Queensland Election 2009

Today was the day of the election for Queensland and I've just read that the ALP has once again been returned to power with Anna Bligh becoming the first woman premier in Queensland's history.

I cast my vote this morning and voted first for the Greens candidate, with my preferences firstly going to the LNP and the the ALP.  I put my preferences like that as Jarrod Bleijie was at the Sippy Downs polling station.  He introduced himself, smiled and shook my hand as I entered.  That's the first time I've seen a politician at any polling station so for that, he got my vote.  

Even though I put the ALP last I'm glad that they got back in, but also that there was more than a 3% swing against them.  This means that there is more of an opposition and although Labour is still in it's not totally one sided like it has been in the past.

First Test of the Year

I've just come back from my first test of the year.  This week is only the 4th week in but the only study I did for it was about half an hour before bed last night.  This one was on microbiology and included things like how they multiply, different types, energy sources and reproduction techniques.  Once again speaking to some of the other people who took the exam makes me think I could have done better although I'll just have to wait and see when the results come out.

Coke

The price of coke went up in the uni vending machines today.  Before it was $2.40 for a 600mL and now there has been a massive jump up to $2.80.  It may sound small but for a student it is a massive rise.  Looks like it's being priced out of my market.

Library Shelver Interview

I've just come back from an interview to become a shelver at the USC library. I applied for it last week and didn’t really expect to hear anything back from them. After all, you look at the pay scales and see that people under 21 will get paid $10 an hour while those over 21 get pad $20. There are thousands of kids under 21 at the uni so I’m sure that a lot of them applied for the position. That was why I was surprised to get the call. It’s only 4 – 8 hours a week but it would be great if I got it. There is only one position and 200 people applied. Out of that I believe that they interviewed around 15. I went for the interview where they told me what they expected and asked me a couple of questions about how I would conduct myself if I was working there. Then there was a shelving test where I had to put a load of books in order and remove those that were for the reserved section. That’s where I always get worried. They were timing it so I had to be quick but I also had to stick them in the correct order. I think I did it okay although I only checked once. I know it’s easier to say but it was an interview and I felt nervous as I had to do it in a really fast time. Fingers crossed though! Now I just have to wait and see.

NB - I’ve just found out I didn’t get the position. I was told that I interviewed very well but made two mistakes with the shelving and only scored 28 out of 30. There was someone else who put everything in its place correctly so they were offered the position. Never mind… looks like it did come down to me.

Starting Class

My classes have now all started. I’m doing four all up, Environmental Planning and Law, Justice and the Australian Legal System, Health Promotion Needs Assessment and Planning, and Microbiology. They are all pretty heavy going and it seems like there will be a lot more work with these subjects than there was with some of the ones I did last semester. So far the planning subject is the most confusing one. I’ve been to two lectures and a tutorial and so far haven’t understood a word. It seems the subject, from what I gather by speaking to others taking the class, is about the merits of the planning system and how it tries to allow for both environmentally sustainable development and development that is environmentally sustainable. Believe me these are two totally different things despite sounding almost identical. If you read the definitions of the planning act they actually have these listed as two separate ideas or concepts. As I say, it’s quite confusing.