Wed. Misc
No news is good news
I’m in the process of studying for the written tests I need to take to get a CDL (commercial driver’s license). I had one 13-15 years ago, but some info has changed and I feel the need to ace the tests anyway.
There are four that I need to take, at $10 apiece, and I will be reimbursed for this expense, but… I am on a strict budget, and having paid the storage unit, the cable internet bill (only part of it, but enough for now) and all of the phone bill, I see by the bank statement online that while I could possible pay for the tests this week, it would leave no cushion at all, and I can’t in good conscience leave myself with nothing. So, extra study time for me. Gonna ace those tests.
I get paid again Monday, and will take the test asap so I can get the results to the Ed. district. I also applied today for a "court certified" copy of my driver’s records, which the district also needs, but it won’t be in the mail from Salem (state capitol) until tomorrow, they said. If all goes well, by this time next week I will have submitted the test results and the driver’s records and will be able to get scheduled for my driver’s training on the buses.
Paid training.
I called the ed. district offfice today, and buried in other questions, asked about the drug test results, saying (and this is true too) that one of my neighbors has an Oregon Medical Marijauna Card, and that sometimes the smoke from below drifts up to my apartment and that I was a tad worried about that. I spoke to one of my inviewers from last week and she said "no news is good news".
Good.
***
I talked to K*, my former wife, on Monday night before work (Japan is 17 hours ahead of us here) and she said that the papers I did for her class looked great, and that she’d be returning them to the students soon. I asked her if she’d told the students that their papers would be going to America to get evaluated, and she said yes, she had told them that a published author in the states would be looking them over and that they should do their best. That’s even true too. I have had things published here and there, and these days, OD counts (to me, at least) as getting published too.
She specifically told her students that I would be looking the papers over, because many times, a teacher in Japan is accustomed to looking at student papers and their point of view is not of a native speaker/writer, but rather of one accustomed to the way that Japanese English students write.
I am too, to a degree, since I have been doing just this sort of things for many many years now, but since I live and read here, mostly, my reading ablitiy is more "pure" than many of her collegues is.
I told her to tell the students that the papers were very well written and that I was impressed (also true) by the subjects they had written on.
***
My former wife has kept my name you know. It is hyphenated after her own last name, and she says that gives her a bit more credibility as an English teacher there in Japan.. It pleases me that she kept the name. Although I haven’t mentioned it here, for obvious reasons, it is not a "bad" name, lol, and it pleases me very much that she kept it, not only for it’s nebulous credibitly, but also as a sign that she doesn’t hate me or my name.Some people, a very small minority to be sure, think my name is mud, but that, while not too different than it’s real spelling, is not my name.
A check for my work is in the mail, a small bonus included. If that arrives before the end of the week, I will use it to get those CDL tests out of the way and get on with my driver’s education for the buses.
Any advice offered re school bus driving is/will be much appreciated. It has been decades since I rode on a school bus myself….
***
Fire season is here. There have been over 17,000 lightening strikes in Oregon the last few days, and three relatively small fires are burning on Mt. Hood. The fires are on the east, dry side of the mountain, but have closed highway 35 on that side, and all the campgrounds have been evacuated and shut down. 35 is a nice drive, and in 2004, some of the pics I’ve posted of K*s visit are from the highway, if you’d like to look.
***
I have left nearly every entry I’ve made posted since I began writing here in 2004, and it pleases me that recently, some have read and noted those earlier entries. Last week, my first entry even showed up on the Reader’s Choice list.
I think that’s so cool!
My hats still fit, so perhaps my head hasn’t swollen that much….
***
It’s been brought to my attention that my entries tend to be rather long, so even if this one is too, I will cut it off here, lol
*****
My advice for school bus driving is: keep the tires on the pavement. Bet you’ll ace that test now, eh? 😉
Warning Comment
I have been advsied to take the ASWB exam for social work at the masters level. The study guide is $33 and the exam is $175. While I am taking nutrition courses and looking for a job. UGH. I know the pain. RYN: My hubby and I have been looking into Costa Rica for a while now. I went there in Jan. & again in July, & it appeals to me. And him. We found that the country, tho small, offers a lot of places to choose from for living, & a cost of living that is low. People there are friendly & English is spoken there a lot. Modern conveniences abound but it is easy to get around by bicycle & foot. Democratic govt that spends most of its $$ on education rather than military. No military there at all, just a civil police force. Get this, if you are caught with drugs, they don’t prosecute unless you were distributing – so they don’t waste a lot of court time on personal use cases. I don’t do drugs, but the efficient use of the legal system intrigues me. They are very open to Americans and travel there only requires a passport. Lots of green space, too. And volcanoes…yeah, I like those as long as I am not in the way of the lava.
Warning Comment
Hello! Sorry to hear about the fires burning on mount Hood.I hope all the little critters can manage to out run it.They are the poor victims of fire. The other day while driving around the mountians I went past the hundreds of hectares that were burnt here last year. The forrest is slowly recovering with green eaves growing up and down all the tree trunks and on the charred branches.
Warning Comment
I don’t mind your long entries. 🙂 My schoolbus advice: aim for elementary school routes if you can. teenagers are disgusting, foul creatures. 🙂
Warning Comment
The forest floor is still charred and blackened, but new growth is appearing there too amongst the old dead grasses and shrubs.New seeds that opened in the heat of the fire (Which our seeds seem to need to open) are begininng to take root. I guess in another year the forest will be full of new life again.
Warning Comment
I noticed that you a=call your Od visitor ‘friends’. Do you know what I realy miss about having a friend… actually having a conversation. It’s great typing away here but no-one really talks to me.And I don’t really talk to them, it just seems to be about making comments on what is stated, rather than actually having a free flowing conversation.
Warning Comment
The other day I was thinking I should go out and get a life.You know meet some people and have a prper conversation,then I might not be feeling lonely so often. I could be doing something more constructive with my time than sitting here just tapping away, hoping for some notes, wishing someone would take an interest in me, when they don’t really.
Warning Comment
it all just seems to be a waste of time and effort. I might just keep my diary going though, just as a way of keeping a record of my life. You are so lucky that you have work, and soon a new job to look forward to.You have lots of people who are intersted in you and note you often and keep track of you.You seem to have something that attrascks people, and that is a great quality to possess.
Warning Comment
I hope you pas your test with flying colours! May God send his blessing flowing down into you and over you for ever more!!(Amen)See you!
Warning Comment
Firm, consistent and fair. The kiddies will test you. Be prepared. Firm, but not screaming….Firm, consistent and fair. Linette
Warning Comment
Did you go over to Sandee’s diary? She’s a school bus driver too!
Warning Comment
HI! Sassy sent me here. So youre gonna be a school bus driver huh? Thats cool! I have been driving bus for 9 years now and its the best job I have ever had. I have been fortunate enough to have the same run/kids for the last 8 years. OK now for some advice. The kids will test you at first. Dont let them get the best of you. I found that there are some rules that were made to be broken and not to play GOD of the bus. Give respect and you’ll get it back. Smile and say goodmorning, you will be amazed how many kids will appreciate that. It has gotten to the point that my kids come to me for advice or just someone to listen to them. Its a very rewarding job. So good luck on your test. Try not to be too nervous. Thw written one isnt as bad as you think. The air brakes part for me was the hardest but youll find out you really know more than you think. Its nice to meet fellow bus drivers. {{hugs}}
Warning Comment
You are going to do awesome on those tests! Just keep your nose in those books, and study, study, study…oh, and if you have to take a driving test – driving the school bus – remember to stop at any rail road tracks. I know someone who totally failed their test when they blew over the tracks without even slowing down! lol. Well, again, you are going to do great!
Warning Comment
heh someone noted me that s/he read my entry but it was so long. I deleted the note. school buses. um. be prepared for a lot of noise. hopefully you’re one of those people who doesnt get angry by a lot of noise. I’m always impressed with the bus drivers of the buses I ride – that they put up with people acting so weird and loud and dont seem to get angry about it. I find some of the people aggravating, but it’d be really especially unwise for a bus driver to let that stuff bother them. You’ll need to monitor the children to a certain extent – you dont want kids beat up on the bus (it happens). Parents will expect that you are monitoring the kids. And basic rules like no throwing, stay in your seat, all that might need to be said a few hundred times. Be extra careful about where kids are when they get on and off the bus. Kids are notorious for doing the unexpected (blame darwin – it’s a wonder any of us survive) so make sure they are safe and not darting right in front of the bus. Nice, friendly bus drivers who have a backbone will survive best, and likely have the best time. 🙂
Warning Comment
P.S. I dont think that your entries are too long. I think that they are just fine. Write as much or as little as you would like. I will always be around to read for as long as you allow me to. Goodnight.
Warning Comment
Hi! I finally got somemore photos onmy diary for you.My sin cameot visit and wrote down the process for me..What a sweet heart!!I love my son…
Warning Comment
I should say, my son came to visit!!!
Warning Comment
Hi again. I couldn’t see the picures of the Oreagon coast, but I did see the ones of the grand canyon.They out do mine by miles!! It must be such an awe inspiring place. I would have loved to have had an opportunity to see it.But I don’t think that will happen in my life time here. Any way I’ll visit againsometime and look up those pic of the coast.I love rugged coastal areas, the waves crashing
Warning Comment
in on the rocks and the sound of it thundering in onto the land…awsome!!
Warning Comment
Tips for getting along with kids, period (not necessarily to do with bus driving).. …get to know their names fast. …jokes are good, smile… …be yourself …let them see you enjoying your work …take some cultural sensitivity training in case some cultures find eye contact rude/intimidating
Warning Comment
I think it’s cool that K* kept your name. You two are close enough to still very much be….well…. FAMILY even though you’re not spouses. I’m sure you’ll do great on the tests. And you seem the kinda guy who will be able to be a friend to the kids on the bus, at the same time as keeping them in line well enough. That’s the trick to it… being able to do those two things! hugs, Weesprite
Warning Comment
Ryn: Family can be a pain, but they can also be a blessing. I consider my OD family such a blessing. Through here I have had the opportunity to virtually meet so many wonderful people. I hope that your studies are going well. Hang in there, and good luck!
Warning Comment
I have so much catching up to do, with you! 1. I like your last name… 2. your entries aren’t rather long… you have stuff to share, so share away… 3. I wish you tons of luck on the testing… 😀 *hugsssssssss* ryn: I shoot right at 13mp per image… RAW format. When I get my settings right and I like what I am getting in the playback, I get trigger happy… I call it “getting in my zone”.LoL
Warning Comment
Good luck with the tests. Pleased that you got the job. My advice: Be firm, fair and polite and hang on to your temper. The bus and the children are going to be your responsibility – so what you say goes – otherwise they must find other transport.
Warning Comment
HI! I just thought I’d drop by and say G’Day mate!! Ows it goin’?
Warning Comment
I feel like talking to someone.I hate having no-one to talk too!!! Do want to ask me a question about something?
Warning Comment
it’s 8.45 pm here, i wonder what time it is in Oraegon now.May be you are sleeping, or at work, or out at the grocery shop….
Warning Comment