Saturday, December 28, 2013

Leaving Home

The first time I left home was when I was 22.  I had to leave eventually.  Don't get me wrong, I get along great with my family.  My extended and intermediate family have been there for me, no matter what.  I've lived in the Central Valley of California my whole life.  Fresno, Clovis and Kingsburg are three cities I've lived in California.  I have no problem with Fresno, my hometown.  I've enjoyed living here and made some great friends and memories.

And now it's time for me to leave California.  I'm moving to Greensburg, Pennsylvania.  My brother lives there and offered me to come live with him.  At first I was apprehensive.  I've been so used to living in Fresno, I haven't thought much of leaving. I knew I wanted to leave California.  But I had no idea where I would move to.  I haven't had the best luck with job hunting here.  I've pretty much gave up on dating too.
Maybe if I moved, things would change for the better.

Maybe going to Pennsylvania would be good for me.  A change of scenery would be good.  I could maybe even find a job with my degree there.  I might even find a girlfriend there.  There are so many possibilities there I have yet to discover.  So I'm moving to another state to try something new.  As I'm writing this, I have two days left in California.  I was able to hang out with my friends one more time.  I'm scared but also excited.  I have a feeling this will be good for me.


Is Your Job Cool Enough??

Ask yourself this question and answer it honestly: Do you like your job? We've all been asked this question by friends and family.  There might even come a time when you're asked this at your job.  You hesitate because you're afraid of what'll happen if you answer it truthfully.  You lie or at least squeak out a half-truth.

We've all had, or will have a job we cannot stand.  It might not pay enough, you might not like your boss or you might not get along with your co-workers.  You fight to keep this job because you can't find another, or worse you found another one, but you have to hang in there.  You can't just jump the ship yet.  And if all this wasn't bad enough, there is one burning question.  Is your job cool enough??

I know that sounds like such a bizarre question.  But at the same time, it does become an issue.  When you're young, you take any job you can get.  You're grateful but at the same time you're scared.  You're worried that your friends or that girl you have a crush on will laugh at you.  Oh sure the job pays, but your peers might not see it as cool.

Even when you get older, you still face that dilemma.  You become worried that your family might look down on you if you they don't approve of your job.  There might be those awkward moments when people try to hide their disapproval.  Your kids might be ashamed of you.  You try to pretend you don't care about the 'cool factor' of your job.

It may sound hard, but don't care what other people think.  I've had several jobs over the years that might not seem 'cool.'  And I don't care.  They paid my bills, kept me employed and sane.  Someday I will find my dream job.  Someday I will be proud and happy to have that dream job.  Until that day comes, I will keep working at 'crappy' jobs and be damn grateful I have a job.