Good News

    My county temp job ended mid February and I started to get seriously stressed when I wasn't getting interviews as quickly as I hoped.  March was drifting by and money was becoming non-existent.  We were struggling but still in the safe zone.  I decided to apply for assistance (welfare) but was denied.  The last week of March I applied for a new grocery store opening near my house. The open hire went well.  Old fashioned applications, two interviews and drug screening.  Interviews went great, I did more casual talk about the demographics of my neighborhood and how important it was for this store to open in such an area.  I also discussed dollar store produce, haha.  That was a Tuesday morning, I was told I would get a call by Friday for orientation if I passed the background and drug test.
   Friday came and went, I became super stressed. Questioning what could have gone wrong.  I've never been arrested and don't do drugs, so what could it be? Stressed and bummed, I continue to look for work. It is now April and I'm really low on cash.  I paid the bills that I could and made sure to get some food in the house.  On my way home from the store the following Monday I get the call about orientation, YAY!   I'm digging in my purse for a pen and paper (the receipt had to do) to write all the information down.  Orientation was that Wednesday and I needed work clothes.  I called my mother frantic to borrow the money for a single work outfit.  My parents wired me the money that same day.  The work clothes didn't cost as much as I thought they would.
   Orientation was an all day gig and gave me the chance to meet some interesting people I will be working with.  I had applied for the Service Clerk position as I have not worked in a grocery store.  I figured I would find my place within a few months and move into the department I liked the most.  Not a chance.  I showed up to orientation 30 minutes early and offered to help (only one), and I cleaned up before the trainer was done with giving my coworkers their training schedules.  Everyone was in a hurry to get out of there, I don't know why.  I stayed longer than I need to just so I could get as much information as possible.  When it was my turn to get my schedule for any training I may need, I was asked why I was a Service Clerk and that might be changed to Cashier because it would be a better fit.  I was given training days and told that would get a call about my status.  It took a week before I knew that I was moved to the Cashier position.
   I trained in Oakland for 3 days. The commute to Oakland was okay, I walked to the store and back to BART instead of taking the bus 511.org suggested.  Going home was brutal, riding BART after 3 is torture.  My feet were killing me and one of the days it was humid and smelly from all the sweaty people. Bleh.  Yeah okay, you all know this, but goodness I almost forgot how gross that is.
On my last day training I passed my Cashier training test and was asking of I would consider adding another position to my belt.  Of course I said yes and I got the official call this weekend.  Instead starting next week I start tomorrow.  Woohoo, I'm excited.  More training but it also counts as work and I get paid.  I can't wait.
   I was so stressed a month ago and then things just started moving so fast.  I feel blessed and grateful for this job.  Sometimes it is hard to have faith and doubt sets in.  But, I never gave up and I've always had faith.  Things are still tough, but they will get better.

A Little Happy Update

Waiting at Walnut Creek Bart in the morning..

So....
As you can clearly see I have not been blogging.  Instead I have been working, as in I got a 9-5 job, okay it's actually 7:30 - 4 but whatever.

I didn't want to talk about the job until I had been here for at least a month.  Well it's been about a month, so it's now time to talk. The position is a Temporary Clerk for the county I live in. The Boss Lady I work under is a Systems Analyst in one of the many departments in the County.  It's six months long, eight hour days, with an approximate 2 hour public transportation commute each way.  Yes, that means I wake up between 4:30 and 5:00 am to get ready.

Here is my new daily schedule

4:30-5:00 --Snooze the darn alarm..... OMG I'm gonna be late
5:32 --YAY! 93x is here (right around the corner from my house)  I usually sleep on this ride
6:10ish -- Arrive at Walnut Creek Bart to take 98x
6:24 -- YAY! 98x is departing
6:33 -- Arrive at Sun Valley Mall in Concord and walk the rest of the way to work.
6:45 -- Arrive at work
--- Clean my desk
--- Eat breakfast
--- Read or write in a journal while I wait to start
7:30-11:30 -- Logging in work from the previous evening and whatever else Boss Lady needs done.
11:30-12:00 -- Lunch ( I usually walk around the buildings or sit and watch the animals in the pond.)
12:00-4:00 -- Doing whatever kind of work that my Boss Lady needs.
4:24-4:35 98x to Walnut Creek Bart (this bus is always late... ALWAYS!!)
4:40-5:12 93x to home.  I catch the 4:40 bus IF the 98x makes it in time. It's only happened once so far.
6:15 -- Hi Honey I'm Home!!! 

By the time I get home, even though I usually sleep or read, I am too darn tired to cook. After a month you would think I have gotten down a schedule for home. NOPE, but I will... Someday

So now you know what I have been up to.
I think getting up early will in the long run be great for me. I have been trying to get myself on a schedule where I wake up before 6 am.  I have been struggling with that for a long while.  My only problem is I have loud neighbors and sometimes I am unable to get to bed at a decent hour.

I enjoy my job when we're busy, somedays I write or read while I wait for more work.  I'm not always super busy, but I always have something to do.  Next week will be off the hook busy as we are updating systems. Wish me luck...

My paper Clip Ram

He wanted my Banana, but I didn't share

Me taking a Selfie break. haha

IMOO- Drivers License

I have been reading about a rise in the Y generation not wanting to drive and then Jezebel also posts an article titled worth it not having a drivers license. I can't tell you how relieved I am to see more people not allowing others to pressure them into driving and realizing it is not a necessity. I have actually never had a drivers license. I believe driving is a privilege NOT a right. So many people have a drivers license and can not drive. How the hell did they pass their test? I am an awful driver, I have a lead foot and serious road rage. I also had more than one incident that has brought serious anxiety when I am behind the wheel. I didn't like driving and was not confident in my skills. Then when the incidents happened, they heightened my fear and anxiety with driving. I have anxiety attacks while driving, so I choose not to drive. I feel it would be wrong of me to drive knowing I could have an anxiety attack and possibly pass out behind the wheel causing an accident or even death. I have gotten by just fine without a car, though sometimes (very rare) I ask for a ride. I also will not get in the car with you if I feel you are an awful driver. I know many of you will say 'How dare you judge us drivers when you don't even have a license". I can respect that but, you have to respect that if you drive like a crazy person and don't follow simple road rules, I have the right to never get in your car again. I have a few friends that are HORRIBLE drivers. I just don't understand how they got their license. 

 I have been called a bad mother for not driving. I have been told I am abusing my kids for making them walk and take the bus. If anything I have taught my kids independence and geography. My kids can walk all over town and know how and where to go on foot, but we are still working on the bus systems. I would get the "You need a license for emergencies" bit when my kids were little. So, If I have my license and there is an emergency will a car magically appear in front of me to use? I thought not. I don't have a car so the license won't matter in an emergency anyway. I can't even afford to have one right now, so we save money, sorta. I buy bus passes that can be used more than once and I also have a Clipper Card for BART and Muni. I wish the Clipper Card was good for Tri Delta Transit, but nope. I walk more than anything because many of the stores are close by. Target, Walmart, Sears, 99 cent stores, lots of banks and a mini mall. Los Medanos College is even in walking distance. The grocery store isn't really that far and I usually walk to the store then take the bus home. 

 Now the thing that drives me crazy is when people tell me I need a license and then I see them drive to the mail box. YES the mail box! I see people drive to the store to get less items than me. They may beat me to the store, but I get more stuff and still make it home before or at the same time as them. My neighbors always say "Dang Lisa you walk fast." Yes I do. I think if I drove I would be hella fat and more lazy than I already am. I think some people take driving for granted and don't realize what they are missing out on. I know there are times when a car is the better option but...Why do you have to drive everywhere? Why can't you jog to the store, or walk with your kids to school? You're missing out on life when you are always in a rush. What's the hurry? I have met some interesting people walking and on the bus. I get to pet dogs on my walks and enjoy nature. 

Like I said before I believe driving is a privilege not a right. Too many people take it for granted or abuse it. Stop, get out of your car, and walk. Take the bus and enjoy the interesting people. Plus it's better for your health if you leave your car at home a few times a week. Come on, you can do it.

I had to add this. lol