- Updating software and awaiting calls for my “hopeful” PC service business. #
As part of the assistance from the great state of Illinois, since I am a “dislocated worker” (read: downsized) I have the option of going to school free of charge for any number of certificates or degrees. My choices are somewhat limited.
I can only receive schooling to qualify me for a position making up to 80% of my previous wage. Simply put, if I went into the nursing program at Rend Lake College, my courses would only be covered up to “Licensed Practical Nurse. Since LPN’s make more than 80% of what I was making at First Cellular/Alltel.
My first ambition was to go back and get an IT Specialist degree or perhaps a networking certificate. Unfortunately, the few positions arount here that would call for that expertise are locked-in by guys who know how good they have it. I mean, if I fell in to one of those positions, I sure wouldn’t give it up.
Then came the nursing consideration. It is a growing field that pays very well. However, and LPN (to my knowledge) generally gets stuck with the most horrible of jobs that the RN’s don’t want to do. I do have a bit of experience with IV’s, drawing blood, and injections. Realistically though, RN is a 2 year program, and I don’t know that we could make it on (mostly) just Em’s income for that long. Not to mention that I would have to pay for the final year to complete the RN portion.
I jokingly looked at cosmetology, but I don’t really have an interest in cutting, styling, frosting, perming, dying, or anything-elsing hair. Oh, and then there is even waxing eyebrows, YAY! Seriously, I do have a lot of respect for those who get cosmetology licenses. There is a lot of lab-time (practice) required, they have to learn all about chemicals, how to apply them, and a whole bunch of other stuff I can’t begin to understand.
Then, I came across Massage Therapist. For some reason, it doesn’t sound too bad to me. I don’t mind touching people. I enjoy listening to others. I have a decent knowledge of the human body from Biology I and II and my EMT courses. I could work at a spa or freelance. Emily gets my services for free. The only drawback I have in mind is if there is any demand around here for a masseuse. I know that the massage therapist can also work for rehabilitation, orothopaedic, and sports services, but is the demand really there? That is the only thing holding me back from enrollment.
Maybe tomorrow I’ll set up an appointment with the instructor and see what he/she has to say.
Yeah, I know, what am I thinking?
The Mount Vernon Sentinel has a listing for a “general assignment” writer here in town. I’m going to submit my resume.
Yes, I know I’m a geek, and you should too if you know me very well. Writing has always been something that I enjoy however, and this could be my shot. My grammar, spelling, and punctuation are great. I love creating. Submitting my resume can get me laughed at by their staff at worst, right?
I know, everyone loves hearing their own voice (writing). Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are pretty much moot points given spell-check and grammar-check. Still, I have nothing to lose by pursuing my dream.
Maybe I can be successful and make a career of it. At least I would enjoy what I do instead of being stuck in an office all day or working an assembly line. Both are fine for some people, just not me.
I know reporting isn’t all sunshine and roses, or chasing down excitement and scandal. It also isn’t assembling widgets day in and day out. Routine is good, but it can quickly lead to a rut.
We went to the Rec after dinner tonight for some Wednesday splashing fun. I have noticed that Amaya is very much a water-baby, and she seemed to be on the cusp of swimming without any instruction. Today whilst we were there, I decided to kind of test her and see if I was right.
I showed her how to fan out her arms to pull herself forward (I’m sure there is lingo for this, but I don’t know it). Then I had her swim to me. The whole time I was backing up to see if she was making forward progress, and I’ll be darned if she wasn’t.
My barely 5 year-old daughter has taught herself how to swim in ~5 trips to the pool. I’m impressed, but that’s probably just because I haven’t ever bothered to learn myself. I still plan on having both Erich and Amaya go through the swimming lessons the Club offers, but she’s off to a good start.
She has the basic mechanics down, but maybe with some instruction she can become even better. Don’t call the US Olympic Committee just yet, but you never know what natural talent can develop into. I mean, looking at her mommy, she’s going to be tall and skinny. Sounds like a swimmer to me, but what do I know? I’m a rock.
Hey, a dad can dream, can’t he?
- Cameras everwhere. #
