'Cause I've been running a long time on this traveling ground...
It's a longer story than I want it to be and many of you have already suffered, graciously, along with me and the saga that has been my job. Fortunately for us all, this chapter is ending in my life as of 4:30 pm Wednesday, January 30th and no, I am not counting down the minutes...just the days....4 of which I have left.
I am thankful to have had this job. It came at a time when I really (read: desperately) needed one and it has fitted in nicely with hectic school and teaching schedules. Yes, I am thankful to have had this job and now absurdly thankful to refer to it in the past tense.
You may be wondering where I am heading off to work until I return to school full-time in the fall, assuming I have a solid head on my shoulders and able to make rational decisions about my future in the way of necessary and viable employment. Well, you know what They say about assuming? They say I'm an idiot and as of yet, am lacking in the New Job department.
Yes, I quit one job without the secure reality of actually possessing another. Oh well...I suppose I've done more foolish things like filling a dishwasher with liquid dish detergent. The truth is I know I will find a job. Lately my motto has been, "They just need to meet me!" I have always enjoyed interviewing and do not fear them in the least. I figure it's just more people to meet. I've been on a few interviews already since giving my obligatory two-week notice last week and never once experienced sweaty palms or any awkwardly silent moments.
The only time I felt a tinge of panic and a swell of perspiration was when my skills were being assessed. I was applying for a pharmacy tech position and had to take a 120 minute exam to see how well I could type, enter data correctly, pay attention to instructions and *gasp* multiply - like with double numbers on top of other double numbers...you know the kind! It was as if the tiny mathematicians sitting in the dusty corner of my brain stopped dead in their tracks, put their fingers in their ears, stood with their eyes closed and screamed at the top of their lungs, PLEEEEAAAAASE DON'T MAKE ME, I DON'T WANNA DO MATH TODAY! Seriously, it was that bad. My brain had a temper tantrum and I struggled with 7x9 and 8x9 and 8x7.
Fortunately for me it was multiple choice and I learned a long time ago how to choose correctly even if I wasn't completely sure of the exact answer. Bingo...job offer. The only problem was they wanted me full-time and I am still teaching and can't work 5 days a week Monday through Friday. It's okay...the next thing is right around the corner.
My first interview was promising. It was at a hospice, only three days a week and paid great. I knew I would be offered this job, no problem. The interview was completely bizarre and reminded me of how there is a lot of crazy in hospice. It's just the nature of the work. Hospice workers are usually incredibly friendly but struggle with boundaries and my interview was a prime example of both. The lady who interviewed me was also an Okie transplant (instant connection) and used the 55 minutes to tell me about her divorce, her five dogs, one of which had recently died and a multitude of other inappropriately personal items failing to help her find out whether or not I was a good candidate for their position, but adequately informing me of the decision I would need to make. I landed a second interview, but politely declined. I just don't think I could've handled that much crazy on top of my own, even if it was for only 24 hours a week. Oh, and she answered the phone every single time it rang...despite the fact that there was a receptionist present at the front desk who had hands, working ears and a phone sitting, within reach of her working hands, on her desk. Weird.
Tomorrow I have yet another interview with yet another hospice. My gut is already telling me this will be a bit different. It's a different hospice with different values (and yes there are differences in hospices). I was at first very reluctant to revisit the idea of working in hospice again but ultimately I can't deny that I have a knack for this kind of work. I suppose I owe it to myself and those I might encounter to explore this possibility. I will be sure to fill in the details when I get them.
And finally, Friday marks the third week Mrs. Nelson and I have been getting up to walk at 5:30 am four days a week. It's required tenacity, an early to bed mentality and several layers of clothing, but we have been successful. With the wind chill being below zero it's also required a level of crazy I wasn't sure I even possessed, but here we are. Maybe hospice is the perfect fit for me after all. Mrs. Nelson teaches first grade so I know all too well where her crazy comes from!
I am thankful to have had this job. It came at a time when I really (read: desperately) needed one and it has fitted in nicely with hectic school and teaching schedules. Yes, I am thankful to have had this job and now absurdly thankful to refer to it in the past tense.
You may be wondering where I am heading off to work until I return to school full-time in the fall, assuming I have a solid head on my shoulders and able to make rational decisions about my future in the way of necessary and viable employment. Well, you know what They say about assuming? They say I'm an idiot and as of yet, am lacking in the New Job department.
Yes, I quit one job without the secure reality of actually possessing another. Oh well...I suppose I've done more foolish things like filling a dishwasher with liquid dish detergent. The truth is I know I will find a job. Lately my motto has been, "They just need to meet me!" I have always enjoyed interviewing and do not fear them in the least. I figure it's just more people to meet. I've been on a few interviews already since giving my obligatory two-week notice last week and never once experienced sweaty palms or any awkwardly silent moments.
The only time I felt a tinge of panic and a swell of perspiration was when my skills were being assessed. I was applying for a pharmacy tech position and had to take a 120 minute exam to see how well I could type, enter data correctly, pay attention to instructions and *gasp* multiply - like with double numbers on top of other double numbers...you know the kind! It was as if the tiny mathematicians sitting in the dusty corner of my brain stopped dead in their tracks, put their fingers in their ears, stood with their eyes closed and screamed at the top of their lungs, PLEEEEAAAAASE DON'T MAKE ME, I DON'T WANNA DO MATH TODAY! Seriously, it was that bad. My brain had a temper tantrum and I struggled with 7x9 and 8x9 and 8x7.
Fortunately for me it was multiple choice and I learned a long time ago how to choose correctly even if I wasn't completely sure of the exact answer. Bingo...job offer. The only problem was they wanted me full-time and I am still teaching and can't work 5 days a week Monday through Friday. It's okay...the next thing is right around the corner.
My first interview was promising. It was at a hospice, only three days a week and paid great. I knew I would be offered this job, no problem. The interview was completely bizarre and reminded me of how there is a lot of crazy in hospice. It's just the nature of the work. Hospice workers are usually incredibly friendly but struggle with boundaries and my interview was a prime example of both. The lady who interviewed me was also an Okie transplant (instant connection) and used the 55 minutes to tell me about her divorce, her five dogs, one of which had recently died and a multitude of other inappropriately personal items failing to help her find out whether or not I was a good candidate for their position, but adequately informing me of the decision I would need to make. I landed a second interview, but politely declined. I just don't think I could've handled that much crazy on top of my own, even if it was for only 24 hours a week. Oh, and she answered the phone every single time it rang...despite the fact that there was a receptionist present at the front desk who had hands, working ears and a phone sitting, within reach of her working hands, on her desk. Weird.
Tomorrow I have yet another interview with yet another hospice. My gut is already telling me this will be a bit different. It's a different hospice with different values (and yes there are differences in hospices). I was at first very reluctant to revisit the idea of working in hospice again but ultimately I can't deny that I have a knack for this kind of work. I suppose I owe it to myself and those I might encounter to explore this possibility. I will be sure to fill in the details when I get them.
And finally, Friday marks the third week Mrs. Nelson and I have been getting up to walk at 5:30 am four days a week. It's required tenacity, an early to bed mentality and several layers of clothing, but we have been successful. With the wind chill being below zero it's also required a level of crazy I wasn't sure I even possessed, but here we are. Maybe hospice is the perfect fit for me after all. Mrs. Nelson teaches first grade so I know all too well where her crazy comes from!
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