Time to see another side of me....
Hi,
Quite some time ago, I started to write this blog, which I really enjoyed as I could rant and rave about stuff, but it wasn't related to work. Then as happens in many a busy life, I just didn't have time to write, but writing is one of the things I really enjoy so I'm going to have another blast. I hope you enjoy it. As always, comments are so welcome.
The difference between this and the Rosscarbery Recipes blog is that the latter relates more to work and what's happening on the farm and in our business and of course related issues including recipes.
Where to start was never going to be a problem as I have quite a number of interests including education; health; tourism; and I could go on, but let's explore some of the things about which I have a strong viewpoint over the next few posts.
I was and am the eldest of a family of girls from an agricultural background. Back in the day, it was assumed that girls would follow a pretty traditional route: teaching - primary or secondary; nursing and, of course, the Civil Service and banking or a secretarial course. Generally 'girls' would embark on one of these career choices until meeting the 'right fella' and following marriage, the rest of their lives would be spent in a career of primary caregiver to husband, children and quite possibly his parents & unmarried siblings.
Leaving school, I didn't get the college course I wanted or could afford, so I headed for the secretarial course. My first step towards independence, I remember getting on the Bandon-Cork bus with my list of secretarial colleges in my fist. Walking into each, I was faced with a stunned receptionist who looked over my back to check if there was a parent with me (I was 19 years of age!). We went through course options which were invariably a year long and covered typing and shorthand, but also Maths, English and French. I didn't have time or money to spend sitting in a classroom so found Sight & Sound - long since defunct. Here I learnt in 13 weeks the basics of typing including dictaphone; shorthand; deportment; and interview skills.
I remember having Sunday dinner with my then boyfriend's family, where they were all approving of the secretarial course and all was well until I mentioned my new flatmates., My boyfriend's Dad asked me why on earth I was going to that expense when we'd be getting married shortly. You cannot imagine how stunned I was to find my future mapped out without even being asked or invited to join the family. It was the stumbling block that couldn't be overcome as I realised that marrying into this family would mean that in future everything would be approved by this man. I'd been reared to think of others before myself, but that my opinion also counted. It was seen as very important, for example, to exercise your vote in any and every election because it had been hard won in Ireland but as importantly if women didn't vote, then they truly were second class citizens. My views on this are as strong as ever.
I continued to be on friendly terms with that man and his family for many years following our breakup; I held his parents in very high respect & have some fantastic memories. Do I regret my decision almost 40 years ago - hell no!
I'm glad that my sons didn't do the expected and go to college following their Leaving Certificates. I hope they will at some stage, but my husband regularly quotes Harry Ferguson:- 'college dulls diamonds and polishes pebbles'. If and when they do go, they will know why they're there and the purpose of their course in relation to their future careers. I hope that most of the current students will be equally rigorous in deciding their career paths; and will be supported by their parents.
Until next time
Avril
Quite some time ago, I started to write this blog, which I really enjoyed as I could rant and rave about stuff, but it wasn't related to work. Then as happens in many a busy life, I just didn't have time to write, but writing is one of the things I really enjoy so I'm going to have another blast. I hope you enjoy it. As always, comments are so welcome.
The difference between this and the Rosscarbery Recipes blog is that the latter relates more to work and what's happening on the farm and in our business and of course related issues including recipes.
Where to start was never going to be a problem as I have quite a number of interests including education; health; tourism; and I could go on, but let's explore some of the things about which I have a strong viewpoint over the next few posts.
I was and am the eldest of a family of girls from an agricultural background. Back in the day, it was assumed that girls would follow a pretty traditional route: teaching - primary or secondary; nursing and, of course, the Civil Service and banking or a secretarial course. Generally 'girls' would embark on one of these career choices until meeting the 'right fella' and following marriage, the rest of their lives would be spent in a career of primary caregiver to husband, children and quite possibly his parents & unmarried siblings.
Leaving school, I didn't get the college course I wanted or could afford, so I headed for the secretarial course. My first step towards independence, I remember getting on the Bandon-Cork bus with my list of secretarial colleges in my fist. Walking into each, I was faced with a stunned receptionist who looked over my back to check if there was a parent with me (I was 19 years of age!). We went through course options which were invariably a year long and covered typing and shorthand, but also Maths, English and French. I didn't have time or money to spend sitting in a classroom so found Sight & Sound - long since defunct. Here I learnt in 13 weeks the basics of typing including dictaphone; shorthand; deportment; and interview skills.
I remember having Sunday dinner with my then boyfriend's family, where they were all approving of the secretarial course and all was well until I mentioned my new flatmates., My boyfriend's Dad asked me why on earth I was going to that expense when we'd be getting married shortly. You cannot imagine how stunned I was to find my future mapped out without even being asked or invited to join the family. It was the stumbling block that couldn't be overcome as I realised that marrying into this family would mean that in future everything would be approved by this man. I'd been reared to think of others before myself, but that my opinion also counted. It was seen as very important, for example, to exercise your vote in any and every election because it had been hard won in Ireland but as importantly if women didn't vote, then they truly were second class citizens. My views on this are as strong as ever.
I continued to be on friendly terms with that man and his family for many years following our breakup; I held his parents in very high respect & have some fantastic memories. Do I regret my decision almost 40 years ago - hell no!
I'm glad that my sons didn't do the expected and go to college following their Leaving Certificates. I hope they will at some stage, but my husband regularly quotes Harry Ferguson:- 'college dulls diamonds and polishes pebbles'. If and when they do go, they will know why they're there and the purpose of their course in relation to their future careers. I hope that most of the current students will be equally rigorous in deciding their career paths; and will be supported by their parents.
Until next time
Avril
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