Well I'M SUPERMEGAULTRA stressed!!!!!!
So...I started ACO training. For those of you not in the know (and I'm pretty sure that's all of you), an ACO is an Ambulance Communications Officer. So, in Ontario, when you call 9-1-1, they ask you "Police, Fire or Ambulance?" And when you say "Ambulance", well ladies and gents...if you live in my area, then you might just hear me at the other end saying "Ambulance, what is your emergency?" And believe me when I tell you...saying those words, and everything that comes after, is SO VASTLY more complicated than you could EVER imagine!
Right now, I want you all to call your local ambulance communications people, and I want you to thank them for what they do! Except no don't because those people are BUSY! They have people's LIVES in their hands!
This week I began my training, which is pretty much 8 hours of school for 6 weeks. I made it through the first week...and I'm going to say I made it through with flying colours. We have to have above 70% on every assignment and exam (of which there is one or more daily) to be allowed to stay. And the benefit to staying is that they pay crazy well! My place is very secure right now, based on book marks, but man...that could change at any time! We did our first simulated calls this week...and although my instructor told me I did great, and that my voice was "lovely" on my calls...it's getting HARD! It's stressful when you know there's someone on the other end of that phone, counting on what you're doing and who you're sending!
Right now, I'm sitting here drinking wine and relaxing for the first time in 5 days. Tomorrow I'll be back to studying, but right now...whew...I need this!
That being said, I am having the time of my life! I'm meeting a bunch of fun new people, having a lot of laughs, and well...frankly...it's just nice to get out of the house! Also, being in class for 7 hours out of the day, and being in the car for an hour to and fro, well...it's REALLY helped to curb any grazing I might have been doing! I weighed in the other day and I was down 3lbs, AND I'm experiencing my menses (sorry...I just HATE the acronym TOM...*shudder) so that can't be bad, right??
Down side? I think stress has allowed me to catch a cold...but I have experienced NONE of this tightness you people speak of. Dammit! I could use some! I actually think I really need a fill, but not for at least 10 weeks (training until then...with a little NYC mixed in...you coming??)
