First Day at New Job

Apparently my scheduling person (who is very nice in general) is something of a procrastinator, like me. *Last night* she sent me my new schedule. The schedule she gave me in December when I was hired, and which I had planned my days around, was instantly superseded. Just like that.

I had an appointment with my chiropractor at 11 today, some distance both from where I live and also from where the job is. The old schedule had me starting work at 1:45, which caused no problem at all with my appointment. The new one had me starting at 12:45, which did cause a potential problem (mainly because of the long distances involved, and also because my chiropractor is *always* running late). But I thought I could make it work, as long as I was done by noon, which didn't seem impossible.

Until I got a *second* e-mail from the scheduling person, asking if I could arrive by 12:15, to have someone show me the ropes. How could I say no? I didn't think I should, in any case, so I said OK. And I ended up only seeing the doctor for about ten minutes before I had to leave - and still being over ten minutes late to the job!

So that was kind of an inauspicious beginning. And once I got there, the scheduling person asked me if I could do after school care. Talk about everything at the last minute! As it happened, I didn't have any conflicts later in the day, so I was able to say yes. But I am beginning to wonder if everything about this job will be changed at the eleventh hour.

In the end, though, it all worked out pretty well. I got a little bit of training before starting. The first part of the job was easy - just being in charge of the room students get sent to if they need a little break/time to calm down. After school care was a bit more stressful because I didn't know the kids - the other people working there have been there since the beginning of the year, so they know everyone. Since I was writing down names and grades, I had to keep asking the kids to stop, and tell me name and grade - plus remind them to use hand sanitizer. I know it will get easier once I learn their names. They were all very well behaved. Once they were all picked up, the other aide and I had to sanitize and wipe down all the tables, sweep the floor, put everything away, and go sign out. We were the last ones to leave (except the janitors).

I did enjoy it, although I felt very wiped out once I got in my car, I admit. Then I had to go buy some vitamins for my son, who said he would take them if I bought them and brought them to him. If vitamins can strengthen the immune system to lessen the chances of getting illness, then I am all for it. So I bought him vitamins, and delivered them to him, then went home and collapsed. I am sparking now before going to bed. Can't wait to get some rest!