Life changed 2012

I cannot imagine how fast time flies . There was three years already. Begin 2012, I got a good new, the market basket close my house called me for a job. My destiny might be a Donuts guy. One more time, I got a job in the bakery department to make donuts.

It wasn’t fun when the first day, I drove to the training place and hit my car to the curb; that accident  cost me two flat tires and I have to replaced 4 of them later in the morning. Since all of them were old. The new donuts job really exciting, because I was not only making the donuts, but also I learn how to make American’s breads and cookies or muffin.

I think the most exciting with  the new jobs. It was I know more people, and they are really kind with me, I’m actually really love this job and people I had been working daily. They are amazing.

At school I did a great job. Most of my course was A. My friends at school helping me more about English speaking. I love go to school. Because you don’t worry much about life, at that place you only thinking about study, homework and project.

Me and my friends at school.

I’m working hard and study hard daily. I recognize there is nothing for free in life, working hard you will get pay back sometime, and study hard, you will get back sometime. Everything will  be return. It just master the time. I want to repeat here what Mr. Steven Job said “ You can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.”

There are four season of the year in USA, and it is not happen in Vietnam. I’m actually enjoy the weather in New England. I can say the best two season and the most beautiful is Spring and Autumn. Autumn is not the only beautiful season in New England, but you can’t fight with the Natural beauty.

It was taken in New Hampshire.

However, there is one season which I’m not pleasure. I think you already know that is Winter in New England. It wasn’t fun at on.Especially when you have to drive in snow. I still remember 2012 winter is the “dot” which changed my life, my career. I has not forget that moment. One morning when I’s still sleep after a long night study for exam. I got the call from one of the website, I placed my resume in it.They offer me a job at Dell.I thought that was a dream. I has a short interview by phone with an agent. Then I got a call interview again through the phone which Dell’s HR. That was a nervous time, because this is a serious job. Preparing is my key of success for this interview. I read the company profile carefully and search all the key words which interviewer may ask. I repeated the question and answer in front of the mirror till everything goes smooth. The next phone interview take me around 30 minutes and I try the best on that interview. One week late, I got the call from agent. They said that I will get a face to face interview. My heart was beating so fast. I was extremely happy. The next interview will be top for me. I knew my English speaking skill is not perfect(fluently).

So the important day come. I had to drive to Nashua, New Hampshire for the interview. the most funny it. I got lost,  and I worry that I will be late for the interview. It will be really bad for me. This is not my fault because that place wasn’t on the GPS yet. I may thank you for that moment for that incident, because of that lost my nervous when I found that place is gone. I told myself that I will do the best here whatever result it.

On the first round, I met Mr. Peter, he is a gentlemen, the greatest boss which I ever have in my life till now. His face really calm and happiness. He is welcome me, it look like he knew my motion, my thought. We have a really good conversation. Then I have another round with two other people about tech skills. After that, I have one of other person bring me to the lab where I working later. He walked me through a ton of Racks equipment and told me which department will manage those Racks. My mind actually got blow off. I ever seen something like this in my life since I was born.  He gave me a joke: ” don’t quit after this orientation”. I was thinking about quit at that time. I may not go back if I have been chosen. But I remember one of the book I read said: give me the job then I will learn how to do it later. So the quit idea went away, and I ready if I have been chosen. The interview went well. I didn’t forget asking them their email address. I sent them thank you letter immediately when I backed home.

 

Finally, a week later I got a call that I got that job. The first day at Dell is the first biggest snow storm I have never experience with. They closed all high way to plow. I come early , and I have to go home early on that day.  So my ending 2012 is not bad at all.

Me at Dell

I will see  you in my next journey. Thanks for reading my blog!

To be continues…

12 Keys To Become an Active Worker

You’re the only problem you’ll ever have and you’re the only solution

 

1.Coming early and leaving late

If you are an active person it is absolutely you can do it.

Pros:

– Come early help you become more active productivity, you will have more time to schedule your work day. You will able review which task high priority to do first.

– Show your style of professional always on time. In Japan, if you come early than 15 minutes it means you just on time at your work place.

– All manager absolutely love this factor.

Cons:

– Your day life time will be shorter; a shift 8 hours with this key it will become 10 hours.

2.Share your experience with your co-workers

A lot of people told me that I should keep my special skill or experience for myself; if the company start laid off, you will not be on the list, because you have more skills than other. This idea is great. However I don’t concern losing a job, I am concern about the growing of my selfish; with this thinking I will effect to the company. Thus, I don’t hide any skill or experience with my co-workers. The result I get more than I give. Sharing your experience and skill which will help atmosphere of your job on your shoulders.

3.Real and Fake

In every company use to have conflict groups. They use to against each other. If you are at that situation and don’t know which group you will stand at. I have a wonderful solution for you.

If you are working with people group A. You will listening the complain about people group B, and group B will do the same. If you were a person in that case, you should laughing and do not follow up their words. Your laughing will make satisfy group A. Because they will thinking you are agree with them, but they don’t know you just try to ignore their complaining about other. My advise don’t put oil to the fire.

4.Networking

You should connect more people on difference groups. You will open up your opportunities job and your career.

5.Formula 20/80

You may asking me what is 20/80. This formula will help you improve your result of your tasks. Simple understand is 20% of your resource bring back 80% a result of your work. If you thinking about spend 100% your resource you will bring back 400% of result.

6.Looking, Searching and not Waiting

Don’t wait your boss assigned job to you. You should always active asking your boss: what does he(she) wants? Active in your job often bring the advantage for you as well as the trust from your boss.

7.Buy bricks to build a house

Warren Buffett said: ” The more you learn, the more you earn”. You should learning another skill that can support for your jobs or even not for your job, if that an opportunity from your company. My advice is “take it”. I am sure your boss like that attitude.

8.A Cow has brain

Don’t show off yourself with other if you want to learn something from them. Be not smart is the best way to learn experience. However if you are already not smart don’t need tend to be.

9.Always Honest

When you start working in any companies even big or small. You should practice your honest. If you know, you will say know. If you don’t know, you should asking other for support instead of make up an answer.

10.Give 100% your resource to your 8 hours of work

You have been paid for work; It is not for relax. You should wearing your boss shoes or who is paying for you and thinking about key number 10.

11.Take responsibility of what you are doing

My biggest lesson is learning how to take my responsibility of what I have been done. This key has been applied daily at my job. I think you will get the best result if you take responsibility of your mistake. You will learn something incredible like truth and creditability from other people. You will get feedback from your co-workers and your boss how to improve yourself.

12.Listening instead of responding

My most famous quotes from this key is from two people below:

When you talk, You are Only Repeating What you Already Know. But if you listen, You May learn something new. ~Dalai Lama

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. They’re either speaking or preparing to speak. They’re filtering everything through their own paradigms, reading their autobiography into other people’s lives.~ Stephen r. Covey

My writing skill is still working to improving. Please don’t hesitate feedback about it. Enjoy the article!

2011 Year of decision

Thanks for coming back my blog!

    I am so exciting to tell you my journey in 2011. After 2010, school and work are better for me. I became a kitchen teacher for new members working in the third shift. At school, I continue improving my English.

   Time was flying fast. I have been working for DD almost  year and a half, and one year at Middlesex Community College. Time for me to rethink about my life, my future. I knew where is my weakness and where is my strongest. English probably is one of my problem. If I continue study at MCC, I need at least 6 years to finish my 2 years degree. I need to have a bigger decision. Because my brother was in MCC at that time, and we need someone get out early to work to take care family for the another continue study.

   I discuss my concern with my best friend. I knew him in the first few months in here. Our friendship has been develop strong until today. He suggested me ITT Tech school; which is not require much about English skill, and they only focus in practical stuff. I decided apply to that school. I have to switch my work schedule from night to morning since I have to go to school at 6:00PM everyday.

ITT Tech school

   Schooling at ITT  Tech was not bad at all. I saw my decision is absolutely right. I have more friends and some of them taught me English. I love them so much. I think the key to speak better is never embarrassing. I don’t mind to have a conversation with them even I did not speak fluently. However, they always corrected me when I said something wrong. I am so happy when I see the future door more open here.

   November, 2011  I quit the job at DD. I wrote a letter then stick it to manager office with this content “ Dear Boss,  I want to quit this job. The reason I quit is your promised. You told me that you will  give me a raise since August, and I never see it in my paid check until now. You told me so many times. Every time I help you done something great you said that. Thanks for give me a job!“. You know what 4:30 AM in the morning he called me, and told me that he will give me more money to continue working for him. I said: “ I’m sorry I can’t go back“.

  I was starting apply job online as well as market basket or Walmart close to my apartment. Two weeks later, I got a temp job at seafood company.  That job was awesome. Everyday you have to packet the ice salmon fillet or you need to lift the box and through it to floor to break the ice out of the fishes. It was really cold; my hand turn to red color everyday after work, yes they become a piece of ice. Sometime, you don’t have choice when you have to work to help your family. 2011 ending with  a lot of moving in school, in English skill, in job. I was happy with what I have and looking forward to the next exciting year.

Again, thanks for reading my blog. I will continue my journey of year 2012. Please follow it.

To be continue…

The second year in USA 2010!

   Thanks for continue follow up my journey!

   My second year in USA, I start thinking about the future of my life. I was  continue to study at Lowell Adult school for my ESL program, and my network has expanding. I know more people at work as well as at school. My school was going well, but my job was not. The company I was working for it was slow, as you already know the result; my work hours had been cut from 30 hours to 16 hours or 9 hours per week. I have to start looking for another job.

   The luck never leave me a lone. One more time I got the help from the best Vietnamese man to work in Dunkin’ Donuts store. Because I don’t speak English well, the boss assign me to work in the kitchen. You know that was awesome. I  learn how to make donuts and bagels. So my life continue  to work in the third shift 10:00PM to 6:00AM again.

   Finally, I finished my ESL program. I follow my older brother applied to Middlesex Community College for a program call liberal. With the help from one of my best friend the process to study at American school was not hard. However, I was actually really tired at that time with the schedule working from 10:00PM to 6:00AM then go to school from 8:00AM to 12:00PM. I knew that top but I don’t give up, and I knew it was the best way to open my future door. School and work help me improve my English skill.

Me and my ESL certificate

    Back to my donuts job, I had an amazing time when I worked there. The best memory is one night of the first month I worked there.  My boss came to the store and  fire all the night crew 3 people. He kept me there to handle everything. You can imagine how big of the store I working for; it has 1000 order/day. I mean that a biggest store in Lowell with 4 cashier station and one drive through. So, only myself there to run the store include unlimited service on the drive through and the front cashier(it opens 24/7), then I have to cook the bagels as well as make donuts, and prepare everything for the morning crew ready to work. My boss coming in the morning with a big surprise. He let me went home early on that day, and yes I was exhaust after one crazy night.

    At the end of the year, My English was extremely improve since I worked at DD;I has been moving from the kitchen to cashier to take order from customer. I have a chance to practice English daily with customer. My school was also great. I got a lot of help from one lady working at tutor room. She taught me how to reading and analyzing the book as well as fix my English problem.

I would like to thanks for reading my blog. I have to stop my journey 2010 here, and see you in my journey 2011. :))

To be continue…

My First Year in USA(2009)!

April 15, 2009

I want to start my story while and how I came to this country. My father  serviced for American’s army in Vietnam war. We came here with HO-program a program for Refugee. At the end 2008, my dad called me home to working on the document for interview  to USA. I was in shocked. I dream about this country. I know that place can change my life. The process interview was going really fast. We got all document and ready to fly to this country in April.

April 15, my feet was on the USA land. I still remember how crazy weather at that time. I was coming from the warm country  Vietnam. The temperature over there always over 80 degree. However, Boston’s Logan Airport welcome me with the cold which I ever experience with.When I stepped out the plane with the huge surprise. I couldn’t believe that  I was on USA. I thought it was just a dream. The cold in Boston woke me up and it told me this is not a dream.

The entire my family was coming on the same time. when we left Vietnam we were a poorest family in the village. My family has nothing in our pocket. we survive by the government money monthly( that program was going support my family for 6 months). I appreciated this country and I knew that money coming from the other people tax. That reason  make me want to work harder to contribute my income tax back to government for helping other family like us.

When I first came here, my English was horrible. I didn’t know much English which kept me stay inside the apartment for most 6 months. I was cried on the first day, because I don’t know what to do for my future over here. Everything was black in my mind. I can’t speak English; I can’t listen to other people spoke to me. I have no friends, and no money. I was 22 years old at that time which caused me can’t go to high school because I over 21 years old. I see on the doors were shutdown in front of my future.

I remember the quote: “After the rain, the sky will clear”. I starting study English at the basic level with Lowell Adult school. That class is calling ESL. I was there for almost a years just study English at night time even the bad weather or the good weather; I always attendant to that class. Walking almost 25 minutes from my apartment to that place in few foot snow actually not fun.

My first snow experience

Lowell Adult class

My teacher me(the guy with glasses) and my friend

Finally the sky was clear, I got the first job by someone in Vietnamese community at Lowell help me. I was so happy because after few months living in USA I can going to work. But that excited was not keeping long when that job ending in one week, and the boss said there is no more job to work. He can’t help me.The luck never leave me alone. I continue got one of the best man help me applied at some agencies to look for temporary jobs.After few days, I got a call to work for a paper manufacture. Then, everyday I have to wake up at 3PM and walked down to the hill to catch the nice person driving me to work place with the cold temperature (0-6 degree). Unfortunately,  That temp job was not long since they had low production and stated stop hire temp. One again I had  looking for a new job. I end up with the same job at difference manufactory.

My job at paper manufactory

At the new job. I have to buy  a car for transport since my work hour has been changed from 10:00PM to 6:00AM. So, I got a Toyota Camry year 2000 with a ton of miles on it. And it was a lemon car. I spent almost 8K to repair it when it stay with me. I ended my year 2009 by studying at night and working third shift with my new temp job.

(To be continues….)

Welcome to Lifealwaysbetter Blog!

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for visited my blog. This is my first time write blog. I want to share with you my 7 years journey in USA.

I  also want to practice my writing skill. English is not my first language any mistake here I hope you forgive.

I  would appreciated any comment or helpful tips to increase my English skill or fixing my blogs content.

Thanks,