As a medical writer, I will be writing all sorts of things: newsletters, material for pharmaceutical companies, scientific reports and papers but mostly preparing (or at least editing) PowerPoint slide presentations for conferences and advisory boards. Last Thursday I flew to Madrid for my first work trip, a conference on a topic similar to what I used to work on in Sydney. It was good to be working in a familiar area again although I am loving the huge variety of therapy areas I now work with.
Overall my trip to Madrid went well and was a constant learning experience. It was interesting being behind the scenes. Over the years I have been to many conferences but never been on the organisation side of things. I love the quick thinking on your feet that is required when things don't go according to plan.
I was exhausted by the end but there were a few hours to wander around Madrid before heading to the airport. I had been missing out on some beautiful weather so I was glad I could soak up some sunshine. Final lesson: always pack some casual clothes and shoes. Walking five miles around the city in heals, after already having worked long hours in the stupid things, has wrecked my feet and I am in pain! The good side: Mr G actually told me to stay on the couch and watch TV today. He couldn't believe he uttered those words.
Showing posts with label Job. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Job. Show all posts
It's a sunny day...
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Have caught up on sleep after surviving my most hectic week at work yet. So many deadlines in too few days and too many jobs given to me with little notice ("sorry we forgot about this small thing but can you just squeeze it in and have it finished by tomorrow..." um no!). Funny how small things end up taking you all day and so you push aside the other million things you also need finished by tomorrow. But I figure I am still in the honeymoon phase of my new job and so still enjoy the challenge of an unpredictable, ever-changing environment. Ask me after a few more months...
Still on the topic of my job. I have successfully passed probation yay! I kinda figured I would as my work load has been steadily increasing and with the shortage of writers, they would be in trouble if they lost another one. The good news is I get a raise :)
I'm off to enjoy the slowly warming weather. The sun has been shining regularly but it has still been very cold out. Today is the first day we have opened all the windows for fresh air and not run to put more jumpers on.
Still on the topic of my job. I have successfully passed probation yay! I kinda figured I would as my work load has been steadily increasing and with the shortage of writers, they would be in trouble if they lost another one. The good news is I get a raise :)
I'm off to enjoy the slowly warming weather. The sun has been shining regularly but it has still been very cold out. Today is the first day we have opened all the windows for fresh air and not run to put more jumpers on.
King of Snow
Saturday, March 28, 2009
First for 2009.
Things have been pretty busy these last 6 months and I've been rather absent from the virtual world.
In the last few months of 2008 I was busy job hunting. After landing three interviews, followed quickly by three job offers, I had many choices and a hard decision to make. While holding the first job offer and contract in my hand, only requiring my signature, I managed to complete the writing test, interview and receive the job offer for the position I ended up accepting. Talk about moving fast! I think it was over a total of 3 days.
So now I am a Medical Writer in the editorial department for a Medical Communications Agency and I love it. Every day I am thankful for leaving the lab. It was strange for the first month being in a purely office environment after ten years in a laboratory but this didn't last long. I really like the crazy busy workplace I am now a part of. My PhD and medical research experience is very useful in this job this is a good feeling.
2009 has been good to us so far. G and I saw in the New Year at a Youth Hostel in Interlaken, Switzerland with DrN and many other happy people -what a party! Oh the big fat snow flakes that fell that night were amazing. Driving to Interlaken in the heavy snow fall however was rather scary.
This was not the most recent ski trip for G and I either. In February we met up with G's family in Japan for two weeks of skiing and other Japanese adventures. If I thought the snow was incredible in Switzerland, Japan was just a dream world. I was lost for words with the experiences we had at Rocky Inn, Appi Kogen. We were well looked after and spoilt by our host Tomoyoshi. We had the whole in Inn to ourselves and enjoyed meals prepared specially for us from food grown on Tomoyoshi's own farm (even the rice and coffee beans). Each evening, dinner was like a show. So entertaining. After our Appi experience we were worried the rest of the trip could not compare. However there was more beauty to see and I wasn't disappointed. The river cruise through the islands of Matsushima and climbing to the top temple at Yamadera, where the snow gave the mountain a majestic and mystical quality. Very spiritual and serene. Next was the Golden Temple at Hiraizumi, followed by a dip in the traditional Japanese Onsen (hot springs). At Nikko, we saw a traditional Japanese wedding in the temple complex (also home to the frieze containing the famous three wise monkeys). Our last few days together were spent exploring Tokyo and then I flew back to the UK on my own as Gareth stayed on for work, returning the following week.
Now we spend the weekends out riding our mountain bikes and generally looking forward to the days getting longer. Flowers are beginning to bloom and lambs are appearing in the fields. Summer is coming. We can't wait.
Things have been pretty busy these last 6 months and I've been rather absent from the virtual world.
In the last few months of 2008 I was busy job hunting. After landing three interviews, followed quickly by three job offers, I had many choices and a hard decision to make. While holding the first job offer and contract in my hand, only requiring my signature, I managed to complete the writing test, interview and receive the job offer for the position I ended up accepting. Talk about moving fast! I think it was over a total of 3 days.
So now I am a Medical Writer in the editorial department for a Medical Communications Agency and I love it. Every day I am thankful for leaving the lab. It was strange for the first month being in a purely office environment after ten years in a laboratory but this didn't last long. I really like the crazy busy workplace I am now a part of. My PhD and medical research experience is very useful in this job this is a good feeling.
2009 has been good to us so far. G and I saw in the New Year at a Youth Hostel in Interlaken, Switzerland with DrN and many other happy people -what a party! Oh the big fat snow flakes that fell that night were amazing. Driving to Interlaken in the heavy snow fall however was rather scary.
This was not the most recent ski trip for G and I either. In February we met up with G's family in Japan for two weeks of skiing and other Japanese adventures. If I thought the snow was incredible in Switzerland, Japan was just a dream world. I was lost for words with the experiences we had at Rocky Inn, Appi Kogen. We were well looked after and spoilt by our host Tomoyoshi. We had the whole in Inn to ourselves and enjoyed meals prepared specially for us from food grown on Tomoyoshi's own farm (even the rice and coffee beans). Each evening, dinner was like a show. So entertaining. After our Appi experience we were worried the rest of the trip could not compare. However there was more beauty to see and I wasn't disappointed. The river cruise through the islands of Matsushima and climbing to the top temple at Yamadera, where the snow gave the mountain a majestic and mystical quality. Very spiritual and serene. Next was the Golden Temple at Hiraizumi, followed by a dip in the traditional Japanese Onsen (hot springs). At Nikko, we saw a traditional Japanese wedding in the temple complex (also home to the frieze containing the famous three wise monkeys). Our last few days together were spent exploring Tokyo and then I flew back to the UK on my own as Gareth stayed on for work, returning the following week.
Now we spend the weekends out riding our mountain bikes and generally looking forward to the days getting longer. Flowers are beginning to bloom and lambs are appearing in the fields. Summer is coming. We can't wait.
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