Rough night

Tonight was pretty rough at work. My trainer had me doing some scenarios and I felt like such an incompetent person because I was not copying what he was saying and left out information, which is not a good thing when one of your job description is to be a scribe. Then we had several high priority, high stress type call on what was supposed to be a nice quiet channel. Go figure, the one time you want a nice easy channel so you can train and you get all the calls you don't really want! But overall it was a good night for training since we had to go tactical on one of the calls, which was a first for me and rather exciting. Now I'm so tired that all I want to do is have a good cry and some chocolate. I withheld on the chocolate but we shall see about the tears.

Graveyard

There have been different studies on the affect of working the graveyard shift and people's health. Because people who work on this shift go against the natural order of things and their circadian clock is tossed out of whack it may seem at times that they get the short end of the stick. People who work graveyard are more likely to get some form of cancer, they are under more stress both mentally and emotionally, they have a higher tendency to get dependent on some form of stimulant pill, etc. as plenty of studies show. But in some fields it is necessary to have the graveyard shift and there is no way to go round about it, especially in the law enforcement field.

I have spent the past 4 1/2 years on graveyards and let me tell you I love it. Yeah the hours are not that great if you want to have some form of social life, especially if you work the weekends (which I did!). Originally the main reason why I went to graveyards was because it was the first permanent spot that opened and I wanted a more "stable" schedule. Also the people at my job who worked graveyards were more laid back and younger. So that made it very appealing! I found that the people on graveyards at work tend to be more of a family than the other three shifts. We fight and fuss with each other but when the other shifts start "attacking" us, all of us would defend one another and protect our shift. Working in the Law Enforcement community you find yourself already part of a big family as soon as you sign those papers, but there are different sectors in that community. Being a Dispatcher and that field is quiet narrow and small, it takes a special person to be a Dispatcher and not just anyone can do the job, it is a tough job and the training is hard but this is another topic to be covered another day. So to be a Dispatcher and work the graveyard shift, you are in a different league from the others. Quirky people work graveyards and at times those quirks can get to you. But once you understand each other and learn how to tolerate one another, it does not bother you as much.

I know I'm rambling but the bottom line is this : I miss graveyards already! Last night was my last night on graveyards until I finalized training. I knew that getting this promotion meant that changes would be happening in my life but still it is hard to say goodbye to something you have been used to for 4.5 years. Most of my friends from the Field are on graveyards, I know their little quirks and their voices. Now I'm going to be on swing-shift for a month and though this is good for my training (it is the busier shift) it means I have to get used to a new set of people, habits, etc. Still I must remind myself that this is all for the greater good and I'm hoping and praying that as soon as I finalized I can return back to graveyards. =)

A poem by Robert Frost

A Time to Talk

When a friend calls to me from the road
And slows his horse to a meaning walk,
I don't stand still and look around
On all the hills I haven't hoed,
And shout from where I am, 'What is it?'
No, not as there is a time talk.
I thrust my hoe in the mellow ground,
Blade-end up and five feet tall,
And plod: I go up to the stone wall
For a friendly visit.

Drama

This is what happens when you work in an environment composed 80% of women. Last night at work it was not the citizens causing the drama but co-workers. Now I'm in training and frankly I just keep my mouth shut and observe. So let me tell you there was a lot of things to see last night! Yelling, throwing pens at the windows and plenty of gesturing just to say a few words that can depict the scene. I must say it provided the entertainment for the evening though not in a way I expected. The stress was there but just in different form than what I had been hoping for! Oh well, everything in training is a learning experience and last night was no exception. =)

A new "favorite" song by a Filipina Artist-Lea Salonga

Training

The reason why I'm so busy right now is because I'm in training. I got a promotion at work last month but they waited until I got back from vacation to start my training. Man I totally forgot how exhausting training can be. My trainer was out of town the first two days and then he got sick so he went home early. I've had to sit with three different people so far in radio and my head is dizzy. Different people have a different way of doing the same job and as a trainee it is my duty to obey them, no matter what I think or what my opinions are. So I am just trying to learn all the good stuff they all have and get that from them, while discarding the bad/pointless stuff.

So far it is going well. They have been really nice to me and saying all these wonderful things about me. I am just trying my best to do apply the principles of Ecclesiates 9:10 " 10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;" For now I'm still on graveyards with the same days off, but that schedule will change in 3 weeks when I get a new trainer.

My second week starts this Friday and with the holiday it should be an interesting night. Hopefully all will go well and I get a hot call or two that I can handle and learn from. We shall see.

Church camp

I'm sorry I'm late in posting these pictures but it has been a hectic few weeks. After our vacation up North the following weekend, Father's Day weekend, we had our church camp up at Pilot Lake. Here are pictures of the camp:

Sign to camp

Outside the cabins

Look what's that over there?


Skipping rocks

Boating in the lake Playing camp games like paper race
Tug of War
Lunch time

Going on a hike

Crossing the river


Taking a break at the mouth of the crystal caves

Campfire night