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four against oneOctober 24 The 1 day 3 dayLast weekend was Philadelphia's 3 day Breast Cancer Walk. Because of back to back Nor'easters in the forecast, it was limited to a one day walk. Still, the weekend was incredible.
Thursday night was our kick-off party. We had it at a smallish tavern in a central location. The idea was to have a get togther so people could come out and see Karyl. She had come in from California on Wednesday and is the reason the team was formed in the first place. Karyl is my best buddy Robin's sister. She was dagnosed with breast cancer late last May. She has had surgery and had re-construction of that breast. Karyl has bragged that she never has to wear a bra again. Apparently when they do re-construction on one side, they have to lift the other so they match. Good way to see a positive in something so scarey. Karyl is 44 and has a 5 year old son who is the light of her and her husband's life.
Back to the party. Orginially, Robin had offered to do the get-together at her house. The girls on the team thought better of it - you know how there are always a few who stay late... the girls would have had to be at the start of the walk at about 6:30 Friday morning. At least if we were out somewhere and people wanted to linger, the girls could leave when they wanted/needed to. One of the girl's husbands and a guy who has helped the team from day one paid our tab for the night. It could not have been cheap - we were all at least having an appetizer/dinner and drinks. Everyone just enjoyed seeing Karyl and being together. There was a Phillies game on too. That was fun - being at the Tavern made is so we could chat and have fun... and every time a play got good the other folks there would start getting loud - so you knew to look at the game and see a good play. One of Karyl's brother and his wife came out. All in all, I think it was good for Karyl to see how many people are in her corner and honestly I think it was just as good for all of us to see her. She is an amazing woman - very positive and taking this in stride. At about 7 or 8:00 all of the girls got an email saying that the Friday part of the walk was cancelled. They all had off that day so decided to meet for a late breakfast/early lunch. I had to work - ugh.
When I got up Friday morning and got ready for work, the news announced that the 3 day was now a 1 day - only Sunday. Wow. It makes sense - the weather was terrible - when I went outside to go home Thursday night it was bitter cold and super rainy. It would not be a good idea to have 3000 walkers out for 20 miles a day and camping for 2 nights, especially those walkers in the middle of treatment. The team went out for an extended lunch. Sorry I missed it.
Friday night, the girls decided to have a "camp in". The party started at about 6:00 Firday night. I got there really late. There was a good amount of alcohol flowing and everyone just had a good time. Took me one drink to "catch up". (I really don't drink much). Knowing we were all staying there made it easy to not worry about how much you were drinking. We all ended up pretty loud, telling lots of stories and laughing harder than I have in years. The hostess has a pole in her office/work out room. We all took a try at that, including her husband. The team is a crazy, wonderful group of women - and I had a great time. None of us were paying attention to the time at all and we ended up not going to bed until 4:00. I ended up in a room wil Robin and Karyl. Karyl and I stayed up a bit later talking. She is like another sister to me and it was good to just enjoy that we were together
On Saturday I had to leave a bit early to pick up Colleen from the train station. (early was about 10:40) The weather was too crappy to make her walk. Most of us just tried to grab some more sleep. The girls figured out which of their gear they would need. Sunday morning, the walk stepped off at about 7:00 am. It was chily and rainy but not nearly as bad as Friday and Saturday had been. Still, I cannot imagine it was easy for them to get started in that type of weather. They did though. Walked all day all around Philadelphia. A sea of pink going through many of the major streets in the city msut have been an incredible sight. My team, true to their party girl tone set Friday night, stopped about 4 times to do a shot or two. Crazy. I had been getting texts from Cheri and called her while I was driving down. They were very happy and telling me I had to walk next year. They made it, and had fun while doing it.
Put on a bunch of layers, had my boobie hat Karyl and her mom made all of us and some warm gloves and boots. I drove down to the Navy Yard. Left my house about 2:20 pm. Got there in plenty of time - it was about 3:40. One of the girls' guys happen to see me get out of the car. He's a good guy. Had flowers for the team. Seemed like the 2 day cancellation may have gotten the organizers' planning all out of whack - there was no real area for the walkers to finish and I had a heck of a time checking in and figuring out where I had to be. Cliff and I finally did see the team come in - they were clearly beat but happy they finished.
The closing ceremonies were at 5:00. When I read the script the 3 day sent, I knew it would be touching. I cried while reading through it. Seeing Karyl and the rest of the team though made it so much more special. It was the first time I had seen Karyl really acknowledge what she is going through - so it was a great thing for her. There is a spirit here at the 3day and at the Livestrong event I went to last year that celebrates the people fighting cancer, honors those we have lost vows to fight it with everything we've got. It is hard to put into words, but it is an amazing thing. You feel like you are with people who really do understand.
Since Sunday, I find myself thinking back again and again to the walk. I've looked at everyone's pictures co many times. This is one of the best things I have ever done. It started with Karyl's terrifying diagnosis, but has ended with an impressive group of talented women (and their families) coming together and celebrating being alive. I am honored to have been a part of this. Karyl went back to California on Monday and started chemo on Tuesday. I hope the walk helps her face this.
October 18 Nor'easter!Back to back Nor'esaters have changed the Philadelphia 3 day Breast Cancer Walk to only today. It supposedly feels like 34 out and is raning or drizzling all day. Going to interpret the Closing Ceremonies at 5:00. Lots of layers! Will fill everything in wither later today or tomrrow. Working with my buddy Robin's team has been a heck of an expierence! October 10 ch-ch changesDidn't realize how longit had been since I put up an entry til I looked just now. Yikes.
The job is going alright. The staff I work with and the students I really like. The school itself is smaller than any high school I have worked at so far, which is nice. They also have some really good programs going. They do the "challenge day" I have seen to help kids see that they are more alike than different. Also catch kids doing good things and they are recognized at the monthly class level meetings. Things are starting to feel like I know what I am doing, the kids know me and the staff is more comfortable with the whole situation.
So, then why I am taking a job in another school district starting November 2? Well, it's about half the commuting distace. Some benefits - medical, dental, vision and a small tuition re-embursement stipend. The biggest thing is the district I am currently in has no clue what they're doing and does not listen when someone with knowledge tries to help. It will be difficult to leave the student I am working with - she is an extremely nice kid and I really enjoy working with her. Push comes to shove though, I have to take care of myself first. I get the distinct feeling that if I were to end up with repepitive motion injury the current district would not help me out.
Next weekend is the 3 day breast cancer walk. My buddy Robin has a team and they are set to go. I did not sign up when the team was formed as I was going to be laid off soon and did not think I would have the time to train and do all the fund raising. (each walker has to raise $2300!) I have been interpreting meetings, fund raisers and such. The team is a great group of women and I am proud to be a small part of this. They are walking with and for Robin's sister Karyl. I hope this helps Karyl feel she is not alone in her fight. I am nearly done painting boob flowers for their tent decorations. They were Karyl's idea and are coming out pretty cool. Hope to get some pictures. Three 3.5 yard lengths of material is alot of flowers. Will be glad when it is done. (Tomorrow I hope!) Looking forward to the weekend. I am interpreting the shows Fri and Sat night and the closing ceremony on Sunday. Already cried while reading over the script for the ceremony. This is going to be a very worthwhile event.
Better get going. Need to dry some paint and keep working!!
September 20 A little happy danceGot notice yesterday that Unemployment is affriming my claim. Thought for sure since I was out-lawyered (aka I didnt bring one) that it was a done deal that they would rule against me. Yahoo!! The "little guy" won for once!!!!! Course, my former emplyer can and probably will contest it. If they do, I will bring my lawyer. She's pretty darn good and doesn't take any bs. I don't know if they'll bother though since I started working on Sept 8th.
Have been trying to report that, as today is the day I need to file. (every two weeks) I've logged in a few times, but they are having trouble with the website. Every time I submit it, it goes into a loop and doesn't complete. Go figure.
Had an interview last Weds with another district. They called back both Thurs and Fri. I've returned the call only to be sent to voice mail. Will try the call again tomorrow morning, along with re-submitting that I am working to UE. I am leaning toward taking the closer job. Much less money, but the communte is less than half the time ($8/day in gas I figured for the present job) and really I am just dissapointed in how things are run where I am now. I'm supposed to be sending email updates to the mom but there aren't computers available for me to use. (school is having this great program they got a grant for where all of the teachers and students are being loaned a Macbook-no I don't have one. There are a few desktops in one regular classroom and a support classroom and one in the library I can use IF the librarian is not teaching a class) There's the whole just throwing me into a building with no direction at all, no one telling me there was a time sheet to fill out until well into the 2nd week, etc. I hate to think what would happen if there were an inexperienced or unethical interpreter in this placement.
I go to fill out the video relay service paper work on Weds. That will be nice. Not sure how I will schedule that training into either new job, but I have to.
Gotta go put my stuff together for tomrrow. Night! September 16 startsStarted the new job on Sept. 8th. Not much guidance as to my job description, which in some ways is a good thing. You have much less flexibility if your every move is in print. The student is a nice kid, which helps when there is only one. There are a number of inclusion classes in my schedule. That's kind of cool because I get to know some of the kids pretty well. (there are a few in my classes that I see 3-5 times in a day)
It's weird though - I do not have a home base per se. It would be nice to have a place to put my junk and not carry it around all day - as the weather gets colder, gee it would be nice to have a place to hang a coat. I understand that this district has not provided interpreting services directly for a deaf student before... but gee, shouldn't the principal and maybe my supervisor do some research and get some info? Not so much that I can see. What I cannot imagine is, what if there was a newbie or unethical interpreter in this situation? That would not be so good. The only thing the districts are looking at is saving money and getting better ranking under the Gaskin Ruling. (schools and districts are rated according to how many special ed students they send out of district/ in district how much special ed kids are out in regular classes)
Weirder yet, I got a call from the district I live in. They are now looking for an interpreter. They didn't hire me back in June-beginning of August - hired a much less exp, non certified terp. It would be great to work so much closer to home and they offer some benefits. The kicker is, even with factoring in the cost of providing my own benefits equal to what they're offering, there's about a $7k difference. Went for another interview with them today. They used the same questions. (different interviewers) They're supposed to get back to me next week. We shall see.
The kids are pretty good. Liam is going out to Vegas tomorrow. Neat that he is getting the opportunity to go. Where they're staying is cheap and the airfare is super cheap. Hope he has a good time, but not too good a time. Jamie is back at school and enjoying having fewer classes and not having to also work. She made enough money over they summer that she is fine. She'll work the haunted corn maze she always does this time of year and then find something. She will be graduating in Decmeber. I'm so happy for her and proud. Colleen is doing a great job in Starbucks. She's pretty neat to watch - she makes incentive boards for the "partners" and plans different events as well as her barrista duties. Eddie started at the Community College and seems to genuinely like his classes. He's been working additional hours at Sbarros. He complains, but I think he'll feel better if he has a bit more money to work with.
Had an unemployment hearing this morning. My former employer is appealing my ue. Lovely. They cannot just let me go... they have to stick it to me one last time. The thing is - the head of hr (in front of the head of special ed) flat out told me that once the board voted on my furlough I could apply and they would approve it. WTbleep? I was out-gunned this morning and I do not think it went well. If the decision goes against me, I will bring my lawyer in to contest it. It was stupid of me not to pay the money to have her there. Ironic too that I had to take a day off the new job to go to the hearing.
Still... I have great friends that are helping me through all of this. Thank goodness for them. In many ways I am so very lucky. September 04 what is tatooed across my forehead?Since the conference, I thought I was moving toward steady, dependable employement. I took a job at a local (30 mins away) school district. The students start on Tuesday, Sept. 8th. My new supervisor just called me yesterday morning to tell me for sure I have the job. I knew there were no benefits. I even negotiated a higher amount to at least be able to pay my own medical and life insurance. Today when I got to the offices, I had to sign a 1099. Ok, I'm thinking I can handle this. ... only as an independent contractor I have to pay my own federal, state, local, social security and medicare taxes. WTF. Which means I need to hire an accountant so I don't screw this up.
... so the relief I felt about finally having steady work if pretty much gone. So is the excitment of staring the new job, getting to know the school, the students, etc. I just feel like I'm screwed before I even start.
I will be actively looking for another job, and will not hesitate or feel bad about leaving if/when I have to. God only knows what they're going to have me doing if the kid I'm interpreting for is absent. Seesh. The state mandated 20 hours a year training I need? On me. This is just pissing me off.
On a good note, Eddie started at the community college and seems to like it. Jamie is in her last semester at her college and has a graduation dateSo proud of her. I'm going to find something to have fun with this weekend. August 15 catching upHmm... been a while!
Aug 1-6th I went to an interpreting conference right in Philadelphia. It was great to have it 45 minutes away! I could take the train in everyday and usually sat with some other interpreters going. The conference itself was inspiring and informative. I truly enjoyed it! I met some contacts there as well. One is from a facility that provides mental health services and they are looking for an interpreter. Another is the owner of a freelance agency. A former co-worker told her I was unemployed and she nearly fell over herself telling me I could have all the work I want with them. They have lined up about 6 jobs already for me. (1 day, one time things mostly) Only thing with going all freelance is that they pay once a month and take out no taxes. I would have to manage money way better than I do now and do my taxes quarterly.
One district (where me and my kids went to school and live in now) interviewed me twice. I found out from facebook that I was not hired. The person who was had videos posted about how he was figuring out if he should stay at the job he's at or take the job at this district, then that he took the job before I was notified. He's not done school, has no cerifications (I have 2 and 28 years of experience) and named both districts on facebook. Not a good indicator that he is going to be ethical or keep condentiality of the student or anyone else. Whatever. I was pretty doggone mad when I found out. Now I'm like the district and the guy deserve each other. I am concerned for the deaf student though.
I interviewed with another district, and it sounds good. The head of special ed spoke to my old supervisor and she apprently said some very good things. The district supervisor asked for my last salary schedule and benefits list. My criminal history and child abuse clearances came in yesterday so I can fax them to her Monday. We are getting gown to the wire and I wish they would just make a decision already!
I can go all freelance if I need to. There seems to be plenty of work. A graduate of the old program I worked at asked me if I would interpret her grad school class. That will be a nice chunk of hours. Also, the video relay service I interviewed with finally has the background check and drug screening they do in hand so I may hear about training with them soon. The money there is excellent and I would be paid biweekly with taxes taken out. There are a few fulltime freelance friends who are nice enough to have said they will help me figure things out.
In addition that, things are good. Liam is working hard and has a nice girlfriend, Jamie is getting ready to start her last semester and is seeing a nice boy from her summer job, Colleen is moving up in Starbucks, and Eddie is ready to start community college in a few weeks. The summer has been pretty mild. There has been alot of rain and only now are the temps getting hot regularly. It's enough that I'm going to join our local pool for the last few weeks. I just can't take the heat.
I need to keep myself busy. Not having a regular schedule and the uncertainty of the job situation are getting to me. I know it's only been less than 2 months, but I am stressed out. So...am trying to make sure I do something in the house, job hunting and organizing my finances everyday. This evening I plan to go walking. |
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