It's been a while

Yeah, I've been away. Not long after my last post, I was laid off from my day job. While I was only mildly surprised (things had been rather hinky of late), I was upset, at my loss of income, mainly, but also at the loss of daily contact with a bunch of people I genuinely liked.

Once the first wave of being upset subsided, I realized that this was an actual, dyed-in-the-wool golden opportunity. For years, certainly since I got back from Antarctica, I had been talking more and more about going back to school to get my paramedic cert. Something always held me back, usually the fact that I was earning money and paying off bills, but also the fear of not having a job, not having an income, and leaving my work friends. Being laid-off took the decision out of my hands.

So, aside from having to find one more EMS recommendation for school, I have applied to paramedic school, and, provided I can get that last recommendation filled out, I will be starting in August.

As for paying the bills, I have interviewed for several scientific jobs, and yet haven't gotten an offer. Even the interviews I thought went well haven't yielded an actual job. So I'm taking it as a sign that I'm supposed to go to medic school. As such, I applied to a transfer ambulance company, and had an interview today. I was told by the managers that I should get a job, and they'll be calling me in the next week or so. The orientation class is expected to start the 22nd of this month or so. They claimed they are flexible with schedules to accommodate classes, and while the pay isn't near what I was making as a scientist, I have to admit, for an EMT-B, it ain't bad, and as soon as I get reciprocity with VA and DC, it'll go up. Once I get my paramedic cert, it'll go even higher (though it'll definitely take a few years to get back up to where I was in biotech).

I know, not as exciting as a 911 system, but I believe that it might help me while I'm in medic school, especially as far as patient assessments go. It may also give me the opportunity to take EVOC, which I never got the chance to take as a volunteer.

Speaking of volunteering, I'm rather torn. I started with a new company, about 15-20 minutes from my house, this time last year, but had to leave when I had my shoulder surgery. I was still on probationary status, and haven't been back since. I'm debating if I should attempt to go back to that station, or if I should write it off and try the one that is within walking distance of my house. I think (or I would like to think) that a closer station would mean I would go more often. I also didn't feel very comfortable at the other station, though I will readily admit that much of that could have been a lack of time there. At this point, I'm not even sure I should show up.

And since the fiance and I aren't moving any time soon, I really need to get back with a station.

On the other good side, all my gym time will make it easier for me to get back in the firefighting mode shortly. This makes me very happy.