Restrictions eased (slightly), job applications and studies

As of today, some restrictions are loosening up in Ireland:

• The 5 km travel restriction has been eased so that people can travel anywhere in their own county *or* up to 20 km from home to allow for some cross-county travel.

 People from two households can meet outdoors in public, but not in private gardens. Otherwise, people are still not to visit other households except for essential purposes. 

 Someone who is fully vaccinated can meet with another fully vaccinated person indoors; “fully vaccinated” still means waiting 1-2 weeks after the second shot, depending on the vaccine.

• Schools and childcare services have fully reopened.

• No change to retail for now, so only essential shops are open; bars, cafes and restaurants are still closed except for take-away food and delivery.

• Construction work has resumed on residential units, schools and childcare facilities.

New cases are the lowest they’ve been since mid-December, and 15% of the population has had at least one vaccine dose:



The weather is still gloomy out. While I haven’t left the apartment today, I’ve made productive use of my time. On the job search front, I respond to a form email from an HR person at Deloitte about a job I applied to a couple of weeks ago; they ask me to confirm some basic information such as my current/recent employment, salary expectations, availability for interviews, and relevant skills. I’m not sure how encouraging this is, or if it’s just a standard procedure to narrow down the “short list” of candidates (this seems to be a common expression used by recruiters here). I also submit an application for a part-time Finance Officer job at Amnesty International Ireland, which sounds like it would involve mostly bookkeeping and wouldn’t pay much, but I figure it can’t hurt to apply.

In my CMA study programme, I’ve started the next section of material and scheduled a “test drive” appointment later in the month at the Prometric testing centre here in Dublin that will allow me to do a dry run of the check-in process, computer setup, etc. The first exam is only a month away! I will really need to hunker down in the next few weeks. 

Still no sign of the UPS package with my prescription meds. I try calling their customer support line, but there is no further information available other than the package had an “import scan” last Wednesday. I decide to stretch my remaining antidepressant pills by taking them every-other-day. I’m already feeling a little cranky from the withdrawal, but nothing too bad. Hopefully the package starts moving again soon, fingers crossed.

Until next time….

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By Hugh