AmeriCorps Blog
My weekend back in Wisconsin was divine! I enjoyed turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, family, old friends, new friends, and
GOT A JOB! WAHOO!
Yes, on a whim I checked my email at Kelly's house shortly before we left for the rehersal ceremony, and low and behold, an email from Fred offering me a position at Planet Aid!
HOORAY!
No more worrying. No more writing stupid cover letters. Cha cha cha. :-)
Now that I got the good news out there, I can elaborate a bit on my weekend. It was wonderful to see my old Eau Claire friends! We danced the entire reception and by the end, I could barely walk. My feet have now recovered, thank goodness, and I no longer hobble around like a ninety-year-old.
I will try and get pictures up before I lose access to the scanner. What will I do without spare time and internet access at work? Hopefully Suzanne (my roommate) and I will now be able to afford interent access at home.
Later: 5:45pm
I should be going to the shelter, and I will, in a minute. But I had to report that I'm all in a tither! My mom called me last night with her fears that I would be joining a cult (although I take this Rick Ross guy none-too-seriously)--or at least an organization with ties to the scandel-ladened Tvind and its bizarre leader Amdi Pederson. I didn't mention that earlier, because I thought it was more rumor than truth. And I'm still undecided, although the fact that the BBC did a story does worry me greatly. But Nancy--who I place great faith in--and Doug as well, think I shouldn't take it. Or that I at least should confront Fred with my worries. And I will, if I ever get a hold of him. What I take more seriously are the stories from people who volunteered overseas with Planet Aid-related charities. Stories of being forced to panhandle on the streets. Oh boy. What have I gotten in to?
I thought I was all set, and now what? Take the job and chance that I'm working for evil? Possibly become part of a conspiracy top rival the plots of a blockbuster movie? AGH! I knew things were going to well.....
The only good news is that Amy called from the Committee to End Elder Homelessness. I agreed to an interview, so I'll be meeting with her on Thursday. Fingers crossed for a happy ending to my mess.
I have officially declined the position with Planet Aid. Talk about your uncomfortable conversations! Eegad.
ME: "I have some, um, reservations about taking the position. I've read some things about organizations that Planet Aid has ties with...."
FRED: "There's a lot of junk on the internet."
ME: "Yes, I know. And I'm not saying I believe all of it, but ...."
I won't try and recreate the entire conversation. It was very stilted and awkward, and in the end, I said I would just decline it straight out so that I wouldn't waste his time. He was fairly decent about it, even offered me a chance to do some more reading to check things out.
I just wouldn't be comfortable working in a place with such a shadow cast over it. I want to do nonprofit work so that I can feel good about what I do... not slimy and evilish (exgaggeration alert!).
So, I have that other interview tomorrow, and I already Googled the organization, and they seem taint-free. Good deal!.
I have spent the entire day doing data entry and checking our financial records (favor for Nancy). I think my brain has completely fried!
So, I'm sure everyone is asking the same question: how did the interview go? Well, unfortunately, there was no interview. I woke up yesterday sick. I had caught some sort of bug (probably from the kids at the shelter) and spent the day in utter agony! It was an awful, awful day.
I am tentatively saying at this point that I'm feeling better, but nothing's for sure yet.
I came in to work this morning to find a HUGE computer monitor sitting on my desk. I can feel myself leaning away from my desk, trying to give the monitor more room. I'm just not used to this much "room."
My interview is rescheduled for Monday, by the way. And of course I'll report my adventure as soon as I can. Doug is talking about paying me a real wage to stay on for a bit to help out, and it looks like I'll have the time (and need for money!) to do just that.
But in the meantime--this is my LAST DAY AS AN AMERICORPS--I should get as much done as possible.
Wow.... my last day.... it's hard to believe.
