Back to normal (?!)

So I am back at work now, nose to the grindstone. It really seems like I have never left. People ask me whether I have changed from the experience. I don't think I have, although some of my actions prove different. I am still not unpacked fully, and with no intention to be. I am hoping to give my collection of books to the Salvation Army along with a lot of furniture and clothes. One thing I learnt in Romania is that we need very little. As long as you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, boots on your feet (especially in the snow) and a full stomach, you are doing very well!

Simplifying life has not stopped at my front door, no sir. My children lament the car in the garage, however I pointedly choose to walk where I can now. If we want something sweet after tea, the girls have to put on their runners and be prepared to walk to the supermarket and not chauffeur driven. At work, I am more aware of time wasting activities and more keen to question the use of these activities and also the benefit to the team. Luckily I am fully supported by my manager and team on this mission and we are overcoming hurdles and possible obstacles in leaps and bounds.

What do I miss most of all about Romania? I miss the people. I get little updates on facebook and over Skype and I remember little things that make me smile. I really hope that I can still make the return in 2014 and visit the people I have grown so fond of. I miss the lack of bugs. I did not miss the insects when I was overseas, I really didn't know that we had so many before travelling! I miss the central location - being close to everything and with so much at my fingertips. Romania has such a torrid history but after visiting, you can understand why so many countries wanted to claim ownership.

What have I enjoyed on my return to Australia? Again, the people. I love, love my team. I guess that I have been blessed that wherever I go, I always have the most incredible groups of people to work with. I enjoy Australia - as a whole. Yes, we are isolated from the rest of the world in terms of distance but we are so unique in so many ways. Yesterday the day started off hot hot hot and end up in a huge summer storm. How many places have the four seasons in a day?

What do I remember to do every day? I cherish every moment. Even when life is hard, I remember that there are those out there that are struggling far more than I. I remember that I am blessed with health and the resources to look after mine and my children should I fall ill. I remember that I am lucky to have a job, with many people struggling to buy the basic necessities. I remember that I have a home, with people flooded in Bundaberg, that have literally lost all, again, in the space of a week. I remember that I am safe, that people in war torn areas of the world who have to worry about the well being of themselves and their families on a daily basis. I remember that I am blessed.

I will keep the blog going for the time being. Once I start travelling again (and yes, I plan to!) I will be able to add to the photos and adventures.

Dani  xxx

One week - Post PULSE assignment

I am still in a state of confusion, time-wise. I am told that it is two days till Christmas by my very excited children but am still unable to comprehend how it has rolled around so quickly! The final week in Romania was a complete whirlwind of good-byes, and best wishes from people I had met throughout my short stay.

Intranet was up and running at exit and I am so happy. The database was glitch free and was being used when I left, also a bonus. I volunteered at my final event, Mojo's Quiz Night and it was one of the most successful ever. There was even a few Aussie trivia questions thrown in as a thank you.

I have to say that I miss Romania already. How could I be so attached to a country and its people so quickly? I understand now how the founder of the Hospices of Hope became so devoted to the future healthcare of Romania and why, 20 years later, he still spends so much of his time and energy championing the cause. One of the biggest issues for me was comprehending how healthcare standards could varying so greatly between individuals depending on circumstance, race, economic background and relationship with the healthcare professional. There is still a lot of corruption in the system and bribery is still considered a standard practice to enable locals to receive adequate healthcare. This simply cannot be seen as acceptable. There needs to be a drive for change. The Hospices of Hope do not accept any payments for their services, and they provide so many. Medical, Psychological, Spiritual, Physical assistance are all a part of helping the palliative care patients and their families. I am proud to say that I will still provide assistance post assignment, on my own time, via electronic means to enable support.

On a personal front, I am feeling the flight overload at the moment. I really enjoyed all the travel, but I have to say, cattle class is not great fun on the long haul flights, the leg cramps, the food, and sleeping upright (which I am now quite proficient at) is not at all fun. I was thankful to the great Aussie hosts on the last flight though, I had chats with them at around 2am, ate all their food and generally annoyed them. I was given a fast past through customs too, so they mustn't have felt too hassled. Now back at home, house bound for the most part, arrived to a sick cat and a broken radiator in my car and a less than healthy bank balance. I am grateful though, two days back in and half the boxes unpacked, and everything seems to be moving back into a general groove of things.

So what's plans next? I am looking forward to Christmas with my family, my eldest daughter is excited about cooking for everyone. Starting back at GSK in early January, a smaller team, a new manager but an enthusiasm to get started and back into the swing of things. On the volunteering front, I hope that once my finances improve to take the girls to either Thailand or Japan this year, closer to home, and both countries needing support in terms of volunteering activities. Watch this Space!!

Merry Christmas Everyone. Blessings and Good Will to you all.

Dani xxx

Just a few thoughts, Christmas and finishing off the assignment...

The last week in Romania. Wow. I am trying hard to contain my excitement with going home although there is equal measures of sadness as I will say goodbye to my new friends and extended families. I have loved every moment of this experience.

Was in Brasov this week and experienced snow!! Real snow! It is soft and fluffy, not hard like hail we get (and I thought it would be). I did end up falling on my butt, runners are not adequate snow wear. I saw fireworks and the Brasov Town Christmas tree lit up, it was the most beautiful sight. Apart from the travel to and from Brasov- (constantly delayed trains), I am really, really going to miss that place. So beautiful and such kind, wonderful friends.

I went to the Bucharest Christmas Market last night and saw the lights and colours of the city. Wow, so incredible! I haven't bought anything to take home yet (I have severely depleted my room in my case) but hopefully I can find some small items for my friends and family before I return.

On the work front, managed to get a lot of work done on the intranet which I am grateful for. The database is working well for those using it, and I am completing my last pieces of paperwork before I leave Friday.

For possibly the first time, I am too overwhelmed to write. Everything I have experienced, shared, has ultimately changed me. I hope for the better. I have experienced such highs and lows, tears and sadness, laughter and happiness.

What have I learnt?

- I swear. A lot. Luckily my team see this as humorous and not offensive (thank goodness!)
- I am quite depreciating. Feedback I have received from my work here has been so warm, so kind and complementary, which I also get at home, but I never really appreciated.
- I need to devote more time to my family and friends. Life can be so fleeting, can be removed in a moment. We need to remember the blessing of every moment we have.
- That you can achieve a lot with very little.

What have I taught?

- Aussies don't sound like Steve Irwin. Sorry mates, but he was in a league of his own.
- That small businesses, companies, organisations need to utilise more computer based tools. If you want to successfully stride into this new era, you must move with the times. I believe that the team are not quite ready, but I am hopeful for their future.
- How to have open and clear dialogue, and how important this is. I think it is so important for people to know where they stand, are they on the right track? What needs to be changed to improve performance?

What would I have changed?

- I believed that I went in with few assumptions. I know now that I was wrong with this. My home team are open to improvements and suggestions for best practise. This can sometimes be misinterpreted as, 'I know better, therefore you should do things my way.' This is not the case nor my intention.
- Language barriers can be difficult with a project. Training a group with varying ability in the English language and having little ability with the local dialect can be a huge barrier. I would like to say that I picked up Romanian quickly and easily but that would be untrue. I would like to think that I would spend more time in prep before starting on learning more about the local language.
- Visa, I think the excessive delays with the processing of the visa was definitely detrimental to my time spent here. I think this needs to be analysed well prior to the assignment and the assignment postponed until this paperwork is complete.

I really cannot believe how fortunate I am to been given this opportunity. I will forever be grateful to gsk and Hospice Casa Sperantei for this time and experience. I look forward to continuing my relationship with the Hospice as a volunteer, helping via skype or remote desktop connection where I can. I will always have the Hospice in my heart as well as inked to my skin.

Pretuim fiecare clipa de viata - Cherish every moment of life.

Dani xxx

Twenty days to go...

Wow, I cannot believe I am reaching the completion of my assignment. I am genuinely saddened to think of leaving the Hospice Fundraising team whom I have grown to know and love. They are an extraordinary group of people with fiercely wicked senses of humour and an ability to pull of the most incredible events with literally no resources.

My reflections?

Although I found it easy to love Bucharest and found the assignment quite sociable from the start, I know that it was difficult for some people to warm to me. I have a strong personality, speak English quickly (with Aussie inflection and colloquialisms) and my assignment wasn't incredibly popular given that the software I was sent to assist with had been implemented years ago and hadn't worked efficiently throughout this time. My friends and family at home know that this would be a hurdle for me, but not insurmountable. Perhaps you are even nodding your heads now and thinking, "Poor bastards, they didn't know what they were in for when Dani came on board".

It has been a time of intense joy and sadness. I love the people, the social atmosphere, the unique location and places to visit and see. The only other country I know that offers mountain ranges, beaches and such varying weather is home. Romania adds to this though with its rich lustrous history. I even love the food now thanks to Mada in the office who makes such delicious Romanian cuisine without the risk of food poisoning.

I miss my children, I miss them more than anything, and have throughout. They have also had their ups and downs, Kaitie has been made School Captain for her year level, she also won Student of the Year at her new school. She has made such amazing friendships and has finally found her niche. It only happens to be two states away from where I work! Hannah on the other hand, has done very well at school given the social butterfly she naturally is and blitzes her assignments and exams with relative ease. She misses her friends in Victoria though and cannot wait to return. Torn.

I have had moments of sadness here, it is difficult to be in an environment where you don't know the primary language. Being ridiculous as I am, I thought that by six months, I would be fluent (embarrassing to admit). I do now pick up the general gist of a conversation, but cannot contribute or understand the little nuances. The team still try and teach me a word or two, but my memory doesn't seem to retain them.

Being an un-socialite has been exhausting too. I love being around people and activities but being naturally introverted means that I need my own space to digest and think things through. Sometimes this has been an impossibility given my commitments and the stress has shown. Last weekend at the Ball I had a small nervous breakdown given the exhaustion from the build up, the late nights and finally the event. I think it was good in a way though as the team saw that I am vulnerable, and cannot be happy or "on" all the time. (Thank you for your help Irina and Oana!) I remember my last manager explaining to me that she was very introverted, but watching her in a room, you would never guess. She explained that she puts that to the side, does what she needs to and regains her senses at a later time. I guess I take this message to heart and try and do this, most of the time!

On a good note, the team are starting to use the software, it has taken almost the full six months, but the database is now cleaned, it has been adapted to Romanian needs (to the extent of my ability as this goes unsupported by the software developers!). My team see the benefits of using a database for their events and how a co-ordinated PM tool will assist and not hinder their efforts. I need to thank Laura for encouraging the team also. I think it will assist as the group rapidly grow and become a more global than local effort.

Our intranet is now a pinch away from release. It is a little slower than anticipated given that the teams have been focused on their events at the most busy time of year and also given IT's location is two and a half hours away. A bit of a hike in terms of collaboration. Some things you just need to do in face to face meetings! Again, thanks goes to the Brasov website team, for their assistance and ongoing support with this initiative.

Twenty days and I will update you again. Thank you again, my Romanian friends (including ex-pats) and missing you my Aussie ones.

Dani xxx

In Memory of Laura

You may remember me writing about Laura some months ago.

Dear Laura passed away today leaving her two beautiful daughters.

Although I am glad that her battle with illness has ended however she had such a beautiful aura, zest for life and positivity. She will be missed.

Please pray for Ramona, her nurse and carer who took such gentle care of her these last few years and pray for her mother and children who have looked after her since she fell ill.

I will remember the rays of light that shone through her window on to her artwork in a beautifully bright and cheery room. Her multi-coloured finger and toe nails. Her smile.

GSK PULSE Assignment Versus GSK Brasov's Orange Day

Well, it wasn't a part of my initial assignment but it did seem like too good an opportunity to pass up. To help create an intranet site for Hospice Casa Sperantei based on SharePoint.

Given that I have had some exposure to SharePoint through using it and implementing Sites and Sub-Sites in GSK Australia, I thought that it was something I could start to play with and work towards implementing closer to the end of my time in Romania. I quickly realised that having full access to SharePoint and not just the GSK templates on offer to us at home meant I would need significant software designer experience and assistance. Enter GSK Brasov.

A little background. Early in my PULSE assignment I met with Marius, IT Director at GSK Brasov when we were both running in the Hospice Crosa (me 4km, he, the full course). I suggested a partnership at this stage and a plan started to form. Orange Day is one day a year given to GSK employees to dedicate to a charity, either individually or as a part of their team. I thought, I wonder whether we can partner the PULSE project and Orange Day in a collaborative IT project? When I proposed this concept to Marius, he agreed to help. After a few initial meetings with Marius and his  team and a brief introduction to the Hospices requirements, the day was set.

At 9.30am the A-team arrived. Victor, the Hospice IT Director and I completed a quick brief on what our expectations and needs were for the project. Basically we wanted a simple intranet site that was in keeping with the Hospice design and profile and inclusive of the teams collaborative needs. Reservation bookings, Event Calendars, Newsletter, Blog Spot, Announcements and Employee Look-Ups were a few of the major features.

A quick overview of the project

 

10am the team had a Inpatients Unit Site Tour, to get an idea of who their work would eventually be benefiting. As one of the staff members at the Hospice said, they usually receive volunteers to help with patients or events but very few people think of the IT infrastructure and its requirements. However if what was created today worked well, there would be nothing to stop Victor and the Hospice from taking the site global to the groups within the network in the UK, Moldova, Serbia, USA and Scotland.

Hospice Casa Sperantei - A Beacon of Hope in Romania

Mirabela, our Volunteers Coordinator explaining the role of the Hospice
and the valuable work they do.

 

Petruta explaining the work of the Medical team to the group

 

Preparing a ward for patients. Although palliative care is a
heart-wrenching industry to be working in, the team at
Hospice Casa Sperantei put the patients needs first, ensuring that
their last moments are filled with light and a peace-filled environment.

11am, The work started. The initial designs were taken back to scratch and the whole site rebuilt. The team were focused, energised and brought a whole new viewpoint and set of ideas to what we initially conceptualised. Proof that a well-structured team can work wonders.

1pm. The team were focused but needed a pick me up. Pizza?

From 1.30pm to around 6pm the team worked furiously. They completed the overall design of the intranet, the IT ticketing system and a strong basis for launch. All that is left for Victor and I to do is add the appropriate web-parts and content. They didn't leave until their tasks were complete and we were all satisfied with the result. What they offered us today was five IT experts, full time on a singular project. Realistically this task could not have been achieved by the Hospices dedicated team of two people given they would need to complete their every day activities as well as implement the site. This would entail payment from Hospices for training, time out of their regular jobs not to mention the need for additional resource. This project could literally run into thousands of dollars to achieve what GSK were able to implement in a day. To say that I am grateful is an understatement.

Mirabela and Victor - They are grateful too :)

Home time!! A job well done

Acknowledgements

Marius Istrate - Service Manager of the Web Technology Centre, GSK - Brasov
Victor Anania - IT Director of Hospice Casa Sperantei Romania
Victor Miron - SharePoint Expert and Overall Designer of Hospice Intranet Page
Sorin Allinca - SharePoint Expert
Codruta Alexandru - SharePoint Expert
Stefan Bustan - SharePoint Expert
Mirabela Vasile - Volunteer Co-ordinator, Hospice Casa Sperantei
Petruta Anania - Assistant Co-ordinator, Social Division

Four Months Down... Eight Weeks To Go

At the four month mark now. I have had significant hold-ups with my Visa which has caused some issue with returning to my assignment in Romania. Luckily the Hospices' head office is in Otford, UK, so I have spent the last three weeks working from here. A big issue that I have experienced is a disconnect from my project in Romania. I feel like I am still achieving my objectives and ensuring that I am keeping to the project however I find it increasingly difficult to be away from my team. A key learning for me with the PULSE project is to ensure that you delay or try and arrange your Visa needs prior to assignment, even if it means that you may start later than anticipated.

What have I achieved in the last three weeks?

• Working with the team in the UK we have managed to refine some of the database processes which is great for the team when I return home. Continued working on the process document to simplify the content.
• We have a date set for Orange Day 2012 with the Brasov team to assist with the implementation of the SharePoint based intranet for the Hospice.
• I have met with future potential donors, discussed what I do, how GSK support NGO's and most importantly my work with the Hospice and their patients.
• Attended the PULSE Awareness Week, met with my co-ordinator and other members of the PULSE team and future volunteers.
• I have volunteered at a fundraising event here, to gauge the differences between Romania and UK events.
• Worked with one of our Romanian Corporate Partners on putting together a web based template to generate sales for patients wanting to sell art work to help them become self-sustaining, financially, even if they are bedridden or house-bound.

In between all these activities I have also managed to make it out of the UK visiting rural France and Belgium. Wow. What an experience! I saw opulence and wealth of these areas, but Carole also introduced me to the poverty of some of the lesser known regions. She explained to me that Europe are still evolving which can be financially crippling to some of the communities as they struggle to maintain their culture, their heritage and history while the world grows and advances around them. Who is right? How can balance be maintained? Is tourism one of the solutions? I have to say that I am full of questions about what can be done to make lives better, easier. I know this is not my assignment but I can't help but wonder what more individuals can do.

The good news is - my visa has been approved so I am now waiting on the documentation so I can head back. Looking forward to being back in Romania even though I will miss the UK. Also looking forward to Christmas and being back with my children. How I miss their hugs!

Love lots

Dani xxxx