Day 6 Volunteering

Today was a great day. Like a kid in a scavenger hunt, I was given a list and told to go find patients. Unlike yesterday, where I only had 2 patients the entire time, I was constantly on the move. My list of 5 slowly expanded as the time went on, growing by 4. One of the more exhausting days I have experienced thus far.

During the entire time I was volunteering, they were having a small gathering at the recreation room. They were playing music for them by piano and having them join in if they wanted with some small instruments. It was great in two ways, they were having a great time enjoying the music and getting involved instead of sitting there just looking at a tv or listening to the radio. The other way came in the form of an older lady in a walker standing in the middle of the hall way. I was bringing a patient to the therapy room when I am blocked by this lady. I thought she was moving but very slowly. I can't do much besides let her go on about her business so I take my time. After watching her for a little while, I see she starts moving backwards slightly with ever forward progress she makes. I notice she's moving her shoulders and legs, than I realize she's full on dancing. Well, as full on as you can be at that age. A HUGE smile went across my face. Just seeing her having a great time made me happy.

I've decided to start going out and taking pictures when ever I can. It relaxes me, takes anything I have going on in my head and just makes it disappear. You will most likely be seeing more pictures as the time goes on.

Bruce Park pictures around the main pond.






Signs on not feeding the birds in the order they are shown.










Hope you enjoyed.

Day 5 Voluntering

Today wasn't as busy as the other days have been. I only had to bring two patients down. Usually there would be at least 5, not including the ones that are there already when I arrive.

Site note: I arrived today and was greeted with food. Turns out there was some sort of meeting going on and they had been catered for. But that's not the point of the side note, the point is that a majority of them thought I was still in high school. I guess they have a lot of high school "volunteers." I quote volunteers because in high school we are made to volunteer somewhere for a set number of hours. Oddly enough I volunteered at Nathaniel Witherell when I was in high school. Go figure

One of the patients was a lady who could manager herself around fairly easily with out the wheel chair, but I insisted on letting her relax. Something that struck me as odd was that we had a small conversation as if we knew each other for years. Small jokes here and there, she would say something, and I would fire back with a witty comment. Little things like that made her smile and chuckle. I even got a "You're alright, Alberto" from her. Sort of like what you hear in the movies.

After her therapy, she took charge and decided to walk instead of having me push her. The only thing task I had to do was carry her tea because she was going to be pulling her oxygen tank in a small little trolley. So as we walked back, she decided that she wanted to stop by the small gift shop they have. She bought some snacks and some thank you cards, which turns out are for people all over the world. She worked in a hotel where visitors from all over the world would come, most being students. She stayed in contact with them and was telling me how some are having kids now and some are getting married. It was interesting and I can relate having studied abroad myself and living with a family. I carried her gift shop treats up and took her to her room. She pulled out a chocolate lollipop from The Little Chocolate Company(Picture at the end) that just opened up here in Greenwich, Feb 2nd and handed it to me. She thanked me for helping her out and keeping her smiling. I will be seeing her during my volunteering again tomorrow due to her having the same appointment.

I find a lot of random little things that I consider to be inspirational I guess you can say but here is a sign that was hanging around the fridge in the physical therapy room. I thought it made a good deal of sense. Thoughts?


Here is another that I thought was fun.


Lollipop!




And just for fun. I think I need a hair cut. Maybe tomorrows goal. This picture was taken this morning, I was out of it, don't judge.

Consistency, focus, and change

Being an unemployed college graduate, I am in constant search of advice on how to land a job. From interview tips to resume ideas to what to wear, everything is a crucial part of the process. There are many things out there that can help, but one thing that I have come to read on a regular has been the New Grad Blog, which gives tips that range from interviewing to networking. It has been a great help so far, and has lead to a better sounding resume. It's most recent post "3 Golden Keys to Job Hunting for New Grads" has reinforced what I have been doing.

I get up, grab a snack to start my metabolism, and off I go. I have a list of sites that I tend to go to and search for jobs. These sites are:
Media Bistro, Indeed, iHispano, One day One Job, idealist, Craigslist, Tweet my Jobs

On top of all those sites, I use my twitter account. For those of you familiar with twitter, there are third party programs which allow you to better organize what is going on on your feeds. I use tweetdeck, which allows for search columns to be laid next to each other. My columns are All Friends because you never know who is going to say something that will lead you to success. My next one is my marketing column, this one allows me to hear what people are talking about in relation to marketing. This may include trends, techniques, new things going on, etc. Most job posts on twitter will have a location name to allow for anyone listening to know where the job is. That's why I have a couple other columns designed to locations. I have New York, NY - Chicago, IL - Greenwich, CT - Stamford, CT.

I'm still trying to work on the networking part of it, but I have confidence I will make some connections. Anyone reading this that would like to connect, let me know. Here is my LinkedIn.

The second part of it was finding something that you want to do. It talks about being picky so you go where you want to go, but with the small job market there currently is. This although very smart for you to enjoy your job, is something that I can't accept. There are already a limited number of jobs out there, so being picky isn't really an option, for me at least. I tend to apply to jobs that would allow me to learn, grow as well as challenge me because if I am not challenged, I don't feel I am doing my best work. With that being said, the second part also talks about tailoring resumes, something I've been doing for a while. After tailoring the resume, I tailor the cover letter to the resume/job posting. I address what I have done in a manor that allows the person reading to see why I would be a great fit for the position. I don't lie, I don't stretch the truth, I just explain what I have done and the results it has had.

The last part is the change part, which pretty much explains that you need to see what your doing and relate it to the results. The only problem with that right now is that the time it takes for the companies to get back to you is at least a month at best. So I play the waiting game.

If you are in the same situation as me I would recommend staying tuned to the blog. It does provide insightful posts. It has definitely helped me along the way so if you're in my situation, take some of the tips I gave you and see if anything works for you.

A smile a day

I have done a great job so far trying to make people happy. My motto of a smile a day is really working wonders. Just seeing peoples reactions to things they don't expect is something that makes my day a lot better. I am not going to make a list of everything I do, I just want to promote good behavior in people. I feel there is a rush in everyone's busy schedule even when they aren't in a rush.

For example, today my friend Bridget told me that while she was on her way into the gym, a little 14 year old boy saw her walking, so, he ran past her and opened the door for her, saying, "Here you go." Something completely unexpected and from a young boy non the less but it made her day. Actually, it didn't just make her day, it reinforced her withering belief that there may be a nice guy out there. She has been meeting guys who haven't treated her with respect. Something that is hard to find at this day in age and it doesn't help that early 20's guys just have 1 thing on their mind.

While I am on this subject, it has come to my attention that it's not just 20 something year olds having trouble with guys. During my volunteering, I am always walking past a group of ladies. They seem to always be talking about guys in the building. I thought it was funny cause whether it's, "they are too old," or "too young," or just "not being any good guys out there" they always come to the conclusion that there aren't any good guys out there.

But enough about that. I recommend you go out, going about your day, and if you're about to enter a building, look behind you and see if someones going to be coming in. Wait the extra 10 seconds it takes for the person to reach the door, and most likely they will hurry. Just mention it's no problem and tell them to take their time. They will still rush to get to you, but they will be most appreciative that you took the extra couple of seconds to hold the door open. It might be a small thing but it does mean a lot, more so when there are things in their hands, or its just cold out. Wouldn't you want someone to hold the door open for you if you had your hands full or didn't have gloves in single digit weather? Just something to think about.

Day 4 Volunteering + Kindergarten epiphany

I'm at a pivotal stage in my life where I can make crazy decisions and still have the backing of my parents, no matter how crazy it is. I've been applying to jobs all over the US, except Cali. I just don't want to be in Cali. From VT, to NJ, to Chicago, even some random ones in Wisconsin. What's in Wisconsin? Cheese of course. So where ever the job takes me, is where I will most likely be.


Volunteering day 4:

It's the 4th day and people already think I have been there for over a month. I stop by the guy with the Mets hat every now and then to see how he'd doing. I think if I end up going to see a Mets game this year, I am going to bring him back a souvenir, even if I'm not volunteering anymore. I was talking to him for a little while and since he can't walk much, he hasn't been to a game for a couple of years. Maybe I can set something up where somehow, I can get him to go. I think that might be a goal of mine, or at least come watch a game with him in his room. Some company is better than no company I always say. (Okay, fine. I don't always say that but you get the point.)

Today's make someone smile was a challenging one. I went to go pick up a patient who wasn't as you would say, happy with the service. There was a mix up with the food and hadn't received it yet. So besides being a little cranky the patient, was famished. I tried a little logic by saying, "You don't want to have just eaten if your going to go exercise." But that didn't work. She agreed but was still not a happy camper as people would say. After her physical therapy, she bought a sandwich at the cafe they have there. She was still not in a good mood so I told her that it would make my day if she was able to enjoy that sandwich. She gave me a smirk and we were off. I told her I would be taking her to the room in record time so that the warm sandwich, would still be warm when we got there. Again, a little smirk. So it was working, slowly but surely, I was breaking down the grumpy wall she had made. We get to her room and I have to Macgyver her chair around some things in the room. I tetrised her in and told her it would be my pleasure to open her sandwich box. Right after saying that I got what I was waiting for, she gives me a big smile and made a comment about how much she appreciated my enthusiasm for trying to make her enjoy her sandwich, which in turn made me very happy.

I haven't figured out what I can and can't take pictures of yet, so I decided to start small. Here I am with my volunteer lanyard and my ID. I was in the waiting part of the job, where I need to wait for them to be finished with their appointments in order to take them back after.




Kindergarten Epiphany:

I have a part time job working with a Kindergarten teacher in town. I have been doing this for a couple of weeks now and besides the really good pay, I have gained a little bit of sight as to what teachers have to put up with. It's a little more than you would think, but it's more the tedious jobs that you have to do that get to you. This isn't the epiphany I had though, what I came to realize is that I missed out on quite a bit when I was in kindergarten. Why did I miss out on a lot? Well, I will say this, English is my second language. From kindergarten until 2nd grade, I was busy learning how to read and speak English. But, enough about that. While working, I notice a lot of activities the kids in her class are doing and I become very jealous. The good thing is that I have an advantage that they won't have, which is being able to speak English and Spanish. Not to mention, I have studied French as well and have become fairly fluent. The only thing that I have trouble with I must admit is the vocabulary, but who really knows the name of everything in one language anyways.

Day 3 Volunteering + other stuff

First off, I got up today and pretty much said, "Uh... I didn't know it was supposed to snow." As it turns out a lot of people didn't either, at least that's what I assume from the number of crashes reported on the news. Being unemployed, I look forward to snow because I have some drive ways that I shovel as a way of making a little side money. But, enough about snow.

Volunteering day 3:

It was another great day today. I arrived there as usual did my regular routine of signing in, washing my hands and getting my volunteer id. Right off the bat, a lady who was just cruising around the halls asked me to take her to the front door. Not asking any questions I did so and went about my business. I went over to the physical therapy center and was given a name right away. Excitedly I headed for the elevator to see who I was going to meet. On the way to the elevator I was intreaged to see the lady that I had pushed to the front of the door being taken back by one of the nurses. As it turns out she wasn't supposed to be leaving so I felt kind of like I did something wrong. Nothing came of it and I continued up to get my patient. I talked to the guy and it was nice, just having a normal conversation not talking about their health, just how are yous and what do you think of so and sos, something I am sure they don't have too often because they are there for health reasons. During the course of the 2 hours I am there, I noticed they were setting something up in the rec center. Something I really wanted to be a part of but wasn't allowed to because it would be an advantage to one team. I'm sure your wondering what I am referring to, well, they were setting up to play a game of bowling. Like in grade school, they split up in to 2 teams, AND, the funny part was they named their teams. I only heard the name of one of them, which was the "Curb Jumpers." I don't remember hearing the other teams name due to the fact that I was just passing by and noticing this while I was with a patient. It looked like a lot of fun, and luckily I was there to see the end. It was a 1 point game difference. Imagine that!

There is a guy there that paints. He sits at the end of a table and has all his equipment. When I say paint I don't mean like finger painting or just doing random stuff, I mean legit painting. Like museum quality stuff. He's pretty talented, and kind of glad that he's still doing what he enjoys cause at these people's ages, I feel it will be hard for me to be doing just about anything I enjoy. Just something I noticed as I was walking around.

Since the first day I came, I noticed there was a guy in the physical therapy center not doing so well. He wasn't to responsive to what they were asking of him, but when I saw him today, he was fully comprehending everything they were asking him to do, but that's not the amazing thing, what was great to see was that he was able to do the things well, without assistance. Physical therapy works people! (Duh, I know. I've been in physical therapy twice already.) Seeing him progress made me happy, more so because I don't like lying to people. For example, last week I told a lady that I wanted her to get better when she refused to go to her physical therapy appointment. This actually happened again, but she refused on the account that she wasn't feeling well, so instead of pushing something, I let her rest.

Everyone is doing their own part to help out the crises in Haiti, even Nathaniel Witherell. They are sending down wheel chairs and anything that they have that can be used. Some things don't even work too well, but the fact that they could be used as a place to sit makes them valuable. I helped prep some things as my last order of business so I guess in a way, I am doing my part.

Side note.
I am someone who believes in the little things as being some of the biggest things you can do. What little things? Just something that reminds someone else that you are thinking of them outside of when you are around them. That's what I consider the little things and the best part about it, is, it can be anything. Maybe that's why I have amazing attention to detail!

I haven't had to many pictures up as of late because there is a privacy reason, but I am sure I will take some of myself at least with my sweet id. So stay tuned for those.

OTHER STUFF:

I have recently beeing occupying my time with photoshop. What exactly? Just trying to get a little better and learn some things. So far I have done 2 things and I will show you in just a sec. The first one was to transform a picture in to a rock, you'll see what I mean soon. The other is meant to look very sci-fi where I am breaking up in to little pieces. I modified it so there wasn't an alien feel to it and just left it as I was dissolving in to space. Here are the results, with before and after pics.

Rocked Myself.

1. Yeah, not the most attractive picture but that's me! :D

Before:


After:


2.Slightly better picture of me.

Before:


After:


More photoshop stuff coming soon, I need to learn some new techniques. But, that's about it for now. I am still contemplating whether to do the progression of my workout/training so we will see if that happens.

Day 2 Volunteering

I park my car, sign in to the volunteer sheet, grab my volunteer ID, and clean my hands. Now, I am ready to make someones day better. I make my way to the physical therapy area to get further directions.

I am there no longer than 30 seconds when I have my first patient. I go and find her to bring her over. Remember this is my first day on my own, and second day in total, so I am not totally aware of rules and procedures. But, being very adaptable to my surroundings, I get by. I get to the room and well this is the conversation that went down.

Me: "Hello, I am here to take you down to your physical therapy appointment."
Patient: "No."
Me: (In my head) Shot! Do they have that option? What do I do if they say no? (Being quick on my feet I reply. "But it will make you feel better. I have had physical therapy on my shoulders and look at me go! *Lifts arms up*
Patient: "I'll go next week."
Me: "I just want you to feel better. What kind of guy would I be if I didn't want you to feel your best?"
Patient: (Smiling) "Okay, let's go."

So after convincing the patient to go, I find out that I have to unplug the oxygen. So many little things I was unaware of. Well, I asked a nurse, which just happen to be walking by to assist me and I was finally on my way. I was able to talk to the patient as we walked, and had a small pleasant conversation. It really made the patient feel better knowing someone was there that appreciated them. As opposed to someone who was forced to be there. I think that's the great thing about this place. Most people that are there are volunteers. They want to be there to help them, so it makes it very easy to get along.

In the process of getting this patient, I complimented another patient on his hat. Why would I do this? Because it was a Mets hat. Being a Mets fan, I could only smile when I noticed he was wearing the hat. He told me he had something to show me, but currently being with a patient, I told him I would come back. I came back to see what he wanted to show me. Turns out he had a shirt in the closet and not just any shirt. This shirt had a prediction on it. What did it say you ask? Well, it said, "I predict the Mets will win in 2010."

After having a good talk with him, I went back to wait for the rest of the patients to finish up so that I could take them back to their rooms. During the wait, I assist the physical therapy staff walking the people who can't walk themselves. I may not get paid, but the feeling is much more rewarding.


I am playing with an idea to show my progress with my workout routines/marathon training. It would have pictures of me in poses so that you can see the difference in fat/muscle ratio over the past 3 years. Stay tuned, that's this weekends plan. After my 2nd week of volunteering blog post of course.