A People Counter

Well, on April 6th I began my training as an enumerator for the US Census Bureau. I received a notice by email from Church employment, and I thought, why not me? So I signed up, took the test, and was one of the lucky ones to be called. I am thinking speaking Spanish helped me get this job.

I thought it was going to be a physical challenge, because they asked us to work 30-40 hours a week, after our 5 days of training, but that actuality never materialized. I did spend 2 8-hour days on my feet, but with no problems. It is stop and go walking, which works just fine for me. I didn't even borrow the clever little cane that has a seat on it from my friend George.

We were told we would be working for about 8-10 weeks this first round, but that didn't materialize, either. The government, in its wisdom, hired too many quality control people for the amount of listers. I am quality control, and we can accomplish our task in about 20% of the time needed for the listers, and we cannot do ours, until they are through. So...the listers are working 40 hour weeks and getting behind, while we are lucky to have a 10 hours week. We (the intelligent quality control group) suggested that they transfer some of us to listing, since we were trained to be listers, to even out the work load, but NO....the government couldn't do that. It is a separate department, evidently...so we sit around and wait. This is only the 4th week, but it looks like we will be through by the end of the week.

I did get to use my Spanish on at least 10 different occasions, however. A funny anecdote....I knocked on one house, showed my badge, and the 6 year old standing there looked at me and asked if I lived in the jail. Wonder what has gone on in that house? Illegals, maybe???

So far, every penny I have earned has gone for car repairs... My car died, and I needed not only a new battery, but a new fuel pump. Ahh....such is life.

I never thought I would go back to work!!! Well, except maybe to be in a movie or a TV show or a commercial.