Time flies faster than you think.

Still not dead.
Still insanely busy.
Lost jobs.
New jobs.

Someday I'll get back on a more regular basis. If someone hadn't posted advertisement junk into a comment, I'd likely have not been back this soon. A blessing in disguise, I guess.

God bless and Godspeed.

Not dead...just REALLY busy!

Hello!
I'm stopping by to jot a note to let you all know that I'm not dead. Things have been insanely busy all the way around. I have even had to reduce my working hours a little bit just so I can get other things done. [My original dedicated schedule was 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and as of this past Monday it is now 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ...and yes, it's still six days a week... but there are still random days when I may only have 2-4 hours of work during a day.]

Hopefully sometime soon I will be able to squeeze in a post to relate some of the obstacles faced and overcome as well as my complete shock and amazement that this is the last day of August. Time is zooming by so much faster than I imagined it could (and, yeah, I know it just keeps getting faster and faster).

Best wishes to one and all.
God Bless & Godspeed!

While I was away...

It seems that Blogger as well as Google+ have "updated" to new formats while I was away. At least it seems that the blog posts are intact though I haven't physically checked the archive. Unfortunately, my Google+ profile has been wiped clean and I essentially have to start over.

I find this soooooo irritating.

I guess I need to relearn how to navigate both sites and figure out what happened and if things are recoverable... or not.

Heavy sigh.
I thought going through Facebook's switch to Timeline was gymnastic minefield. I'm so not looking forward to having to relearn everything... again. :-(


Update: Okay. After investing about an hour, I found out that a second Google+ profile got created mysteriously. I did find my original profile and (hopefully) deleted the other one.  What a mess...but at least I didn't loose everything.

Still irritating though.

Squirrel Days: 02/14/2012

Outside my window...
The sun is shining on the hard-packed snow and quickly melting the heavy frost on the driveway and vehicles. It has the hope of spring written all over the day.

From the office...
For the moment, today continues to be on hold (thus the post). From day one, the work schedule reamains more variable than the weather. As mentioned in the comments on my last big post, my work weeks have been: January week#1: 27 hours. January week#2: 46 hours. January week#3: 49 hours. January week#4 was only 40 hours because I asked for a day off. The last couple of weeks have been about 38 hours each.

My boss was not kidding when she mentioned that the work may vary. The trick seems to be managing the time. When there is no work, you still have to be vigilant should work suddenly come in. When there is too-much-work, you have to remember to eat, drink water, and stand up and stretch.

For slow days, I have putter mode. I putter on little house tasks that need doing (dishes, laundry, etc.) or I take some time to stretch and walk on the elliptical machine; anything that still allows me to watch for incoming files. It has been working well. [Someday I'll add in some knitting projects.]

For full days... Well, I'm finding that full days are actually harder to accommodate. I have had to set alarms to remind me to eat meals, which is good. However, I am trying to also add reminders to "stop, stand up and stretch." I really need to do this several times across a workday, but it is not yet a habit. So far (i.e. I started this experiment yesterday), I am trying to take a break every 2-3 hours. When taking a "stretch break" I set a kitchen timer for 10 minutes, start with some specific stretch routines for my neck and shoulders, then take what time remains to walk on the elliptical machine.

Other than that, the work is still 6 days a week unless I ask for time off or I need time off for appointments, etc.

What I am doing as Fun-time...
1.) Not much. Any spare time is quickly absorbed by tasks and obligations. Hopefully this will change at some point.
2.) I am still reading as part of my bettime routine. I read a Bible devotional first (I started this almost a year ago), then (if it's not too late) I'll read in my other book. I'm still progressing through The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan; currently in Book Six: Lord of Chaos.

Thought(s) on my mind...
Has it REALLY been eight months since I've done a Squirrel Days post? Yikes!

Counting blessings...
1.) My job. Even though I'm not yet making much money, I love the work and my boss. I have a heart for the patients and I lift prayers when I transcribe hardships and lift praises when I transcribe victories.
2.) Mr. Squirrel's job. I'm so thankful that he loves driving the activity busses. The kids love him and call him "the cool bus driver" because he interacts with them and cares about them. Likewise, his income is not a lot. However, his job and mine together almost make a single full-time income.
3.) God's provision and his blessings that show us that we are making forward progress. Things are getting better for us, if slower than we would like, it is all in God's timing.

A picture I would like to share...
Hmmm. Nothing to share today. Perhaps next time.
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However, I just got another batch of files in, so it's back to work time!

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Facepalm moment

After a significant conversation on Facebook, I realized something profound and made a post on my own wall:

There comes a time when I realize that my desire to be understood must step aside and recognize the greater desire of those who do not wish to understand.

[See also: Exercises in futility.]

A normal life is returning... slowly.

A belated Merry Christmas and I pray that 2012 will be a blessing to you all!

This is mainly just a note to let everyone know that I'm still here! I never imagined that my 6-days-a-week of school would be lateral training for 6-days-a-week of actual work! [But rest assured, if I need time off for anything, I only have to schedule it. Otherwise I'm considered available for the 6 days because I told the boss I would be. Right now, income is essential.]

For the time being, blogging has to wait for those rare times when the files run out or when other delays happen. Today seems to be that day. My boss (in Denver, CO) had unexpected company arrive at her home and there are currently some issues going on with the hospital's data interface system. So, the boss isn't available, new data isn't available, I've completed the files I'd been given, and I now have a little time to play. [And, hey, it is Saturday after all!]

Hmmm. Let's see. I guess I should start with a quick picture of my work day. [I don't suppose describing it as a blur would be helpful.]

My old job had work days that were feast (so much work you believe you will lose your mind if you could find the time) or famine (thumb twiddling) across weeks or months. Transcribing seems to have work days that go feast or famine between days... or even hours! The work hours themselves essentially vary with the amount of work available which correlates to when the doctors/nurses submit their dictations. [Some are very behind and they catch up in clumps!] And, of course, they all want it turned back to them as quickly as possible.

I suppose having started this job during the holiday season, I really don't have a sense of what "normal" is as far as a work-load pattern across an average week. However, I imagine that I will be getting a better idea over the next few weeks as vacations end and everyone gets back on staff.

Of course, I am also still in the "training" stage and this requires closer reliance on my boss' time as she provides my files and, after I submit them, she also very graciously provides feedback so I can learn the client preferences (and her preferences) and to pick up on those things that I need to watch for or work on. [I am happy to add that she is very pleased with my work so far!]

Technically I am a subcontractor and can set my own hours, but because of the current work patterns, I have mentally decided to reserve from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for my "work day." However, this varies from day to day depending on what is needed. Some days I start at 6 a.m. (particularly if I already have files provided from the night before), some days I don't start until the afternoon. Some days I have only one hour on the clock, some days I have nine hours on the clock. It really is completely unpredictable.

This unpredictability can be a source of frustration, but I'm learning to see the down-time as opportunities to do puttering tasks around home. [Remembering all those thumb-twiddling days in an office thinking: "If I was at home, I could be using this time to be doing (insert some task here)." Right now my puttering is focusing on cleaning and sorting and trying to make our home seem less like a "squirrel's nest." [I have not yet reclaimed the dining room table, but I can see most of it again!] Although, truth be told, the last few weeks had me completing the end-of-the-year tax receipts for the church.

Confession Time: After so many years of commuting to work I have to say: I LOVE BEING AT HOME!

Working at home there are other adaptations I've had to make, too. I have finally learned to set an alarm so I remember to eat breakfast (generally around 8:30 a.m.) and then another to remind me to take a lunch break. I've found that my blood sugars stay a bit elevated if I eat much earlier, so this works out well to keep the numbers down. It actually took me quite a long time to get my body geared to eating at a certain time rather than during a certain stage of the morning routine. With the old job, breakfast came around 4:30 a.m. after packing a lunch and before driving for an hour prior to starting work. However, this is a new life and it requires a new way of doing things. It's actually worked well and, with a few other slight modifications, I've gradually lost about 10 pounds as a result.

Well, that's pretty much my life in a nutshell these days, and I'll save any other details about work for another time.

I will close out this post with another note of good news: After the Thanksgiving holiday, Mr. Squirrel was finally added to the team of drivers for the local school district. He had to wait a bit after that to get scheduled, but he is now driving for sports and other activites. He is LOVING it! The school also has him down for substitute teaching for math, science and history should the need arise.

So, like the photo (credit goes to TrekNature.com) there is life returning. It may take quite some time to fully get back on our feet, but this is a hopeful start!
--------------------------

God bless & Godspeed

Praise & Thanksgiving

I am ecstatic to share that as of this evening I am EMPLOYED!!!!!

Officially I am subcontracted to Protype, Inc. based out of Denver, Colorado doing medical and surgical oncology transcription for Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital.

HAPPY DANCE!  w00t!

In addition to digging into the requirements of being self-employed, I now just have to get good enough (i.e. fast enough) to make getting paid by the line make money. It's going to be an 'indentured servant' haul for a while, but I will get there eventually.

My first work files will be sent to me tonight.... Fortunately, night delivered files aren't expected to be started until the morning, but they do have a 4-hour turnaround time and my files are due in before noon.

[Trust me, I will be getting up early tomorrow to pad my time a bit.]

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Hopefully, Mr. Squirrel's remaining portion of training (completed this coming Thursday) will allow him to start working, too!
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God bless & Godspeed

Update: Testing part 2 still pending

I did get a nice email from my job-contact last night. She apologized for not getting to my files, yet. She's been swamped and hopes to get to the files this weekend. She also added, and I quote, "I really need to get you on board."

To me, this little phrase sets my hopes over the tipping point for consideration for a job. If testing #2 is acceptable, I'm in. It also sounds like my past employment opportunities in that I will be hitting the ground running.

At least in the interim, I did finally get through the Career Step post-graduation tutorial. There was a lot of good stuff in there, and some scary stuff, too. Having only experienced being an employee or a volunteer, the world of independent contracting and subcontracting is quite daunting to me.

I've been researching through the student forums (particularly with the working graduates), and I've been gathering and reading all I can on LLC businesses. This coming Monday, I have a phone appointment with someone who will hopefully give me some knowledgeable advice on whether or not an LLC is even necessary. Most of the transcriptionists I've corresponded with did not go that route and have been quite content.

I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens.

For the last year, I've puttered on designs for business cards. In the module about "setting up a business," one of the things they warned about was to avoid "cute" at all costs. I had worked on several ideas that I liked very much, and didn't think were cute. However, the new information is leading me towards something a bit more unique and a bit more professional looking.

This is my latest logo image (cobbled together from bits of free clip art) that will be added to a very standard business card. In a simple way, it highlights my home state as well as my occupation. I may try to play with the idea further, but for right now, this is the winner.

I confess that this was rather an accident as the Gimp program slapped them together in those positions. I would have overlapped the northern border a bit more... if I could have figured out how to do it. [I really need to spend some time learning more how to use the Gimp program effectively.] Truth be told, it was blind luck that got the scroll and feather to go transparent at all so as to show the colors of the state behind it. Unfortunately, the areas that I would re-cut on the state for better centering (the west and north borders) do not exist on the sample. I would need to find another source at this point. However, for the time being, this works for me.
:-)

------------------------
God Bless & Godspeed

Update: Passed testing part 1

I got word back from my job-contact. She liked what I had done for the testing and gave me excellent feedback on desired formatting and some things that she wanted changed, not to mention corrections on my “best guesses.” [It probably would be easier if she’d just given me account instructions, but I’ve worked for so long in places where you must “discover the rules” on your own, that it’s no big deal. I’ve just started a list of observations that I will cross-check against her feedback. Eventually I’ll have a set of my own instructions to use as a guide.]

Ultimately, as I appear to have passed the first stage of testing, she will be giving me another test with some more advanced dictations. She also gave indication that we could then begin discussing “starting” me on transcription. In my mind, that translates into discussions about “hiring” me. [Plus, yesterday she asked me to confirm my phone numbers, as she wants that discussion to be person-to-person.]

It almost makes me nervous as this will essentially be the "interview" and the time when I learn about her pay rates and expectations. [They warned us at the school that companies typically don’t give you the pay information until you’ve been tested and they are considering you for hiring.]

In a way, it is funny. I've been given access to the school's post-graduation tutorials for learning how to put together resumes, what to expect at interviews, lists of companies who hire Career Step graduates without further testing, etc. Confession: I haven't done any of it yet, as I've been busy working with the job-contact (and catching up on some sorely neglected housework). Part of me wants to scramble into the training to get that information before I "get the call." Part of me wants to wait and see what happens. [I do have access to the post-graduation materials for a full year from my official graduation date.]

Fortunately, today is shaping up to be a day where I can start looking at that post-graduation material. However, we'll have to see what the day brings. If the testing part 2 comes through, it will take priority.

Have a nice day, all.
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God bless & Godspeed.

The process begins, I hope.

This post is about the transcription job-contact I have been mentioning. As it seems that things are beginning to move forward, I realize I've forgotten to mention a few things that happened within the flurry of exam re-submissions and results that have become important to the process (hopefully) of gaining employment.

The day I received word that half of my exam was missing (10/24), I also received word from my job-contact that the program I had available on my computer would not be compatible with her dictation formats. She recommended a free software that would be compatible and I told her I would look into it as soon as I finished re-submitting my exam. So, the evening of 10/25, I downloaded the free software with the intension of beginning to work with it the next day.

On the 26th, I began to read through everything associated with the software (including the student forums through the school). I must say the tutorials were rather sparse, but enough to get functional. In that research, I also discovered that the program's access for specific dictation formats was time-limited. The free version would discontinue access after a specified time, which (oddly enough) was not specified in the literature. [My job-contact was not actually surprised that they started to charge for their software, but it was free when she started using it.]

Be this as it may, I started looking into what it would cost to get the registered "professional" version and thus permanent access to the format compatibility. I wonder: Does God smile when we see and jump on the opportunities He presents for us? It did not take long for me to mull over the pros and cons, but the morning of the 27th had me investing in the registered version of the software. [It was on sale until October 31st for $30.] Not that we have the money to spend, but this software will allow me access to all of the proprietary formats that I might encounter as an independent contractor. This is a foundational building-block that I could not afford to ignore.

Later that same day I notified my job-contact that I had secured the program and that I would begin practicing with it. In that same conversation, my job-contact offered to send me some sample dictations so we could make sure everything was working properly. I said: "Yes, please!"

The next day (10/28), of course, I got the results of my Final Exam.

Now for the "updated" information. ------------------------

On the morning of 11/2, I received three dictation files from the job-contact. These were not just for testing the functionality of the program. These were for TESTING ME to see if she wants to consider me for hiring (i.e. make sure I know the basics).

After some initial set-up hiccups, I was able to access and play her files. I did have to tell her that I had an obligation to attend to (church cleaning for another concert), but that I would start working on them as soon as I got back. I was into the files right after lunch, and submitted the transcriptions back to her the next morning, less than 24-hours after she sent them. [In the transcription industry, it is not unheard of to have a 24-hour turnaround time. Note: She did not give me any deadline at all, but I wanted to respect her time and that industry expectation.]

This brings me up to date. I'm actually a bit more nervous about this testing than I was for the final exam. However, in many ways, this is also a 'final exam,' and the results of which will directly affect all the days ahead -- good, bad, or indifferent.

Many thanks for your continued prayers!

P.S. Mr. Squirrel is still in a bit of limbo. The school has included him in their first-aid training to renew his card, and they won't let him drive kids without it. Unfortunately, they have broken the training into two days, set them a full week apart, and not starting until 11/10. And so, we wait, yet we are still hopeful that he will eventually have income.

Personally, I was praying for sooner rather than later, but God has set the path ahead of us. I have to constantly remind myself that His timing is not our timing. His thoughts are not our thoughts. It is our job to trust in Him and have faith that He will provide according to His will.
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God bless & Godspeed

Career Step: Honors Graduate.

God is so good... and merciful.

Friday noon I got the email from the school. My grades are in: HONORS LEVEL

Here is the breakdown of the scoring per exam section:

Objective: 99%

Transcription: 93%

Editing: 94%

Combined Transcription and Editing scores: 93%

The combined score is the one they use to determine your graduation standing. A score of 95% would have been High Honors, so I missed it by 2%.

I immediately emailed both my training program contact and my potential job contact. If the job contact required higher scoring prior to hiring, I would not hesitate to try again. However, she told me she thought the scores were "great" and to not "retake the exam" on her account.

I was quite happy to reply to the school's email to let them know that I would not be retaking the exam. [This way they could go ahead and process my certificate of graduation, which should get to me in 2-3 weeks.]

Personally, Honors level seems to be a more than respectable place from which to launch a career (especially when simply graduating is in itself a hallmark for respect), and it would prevent me from having to go through the exam non-submission problems that we just dealt with. [That is a meat-grinder that I am grateful to avoid.] Furthermore, it would allow me to focus on getting job-ready for entering the workforce rather than delaying it another 2 weeks.

Many thanks for your prayers!

On a funny note, a relative sent me the following photo in Facebook and told me to tell people that the 2% was "occupying the fridge". I got a HUGE laugh out of it and loved the photo! [Here shown. Photo credit unknown.]

[Side note: As this photo pertains to the ongoing unrest calling itself "Occupy Wall Street," I will simply say two things: 1.) I believe that people have the right to keep/use/enjoy what they earn. 2.) I have NEVER gotten a paycheck from a poor person/company.]

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God bless & Godspeed

Done... again. Waiting again.

Well, it's done...hopefully.

Good news: I got the same questions, and all my answers were still there. [I did, however, verify each of them.]

Bad news: Internet Explorer 8 still would not allow the send-button to send the exam to the grading team.

Solution: The support person said that Firefox 3.6 "should" work (nothing newer)... (just like IE8 "should" work).
...
Luck: I had Firefox 3.6 on my computer from when I used it at my old workplace. I quit using it because it didn't function with some of the stuff I was using, and the school course said that IE8 would work. [Well, for everything but the Final Exam, it did.]

Good news: It seems to have worked. The support staff checked their viewers and they could see answers, where before there was nothing. At this point, I can do nothing further, but they told me they would call if any other issues arise. [I made a point of telling the lady that I answered all of the questions, so if any show no answer -- CALL ME.]
------------------------------

At the same time, I just received a call from Mr. Squirrel. He passed his exam and is now a licensed bus driver! [Yippee!]

Unfortunately, the transportation director was not allowed to tell him if he got the job or not, so that call is still pending and still scheduled for some time today.

And so... we wait.

[See comments for updates.]

OK... so it's not done.

I never would have imagined it. At least, I am no longer in the grips of panic. I am no longer shaking like a leaf with the adrenaline-dump. My head hurts, but I've taken some Excedrin for it.  [I also ate some lunch, which ended up quite late because food did not sound like a good idea while dealing with the issues.]

Some 3 hours or so ago, I got an email from the school. Somehow, the Objective portion of my Final Exam has vanished.  Poof! Gone!

It was suggested by the school that I submitted the exam using Internet Explorer 9, which their system does not support. However, and I explained as much, I have Internet Explorer 8.  The larger mystery being, once they returned my call and could answer my questions directly, that the transcription and editing portions of the exam were "somehow" saved.

Their explanation: "It sometimes happens. Sorry."

Confession: "Sorry" is not cutting the mustard for me, although feeling that way doesn't change or help the situation in any way, shape, or form.  Once I got past the anger, fear and outright panic (not to mention tears), I started processing  the details and the mysteries, so I recognize that 1.) this isn't my fault. 2.) This isn't the fault of the person who had to inform me of the event. 3.) Where electronics exist... sometimes data gets corrupted or lost.

So, I will prepare to take the Objective portion of the exam again. The staff member asked me if I could take it today, but I was honest and said "no." [Please -- after a shock like that you expect me to have a brain?]  She did give me a phone number to call when I'm ready to take it. Most likely I'll shoot for 9am tomorrow morning.  [I am also planning to call them after submitting the exam...again... to make sure that it submitted PROPERLY this time.

Interesting synchronicity to the Squirrel household:

Mr. Squirrel has a small portion of his driving test to retake tomorrow morning as well.  [He got excellent scores on his skills and road testing, but because he didn't verbally explain his pre-trip checking to the satisfaction of the examiner... he has to take that part again.]

And so... it continues.
All prayers still appreciated
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God bless & Godspeed

Done... now, we wait.

At 8:30am this morning, I turned in my Final Exam for grading. I now will be in limbo for the next 7-14 days until I receive an email from the school informing me of my scores.

Whew! I've got a surplus of twitchy energy now, so I am planning on some house cleaning today -- it REALLY needs it!

Exam as bad as expected? About equal. The exam was very intense & comprehensive, but the 48-hour window really helped. I had a good amount of time to research, verify, and review before hitting the submission-for-grading button at the end of the exam.

Bad speakers/recordings? 3 out of 6, but none were the REALLY bad guy whom I was dreading -- thank God -- and no mumblers! My randomly chosen transcription/editing reports ended up with just 2 ESL speakers (one sounded like Dr. Ruth). I did have one very speedy English speaker where the recording could not be slowed without demonic distortion of the voice (it happens sometimes, nothing you can do).

I will confess that I almost fainted at the get-go when I read the instructions: “The objective portion of the exam is open book. You may not use any resources, including human assistance, during the exam.”

When I contacted the Help Support for some questions on how to save my work when I exit (not really set up clearly for my brain at the time) I asked about the above instructions. They told me to copy the page and send it to Support for editing. [It is open book and we are allowed to use any resource EXCEPT human.]

Hmmm. I guess they could use an editor ;-)

Personally, I'll be glad for the next people in line not to feel their stomachs hit the floor like mind did :D

On another note: Mr. Squirrel is also taking an exam today. He's taking his driving test with the school's transportation director as well as the DOT driving exam. He was also told that they plan to hire someone by the end of the day on Friday of this week. 

As such, I am praying for "high honors" scoring for the entire Squirrel family today.

[See comments for updates.]
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God bless & Godspeed to one and all.

Prayers... Just prayers

The 48-hour window for the Final Exam will begin Monday morning around 10am.

It is said to only take 9 or 10 hours to complete, but we are given extra time for review, correction, and verification.

I'll see you on the other side of it.

Prayers... Flight? or Fall?

We've reached the point where it is time to face the cliff... and jump.

October has launched into a flurry of events that have my mind reeling, sleep patterns disrupted, and work hours and output increasing. God is moving in our lives in a big way, but we do not yet have a clear idea of where He is pointing us.

Firstly, allow me to be grateful for the prayer warriors out there.  Thank you! Secondly, allow me to ask that you please continue!  Although there is a lot of detail that I would like to share, at the moment there is no time. So, here is the 'Reader's Digest' version of the most recent events and specific prayer requests:

For Mr Squirrel:

After 2 months of zero replies from that "perfect local job" Mr. Squirrel was hoping for, he got the call (9/29 late afternoon) -- no warm up, no preamble, but a sense of urgency was implied. The job, by the way, is school bus driver.  The perfection, in part, being steady employment with large chunks of the day free for sermon preparation and study.

My heart wants to soar! With that single phone call, he was fast-tracked into (what I would call) the hiring process. Since then, he has been scrambling to fill in any elements not previously accounted for, and jumping through the hiring hoops (background checks, medical stuff, etc.). Unfortunately, he has hit stumbling blocks and governmental delays at nearly every turn. [Why can't people provide ALL of the information and requirements that you need... at the beginning? Or are we always required to run in circles, back-track, and redo as part of the process?] 

This is where my heart falters: Even with all the initial preparation, I've not heard any specific "you got the job" words.  In my mind, without those words, this is all still up in the air and an uncertainty as to where it will all come down.  However, I also know from personal experience that some jobs begin by hitting the ground running: You go in prepared for an interview, and they put you to work... without the interview. My most satisfying jobs started without really having a starting point.

Specific prayer request: That the path to Mr. Squirrel's employment would be smoothed and the obstacles removed or provision given to overcome them.

For myself:

School has launched into over-drive. I have gone through the pre-final consultation (10/3) and, like Mr. Squirrel, I was suddenly given "new information" that would have been more helpful at the beginning of the course.  [Yes, I have circles to run around in, too.]

For the most part, there were 2 surprises that have put me into a situation that will either catch me full-in-the-face, or it won't be a problem at all.

• The good surprise: If we pass the final exam on the first try (i.e. 85% or better), it does not matter if our course expires. We are allowed to take the remaining two exam opportunities to better our scores anytime we choose so long as it is done within 6 months. [Though I would never wait that long.]
• The bad surprise: If we do not pass the final exam, we are required to wait an additional 2 weeks’ time after receiving notification of our failed scores BEFORE they will let us retake the exam. That is a total of 4 weeks before you can take it again... and another 2 weeks after that before you get your results back. [Note: The extra 2 weeks is supposedly for the student’s benefit so as to “not repeat the same mistakes” while participating in an “active plan for practice” that is done hand-in-hand with a member of the staff.]

And here lies my situation: If I pass the first time – no worries. If I don’t pass, the required delays will put me beyond my expiration date (November 15th) and I would be required to get an extension before I could retake the exam.  [Personally, if I had known the information sooner, I could have better planned a few Sundays here and there to get further ahead and leave a solid 2-month block of time at the end of the course... strictly reserved for the final exam process... and any worst case scenarios.]

I did immediately report all of this to my training program contact so she would know what was ahead of us.  [God is soooooooo good.] She replied the next day telling me that the program would cover me if I should need the extension.  [It made me want to cry that the program would be willing to make yet another investment in me.] Of course, it is still my intention to "leap for the top bar" successfully, the first time, but it is an amazing comfort to know that I'm still working over a net... just in case.

Specific prayer request: That when it comes time to take the final exam, that God would grant me focus, attentiveness, a lack of distractions, and the patience to be careful of mistakes (stupid or otherwise).

The Bonus Blessing: I do not know where this will lead, but I have had my first potential job contact (9/28). The transcription company sounds like a small one, but it has been in business for 20+ years.  One of my relatives who has been following my saga came across the opportunity and forwarded it to me. I have had one introductory email with the owner who wanted to know more about the completion dates for my training.  I have not yet received a reply back.

*Whew*

That brings you into the front lines of the battlefield.  I don't imagine that I will have time to post again until after the submission of the final exam. At that point, I'll have 14 days to wait for the scores... and should be able to get at least one post done ;-)

[See comments for updates.]
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God bless & Godspeed to you all.

Has it really been 10 years?

Photo credit: BobbyShred.com

Recently, Mr. Squirrel and I watched a 2003 documentary on the staggering events of 9/11/2001. I've not really seen any footage of it since it actually happened, but watching that documentary made all those feelings of shock and dismay come back. The tears would not be stopped. I remember where I was. I remember what I was doing. I remember the phone call from my hubby asking me if I had the radio on -- shortly after the first plane hit. [It was the one day at work when I DIDN'T have the radio on, as I was working a shared project at another co-worker's desk that morning. Needless to say, I was glued to the radio from that point forward.]

From my deepest heart, I would ask God to bless all firefighters, police officers, emergency response, humanitarian aid, military and civilian hearts who make this a great country in which to live.

Salute.

[Note: There are more photos of the before-during-and-after at the artist's memorial website in the 9/11 Tribute section (about half way down the page). Click here. Right now, I find the photos to be more than I care to handle (mostly because I cannot stop looking at them once I start), and in deference to those of a similar disposition, I'll let you look at them on your own... or not, as you might choose.]
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Godspeed to you all.

The scores are in...

I actually got the scores back last Friday (8/5), but I've not had time to share the results with my blog-family.

When I did get the scores, I sent off an email to my program contact to whom I give progress reports every two weeks. This email was subject lined as:
Midway progress report - Assessment Exam scores.
I think it sums up just about everthing. So, without further ado...

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Hi [Name deleted] :-)
I simply couldn’t wait for the progress report. I feel like I’m bouncing around the room and had to let you know that I just got my scores back from my Assessment Exam:

Objective portion: 90% (9 out of 10 questions... stupid mistake, too - UGH).
Practical portion: 97% (144 out of 149 points) -- [Zero errors on the radiology reports!]

Those dictations were very difficult and I was sweating the score. As of today, I’m also VERY glad that human beings who grade transcriptions can tell the difference between “exact words” and “exact meaning.” I made several word choices that were not exact, but the meaning did not change. You don’t get points off in those cases. Whew!!!

So far the introduction to the editing training is going well. It is a bit cumbersome because we are back into the quizzes and review tests that were so abundant in the objective portion of the training (July through December). It also gets a little frustrating when the answer key changes something not specified in the instructions and you get it wrong because you didn’t... or the opposite, you correct something that is glaringly wrong, but the key implies that they didn’t tell you to fix it. [I think this part of the course may be new enough that they are still working out some of the bugs. I’ve actually submitted a few questions to their support department, and received replies back saying that they would check into them and submit them for repair if appropriate. That should be good news for the students behind me, but it trips me up as I hit them. ] The part that slows me down the most is the fact that, in order to get credit for the quiz scores, you have to change your answers to match theirs... even if your answer is technically correct. It is good practice, though.

Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful day & a great weekend!
[signature line removed]
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As of today, I have completed the first module of the editing training: Editing Theory. I will be beginning the next module, Editing Techniques, tomorrow morning.

I do have one fly in the ointment at this time for which I would ask for any stray prayers. My unemployment benefits are done this week. Done-done, there won't be any more.

Although Mr. Squirrel has been enjoying some part-time work, he has been waiting for a call back from a local opportunity that would be a near-perfect fit for a pastor... should there be an opening. I am praying for that opening or for God's hand to show him some other opportunity... SOON. It is very plain that we cannot make ends meet on only one part-time job.

At this point, I will also begin taking odd jobs as they come my way, which will hinder the schooling, but it must be done.

Thanks for listening.
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God bless & Godspeed to one and all :-)

Finally... an update...

Recently, I mentioned I haven't even had time to send an email to friends and family. I no longer feel guilty as I took care of that today.

As you pretty much already know about weather topics and my knitting excursions, I thought I'd share the school highlights with you.
;-)

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The update parts about school:
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Actually, I do have some schooling “landmark” news: As of 2:30 p.m. on 7/29, the Transcription portion of the training program is done. [All 918 reports! Whew!] Because the Assessment Exam instructions given at the end of the section indicated that it should take 3-5 hours to complete, I opted to take the exam on Saturday 7/30. I’m glad I didn’t try to do it on Friday as it took me 6.25 hours (clocked) to complete. Well, that was when I finally gave up trying to fill in some blanks that I simply could not understand, even after stepping away a few times. [It also does not count the breaks taken to clear my head, a very nice walk to get the blood circulating again, and lunch.] Like the other assessment exams, it will be a week before I get the results back.

As it turned out, this was not just a test on the last section of the transcription training as I expected. [I had already had prior assessment exams for both Clinics and Basic Acute Care, so why not expect one for Advanced Acute Care?] This exam was actually a “dry run” for the Final Exam. It was presented in 2 sections. The first section was objective stuff, multiple-choice questions. The second section was straight transcription, grouped into 4 subsections (Clinics/History & Physical, Discharge Summaries, Radiology, and Operation/Procedure) and each subsection had 2 dictations to complete.

[All of them had... shall we call them... challenging... speakers. Not totally unexpected, but they really shoot down my confidence about the resulting grades. So, I’ll keep hoping I did well, but I’ll not be holding my breath. Besides, all through college, I often did better on an exam if I didn’t actually feel very good about it. I know, strange, but it worked out that way.]

I will officially begin the Editing portion of my training on Monday 8/1.
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I guess in many ways this update is a praise. It is also a prayer.

I really want to do well on the assessment exams (even if they don't count in the grade books). They are a window into how I would do on the Final Exam, which is the ONLY grade that counts in this course. I do imagine that there will be another assessment exam at the end of the Editing training, but I really don't know. The way the course is set up, we don't get a 'preview of coming attractions' until you turn the page and find it.

Thanks for listening!
Have a relaxing Sunday, for tomorrow... is a school day!
:-)
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God bless & Godspeed

More puttering...

When it gets hot inside the house (we don't have air conditioning), the brain doesn't concentrate on school very well. Right now, it's about 85-degrees in the house.  Not to worry. It's over 10 degrees warmer than that outside. So, I thought I'd share some additional play-time with you.

Over the weekend, I started digging into boxes to find knitting & crochet patterns and things to encourage my brain to play a little. [Not to mention finally getting everything into one location, and it's still not all done!] In that foray treasure hunt, I found little proto-projects (i.e. sample patterns) that I'd entertained over the years for making toys or gifts. I also found bags with left-over yarns from completed projects.

As the hunt continued, I found a bigger knitting project that I had started back in 2005 during a particulary rough onslaught of funerals that Mr. Squirrel and I endured (which included the passing of both of our fathers... within 33 days of each other). The knitting project was just an extra wide scarf in the most uncomplicated stitch (knit one row, purl one row). No patterns, no nothing. It was a baseline sanity saver; something to let my hands work when my brain was so numb I couldn't think on anything, or a retreat when I simply didn't WANT to think on anything. I actually worked on it for several months and probably got 75% of it completed... then life kicked back into full speed... and I never touched it again.

Fortunately, with my recent re-ignited love of knitting, the little tug-of-war with myself that happened when I rediscovered the unfinished project didn't last long. The battle for finishing it outweighed the memories that it brought to the surface. [Thankfully, enough time has passed that the memories coming to the surface are more fond than they are sad.]

So, Sunday afternoon, it began -- again. Picking up the needles and the yarn, I found that I actually had to go back to the books and relearn how to knit, how to purl, and how to cast off. That much time had passed, and unfortunately, I tend to hold the yarns differently than anyone else I've encountered, so first I had to figure out how "they" do it. Then, I could go from there and rediscover how I used to do it. That hurdle behind me, it all came back with the incredible ease.

The only bad news: After a few hours of working the rows, I found that I really didn't want to finish such a boring (if beautiful) piece (monotonous pattern, monotonous color). At the same time, I also didn't want to start working on a new project when I had a perfectly good one in progress. So, creator's perrogative: I changed the plan.

The original plan: An extra wide scarf, long enough to put pockets at the ends for hands to tuck into at football games.

The new plan: A hooded scarf/cowel.

Although my hands always get cold, and the scarf with pockets might have been the better idea, this was a faster finish. So, here is the final product.

[I'm also quite glad that my first SCA helmet -- the closest thing I have to a human head -- doesn't mind the hot temperatures and makes a reasonable display

The current length allows me to wrap both 'wings' around my neck to meet in the back, like a bulky cowel. I may eventually crochet more rows onto the ends to make it longer (purples and reds would be pretty). However, right now, it may be better for wearing underneath coats, so length may not be necessary. [Not planning to test that until the temperatures drop again!]

Luckily, this blue is in fact darker than the blue in the slippers. I can get by wearing this color better than the other (and the white crochet border helps, too -- added to tame the natural curl of the knitting, an oopsie in the original plan that I hadn't allowed for).

Although I think a warmer color would have been a better choice, I had a huge 1-pound skein of this very soft yarn gifted to me... with the unknown size of the original/final project, it was a no-brainer what color I was going to have to use! 

But for an experiment, it turned out not-too-bad.
 ;-)