From nearly passing out to offered a position to the first night of Chanukah. um, and somewhere History was made in Massachusetts. However, let's start from the beginning.
Tuesday training
Once upon a time, only a few days ago, I had my recertification for CPR. I have done this every year in the company so it was nothing new to me but it is a lot of stuff to remember in a short time. *side note, for those who don't know, I dont like the topic of blood. some times I even pass out. so I call it "the dirty b word"* So we had to watch a video. (or listen in my case) and the first part was on urganomics. Then it was about heat and cold related insidents. I believe it was about this time when I started feeling ill. My stomach was queezy, my body went pale and I was sweating cold sweat. I knew I had to get out of that room because I was getting worse by the second. I got my friend-former coworker, to get me out of there. He thought I was gjoking at first, but after tapping him a few times he realized that I was not joking. The secretary, who has seen me in this situation a few times, gave me some water and paper towels. We both told my friend to go back into the training. After about 20 minutes, I was feeling 80% better and so I had the secritary bring me back in to the training room. No more insidents from then on. I did the whole practice on a manican and passed that easily. Took the written exam and got 100 on that. (despite being out of the room for 20 minutes) Once the training was over, I got a ride to work.
Tuesday at work
I went to work and was going to do my thing. (a group and an 1-on-1 session) We had a perspective employee there observing. I introduced myself and talked to him about what I do and what he can expect. I told him he should talk to the clients and get to know them a bit. My boss usually informs me of observers but she did not this time. When people were away from me I gave her a call on her cell. She told me that it was a last minute thing and told me to tell him that if the other staff member hasnt, that he will have a writing sample he'll have to do on what he has observed. I told her I had already done that. she goes "oh". (like... oh, you already are doing things, what are you doing calling me?) I laughed a bit. We talked about a dif staff member who told her that he would not be in today but he was. I think it was just a mix up in comunication.
I had the observer observe as I did a 1-on-1. I talked to him about it afterwards about what I did and why. Unfortunately for me, the tv was on and they were talking about the redsox on the news so my attention was being tug-a-warred. the redsox won out... as it usually does. I apoligized to him. He told me that he was a Yankee fan. At that moment, I knew I didnt want him around in the house. Not only did he not talk to all the clients but he took a phone call and was on the phone for a while. (who takes phone calls when on a job interview? and stays on the phone for about 10-15 minutes?) I wrote about all this to my boss including a write up concerning the 1-on-1 session.
Tuesday after work
Tuesday was the primarary for the senate position that Ted Kenidy held for so long. Not many people came out to vote. There was a female on the balit. Reading about her a bit and listening to her comercials, I did not think she is what I wanted. There was a seccessful businessman (who is a part owner of the Celtics) who spoke of econamy, education and healthcare. The topics I am interested in. So I voted for him. Unfortunately, the lady won. I say this because a lot of females vote for her because she is a female, not for her values and what she hopes to do. Because I dont want to say anything that will get me totally killed, I will leave my thoughts there. (despite this being my diary.)
Wednesday
Non Abusive phisical and psychological training. (NAPPI)
A training to help work with people who have mental illnesses. (or most of this stuff can work on your family members too lol)
First the 4 trainers introduced themself. Then we went around the room and introduced our selfs. My friend Miguel was there again but we were split up. The room was divided into 4 groups. Since this is a recert, we were supose to remember minor details from last December when I took it. We had to go, with our group around the room and there was moduals on white boards that we had to fill in to the best of our abilities. I had no idea what any of this was. I mean, who remembers what is on a behavior skale? There was 5 behaviors you had to fill in. You had to know the behavior, the reaction to the behavior and a secondary message of the behavior. (and this wasnt on the board, I am typing it for your benifit. on the board it was a blank form that said behavior scale at the top.)
The next scale was the "smart scale" which there are 5 steps you had to fill in and write examples.
the next one was the "green scale" Which there are 3 levels and you have to give examples.
Then was the "praise scale" which there were 7 of them. You had to fill in the 7 names of praises and give examples.
Last was the "request scale" Different ways to get clients to do things without being negative or belittling.
I was being dragged around the room and I am glad I had a team who remembered a few things here and there because I didnt remember anything. We went back to our seats and the trainers each took a modual and presented them. Unfortunately for me, they made it a very visual exercize. They would use the words "this" and "that" "here" and "there" "those" and "these" when explaining where things go or asking about what may go in different blanks on the different moduals. "What goes on here on this scale?" I had no idea. At some point I remembered I had notes from some time I took it and I took my computer out and read my notes. Good thing I knew what was going on that day and took unbelieveable notes. The training was from 9-5 with a hour lunch break. During the break I was asking my friend some things that were on different moduals. After lunch we did the last two moduals then it was time to take the test.
I went out in the hall to take the test with one of the trainers. There were people talking in the hall area and phones were ringing etc... but the test taking must go on. The instructer said the first section was matching and there was five questions. She asked me the first question and i answered it. She asked me the second question, and i answered it. (in my mind, I totally forgot this was matching) the third one she asked me and I answered. before she read the forth one, she goes "well, there are only two answers left" I was like... ha? she reminded me that it was matching. I said "so the answers are already there?" she said yes. She asked me the forth question and I answered it and the fifth one as well. she goes "that was pretty impressive." what is? "that you were able to do that with out me reading your choices." I told her that I did not remember it being multiple choice so I tried to memorize everything. I asked if previous exams were fill in the blank and she says that as far back as she knows, it has been the same exam.
There was 40 questions in all. The questions were all matching, multiple choice or t-f. I think except for 2 questions, all the other I answered without choices. The instructor once again said how impressed she was. I told her that I thought it was all fill in the blank so I just memorized everything. ... Well, I got 100%
We went back into the training room. We did a "graduation exercize" where we all stood in a circle and the trainers thanked us for being a great group. Congradulating us for all doing well. Then it was our turn to say something positive about the class or the instructors or something. So when it came to me I said "well someone said that we all did well. The reason we did so well is because we had great trainers." Someone yelled out "well put, Jonathan"
I wanted to give them critisism. Informing them that they should learn not to use the pointing words. So on the way out of the training room, I was walking with one of the instructors and I told her about it. Not only me, but anyone who is an auditorial learner. She said that it is a very good point and she's put it for a recogmendation. Which, I am sure they wont do because it is something you have to be aware you are doing. It is very hard to correct.
So I am standing out in the hall next to the little office of the secritary. She pops her head out and says "would you consider being a trainer next time around?" I thought she was joking by the tone in her voice. She told me a bit about it and that she is going to need a few new trainers. She asked if I would think about it. I said I would. I talked to one of my trainers who was standing in the hall and she told me about the training to be an instructor. She told me that it is a week class from 8-4 and by the end of it, you have to present a modual to the entire group who are being trained and the trainers for the training.
When there was 5 minutes till my ride were to come, I went outside to wait. When I was waiting, I thought to myself with a grin
"Eh, at least I know I still have my very good memory"
The secritary came out and said "your hride has not come yet?" I wanted to say something sarcastic but I held my tongue and just said no, not yet. She asked if I gave it any thought. I asked if I gave what any thought? she said to be a trainer. I said that I hadnt. She said that she thinks I would be good at it and hopes I think about it but if I want to, to just send her an email because she would have to send out the registration form soon.
I talked to my parents about it and both of them dont understand why I am hesertating at all about it. I enjoy teaching people and it would look great on a resume.
Thursday work.
We were suppose to have another observer but the lady was a no-show.
I did a group, just checking in on the clients.
Friday night ... FIRST NIGHT OF CHANUKAH!
"Here comes Chanukah, So much Funakah, to celebrate Chanukah. Chanukah is, the festivalle of light. Instead of 1 night of presents, we get 8 crazy nights" (Adam Standler)
My mom has been busy all week shopping for our family Chanukah party that the count is now over 30 people. My dad came home and said "I cant believe mom is not ready for chanukah." and then he just went down stairs and watched tv. Now that I know the minorahs weren't out and set up and I was bored, I went up to look for the box they were in. I found the box, took out the decorations that was on top and took out the electricle minorahs and placed them in the window. I then took the box and brought it to the dining room on a little portable bar thingy we have in there and took off all the bottles of wyne that was on there. I got some tinfoil and put those down on the bar top. Then I put the minorahs from the box and put them out. There was only 3 of them. I am not sure where the others are but that was all that was in the box.
My twin brother came over. (his wife was in Chicago for the week end to visit her niece) We had a nice dinner and we lit the candles. Then the Chanukah man left presents with my mom. My sister got a blender. (she has money down for a house, she is hoping to get it) My twin got Andre agacy's bio. He was one of his free sports hero growing up. I got a cd. I had asked for 4 of them so it was no surprise that I got one but when I asked my twin what cd it was, I was happily shocked. R.E.M. came out with a live cd within the last few month that I never knew about. I am a huge R.E.M. closet fan. He said that there are 39 songs on the cd. He read me the track listings and I only knew 3 of them. (not sure if the others are new or just very random songs) I am happy. As he said, it is like getting 3 new cds.
Second night
I got 3rd eye blind, greatest hits.
I'm listening to the heisman award show then I'll listen to it before Bon Jovi comes on SNL
So that was my busy few days.
I know I forgot to write about helping my mom getting all the chanukah stuff from the garage and writing about the baseball news of the last few days but I'll save it till a big signing happens.
T H E E N D
P.S. Happy! Chanukah! |
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Happy Hannukah