I’ve been working on a summer camp this year with kids of all ages and have about a week left.

The kids have been the highlight of every day I’ve worked and I never know who’s gonna turn up, I get to work with all sorts and some days my biggest achievement is getting a kid to give me a high five when they get picked up to go home other days it’ll be stopping kids from crying or breaking up a fight over a hula hoop.

I’ve managed to talk a kid into doing his physio though after we had a competition over who was able to do the weirdest thing cause we’re both hyper mobile.

I spoke to a kid in maciton everyday he was in camp so we could communicate with him more easily as I was the only staff member who could speak using it.

I am also the only staff member who can “control” (their words) some of the kids. I like to say talk to and explain actions and consequences to a more challenging group so I always work with them.

This summer I took myself on deep waters of upbringing and seeking over children. I was working as a camp custodian from 2nd to 15th of August. It took place in a lovely town called Jastrzębia Góra (Hawk Mountain), by the Baltic Sea. I would love to share my experience with you.

 These are the pros: it’s a very rewarding job and I don’t mean money but more precious things, like the happiness of children, sightseeing with them, getting to know different places, helping some with their problems and inspiring them, and experience that you get for the future. I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who doesn’t like children or moving a lot, though.

 I have some objections towards parents who pack their children. You should know that your kid ought to have a cap and sunscreen cream. The second we can have and give them but it would be hard to get caps for 20 children. Beyond that backpacks are a must! How can your kid have all the things for the beach, e.g. a towel, water, snacks in its bare hands?

Anyway, I got to know myself more by working with other people. I can see now, that working with children and on a move is something for me. I hope to do that more in the future.

Fire Hiring is in full swing 

The word on the street is that most of the “certs” (lists of qualified applicants) are in the hands of fire leadership as of now. Over the next several weeks managers will be working through the lists and making calls to schedule interviews. Be patient. Hiring is a process and we are still trying to catch up.

[1.12.19]

I work as an ophthalmic scribe, and I really want to and have to know my stuff so over break I decided to make some notes on everything I know.

I'm so disappointed in the tasks given to me for this summerjob. LIKE FOR REALZ I expected to get to do something labrelated stuff like a lab scientists get to do like separating blood, taking bloodsamples etc. but then the boss decided to put me in some secretary position becuase someone got sick for a whole month and in desperate need for 2 months and they can't get someone else to do it and like they chose me because I could speak swedish and finnish and somewhat know about these programs/systems.

I’m always looking for fun new places to check out and experience on campus, and thanks to my summer job, I get paid partly to explore campus for the summer. Last Thursday afternoon, my coworker Minji and I took a trip to the Smith Museum of Art’s Gift Shop! The shop was having an outdoor sidewalk sale along with most shops/small businesses in downtown Northampton this past Thursday-Sunday (Sidewalk sales always happen the last weekend of July!).  After poking around in their tent outside, we headed inside to spend some time in the regular shop as well, where we met the shop’s former manager as well as the new manager, Justin, who is excited about getting students more involved in the Museum shop and promoting both the shop and the Museum more through social media! Minji and I had a great chat with him and exchanged contact information! 

(photo id: jewelry and postcards displayed on shelves at the Smith Museum of Art Gift Shop) 

The shop has a lot of relatively inexpensive jewelry, postcards, and other trinkets in addition to their larger items, so Justin is hoping to get more to think of the shop when in need of gifts for family and friends, or even something for themselves. So, next time you’re in need of a last minute gift, you might not even need to leave campus!