Read My Day & Laugh!

Friday, April 25, 2008

Promoted Already

I was chuckling all the way home tonight. When I am applied online to be a postal worker, I didn’t attach a resume. In comments I wrote I had been an office worker for a number of years and needed a job that was more physically demanding. I got hired as a inside worker, which is a real perk here, where we can have temperatures of –40 and colder and this week got 26” of snowfall in 3 days – IN APRIL.

I have worked 4 days as a sorter in the back of the city’s retail outlet, filling people lock boxes with mail. Today I got promoted to customer service. This is a really big deal, because there are only 5 such positions of the 70 union jobs in this city. One is no longer sorting mail and or walking outside.

I asked why the position came about. Periodically they review the ratio of bilingual service representatives to determine if the post office still complies with Canadian government policy. I am filling in for a woman who HAS to take a compulsory 3-month French language course. I asked her if other postal workers would be attending classes with her – NO. She told me that in the past the worker would be sent to the major city, put up in a nice hotel, attend French classes and fly home for weekends.

She refused to go away, so they found a French teacher, who will fly up here and stay at a hotel and instruct her in the hotel room one on one. So this 60 year-old woman, who delivered mail for 14 years and worked in the retail outlet the last 4 years, is hoping she will be spending 6 hours a day with a handsome young man who will teach her French! You can ‘t make this stuff up.

At the end of my shift I was given some old uniforms to see if I can find one that fits. Well, it appears the average female postal worker is size 12 or quite a bit smaller – well at least the ones that leave and the post office gets their uniform. Oh, I should add I have lost at least a couple of pounds this week, but the size 12 would be VERY SNUG.

Also, I am learning to accept criticism, which is important because I was rather thin-skinned. Any screw up, some tells you about it, so I am good now at smiling and saying, “Thanks for telling me, I’ll watch it”.

I have to say, I like the job and the people and the wacky policies. Days like this make it a fun.

I am going to have a glass of red wine (low carbs), play some cards and relax for a bit.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SHELLY_L 4/28/2008 7:26AM

I loved reading this blog entry ... funny and uplifting! Thanks for posting! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARIADALE 4/26/2008 8:32AM

Isn't french language training a joke! Report Inappropriate Comment

LESLIECOY 4/25/2008 9:35PM

Enjoying my glass of red wine - hope you are enjoying yours now,too. Keep giggling! and Keep smiling! Comment edited on: 4/25/2008 9:34:30 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

AMHISPRINCESS 4/25/2008 9:30PM

Sounds like your day was fun. I did laugh while reading this. The things you have to do too hold a job.. Guess you will be shooting for the next position? A few nights in a hotel learning French sounds like a good thing.. Enjoy your evening.. Carol Report Inappropriate Comment

Survived the Blizzard

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

We had a record snowfall, something like 30" in 3 days. Yesterday there was no newspaper printed; no city buses or mining buses running; traffic was at a standstill, even 4 wheel drives were getting stuck. For the first time in 22 years my husband had a snow day, home from work. For me, I couldn't get to the post office so we stayed in and played cards and did some spring cleaning chores.

Today I got a ride to work in a 4 wheel drive, and I came home by cab which dropped me off on a nearby street that had been plowed.

I feel proud of the accomplishments I've made this last year. I was so out of shape and weak, I wouldn't have had the energy to lick as stamp. Now I am on my feet all day sorting mail, lifting bins, bending and stretching. I didn't think of it till tonight - it would have been SO EMBARASSING if I didn't have the strength to do the job.

I wouldn't want to make a career out of it. One of the women told me she was a temp for 4 years before she became a permanent full time employee and got benefits. Then they sent her off for training, and then made her learn to speak French as a condition of employment. Ah, Canada we are bilingual.

After one year of employment there is 3 weeks vacation. Not too competetive for this place. My husband gets weekends off, 17 floating days and 5 weeks vacation. That's about what I had before I quit working in my regular field.

However, I love my job. I am getting the abdominal exercises I have never done before - reaching to the top mail box and then bending low to the bottom, over and over and over. Lots of bend and stretch. It should help me kick up my metabolism and tone my core area.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MANCHMAL 4/24/2008 9:51PM

I'm so jealous of your blizzard! I love blizzards. I find myself wandering around outside when it's snowy, and drudging through the snow feels like more exercise than just walking in regular weather. Anyhow, it sounds like you're doing great! And spring should be on its way soon. :) Report Inappropriate Comment

YESI1211 4/24/2008 1:28PM

You should be proud of your accomplishments. And give yourself the recognition you deserve. YOU GO! Report Inappropriate Comment

LESLIECOY 4/24/2008 9:38AM

Blizzard! Day 2! Enjoy yourself and keep smiling! and not only did you get all that bending stretching lifting ab workout - you also got some snow walking hard leg workout in there getting back home, too! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARIADALE 4/24/2008 7:13AM

A physical job has benefits! Report Inappropriate Comment

Monday, April 21, 2008

YAY, I survived my first day as a postal worker, the dog didn't pee in the house while I was out, and I got lots of exercise bending and reaching.

I got what is considered "a great job" - I am an inside worker, sorting mail at the retail post office outlet where the post office boxes are. This is great considering the snow is still blowing outside and my boots were to low to keep out the snow. This I found out when I was walking from my car to the post office.

The first 6 hours went by quickly, then I started to notice my feet were getting a little tired. The last 20 minutes I was watching the clock.

I am going to have a bath now, and then make supper before DH gets home.

Lynn

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TOBEGREAT 4/22/2008 6:50PM

Thanks for visiting my blog. Glad you had a good day your fist day on the job! Hope all will be the same. Mollie Report Inappropriate Comment

LESLIECOY 4/21/2008 7:36PM

Enjoy a good soak in the tub! Happy First Day! Report Inappropriate Comment

Working Outdoors Monday in the Cold?

Sunday, April 20, 2008

I am getting ready to start my new job in the morning. It continues to snow and blow outside, with 6" of new snow. I have my clothes set out for the morning. I have never had a job that required physical labour and I NEVER go outside when it is cold. At best I will run between my car and the store. I thought at the time I applied for the job, that winter was over - SO WRONG! Regardless of whether I work inside or outside, having a job that requires physical labour is a huge challenge - to be on my feet and keep moving for 8 hours - WHEW!!! I will do my best.

I applied for the job online. The personnel office is in the nearest major city which is 5 hours away. Someone from that office called me about going for the first test. I took the test locally and when I decided not to take the job I phoned the contact person in the major city. I guess my message didn't get passed along so I got a call about going for the interview. It took me by surprise, and I decided to go to the interview for practice. By the time I got the call to start work, I had decided I wanted to work a little while, to lose weight. My husband gets 5 weeks vacations plus 17 floater days so it is unlikely I would be "allowed" to take time off. I don't consider it a permanent thing, but I really want to get more weight off, and when I decided I would do anything to lose weight, this was the best thing I could think of.

Bedtime, we postal workers have to be well rested.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LESLIECOY 4/21/2008 10:00AM

You are giving new meaning to the whole neither rain, nor sleet, nor dark of night thing! Have a great First Day! Report Inappropriate Comment

PLAYFULLKITTY 4/21/2008 8:40AM

what a day to start a new "outdoor" job...yuck... but will definately be a good work out.... and though you say it isn't permenant...who knows what it could lead into.... it may lead into just the perfect job you could ever dream :) Report Inappropriate Comment

BKP4166 4/21/2008 4:50AM

Have a great first day and we will pray it won't be TOO cold. Maybe all that movement will keep you warm. Good luck! Kathy Report Inappropriate Comment

Postal Worker - Start On Monday!

Sunday, April 20, 2008

I start my new job as a postal worker on Monday.

I was asked what position I wanted and why. I said mail carrier for the exercise. Then was asked if I would consider working at a postal outlet, that there is a good bit of lifting with the parcels and you never sit down. She said she lost 15 pounds the first month she worked at one. I said okay.

At the interview there was one more timed test. It was a map with a post office and 3 places to make deliveries. I had to draw on the map the shortest route I could find.

I was asked if I'd had a job that required physical labor, no but I told her about my Y workouts, dog walking, etc. Then she asked my how I got in shape and I told her about SP, so she wrote it down. She went to WW and lost 47 lbs then gained it all back and a little more. Ah... spreading the Spark.

I was told to dress for the weather, as I have not been assigned yet and I may be outdoors. I am 5 hours away this weekend and it snowed 6", so I hope there is no snow at home.

I am thrilled. I will be getting paid to exercise and lose weight.

Lynn

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MARIADALE 4/20/2008 11:54AM

Enjoy your new job! Report Inappropriate Comment

LESLIECOY 4/20/2008 10:14AM

Congrats on the new job! and spreading the Spark! and finding a way to get paid to exercise instead of the other way around! Report Inappropriate Comment