Tag: Work Abroad

Interview

On By rrainefioreIn Antarctica Job SearchLeave a comment

I had a phone interview today for the Facilities Engineer job in Antarctica.  The interview went great, but the job isn’t for me.  It was an alternate position in case something goes wrong with the primary.  I would have to train in fire ground school or WFR and then sit and wait for the primary to get sick, hurt or wig out.  The Facilities Engineer deals with all the things that make the buildings work.  I know nothing about heating systems, electrical systems, etc..  I have no doubt I could learn it quickly, but I’m not sure I want the stress of keeping buildings running when the outside is so hostile.  I don’t like the alternate concept either.  At some point in the interview, the manager said I was a great fit for Antarctica and I should apply for other jobs next year.  I told him I applied for 58 jobs.  He sounded so surprised and asked what jobs.  I listed a bunch and told him the Construction Superintendent job at McMurdo was the one I was best suited for.  A minute later he put me on hold when he saw the hiring manager for that job and took my resume over to him.  If I’m going to be considered further for the job, they will call me for an in person interview next week.  If I get called for a second interview, I’ll go in and see what happens, but I’m pretty sure this isn’t the job for me.

Things I learned about living at the South Pole today and found fascinating:  It’s at an elevation of 9,300 feet, but can feel like it’s over 11,000 when the barometric pressure changes ……what?  Awesome.  They have a hydroponic garden so they can have fresh food.  There’s around 40 people there in the winter.  It’s only accessible from October to February.  They only get 8 hours of internet a day since the satellite is only over the pole for 8 hours a day.  Temperatures can range from -4 degrees to -100 degrees.

(c) all rights reserved Kimberly Fiore

On By rrainefioreIn Moving PrepLeave a comment

I got home and my realtor was supposed to have had movers pack up a bunch of my stuff and move it into storage and have the house on the market.  None of this was done.  This is the only reason I decided to hire this realtor.  She told me it would be no problem and then she did nothing while I was gone.  Now I have to find the movers and the cleaners and do it quickly because a lot of time has been lost already.  I want to fire my realtor, but I just don’t have time to do that and find a new one.  I’m exhausted and sick and don’t need this now.

(c) all rights reserved Kimberly Fiore

On By rrainefioreIn Burning Man, Moving PrepLeave a comment

I am all packed for Burning Man except food which I’ll pack last.  I packed pretty easily – If I didn’t already have it (except for new goggles), I didn’t need it.  I had one pair of shorts that needed a top.  Katie made a suggestion of something I could make and I told her that making costumes did not fit with my Easy Man plan.  An old T-Shirt, a pair of scissors, some ribbon, and 10 minutes later Katie had made me a shirt.  Thanks Easy Man and Katie!

I stayed up super late though taking pictures for the realtor of everything that could be packed and moved to storage while I’m gone.  Exhausted.

(c) all rights reserved Kimberly Fiore

On By rrainefioreIn Moving PrepLeave a comment

I met with another realtor that was recommended to me.  I told her my issue about not being able to clean the place up before I left for two weeks.  She said it was no problem.  Stuff could be moved out while I was gone and the place could be cleaned and staged.  It would be on the market before I got back.  She also said it wouldn’t be an issue to work around my roommate’s schedule.  I decided to work with her instead of Trelora.  Soon, my house will be up for sale.  This makes me sad.  I love my house, but I don’t know when I’m coming back and I’m not sure I’m coming back to live here.  And it would be financially easier to leave.  So, here we go.

(c) all rights reserved Kimberly Fiore

I’m a Rescue Diver!

On By rrainefioreIn Job Search, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I got my rescue diver certification this weekend.  Whoa, that was exhausting.  Lake Chatfield is cold and dark and murky.  What a nasty place to dive.  Dragging “victims” into shore all day was physically challenging, especially when they are big men and I’m a tiny woman.  But, I must say, I rocked it.  Saturday night I went home, ate dinner and went straight to bed.  Almost the same thing today.  It must be a popular place to practice rescue as Little Fire was there today and both days rescue dogs were practicing.  Today there were rescue Newfoundlands.  What beautiful dogs – made me really miss my Saint Bernard, Kuma.  It was almost comical at times to look out across the water at all the pretend victims splashing around.

(c) all rights reserved Kimberly Fiore

On By rrainefioreIn Moving Prep, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I’m not real happy with the realtor’s numbers so I called Trelora.  They charge a flat fee for their work, not a commission so I could save a bit of money.  They think I can sell the house for $275,000.  That’s better.  I’m skeptical that buyer’s real estate agents will want to show the house since Trelora is known for offering a low commission to the buyer agent.  However, everyone I’ve talked to at Trelora is upbeat and easy to talk to.  I think I’d like working with them.  They said they could list it quickly even though it’s a bit cluttered right now and they could easily work around my roommate’s schedule.

(c) all rights reserved Kimberly Fiore

20150624_080937

On By rrainefioreIn Job Search, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I did my Emergency First Responder class tonight.  It’s similar to the Red Cross First Aid and CPR classes.  I have to take that before I can do the Rescue Diver course.

Now off to a weekend in Grand County with Mike and Lisa!  I’m looking forward to mountain biking and hanging out with them.  I’m also looking forward to spending some time with Colorado Mother Nature as I will miss the Colorado mountains when I leave.

(c) all rights reserved Kimberly Fiore

On By rrainefioreIn Job SearchLeave a comment

There is a company in Bali that I am quite impressed with.  They make houses and furniture out of bamboo and are trying to teach people about the sustainability of bamboo.  They are affiliated with a school, a hotel, and a kids camp also.  I researched all the companies and think I would love to work for any of them.  I sent my resume and a letter to Ibuku, Bambu Indah, Green Camp, Green Village, and Green School today.  I feel really drawn to this group of companies.  It would be great to work with them in some way.  I got a standard response that Green Camp receives a lot of applications and they will get back to me.

The realtor I was thinking of using to sell the house said she’s list it for $265,000 with the hopes of selling it for $250,000.  I’m not quite sure what number I was hoping for, but this was not it.  I think I’ll look for another realtor.

(c) all rights reserved Kimberly Fiore