My Job

Wow, I didn't intend "be back later" to be 5-6 hours later, haha...my 2 projects took longer than I wanted...

But anyways before I go back for dinner, I would like to talk about my job here in Blind River. But even before that, I got news from the advisor in Capilano College saying that they may drop the Math 12 requirement for PSYC 213...yah! One catch - I think they want Math 11 with "B" average, which I don't have (yes that's how bad I am at Math). I have done pretty much everything for school, now I just need to wait...

So my job in Blind River (the lucky Castlegar kid who plans to work in my position, listen up):

I work for Blind River Chamber of Commerce, as the office assistant to Betty Ann Dunbar, the director of Chamber of Commerce/office assistant of Blind River Development Co-operation. My job is to pretty much man the travel center, which is half an hour walk from the Katima-house. Haha, don't worry, you won't be walking to and back from work. Betty Ann drives me to work 8 in the morning, and originally she drives me back home at 4 also (yes it's a 8 hour job, 8 -4) but now because Sally works here in the afternoon and she lives pretty close to the house, she drives me back home (which reminds me, I must get her to photocopy her driver's license and give it to Emilie). So pretty much you have to get to the Blind River Development Co-operation by 8 am (very easy, it's less than a 5 minute walk) to get to Betty Ann, who will drive you to work. Once you are there, then you hang out there for 8 hours. Lunch is an hour, from 12-1.

The travel center is pretty, but very quiet. You pretty much don't see people coming in, although for you guys there may be a slow increase as summer comes. And most of the people who do come in are here for the public washroom (hahahaha), and you wouldn't even see them...you just hear them. So pretty much you are at the office all by yourself, with internet/computer with speakers/phone...does that give you guys any ideas? ;););););) Although now Sally works in the afternoon from 1-4, so you do have company (whether you think it's a good thing or bad is another matter). My job consists of:
- greeting visitors (almost none)
- answering phone calls/dealing with phone messages (again almost none)
- reading/emailing/forward Chamber emails (Emails I have deleted in total: 2736. 50% consists of emails about viagara 40% about stock exchange 9% miscellaneous nothings 1% actual things)
- filing
- administrative work (using excel/word). I have written minutes, made graphs, letters, etc.
- speaking of minutes...attending monthly Chamber meetings and act as the secretary as they blabber on about the matters of the Chamber (write frantically my friend)
- relaxing after my job is done...which means msning/emailing/working on this blog/surfing the net
The workload is ridiculously light. It's not that there's nothing to do, but Betty Ann is so busy with her job as an office admin in BRDC that she can't even properly slough off work for me. The lazy part in me is like "yay free time with the computer", but the curious learning part in me is a bit disapppointed, because the job isn't really challenging. Although I believe one can make the situation better no matter where he/she is. For instance, much of the files need cleaning up, because nothing seems to be alphabetized properly and I almost never find something that Betty Ann wants within those files. The brochures can afford an update (I think there are brochures from 2005). There's a display case outside the center, and that can use some decorating (Sally brought in some cross country skis and winter decorations which she is just waiting for an opportunity to put them up). Read about the history of Blind River...one can be creative with the job.

My verdict on the job: Believe it or not, I actually like this job. I am technically a replacement for the previous office manager (who quit a month before I arrive), except at a much more junior level. As far as I know, he got paid really well (anywhere from $15 to $20 an hour) so that kind of makes me feel important. I like the freedom and independence I get here. Although there really isn't much to do most of the time I am occupied with lots of other things so time goes by for me very quickly. One thing I do regret about is the fact that I didn't give my 100% to my job...I didn't really do any of things I suggested earlier, and I could have used it to challenge myself (i.e. master excel spreadsheet). But I am not going to complain that much...it's really quite plush here, with alone time/computer/phone. Stephen and Charles came in before and they were both slightly jealous that I have such a nice set-up...Stephen said I should have bought some beer and chips and put them in the fridge, pop in a DVD, and just chill...
As well, Betty Ann and Sally are both very nice people, and I got along very well with Ed Ritchie. However while I am describing how chillaxed this job is, things are changing...because of me :P I told Betty Ann what I thought should be improved in the job, so the next person may have more work to do, and projects to follow. As well, I told Sally to ask Betty Ann if she can use my office instead (the nice set-up) instead of the computer outside (no speakers and other things) because she needs it more...sorry?

Characters in Blind River Chamber of Commerce
- Betty Ann Dunbar: Director, nice and pleasant lady in her 50s, very career oriented...like Lynette from Desperate Housewives.
- Sally Hagman: lady who got contracted to work in the Chamber. Friendly, easy to talk to...does not bug you unless she needs things printed out.
- Ed Ritchie: one of the board directors, I have a connection with him and we talked about quite a bit of stuff, ranging from his life to God and etc. Intelligent and interesting. He comes to fix the computer so if the computer breaks down on you, call him.
-Stoney Burton: Boss of Betty Ann in BRDC. Fun guy, goofy
-Tony and Brad: Two people who work in the office with Betty Ann. Your interaction with them will be slight to none.
-Janitor guy named Woody or something like that: the caretaker of the travel center. A nice enough guy, but nags me for not turning on the taps to prevent freezing ("You have to leave the tap on! If you don't the pipes will freeze and it will take a whole bunch of money to fix and if that happens, the town will shut down the Travel Center....")
-Other Board Directors: Susan Zaiser/Kelly Brandon/Janine Timmermans/Jack Richardson. You will probably see more of Jack in the future because his company (Vision North) got the bid to put his office in the travel center. Oh yes, there will be an intern too...in April I think.
-Ross MacDonald: the previous office manager. You will never meet him but there will be talks about him.

Random things:
- there's a fridge/kettle/toaster oven. Sorry to tell you but the toaster oven is broken.
- Betty Ann may or may not let you keep the key to open to travel center. If she does, don't lose the key! But let me know if you do because I made a spare
- Betty Ann likes punctuality. Impress her by showing up at work 5 minutes early (which I didn't)

It's 6:13 pm right now...time for dinner (do I hear the dinner bells ringing?)