I'm still frustrated with school and the photo job and the photo job manager and life in general, but school goes on. Thank you to those who said a prayer for me. I feel them and hope you continue to keep me on your prayer lists.
It's a struggle, but this is something I want -- I really want. I'm going to start looking into other options about what to do with the career so I can earn money! This not being *really* employed is nerve wracking and adding to my stress instead of taking it away. An unexpected result, for sure!
But, after much soul searching and whining and tears and venting (thank you, Moma) I am much calmer and have rededicated my efforts to completing school.
As normal with things worthwhile, they are never easy. Two steps forward and one step back -- not only is it a great dance, it's true to life.
Showing posts with label Court Reporting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Court Reporting. Show all posts
Monday, December 8, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Is there life after court reporting school?
I'm so totally frustrated with school right now. I'm to a point where I don't even want to practice because I don't see progress. I thought I'd be finished with school or at least qualified for the state exam by now. Yet I'm still struggling to pass the qualifying tests. I don't feel like I'm progressing and I don't know what to do *to* progress. I'm floundering.
I sit and watch the news and the economy is in the tank. So, if I don't get out of school by at the very latest the end of next quarter in March, I'm going to have to get a job again. But, what then? Is there a point where I just say to heck with it and do something else? But what would I do?
This is so not the life I wanted. I wanted to be married and have kids and the minivan. Okay, maybe not the minivan, but the rest I wanted. Not even past tense. Those are things I want still.
I guess I'm just at a crossroads. I can choose one fork and can continue to work toward the court reporting thing. But the other fork is to quit school and figure something else out. Ugh. Honestly, the thought of quitting makes me more nervous than I was going to Austin to take the written part. (That is VERY nervous, by the way.) I have no idea what I would do if I quit. I've been working toward this for so long because I do love it. I do want it. The question is, is it within my grasp. I mean, really within my grasp. Is this something that I can really do?
I hope so.
I sit and watch the news and the economy is in the tank. So, if I don't get out of school by at the very latest the end of next quarter in March, I'm going to have to get a job again. But, what then? Is there a point where I just say to heck with it and do something else? But what would I do?
This is so not the life I wanted. I wanted to be married and have kids and the minivan. Okay, maybe not the minivan, but the rest I wanted. Not even past tense. Those are things I want still.
I guess I'm just at a crossroads. I can choose one fork and can continue to work toward the court reporting thing. But the other fork is to quit school and figure something else out. Ugh. Honestly, the thought of quitting makes me more nervous than I was going to Austin to take the written part. (That is VERY nervous, by the way.) I have no idea what I would do if I quit. I've been working toward this for so long because I do love it. I do want it. The question is, is it within my grasp. I mean, really within my grasp. Is this something that I can really do?
I hope so.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
And Cue the Panic...
When you wake up in the middle of the night thinking, "oh crap what have I done..." you can pretty much assure your day is not going to be the best one you've ever had.
So far, things have gone pretty much as I expected with school. I'm progressing, but it is slow going. Lots of time on the machine is the fix for the problems I'm having, though. Hmmm... I think that is why I quit my job.
I have called all of the firms in the areas I want to move and now they are all telling me that business is slow and they aren't hiring. I realize that January is quite a while away, but having something like an available job is good motivation! Okay, so Texas may not be where I practice. I am going to qualify and sit for the (then pass the) Texas CSR exam in January, regardless of whether I practice here right away or not.
So, now it looks like New Mexico might be my best bet. I've spoken with their CCR Board a several times and read and re-read their website and rules and I was/am a bit confused by it. The person I spoke to at the Board assures me that the pesky "and" in their rules will be changed or deleted at the October meeting (then it has to be aggreed upon and approved by the State Supreme Court) and I shouldn't have any problems considering I'm sitting for the RPR in November. They also have a Provisional License where I can practice for up to two years under a Licensed Reporter while I'm continuing to practice and sit for the RPR.
Also, as I've looked at various job boards, it looks like I can move to Kentucky if I want or Montana. Both have lots of job openings, but since the goal is to move closer to the Panhandle not further away.... well, I think I'll pass on those. (Caveat as always: Prince Charming comes along and sweeps me off my feet.. :) )
So, between the disappointing job outlook in the area I'd prefer to move, this not getting a paycheck thing (still waiting on the 401(k) payout) has me a bit stressed. I know it is coming, so I'm not just totally wigged out, but paying for things knowing that on Friday the money I'm spending isn't going to be replaced is scary. Watching my bank account dwindle while waiting is hard. This month's bills are about due andmy $233 electric bill was a bit of a shock. (I live in a 20+ year old apartment complex, on the second floor, with a vaulted ceiling, and while I had them do maitenance on my AC before it got hot, 26 of the 31 days in this billing cycle were 100+ degrees... ugh.)
I'm trying to remind myself that it is all a means to an end and I am doing what is necessary and it will all work out. I have a plan. It is a good plan. I am acting on that plan to reach my goals. I can do this.
But mostly, I'm just telling myself I have to breathe.... and practice.
KEY:
RPR = Registered Professional Reporter. Certification given by the National Court Reporters Association
CSR = Certified Shorthand Reporter. Texas' state certification
CCR = Certified Court Reporter. New Mexico's certification
So far, things have gone pretty much as I expected with school. I'm progressing, but it is slow going. Lots of time on the machine is the fix for the problems I'm having, though. Hmmm... I think that is why I quit my job.
I have called all of the firms in the areas I want to move and now they are all telling me that business is slow and they aren't hiring. I realize that January is quite a while away, but having something like an available job is good motivation! Okay, so Texas may not be where I practice. I am going to qualify and sit for the (then pass the) Texas CSR exam in January, regardless of whether I practice here right away or not.
So, now it looks like New Mexico might be my best bet. I've spoken with their CCR Board a several times and read and re-read their website and rules and I was/am a bit confused by it. The person I spoke to at the Board assures me that the pesky "and" in their rules will be changed or deleted at the October meeting (then it has to be aggreed upon and approved by the State Supreme Court) and I shouldn't have any problems considering I'm sitting for the RPR in November. They also have a Provisional License where I can practice for up to two years under a Licensed Reporter while I'm continuing to practice and sit for the RPR.
Also, as I've looked at various job boards, it looks like I can move to Kentucky if I want or Montana. Both have lots of job openings, but since the goal is to move closer to the Panhandle not further away.... well, I think I'll pass on those. (Caveat as always: Prince Charming comes along and sweeps me off my feet.. :) )
So, between the disappointing job outlook in the area I'd prefer to move, this not getting a paycheck thing (still waiting on the 401(k) payout) has me a bit stressed. I know it is coming, so I'm not just totally wigged out, but paying for things knowing that on Friday the money I'm spending isn't going to be replaced is scary. Watching my bank account dwindle while waiting is hard. This month's bills are about due andmy $233 electric bill was a bit of a shock. (I live in a 20+ year old apartment complex, on the second floor, with a vaulted ceiling, and while I had them do maitenance on my AC before it got hot, 26 of the 31 days in this billing cycle were 100+ degrees... ugh.)
I'm trying to remind myself that it is all a means to an end and I am doing what is necessary and it will all work out. I have a plan. It is a good plan. I am acting on that plan to reach my goals. I can do this.
But mostly, I'm just telling myself I have to breathe.... and practice.
KEY:
RPR = Registered Professional Reporter. Certification given by the National Court Reporters Association
CSR = Certified Shorthand Reporter. Texas' state certification
CCR = Certified Court Reporter. New Mexico's certification
Monday, July 14, 2008
Ch-ch-ch-changes...
I have been struggling to juggle school and two jobs for quite a while now. The further I've gotten in school and the closer to qualifying for the state CSR exam, the more stressful and frustrating it has become.
Since December, I've been biding my time waiting for Boss to close the office and lay me off... waiting for a severence package to hopefully carry me through until I finished school. It all came to a dramatic and teary peak last Friday. Boss told me that the office isn't closing, and my job will remain as a part time position. By my job remaining, I'm not eligible for severence or unemployment benefits but, and here's the kicker, I can't afford to stay on a part-time basis.
So, you may wonder how I'm going to swing it without a job? I'm going to "invest" my 401(k) into me. It's not making me any money in this economy, but if I cash it out (and yes, I know it's 20% in taxes and a 10% penalty for early withdrawl) and use it to live on for the next 4-5 months, I should be okay. I figure it will at least then be earning me money in the long run when I finish school because I'll be able to afford to rebuild it and build on it. Besides, it's not like I'm going to go buy a boat with the money!
There is a CSR exam being given in September. I figure if I quit my job now and really concentrate on qualifying to take the exam for the three weeks between the end of my job and the qualify-by date in mid August and then really hit it hard for the September 27 exam, I'm sure to pass. If I don't (a) qualify or (b) pass the exam, there is another one being given in January, and I will pass that one.
So, the girl who despises change of any kind and will hold on to the status quo until her fingers fall off is jumping into change with both feet and no net. I'm truly terrified. I'm also excited. I guess you could say I'm terri-cited! Nah, don't say that. It sounds silly.
Since December, I've been biding my time waiting for Boss to close the office and lay me off... waiting for a severence package to hopefully carry me through until I finished school. It all came to a dramatic and teary peak last Friday. Boss told me that the office isn't closing, and my job will remain as a part time position. By my job remaining, I'm not eligible for severence or unemployment benefits but, and here's the kicker, I can't afford to stay on a part-time basis.
So, you may wonder how I'm going to swing it without a job? I'm going to "invest" my 401(k) into me. It's not making me any money in this economy, but if I cash it out (and yes, I know it's 20% in taxes and a 10% penalty for early withdrawl) and use it to live on for the next 4-5 months, I should be okay. I figure it will at least then be earning me money in the long run when I finish school because I'll be able to afford to rebuild it and build on it. Besides, it's not like I'm going to go buy a boat with the money!
There is a CSR exam being given in September. I figure if I quit my job now and really concentrate on qualifying to take the exam for the three weeks between the end of my job and the qualify-by date in mid August and then really hit it hard for the September 27 exam, I'm sure to pass. If I don't (a) qualify or (b) pass the exam, there is another one being given in January, and I will pass that one.
So, the girl who despises change of any kind and will hold on to the status quo until her fingers fall off is jumping into change with both feet and no net. I'm truly terrified. I'm also excited. I guess you could say I'm terri-cited! Nah, don't say that. It sounds silly.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Back to the Same Old Grind
Vacation is over. Back to work. It's Monday. Yuck.
No exciting hail storms or any tornadoes on the drive home like last time I came home from Amarillo. The most exciting part of the driving actually came on Saturday night. I hit a coyote and tore up my front bumper. To tell the truth, I felt really bad for the coyote and was upset about killing a living creature until I saw the damage to the front of my car. Stupid coyote.
I'm going to go to the body shop today and a second one on Wednesday (have appointments for the estimates) to see how much damage was done. Then I'll call the insurance company to find out how much my deductible is and then I'll decide what to do about it. Probably nothing until Moma & Daddy get home from the UK. I did run it through a car wash when I filled up this morning to get the fur and remaining blood off. It creeped me out to see it.
It was a relatively uneventful yet educational vacation excluding the coyote. I found out so much about the actual JOB of court reporting and I also found out how much tort reform has hurt the field of court reporting. There are still jobs available and it is still a great career, but not as lucrative as it was say, 15 years ago. It was kind of scary while at the reporting firm in Amarillo because several jobs cancelled and it was a slow week for them. That and with the contract position not coming about, I was a little scared about finding a job when I get finished with school.
I may not get to move to Amarillo immediately, but Boss Reporter told me about a firm in Lubbock that had an opening, so I called them this morning. They had just bought another firm and are looking for at least one full-time reporter and a couple of part-timers. They took my name and phone number and told me to definitely keep in contact. He said that the firm is busy all the time and their reporters are super-busy. So, yay!! It's funny that their full-time scopist is a CRID student also. She's in her 180s.
I've got a million and three things to do at work today and don't feel like doing any of them. I really want to just go and practice on my machine to get my speed up. I really think that my internship, even though not 'official' per the school, has lit a fire under my hiney. It proved to me that I do want to be a reporter. I can do it. I am going to be good at it. I'm excited about it.
On a lighter note, I had fun visiting with all of the grandparents and A & D and the kiddos. Uncle J, as always, was a gracious host and let the kitties and me crash at his house. I got to paint small toenails (and am assured by many friends I've told about it that painting Little B's toenails green won't warp him irreparably). Miss A's toenails now are pink with a purple flower on the big toe.
No exciting hail storms or any tornadoes on the drive home like last time I came home from Amarillo. The most exciting part of the driving actually came on Saturday night. I hit a coyote and tore up my front bumper. To tell the truth, I felt really bad for the coyote and was upset about killing a living creature until I saw the damage to the front of my car. Stupid coyote.
I'm going to go to the body shop today and a second one on Wednesday (have appointments for the estimates) to see how much damage was done. Then I'll call the insurance company to find out how much my deductible is and then I'll decide what to do about it. Probably nothing until Moma & Daddy get home from the UK. I did run it through a car wash when I filled up this morning to get the fur and remaining blood off. It creeped me out to see it.
It was a relatively uneventful yet educational vacation excluding the coyote. I found out so much about the actual JOB of court reporting and I also found out how much tort reform has hurt the field of court reporting. There are still jobs available and it is still a great career, but not as lucrative as it was say, 15 years ago. It was kind of scary while at the reporting firm in Amarillo because several jobs cancelled and it was a slow week for them. That and with the contract position not coming about, I was a little scared about finding a job when I get finished with school.
I may not get to move to Amarillo immediately, but Boss Reporter told me about a firm in Lubbock that had an opening, so I called them this morning. They had just bought another firm and are looking for at least one full-time reporter and a couple of part-timers. They took my name and phone number and told me to definitely keep in contact. He said that the firm is busy all the time and their reporters are super-busy. So, yay!! It's funny that their full-time scopist is a CRID student also. She's in her 180s.
I've got a million and three things to do at work today and don't feel like doing any of them. I really want to just go and practice on my machine to get my speed up. I really think that my internship, even though not 'official' per the school, has lit a fire under my hiney. It proved to me that I do want to be a reporter. I can do it. I am going to be good at it. I'm excited about it.
On a lighter note, I had fun visiting with all of the grandparents and A & D and the kiddos. Uncle J, as always, was a gracious host and let the kitties and me crash at his house. I got to paint small toenails (and am assured by many friends I've told about it that painting Little B's toenails green won't warp him irreparably). Miss A's toenails now are pink with a purple flower on the big toe.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Amarillo by Morning
I didn't come up from San Antonio, but the cats and I made it to Amarillo without a hitch. It was an easy drive on Saturday. I even made it in time for dinner with the grandparents.
Sunday, I spent in Sunray with the other grandparents. It was great.
My internship started on Monday. I am just going to say it now... I love what I'm doing. I have had so much fun the past three days working at the Court Reporting firm. I've done depositions for an assault case. I've done depositions from a car accident. I've done a failure to pay depo. Finally, today I got to go to court and sit in on a drug case. I'm doing everything the official reporter for each of those jobs is doing, but it "doesn't count" for anything. It is a total blast getting to see that I really can do it. I can actually write and it hasn't all been for naught. I am getting probably 90% of what is being said and I'm getting most of the parentheticals like marking exhibits, lawyers speaking in colloquey, etc. I really love it. I get to be in everyone's business and (eventually) get paid for it.
I did get some rather upsetting news today, though. The firm owner who was going to hire me in January to do either proofreading/scoping or as a reporter won't be able to hire me. The contract she thought she had fell through. The judge decided that he wasn't going to contract the job afterall. It's a bummer. Especially since, if the Boss decides to close the office I'm currently working in and I'm not done with school in September, I'm totally up a creek without any paddle! But (positive self-talk alert) since I am going to qualify and I am going to pass the test in September, I shouldn't be unemployed for long. I hope.
Sunday, I spent in Sunray with the other grandparents. It was great.
My internship started on Monday. I am just going to say it now... I love what I'm doing. I have had so much fun the past three days working at the Court Reporting firm. I've done depositions for an assault case. I've done depositions from a car accident. I've done a failure to pay depo. Finally, today I got to go to court and sit in on a drug case. I'm doing everything the official reporter for each of those jobs is doing, but it "doesn't count" for anything. It is a total blast getting to see that I really can do it. I can actually write and it hasn't all been for naught. I am getting probably 90% of what is being said and I'm getting most of the parentheticals like marking exhibits, lawyers speaking in colloquey, etc. I really love it. I get to be in everyone's business and (eventually) get paid for it.
I did get some rather upsetting news today, though. The firm owner who was going to hire me in January to do either proofreading/scoping or as a reporter won't be able to hire me. The contract she thought she had fell through. The judge decided that he wasn't going to contract the job afterall. It's a bummer. Especially since, if the Boss decides to close the office I'm currently working in and I'm not done with school in September, I'm totally up a creek without any paddle! But (positive self-talk alert) since I am going to qualify and I am going to pass the test in September, I shouldn't be unemployed for long. I hope.
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