On-Line Interpreter Test

After nearly 5 hours of practice within 1 week, I passed the test on the phone this afternoon. It was a great relief considering I was not with my best physical condition, and my mind went blank a few times during the test.

My testing supervisor was very nice to me. She said she saw my potential being a great on-line interpreter even though I didn’t do a good job today. And she gave me some great feedback and professional advice. Truly appreciate it.

On-Line Interpreter Training

Spent 2 and half hours on the phone for the training course.

Beverly Hill Lingual Institute

Had an interview with Dr. Fallon, the director of Beverly Hill institute this afternoon.

I have a great feeling that I will work very pleasantly there.

UCLA Confucius Institute

Today is my momentum.

After completing 2 phone interviews this morning, I got a physcial interview at Beverly Hill Lingual Institue tomorow. And later when I was preparing for lunch, I got a very late reply from San Francisco State University regarding my request about 3 months ago.

The good news is, Confucius Institute is recently open at UCLA, which is only about 20 minute bus ride from my place. If I ever consider pursing a Chinese teaching credential, that will be a good place to go.  

The 1st Confucius institute was open in Soul, Korea in 2004. Within 3 years, the Chinese Language office has promoted up to 120 institute around the world. Even though I’m from Taiwan, and always a strong advocate of traditional characters, I’m afraid that Taiwanese government has lost the battle of promoting Traditional character in this movement.

CarneySandoe & Language Line

Done 2 phone interviews this morning.

The 1st

CarneySandoe.com

My mom-in-law hooked me up with my brother-in-law’s ex-step-sister Jamie (yeah… a bit too many hyphens here) for my job inquiry. It turned out Jamie doesn’t work on the recruitment side for the private schools in L.A. area; she places the students to their suitable schools. So, it’s on the other side of the system.

Anyway, she told me this website– carneysandoe.com–that most private schools in L.A. will list their openings there, so I tried to apply myself on their website. Gosh… It took me just a little shoter than posting on Monster.com.

Jamie also suggests me that I might consider persuing a teaching credential for my future career, since most schools (even private ones) in L.A. request their teachers have one.

Old Blog Entry 2

May 13, 2005

I have 3 students now~

I can’t believe this kind of good thing will happen to me.

After posting my ad for teaching Mandarin on www.craigslist.org for almost 3 weeks, now I’ve got 3 students. Practically, all my Monday through Friday afternoon schedule are booked in June.

Isn’t that wonderful?

At least, I won’t be BORED after graduation and be able to make some U.S. cash in June.(if it goes well, I can make about $1,000 in June, just enough to survive here…). Then I can focus on finding a full-time job b/4 I have to return to Taiwan to finalize my divorce after July 5th.

The fotuneteller was right. Forget about public schools. I’ll be better off serving in private business. My goal right now is to find a full-time job teaching either ESL or Mandarin anywhere in CA. (if I can find one). Or as my career counselor advised me before, I should try to find a teaching position in some big companies (such as Google, Microsoft, GM– whatever Co. who has the close business relationship with China now…). They must have the education center which provide some Mandarin classes for the employee working in China.

The heavy woman upstairs…

The follow-up letters did work a bit. I got a reply right away from Beverly Hill Language Center. Nothing promising yet. But, it’s a start. 

Anyway, the woman lives upstairs of us gets up around 6:30 every morning (and she didn’t take a shower this morning… I started to sound like a stalker or pervert listening to the noise she makes every day… sigh). There’s nothing you can really do for this kinda condo co-living situation, so I decided to sync our schedule. If I get a regular full-time job, that will be the same time I have to get up as well. Besides, being a morning person is good to your health also.

What I’m gonna do today job-wise are:

1. Send out more job-inquiry e-mails to at least 5 language schools within my zip code found on CitySearch website. 
2. Contact a tutor agency Mom told me.
3. Re-organize my previous ESL teaching folders.

Or course life is not just about job searching, I’m also gonna do:

1. Continue cooking 3 healthy meals a day for my husband and I
2. Taking a walk in the neighborhood
3. Watch a Netflix moive or a show on my DVR

Follow Up Letters

Both my husband and mom-in-law suggested me to do as much as possible follow ups after I send out my 1st job inquiry to the potential future employer. It is kinda hard for me to do that. Maybe it’s the buhdist thing in me, I’d rather have some dignity to NOT beg people giving me a job than constantly bombarding them with e-mails…

Some family members even advise me to “drop in”, and introduce myself to the right contact… Gee… I’m not sure about this either… It feels like a Avon Lady, or a door-to-door vacumm sales. Sigh… I can’t belive finding a job this time will be difficult. And the magic Craig’s List has not do any wonder on me yet.

Monster

Just updated my old resume on Monster. Took quite a few time…