Well, not London. But Brussels! Heeeeey.
So I'm still at Starbucks. I had a great review. My boss is searching for a second store for me to go to. Will be there a few months before going for an ASM interview. All good, right?
On Tuesday, I picked up a phantom shift at Queen & Bathurst (they love me). Before I left the house, I checked my e-mail. In it was a note from Annika. Annika is one of the interviewers for the job I applied for at the EUD.
It turns out she has since left the EUD, and is now working as a Parliamentary Assistant to Helga Stevens, a Deaf Member of European Parliament (MEP), also in Brussels. Turns out that they've been daisy-chaining VGT, spoken Dutch and spoken English together, and it's really not effective. They are looking for an ASL-English or BSL-English interpreter to work till the end of the current session (April 2014), and if they like me, they'll keep me until 2019.
Um, WHAT. HI. LET'S CHAT.
So, luckily, I chatted with Annika over the phone. Her first words were, "I bet you have a lot of question!" Yes, I certainly do! Ha-ha-ha. Basically, this offer sounds amazing, except for the whole 10-weeks business. I asked what's the possibility of extension. Turns out that, even if they don't renew my contract, there is other work available within the EP and at the EUD. Main contract is a daily rate, payable in Euros. Cool!
Annika wanted me to interview with Helga and Oliver (main guy running Overseas Interpreting in Paris) the next day. So I did. Erin thought I was crazy for getting my shift covered for super-mysterious reasons.
I had yet another 6:30 AM interview with folks in Strasbourg. The connection was a bit choppy, but I think I did pretty well. They were big on me getting my COI, and me being able to handle the crazy EP language that floats around. The thing lasted about 45 minutes before we ended it. Good stuff, beyond the random disconnect in the middle.
No answer yet. They said they'd be in touch. Nothing yet, so I sent a thank-you e-mail to Annika. It's a thank-you, yes, but also a *poke poke* remember to let me know if I have the job or not.
So. Is Brussels gonna holla at me and bring me back? Let's see.
13 February 2015
30 October 2014
I'm Alive
I'm alive.
No, seriously. I'm alive. What the hell has happened over the past two months?
Okay, so yeah, I'm still at Starbucks. But these last two-or-so months have been easily some of my darkest days. And I have no idea why.
I don't know what happened, but I guess it was seeing everyone go to school and me being "done" that took some of the wind out of my sails. It suddenly felt hard to do everything. I mean, I could get up and go to work and do a good job. But the communication wasn't really me. It was Starbucks-style communication. How are you? I'll get your latte. That sort of stuff. I didn't have to think about that kind of communication.
But for real, person-to-person communication? I found it harder and harder to talk to people. People texted asking where I was, and if I was OK. And I read them, but... I didn't reply. I don't know why I didn't. Talking to people was legitimately hard. I got anxious because I hadn't texted or communicated in so long that I thought people would be mad. So I put it off even more.
One day, I had a bad - bad - day. I don't think I smiled all day. I worked in near silence. I didn't want to have anything to do with anybody. Dave texted me, wondering where I had gotten to. And it was easily one of the most vulnerable moments I've ever had.
Do you know how hard it is to admit you may have an issue? Holy Christ. I was literally shaking as I was texting him. Because it's VERY hard to start saying you feel depressed. You're afraid of people overreacting. Oh, you're just having a bad day, they'd say. Voices in my head. Unreal conversations with myself. Cheer up, you're just tired. People have it worse than you.
I texted another friend of mine in Halifax, who immediately gave me some kind words which made me pretty much burst into tears somewhere along Spadina. Might I add, I was walking furiously, which is what I do when I'm super stressed out.
Then I called my doctor.
What I was feeling wasn't right, but I knew that if I left it one moment longer, I would literally never tell anyone that I needed help. I left the nurse a message saying I needed to see him. And wouldn't you know it. The bastard STILL hasn't called back. Remind me to switch doctors.
I got home, and could barely hold it in. Good thing Dad is the level-headed one of the family. It wasn't pretty. I basically relegated myself to the corner of the kitchen because I didn't want to see anyone. Sat alone for the rest of the night. Cried myself to sleep that night wondering what the hell was wrong with me.
It felt like a dark cloud was over me 24/7. I had difficulty understanding people. People pointed out that I looked "sad". There were a few days where I basically just stayed home, because it was easier than going out and doing stuff. And the days where I went out and interacted with people, it was, for the record, completely fake. Sir, your change? Oh, right. Silly me.
One of my bigger "turning points" has been acknowledging this. And acknowledging that people do, in fact, live with that terrible cloud for years before they do anything about it. I'm lucky that 2 months is pretty short. But still. Depression is fucking scary.
Now, it's a little easier to talk to people. I'm starting to come around. I have my days where it feels a little pointless. Like... why? Why bother? Why bother with anything? Who cares about me? Friendship feels so fake sometimes.
But what's especially weird for me is that every single person I've spoken to about this has been immediately supportive and asked what was the matter. Those unreal conversations never happened. It's something like cognitive dissonance. Perhaps I underestimate people.
So yeah. That's where I am right now. I'm still trying to keep my head above water. I haven't posted anything on social media for days. Wondering how I can start "coming back".
But at least I'm alive.
No, seriously. I'm alive. What the hell has happened over the past two months?
Okay, so yeah, I'm still at Starbucks. But these last two-or-so months have been easily some of my darkest days. And I have no idea why.
I don't know what happened, but I guess it was seeing everyone go to school and me being "done" that took some of the wind out of my sails. It suddenly felt hard to do everything. I mean, I could get up and go to work and do a good job. But the communication wasn't really me. It was Starbucks-style communication. How are you? I'll get your latte. That sort of stuff. I didn't have to think about that kind of communication.
But for real, person-to-person communication? I found it harder and harder to talk to people. People texted asking where I was, and if I was OK. And I read them, but... I didn't reply. I don't know why I didn't. Talking to people was legitimately hard. I got anxious because I hadn't texted or communicated in so long that I thought people would be mad. So I put it off even more.
One day, I had a bad - bad - day. I don't think I smiled all day. I worked in near silence. I didn't want to have anything to do with anybody. Dave texted me, wondering where I had gotten to. And it was easily one of the most vulnerable moments I've ever had.
Do you know how hard it is to admit you may have an issue? Holy Christ. I was literally shaking as I was texting him. Because it's VERY hard to start saying you feel depressed. You're afraid of people overreacting. Oh, you're just having a bad day, they'd say. Voices in my head. Unreal conversations with myself. Cheer up, you're just tired. People have it worse than you.
I texted another friend of mine in Halifax, who immediately gave me some kind words which made me pretty much burst into tears somewhere along Spadina. Might I add, I was walking furiously, which is what I do when I'm super stressed out.
Then I called my doctor.
What I was feeling wasn't right, but I knew that if I left it one moment longer, I would literally never tell anyone that I needed help. I left the nurse a message saying I needed to see him. And wouldn't you know it. The bastard STILL hasn't called back. Remind me to switch doctors.
I got home, and could barely hold it in. Good thing Dad is the level-headed one of the family. It wasn't pretty. I basically relegated myself to the corner of the kitchen because I didn't want to see anyone. Sat alone for the rest of the night. Cried myself to sleep that night wondering what the hell was wrong with me.
It felt like a dark cloud was over me 24/7. I had difficulty understanding people. People pointed out that I looked "sad". There were a few days where I basically just stayed home, because it was easier than going out and doing stuff. And the days where I went out and interacted with people, it was, for the record, completely fake. Sir, your change? Oh, right. Silly me.
One of my bigger "turning points" has been acknowledging this. And acknowledging that people do, in fact, live with that terrible cloud for years before they do anything about it. I'm lucky that 2 months is pretty short. But still. Depression is fucking scary.
Now, it's a little easier to talk to people. I'm starting to come around. I have my days where it feels a little pointless. Like... why? Why bother? Why bother with anything? Who cares about me? Friendship feels so fake sometimes.
But what's especially weird for me is that every single person I've spoken to about this has been immediately supportive and asked what was the matter. Those unreal conversations never happened. It's something like cognitive dissonance. Perhaps I underestimate people.
So yeah. That's where I am right now. I'm still trying to keep my head above water. I haven't posted anything on social media for days. Wondering how I can start "coming back".
But at least I'm alive.
3 September 2014
Pocket FAILURE!
I think I figured out what was fundamentally wrong with Pocket. It's that whenever I come across an article I want to read, I, uh, you know, read it. I hate saving things for later. And if I save an article, I stick it in a bookmark. So Pocket can fall off a cliff.
In any case.
Work has been wonderful! I'm working around 40 hours/week (yikes!), I have a business debit card (double yikes!), and I have a burgeoning professional career as a sign language interpreter (triple yikes!). I am almost - almost - an adult.
But first, I must stop eating junk food and not caring about some things. Perhaps I should get a beta fish.
In any case.
Work has been wonderful! I'm working around 40 hours/week (yikes!), I have a business debit card (double yikes!), and I have a burgeoning professional career as a sign language interpreter (triple yikes!). I am almost - almost - an adult.
But first, I must stop eating junk food and not caring about some things. Perhaps I should get a beta fish.
15 August 2014
Pocket!
Okay. I'm going to try using Pocket.
Not really at the behest of anything in particular, but Lifehacker LOVES Pocket, I'm going to give it a whirl and see what I can save.
Apparently the app is good for offline article reading. Sure. And I can also save other things to it, like tweets, images, and stuff. And I happen to like stuff.
I'll see what I can come up with!
22 July 2014
25 Facts About Me
1. My original middle names were "Charles George". When my uncle (dad's brother) called after I was born, my dad promised him his name would "be in there somewhere". So now my middle names are "George Robert".
2. I've been to 3 continents, 9 countries, and 33 different cities around the world.
3. I am right-handed, but because most of my family is left-handed, I absorbed the lefty way to do a lot of things.
4. I'm the embodiment of tea and coffee: half-English, half-Colombian. All love.
5. I went to school for International Studies. My original thesis topic was a pan-European refugee policy as it specifically applies to the LGBT Community. Interesting push-and-pull between the affairs of the states and the EU.
6. If I hadn't gone into International Studies, my other option was Chemistry. I wanted to end up working in a lab somewhere, which probably would have led me to pharmacology.
7. I'm good with technology. I'm no computer scientist, but people still ask me to fix their computers from time to time.
8. Big fan of Macs, iPhones, iPads, and all things Apple.
9. I am obsessed with Belgium and everything about Belgium.
10. Cooking is a hobby, not a passion. I've made, like, fish and chips all the way up to fancy Piedmontese desserts (panna cotta, it was delicious, but it takes forever to make).
11. I am a GIGANTIC Simpsons nerd, and every month, I go to Classic WOOHOO! Simpsons Trivia. My team usually places in the Top 10, of around 50 teams.
12. My other unhealthy passion is junky reality TV shows. Specifically Amazing Race, Big Brother US, Big Brother Canada, Big Brother UK, Big Brother Australia, Survivor, and perhaps, like, Hell's Kitchen. One of my goals is to be on Big Brother Canada.
13. I was brought up completely irreligiously, and churches make me super uncomfortable.
14. Nothing brings me more fear than standing too close to the edge of the subway platform.
15. I love English tea. Tetley Orange Pekoe is the brand.
16. I can get lost in office supply stores for hours and hours and hours.
17. I am a freak when it comes to organizing people, places, and things. My room? Not so much! I mean, I know where everything is, yes, but it's still messy. I need a place to be messy.
18. My birthday is September 17. Virgos represent!!
19. My other huge fear is alligators. They are terrifying.
20. There are 151 Pokemon, I don't care what anyone says.
21. I was on a TV show called "Stuff" produced by TVO a long time ago. I hosted the "What's This Stuff?" interstitial. My three objects were a cow lip tattoo instrument, a thing you bang into a maple tree to get the sap, and the thing you speak into in a phone receiver.
22. On that note, I have a good memory for obscure little details, but probably couldn't tell you what happened last week.
23. I have an amazing relationship with my parents and my older brother. My family is super small, and super weird, but I love them a ton, and I wouldn't know what to do without them.
24. My friends and I have an elaborate inside joke about the word "cinnamon".
25. I can't think of #25. But I'm sure I'll blog about it when I think of it. :D
2. I've been to 3 continents, 9 countries, and 33 different cities around the world.
3. I am right-handed, but because most of my family is left-handed, I absorbed the lefty way to do a lot of things.
4. I'm the embodiment of tea and coffee: half-English, half-Colombian. All love.
5. I went to school for International Studies. My original thesis topic was a pan-European refugee policy as it specifically applies to the LGBT Community. Interesting push-and-pull between the affairs of the states and the EU.
6. If I hadn't gone into International Studies, my other option was Chemistry. I wanted to end up working in a lab somewhere, which probably would have led me to pharmacology.
7. I'm good with technology. I'm no computer scientist, but people still ask me to fix their computers from time to time.
8. Big fan of Macs, iPhones, iPads, and all things Apple.
9. I am obsessed with Belgium and everything about Belgium.
10. Cooking is a hobby, not a passion. I've made, like, fish and chips all the way up to fancy Piedmontese desserts (panna cotta, it was delicious, but it takes forever to make).
11. I am a GIGANTIC Simpsons nerd, and every month, I go to Classic WOOHOO! Simpsons Trivia. My team usually places in the Top 10, of around 50 teams.
12. My other unhealthy passion is junky reality TV shows. Specifically Amazing Race, Big Brother US, Big Brother Canada, Big Brother UK, Big Brother Australia, Survivor, and perhaps, like, Hell's Kitchen. One of my goals is to be on Big Brother Canada.
13. I was brought up completely irreligiously, and churches make me super uncomfortable.
14. Nothing brings me more fear than standing too close to the edge of the subway platform.
15. I love English tea. Tetley Orange Pekoe is the brand.
16. I can get lost in office supply stores for hours and hours and hours.
17. I am a freak when it comes to organizing people, places, and things. My room? Not so much! I mean, I know where everything is, yes, but it's still messy. I need a place to be messy.
18. My birthday is September 17. Virgos represent!!
19. My other huge fear is alligators. They are terrifying.
20. There are 151 Pokemon, I don't care what anyone says.
21. I was on a TV show called "Stuff" produced by TVO a long time ago. I hosted the "What's This Stuff?" interstitial. My three objects were a cow lip tattoo instrument, a thing you bang into a maple tree to get the sap, and the thing you speak into in a phone receiver.
22. On that note, I have a good memory for obscure little details, but probably couldn't tell you what happened last week.
23. I have an amazing relationship with my parents and my older brother. My family is super small, and super weird, but I love them a ton, and I wouldn't know what to do without them.
24. My friends and I have an elaborate inside joke about the word "cinnamon".
25. I can't think of #25. But I'm sure I'll blog about it when I think of it. :D
Interpreting Stuff
I'm a freelance American Sign Language-English interpreter. I graduated from my program not-too-long ago.
It's interesting how things are presented in school versus how they are in real life. There's a lot more logistical planning and chasing people than I really expected. Also, it's interesting to work with people that I know who are now looking to hire me for my services as an interpreter.
One of my upcoming gigs is pretty short (45 mins, tops), but is quite complex, and deals with things that I don't know much about. I'm doing my homework for that one. I've found out that things happen either way too slow or way too fast in the "real world". Looking back, school put me on a timeline. The test was on Friday, so you could break your study time down into manageable chunks.
Now, though? I know when my assignment is, but suddenly there are a lot of things that are out of my control. I could always rely on the profs to get back in 24 hours or so, but now? I can't rely on an outside person. I could always rely on being at the right place at the right time, but now? There's no guarantee that I'll be at the right place at the right time.
This will wreak havoc with my sense of perfectionism and logistical-ish stuff, but y'know, I can be the interpreter that gets it done. I'm good at isolating exactly what I need.
Not sure where this blog post is going, but I guess my point is that things are really different out in the real world than in school. In school, profs keep you on a schedule. In the real world, your success is measured by how willing you are to stick to it.
Peace'ing Out
So I'm back, y'all. Took some time off from this blog because my life pretty much exploded.
Last entry was July 3. It was a post about restaurant management and my crash course in how NOT to run a damn restaurant. And there are plenty of valid points in it. For instance, it still is a concern as to whether or not something passes snuff or not.
Well, from the time when running a restaurant was an interesting challenge to now, things have deteriorated significantly. The store manager, who was a former coworker of mine at a coffee shop, has decided that it's really not a good idea to look at how much money is coming in and going out of the store. Cheques started bouncing left, right and centre, and... I found I couldn't do it anymore. Not with him. Get someone else in the position? Sure. No problem. But him? No.
So I did what everyone else does, and applies to something they've done before. In my case, it's coffee shops. Good thing that my store manager's girlfriend happens to be a barista at a coffee shop a few doors down. Oh, whatever. It's Starbucks.
Can I say something about Starbucks? I think they are AWESOME. And I'm not saying that. Man oh man, they treat their staff so freakin' well. Not to mention all the community work and commitment to diversity and accessibility. I'm so excited to start there next week. I'm all gung ho. Love 'em.
Nothing else is coming to mind right now, beyond what I'm going to write in my very next post, so I'll cut this one short.
Yay!
Last entry was July 3. It was a post about restaurant management and my crash course in how NOT to run a damn restaurant. And there are plenty of valid points in it. For instance, it still is a concern as to whether or not something passes snuff or not.
Well, from the time when running a restaurant was an interesting challenge to now, things have deteriorated significantly. The store manager, who was a former coworker of mine at a coffee shop, has decided that it's really not a good idea to look at how much money is coming in and going out of the store. Cheques started bouncing left, right and centre, and... I found I couldn't do it anymore. Not with him. Get someone else in the position? Sure. No problem. But him? No.
So I did what everyone else does, and applies to something they've done before. In my case, it's coffee shops. Good thing that my store manager's girlfriend happens to be a barista at a coffee shop a few doors down. Oh, whatever. It's Starbucks.
Can I say something about Starbucks? I think they are AWESOME. And I'm not saying that. Man oh man, they treat their staff so freakin' well. Not to mention all the community work and commitment to diversity and accessibility. I'm so excited to start there next week. I'm all gung ho. Love 'em.
Nothing else is coming to mind right now, beyond what I'm going to write in my very next post, so I'll cut this one short.
Yay!
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