got to do nothing. We originally booked the trip to visit the new Titanic exhibit that has opened in Belfast but after booking the non refundable hotel, i discovered the exhibit was booked up until Monday. Well done me for planning in advance. I never realised it was the 100 year anniversary of the Titanic this weekend. Ah well.  I did find a Disney store which of course brightened my day and adopted Sulley who will be accompanying me on my adventures.

We had dinner in the hotel and availed of the 2 free cocktails that came with the room deal.


Today (15th) we went to the rope bridge and the Giants Causeway. Oh lordy was the rope bridge scary. It was wobbly and shaky and high up. I'll post a picture :-)

**update here's a pic**




The giants causeway was quite beautiful. We got the perfect day weather wise for it. Both attractions involved a lot of waling up hill and steps to get to which i wasn't aware of. It was well worth the walking and it helped burn of the dessert i shouldn't have had in  the hotel!!


After all the complicated walking up hill and over rocks and down small steep narrow steps... I twisted my ankle when we got back to the flat part on the way to the car park. Typical! So now I'm a hop along which is always fun!!


Anywho back to reality and work tomorrow, will post pictures as soon as they come through on my email.


Toodles....

Ranty Rant Rant

OK.. I apologise in advance for whats coming..
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Just watched the news (bad idea i know) and apart from all the usual we are all screwed, we have no money, we were living beyond our means rubbish.. they are talking about jobs. And how there aren't any.. what an optimistic happy time we live in(!)

Anyway.. to my point.. The started talking about the CAO and how there is a rise of students selecting IT and computer science roles as there is a shortage of skilled workers in this area and lots of unfilled jobs...

I am so sick of hearing about all the unfilled jobs that's available in IT. There are many jobs going for IT.. but only to those who already have experience.. there are very, very VERY few going for graduates. I completed an Honours degree in Computer Applications (Software Engineering) and got a second class honours in it. Can I get a job..?? NOPE!

All jobs spec say 3-5 years experience. (I have 6 months experience that was gained during my college time.)  I found one job that didn't ask for experience and they emailed me back (which was a first for the dozens of applications i had made) asking what grade I attained in my degree. I got a 2.2 which isn't good enough.

I was just a few percent off a 2.1 but that doesn't matter now its just the grade that counts.

I really wish they would delve into this issue more and stop just saying that there's lots of jobs in IT. I was even willing to work for free to gain experience but that's not an option either. I also have a teaching certificate which enables me to teach IT but still I have to work outside the area I spent 5 years training for..

GRRR. Rant over!

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