The New Job

I hope that, by now, anyone who is still poking their noses 'round here from time to time just to see if there's anything new (or are subscribing to a feed) are also connected to us on Facebook (or are actually talking to us in person once in a while). I'd hate to think I left anybody hanging for an extra month before getting around to sharing the news, but yes, I have a new job.

I started four weeks ago, at a funky little software shop called Partnerpedia. By little, I mean about five times the size of my previous employer but still small enough to feel cozy and fun. And by funky I mean the staff is on the young side and some of them even have pretty good fashion sense. I don't know, at least compared to me. And some of them even develop on Macs. Weirdos.

So far it's been great. I had to hit the ground running, developing new functionality on a platform I wasn't too familiar with for a new release of a proven project for a fairly big client. The new release has to be out November 4, so there wasn't a lot of cushion for learning at a slow pace. I had specifically said in the interview that I was good at picking things up quickly, so both they and I are now glad I wasn't just joshing. Earlier this week I was asked if I might be able to work an extra day on the weekend (I could just hear Bill Lumbergh..."I'm gonna need you to go ahead and come in on Saturday..."), but by the end of the day today it was clear that wasn't going to be necessary, since I had everything pretty much wrapped up and ready for testing.

Did I mention they have testing at this place? Like with actual requirements and test plans and people paid just to do QA. First class all the way!

So I'm enjoying it. Not missing the old place too much. Not that I'm bitter or anything...

Anyway, all told I was out of work three and a half weeks. That qualified me for one week of Employment Insurance, but it still puts a pretty big dent in our finances. Stay tuned though, because it turns out we might have enough air miles to take a little trip back to Minnesota for free next summer! Anybody in Minnesota still remember us...?

The First Day of School - Toby

Toby started Grade One today! Let's ask him about it.

So Toby, how was the first day of Grade One?
Boring.

Really, what did you do?
Everything was boring.

But what did you do in school?
We had carpet time and we decorated our names.

Who is in your class that you are already friends with?
Jonah, Isabella, Victor...

Anyone else that you like?
Not really.

Did you make any new friends?
No.

What's your teacher's name?
I always forget, you know that!

Oh, sorry. It's Mademoiselle Chung. Is she nice?
Yeah. Whatever.

Do you like her?
No, not really.

Why not?
I don't know.

Okay. Well, you didn't stay at school very long today, did you?
It was like sixty hours.

Did your teacher speak French or only English?
It was all French, but I pretty much understood.

So tomorrow's going to be your first day staying at school for the whole day, right?
Yeah. I would pretty much hate it.

Staying at school all day long?
Yeah. And now could you stop writing this email?

It's a blog.
Well then could you stop writing this blog?

Pretty soon. What do you want in your lunch tomorrow? It's your first school lunch ever.
Hummous, pretzels, and...

Carrots?
Carrots? Yes, carrots.

Okay.

The First Day of School - Alicia

Alicia started a new preschool today. Let's ask her how it was.

Alicia, how was your first day of school today?
My ballet class?

Well it wasn't really a ballet class, was it?
No. Let's just call it a ballet class.

Okay. So did you like your new ballet class?
(nods)

What did you like about it?
Playtime and snack.

Ah, okay. What else did you do?
Art and calendar.

Oh, what do you do for calendar?
Put what the weather is and choose what month.

Okay. What was the weather today?
Rain.

Who else is in your school?
There wasn't anyone else in my school.

No one else?
No.

Were there other kids?
No. Only me and Cruz and the girl that my teacher has.

Her daughter?
Mm hmm. Only my teacher's daughter and me and Cruz.

Do you remember her daughter's name?
No.

What's your teacher's name?
W.S.K.

W.S.K.? Does that stand for something?
No. (laughs)

Do you know your teacher's real name?
(shakes head)

So what was your favourite thing that you did in preschool today?
Snack and play.

And you played outside?
Played outside and inside.

What did you do outside?
Play.

Play what?
Soccer. Bubbles and soccer.

Cool. So, are you excited about going back tomorrow?
Yes!

First Day of School - Michelle

Michelle started teaching at a new school today. Let's ask her how it was.

So how was class today?
Pretty quiet.

How many students did you have?
Zero. But one person popped in because she wanted to take class there.

Okay. And do you have a whiteboard or anything to write on in your classroom?
No. But I brought some of my own paper.

Do you know anything about having students tomorrow?
It's unlikely that I will have students tomorrow.

Why?
It'll just take time for students to get registered. They didn't have the location registered with the testing agency in time.

What about the whiteboard?
One of the managers said that she would get it ordered. I gave her a whole list of supplies that I wanted and she said it would get ordered. She said I should have the supplies tomorrow. And she did say that she hoped I would have the whiteboard before I have students.

So how do you feel about your job so far?
Um, today I feel better than I did this weekend. The manager that just got back seems more competent than the one I've been dealing with. I'm just excited to have students soon. Someday.

So what do you do at work until you have students?
I study French and make copies and I will be making some more brochures to hand out to advertise the class.

And your building doesn't have a copier but you have access to another building.
Yeah, I have to go somewhere else to make copies. But they said that I could have a small copier when I have students. It sounds like they're going to equip me eventually.

So you didn't give anybody a piece of your mind today?
No. I didn't.

Can I tell you something else that happened today?
Sure.

One of the childcare workers was going down the hall looking for someone to show pictures to, so I stood in the hallway for 15 minutes looking at pictures of a bunch of people at a wedding getting fed. Tons of pictures of the bride and groom getting fed sweets.
Interesting.

Not really. Somewhat. They made a picture out of coloured rice though, I thought that was awesome.
Okay.

Back To School

It's been an interesting week.

Toby is getting ready to begin Grade One, Alicia is looking forward to a new preschool, Michelle is learning the ropes of a new job, and I'm looking for one.

Last Tuesday, my boss sat me and two of my coworkers down and explained that there was nothing wrong with our performance and this wasn't because of anything to do with us, but there wasn't enough work and payroll had to be temporarily reduced and they expected to hire all three of us back in six weeks. Although the part about there not being enough work for everybody wasn't exactly a surprise, the action being taken certainly was.

Although it's nice to have some reassurance that I might be able to go back to my old job in six weeks, at this point that doesn't really look like the ideal scenario. I'm looking at this as an opportunity to find something better, sooner. So the job hunt is on.

In the meantime, Michelle is jumping into a new job, doing what she does best, teaching ESL to adults. She's also been picking up extra cash tutoring students through the summer, so some of that may also continue this fall. Although there have been some frustrations with how things are starting out in this new position, she is still looking forward to being in the classroom with people who want to learn.

Michelle's also really enjoying me being home, at least so far. It was a little strange how my first day off the job was her first day on, so as she was driving off to work for the day, I was getting the kids breakfast and planning a trip to the park. Instant role reversal.

Our kids are fantastic, ready for school to start but lamenting the end of their summer break. We briefly tossed around the idea of Alicia starting kindergarten this year, but finally opted for a wonderful new daycare/preschool program that's starting up just a few blocks away from our house.

So come Tuesday Dad is going to be packing lunches and dropping kids off at their first day of school while Mom is off at work. It should be a very interesting week, again.