Mother’s Day and Major Group Project

The Major Group Project (MGP) has gotten to a good start with my first business/working dinner.  Now, I just have to do everything that I promised I could do. I was upfront with my teammates about my time limitations (day job, miscellaneous) and there were no awkward pauses or anything like that. I am genuinely humbled by my teammates’ expertise. I hope I don’t disappoint them.

And in other news… today is Mother’s day. So thank you, mami, for everything you have done for me, and for providing me with endless emotional support. Now, if I only could make asopao de pollo like you do…

New project!

I will be participating in a new project pretty soon.  I am pretty excited about it, as the end result will address a very important need in our community.

This will mark my first participation in a group translation project (to be referred to in the future as Major Group Project). I don’t think I have participated in a group project since college. Hopefully, there will be fewer all-nighters involved. After a certain age, all-nighters become downright painful.

Preparations include ironing my shirt to convey the impression that I have things under control; clean out my purse so that in the middle of the meeting, ATM receipts and knitting supplies don’t spill out; and make sure to include a map to the location.

Wish me luck.

Proz.com’s professional guidelines

I have just followed the instructions contained in proZ.com’s newsletter to endorse a set of professional guidelines for translators. It is so noted in my profile.

The rules are nothing but common sense. Stick to pre-agreed terms and such.  Now, if we create guidelines for clients, I would be ecstatic.

Taxed to tears

Between work and life, I have had to take some time out to figuring out 2007 taxes. I have gotten close, with help of my loyal accountant, and all I can say is: Oy!

Or better yet: AAAAAAAAAAH!

For a professional in words, I am not being quite eloquent. My apologies.

Has the tax season left you speechless? Tell me (and yes, I am aware of the irony).

This one goes untitled

Thanks to all of you who have posted your thoughtful comments on the subject of self-censorship. Both those whose opinions reflect my own and those who don’t. All of you give me something to think about.

I have been working on a series of projects. I would like to think creativity is not a finite resource. Unfortunately, energy and time are.

Keeping my opinions to myself

It’s all about first impressions.

I refrain from posting (or at least, I try to) anything I would not want a potential or current employer to find out about myself. I don’t swear, I generally keep my opinions to myself when it comes to controversial subjects  such as politics, religions, or the proper way to hang the toilet paper in the bathroom (in case you need to now, I have no particular preference in the subject. It just has to be there, period. And I apologize for bringing down the level of this posting. Moving on…)

It has recently occurred to me that in the future, I should abstain from issuing opinions on certain incidents that have the potential of providing me with a job opportunity.

Because, what if, after I post all about my righteous indignation about a violent crime involving a Spanish-speaking member of the community, I get asked to interpret for the person(s) involved in said crime? It sounds just wrong, and frankly, I would have to say no. I already say no to more assignments that I would like.

To my blogging peers, tell me: do you censor yourself too? Comment away! You are invited.

Progress report on my 2008 resolution

I promised myself earlier on that I would not complain about my lack of work, but rather, I would do something about it. I can’t say I have been  extremely good about refraining from whining, but at least I’ve managed to keep it off the blog.

Lo and behold, as of this moment, I find myself in the middle of two assignments, an interpreting gig that has been completed and is behind me, and another one waiting for me.

Of course, since I have signed non-disclosure agreements with both entities involved, there is not a whole lot I can share about the assignments.

One of these days, I am going to draft the NDA I would love to see. More for my own amusement than for actual legally-binding purposes.  Stay tuned.

Conversation with Mark the Bank Guy

Today, I had to go to the bank to get my new bank card activated. So Mark the Bank Guy and I had the following conversation:

Me: So, you need two pieces of ID, right? (wallet is emptied of receipts from a grocery run conducted two weeks ago)

Bank Guy: (Flabbergasted at the pile of papers) One is fine. So, what other languages do you speak?

Me:  (completely thrown off by this simple question) Uhmn, English and Spanish. . . Say, why do you ask?

Bank Guy: Because it is on your card, see? Translation Service

Me: (silence due to not feeling very smart)

Bank Guy: How does that work? Do you work for a company?

Me: No, this is freelance. I do some freelance projects for companies, and I have done some interpreting in court. I even got to go to jail . . .

Bank Guy: (turns red)

Me: For work! I mean, for work-related reasons!

Bank Guy: Ah, yes,  an important clarification.

The rest of the conversation was not particularly memorable,  but considerably less awkward. Small talk does not come easy to me.

Chick 1, chick 2, chick 3…

I have been approached about a project. As usual, I am counting my chicks before they hatch. No, it’s not wise. No, that will not stop me.

In preparation for the project actually materializing, I am doing laundry. My family needs clean clothes.  I am thinking of actually doing some much-needed housework as well.

Great, now that I wrote about it, I am going to have to actually clean. Curses.

The resolution for 2008

No, we are not talking about the ones I usually make, like eating healthier, exercising, being a better housekeeper (stop laughing!). We are talking professional resolutions.

I can’t claim credit for the idea, because today, proZ.com has a survey titled “Have you made any professional resolutions for 2008?” I realized I had not made any.

So, here it is (deep breath): No more whining about nothing on the pipeline. Not on this blog, and not in real life. Either I will appreciate the hiatus and use the time to study/clean the house (stop laughing!)/complete personal projects, or I will do something about it, like I used to do before I got certified as a court interpreter.