Notes

[time_goes_by]

Who: Janie OT Gloria
Where: Lab


Hearing about the loss at the lab really upset Janie, and for a short while, she wasn't sure what to do about all of the lost work. She felt a little pride in actually having done something, especially because it might be able to help people. She realized that was the kind of thing she wanted to do with her life.

Once she was over the blow, however, Janie realized that she had notes. She took lots, and lots of notes, and even tried sketching pictures when she could. She researched at home instead of dusting or putting roasts in the oven, and took notes on that. Phillip had plenty to say about her blowing off more work than usual, but Janie brushed it off.

She realized she had to copy her notes, and give them to Gloria. It might or might not help, but she had to try. The lab notes were copied carefully in black ink, while her own research was copied in red. She was working on a lab report, but it was only half finished, and she felt the notes were more important.

She drove to the college, and walked to the lab, carefully knocking, and hoping that Gloria was there, and would accept the two notebooks.

Comments

[time_goes_by]

"I don't think so either, but we'd better take a look at the place since he offered. I'll make a list of possible locations, and I'll see if I can get any of the equipment from Phillip's job. Maxine works at the factory, and I think Eric is good at building things. They've all got strengths that come in handy for us to... survive what's happening. We need a list of all needed equipment..."

[drkenison]

Gloria nodded in agreement. "We can get supplies there even if we don't take his offer."

"I can see what is available at the university as well."

Gloria was quiet for a few moments before asking, rather curiously. "How good is your memory?"

She felt foolish and was afraid of insulting Janie and so added. ".... I think it may be better to remember notes, procedures and lists from now on. Those can not be stolen very easily."

[time_goes_by]

"It's not all that great. It's why I write everything down, so I don't forget. My mind moves so fast and in so many different directions it gets hard to keep everything straight."

Janie frowned for a moment, before deciding to reveal something to Gloria.

"When I was young, some of the kids stole my journal once, and read it... so I started writing so just me understood it. It's not just shorthand, it's... well, I can always tell what I wrote anyway. If someone else is reading it I copy in longhand. But I see what you mean. I wish my memory was better. Maybe you should be in charge of remembering the details of what we need."

[drkenison]

"I think your method works just as well as mine." Gloria smiled at Janie reassuringly.

"I have always coped by remembering. I can remember everything, strange things sometimes. especially numbers and pages of books but conversations too sometimes."

Gloria felt nervous but went on. "It is why I am good at what I am doing. I don't forget things though sometimes I need prompting to remember that I remember them."

[time_goes_by]

"Thank you." smiled Janie

"I cope by making lists, then organizing them so that everything will get done. Almost like math problems. That's if I can't run off... and I can't run away from this situation."

"What helps prompt you?"

[drkenison]

"I lose lists." Gloria giggled at herself.

"It depends on what I need to remember. Sometimes, things prompt me to remember when I don't want to or need to remember something."

She frowned a little and kept her attention on the road to avoid Janie. "Remembering everything clearly can be a horrible skill to have."

[time_goes_by]

"I suppose it is." she said, quietly "But I suppose that helped you get where you are too... I don't see women too much that get to do what you do. If I knew about that, then maybe I would have tried to get into University, instead of just settling for the first thing to come along. If all this... situation passes, I might try to see if I can enroll. So, it might be bad, but it's also a blessing. Just with an unfortunate badside."

[drkenison]

Gloria shook her head. "What helped me the most was being willing to give up everything and everyone I knew."

She sighed heavily as she drove feeling sad. "You must be willing to face extreme hatred, insult and disrespect. You have to work even when others disregard you and will not give you work. Learning not to get angry and to keep trying when you are mentally and sometimes physically abused is what will get you the farthest."

She paused and finally smiled. "I think you could be successful but I do not want you to have any misconceptions about the work that I do."