girl in greenwood

Good Omens
by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

I had read this book years ago, I think in high school, and remembered it being fantastically funny and clever. For once, I was right about something as a teenager.

The story is about Armageddon, or a near miss at it, anyway. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalyse are here... although now they ride motorbikes and dabble in modern technology. The Antichrist is here, along with his Hellhound, Dog. Although the Antichrist is 11 years old and more likely to take over his neighborhood gang than bring about the end of the world. Overseeing the Antichrist's antic are a not-very-evil demon named Crowley and his supposed nemesis, Angel Aziraphale the rare-books dealer.

A modern-day witch following the prognostications of her ancestor Agnes Nutter and a modern-day witch hunter round out the cast of Armageddonish characters. Be sure to listen to Queen ("Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me....") while you read it!

Labels: book reports

My husband R*, who takes care of me and supports me and tells me he's proud of me.

My mom and dad, who love me unconditionally and are always there for me when I need them.

Our sweet elderly cats Mr. Black Cat and Ms. Siamese Kitty (not their real names), who are still bringing joy to our lives even in their advanced age and uncertain health.

Our adorable little house, which is not our dream house but is still pretty great.

Having the willpower and the support from R* necessary to eat less and exercise more and lose 35 pounds this year. And the confidence and tools needed to lose more next year.

Making progress on my career change to nursing, and finding that I genuinely do like taking care of people.

The unexpected and welcome friendship of blog readers all over the world. Thanks, all!

I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving!

# posted by girl_in_greenwood @ 10:09 AM 0 comments

Yesterday was an extravaganza of waiting around... also known as taking the state test to get licensed as a CNA. I showed up at 7:45 for the written exam, which was supposed to start at 8:00. It actually started at 8:15, and there was a two-hour time limit. There were only 70 questions, though, and even after triple-checking my answers, I was done at 8:50. I was told to be back at 9:45 to get instructions for the skills portion of the test. So, I wandered over to the grocery store, bought some snacks and drinks and some magazines because I'd forgotten to pack a book to read, and returned to the testing location. But aaargh! A couple of people took the entire two hours for the written exam, so I had to sit and wait for half an hour. Happily, they fax in the tests to HQ and get the scores back very quickly, so I did learn while I was waiting that I had passed the written portion.

After getting the instructions for the skills part of the test, I was told that I would be in the group that would be tested at 1:30, and that I should be back at 1:00. So I went home for a while and had a sandwich with R*, and then went back to the testing site and took my magazine inside (which I would like to point out was Harper's Bazaar because I was way too vain to take O The Oprah Magazine inside with me) and tried to read it while a variety of loudmouthed nursing assistant candidates made small talk at high volumes. For two hours. I didn't get tested until 3:00, aaaaaaaaah! Note to self: in next life, do not choose a last name that is so close to the end of the alphabet.

So I took the test and I was very nervous, especially because one of the skills I had to do was to take a blood pressure and get it right. So I finished and went out in the lobby to WAIT SOME MORE. But, after all that waiting and waiting and waiting - I passed! So now I'm certifiable. I mean, certified.

My sweet R* took me out for a fancy dinner at Ray's Boathouse, which was fantastic. I had sablefish in sake kasu that made me want to cry, it was so tasty and tender. And R* congratulated me and I felt quite pleased with myself. Tomorrow, it's back to the grind at The Home, though, so I can't get too uppity, Harper's Bazaar notwithstanding.

So, I've been at my new job for about a week. The Home is an assisted living facility in a pretty nice neighborhood not too far from where I live. There are about 90 residents in the building, but a little less than half of them are completely independent. I believe there are 47 residents who are on the assisted living program, and a handful of those currently have no services or minimal services (like picking up their laundry). There are 3 nursing assistants on duty during the day and evening shifts, and 2 overnight, but I'm not scheduled to work the overnight shift, thank goodness!

I did three days of training (two on the day shift and one on the evening shift), and then Wednesday evening I worked by myself for the first time. Well, not really by myself, since there were 2 other CNAs there with me. I think I did okay. I'm sure I'll get better at it as I get used to the residents' preferences and schedules. Like the one lady who goes to bed before 8:00 every night, so you have to wake her up for her 8:00 meds. Aargh, I felt so bad waking her, but she was very matter-of-fact about it. It must happen a lot. Most of the residents seem very nice - I'm looking forward to getting to know them better.

My normal schedule will be working two morning shifts and two evening shifts. One of the evening shifts is followed by one of the morning shifts. There's not enough time between shifts to get a decent night's sleep. Oh well - I can see there will be afternoon naps in my future! I'm not working tonight - someone who is leaving is picking up an extra shift on her way out - which is nice because I am taking the state exam to get licensed on Sunday and I'm glad to have the downtime. And I'm not working my normal morning shift next week because I switched with someone and am working a different morning instead. How's that for confusing?

When I have more time, I have some observations to make about class identity and self-image and so forth... but right now I have a messy house to clean instead.

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
by Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner

I'm sure you've heard all about this book and I don't need to tell you anything about it, right? I'm not going to rehash the correlation Levitt & Dubner found between the legalization of abortion and a drop in crime rates 20 years later... or how real estate agents are less motivated to help you sell your house for the best price than you think... or how the name your parents choose for you may be closely associated with how educated they are. If any of that sounds interesting, definitely read the book. It's very readable and not at all like an economics textbook.

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In other news, I have completed the 50 Book Challenge! I really enjoy reading and then writing about the books I've read, though, so I think I'm going to continue to post about what I'm reading. I've gotten lots of great recommendations from you who visit my blog, so please continue to make suggestions!

Labels: book reports, statistics

I went in today and signed papers at my new job. I'm going to start Thursday morning. At 6:30. At which time it is still dark outside. But thank GOD my local driver-through espresso hut opens at 6:00, and it only takes 15 minutes to drive to The Home (snazzy work alias, eh?).

I think I'm going to like the work, but I'm a little sad about not impersonating a housewife anymore. I honestly do like doing stuff at home, and having the time to cook, and all of that. But this job shouldn't cut into my personal time too badly considering that it's only 4 days a week.

Tomorrow I'm going to take a load of books & videos to Half Price Books. I don't even care if they give me money - I just want them out of my house. There are 3 big bags of clothes on the curb, waiting for pickup by a local charity. Slowly but surely things are straightening up and coming together around here. I still have to tackle the garage, but fortunately the cabinet in there have doors so I don't have to look at all the crap in the meantime.

Dawn
by Octavia Butler

This is the first book in the "Xenogenesis" trilogy. It's extremely creative in concept - Earth has been invaded by an alien race, the Oankali. The aliens have removed humans from the planet and put them into suspended animation on their vast, world-like ship. The first woman who is awoken by the aliens is Lilith. The Oankali hope she will become a leader, a sort of ambassador between the humans and the aliens. To that end, Lilith is integrated into a group of aliens and lives alongside them for a period of time. She eventually agrees to the ambassador role the aliens have suggested, and chooses a group of humans to awaken from suspended animation. It doesn't go especially well, and Lilith is in an unfortunate position between the aliens and the rest of the humans. What the humans don't seem to understand is that the aliens have made them sterile, and without the participation of the Oankali, humanity cannot reproduce any longer.

Honestly, the book is pretty creepy. The Oankali are not the typical scifi aliens who look like pretty much like humans - they are covered with sensory tentacles, lack eyes, ears, and noses, and some of them have four arms. They're described as being unsettling for humans to look at, which makes Lilith's sexual contact with one of them kind of ooky to read about. I have to give credit to Butler for being so original, though - she managed to get under my skin with this imaginary species, and that shows a gift. I'll post about the other two books in the trilogy as well.

Labels: book reports, Octavia Butler, science fiction

I interviewed yesterday for the CNA job I mentioned last week... and it must have gone well because this morning I got a call offering me the job! I'll go in Tuesday to sign papers and start training on Thursday.

I'm sure I'll write more about it as I learn more, but right now I think the best thing about this job is that I found it in time to work more than 200 hours before the next nursing school application is due. I think this means that I'll be accepted to nursing school for spring quarter!

I was going to do the work on the "needs meme" myself, but when I googled "Emily needs" I found another Emily had already done it for me!

Thanks, other Emily.