I Once Was

 Looking back I have had some unique experiences, to say the least. 

Z 

    In high school, I started with a simple job. That of a dog walker, it wasn't a booming business or even a business at all. I made posters and put them over town. I got one call. To this day I can still recall the dog's name. Zeekers. He was a red-nosed pitbull. Gorgeous, and even-tempered. The owner was a veteran and didn't have time in the afternoon to walk or play with Zeeks. I on the other hand did. Once I got acquainted with the owner and pet, I agreed to the job. We came to an arrangement of the logistics of my schedule and pay. It was a simple job and something that I actually enjoyed doing. Zeeks and I got into a routine. He would know when I was coming for he would sit at the door with either a ball or leash in his mouth. 

Recycle/Painter/Gardener

    In my junior year, I decided to transfer to a different high school. In my previous school, I had a class of 40, and I needed to expand my horizons therefore I decided to go to a catholic private. Actually, my mom persuaded me to go there, even though I was more than content to go to a public high school. But, my mom's mind was set. Private school would look good, especially for college. Also "private schools have great virtues" that they stand by. I agreed, and soon I was wearing a jumper and Birkenstocks. I fit right in, well for the conformity part I did. Private school came at a price, luckily scholarships and grants helped. But, I also wanted to pay for my education. The summer before my junior year, I worked as one of the garden workers, pulling weeds from the gorgeous rose beds. It was a great way to get to know the school I would be attending that coming fall. I got the lay of the lawn, all the while meeting other students. The jobs were endless and that summer seemed long, but I completed each task. Soon they allowed us to come inside because the summer days were getting unbearably hot, and they didn't want anyone to suffer from heat stroke. I painted walls, which I have to say was pretty fun. I was used to a paintbrush in hand, due to my mom and her painting skills. I have painted our house, as well as walls for my mom's friends to make quick cash. The most important thing is to have a steady hand. Once school was in session, the odd jobs were no longer available, so I got the job of collecting classroom recyclables. Hey, at least I was helping out the environment. Highschool was a ... well I think you can come up with a word for it while you reminisce on those old days. 

Summer Jobs ( Tea, Cake, Grass, and...)

    I have had many... from working at my old high school to mowing lawns for neighbors, dog walking, and working at a boba tea shop. I have to say the tea shop was pretty fun. I learned how to make milk teas and even those tasty boba pearls. It was a new business and the company was run by two siblings, so it was very new and family-like. Also, my friends appreciated my employee discount and endless tea supply. But what's better than free tea, how about working at a bakery! That was deliciously wonderful. My boss was a queen, she was so understanding and caring. If there was a customer who was rude or boisterous she would manage to ease the situation, and always made sure we were okay. She understood the importance of mental health.     

    I have also nannied, babysat, and worked with kids. One summer I volunteered at my local church daycare. Three days out of the week, it was hard work but the kids were awesome, and I also got to attend their field trips, it made the summer fly by (you could say this was my first taste of teaching before I even thought to consider it) 

    Also, the one job that I have to say is probably the most unique is when I was a sandblaster for my neighbor. It was a one-woman show. He taught me how to put the decals on the glassware and how to blast it, wash it, package it, and ship it. This was a quiet job since he was always on the go, so I usually had the shop to myself. It was a great job, I would blast my country music and dive into my work, which kinda was therapeutic in its repetition. 

    --> I could definitely make a blog post about Carter the very very very attractive landscaper that my boss hired, he came into the shop, and boy o boy did I fumble that ball so hard. 

What other jobs have I done... well then there's college. Boy oh boy did I have some fun times with those jobs. 

College    

       Working in the caf. I got to be the cashier, at first, you may think this is a mundane job. But o no, it was so much more. Actually, I met my best friend Emily, or more like she met me. My friend (who no longer is my friend) had a crush on Emily. I remember checking her out at the register and I smiled and gave her a compliment. At that point, it came across as me flirting with her when in actuality I was just agreeing to my other's friend taste. Emily was beyond gorgeous. I learned I had the power to make people's day. As college kids, we are so hard on ourselves, running ourselves ragged. The only compliments we do get are from either a late night at the houses or some drunk person. Or if you are lucky you may meet a genuine person. That person was me. I would compliment those who went through my line. I would ask them about their day. I won't lie, sometimes I had friends who would forget their ID cards to pay for their food, I would ring them up and let them walk. I mean come on, we pay how much to attend this college and we still have to pay an insane amount for food. Soon I left the caf and decided to try a different college campus job. I decided to work with the arts. I got the opportunity to work in the small art museum that was on campus. This job was simple and easy, sit among the exhibit, and tally up how many people visited the exhibit that day. It was relaxing and I managed to get homework done, o who am I kidding, I was either listening to music or talking to my friend who would visit me. 

The next job I took would be one where I could graze with my eyes. I became a part of the hockey maintenance crew, which was considered a pretty hot job. This job was easyyyyyyyyy! During practices, all I had to do was move the nets for the Zamboni driver and melt the ice from the Zamboni. But the best part, was when we had a game day. I would get the best seat in the house. The penalty box! There were times when this job was pretty nerve-wracking, I mean some of these players came in hot and they towered over me. I would have to be the one to keep them in the box, even though they were angry due to the opposing team and the ref making a bad call. It was absolutely exhilarating! Plus I mean having a 6 ft plus man towering over you breathing heavily and his eyes darkened and you are the one to release him. It makes your pulse quicken. Yeah, those were the gold ole days. 

By the time my senior year rolled around, I decided it was time to get a job in town. I really wanted to work in the service industry due to the quick money. Also, I was living in an apartment and had gone off the caf plan, so no more eating on campus. Instead, it was time to make my own meals. I quickly started applying for everything in town. One day I heard back from the American Legion for the bartender position. I may have tweaked a few things on my resume saying I had experience bartending. Truth be told, I made many drinks at college parties, how hard could it be to serve a beer? Finally, they scheduled me for an interview. It was short and sweet, and I got hired. Let's just say my first day was rough. Like so rough I had an anxiety attack and the manager was about to fire me, but luckily a guest helped me, there are kind people in this world. That first night I came home with $200 bucks. I knew the next night, I would be going back. I quickly learned everything about the bar scene. I became a favorite to my regulars, I even had a few fun nicknames. I love American Legions, good prices, and authentic people who know how to actually have a conversation worth having. (I have stories about this place, if you care to hear more... maybe I will make a separate blog about bartending) 

The college soon came to an abrupt end due to COVID-19. I graduated with my degree and soon it was time to face the real world. 

AU PAIR

    In 2020 I became an Au Pair. I had decided after college I wanted to travel. This was my chance to see Europe, and who knows maybe find my true calling, or maybe get a better sense of direction in what I wanted for a career. I moved to Germany and was greeted by my host family who were originally from Italy but had moved to Munich for work. I had three children to watch. I must confess I didn't really know exactly what I was getting into. An old friend of mine had told me about au pairing. I had babysat previously, and nannied for a summer, how could an au pairing be any different? Well, let's just say it definitely isn't what you expect. The hours aren't ever truly yours, you learn to become super adaptable. 

    --> I will definitely make a separate blog about Au Pairing

Teacher

    After my year abroad I started to apply for jobs that I knew would allow me to work with children. I was comfortable with the youth. It allowed me to enhance my own imagination. Looking back at it, I believe teaching found me. I accepted the job and was content. I started as an assistant and looking back I am glad I started off this way. I had a lot to learn, I worked with 1st-3rd graders. The school was small, and I didn't feel like an employee. Instead, I felt like a part of the family. In my second year, I decided I wanted to teach. I advocated for myself and spoke about the skills I could bring. I was granted the position. Teaching 7th-8th graders was absolutely an adventure. It was a small class, and to this day I still hear from my students. I know at that age everything kinda seems to be going against you. I didn't want school to be that way. I wanted my students to feel like they could communicate with honesty and stay true to themselves. 

    -->I could definitely dive into this more. 1st year I was juggling more than one job and dealing with my mental health. 2nd year I learned how to advocate for myself and others. 

Now that brings me up to date, this past summer I worked as a server, and was applying to jobs that would challenge my skill set and allow me to enhance my skills. I also decided I wanted to apply for my master's. I decided to apply to a program in Scotland. I will soon be hearing back from the university to see if I got accepted or not. As of right now, I am a freelance writer, who has the opportunity to travel. I'm making sure to make the most of my 20's.