Day Seven Hundred and One of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Woke Up Early for Work

I managed to wake up early in time for work this morning. I woke up a few minutes before my alarms went off, so that’s good. Unfortunately, as promised, the weather was cold, overcast and rainy. I had hoped that it would be a nice day, contrary to what weather reports predicted.

Long Bus to SFU

I decided to take the bus to SFU this morning. I considered taking my car but it wouldn’t save that much time and then I’d also have the hassle of trying to find parking. I googled the transit directions, which seemed straight forward enough.

I got the first bus no problem. I got off to transfer to the SFU bus and was surprised when the bus went right past me! Apparently, there are two different bus stops and the google directions did not mention that. I was annoyed but had given myself enough time and arrived there in plenty of time.

Acting as a Patient

Today I am doing an acting type of job. I did this last year with this company, Pharmachieve. It’s a firm that stages mock exams for pharmacist candidates. I play the patient or customer who comes to the pharmacy.

I had a lot of fun doing this last year so I was happy when they asked me back for this year’s exams. My friend was doing it as well and we ran into other people who we have worked with on set in the past. I was only able to work today though because tomorrow I will be running my race.

I was given a situation to memorize and then came in to the room to act out the scenario. I am always in awe of these pharmacists because I know how difficult the program is and I know that I could never finish it myself. There is a pharmacist in the room who evaluates the person as well.

During the break, we talked with some of the actors about other opportunities. One gave a heads up about an acting school which is offering a free evaluation of audition techniques. Another mentioned working as an actor for UBC’s medical school. I was interested to hear that, especially since I already volunteer there. Another mentioned working for the Justice Institute to act as a prisoner! I’ve acted as a prisoner on gigs before so that might be fun, too!

The day went by quickly and then I was finished. I was glad to finish early since I wanted to have enough time to rest for tomorrow’s race.

Return to Runner’s Expo

I decided to go to the runner’s expo which was on the way home one last time in the hopes of buying a belt for tomorrow’s race. I still can’t find the two that I own and am a little anxious about what I will do if I can’t find them. I went to the Running Room store and was disappointed to see that they did not have any of the one that I wanted.

I knew that there was a chance that I could dash over to the Running Room on the way home and hopefully, they would have one for me. Unfortunately, the buses were packed and I missed getting to the store in time before it closed. I’ll have to think of another solution.

Just One Last Run

My marathon training program scheduled one short run for Saturday. Although I was tired from working all day, I laced up as soon as I got home. It was raining lightly and cold, likely what the weather will be like tomorrow.

I felt quite good running a nice slow pace. I didn’t feel any of my injuries too much. Yes, my Achilles tendon was sore and my glutes were sore but that is usual. Nothing else was rearing its head the day before, so I’m glad.

Early Night for Marathon Tomorrow

I want to rest as much as possible for tomorrow’s race. I have to change what I was going to wear since it will be a lot colder and rainy. I will also not be able to have my belt so I need to pare down the things I will carry with me.

I’m a little anxious about tomorrow and hope that I can get enough sleep. I checked out the buses to see what time I’ll have to leave. In a way, I sort of just want to get this race over with. It’s been such a long time in coming and I’ve been distracted by it. This time tomorrow, I’ll be finally finished and hopefully will have a finisher’s medal for my efforts.

Day Five Hundred and Thirteen of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Early Morning Bus Again

I got up early again to catch the bus to across town to BCIT, a technical college to go to my acting gig. This time, I was a lot less anxious because I knew how long it would take and knew where I was going.

It was a beautiful sunny day and I regretted that I would be missing my weekly run and my free yoga class at Lululemon. But I don’t often have much work these days, so I have to take advantage of any work I can get!

Second Day of Acting Gig

I got to BCIT in plenty of time again. This time I felt like an old pro and was chatting away with my friend before we began. I was paired up with a different evaluating pharmacist than yesterday. He was just as nice to work with as yesterday’s one.

In addition to the acting scenario that I would do with the pharmacist, today I provided a little feedback to them. I can’t provide feedback on the answers that they give since I know nothing about pharmacy but I can comment on their communication skills. For the most part, they were all friendly but professional so I didn’t have much to comment on. If anything, they were a lot friendlier than the ones we encounter here in Canada!

Our scenario today was more difficult than what I did yesterday. Today, I played a Mom picking up a prescription for her baby daughter. The pharmacists had to do an information intake where they ask me several questions that they need answered in order to fill the prescription.

Then, they consult with their pharmacy reference book to check the prescription. The prescription that they are given was incorrect and they are supposed to notice the mistake. Then they are supposed to say that they have to call the physician to have the duration of the medication corrected.

The first pharmacist picked up on the error right away and did the scenario flawlessly. The evaluating pharmacist and I thought that this would be the same with the others, but in the end, very few of them did it correctly. I was surprised with the different outcomes they came up with. It gave me a sobering thought as to the gravity of what could happen when an error is made by either the doctor or the pharmacist.

Today went a little faster than yesterday. Since there were no lunch places open on campus today, the company brought in pizza. It was eaten up quickly. We had some time to relax before we went to do the afternoon session. We had had 17 pharmacists in the morning and now the afternoon we would have the remaining 13.

The afternoon went a little slower than I had hoped. Finally, we were finished. In the two days, we had gone through 60 scenarios. I really hoped that the pharmacists were helped by this two-day course. Their exams are in two weeks.

I was chatting with one pharmacist who turned out to be from Egypt. I remembered when I was in Cairo years ago and got sick. I was taken to a pharmacy and was surprised to discover that the pharmacist there was able to give me medication that would have been prescribed here. I told the pharmacist that I thought that he was the best (he was) and wished him good luck on his exam. He told me that he had failed the first two times which surprised me. He seemed like such a nice guy, I really hope he passes this time.

Quick Trip to the Mall

After I signed out, I decided to make a quick stop at the mall. I rarely ever go to malls but since I was in the neighborhood, thought I’d just have a quick walk around.

I didn’t stay there long. There were simply too many people around. I guess I’m not used to the crowds. The only mall I go to is the one where I go for my free yoga class and when I go, it’s before the mall opens, so there aren’t many people around.

Despite it being Sunday, the skytrain and bus home was crowded as well. I was really getting weary so I was glad when I got home. I’m really glad that I got to work the two days and I hope I can work for the firm again when they do another course in the spring.

Day Five Hundred and Twelve of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Early Morning Bus

I got up early to catch the bus to across town to BCIT, a technical college. I was excited because I have two days of work this weekend. Today is the first day. A few months ago my fellow acting friend forwarded me an email about this gig.

This firm simulates part of the pharmacy exam. Foreign students are tested with simulated scenarios between pharmacist and patient. The examining board evaluates these pharmacists on how they interact with the patients, whether they react correctly.

The firm hires actors to play the patient. The actor is given a scenario and acts out with the pharmacist. There is a bit of improvisation involved since we go along with how the pharmacist reacts to what I say and how they proceed.

There are other gigs like this for other medical professionals as well. Again, the actor is given a scenario and the student or professional are evaluated on their diagnostic abilities and how they deal with the patient.

The firm had asked me if I had acting experience in this kind of work. In the past, I have played hospital patients on TV and movies. And I was also a mystery shopper, which is similar. I was hired and looked forward to working this gig!

First Day of Acting Gig

I got to BCIT in plenty of time. All of the actors and evaluating pharmacists were in a room to sign up and get some training. There were at least a couple of other actors that I recognized in addition to my friend.

The people who were taking this course were pharmacists from outside of Canada. In order to practice in Canada, they are required to do an exam. For whatever reason, there is a fairly high failure rate for these foreign students. This firm provides them with practice scenarios just like the real exam. After the pharmacists take this course, they increase their chance of passing considerably.

This is similar to prep courses that prepare students for exams like GMAT, MCAT, etc. This firm specializes in this verbal pharmacy exam and provides students with the several actors and pharmacists that the real exam would have.

Every room had an actor and evaluating pharmacist. Once a buzzer rings, the pharmacist enters the room and has seconds to read the scenario before the actor knocks on the door and it begins. This is similar to a real-life example when a patient approaches the desk at a pharmacy or drugstore and the pharmacist counsels the patient.

The first pharmacist that entered was from Japan. I only knew this by her name and accent and the fact that I used to live there. She was extremely nervous and read the scenario wrong. It took her a while before she calmed down and was able to do the scenario correctly. We went back and forth and then a bell rang signally that it was over.

Then, the evaluating pharmacist would provide the pharmacist with feedback. In the real exam setting, the evaluating pharmacist would not provide feedback, but would only be writing down their evaluation. This was a valuable part so that the pharmacist would know what they were doing right, wrong and how they could improve. The bell would ring and then they go to the next station and do a different scenario with a different actor and evaluating pharmacist.

Today, my scenario was easy. I played a pharmacy technician who had overstepped their bounds and was counselling a patient even though I am not licensed to do so. The pharmacist was required to act as a managing pharmacist and make me understand what was wrong and make sure I would not to do that again.

It was interesting to meet all of these pharmacists. They were from all over the world. I felt humbled because I know how difficult it is to get a pharmacy degree. I know I couldn’t have done it. They were pharmacists in their own country and then they came to Canada with the hopes of practicing here but first must pass this difficult exam.

It was a bit of a grueling schedule, for the pharmacists and also for us. It was easy for the actors and evaluating pharmacists because we had the same scenario for the whole day. The pharmacists were thrown a completely different scenario every seven minutes. We didn’t have any break until lunch time. After a short lunch, we did the same thing with more pharmacists for the rest of the day. I really enjoyed this acting gig! I will be working tomorrow, doing the same thing, with a different scenario.

Big Clean Up

After I got home, I needed to relax and unwind from the day of work. After a while I did some more cleaning and clearing up of stuff. I managed to get rid of 3 large bags of garbage and 3 bags of recycling. I also went to one of my stalls in the parking garage and swept up around it. There was a lot of leaves and dust and it took me a while.

I felt really proud that I was able to get rid of so much in a short time tonight. I have a lot more to get rid of but every time I manage to throw things away, I feel as if I’m accomplishing something.

Day Four Hundred and Fifty of Unemployment-Fifty and Unemployed

Ran to Free Yoga at Oakridge Lululemon

I got up early this morning to do my usual weekly run to the free yoga class at Lululemon at Oakridge. I wondered how I was going to run since the last time I ran I felt so slow. I left myself plenty of time to get to class just in case I wasn’t able to run very fast.

As I set off, I felt the old me running. I felt light and fast as I ran up the hill. I did feel a bit of twinge in my Achilles tendon area but not enough to worry me. I wondered why I would feel so slow and lethargic one day and then the next, feel fast and inspired?

I wondered how I would feel on the marathon day morning. Would I be in good form or would I be dragging my feet? I hate that unpredictability. That’s the problem with entering any race at my age, I never know if I will be in good health or if I will have a running injury. That’s another reason why I never wanted to pay the high prices of the race entries. I’ve heard of too many stories of people who had to cancel and couldn’t get a refund.

Chat with Fellow Job Searcher

I had a chat with my fellow job searcher after yoga class. It was nice to have met somebody I could talk with about this. I’m still not sure what her financial situation is or how long she has been looking for a job.

She revealed one of her biggest concerns. She is from Hong Kong but has very good English. She said that whenever she saw a job listing requirement that said the candidate would need excellent spoken and written English, she would wonder if she should reply.

I assured her that she should still apply. That requirement is pretty standard and I don’t think that most jobs really need a very high level of English. Most native English speakers that I know use terrible grammar and their written English is terrible.

When I worked overseas I actually worked as an editor and was somebody who did correct English usage (spoken and written). But for almost any of the jobs that I’ve had here, rarely has there been a real need to have that level of ability. I would think that here in Vancouver, her multilingual abilities would be a great advantage. In any case, I think the best thing for her is self-confidence more than anything.

Long Run Today

After the yoga class, I felt pretty good. I had told myself ahead of time that I was going to do a long run and that I would not allow myself to give any excuses. I am running out of time to do long runs before the marathon next month, so I have to do this.

Luckily, the weather was sunny but not too warm. It wasn’t too hot to the point where I’d be dehydrated quickly either. I did have my water bottle with me though and I knew that I’d be able to last until the first water fountain on my route.

I didn’t encounter any fellow runners for the first six miles or so. I usually stop at the nude beach, Wreck beach to do the stairs but by passed it this time. By the time I got to the next beach, I had seen lots of runners. There were also lots of beach volleyballers in a tournament and spectators.

By the time I got to the last beach, Jericho, I was getting tired. I stopped at the tennis club to watch some squash for a short time before finishing my run. By the time I got home, I had logged in around twenty miles for the day. I was weary but not painfully so. I felt like I had accomplished a good long run today.

New Resume Written

My friend had emailed me some information about a job she did a few months ago. She pretended to be a patient for medical professionals. They would have to figure out the correct diagnosis. My friend enjoyed it and was asked back to work it again.

I checked out the link and it said that I would need to apply with a headshot and a resume. I didn’t know if I needed to submit a regular resume or an actor’s bio. I haven’t written an actor’s resume in a long time. I don’t have a formal headshot either. I took a photo of myself with a self-timer and that’ll have to do. I can’t afford to get a formal headshot done right now.

This is just a two-day gig in October but at this point, I’ll take anything I can get. It does sound like fun, too. I have played a patient many times on different TV shows and movies, so why not again?