Just…stuff (read it and weep)
I have so much important on my plate I don't know what to focus on and what to feel about any of it besides stressed and pressed for time:
I'm taking 5 classes (the recommended 'full' load is 3 classes):
Intro to Corrections (beginner level, right after Intro to Juvenile Justice. 3 annoying idiots in this class, a teacher who soft-balls everything and data I already know. It's a breeze but I have to show up and do the reading and put up with imbeciles who enjoy sharing TMI about their criminal records).
Arrest, Search and Seizure (a 200-level class, supposedly a culmination of other classes - it's not my strong suit, but the information is important. I'm struggling and concerned. I spoke with the teacher, also my advisor about it - it was productive and helpful).
Technical Writing (a waste of my time in most senses - the teacher is a joke. The assignments are good for objective writing, though, and not much else. One day of class: half of it spent giving a survey to another soc class or something, the rest of the hour is spent watching cop videos about reasonable force/probable cause…WTF??? I'm paying for this!).
Professional Development (basically, creating a portfolio for your future career/job search and preparing for all that).
Co-op 'class' (credit for working in a job in my field, in this case juvenile detention as a corrections officer. I have to write a paragraph and return in every two weeks. It's 100 hours=2 credits and I'll be at 90.25 end of May, though I'll see if I can squeak another field-trip event in as hours).
Classes start at 7:30am and go until 12:30 (with two painful hours in between) on Mondays/Wednesdays and from 7:30am to 10:30 on Tuesdays/Thursdays - Tues/Thurs also have the 'fun' classes, Arrest, Search, Seizure and Pro Development.
I'm getting a 3.5 and graduating with honors in June. I get my degree after three more classes in summer (IT 100, Soc 100, and another 50 hour co-op). So I graduate…but don't get a degree. I didn't get accepted to be a commencement speaker, either. Ah, well. I don't have a dress. And my work shoes are giving me problems. It's so, so, so hard to focus on being excited to graduate when it's not a 'real' graduation and when I'm so…lost.
Being on time has improved leaps and bounds! With time left over! I'm trying to get more than 5 hours of sleep, though. I need a physical and a chiropractor appointment - carrying around 4-5 books + purse every morning in a bag, not a backpack (to evenly distribute weight) killed me the first week.
I also want to see about joining Phi Theta Kappa, the community college's 'honors' society or whatever the heck you call it. Pay $40 or so and show up to the meetings - put that in my resume, please!
Super cool Civil Disturbance Unit volunteering in late May. Looking forward to it again!
Jobs (since I don't plan on being idle and jobs are raining down around me)...
We got a new guest speaker, aside from the usual state patrol and Civil Disturbance Unit volunteer event (not a recruitment, but it was this time! Yay! West-side jobs where I'd like to live!) It was an officer from R-city. They have a thing called the Employee Value Program (EVP). No sooner do we have an assignment on 'how to handle disappointment when you're not chosen post-interview' and no sooner does my dad mention R-city….
Here's some of their info:
They pay 5% more for an AA, 10% more for a bachelors. 2% increase for 10 years service, 12% for 20 years. 10 paid holidays where you earn double time-and-a-half. The city matches retirement 4%, health 1%, and no social security payments. They pay for all equipment. They're proactive patrol. The state minimum is 34 some hours for training, they provide 80+. The shifts are 12 hours a day, so you work half a month and no shift bids (so newbies don't get shafted into graves until they gain seniority). Oh, and starting pay is $32.37. They also look for good public speakers and have additional 'test/requirements' after the primary testing. They're hiring 3 now/soon and up to 9 next year if a new tax bump passes. The whole city is this progressive and…wealthy. It also has a community college (you know, to finish the degree, post-academy). For me, I adore the proactive and the 'valuing employees' part because I'm loyal and being appreciated means the world to me. I want that job SOOO bad. I've requested a ride-along with them. I meant to do another one (with the local PD, whom I discuss later) but the recruitor mentioned ride-alongs looking good for the agency you interview with, obviously.
County Corrections (adult), here, locally, is hiring up to 30. Women may be hired sooner. They pay $23 something, full benefits. 12 hour, rotating shifts. I would have to be 'recertified' in pepper spray (BS! I'm certified through the same county! It was even filmed!) though I can opt out of being tazered. The physical training is significantly less and currently manageable with my state of fitness (or lack thereof). I would get gun certified through them as well. I don't think I would be shoved in with the female inmates since everything runs so differently from juvenile detention. I need to ask, though. The in-house training is 6 weeks, the academy is 4 weeks. Is that worth it for around one year of service? I debated the full-time position at juvie and let it pass - that was a good decision. I am plagued with doubt - apply and do it anyway or just…not bother? I have an old student loan to pay off (frozen since I'm in school), so the money would go towards that...
The west side…F-Way (and another city) is hiring, also through this popular site 'Public Safety Testing.com' (test once, submit it to multiple departments, as many as you've paid for - useful for both applicants and employers obviously). Not sure how many or for how long. I like the area over there. Don't have any other details.
Local - my city is hiring 7 officers. I hate that department for reasons that aren't clear to me. I don't want to work there/here, nor do I want to live here because I never liked it. They go through PST.com, too.
About the testing: written test and physical are usually same day. The city you test in varies, you chose your location and sign up (after you've paid, of course). Must get a 70+ on the written, they send a mock-test to you so you can study prior. The physical is insane. Period.
1.5 mile run/jog/walk in 14:31 minutes MINIMUM.
300 meter sprint in 71 seconds MINIMUM.
1 minute timed sit ups - 30 MINIMUM (same day retest allowed, elbows must touch knees and back must touch floor, hands interlocked behind neck at all times).
Untimed push-ups - 21 MINIMUM (same day retest allowed, rests allowed in 'up' position).
My current/best times:
1.5 run = PB 15:20 (with Crossfit). Current = 16:04-16:12
300 sprint = unknown
Sit-ups = 30
Push-ups - 12-15
I may have a little over a month to do the impossible and maintain it (you must pass the physical at least once, possibly twice at academy and after that, during training with your training officer, the wash-out rates are 50%). I need to get back into Crossfit but my effing bank just changed over and is giving me a literal headache. It's literally too long to explain that whole story. All this stress and anger makes for great energy, if only it didn't make me literally tense. On top of all that, my aids (a cooling headband for outdoor/any runs and iPod) are likely to be banned from the actual test for reasons that are stupid. Oh, and that 'testing' phase doesn't include the polygraph and psych. I've passed a polygraph, never had a psych and I worry about the latter.
Current work - extremely slow and that's a good thing. My hours at juvie are limited to 650 a year and I go through that real quick. Pizza delivery is 1-3 days a week. I got my tax refund, though. I'm not hurting for money and I wish I didn't have to work so I can concentrate on actual important things.
My guy delimma - Mr. J hasn't texted me about his BBQ at his house with other young co-workers. I thought it was this Friday. Mr. E (yeah, I know) didn't sit by me today as usual. I'm strangely upset by that and don't know what to make of it. No, neither of them is probably an ideal fit if I'm looking at out-of-city/county jobs. Neither of them is probably an ideal fit period, isn't that uplifting?
The psuedo-friend (female) isn't working out so well and I think that's okay. It's nice to chat sometimes. She's…young. Flakey. Hypocritical. Not…very ethical. She's invited me to cheat several times and 'didn't know it was cheating.' I had to enlighten her and turn her down. That stuff goes on your degree forever. She's a horrible student as far as I can tell. I understand her because I am/was a lot like that (minus the cheating and being a horrible student). I like to think I've matured more and can acknowledge my flaws. She's kind of sleezy, too, practically making out with an ignoramus who loooves to open his mouth and contradict our instructor/advisor in class, during recordings. She has a 'boyfriend', not the ignoramus. I was surprised after all this time that they weren't dating based on how much they 'hang out' together on campus/in class. I just wash my hands of it, you know?
My maternal grandmother had hip surgery. She's recovering well. My paternal grandmother, on the same day of the surgery, tripped and fell and broke/dislocated/sprained her shoulder, cut her forehead, and blackened her eye. This is not surprising - she lives alone now (my grandfather, her husband, passed last November) and she has given herself injuries to get attention in the past (even when grandpa was alive and living with her). It's very sad. She hurts herself or reinjures herself/won't heal because she insists on being living alone, not being social, focusing on imaginary projects so she can say she's 'busy', and refusing readily offered help. She's declining, her color is bad and she's fragile. She thinks she will continue to live by herself in that same apartment - yeah right. She did break down and buy one of those 'granny alert' necklace monitors but who knows if she was wearing it when she fell. She wears it occassionally as far as I've seen.
I'm taking 5 classes (the recommended 'full' load is 3 classes):
Intro to Corrections (beginner level, right after Intro to Juvenile Justice. 3 annoying idiots in this class, a teacher who soft-balls everything and data I already know. It's a breeze but I have to show up and do the reading and put up with imbeciles who enjoy sharing TMI about their criminal records).
Arrest, Search and Seizure (a 200-level class, supposedly a culmination of other classes - it's not my strong suit, but the information is important. I'm struggling and concerned. I spoke with the teacher, also my advisor about it - it was productive and helpful).
Technical Writing (a waste of my time in most senses - the teacher is a joke. The assignments are good for objective writing, though, and not much else. One day of class: half of it spent giving a survey to another soc class or something, the rest of the hour is spent watching cop videos about reasonable force/probable cause…WTF??? I'm paying for this!).
Professional Development (basically, creating a portfolio for your future career/job search and preparing for all that).
Co-op 'class' (credit for working in a job in my field, in this case juvenile detention as a corrections officer. I have to write a paragraph and return in every two weeks. It's 100 hours=2 credits and I'll be at 90.25 end of May, though I'll see if I can squeak another field-trip event in as hours).
Classes start at 7:30am and go until 12:30 (with two painful hours in between) on Mondays/Wednesdays and from 7:30am to 10:30 on Tuesdays/Thursdays - Tues/Thurs also have the 'fun' classes, Arrest, Search, Seizure and Pro Development.
I'm getting a 3.5 and graduating with honors in June. I get my degree after three more classes in summer (IT 100, Soc 100, and another 50 hour co-op). So I graduate…but don't get a degree. I didn't get accepted to be a commencement speaker, either. Ah, well. I don't have a dress. And my work shoes are giving me problems. It's so, so, so hard to focus on being excited to graduate when it's not a 'real' graduation and when I'm so…lost.
Being on time has improved leaps and bounds! With time left over! I'm trying to get more than 5 hours of sleep, though. I need a physical and a chiropractor appointment - carrying around 4-5 books + purse every morning in a bag, not a backpack (to evenly distribute weight) killed me the first week.
I also want to see about joining Phi Theta Kappa, the community college's 'honors' society or whatever the heck you call it. Pay $40 or so and show up to the meetings - put that in my resume, please!
Super cool Civil Disturbance Unit volunteering in late May. Looking forward to it again!
Jobs (since I don't plan on being idle and jobs are raining down around me)...
We got a new guest speaker, aside from the usual state patrol and Civil Disturbance Unit volunteer event (not a recruitment, but it was this time! Yay! West-side jobs where I'd like to live!) It was an officer from R-city. They have a thing called the Employee Value Program (EVP). No sooner do we have an assignment on 'how to handle disappointment when you're not chosen post-interview' and no sooner does my dad mention R-city….
Here's some of their info:
They pay 5% more for an AA, 10% more for a bachelors. 2% increase for 10 years service, 12% for 20 years. 10 paid holidays where you earn double time-and-a-half. The city matches retirement 4%, health 1%, and no social security payments. They pay for all equipment. They're proactive patrol. The state minimum is 34 some hours for training, they provide 80+. The shifts are 12 hours a day, so you work half a month and no shift bids (so newbies don't get shafted into graves until they gain seniority). Oh, and starting pay is $32.37. They also look for good public speakers and have additional 'test/requirements' after the primary testing. They're hiring 3 now/soon and up to 9 next year if a new tax bump passes. The whole city is this progressive and…wealthy. It also has a community college (you know, to finish the degree, post-academy). For me, I adore the proactive and the 'valuing employees' part because I'm loyal and being appreciated means the world to me. I want that job SOOO bad. I've requested a ride-along with them. I meant to do another one (with the local PD, whom I discuss later) but the recruitor mentioned ride-alongs looking good for the agency you interview with, obviously.
County Corrections (adult), here, locally, is hiring up to 30. Women may be hired sooner. They pay $23 something, full benefits. 12 hour, rotating shifts. I would have to be 'recertified' in pepper spray (BS! I'm certified through the same county! It was even filmed!) though I can opt out of being tazered. The physical training is significantly less and currently manageable with my state of fitness (or lack thereof). I would get gun certified through them as well. I don't think I would be shoved in with the female inmates since everything runs so differently from juvenile detention. I need to ask, though. The in-house training is 6 weeks, the academy is 4 weeks. Is that worth it for around one year of service? I debated the full-time position at juvie and let it pass - that was a good decision. I am plagued with doubt - apply and do it anyway or just…not bother? I have an old student loan to pay off (frozen since I'm in school), so the money would go towards that...
The west side…F-Way (and another city) is hiring, also through this popular site 'Public Safety Testing.com' (test once, submit it to multiple departments, as many as you've paid for - useful for both applicants and employers obviously). Not sure how many or for how long. I like the area over there. Don't have any other details.
Local - my city is hiring 7 officers. I hate that department for reasons that aren't clear to me. I don't want to work there/here, nor do I want to live here because I never liked it. They go through PST.com, too.
About the testing: written test and physical are usually same day. The city you test in varies, you chose your location and sign up (after you've paid, of course). Must get a 70+ on the written, they send a mock-test to you so you can study prior. The physical is insane. Period.
1.5 mile run/jog/walk in 14:31 minutes MINIMUM.
300 meter sprint in 71 seconds MINIMUM.
1 minute timed sit ups - 30 MINIMUM (same day retest allowed, elbows must touch knees and back must touch floor, hands interlocked behind neck at all times).
Untimed push-ups - 21 MINIMUM (same day retest allowed, rests allowed in 'up' position).
My current/best times:
1.5 run = PB 15:20 (with Crossfit). Current = 16:04-16:12
300 sprint = unknown
Sit-ups = 30
Push-ups - 12-15
I may have a little over a month to do the impossible and maintain it (you must pass the physical at least once, possibly twice at academy and after that, during training with your training officer, the wash-out rates are 50%). I need to get back into Crossfit but my effing bank just changed over and is giving me a literal headache. It's literally too long to explain that whole story. All this stress and anger makes for great energy, if only it didn't make me literally tense. On top of all that, my aids (a cooling headband for outdoor/any runs and iPod) are likely to be banned from the actual test for reasons that are stupid. Oh, and that 'testing' phase doesn't include the polygraph and psych. I've passed a polygraph, never had a psych and I worry about the latter.
Current work - extremely slow and that's a good thing. My hours at juvie are limited to 650 a year and I go through that real quick. Pizza delivery is 1-3 days a week. I got my tax refund, though. I'm not hurting for money and I wish I didn't have to work so I can concentrate on actual important things.
My guy delimma - Mr. J hasn't texted me about his BBQ at his house with other young co-workers. I thought it was this Friday. Mr. E (yeah, I know) didn't sit by me today as usual. I'm strangely upset by that and don't know what to make of it. No, neither of them is probably an ideal fit if I'm looking at out-of-city/county jobs. Neither of them is probably an ideal fit period, isn't that uplifting?
The psuedo-friend (female) isn't working out so well and I think that's okay. It's nice to chat sometimes. She's…young. Flakey. Hypocritical. Not…very ethical. She's invited me to cheat several times and 'didn't know it was cheating.' I had to enlighten her and turn her down. That stuff goes on your degree forever. She's a horrible student as far as I can tell. I understand her because I am/was a lot like that (minus the cheating and being a horrible student). I like to think I've matured more and can acknowledge my flaws. She's kind of sleezy, too, practically making out with an ignoramus who loooves to open his mouth and contradict our instructor/advisor in class, during recordings. She has a 'boyfriend', not the ignoramus. I was surprised after all this time that they weren't dating based on how much they 'hang out' together on campus/in class. I just wash my hands of it, you know?
My maternal grandmother had hip surgery. She's recovering well. My paternal grandmother, on the same day of the surgery, tripped and fell and broke/dislocated/sprained her shoulder, cut her forehead, and blackened her eye. This is not surprising - she lives alone now (my grandfather, her husband, passed last November) and she has given herself injuries to get attention in the past (even when grandpa was alive and living with her). It's very sad. She hurts herself or reinjures herself/won't heal because she insists on being living alone, not being social, focusing on imaginary projects so she can say she's 'busy', and refusing readily offered help. She's declining, her color is bad and she's fragile. She thinks she will continue to live by herself in that same apartment - yeah right. She did break down and buy one of those 'granny alert' necklace monitors but who knows if she was wearing it when she fell. She wears it occassionally as far as I've seen.