My World

I have had a typical Marta's World time of late. I was sooo excited to get into school and start my new career. The teacher started out giving homework and instructing. As the weeks have gone by he has been less productive in the classroom. He does not teach but rather he sits in a chair in the front of the class doing nothing. You may recall the post at the begining of school the teacher left to get sick? That has happened two more times as well as him breaking out in a cold sweat, shaking, his voice is shaky and weak. He is obviously not well but he didn't pull himself out of the class. The students have been teaching each other and it is more like a study hall. It took some of us writing letters of concern to the heads of the program to make a change. We wanted a positive outcome rather than some of our fellow students that were out for blood. They were frustrated at the lack of instruction. We are all getting nervous that we wont have all the knowledge we need to pass the National test. If we dont pass that we dont work!

We were suposed to take our mid-term Thusday. The study group (named Divalicous HandiSlap's minions) met for a couple hours before class using his (lame) study guide to finish preparing for the 50 question multiple choice test. We were told as we were working by one of the heads of the program that the teacher would not be in class as he was sick. We were also asked to take a "mid-term" evalution. The subsitute teacher had no idea we were taking a test. When talking about the mid-term our teacher told us that it should take a half hour to take the test. When we started class the sub was surprised to see our study guide we had used to prepare. He said the test was 50 math questions - nothing else. We were originally told there would be very little math but a lot of other things from the first eight chapters of our book! After thinking for a moment the sub asked if he could go over some of the math that would be on the test. He said he would teach until 7 to prepare us for the test he would give us on Monday. Then he did something all of us needed and craved - he taught us! In the 1 1/2 hours he taught pharmacy math and how it relates to a prescription. He showed how you gathered all the info and translated to the final product. My hand hurt from the notes I took. We did not have the usual levity in the classroom but people busy writing and learning. When he dismissed the class some of us stayed to thank him for instructing us and begged him to stay for the next (and last) four weeks of our class. If he stays and instructs us we feel we will learn a lot and the National will be a slam dunk!

Think and get me a job! :)

For those that don't know I am currently in school studying to be Pharmacy Technician. I take my midterm Thursday and graduate from the program March 21. I will have my Oregon License but need to study and pass the National Certification Test in order to continue working in a pharmacy. I am scheduled to take that test late April. Part of the program includes a career planning class and one of our assignments is to network our asses off!!!! The statistic of people that get a job from networking is something like 80%. I'm a talker so I will talk to anyone anywhere. That can be the connection that gets you a contact that gets you the job.


My previous work background is retail with an emphasis on Customer Service. (Currently at the big Yellow Box as Greeter) The program I'm in is book learning and memorization but no hands on experience. Most of my class mates will go on to a three month internship (typically unpaid) but in my current financial state I don't think that is possible for me. If I could get a paid internship that would be ideal. So, if you know someone that works at a pharmacy or knows the HR person at a hospital . . . and feel comfortable giving me their contact information it could land me a position!

Thanks for reading and any help you might give me,

Marta aka Diva

RCR and the Students of Drugs

The next Rose City Rollers bout is on March 22. That happens to be the day after my graduation from PT program with my Oregon License . I am planning to celebrate this milestone at the bout's after party the next day. Actually some of my class mates are going to be joining in the festivities before we get back to the books for the second half of student fun. We need to continue studying up to taking the National test. So, if you would like to enjoy some hard hitting, kick-ass girls doing Roller Derby and then party with them, PT students, strangers and me e-mail me. Tickets purchased from RD girls are $14. and the ticket stub gets you in for free to the after party! There will be a band or two so you get a great evening out at one low cost. OK drinks and food are extra. To see more about the league, the bout and information on the after party go to RCR

I really want you to join me so make plans, order your tickets from me and lets celebrate!

Hellllllloooooooo

It has been a wild, packed bit of time! I think it's only been a week but I have had a lot deal with. Resume hell, homework, work, needing sleep because of and without looking sick, receiving my last much smaller pay check, getting some dental work done and all the everyday things we do in our lives.

Last night I took the last Zocol. I hope that is the end of that getting sick nonsense! So many are all but laying in a ditch on the side of the road dying of the Death Flu". I really hope that's what I stopped and wont get sick now with!

After countless hours of painful thinking and working with my Career Specialist I have my change of career resume ready! I will need to tweak it depending on who and why I'm giving it to - Meaning entry level or internship. I'm almost done with a template of a cover letter too. I have a few folks I want to try to contact for appointments but it will have to want until Monday or Tuesday depending on my work schedule. I have not seen the latest joy. I am feeling the squeeze and lack of love at the yellow box. It isn't personal but a nation wide change.

I meet with my tax guy again to sign my taxes today. He is really good and quick! He got mine ready in about a week. He cant send them in until Feb. 15th but then I hope the wait will not be too long. I need the supplemental income to tide us over until I am started in my new career. I highly recommend Asad for anyone that likes money back on their taxes. He has a small army of CPA's in his practice. They take good care of this Diva.

There are two things that should be left to the professionals - Taxes and resumes.

Cold almost gone!

I'm telling you to get this stuff! I hardy seem sick by looking at me. I do need tons of sleep but don't have the symptoms of the current "Death Flu" going around! I feel lucky.

I was sick starting on Saturday. I was feeling too yucky to cook so after drinking all the orange juice, water and chicken broth I could stand I ordered delivery from Ling Garden. I was good and as usual the fortune left me thinking. "You will hear a kind word from a stranger."

So serious

I love my Betties but why was I sooo serious? I know I was super tired by the time I got to the Expo having worked most of the day. I didn't plan to be in charge of the Penalty Box so that was stressful but what really wore me out was the Seattle gals.They did not seem to understand Penalty box rules and etiquette. Those bitches wore me out! I'm glad our gals have been trained.

Photo by Steven Price aka Skippy Steve He is the official photographer for RCR and a really nice Judge

Super Me

It's good to be me! Yeah, I'm sick but loads better than when it hit me yesterday. I started taking Airborne right away which helped but my parents went to the drugstore and got a product called Zucol. Wow, that stuff rawks! It cuts the severity and duration of a cold. I went from completely miserable to yeah I'm sick but see the light. I slept a lot and took this stuff as directed yesterday. When I got up this morning to go to work I felt sick but not bad like you would trying to get up when your sick. What I'm trying to say is get some Zucol and have it ready next time you feel a cold coming on! I know a lot of people who are down with this cold/flu. They have a horrible cough that is so violent they throw up not to mention the chest congestion. I'm doing all the right things you should do when you are sick like sleep, drink plenty of liquids, eat hot and sour soup and drink green tea. The reason it's good to be me is I had asked to get off early to go to a friends Super Bowl / Winter Party and used 4 hours of vacation time to make a full workday. I got paid to come home, get into cozy clothes, eat Ruffles and a 1/2 100 Grand bar and fall asleep to a movie on TV. It's good to be me.