Okay, friends, it's time I update you all on my life. So I have to inform you that there is a 98% chance of me joining the ranks of the unemployed. In fact, if you're reading this on December 1st, then there's a good chance I've already joined those ranks.
I knew that my hours would be getting cut once my boss retired and a supervisor was promoted to that position. There have been a few hints of lost hours circulating...for example, in September and October I was working four shifts a week, then in November, I was suddenly only working 7. Total. For the entire month. Seven shifts. Some shifts are five hours, and some are 7 hours...you can do the math, but I'll go ahead and tell you what it equals: not enough money to survive. My last check covered two tanks of gas, a coffee, and my cell phone bill. woo hoo.
I was told on Thursday that I should look for a new job, and to make it my "primary" job as there won't be any hours for any of us part-time employees. So, in eight days, I am pretty much out of a job, as are most other part-time employees. As I'm sure you've already guessed (if you know me) I'm in a bit of freak out mode. Luckily, I have amazing parents who have agreed to pay my November, December, and January car payment...
And you know what? It makes me feel sad and betrayed and angry that someone who has run this company since it opened in 1995 would allow it to get this bad by not managing a budget, and now it's affecting so many people ! Where is the sense that since you're in charge, perhaps you should be responsible and take your head out of the flipping sand!!! This place has been like a second home for me. This is my sixth year there...and now? We cross our fingers that it survives...
Anyways, please say some prayers for me! If you see any jobs that are hiring, or you know someone who is looking to hire someone, maybe 15-20 hours a week...you know where to find me!!
This Thanksgiving, I will be thankful for...having gotten to know and become friends with so many amazing people, for my family, for the wonderful Luke who loves me through all of this, and for the support I receive from all!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
First off all, if you haven't thanked a soldier you know (and c'mon, we all know at least one!), then please be sure to do so today. I would also really encourage you to become pen pals with a soldier (www.adoptaplatoon.org is a great website that can set you up with that!).
I was thinking about this whole letter writing thing that I challenged everyone to on my facebook yesterday, and I wanted to make a small point: We hear "Support our Troops!" on an almost daily basis. It gets mundane and we forget what it really means. I think that often when we hear "Support our Troops" we translate that to: "Support our War." So I would like to take a quick moment to clarify the difference for those of you who may not see it. And I'll be honest, I didn't always recognize the difference until I spent some time thinking about it last night.
We don't really know what soldiers see in Iraq and Afghanistan. In his poem War Memoir: Jazz, Don't Listen to it at Your Own Risk, Bob Kaufman says: "We were busy dying on living ground/Busy earning medals, for killing children on deserted/street corners" and then later on says, "Now in those terrible moments, when the dark memories come/The secret moments to which we admit to no one/When guiltily we crawl back in time, reaching away from/ourselves."
I think that Kaufman's poem shows us that there is a lot about what soldiers experience that we simply don't know about it. They see terrible things and sometimes, they have to do terrible things in order to save others. My point is this: We need to let them know that they are not alone in this endeavor. We need to let them know that they are cared for, and not judged for split second decisions. So we do what we can to support them. Maybe that's hugging them and whispering that everything will be okay. Maybe it's sending them cookies and letters. Whatever we do, we need to support our troops. We cannot shut our eyes and ears to the terrible things that happen overseas. We need to be aware of it. And we need to do what we can to help those who have to experience it. This isn't supporting the war, just those who are living in it.
So today, take the time to tell a soldier thank you. Whether or not they went to war, they all signed up for the military knowing that it was possible they could be sent to fight. And that is bravery and courage in and of itself.
I was thinking about this whole letter writing thing that I challenged everyone to on my facebook yesterday, and I wanted to make a small point: We hear "Support our Troops!" on an almost daily basis. It gets mundane and we forget what it really means. I think that often when we hear "Support our Troops" we translate that to: "Support our War." So I would like to take a quick moment to clarify the difference for those of you who may not see it. And I'll be honest, I didn't always recognize the difference until I spent some time thinking about it last night.
We don't really know what soldiers see in Iraq and Afghanistan. In his poem War Memoir: Jazz, Don't Listen to it at Your Own Risk, Bob Kaufman says: "We were busy dying on living ground/Busy earning medals, for killing children on deserted/street corners" and then later on says, "Now in those terrible moments, when the dark memories come/The secret moments to which we admit to no one/When guiltily we crawl back in time, reaching away from/ourselves."
I think that Kaufman's poem shows us that there is a lot about what soldiers experience that we simply don't know about it. They see terrible things and sometimes, they have to do terrible things in order to save others. My point is this: We need to let them know that they are not alone in this endeavor. We need to let them know that they are cared for, and not judged for split second decisions. So we do what we can to support them. Maybe that's hugging them and whispering that everything will be okay. Maybe it's sending them cookies and letters. Whatever we do, we need to support our troops. We cannot shut our eyes and ears to the terrible things that happen overseas. We need to be aware of it. And we need to do what we can to help those who have to experience it. This isn't supporting the war, just those who are living in it.
So today, take the time to tell a soldier thank you. Whether or not they went to war, they all signed up for the military knowing that it was possible they could be sent to fight. And that is bravery and courage in and of itself.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Remembering...
Veterans Day is coming up this week on November 11, 2009. Let's not forget to thank those who have so bravely served our country, whether we've agreed with the reason for them fighting or not. Many people do not see the need for war, and that's a fine view to have. Everyone has their own opinion on the past and present wars America has been involved with. But perhaps for this one day, we can set those aside so we can say to those who have served, "Thank you. It's a brave and courageous thing to join an armed service, and it's even more brave and courageous to fight for freedom. Thank you for putting your life on the line so we can have the freedom we enjoy today."
We all know at least one person who has fought, whether that's a grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, mom, dad, co-worker, schoolmate, or friend. Maybe it's the homeless man who stands on the corner seeking money. Perhaps it's the woman who sits two cubicles down from you. Then again, it could be the guy behind the counter at Burger King, the member of your church who sings a little off-key, or your friends boyfriend.
Let's remember that whether or not they agreed with the war, they still served. They patrolled. They helped rebuild. They ended lives. They saved lives. They created and carried out operations to end terrorists plots. They saw things that no one should ever see. They lived to tell the tale. They carry it all around with them everyday.
So this November 11, please say the most important thing you can to a soldier: "Thank you."
We all know at least one person who has fought, whether that's a grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister, mom, dad, co-worker, schoolmate, or friend. Maybe it's the homeless man who stands on the corner seeking money. Perhaps it's the woman who sits two cubicles down from you. Then again, it could be the guy behind the counter at Burger King, the member of your church who sings a little off-key, or your friends boyfriend.
Let's remember that whether or not they agreed with the war, they still served. They patrolled. They helped rebuild. They ended lives. They saved lives. They created and carried out operations to end terrorists plots. They saw things that no one should ever see. They lived to tell the tale. They carry it all around with them everyday.
So this November 11, please say the most important thing you can to a soldier: "Thank you."
Soldier: a skilled WARRIOR
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
