Today I’ve been focusing on getting a few more job applications out. Two are postings for finance manager positions in the not-for-profit / public sector, but they’ve been posted via recruiters without any identifying information as to their client organisations. Another Finance Manager job is at Self Help Africa, which really interests me given its international aspect. Their work seems to cover a broad swath of issues relating to agriculture, food security, rural development, and even climate change. It appears they have a USA affiliate in addition to offices in Kenya and Ethiopia, although they work in 8-9 different countries throughout Africa.
One challenge I have with almost all the job postings that interest me is that they require applicants to have an “accountancy certification.” I never felt a need to pursue a CPA certification in the U.S., and honestly, I’m not that interested in purely accountant roles. One option I’m looking into is the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential. There is an accrediting organisation based in the UK that administers tests online. It would be an investment of money for the test, and of course time to study for the test. I’m not entirely sure if there are any on-the-job requirements but perhaps my past experience would count? Also I took a number of financial management and accounting courses as electives when earning my Master of Nonprofit Administration degree at the University of San Francisco, so hopefully that would might also help.
I have only stepped outside briefly today to take out the trash / rubbish / recycling bags, since it’s Thursday. One of my next door neighborhoods, a young man in his 20s, is exiting his apartment as I’m hauling the bags down the outdoor patio hallway at Sprangers Yard. We trade hellos and alternate in holding open doors for each other, so it’s a friendly enough exchange, but nothing more. I haven’t seen or interacted with any of my neighbors in awhile now. Yesterday, a young woman was waiting in the entryway surrounded with several large bags packed with her belongings, obviously in the process of moving out. It seems like an odd mix of some old timers (like my other gardening neighbor Irene, and young folks.
As I’m listening to the RTÉ Radio, a daily bell chimes 18 times at the strike of 6:00pm (military time). The news topics cover the rise in COVID cases, the distribution of vaccines, and holiday travel advice. Ireland’s COVID reproduction rate has risen from <1.0 to 1.1-1.3, and tomorrow the travel ban lifts and social restrictions loosen up in anticipation of Christmas. There’s talk of a new 6-week lockdown after the holidays, with the possibility of some new restrictions being imposed before the end of 2020.
At this point, I’m planning on cooking a nice dinner on Christmas Eve with a friend, then on Christmas Day I’m thinking of taking a short day trip somewhere if the weather is nice. I still haven’t tried out the GoCar service yet, but I’d like to get some practise in soon so that I feel more comfortable driving on the opposite side of the road.
I’m feeling like making an easy dinner tonight. There are some leftover quesadilla ingredients that need to be used before going bad, and I try a new technique using the air fryer mode of my mini-oven. It produced a very good result — more even crispness than frying in a skillet, and less mess because there’s no need to flip it.
Until next time…
