Summer Work

In the spirit of journaling I have decided to share with the world my summer occupations.

Teaching Assistant, STDEV 139 and 399R, BYU- I completed this assignment in June after working with the same woman for 10 months. Nothing interesting to note here aside from the fact that my boss left the job, BYU, and Provo, to start her training for the FBI in Quantico, Virginia.

Lab Technician: Drug Testing Facility, Provo- If the job title sounds professional or glamorous at all you have been misled. While I am excited to put it on future applications as clinical/lab experience, what it really means it that I saw roughly 200 male "anatomies" each week since the end of April. Because we test for the probation and legal system, all of the tests are monitored, and yes, you read/inferred correctly. I literally get paid to watch guys urinate, and Yes, I have to make sure that they are providing a "real" sample that is really delivered from their "real" "anatomy." As opposed to the plethora of fake/creative/ingenious means of putting somebody else's urine into their cup.

Bonus Note: The guys I test are actually pretty awesome and I haven't even been shivved OR shanked yet.

Super Bonus Note: recently learned that by driving to and from SLC to pick up supplies I can make $25 an hour with mileage compensation.

Janitor-Early morning, BYU, HFAC- How, in one summer, do you spend more time in the HFAC then my brother Adam did in his entire tenure at BYU without joining Men's chorus? Join the early morning cleaning crew. I am not trying to make the reader feel sorry for me in any way, but the first thought that runs through my head when my alarm has gone off at 4:30 every morning is not "I can't wait to vacuum today." It is instead, simply, "I want to die." My crew, which started as a group of 4 at the start of the summer, is now down to 1, me. Shouldn't I get paid 4 times the salary for doing the same amount of work?

Bonus Note: Learn from my experience, don't work early morning janitorial.

Intern-The Road Home, Homeless Shelter, SLC- The best work of my summer was not paid. My other jobs allowed me to have at least one free day a week to drive up to Salt Lake to work at the shelter. Cliche as it might sound, this was one of those amazing, eye-opening, challenging experiences. I spent the bulk of my time doing assessments to determine eligibility for a government housing program that was specifically targeted at families who were made homeless by the recession. I have heard, smelled, and seen some very unique, heartbreaking and funny things, and I honestly cherish all of them.

Bonus Note: Did you know that 60+% of the homeless population uses less than 10% of the total money spent to combat homelessness. That means that the majority of "bums" you see aren't really costing you and the Gov. as much money as you'd think.

Researcher, BYU- I recently started doing my research project for my MPH program. Inspired by my experience at the shelter I am researching in what way the homeless use the internet to access health information. Just so you know, recent research has found that over 90% of homeless access the internet, and over 50% carry a cell phone. More information to come.

It's been a blessed and busy summer. Kendall has taught me so much in marriage about working hard for your goals (Thanks babe). I think we are both thrilled we get to go to the NW for a few weeks of rest.

Ultra Bonus Note: I can't wait to be a dad. There is nothing in my life that I am more excited for.