Have You Ever Felt Judged for What You Felt Was Right?

A place I was at on Friday - I made a comment about a guy that was whistling. I said happily, "I always wish I could whistle like you can. I tried so much when I was little, and I just never could put together a tune." His response, "Maybe if you take that mask off you could." One person nearby started laughing and said, "That was good!" 

Here's the thing...they don't know me. I have two relatives that have compromised immune systems from Trisomy 18, I have parts of my nose that is missing from a nose surgery, asthma, allergies, a close friend that just passed away from Covid leaving a 14 and 17 year old behind, and many family members that were or in some cases are nurses that stand with science. I'm wearing that mask for others really more than myself. 

I'm not a Karen that says things like, "You know you really should wear a mask." I just walk around with mine on. I know I can be a carrier no matter what. If my kids have to wear a mask to school, Travis has to wear a mask at the dental lab he works at, I feel that I should do the right thing and wear one too. 

So far I haven't had to get a Covid test at all. I hope to stay that way, for as long as I can. 

I can't shake this feeling that I'm being judged for wearing a mask. Was that comment, or the giggles after necessary? Am I just being too sensitive? To me jokes can be funny, but that didn't humor me. It made me feel bad, for doing what I feel is right all weekend long. 

I found this campaign. I thought it was pretty good concept wise. Even if you aren't a masker. It still has a great idea that's taken in to more than one piece in the campaign. The client is Mucinex. 

Pandemic Life Be Like...

Travis said the pandemic life hit me harder than anyone he knows. I think he's probably wrong. There's people that hide that they've had covid, or had people they know that have passed away in their life because of covid. For some reason it's like a secret illness. People don't want to confess that they've had it because that may show their thoughts on not getting the vaccine. It's so odd. I can't even process how separated we all are. 

Travis is right that there's been frustrations for me with jobs, starting menopause, our car's check engine light went off right when covid started up and we can't get the light off. I hardly blog because don't go anywhere, and now I'm at a job where I'm on the computer all day. I really don't want to be on all the more.  

I've started and stopped so many jobs it's crazy. BUT my older sister said that I just need to land that one where I feel a part of the team. 

This is about how I feel about the pandemic: 

We had a friend we've known for 20 years pass away last week. His wife said he had pneumonia to everyone online. It was covid. He was in the hospital for months. He got put on an ECMO machine to recycle his blood. In the end there were lacerations all over his lungs, and they just had to say goodbye. He left behind a wife, a 14 year old and a 17 year old. His wife is still against getting vaccinated, and masking up. All I can think of is those poor boys that didn't get a chance to make a decision about any of it. Now they won't have a dad. I know their family isn't alone. There are many like theirs. It's sad. I wish I could magically bring him back for his kids. 

An illness apparently brought out secrecy, people feeling that their rights are being taken away, and a whole lot of "I do my own research." I see our freedom, and with that freedom comes a cost. The cost of lives lost. 

Random Tid Bits - Doctors

1. The boy's pediatrician is moving far, far away! He's been a most excellent doctor! I'm sad we won't get to say, "Goodbye!". He's seen them through 2 c-sections, meningitis, a staph infection in the neck, many ear infections, scoliosis and more. 
   
   
2. I decided to switch the boys to a more adult doctor; that can take us all in. I HATED my primary doctor, and have really have only seen my allergy and asthma one the last 2 years. He's the doctor where I went with a head full of polyps and he prescribed me with antibiotics and cough syrup. I even said, "There's things in my nose, and I can't get them out." After that I saw my hottie allergy asthma doctor; on my own accord. Then that doctor put me on a rigorous plan, and had me see an ent doctor as well. Then that doctor said if they weren't treated I would in fact die. He gave me the, "You might go blind, or get meningitis with this surgery...bit." Hey all I lost was smell. Where there's a negative, there's also a positive. I can now breathe through my nose! Damn right I'm changing doctors right along with my sons. 
   
   
3. We will miss Doctor Harrison! The only reason I know he's moving is because my sister told me so. She had it worse than me, and had to find two new docs. Her Trisomy 18 kids have a lot to be covered, and her older kids are my kid's ages, so they are getting bumped up as well. 
   
   
   A most recent picture of Margaret. She's my niece that has Trisomy 18. Sadly Emerson doesn't smile at all these days. He has seizures most days. His meds make him out of it all the time. :(
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Doctor Harrison is the boy's profound pediatrician, and they are switching to Doctor Hare. When I told Isaak this he said,
   
   "What is this? Is Doctor Hare a rip-off of Doctor Harrison?"
   
   Ha! Possibly so. Doctor Harrison was a great doctor in the community. He along with my allergy asthma doctor; I wouldn't have traded either for the world. I even sent Doctor Harrison our Christmas cards. 
   
   
5. I got poked many times last week. One Johnson and Johnson shot (vaccine), and three allergy shots 24 hours later. I don't mind the poking. It's the reactions that are worse than the poking.
   
   Vaccine: I worry about an uprise with covid because of the many people that are getting the shot. Seriously! It was packed! Very little social distancing. In Nebraska, they almost didn't take me. Yes I'm a teacher, but no I don't teach at a union school. It's hard...who decides who should get shots, and who isn't up. It was medical professionals, then older people, then people that had health risks, then first responders, then teachers (but they weren't specific on what kind of teacher would get it). They never did go back to health risk individuals. Really store workers, work more with the public than others, but who am I to have an opinion? It's a crap shoot for who is more worthy of a shot. 
   
   I just had a headache and a was warm. I kind of wish I had more of a reaction. Then I'd know it worked! 
   
   I had more a reaction from allergy shots. Man they've been bad, since I found out I'm going through menopause. Itchy throat, uncontrollable sneezes, snot just dripping from my f-ing nose, huge Popeye arms, that are red, itchy and hot! The arms stay like that for a good 24 hours. I can't even keep ice packs cold. It's horrible! Pictures show a few hours after my shots, and then five hours after my shots.
   
   Are you afraid of needles? That's the topic in our house lately. Isaak's afraid of them. I'm not at all.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Tips to Help You Find a New Job During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many people are in a difficult situation because of COVID-19. It's because they lost their jobs as companies needed to reduce costs. Under those circumstances, many people started to try new things to afford their expenses.

I found this in my office from 2009, and found it helpful during this pandemic. I may not of had the job I love, but I had a job I could tolerate. 

Paying the bills and even buying food is becoming stressful for those whose savings are decreasing day by day. To avoid the virus from spreading, many governments have taken isolation measurements. However, being in isolation means that you can't go out to work or buy products. Given that, remote working has become the new standard.

Nowadays, tech workers are playing an important role while helping organizations move forward. They have allowed companies not only to fill customers' needs but also to change how they operate. As a result, they've been able to innovate the market, even during this challenging situation.

Given these points, here are some tips you should consider if you are unemployed. These tips will help you to find a new job as well as meet future employers' requirements.

Do Some Research

Many positions have been affected by isolation. As a result, several are vulnerable and are still struggling to move forward. However, other sectors, like the healthcare sector, remain strong. Under those circumstances, you should do some research to see which sectors are still making job offers.

While looking for a job, you'll need to assess your skills. In that case, you'll be able to summarize what skills best fit employers' needs. Try to be creative and look for job vacancies even outside your local area. Additionally, you have to be aware that it could be a short term job. For that reason, be ready to compromise, at least while other sectors start to recover.

Contact Your Networks

Being in touch with friends has always been important. However, nowadays, it can be crucial to get a job. While looking for a job, they can help you get an interview. In the same way, you can make some calls to workmates who have worked with you in previous positions. Remember that spreading your voice is essential.

Often in the tech sector, candidates land qualifying jobs because of referrals. For example, as data becomes more valuable, companies need more tech talent like cybersecurity specialists. It's because they can keep companies' information safe as well as protect companies' products from digital threats. Under those circumstances, employers prefer to hire referred candidates rather than look for them on websites like LinkedIn.

Upgrade and Update Your Current Professional Skills

Maybe you have what it takes to get a job, but your skills are outdated. If you have free time, don't hesitate to complete some courses that could help you find and get a job. In the same way, keep up to date to stay relevant. Remember that education is the new currency.

Upgrading skills is essential because it helps you implement better practices. In that case, it's vital to say that tech professionals like WordPress Developers have to upgrade their skills regularly. It's because it allows them to create more dynamic websites by using the most recent plugins as well as better coding methods.

Build a Portfolio

Showing your abilities can help you get a new job as employers can see what you are capable of. With this in mind, it's feasible to say that building a portfolio is essential these days. You can include personal projects you are currently working on as well as other projects like team projects.

For professionals like graphic designers and UX/UI designers, building a portfolio is vital as they can capture employers' attention. With the use of portfolios, employers can evaluate aspirants' expertise. For that reason, they will know if candidates can meet their current needs or not.

Learn Programming Skills

During pandemics, tech workers have allowed companies not only to survive but also to innovate their working methods. Given that, the demand for skilled professionals has increased. In the same way, as customers started to use more digital channels, the need for digital solutions that could meet their requirements increased as well.

With this in mind, tech professionals with programming skills like software engineers started to create solutions that could help companies fill their customers' expectations. Also, learning how to code will allow you to work from any place. In other words, you'll be able to work from home, and you won't need to go to an office.

Nowadays, programming languages like Python are in-demand. Learning python programming skills will help you to be a must-have for employers. It's because Python is very versatile and can be used to create sophisticated solutions.

Python is exceptional for analyzing and visualizing data. For that reason, data scientists use it to build programs that can help them analyze gathered information. As a result, they'll be able to create better insights that help companies make data-driven decisions.

Furthermore, Python can be used to implement machine learning algorithms in existing products. In that case, organizations will be able to provide more personalized experiences to customers.

Enroll in a Coding Bootcamp

Coding Bootcamps have become very popular lately. It's because they offer courses where aspirants can learn in-demand skills to get better job opportunities. Under those circumstances, it's feasible to say that enrolling in a coding bootcamp is a great idea to be prepared to find a new job.

App Academy is a coding school that offers some exceptional courses in web development. At App Academy, you can become a full stack developer who's ready to mark the difference. For that reason, during the program, you'll learn new skills while building web applications on projects. Also, you'll learn how to code using programming languages like JavaScript and SQL.

It's important to remember that full stack developers are responsible for developing client-side apps as well as server-side apps. Under those circumstances, after completion, you'll be a candidate every employer would like to hire.

Conclusion

Generally speaking, looking for a job would be easier if you consider these tips. Learning new skills and enrolling in coding bootcamps will provide you with better job opportunities. In that case, during pandemics, you'll not only be able to land a new job but also to change your way of life.

Disclaimer: This is a guest post. This post was written by: Artur Meyster

A Face Covering Review

Do you think masks and face coverings help fight the spread of covid? 

I think it helps. I have both asthma and allergies, and need my lungs to be as healthy as possible. 

Recently when I went to get my allergy shots, I asked my nurse if he knew anyone with this invisible beast of a virus. He told me his son’s best friend has it. He’s needing lung support, is near death, is young, and had no other health conditions.

I do have issues with breathing at times, so things tight against my face can be a problem. I do have some solutions:

• Coconut Oil with a Q-Tip in the Nose - ok via my ENT Doctor

• More Ginger Intake - Ginger Helps With Inflammation 

• Face Shields, for People that Can Breathe Well

• Face Coverings VS Only Masks

This face covering is more breathable, then most masks. There’s over 40 designs to choose from. I chose this thinking Mica would like it. He said he feels like he’s wearing a hijab. Had I known he didn’t like it, I may of picked a different design. 

I did have trouble with it being loose on my face. A few things to try with this: 

• Wash any mask or face covering. Many shrink slightly, making them fit better on skinny faces. 

• You can twist the ear piece. 

• Knot the ear loops.

Where to buy it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088DQ6253

It’s $11.99 with a 10% click coupon + free shipping. 

Do you have a favorite mask, or face covering? Have you tried a face shield?