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??)
Good for you, G! A friend of mine does the same job but on the police end of things and he says it's super stressful because you never know what you'll be dealing with each call. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds stressful!! Way to go, G!!!
ReplyDeleteYikes.. I hope when I call for an Ambulance YOU ANSWER!! what a great career.. hang in there.. and I cant wait to see you in NYC
ReplyDeleteAwwwww.....I gotta say that being busy really helps!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you! I know you will rock this job and it's a great side benefit that it's helping you lose weight. I am so excited that I'll be seeing you next month. I can't believe it. Seems like just yesterday we were in Chicago and looking forward to BOOBS 2.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds awesome, Gilly! You are gonna do great! And I agree -- being busy definitely helps.
ReplyDeletewow that is awesome! I hope it all goes really well for you!
ReplyDeleteI may have to go to Canada and have an emergency just to hear you in action.
ReplyDeleteGO GILLY GO!
Dude - now when someone falls down or has a heart attack in Chicago you can help!!! YAY! Good luck - you so got this.
ReplyDeleteSince you saved Joey last year, this whole 911 thing was in the cards. Just remember how you saved her life. Your comment to her was pretty bang on. Just repeat. Do you think if I dial 9-1-1 I could ask to be put through to you?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI knew there was a reason you were so quiet... You will kick ass at the job. I hope I can go to NYC to see you.
ReplyDeleteWay to go!!! I just know you're going to be amazing at this! I, too, hope I'll be able to make it to NYC!
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you, Gilly!
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Gilly. I'd trust you on the end of the line any time. :)
ReplyDeleteCould you please re-follow my blog! I changed the URL and now everyone who follows my blog can not see my new posts in their blog feed. http://mandyblapbandjourney.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteThank you,
Mandy
Doesn't sound like you need a fill if you're losing 3 lbs a week! Keep up the good work! And thanks for being on the end of the phone! lol
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the training and lose. It is amazing the stuff that emergency crews have to do and prepare for.... you will be great!
ReplyDeleteThat job sounds FASCINATING! What a cool thing...but I could totally see how that would be mega-stressful. I do tech support for those "I've fallen and I can't get up" old people buttons and I say all the time that I have no idea how the operators who actually talk to the customers during emergencies do it - it seems so intense. You are going to be great. I can totally see you as the calming voice when things get scary for someone.
ReplyDeleteWow, looking forward to meeting you and that is SO amazing that you're training to be an phone answerer person (ACO?)
ReplyDeleteWow again-- very stressful.
I agree: if I am busy, I eat less... sometimes barely anything. I just try to make sure I get in my water when that happens, because usually when I don't eat, I wind up not drinking either, having almost bright yellow pee and freaking myself out that I'm going to hurt my kidneys!!
TMI.
See you on the 20th!
LOVE your blog!
ReplyDelete