Smell the roses

I have been out of work for 2 weeks and I need to relax. I can't! On July 22 I stopped getting paid for working with the National Guard. On July 25 I had an interview for another job and got the job on July 28. That job came with a contingency that I had to have a background check, which I applied for on July 28. The contract they sent me said I should start work around August 11, but they will try sooner. The job that ended on July 22 should start again around August 23. I know these jobs will start, I don't even question if these two jobs will start, just which exact day. I know when they start I will be very busy and have no time for myself. I know when they start I will be on the road 5 or 6 days a week. Why can't I relax and enjoy my time off?

I still find myself looking for work. I still find myself stressing about just sitting around the house. I still jump at every phone call hoping it is word about a job. I need to go to the beach, hike in the mountains, or visit some museums. I want to, but I can't. I have never liked to be idle. I want to utilize my time effectively. Last week I went to San Francisco to volunteer my time to help ESL students. Sunday I will teach a class for a MeetUp group. I have just been certified to assist people with accent reduction. My mother lives in Monterey and would like me to just come there and spend time. Why don't I do that? My friend wants me to go on a road trip to Northern California. Why don't I do that?

I need to relax and smell the roses. I am not worried about money since I am on Unemployment and I know I will have a steady income in a couple of weeks. Maybe that is why people drink or get high so they can just relax. That has never been my style so I guess I will have to use my camera like others use drugs. I need to see what fantastic pictures I can get that is worth this idle time.

Waiting for TWO jobs to start

I have been unemployed for 8 days now. On the third day I had a job interview and on the fifth day I was told I got the job. When I interviewed for the job I should have asked when the job started. When they told me I got the job they said the start date was August 11, 2 weeks later. They gave me until August 1 to accept the offer and then wanted to give me time to do the paperwork and time for them to do a background check. I asked about this and they said they wanted me to start as soon as all the preliminary was done. Three days after inputting the information they needed I am waiting to hear from them again.

At the same time that drama is going on I'm waiting for the National Guard to finish the contract for me to go back to the full time job I have had for the past 6 years. That contract was supposed to be finished written tomorrow and then it will go out for bids for 15 days then they will decide who to give the contract to and hopefully that company will hire me so I can get back to the work I really enjoy and helping the people I really like working with. Even though I don't officially have a job with the National Guard right now many people I have been working with don't know that and still contact me.

I have been called for advice. I have been called to help with paperwork. And, I have been called to supply information I have collected recently. I eagerly helped them each time I was called. I have also been called by Berlitz to teach ESL in Palo Alto. I told Berlitz I didn't think I could because I was waiting for two other job offers to come through. Since then, though, I have thought about contacting them and finding out when I can start teaching. I am tired of waiting in anticipation for possible jobs. I may also contact a prior student of mine that wants me to teach for her school in San Jose. What to do!!?!

I got a job!!

Today I got an email titled, "Highmark Companies Curriculum Trainer Offer". It said,

Scott,

Based on Susan and Donna’s discussions with you, attached is your offer letter for the Curriculum Trainer position.  Please review, sign, and return electronically as quickly as possible. Please remember, this offer is contingent on Pearson issuing a work order for the position. It also requires your consent to a background check and that there are no issues with the background check.   

I signed the offer letter and sent it back within an hour. The offer letter said that I would start work around August 11 and that I would get paid 33% more than I had been told on the phone. When I sent the letter back I asked about he start date. I added that I would like to find ways I could prepare for the work while waiting. An hour after I sent the email I got information about applying for the background check. I immediately filled out the paperwork for that and then got an email from the company that said the Aug 11 start date was only so we could get all the paperwork and background check done . 

If everything is completed before that than I will start sooner. Today I also received the paperwork for Unemployment. I don't know how that will work with my new job. If I am employed by a company that pays me when I work, do I have a job? Do I tell the Unemployment people that I have a job and not get an unemployment check even though I don't start working yet? Do I have a job before I actually do something that I get paid for? I get paid when I visit schools, but I have a job when I sign the contract. I guess tomorrow I will go visit the Unemployment Office and ask these questions.

I haven't heard anything from the National Guard about my job. I have to do what is the best for me in the situation I know about. This new job compliments the work I do for the National Guard. I work from home a lot, so the new job won't affect that work since I will be driving around the state visiting schools which is part of my job for the National Guard job also. Let's see. I really thank the people that have been praying for me to get this job and I really believe it is one of the reasons I got it!

Fourth Day of Unemployment

Yesterday I did secret shopping in a movie theater and had a job interview. Today I started the last weekend of a certification class I am teaching in Berkeley this month. On the last weekend I teach people how to do phone interviews. I used my own advice yesterday when I had a phone interview for a job for me. The day before I had talked to a lady at the company I applied for a job with and she told me they would call me on Friday. I didn't know for sure what time so I woke up early, 6:30 and took a shower and dressed for an interview. I always say that you should dress nicely even for a phone interview, you need to feel like it is an interview.

I had made an obligation to do a secret shopping at a movie theater on Friday morning and when I got there around 9:00 I got a call from the lady I had spoken to the day before. She asked if I had sent in the application she had sent me the day before and I told her I had. She said she would check with her boss and get back to me about an interview. At 10:30 she emailed me and asked me when I would be available for an interview. I told her I would be available at 11:00 and she emailed me and said I would get a call at 11:30. My last movie I had to do something at was at 11:05 so I finished it and went outside to take the phone call.

I tell my students to stand when they do a phone interview so their voice sounds stronger. I found a quiet place I could stand and do the interview. I tell my students to do research on the company they are interviewing for so they can ask intelligent questions. The should have 3 questions prepared for the end of the interview when they are asked if they have any questions. I had the three questions written down. I also had information written down from research I had done the night before. So, I was prepared and waiting for the phone call.

I finally got a call at 11:45 and the interview went very good. The lady had 5 questions she asks everyone. One of the questions was how I approach something new that I had to do. I told her that I was often in that situation when I did substitute teaching. When I had to teach an AP History class I have the students help teach the class because I don't want them to think I am more knowledgeable about the subject than they are. I needed to talk about my substitute teaching experience since one of the negatives I have for this job is my K-12 teaching experience and I hadn't talked about substituting before.

When questions were asked I wanted to tell her certain things about me rather than only answer her questions. I tell my students that the longer the interview the better the chance of getting the job. I wanted the interviewer to "feel" my passion and not just hear my answers. I think I was very effective doing that. At the end she asked me if I had any questions and I had one left that I hadn't asked before hand. I asked how long in advance I would know my schedule. She said she wasn't sure, but expected I should know a week in advance. They needed me to start next week if I was hired.

Another question she asked me is what my teaching philosophy. I told her I really think you can't learn if you can't laugh. I think it is important for students to enjoy your class and will pay more attention to what you are teaching if you don't take things so seriously. I am hoping I hear from them soon. The last question she asked was one I wasn't prepared for. She asked me what question she should have asked. I told her that I wanted her to ask me how I felt about driving around California so much as then I told her I was excited about that part of this job because I have been doing it over the past 6 years and I enjoy it because I travel with my camera.

Second day of Unemployment

Two days ago was my last day of work for a national contract with the California Army National Guard. On that day I drove to Sacramento to give the keys to the supply room that is responsible for the car. While I was there I talked to my military boss about the prospects of coming back to the same position. She told me the contracting office needed another week to prepare the contract and then they need to put the contract out for bids for 15 days and then the contract will probably be given to the same company I have been working for and they say they will rehire me so I should be re-employed in 4 weeks.

I had two other questions when I talked to my military boss. My first question was what would happen next year, would my job be in jeopardy again. She said the contract should be a 5 year contract, but each year they would have to request money and it might be a problem, but probably not. If that sounds confusing to you it does to me also. In other words every year my job will be "iffy". My second question was if the pay would be the same. I make less than anyone else I know in this area. My pay is good compared to people in Alabama and Arizona, but not compared to this area.

She said she didn't know and that would be determined by the contracting office. I was hoping that my pay would be adjusted according to where I lived, but talking to my civilian boss he said he had never heard of that kind of contract before. After he said that I realized I may have a reduction in pay rather than an increase. I was hoping this change to a state contract rather than a national contract would make my pay more relevant to where I live, but I'm not sure it will help.

 

 

My first day of unemployment I first filed for unemployment and got a call from them and began the process. I then had a tutoring gig to try to get some money coming in. I have been advertising to do tutoring over the past week and have 2 students already. In the evening I continued looking on employment websites for a new job. I would rather get paid a wage that is good for this area rather than a wage that is good for Alabama. I at least need employment for the month I am waiting for my re-employment. On www.monster.com I found a job that looked like it was made with me in mind.

Pearson publishing company is looking for people in California to travel to different schools around California to teach teachers how to use their products. This job is only to be done from July - September. The job is 100% travel, like my present job. If they have me visit schools in Northern California then I will visit many schools I have been to over the past 6 years. They are looking for someone that has been teaching in K-12 classrooms for over 5 years, but I only had 2 years experience. I think I meet every other criteria so hopefully they can overlook that.

They are supposed to be calling me for an interview tomorrow, if they can waive the 5 year teaching in K - 12 requirement. I think my passion will show over the phone when they talk to me. It is a little ironic that on Saturday I will teach my class how to succeed in phone interviews. Let's see if I can take my own advice. Tonight I will study about the company and I will have 3 questions to ask when they call. I will also get up before they call and get dressed. When they talk to me on the phone I will stand up since my voice will be stronger and sound better than way! Pray for me :).

My first 5K of the year!

Two years ago I started running 5K races. That year I ran two races a year. I had no health problems and no problems with my joints that year. I guess I should have been happy, but I was working 3 weekends a month and then ran the other weekends. If there was only one weekend I didn't work I sometimes ran on Saturday and Sunday on consecutive days. Sometimes I ran on weekdays after work and once it was a night run that I ran with a flashlight.

A selfie at the finish line

I ran a lot that year and that required me to practice every day, I ran 7 days a week. The next year I ran a 10K a month. I didn't like it and I had a hard time doing that. I regretted every time I had to race and many times I had to force myself out of bed to run the 6.2 miles. I started to regret the promise to myself. In January I took a cruise and on the cruise I walked a 5K. That was fun and I realize why was regretting running any more. 5K is a comfortable distance for me and 10K was drudgery. I have decided to do a 5K a month this year starting this month.

The finish line!

I think we all need routines. When I have a routine I try to keep it. I know what I can expect to do each day, week, or month. Why do companies have weekly meetings or clubs have monthly meetings? Then you know what to expect in the future. You set a goal for things.

At the SF Zoo

I have a friend once tell me that a person should do what they will do. It is important for us all to have goals. My daughter just finished high school. She will find out what we all find out when we finish high school, we all need a reason to need to get up early in the morning!

Prayers bring rewards

tried my hand at photography this year

A few months ago I thought I would be out of a job on July 22. A friend told me I needed to do two things. She told me to be very proactive about looking for a job and go to church. She said she would pray for me. Since then I have gone to church every Sunday I could and many other people said they would pray for me. I have prayed every day for God to help me and let me know what he wants me to do. I have had a few emails and phone calls about jobs from my resume on Monster and that has given me some hope. I thought there was no chance of me keeping my job and started wrapping up this job. In May I took one of my bosses with me on a busy day. We went to one school in Sacramento, where she works, and then went to Napa which was about an hour and a half drive. During out time together I was able to describe to her the intricacies of my job and help me realize how much I did for the National Guard.

Church in Chester

She also saw what an asset I am to the educational community in California. During out time together, and ever since she made the comment that she doesn't know how can not stay in my position. After working with me she went to Southern California and worked with the man that does my job down there. She was determined to find a way to keep us in California.

Big Sur coast

The contracting company I work for sent her an email telling her how to request money from the federal government to keep the people in California that do my job. She requested the money and I was skeptical about my job and didn't want to believe that this will change the chances of my job. Yesterday I received a call from my coworker in Southern California, who is the coordinator in California, that the money had been sent to California and it looked like they were going to keep us. My first question is whether we will keep the same pay. Last time we worked for California rather than a national contract we had a 20% raise.

Woodcarvings in Salinas

In the past when I have changed from federal to state I have been out of a job for a month. The company has tried to make this transition quick and smooth, but there are a couple of things that have to happen for the change.

tree house

I want to say thanks to the people that prayed for me because I truly think that was a big reason my job was saved. Now I have time to look for another job if I decide to change jobs. I am getting tired of this stress of losing my job every year.

I want a son just like you!

I have a friend that is a single mom of an 8 year old boy. The father is not in the boys life at all. The mother calls me her "mentor" since I help her with so many things and she is from China. Lately I have helped her start a small business. Her mother lives with her to help with the son and because the mother has a new business she has no time at all to spend with her son. Last week the mother approached me to see if I will babysit her son during the summer. She knows that I don't travel so much and often work from my home in the summer because of my job. I told her it was strange of her to ask and I asked her what she was thinking. She told me she likes my style and thinks I have a huge heart and she wants those traits for her son. She said she wanted her son to emulate me and if he was always around me he would pick up my good habits.

I was very humbled by what she said. I guess that is a great way of thinking to find someone you want to model to your kids and then find some way for them to always be around. I spend a lot of time with this boy because I like his mom so much, but I had to decline her request since I don't know what my schedule is each day. Even though schools are out for the summer I will be visiting recruiters to help train them.

I will spend time as I can with this boy since he is a nice guy and I enjoy doing things with a boy that I couldn't do with my daughters. He and I have already gone out and thrown a ball around and played catch. We have also played croquet and gone to the movies. Tomorrow I will take him to Great America and see how much I can scare him on the rides (chances are I will be more scared than him).

The Haj

I haven't written in a long time and have so much to write about. This is one thing I really wanted to write about lately so I do.

I know the Haj is when every Moslem must visit Mecca once in their life, but I didn’t know after they visited Mecca they were called Haj. Does that mean everyone that lives in Mecca is called Haj from birth? I just finished listening to a book called The Haj by Leon Uris. It is about the plight of the Palestinians. I have never understood the conflict in the Middle East and never understood what some people don’t like about Jews. I remember in junior high school questioning whether Jewish was a religion or a race. The question was whether Christians believe if Jews can go to heaven. If they are Jewish religion that means they don’t believe Jesus is the Son of God and then they can’t. If they are Jewish race then they can be Jewish Christians and they can. I don’t know why I remember that discussion over the thousands of others I must have had while I was growing up.

My youngest daughter graduated from high school this month.

Was Palestine ever a country? Was there a ruler of Palestine? Did they have a governing body and laws?  I don’t know if I will ever understand that. It seems to me that Palestinians are a “people” like the Kurds or Hmong. I think in the Middle East are also the Armenians which also fight for a homeland. Listening to this book (I listen to audio books. This book took 20 hours where most books take 8 hours) was interesting and I would love to have someone to talk to about it. I had a man in my class a couple of months ago who was an Imam. I was amazed at how he had memorized the Koran. I would really like to talk to him about the things this book talked about and see if he agreed. I always wonder if the Koran really talks about so much hate and disrespect of people that are not Moslems or if it is just the way some people interpret it like people that use the Bible to justify their terrible behavior. I really don’t like the way some people use their religion to defend whatever they want to do.

Sarah went to Prom with Erik.

This book starts off with a small town in Palestine and the head of the town, his name is Ibraham, goes to Mecca and when he comes back everyone calls him Haj Ibraham. A Jewish kibbutz is established next to the town and the next day they Palestinians decide to attack it. They show how inept they are and are chased away without anyone being killed. And from then on they brag about how brave they were and how they allowed the Jews to stay there. That brings my next question, is it that important for Moslems to falsely brag about things even though everyone knows it isn’t true? In the book people were telling the other people that were with them how brave they were when the people they were telling the stories to were with them. What is that all about!!

Anne and I agree that she is like my 4th daughter.

The book continues through the years at how Haj Ibraham becomes secret best friends with the head of the kibbutz, Isaiah. This had to be kept a secret because the Koran says they have to kill every Jew (is that true?) During the Second World War they Moslems sided with the Germans because they wanted Britain out of the Middle East. These two stayed best friend through the years and Isaiah saved Haj Ibraham and his family often. The books goes on about after the concentration camps are discovered and how this makes the Moslems feel close to the Christian Nazis because they were doing Allah’s work. The Jews go to Palestine and eventually the United Nations declares they are a country. When the British pull out of the Middle East the Arab countries attack and lose. The book says they Arab countries tell the Palestinians to leave their towns and cities so the armies can maneuver easier and there won’t be so many casualties. This made me understand how there could be all these refugee camps around the Middle East with Palestinians in them. Why did they leave their towns and cities? I was always told that the Jews kicked them out and this book puts a different perspective on it. The book says that the Jews invited the Palestinians back to their homes but the other Arab countries didn’t want them to go because it would legitimize Israel and there would be peace. 

Half Moon Bay with MeetUp.

I never understood why they stay in refugee camps and don’t resettle in other Arab countries and this book explains that if they did this then the Palestinians might be content and not keep pressure on Israel. If the Palestinians have no homeland they will continue to fight Israel and there will never be peace. It is an ongoing war that will never have any peace.  I had a student from Israel in my class once. She was a famous singer in her country and comes from an affluent family. She said she would give it all up for peace in her life. She hated living in a country that had constant fear and I think it is that way in the whole area.

Hiking in Cupertino.

Why does a whole religion want to turn its back on progress? Why do they not want their children to have a good education? Why do they want their women to be ignorant and uneducated? At the end of the book Haj Ibraham finds out his daughter is no longer a virgin so he kills her. The favorite son finds the father and he tells the father that the daughter was no longer a virgin because she was attacked by the father’s enemies and raped. Haj Ibraham realizes how stupid he had been and he ends up dying of a heart attack.

I don’t usually write book reviews and I’m sorry if I spoiled the ending of this book. It was written over 10 years ago and I figure if you hadn’t read it yet you never will. This book really got me thinking about many things and I have so many questions from what was written. I guess that is why I like reading so much (or listening to audio books) and am glad I continue learning about things as I get older.

The Purple Carpet in Pacific Grove.

Choices

This morning I went on a hike with my MeetUp group. I gave a friend a ride and on our way we passed her car and she saw that her car had been hit the night before. Luckily there was a note on her windshield with the man's name and insurance information. I convinced her to go to on the hike even though she felt miserable and we had fun. On the way home we passed a car that had smoke pouring out of the engine and I stopped on the side of the road to help push him to around the corner out of the flow of traffic. After I did that she made the comment that I always did nice things.

I told her that sometimes I don't feel like I have a choice. I have to do what feels like I am supposed to do. I told her that isn't always the best thing for me since sometimes I get hurt by my own choices. I helped her take care of her car on the way home and she and I discussed more about how my choices put others in a better position than me. Sometimes the fight for my job right now makes me worried that one of the other two people who does my job in California may get the job and I don't. Sometimes doing things for others is a strength and sometimes it is a weakness.

Last week I was helping another friend and realized that my help was preventing that friend from finding a way to do it themselves. I don't do things that hurt me and help the other person, but I also am compelled to help others or I regret it later. If I hadn't helped the man push him truck I would have thought about it for a week. Sometimes I feel my choices are not my choices. I feel compelled to do things and I have no choice about it. I want to make it a choice that I do because I want rather than a compulsion that I feel I must follow.