Hello to all my friends at Daily Kos — I miss you, but I do like my job (most of the time!) Since I finished training to be operator at the veterinary hospital, I have been working — not every day, but until this weekend, I’ve only had 2 days off together about 2 weeks ago. I “celebrated” by getting a flu shot the Wednesday evening as I left work, and then spent Thursday and Friday at a motel: Mostly in bed, sleeping. You know, or being a slug.
My theory was that it would help the injection take a strong hold, and get me through the two week immunization period without getting as sick as some of the people I’ve been working with. And, whether because of the shot or because of the slug days or just because, it worked. I’ve had some sneezing bouts and occasional coughs, but I’ve really stayed healthy. Yay.
In 10 days I hit my 60th day since starting work. It’s REALLY confusing, because in one spot they say “hired 11/27 (or something like that), and in another, my start is 12/4 (when I filled out my paperwork and took the drug test), and in another, 12/11 (first paid date)”. I will get a review around that day, plus will sign up for or waive health insurance. I can get one of 3 different PPO’s, or an HMO. Plus an optical and dental option.
I think the review will go well. I have had people make suggestions for improvement, occasionally stuff I all ready knew and just messed up, but usually just something new that’s come along. I have a few fans… “Oh, Barb, you’re here tonight? YAY! You answer the phone so fast...” I try. But when people say that stuff when my (often slower) co-worker is around, I feel bad. But boy, does she answer the phones fast for about 45 minutes after they say stuff like that. Some of the younger receptionists nicknamed me the raptor for how I grab the ringing phone. I’m glad they didn’t see the time I dropped it and juggled it to me, that one time.
I do miss testing computers, though. I brought up the hospital website to look at the photos of the veterinarians (it helps, when I have to track down one of them), and it said across the top of the page: Open 8 am to 4 pm. Being Saturday, we were to be open until 6 pm. I got to turn in that buglet, but I really miss the thought process — and the pay.
I have turned in my resume for a couple of open Quality Analyst jobs. I would be very happy to not spend 2+ hours commuting to a job that pays several dollars less than the oft=requested $15 minimum wage.
That all said, it really feels good to work. More than one person has told me that I look happier, stronger than I did before getting the job. I can understand that. I spent 5 years as a security guard, 2 years as a clerk, 11 years as an auditor, 2 years as a dispatcher and 13 years as a System Tester. In addition, I spent 12 years as a Part Time Obedience Instructor and 6 years as a Part Time Nose Work Instructor. After defining myself at least in part by my jobs, it really sucked to be unemployed, and later homeless and unemployed. It’s way better to be an operator.
I do wish I had more time with the patients, though. I am allowed to say hi with pets in the waiting room, but I really don’t spend much time there… I tend to forget to take my breaks, except to go to the bathroom or grab a coffee, if I’m sleepy, so I don’t usually see a lot of pets. I hear them, but I don’t see them. I really miss Nietzsche, though. It’s becoming a strong ache, much of the time.
I guess that’s it for now. Thanks again, and hi to all my Daily Kos friends. I may stop in over the weekend, which I think I’ll spend at the Lisle library. :D