October 8, 2006

First day: a ride-along PLUS!!!

Ok, let me say this right off: I think I’m going to like this job.

This morning (and later this afternoon) I rode-along on the bus route selected for me/by me.

We picked up Elementary schoolers, Middle schoolers, (Jr. High in my day, lol) and High School students – three school’s worth. The bus got pretty full. For a first day, it was very interesting: on our last load, some kid lit up a kitchen match just before we got to his school and nearly no one would point the kid out. The driver asked me to get off and go into the school’s office and explain what had happened and to ask that one of the administrators come aboard to investigate.

"Who’s with the kids!?" they said in the office, and I said, "oh, I’m in training – the driver’s on board with the kids" and they assurred me that someone would be right out.

The Assistant Principal got on in just minutes and we pulled over, out of the way of the buses behind us, and the Asst. Principal annouced that everyone would be searched and that no one was getting off until we found out who’d lit the match, and walked to the rear of the bus, where he began reaching for book bags and asking questions.

Well, it didn’t take long to find out which boy had done it, and I don’t think I’ll be seeing him this afternoon. He’ll likely get suspended. An interesting first day, for sure.

This route hasn’t had a regular driver since the beginning of the school year, and some of the students expressed happiness at getting a regular driver – me. Most of them were curious who this guy was, riding along with them and the driver; one of the office ladies filling in for the non-existant driver.

I think, no, I know, I’m going to like this job. Oh, not the lit matches part, and the maybe unruly kids, but, I like driving and this has a real purpose to it too. My paper job does too, of course, but I do that alone, and in the dark, and rarely see anyone buying my papers, so the contrast will be rather extreme. I’ll like that too.

I have to go back in a few hours for the home run, and I have a few hours to nap, and since it is a bank holiday, grrrr, I can’t cash my check until tomorrow anyway – or get my CDL – GRRRR!

And, it isn’t a school holiday!

A drag, sort of, but, I think I’m going to like this job. It’s a good contrast to my paper gig, the pay is good, and the benefits are Very Good. I was kind of worried about the eye candy factor – high schoolers look different than in my day (unless I’ve forgotten, lol – but I did go to a private high school, and there weren’t many girls at the ranch campus (Arizona), so maybe I don’t know) The eye candy thing – well, I can cope with that – gotta drive, after all, not gawk, lol.

Let me end this as I began: I think I’m going to like this job.

*****

PLUS!

My long-lost brother just called me!!! Yahooo!

Things are working out very, very, VERY nicely for me.

Stay tuned – more to report, but first, it is nap time.

Did I mention:

YAHOO!!!

*****

Sounds like a really interesting first day! I’m irritated about the holiday too. I have a loan that was supposed to close today and I don’t think any of us were thinking about the fact that this was going to be a holiday when we planned it for the 9th, so it gets delayed by one day. Which in turn may end up causing a delay of a week in another part of the process. AND, to add insult to injury, traffic was just as bad this morning as it is any other Monday morning. If we have to have a holiday (that I have to work on) at least we could have lighter traffic!

pretty_when_crying

October 9, 2006

ooo, I’m excited to see what else you’ve got to report 🙂 Sounds like a very eventful first day!

PenguinsWalkAmoungUs

Glad to hear you’re so positive about this. Here’s hoping it gets better and better.

Dot Com Man

This is your lucky day!! I’m glad the school bus route went Ok…….and doubly glad that your brother called. Now, all you need is K to come over and stay for a few days. You said you had “more to report”. I’m looking forward to it.

wishing you good days to come

LilyCat

Good deal, Cat!! I think you are doing really well after a long time of just barely getting along. You SO deserve this! I’m looking forward to more bus reports! 😀

Gngr

I’m glad that bro came out of the woodwork, that has to be a relief to know he’s still around. You know, to hassle for the money he owes and such, haha. No, I’m kidding, reconnecting even on a “hey how’ve you been” level is good. 🙂

There you go! I knew god would come through! He is still watching over you you know Cat.I remember telling you that I saw him come to see you with a nice monetary surprise.,, that is still in the future…. along with some other events that I have mentioned before… It is amazing how God is leading you into the plans he has made for your life! I know you haven’t forgotten the way he helped you,

when you broke your leg. You needed him then and acknowedged his help.So please don’t doubt his existance now.He is still watching over you and is still helping you to be more financially indipendant. If you can keep thanking him for that he will continue to bless you.But be careful though, If you just turn your back on him, he might cause you to be poor agian, so you will turn back to him…

again. God likes us to be dependant children so that we keep acknowedging him and keep thanking him for all the love and provision he gives us in our daily life. I think he doe sthis so that we can become like his children.More than just dependants, but so we know that he loves us and cares about us each and every day of our lives. He just wants us to know that he is always there for us..

sylverling

yay! glad it’s looking good for you. actually, there still is a difference between middle school and junior high – middle schools only go up to 8th grade and junior high goes through 9th grade. that’s how it is in denver area, anyway. maybe not universal.

Now he has brought your brother into the picture for you. I think that deserves some thanks don’t you!!He is still answering your prayers, even today!!

I thought about you this morning when I saw a school bus. I really did!

Holy_Smokes!

Oh gooooody! The job is just the ticket then!

tiger maybe

Wow and wow.

Yea for the new wonderful job! Yea, You!

wickedgood

October 10, 2006

My kids had a special relationship with their bus driver – they had the same one for almost all 13 years of school. It’s an important job, transporting our children to school. I’m glad you’re so enthusiastic about it. The kids will appreciate it, I can guarantee it.

SillySillySandee

Its funny how you learn so much from the kids when you drive a bus. I learned that they HATE change. I was on a bus when I first started 9 years ago that was the “Training” bus. The newest people would always start off on that one and then move on to a permanent one. The kids never had the same driver for an entire year and sometimes several troughout the year. I think I was on there the longest.When I left to go to another run, they were so pissed at me. The run I am on now, I try my best not to take days off because tghey HATE subs. I learned that kids like dicipline. They really hate it when the bus gets outta hand. If you stick with them, you will end up becomming their friend, second parent and therapist. It is the most rewarding job I have ever had and I love the fact that youre already loving it. Have fun with it hun. Im looking forward to more stories. {{hugs}}