Destiny, forgot to add we have locations at Tuttle Crossing and other parts of Columbus if you don't want downtown.

Destiny, contact me at knislekx@aol.com.  I work at Nationwide and we have quite a few openings for secretaries.  

We hillbillies "do the warsh" instead of "wash" or "laundry".  There IS a difference between a "crick" and a "creek" (creeks are a tad larger, but there are exceptions), we hang our "warsh" outside on the clothesline, and we have dinner at noon, supper in the evening.

Did anyone notice that only 100 anti-death penalty protesters showed up at this execution.  I read in one paper that even they were saying this was a good thing.  



Personally, I felt they should have given him life without parole and turned him loose into the general prison population.  That would have been punishment enough because like with Jeffrey Dahmer, the prison population would have made sure he paid for what he did.  They have their own strange code of "criminal conduct."



Either that or fire up Old Sparky and cooked his butt.

The saddest part is that this child was being adopted by another set of parents, but was awarded back to the "natural" parents when they changed their minds.



Unfortunately, it seems like in Ohio when a child is abused or killed, all the adult has to say is, "I didn't know it would kill him/her!"  For instance, in my very small rural town, a large (overweight) man stomped on the stomach of a 3 year old boy and killed him.  He told the judge "I didn't realize that would kill him!" and because of that statement, he was charged with manslaughter and then given time served (about 3 months) and probation.



Another case in our small, rural town, a drunk driver hit another car head-on, killing a young woman and killing the baby her sister was pregnant with.  After some big payoffs by the drunk's family (which is being investigated) to the prosecuting attorney, which just so happened was best friends with the drunk's parents, the man served a total of almost 1 year in jail and was released.  "I didn't know driving drunk would kill someone!"



I've seen this same type of "I didn't know" mentality being accepted in courts time and time again.  It's disgraceful.  



And ya'll thought living in a small town would be boring.

 

Just found out that one of the new cast members of "Survivor II" is an administrative assistant from Beaver, PA!  



I guess they need someone to take the minutes of the tribal councils and count the votes.  They also have a nurse (to kiss the boo-boos), teacher/farmer (gotta get that crop of grass in), chef (65,000 ways to cook fish), shoe designer (she'll be off finding the perfect leaf for a new line of natural shoes), Army intelligence officer (oxymoron if ever I've heard one), a personal trainer (lift that log ladies), bartender (65,000 ways to make hooch from fish), Corrections officer (someone to keep the gang in line), Harvard Law  student (someone to sue the Corrections Officer for brutality), an "aspiring actress" (hey, someone's got to look good), singer/songwriter (someone has to write and sing a "Goodbye Earl" type song for the losers), 2 computer geeks (they will go into DTs without their Palm Pilots within a week), and an auto customizer (to round out the numbers).



This should be interesting.



 

I live in Central Ohio and have been to Cincinnati MANY times.  It's one of my favorite places.  If you like to shop, go to the Tri-County Mall.  It's great.



If you like to gamble, there are a couple of riverboats about 45 minutes away.  The hotel will give you directions and may even have a shuttle.



There is so much to do and see.  They have a wonderful museum (one of the best in the country), restaurants, shopping, historical sites, antique stores, etc.  Hope you have a wonderful time.



Cincinnati isn't difficult to navigate around either, at least I don't think so.  

 

I had made the decision in the winter of 1999 to try for the test.  I work at Nationwide (insurance) and they really talk the talk and walk the walk when it comes to training.  They paid for my books and my tuition for the prep class I took at my local vocational school ($800 + books).  I had put it off for over 20 years even though I had employers that sort of encouraged me, they wouldn't help a bit as far as paying for IAAP (then it was PSI) dues, books, etc.  As a matter of fact, my most recent former employer had stressed she wanted me to take the test (part of my review), however when I finally applied, they tried to refuse to fill out their portion of the application acknowledging that I had been an admin assist for over 8 years!  Needless to say, I forced them to change their mind real quick by threatening to have an attorney contact them.



When I passed, my boss (who is a former CPS) gave me a lovely gift, flowers and lunch.  She let me go home early so I could get my results and stayed in her office until I called, answering on the first ring. She got so excited, she tried to contact anyone in the building (ever tried to find anyone after 5pm on a summer Friday evening?).  She will even pay for my trip to Hilton Head for the CPS seminar.  While I didn't get a bonus or raise, I feel all the above made up for it in spades.



I liked the workbooks and they helped me a lot.  However, the tests at the end of each chapter of the textbooks had many wrong answers!  There were even major boo-boos in the text books.  



I am so proud of my CPS rating and I sign my name with it whenever possible.  



For those of you thinking about taking the test, do it.  Even if you don't pass, you will still learn more and know more than before you did!



 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!  I'm SO happy for you.  It is tough, isn't it?  Not at all what I expected and I have 25 years experience.  I also passed all three parts the first time around.  



I've heard from one person from the OfficeClick site and she passed as well.  Five ladies from our company also passed, one all three parts, the other four had taken the test previously and were retaking a part or two.  Even so, I'm really happy for all of you.



Hope to meet you at the CPS Seminar in Hilton Head in June.  

I got my CPS designation this past June.  Took the test May 6, got the results on June 23.  I had heard the November test results were to be mailed the week of December 18.  



Just nervous for the other ladies who took the test!

Has anyone received their results yet from the November CPS exam?  I heard they were supposed to be mailed late last week.

Yes, harrassment it is.  Try documenting the instances where this occurs and take it to HR.  



I don't know if there is a particular person who starts these comments or not.  If so, have you spoken to that person directly to let them know the comments are offensive and hurtful - not only personally, but professionally as well?  



Are there another admin professionals in your company that you feel comfortable talking to about this situation?  Maybe they can give you some insight and help diffuse the comments.  If a group of people work with you to stop the comments, that might be the best way to stop this type of harrassment.

The jacket and a cap is an excellent departing gift.  The clock is a good welcoming gift with the basket of gourmet coffees in their rooms.



Shopping - oh lord, do those Japanese men love to shop.   One day the Japanese exec I was talking about in the earlier post, became ill with a cold.  We tried to get him to go back to his hotel but no, he wanted to go shopping.  Our Japanese consultant rather forcefully escorted him to the hotel, staying outside the front for about thirty minutes.  The big stinker slipped out the back lobby to the next block over and walked to the downtown store anyway and shopped for 3 hours.  



When the consultant got back to her office, she called his room.  No answer.  She was so upset, thought something had happened to him.  I told her that she forgot about the rear exit of the hotel and I'd bet $10 he went to Lazarus.  Yep, that's what he did!  



When he came in the next day, I scolded him and this huge 6'4", 250 lb. Japanese man, just hung his head like a little boy and then started laughing.  He was so proud of himself for outwitting us.  Men, they are the same the world over.  And they say we're sneaky.

Coming from an international trade/development background, I've worked with many Japanese visitors, like NYGuy.  He's right on target.  The first thing #1 Rule:  If they give you a card, give them your card. ALWAYS have their card(s) right in front of you during the meeting.  Never, EVER put it away while in the meeting.  This is a grave insult to the Japanese.  If they put yours away, they are testing you to see if you  know this proper etiquette.  



Usually a gift is given upon arrival.  A coffee basket is a wonderful idea. Anything that is made in your state is a wonderful gift - basket, pottery, crystal, etc.  For instance, Longaberger makes baskets in Ohio.  We had given them a basket once and they loved it because it was handmade and made in Ohio.  Japanese cherish their artists and the work they do. Your state development department should be able to help you with this.  A small gift is usually given upon departure - this is usually a logo item of your state or city - cap, sweatshirt, mug, etc.  



Dinner - they work hard and they play hard.  The first evening should be in a formal restaurant.  This dinner will be an extension of any meetings held that day.  The second evening can be a little less formal.  If you  you are able, tickets to a play, show or sporting event is wonderful, especially a sporting event.  If they are staying longer than 2 days, dinner in the executive's home is usually in order.  Suggestion:  Beef is a delicacy in Japan and they love to eat it here where it is so much less expensive.



Give them a warm, genuine smile.  One time some Japanese executives were going to Indianapolis to view some industrial sites.  Just so happened, our Japanese consultant for the Chamber was on the same flight and she kind of "hijacked" them into coming to Columbus instead.  The next morning, here are all these guys who just showed up at my desk, I didn't know who they were or why they were there.  They were one hour early for their 8am appointment, not realizing that Ohio is on Eastern time and their watches were set for Central time.  Luckily I had arrived early.



I gave them a warm smile, welcomed them to Columbus, offered them coffee, etc.  What was supposed to have been a 1 day visit, turned into a 3 week stay.  The President of this HUGE Japanese firm (I didn't know that at the time) said that while he appreciated all the work everyone did, what made them choose Columbus was my warm smile and genuine welcome that first day and genuine friendliness of everyone.  



If you need more help, feel free to email me at knislek@nationwide.com

 

I LOVE IT!!  Way to go NYGuy!