Oh My Goff

Due to lack of traffic I have permanently closed the forum section.

I just accepted an offer today to work for BTech, a local company in Pasadena, CA that does managed network services. It really comes at a great time, as I’ve been really needing something full-time with benefits and a good path to expansion. I’m totally stoked at the idea of getting out of debt in a mere 2-3 years. Yay!!!!

So it’s been quite awhile since I posted…I claim full responsibility for this lapse in better judgment. A helluva lot has happened in the last couple months. I got very busy working for Westmed and the 12 hour shifts 3-4 times a week took it out of me enough that I didn’t feel like posting on here
Unfortunately, though it’s a great job and is very rewarding, the wages are scant; not nearly enough to pay rent and bills at the same time. Compounded by an accidental termination of medical insurance (resulting in an indefinite amount of time without my arthritis medication), I was forced to quit my EMT job last week. So, I’m back in the tech sector doing whatever I can to put food on the table and keep my creditors happy. This last week I worked in Manhattan Beach at a credit union doing a mass computer network workstation upgrade/rollover. The pay is decent and it’s giving me enough time to get my resume out to a few agencies and potential job leads.
As much as I’d like to stay within the medical field and reap the fulfillment benefits, I realize that realistically I must do all I can do be financially responsible. I have many debts to repay and certainly with a skill set in all things technical as strong as mine I should take advantage of it. God gave me talents for a reason….I should use them! Eventually I’d love to get back into EMT and perhaps progress up to paramedic. But for now, it’s reasonable to assume that for at least awhile, I’ll be staring at cathode rays instead of stethoscopes.
Oh and since I got this awhile ago, I figured I’d finally fill it out:

Four Jobs I’ve Had

A few nights ago there was a christmas party at my friend Dayna’s. I took lots of pictures, so go check them out!!

PICTURES!!!

Phew…I’m finally starting training at Westmed! This Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday I have 12 hour training sessions on ambulances in LA county. Tuesday should be the most interesting, as that will be a 911-based Paramedic rig. I seriously can NOT wait…it’s taken way too long to get training started, but hey, LA county is LA county and it takes forever to get started as an EMT. On a side note, I’m also in the middle of the interviewing process with Wescom Credit Union for a part time position to supplement the EMT income. I’d be an item processor, which I believe is a job where you just go through all the stuff that was deposited into the ATM and verify and file it. For $17/hour, I can deal with that. Finances are pretty tight right now, but I know I’ll make it through the holidays…

Okay it’s been awhile since I posted, but that’s because there has been a WHOLE lot going on lately. I’m now living in a house on my own in Temple City, CA. Out of 60 people who got applications for it, I managed to squeak in It’s a great place that’s perfect for me. Lots of room, big kitchen, and it’s on a concrete slab Sometimes it gets really quiet, so I can listen to my music/play my DVDs at pretty much any volume without worrying about disturbing the neighbors. The house is in a nice neigborhood a few miles from the 210 and 10 freeways. God has definitely blessed me by granting me the opportunity to get out on my own and have my first place be a 2 bedroom house!
Okay, enough about that now
I’ve been hired by Westmed Ambulance in Irwindale, CA as an ambulance driver/attendant. I’m in the process of getting the necessary papers/certifications/permits to facilitate being in this job. Quite frustrating at times, it has definitely been. It’s taking 3 weeks longer than I expected for things to start up with Westmed…BUT, it’s all worth it. I’m really excited about the opportunities that await. Many things are changing right now, and I’m a little anxious about some of them, but I know God is in control of it all and won’t let anything happen that isn’t supposed to. Any of you out there who pray, send a prayer or two my way if you get the chance, I’d be very grateful for them.
On another note, man it is freaking expensive to move out! I’ve spent at least 1500 dollars on necessary goods for my home. Beds, furniture, cleaning supplies, food, housewares…it’s a lot. Meanwhile since my job is starting later than I thought I’m starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel with finances and am forced to sell a couple things in order to stay afloat. That’s fine with me though….I mean who really NEEDS a 23″ Cinema Display LCD?
Last but not least, I’ve begun to really enjoy mixing my own drinks instead of paying 6-10 dollars a pop at restaurants. A trip or two to the local drug store fixed all that. Tonight I made a very tasty combination of pineapple juice, melon liqueur, raspberry flavored vodka, and coconut rum. Don’t worry, I’m not turning into a drunk Everything in moderation, of course.

God Bless

Just got back from San Diego for a family get together…I took quite a few pictures of an aircraft carrier down there, the USS Midway, now known as the Midway Museum. There are also many pictures of family…
Check it out!!

I just got the results of my NREMT exam and I am proud to say that I passed
I didn’t think I had failed, but man it feels good to know for sure that I got the certification. Now I just gotta wait for it to show up in the mail so I can apply to the county for THEIR certification. No test to take for that, though

Ahhhh…. I feel great.

I got back from EMT bootcamp a couple days ago. I’m now at APU visiting friends again and scouting out prospective job opportunities and places to live. I have to wait for the actual NREMT card to come in the mail before I can start applying for jobs though
Life has been pretty great lately…it feels good to have a major change. I took some pictures of my classmates at Unitek and put them in the gallery. Head on over to take a look!

It’s day #10 of EMT bootcamp, and I was just informed that class doesn’t start until 10AM today…thanks for telling me that last night so I could sleep in a little
I’m doing well in class, I have a B average so far (booo…stupid quizzes). Tomorrow is a big exam so I’ll be studying hard for it, but I’m confident that all will go well. I’m not exactly thrilled about the idea of 4 more days of this, but it’s really not that bad and it’s completely worth it. I can’t wait to go out in the field and practice what I’ve learned.